October 02, 2008 — Thursday
Google in 2001
Google is 10 years old this month, and to celebrate, they have brought back their search index from 2001 and with links to the Internet Archive’s Way Back Machine, you can flash back to the Internet circa 2001, when there was no Flash and Google only searched a measly 1,326,920,000 pages.
You can also check out the Google Timeline where you can find out such useful facts as when Klingon became one of the languages supported by Google, what the definition of Google Dance is, and when Google Scholar was launched.
To see what the world was like ten years ago, go search Google 2001.
— michael | 09:50 AM | Comments (0) | I found it online
October 01, 2008 — Wednesday
Today in History: NASA
It was 50 years ago today, October 1, 1958 that “the official start of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).” NASA explains that the creation of NASA:
was the beginning of a rich history of unique scientific and technological achievements in human space flight, aeronautics, space science, and space applications. Formed as a result of the Sputnik crisis of confidence, NASA inherited the earlier National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), and other government organizations, and almost immediately began working on options for human space flight.
For more, read the rest: NASA History in Brief .
— michael | 04:52 PM | Comments (0) | I found it online
Today in History: Model T
It was 100 years ago today, October 1, 1908 that the Ford Motor Company first released the Model T. Ford explains:
The car that put the world on wheels, the Ford Model T, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008 and Ford is planning a year-long series of celebrations to honor the iconic vehicle.
The US Census Bureau is celebrating the anniversary with a Special Edition of the Facts for Features: Model T Centennial. The Bureau explains:
On Oct. 1, 1908, Ford Motor Co. introduced the Model T, generally regarded as the first affordable automobile and the car that industry experts say “put America on wheels.” The first Model T, produced for the 1909 model year, was assembled by hand and sold for $850. The demand for the cars was so high that Ford started producing them on an assembly line, enabling it to turn out a Model T every 10 seconds. Many consider the Model T to be the most influential car of the 20th century.
Some of the facts include:
— 79,000 - # of registered vehicles in 1905 (before production of the Model T started)
— 181,000 - # of passenger cars manufactured in 1910
— 1.9 million - # of passenger cars manufactured in 1920
— 244.2 million - # of motor vehicles registered in the US in 2006
— ~134 million - # of cars registered in the US in 2006
For the more, go read the rest: Facts for Features: Model T Centennial.
Also you can check out Ford’s page on the centennial of the Model T: Ford Model T Turns 100: Centennial Celebrations Underway For The Historic Icon.
— michael | 11:38 AM | Comments (0) | I found it online
September 30, 2008 — Tuesday
Banned Books Week
This week, from September 27 to October 4, 2008 is Banned Books Week, a week when the American Library Association celebrates the freedom to read.
Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, this annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. This year, 2008, marks BBW’s 27th anniversary (September 27 through October 4).BBW celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met.
The ALA also explains:
The “10 Most Challenged Books of 2007” reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:
- And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group- The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence- Olive’s Ocean, by Kevin Henkes
Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language- The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
Reasons: Racism- The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,- TTYL, by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
Reasons: Sexually Explicit- It’s Perfectly Normal, by Robie Harris
Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit- The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
Off the list this year, are two books by author Toni Morrison. The Bluest Eye and Beloved, both challenged for sexual content and offensive language.
For more: Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read.
— michael | 11:19 PM | Comments (0) | Something to think about
September 29, 2008 — Monday
Moneygami
Want to find a new use for that one dollar bill? Rather than spending it on something, you can turn it into something using moneygami, which is origami with money. The best part is the design on the bills becomes a face for the moneygami piece. To see a variety of examples, check out: The Art Of Moneygami.
via BoingBoing
— michael | 06:54 PM | Comments (0) | Random bits
September 26, 2008 — Friday
Web Search Strategies in Plain English
The CommonCraft show has a new video on Web Search Strategies in Plain English. They provide some basic tools for searching that work across most online searching tools.
You can watch it here:
Or you can go watch a larger version it on YouTube or Vimeo. If you like the series, you should also check out some of the other videos covering things like Social Media in Plain English , Podcasting in Plain English , and Twitter in Plain English , just to name a few.
— michael | 12:55 PM | The more you know
September 25, 2008 — Thursday
How to Write Congress
If you’ve ever felt like writing congress to let them know how you feel, you might want to check out the Consumerist’s guide to: How To Write To Congress.
They explain:
Writing to Congress is the single best way to express your view on public policy. The average consumer has a surprising ability to influence legislation by crafting a well written missive. Let’s find out what the common mistakes to avoid are, how the process works, and the best ways to ensure your letter has the greatest impact.
For more, go read the rest: How To Write To Congress.
— michael | 07:52 PM | I found it online
September 24, 2008 — Wednesday
eClips from NASA
NASA has created a new eClips program that features videos aimed at different groups: Our World: Grade K–5, Real World Mathematics: Grade 6–8, Launchpad: Grade 9–12, and 360: General public.
NASA eClips are short, relevant educational video segments. These videos inspire and engage students, helping them see real world connections. New video segments are produced weekly exploring current applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM topics. The programs are produced for targeted audiences: grades K–5, 6–8, 9–12 and the general public.NASA eClips offer unlimited flexibility in the classroom for timing, sequencing, and pacing instruction to meet the needs of students and classroom instructors. Educational material for this program is selected based on national curriculum standards identified by: NCTM, NSTA, ISTE and Project 2061.
The NASA 360 program already has four 20+ minute episodes up that can be watched online, or downloaded as mp4s (112 MB each).
— michael | 10:40 AM | I found it online
September 22, 2008 — Monday
Teens, Video Games and Civics
Just how much gaming is done by teens? A “fully 97% of teens ages 12–17 play computer, web, portable, or console games,” according to the PEW Internet and American Life Project report on “teens, video games, and civics.”
Other key findings are:
- 50% of teens played games “yesterday.”
- 86% of teens play on a console like the Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii.
- 73% play games on a desktop or a laptop computer.
- 60% use a portable gaming device like a Sony PlayStation Portable, a Nintendo DS, or a Game Boy.
- 48% use a cell phone or handheld organizer to play games.
Some of the conclusions include:
Game playing is universal, with almost all teens playing games and at least half playing games on a given day. Game playing experiences are diverse, with the most popular games falling into the racing, puzzle, sports, action and adventure categories.Game playing is also social, with most teens playing games with others at least some of the time and can incorporate many aspects of civic and political life.
For more, you should really go read the whole thing, there is a wealth of data regarding most frequently played games, average hours played, genre of games played, and the social aspects of gaming:
— PEW site page for report: Teens, Video Games, and Civics
— Report itself: Teens, Video Games, and Civics (PDF)
— michael | 09:14 AM | Something to think about
September 19, 2008 — Friday
Avast! It be Talk Like a Pirate Day
Aaaar, matey, it be Talk Like a Pirate Day. As the original Talk Like a Pirate Day site explains:
In the seven years since Dave Barry mentioned us in his nationally syndicated newspaper column, what once was a goofy idea celebrated by a handful of friends has turned into an international phenomenon that shows no sign of letting up. Maybe you read about us on line. Maybe you caught one of our radio or TV interviews. Or maybe you just stumbled on to our site while googling around for sites your mother probably wouldn’t approve of. Or perhaps you’re one of the millions of people from South Africa to the South Pole, from New York to the Pacific Northwest, who’ve made it your own personal excuse to party like pirates every September 19th (and sometimes for days after)!
For more:
Talk Like a Pirate Day
Wikipedia: Talk Like a Pirate Day
— michael | 09:50 AM | Random bits
September 18, 2008 — Thursday
Free ebooks
Wondering where you can find free ebook? Hongkait has a list of what they deem to be the top 20 services. The list covers a range of services, and doesn’s even get to Project Gutenberg with it’s 25,000 + free ebooks. To find out more, and maybe find something to read, check out the rest: 20 Best Websites To Download Free EBooks.
via iLibrarian
— michael | 11:53 AM | I found it online
September 17, 2008 — Wednesday
Sci-Fi Wednesday: Hubble Finds Unidentified Object
Just published in Astrophysical Journal, there is a report that astronomers using the Hubble Telescope for the Supernova Cosmology Project have discovered something they cannot explain.
Sky and Telescope reports:
The mystery object did not behave like any known kind of supernova. It is not even in any detectable galaxy. “The shape of the light curve is inconsistent with microlensing,” say the researchers. They recorded three spectra of it—and its spectrum, they write, “in addition to being inconsistent with all known supernova types, is not matched to any spectrum in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey database” of vast numbers of objects. “We suggest that the transient may be one of a new class.”
Certainly interesting to consider... an entirely new class of phenomenon, although the possibility doesn’t stop Gizmodo from joking:
Apparently, a scientist at the LHC declared that the object is similar to the flash that an Imperial Star Destroyer does when reaching Warp 10. Either that or some dust on the Hubble lenses, so someone tell NASA to get some Windex up there too.
For more:
From Gizmodo: Hubble: Hubble Finds Unidentified Object in Space, Scientists Puzzled
From Sky and Telescope: Hubble Finds a Mystery Object
Or you can read the paper: Discovery of an Unusual Optical Transient With the Hubble Space Telescope (PDF).
— michael | 09:23 AM | Random bits
September 16, 2008 — Tuesday
Remembering David Foster Wallace
Last Friday, the literary world lost David Foster Wallace, who lived in Claremont. You can read some of his writings online in various places. Here are a few:
— David Foster Wallace writings at Harper’s Magazine
— Wallace’s “Consider the Lobster”: 2000s Archive : gourmet.com
— Wallace’s Rolling Stone piece on John McCain in 2000: “The Weasel, Twelve Monkeys and the Shrub”
— Wallace’s New York Times piece: “Federer as Religious Experience ”
You can also watch a bit:
— Wallace on the Charlie Rose Show
— LA Times linking to various YouTube videos of Wallace
— michael | 11:43 PM | Something to think about
September 15, 2008 — Monday
Hispanic Heritage Month - US Census Bureau
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, and the US Census Bureau has the latest facts with their Facts For Features: Hispanic Heritage Month 2008: Sept. 15 – Oct. 15. The Bureau explains:
In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.
Some of the facts include:
— 45.5 million - estimated Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2007
— 132.8 million - projected Hispanic population of the United States on July 1, 2050
— 48% - percent of the Hispanic-origin population that lives in California or Texas
— 1.6 million - # of Hispanic-owned businesses in 2002
— $38,679 - median income of Hispanic households in 2007
— 1.1 million - # of Hispanic veterans of the U.S. armed forces
For more, go read the rest: Facts For Features: Hispanic Heritage Month 2008: Sept. 15 – Oct. 15.
— michael | 03:30 PM | I found it online
Top Online Note Taking Apps
Mashable has a list of what they deem to be the Top 10 Online Note Taking Applications, covering a range of online note taking tools. From Mashables:
Many of us prefer using online note taking applications for research, bookmarking sites, or quickly jotting down ideas. While there are many online note taking applications, we searched around the Web and compiled a list of those we felt were richer in features and usability. Here are the top ten, in no particular order.
To find out more about the applications, read the rest: Top 10 Online Note Taking Applications.
via iLibrarian
— michael | 12:24 PM | I found it online
September 12, 2008 — Friday
Lego Album Covers
For your weekend entertainment: Album covers redone in Lego, Flickr group.
— michael | 05:54 PM | Random bits
September 11, 2008 — Thursday
What the World is Buying
The New York Times has a great interactive flash animation showing the way people around the globe spend their discretionary income. The break the categories on clothing and footwear, electronics, alcohol and tobacco, household goods, and recreation showing per capita spending. You can find out all sort of details like: the US spent $162 billion on electronics in 2007 and Japan spent $275.8 billion on recreation in 2007.
For more, go check it out: What Your Global Neighbors Are Buying, where you can also find a link to the related article (which requires logging in).
— michael | 02:47 PM | I found it online
September 09, 2008 — Tuesday
From Graffiti: Library 101
Library 101Welcome new and returning students! Listed below are a few “Library 101” basics that you will need to know to make the best use of your time at the Libraries.
Blais
Our online catalog, Blais, is a searchable web based tool that acts much like typical search engines, but it is specific to materials owned by The Claremont Colleges.Databases
Ever heard the terms “scholarly research” or “peer reviewed?” These terms refer to materials used in research that have been reviewed by professionals for accuracy. Peer reviewed journals are indexed, usually by subject, and those indexes are accessible through searchable, online databases. These databases are grouped by subject.Reference Assistance
Each of our libraries are staffed by librarians and other information professionals ready to help you find answers to your questions. Don’t hesitate to drop by and visit! You can also contact librarians from the list of subject specialists and find someone knowledgeable in your area of study. Or try chatting with a librarian.Again, Welcome!
—Jezmynne Amergin, Sprague Librarian
From Graffiti, Volume 1, Issue 3, Dec 2004 (PDF), from the Graffiti Archives located in the CCDL.
— michael | 02:24 PM | The more you know
Unsolved Problems
Looking for something to do in your spare time? Then why not try to solve one of the unsolved problems in chemistry, cognitive science, computer science, economics, linguistics, mathematics, neuroscience,philosophy, physics, and statistics. Wikipedia has a nice disambiguation page for the unsolved problems in all these fields. Even if you don’t think you have the answer, it’s an interesting read to look at some of the unsolved issues in these fields.
— michael | 10:50 AM | Random bits
September 08, 2008 — Monday
International Literacy Day
Today, September 8th, is International Literacy Day. An event organized by UNESCO, International Literacy Day has been celebrated since 1966, and each year features the idea that literacy is the best remedy for that year’s particular theme.
This years theme is health, and UNESCO explains:
Research has repeatedly demonstrated the direct correlation between people’s level of literacy and their chances to maintain good health. For instance, a study conducted in 32 countries shows that women with secondary education are five times more likely to be informed about HIV/AIDS than women who are illiterate. Another example: the rate of infant mortality is higher when the mother can neither read nor write.
For more, you can read more at the International Literacy Day at UNESCO or at the International Literacy Day page at Wikipedia.
— michael | 11:20 AM | I found it online
