Imperial Holding Out

Here's a map of countries officially NOT using the metric system.



Beauty. Credit to ZME Science.

How NASA Retrieves Booster Rockets

Surprisingly never revealed before, NASA has released a video of the procedure of retrieving the two solid core rocket boosters post space shuttle launch. For the space buffs, fascinating stuff. (via Gizmodo)

Bill Gates TED on Education

Teachers have a significant impact on education, but little has been done to identify how the best teachers teach from a strategic stance.

Bill Gates talks about education after malaria (also worth a listen). The Education section starts at the 8 minute mark if you want to jump.

First Person Video of the Japan Tsunami

When most people think of a Tsunami hitting land, they imagine the Hollywood style massive wave crashing down... when in reality, it's a much more gradual build up of tension and destruction. This first person view of the Tsunami, hosted by Gizmodo, shows what happened to hundreds of thousands on March 13, 2011.

What starts looking like some flooding grows steadily. Near the 5 minute mark, the true destructive power is realized. Watch it through to see how it builds towards a devastating climax. Be hopeful for those who survived, and saddened for those who didn't.

Back Up Your Cloud

As a big proponent of cloud based computing, the one issue has always been backing up. While I have great trust in massive cloud organizations, recent mis-steps by Flicr and Google have me looking for ways to back up data.

Most secure is to run a desktop email client for your cloud email, enabling pop based settings, then including this in your desktop/laptop backup strategies.

A more simple method is using one of the many cloud-based backup services. Of the 3 I took a closer look at, I'm going to use Backupify.

Backupify quietly backs up many of your cloud based activities, whatever you choose, for free or as a paid service. I've started with the freebie, and will report if there are any issues.

TabCandy is the Future of Browsing

Google announced today that 'TabCandy' will be a full feature in Firefox 4, due out this fall. TabCandy is awesome.

Here's a video of Google designer Aza Raskin showing off TabCandy.

An Introduction to Firefox's Tab Candy from Aza Raskin on Vimeo.

Monster of a Deal... for them

One of the question I'm asked most is about cables... especially HDMI cables, where cost on a 4ft cable can run from $6 to $160. HDMI cables are digital - they work or they don't. Spending exorbitant amounts doesn't make a lick of difference.

For those visual learners out there, Mint.com offers an excellent graphic of the situation.



Mint via Gizmodo

Google World - CBC Docs

CBC Documentaries "Google World" is an interesting look into the development of Google as a global player, their goals overall, and how the business practice works at one of the world's most innovative companies. Produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, this documentary seems relatively unbiased, and presents current information, including touching on the recent issues in China.

The documentary home is here. There are links included to preview the doc, or watch the entire thing online.

Physics of a Slap Shot

Olympic fever has hit much of the interweb, and it provides interesting topics for study.




This clip from the National Science Foundation site, home of a wealth of great information.

Still... it should have been Al MacInnis.

The Green Screen's Power

Anyone who understands even a little about making TV or film knows the value and purpose of the formerly blue now green screen. With the power of a sheet of cloth, and some not-inconsequential computing power, you can put just about anything on a screen. What you may not realize is just how ubiquitous this application is.

This short from Stargate Studios may show you just how much green screen is used in the simplest of shots.



See more of Stargate Studios at their site here.