I want, I want

Now this is what I call a monitor. Unfortunately, it looks like it'll cost about a million dollars.

Poor Pluto

It's no longer a planet.

Perhaps the most useless application of Linux, ever

Computer-controlled cat feeder.

The robots are taking over

The Financial Times reports that computers are generating breaking earnings stories for Thompson Financial and Reuters. My gut reaction, of course, is one of pure terror.

But on second thought, I don't know a single reporter who enjoys pounding out these boilerplate pieces. During my first year at IBD, the most mind-numbing part of the job was the quick-turnaround earnings shorts. In fact, my colleague and I used to refer to ourselves as highly trained monkeys every time earnings season rolled around. With standardized earnings reports, there's no reason why this "who" and "what" and "where" aspect to journalism shouldn't be at least partly automated. Reporters' time would be much better spent digging into the financials and asking the all-important "why" and "how" -- much harder questions.

If it's not loud enough, you're too old.

Test your hearing with this range of sampled frequencies.

In praise of South Beach

I was a little skeptical when Andrea and I embarked on the South Beach Diet (or as a colleague likes to call it, the "Pretend You're Diabetic Diet") a few months ago. I figured that the initial weight loss would be mostly water weight and quickly return. But so far, it's been the most successful -- and easiest -- diet for Andrea. She's lost 20 pounds so far. And I'm back to the weight I was before moving to California and discovering Rubio's.

The Amazon review sums it up quite nicely:

While the diet is sound, the book could be better organized. The first half mixes scientific study with anecdote in a seemingly random way, while the mix of meal plans and recipes can be confusing. Still, the recipes are varied and tasty, and you'll never feel deprived, unless you currently happen to live by bread alone.

The other criticism I have is with the author's opening statement that the diet is neither low-carb nor low fat. That's a blatant lie -- it's both of those things.

Still, not a bad return for a $10 investment.

Mac OS X Leopard and Windows Vista side by side

A nice, sober-minded comparison of the looming OS upgrades.

Cupertino, start your copiers

Steve Jobs mocked Microsoft for copying Apple this morning, while announcing some of the new features of the upcoming Mac OS upgrade, including this Spaces feature. He might want to know that this capability, available "only with Mac OS X Leopard," has been around for at least four years as a Windows XP Powertoy called Virtual Desktop Manager.

Sign of the times

Underwhelmed by It All - Los Angeles Times:

A new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll, the first in a series of annual entertainment surveys, finds that a large majority of the 12- to 24-year-olds surveyed are bored with their entertainment choices some or most of the time, and a substantial minority think that even in a kajillion-channel universe, they don't have nearly enough options. 'I feel bored like all the time, 'cause there is like nothing to do,' said Shannon Carlson, 13, of Warren, Ohio, a respondent who has an array of gadgets, equipment and entertainment options at her disposal but can't ward off ennui.

Official Google Blog: Saved locations on Google Maps

Official Google Blog: Saved locations on Google Maps

Finally.

Civil war in Iraq possible, generals say - Politics - MSNBC.com

Civil war in Iraq possible, generals say:

Under questioning by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Pace said he did not anticipate one year ago that Iraq would now be in danger of descending into civil war.

Funny. Everyone else seemed to anticipate it. Well, almost everyone.

Cooler than Google Earth?

Microsoft Live Labs: Photosynth

Creepy

Sculptor Ron Mueck's Exhibition, Yahoo! News Photos

Passion of the what?

According to the report, in addition to threatening the arresting deputy and trying to escape, Gibson said, "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and asked the officer, James Mee, "Are you a Jew?"

As Mel Gibson's recent meltdown demonstrates, it's probably a bad idea to link Christianity too closely to any particular (non-divine) person, group or political party. (See also Ralph Reed, George W. Bush.)

Did someone order "freedom fries?"

From MSNBC: Iran president bans usage of foreign words

Another similarity between conservative Republicans and fundamentalist Islamists.

Pass Go, get a $200 direct deposit

Looks like Monopoly is going cashless.

Is it me, or is it hot up here?

Nope, it's definitely hot.

With temperatures reaching 104 degrees Fahrenheit today, I had to resort to some Arizona-style cooling techniques, including sealing off the air-conditioned living room from the rest of the apartment and sleeping on the couch, spending the day at an air-conditioned bookstore and the old standby, the cold shower.

Sometimes, the truth hurts

From BuzzMachine:

Then she said that news is “an industry with a lot of oversupply that is now exposed.” I liked that hard economic talk about the business. It reminds us that we are an industry and need to reexamine our business assumptions like every other industry.

So maybe the problem with journalism today isn’t that there are too few reporters and and editors but too many. I’ve talked before about the foolishness of sending 15,000 reporters to the political conventions, about papers sending TV critics to junkets or golf writers to tournaments. Inside the newsroom, too, there are overwrought processes. Meanwhile, of course, revenue is sinking and staff will follow.

Some good points here. As much as I hate to admit it, I think this probably goes for tech writers, too.

A step in the right direction

Buy A Customized Jessica Simpson MP3 At Yahoo! Music

No, I'm not talking about the song itself, but the idea that a major music service is considering selling music not crippled by "digital rights management" software.

Own your own flamethrower!

Brookstone Weed Burner

Product Description
Eliminate weeds quickly and permanently with a propane-fired weed burner. Use this lightweight burner to clear weeds and their roots in driveways or walkways in summer, or to melt dangerous ice patches in winter. Adjustable regulator valve lets you control flame intensity