I recommend this technical overview of complex networks literature, especially the section on network properties. It offers a grounded perspective on the limited current understanding of real-world network structures and their underlying statistical characteristics.

A good (but technical) overview of complex networks literature (PDF). If you do pick it up, just glance through "III. Properties of networks". It gives a good sense of what little we know of real-world networks.

Complex networks literature overview


I highlight how the Conditional Access System Bill backfired; though intended to lower consumer costs via selective channel choice, it likely doubles or triples monthly bills while primarily benefiting tax collection from local cable operators.

Yet another example of the regulation doing the opposite of what was intended. The CAS - Conditional Access System Bill was introduced to ensure that customers pay only for what they want to see (and hence, presumably, less than before). However, the customer is likely to pay 2-3 times as much. Of course, the other objective of making local cable operators pay their full dues is likely to succeed.

Conditional Access System makes you pay more


I share an Economist article arguing that modern copyright laws fail to foster creativity as originally intended. The piece suggests these legal frameworks might actually be hindering the innovation they were designed to protect.

The Economist on how copyrights aren't really helping creativity, which is what they were intended to do in the first place. via andersja

Copyrights are not helping creativity


Apply Dakota tribal wisdom to identify 'dead horse' projects. Instead of buying a stronger whip, reclassifying the horse, or hiring consultants to ride it, learn to recognize when a project has failed and simply dismount.

Maybe corporate elephants can dance. Can dead horses?

Dakota Indian tribal wisdom on project management


Check out the Darwin Awards, which honor individuals who improve the human gene pool by accidentally removing themselves from it. These tales of absurd and preventable deaths offer a morbidly humorous look at natural selection.

The Darwin Awards honor thouse who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it. (Tales of silly deaths.) via Abheek

Darwin Awards


I've been conned by ads that look like Windows error messages before, but a court order has finally forced Bonzi to stop this deceptive practice. This marks a win against manipulative pop-up advertising tactics.

The end of error-message advertising. Bonzi has been ordered by the courts to stop advertising popups that look like Windows error messages. I've been conned a few times by these too.

End of error-message advertising


I'm experimenting with GeoURL to map my blog's location. It offers an interesting geographical perspective on blog usage, letting me see the physical distribution of the blogosphere and how sites cluster in different regions.

Experimenting with GeoURL. It also gives an interesting perspective of blog usage, geographically.

GeoURL


Google has acquired Pyra Labs, the company behind the popular blogging tools Blogger and BlogSpot. This milestone acquisition signals a major shift as a search giant enters the rapidly growing field of personal publishing.

Google buys Pyra. Pyra runs Blogger and BlogSpot. via Scripting News

Google buys Blogger


I found several useful new Google features including news alerts for tracking topics, a built-in calculator for quick math, and the tilde operator for finding synonyms within search results.

Recent Google goodies: News alerts, Calculator, and the operator. via GoogleBlog

Google goodies


I've highlighted a collection of Google search hacks and tools from BuzzToolBox. These resources provide clever techniques for refining queries and exploring the search engine's hidden capabilities through advanced operators and specialized interfaces.

Google hacks on BuzzToolBox.com.

Google hacks from BuzzToolBox


I shared a link to a blog that tracked the daily menus at Google's campus in 2003, providing a unique historical record of the company's famous food culture and employee perks during its early years.

googlemenus.blogspot.com.

Google Menus


I’m noting the launch of Google News India, a new localized edition for regional news aggregation. This update, discovered via Kiruba Shankar, marks a significant step in the expansion of Google’s customized news services for Indian users.

Google News - India launched. via Kiruba

Google News India


I found Douwe Osinga’s Google News Map, an early visualization tool that plots news stories onto a geographical map. It offers a spatial way to browse global headlines by connecting reporting directly to its location.

Google news map

Google News Map


I highlight a link showing that Google surprisingly didn't rank itself as the top result for the query "search engine" in 2003, illustrating a notable quirk in early search engine optimization and ranking history.

Google doesn't think it's the top search engine any more. via Anders Jacobsen

Google not the top search engine


I noticed Google reached the top of Word Spy's top 100 words list, likely spurred by the company's public request for people to stop using their brand name as a generic verb.

Word Spy's top 100 words has Google on top right now, probably because Google asked them not to verbify them.

Google on Word Spy top 100


I noted Google is optimizing PageRank to run five times faster, potentially to support personalized search engines. Though the exact reasoning remains unclear, this shift suggests a move toward more frequent index updates and tailored search results.

Google is fiddling around with algorithms to make PageRank 5 times faster. Wonder why they want to do it. The article mentions something about personalised search engines, but I don't quite get it.

Google PageRank is 5 times faster


I'm exploring Google Print, a tool for searching the contents of books. Though the interface is a simple search page, it indexes a massive library of scanned material as part of a major new digitization project.

print.google.com. Lets you search for books. It looks like a blank page, but there's a lot behind it. via New Scientist

Google Print


Google Labs has introduced a tool that lets you search by location within the United States. This early experimental feature allows for filtering results geographically, representing a milestone in the development of local search functionality.

Google lets you search by location in the US. via GoogleBlog

Google search by location


I shared a link to a classic 2003 Google search result for "French military victories" that suggested "French military defeats." This early example of Google bombing illustrates how search algorithms were once manipulated for political humor and internet memes.

An interesting Google result for "French military victories". Unfortunately, it no longer returns the same result. But sure was an interesting find. via RHF

Google search for French Military victories


I share a report on the evolution of hacking from broad, random attacks toward more professional and targeted exploits, highlighting a significant shift in digital security threats during the early 2000s.

Hacking gets more focused.

Hacking gets more focused


Learn how to create soap by combining specific oils with sodium hydroxide. This guide explains the fundamental chemistry and proportions needed to produce high-quality soap at home using common ingredients like lye and fats.

Soap is largely oil and NaOH.

How to make soap


I took the classic "Which OS are you?" personality quiz and discovered that I am Debian Linux. This BBSpot test matches personal traits to operating systems, highlighting the quirks and stereotypes of different technical platforms.

I'm Debian Linux. Apparantly.\ Which OS are you - Debian\ via Dancing with Dogs

I am Debian Linux


I noted that i2 has been delisted from the stock exchange. Now that their valuation has plummeted, I expect another company to swoop in and acquire the supply chain management software firm at a bargain price.

i2 delisted. Now, somebody is going to buy them cheap.

i2 delisted


I share news regarding i2 Technologies facing potential delisting and explore the perspective that moving away from public markets could be a strategic advantage for their long-term recovery and focus.

i2 may have to delist. And delisting may be good for them.

i2 to delist


IBM is positioning itself as a 21st-century computer utility by offering supercomputing on demand. This move highlights an early shift towards utility-based high-performance computing models where resources are managed like a public service.

Now IBM offers supercomputing on demand. Pricing is unclear, but Big Blue is clearly positioning itself as the computer utility house of the 21st century.

IBM offers supercomputing on demand


Explore the scale of the Indian Railways reservation system, which ranked as one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the Asia-Pacific region in 2003, handling massive transaction volumes for the country's extensive rail network.

The Indian Railways reservation site is among the largest e-commerce sites in Asia-Pacific.

Indian Railways site


I find that the information age creates a more even playing field for people with weaker memories. By leveraging digital tools to store and recall information, I can overcome my natural forgetfulness and compete more effectively.

Information Age Intelligence talks about how "... the information age ... opens up the opportunity for those with weaker memories to compete on a more even playing field than those with good ones." And it's the one of the best things that ever happened to me. via andersja

Information Age helps the forgetful


Garry Kasparov finished his six-game match against the Deep Junior chess engine in a 3-3 draw. The final game ended quickly as Kasparov chose a cautious approach to avoid another defeat by a computer.

Kasparov draws Deep Junior.

Kasparov draws Deep Junior


I explain why Kazaa is in legal trouble after being ruled subject to US laws despite its offshore location. Since it’s likely doomed, I suggest it’s time to move on to the next generation of P2P software.

Kazaa is next. Even though it's not based in the US, Kazaa has been ruled to be subject to US laws. No matter what the outcome, Kazaa is going to be in trouble. Well, time to move on to the next P2P software.

Kazaa in trouble


I shared a few classic cat jokes, specifically a dark humor piece about a kitty litter box and a collection of funny cat haiku that capture the peculiar and often hilarious nature of our feline friends.

A funny one about a kitty litter box. "Curiosity kills the cat". (And while on the topics of cats, here's some cat haiku)

Kitty litter box


I present a lateral thinking puzzle where a woman avoids punishment for murder despite absolute proof of her guilt. The solution relies on the legal impossibility of sentencing conjoined twins, referencing the mythological figure Ravana.

Lateral thinking: A woman has incontrovertible proof in court that her husband was murdered by her sister. The judge declares, "This is the strangest case I've ever seen. Though it's a cut-and-dried case, this woman cannot be punished." Reason: The sisters are Siamese twins. Siamese Twins PS: Was Ravana a Siamese decuplet?

Lateral thinking puzzle


I took a break from blogging due to work, Age of Empires, and a boring web. Encouraged by reader feedback, I've decided to continue and am currently working on a new format for my posts.

I've taken my longest break from this blog. Three reasons: work has been good, Age of Empires has been exciting, and the Web has become boring. But having heard from so many of you (thanks!), I'm going to continue the blog a bit. But I'm thinking of a new format, in the meantime. So please bear with infrequent posts till I get there.

Long break from blogging


I found a great collection of mathematics-related comics hosted by Dartmouth, featuring humorous takes on logic and arithmetic. The gallery includes several classic Calvin & Hobbes strips that capture the frequent struggle of learning math.

Math comics. Including some Calvin & Hobbes.

Math comics


I explore the strange case of the Microsoft iLoo, an internet-connected portable toilet from MSN UK. Initially dismissed as an elaborate prank, Microsoft later confirmed the project was a real prototype intended for summer music festivals.

Microsoft iLoo. Yes, it's what you think it is. No, it's not a hoax, though at one point, Microsoft itself thought it was.

Microsoft iLoo


I explored Microsoft Scope, which visualizes email and alerts on a circular radar. It maps priority to the center and uses shapes to identify senders, offering a spatial, glanceable way to manage tasks and incoming messages.

Scope is an interesting new Microsoft technology. It lets you see your e-mail, tasks, calendar and alerts on a circular panel. The items are positioned by priority around the circle (centre is more important than periphery), and the shape of the item (circle, star, etc) determines whom it's from (work, family, only to me or to other people also, etc.) See their demo to get a better idea on how it works.

Microsoft Scope


Explore an early 2000s trend where mobile phones were repurposed as vibrators. This 2003 Wired report examines how users leveraged vibrating alerts for sexual stimulation, highlighting an unconventional intersection of telecommunications and personal intimacy.

A new use for mobile phones.

Mobile phones are sex toys


I link to evidence of MSN intentionally sabotaging the Opera browser by serving it malformed CSS. This anti-competitive browser sniffing forced Opera users into a broken layout to encourage switching to Internet Explorer.

MSN's attempt to foil Opera. via andersja

MSN hates Opera


I'm sharing the details for the upcoming Mumbai Bloggers Meet on May 4th. It's a great opportunity for local writers to connect in person and strengthen the city's growing digital community.

The next Mumbai Blogger's Meet is on May 4th.

Mumbai Bloggers Meet


I discovered that the National Academies Press offers over 2,500 books online for free. This extensive digital library covers a wide range of scientific and policy topics, making high-quality academic research accessible to everyone without cost.

National Academies Press has 2,500 books online. Free.

NAP books online


I discovered Connections in Space, a site that uses the London Underground map as a navigational metaphor. It's an intriguing example of how familiar urban mapping can be applied to digital information architecture and user interfaces.

Connections in Space has an interesting navigational metaphor -- the London Underground. The site itself is somewhat interesting. via MetaFilter

Navigation using the London Underground


I visited the corridor near Robert Engle's office shortly before he and Clive Granger won the Nobel Prize in Economics for developing ARCH models, marking the closest I've ever been to a Nobel laureate.

Stern corridor, near Engle's office Robert Engle and Clive Granger won the Nobel Prize for their work on ARCH and something-or-the-other-I-ought-to-have-studied-at-B-school. I was outside Engle's office last month (somewhere within 100m of the corridor in the photo), and that's the closest I've been to an Nobel laureate. Of course, some people know him personally and discuss 'stupid problems' with him.

Nobel prize in Economics


Obesity significantly shortens life expectancy, with research showing an obese 20-year-old man may lose up to 13 years of life. This data emphasizes the severe long-term health impacts of being overweight starting at a young age.

Obesity reduces lifespan. An obese 20-year-old man may have his life expectancy cut by as many as 13 years compared with normal-weight people.

Obesity reduces lifespan


I am tracking the Indian budget’s update to allow electronic tax filing. I hope the Income Tax Department launches a portal this year, finally enabling the digital submission of returns in India.

The most interesting part of the budget, for me, is the little line that reads "Electronic filing of returns". What that really means is that "the Income Tax Act is being amended to enable electronic filing of returns". Hope the IT Department puts this facility on their site by this year.

Online tax returns


I tracked the costs for outgoing local calls in India, ranging from Rs 0.40 for landline-to-landline to Rs 1.99 for cell-to-landline connections, highlighting the price variations across networks according to Economic Times data from 2003.

The cost of an outgoing local call (at least, as of today) is:\ Rs 0.40 for landline-landline\ Rs 0.80 for landline-WLL\ Rs 1.20 for landline-cell\ Rs 1.75 for cell-cell\ Rs 1.99 for cell-landline\ via ET

Outgoing local calls are cheap


I analyzed the economics of Apple’s partnership with Pepsi, which offered 100 million free song downloads. I considered royalty costs versus marketing value, concluding it was a brilliant strategic move by Steve Jobs to drive iTunes adoption.

PC iTunes hits 1 million downloads. Apple also announced a promotion with PepsiCo Inc. starting in February in which 100 million winning bottle caps on certain Pepsi drinks grant the winner a free song. When I read that, I said, "That's 99 million dollars!"\ Then I said, "No, it costs just the royalty... which may be a fixed cost anyway."\ Then I figured, "Lots of people will buy Pepsi. Maybe Pepsi paid Apple for it."\ Smart move, Jobs.

PC iTunes downloads


I found an interesting periodic table of mathematicians hosted at Stetson University. It organizes famous mathematical figures into a structured grid similar to the chemical elements, providing a unique way to browse mathematical history.

A periodic table of mathematicians. via leuschke.org Comments robyn 7 Mar 2007 5:00 pm: what is the periodic table of mathematicians?

Periodic table of mathematicians


A satirical look at Perl's reputation for being write-only code, featuring a BBspot news story about high school students failing to interpret obfuscated DeCSS programs during standardized testing.

US high school seniors can't read Perl. Not even a simple DeCSS program (obufuscated, of course).

Perl illiteracy


I’ve shared a few of my favorite physics resources, including the massive, downloadable Motion Mountain textbook and a collection of links for studying Quantum Field Theory. These provide comprehensive material for anyone looking for deep, technical reading.

Some (light?) reading on physics: Motion Mountain -- a rather large and comprehensive physics book for download. And some links on Quantum Field Theory.

Physics books


I’ve shared a visual breakdown explaining the economic drivers behind the Iraq war. This resource uses images to illustrate complex relationships between military action, oil interests, and geopolitical spending during the early 2000s conflict.

Pictorial economics of the Iraq war.

Pictorial economics of the Iraq war


I found statistics on pizza purchasing and tipping patterns from late 2003. The data provides insights into how much consumers spend on delivery and the average tips they leave, reflecting habits in the food service industry.

Interesting statistics on pizza purchases and tips.

Pizza purchases and tipping


I found news that the Poincaré conjecture may have been solved, potentially resolving a century-old problem in topology. The proof involves the Ricci flow and geometric structures on 3-manifolds as proposed by Grigori Perelman.

The Poincare conjecture may have been solved. via Joseph


I found the Poodle predictor, a helpful diagnostic tool for checking website health and performance. It serves as a simple utility for developers and site owners to analyze their web pages effectively.

Poodle predictor: good diagnostic tool for websites. via Filter Coffee

Poodle predictor


I attempted to locate the RIAA's contact details following a John Hargrave prank, only to find their website riddled with broken links and a total lack of accessible contact information, even through targeted Google searches.

Neat prank on the RIAA. Intruiging, though, about their contact address being hard to find. So I tried the same, by Googling RIAA First hit: www.riaa.org/index.cfm -> The Page Cannot Be Found\ Second hit: www.riaa.org. No contact info on 1st page.\ Tried "About us". No luck.\ Searching for "contact" on the site gave 704 useless pages.\ Google search for "contact" in www.riaa.org gives www.riaa.org/contact.cfm -> The page cannot be found I give up. But this guy John Hargrave is good.

Prank on the RIAA


I discovered a report on a White House marketing campaign disguised as grassroots letters to the editor. It reveals how political messaging is surreptitiously seeded into local newspapers to influence public opinion.

Letters to the Editor. Except that they're a marketing campaign. By the President, no less. via Scripting News

Presidential letters to the editor


I examine early critiques of Google's PageRank algorithm, highlighting its susceptibility to manipulation and the ways a link-based ranking system can fail to accurately reflect the true quality and relevance of web pages.

Recognising the problems with PageRank. via RobotWisdom

Problems with PageRank


I looked into Proce55ing, a graphic programming language for visual exploration. It feels more like a modern tool than a quantum leap, though I enjoyed the wordplay in its accompanying digital art exhibits.

Proce55ing: "context for exploring emerging conceptual space..." Looks like a modern graphic programming language to me. Neat, but not a quantum leap. "The Unbearable Lightness of being a Pixel" is an interesting exhibit, though (for its name, not for content).

Proce55ing


Compare the physical dimensions of spaceships from multiple science fiction franchises using these detailed scale charts. This visual guide shows how vessels from Star Wars, Star Trek, and other universes measure up against each other.

Relative sizes of spaceships. via Mala

Relative sizes of spaceships


I shared a resource detailing the strategies and mindsets necessary to retire early. It explores how financial discipline and strategic planning can help you exit the workforce long before traditional retirement age.

Retire early.

Retire early


I shared a report on Saddam Hussein’s capture, noting his surprisingly disheveled and unshaven look in the first public images. The discovery marks a significant milestone in the Iraq War following his months in hiding.

Saddam captured. He looks pretty cool, unshaven. Saddam Hussein with beard

Saddam Hussein captured


I react to Arnold Schwarzenegger becoming the Governor of California after the 2003 recall election, while jokingly questioning whether most voters in the state are actually able to spell his last name correctly.

Schwarzenegger is the new California Governer. I wonder how many Californians can spell his last name...

Schwarzenegger elected


I reflect on why I remember 9/11 more vividly than the Gujarat earthquakes while at a New York airport. I examine how branding, geographic prominence, and the nature of an event dictate our collective memory of tragedy.

I'm at the New York airport. It's 9/11. The city is having a bout of nostalgia. While I'm watching all this, I wonder: when were the Gujarat earthquakes? Why do I (and the world) remember 9/11 better? Probably because terrorist attacks are more glamorous than natural disasters. Because New York is more top-of-mind than Gujarat. But mostly, because 9/11 became a way of referring to the event and 1/26 did not. Interesting... that what you choose to remember an event by can impact when it's remembered.

September 11 Nostalgia


I finally found Skype, which allows VoIP communication to work seamlessly across restrictive corporate networks. It solves the connectivity issues I faced with other tools, providing clear voice calls through firewalls without complex configurations.

Skype -- the software I've been looking for. It permits VoIP across corporate networks.

Skype


I highlight findings from Columbia University’s Small World project, which reveals social networks are less hub-and-spoke than scale-free models predict and that favor requests are only fulfilled about a third of the time.

Small world -- this project from Columbia University finds that while there are probably less than 6 degrees, the network entertains requests for favours only about a third of the time, and that it's not as hub-and-spoke as scale-free networks would have us imagine. via NYTimes

Small world project


I highlight Malcolm Gladwell’s critique of the talent-obsessed culture at companies like Enron. He argues that prioritizing innate intelligence over character and performance is a myth that can lead to organizational failure and systemic arrogance.

Gladwell on The Talent Myth. Maybe smart people aren't as special as they're made out to be.

Smart people are not so special


I shared a Computerworld report on the evolution of sophisticated spam techniques. It details how spammers were learning to bypass early filters, highlighting the ongoing arms race between junk mailers and corporate email security.

Smarter spam via Scripting News

Smarter spam


I highlighted Snapster as a brilliant original idea: a system where listeners buy music and go public to share assets as shareholders. It proposes a novel legal framework for collective digital music ownership.

Snapster. Best original idea I've heard in quite a while. (Buy music, go public, share assets among shareholders)

Snapster


I found this analysis of Sony's 2003 strategy in The Economist. It outlines the company's plan to integrate consumer electronics with digital media content and explores their vision for a connected digital lifestyle.

The Economist on Sony's strategy. via emergic

Sony strategy


I weigh the moral dilemma of funding a NASA space elevator against immediate humanitarian needs. Drawing parallels to the lasting legacy of the Egyptian pyramids, I conclude that building the elevator is worth the long-term investment.

NASA is thinking of a space elevator, a la Clarke. On one hand, I think... can't we save poor children in Somalia? On the other hand, 500 years from now, would you remember this generation for saving children or building a space elevator? Do you remember the Egyptian pyramids or slavery? Then again, to quote Groucho Marx, "Why should I worry about posterity? What has posterity ever done for me?" I'd build the elevator. It's cool.

Space elevator


I checked out the Sysinternals utilities suite after reading a Kuro5hin article regarding the significance of EULAs. These specialized tools provide essential system-level diagnostics and monitoring for Windows NT and 2000 users.

I glanced through Sysinternal's utilities. Nice. (Got the link from a kuro5hin article on the importance of EULAs.)

Sysinternals


I found [V]Host, an interesting text-to-speech web application that lets you embed Flash characters on your site to read text aloud. It offers a unique way to add interactive audio content using animated avatars.

[[V]Host](http://vhost.oddcast.com/) -- interesting text-to-speech web application. You can put Flash characters on your site that'll read out anything.

Text to speech on your website


I found two thought-provoking kuro5hin articles discussing the relationship between the human brain and Turing machines, alongside an exploration of what defines a genius. These pieces bridge the gap between computational theory and biological intelligence.

Excellent kuro5hin article on the brain and Turing machines. While on brains, kuro5hin also talks about geniuses.

The Brain and Turing Machines


I finished Simon Singh’s The Code Book, an accessible history of cryptography. It was so compelling that it’s the only non-fiction book I’ve managed to read from cover to cover in the past two years.

The Code Book by Simon Singh is the last book I read. It's also the only non-fiction I managed to finish in two years.

The Code Book


I discovered this Xerox PARC paper on the future of books while reading The Social Life of Information. It offers a thoughtful look at how digital media and traditional print coexist and influence our information habits.

The Future of the Book from Xerox PARC is an interesting paper I picked up from The Social Life of Information by Brown and Duguid.

The Future of the Book


I discovered Fast-Talk's technology that enables searching sound files for specific text. It allows you to find spoken words or lyrics, like locating the word 'Dil' within a library of Hindi songs, using phonetic indexing.

The Grammer of Sound. (Free registration required.) Fast-Talk has created a product which can search sound files for text. So you can type "Dil" to find all Hindi songs having the word.

The Grammer of Sound


I found these stories from Scott, a man who wears a nametag every day. His project explores the humor and social friction of constant self-identification, showing how a simple sticker transforms his daily public interactions.

Interesting stories from a guy who always wore a nametag. via MetaFilter

The guy who always wore a nametag


I shared a Wired report from 2003 regarding the accelerating speed of the internet. The piece examines how global infrastructure improvements were significantly boosting data transfer rates and connectivity across the world during the early broadband era.

The Internet is fast.

The Internet is fast


I found a unique review of The Matrix Reloaded that evaluates the film based on spiritual and moral metrics. It performs poorly on their "WISDOM" scale, highlighting a specific, conservative religious critique of the blockbuster sequel.

The most interesting review of The Matrix Reloaded I've read, rating the film on spiritual grounds. Of course, the film does badly. Have a look at the "WISDOM" graph to the top-right of the page. The film barely makes a 'D' and half an 'M' on this scale.

The Matrix Reloaded is not spiritual


I'm sharing Jeffrey Archer's short story "The Perfect Gentleman" as a great entry point to his writing style. I've also linked to a backgammon primer and more of Archer's bibliography from Harper Collins.

Full text of Jeffey Archer's short story: The Perfect Gentleman. A nice introduction to Archer's style, if you haven't read him. And here's some more from Harper Collins. PS: Here's an introduction to backgammon.

The Perfect Gentleman by Jeffrey Archer


I'm sharing a forensic anthropology study that reimagines Jesus's appearance. Moving away from traditional Western art, researchers suggest he looked like a typical first-century Middle Eastern peasant with a beard and olive skin.

The real face of Jesus. Jesus, it turns out, looked like a peasant, bearded and green-brown eyed. At least, if forensic anthropology is to be believed. via Nilesh

The real face of Jesus


I explore the strange ubiquity of Peter Weinberger's face, which was etched onto everything from CDs and circuit boards to water towers, serving as a legendary inside joke within the Bell Labs and AWK communities.

The ubiquitous Peter Weinberger. A man whose face was etched on CDs, circuit boards, walls, tables, and even watertowers. via RobotWisdom

The ubiquitous Peter Weinberger


I highlight a curious report about an insider trader claiming to be a time traveler from the future. Although the story gained traction, Snopes confirmed it originated from a satirical tabloid, debunking the viral urban legend.

Yahoo on a time traveler busted for insider trading. Unfortunately, the urban legends site denounces it. via Sid

Time traveler busted for insider trading


I've ranked my top 10 Hindi movies of all time, featuring legendary classics like Sholay, Lagaan, and Anand. The list spans decades of Indian cinema, highlighting essential viewing for fans of Bollywood's iconic storytelling and musical heritage.

Inspired post by Aashish on the top 10 hindi movies ever. 1. Sholay 2. Lagaan 3. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge 4. Anand 5. Deewar 6. Roja 7. Aandhi 8. Golmaal 9. Khamoshi 10. Pyaar to Hona Hi Tha Comments Manoj Saraf 16 Jun 2009 8:36 am: Pyar to hona hi the should be exclluded from the list sudhir 11 Mar 2010 4:41 am: Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge & Pyaar to Hona Hi Tha should be removed....instead Dil Chahta Hai and Swades should be included Sachin 16 Aug 2010 5:39 pm: I agree with Sudhir...instead Pyassa (Guru Dutt) and Guide should be included. munish 6 Oct 2010 5:08 pm: 1. Guide, 2. Mugal e Azam, 3. Mother India, 4. Sholey, 5. Anand, 6. Deewar, 7.Lagaan, 8. Jaane bhi Do Yaaron, 9. Paakija, 10. 3 idiots Chinmaya 18 Nov 2010 4:20 pm: 1.3 idiot 2.kaho naa pyar hai 3.solay 4.ram teri ganga maili 5.dhoom 6.andhi 7.ddl 8.lagan 9.dil chahta hai Thakur 6 Jan 2012 1:59 pm: 1. DDLJ 2.Kuch Kuch hota hai 3.Devdas 4.Sholey 5.Sangam 6.Mughl-e-ajam 7.Guide 8.Kagaj Ke Phool 9.Chak de India 10.Anand Oolala 12 Jul 2012 7:47 pm: 1 hum apke hain kon 2 mother india 3 sholey 4 3 idiots 5 anand 6 kuchh kuchh hota hai 7 do bigha zameen 8 guide 9 mughal-e-azam 10 kranti

Top 10 Hindi movies ever


I found Geobytes, a Javascript snippet you can insert into your page to show visitors where they are from. It’s a simple way to implement geographic tracking and display location data directly to users.

Geobytes is a piece of Javascript you can insert in your page, that will show visitors where they are from. via FilterCoffee

Tracking visitors geographically


I linked to a Time survey and kuro5hin discussion highlighting a poll that found the United States to be considered the biggest threat to world peace, a stark look at international relations in early 2003.

US is the biggest threat to world peace?! A Time survey. via kuro5hin

US a threat to world peace


I shared a brief, playful update about browsing the Victoria's Secret website, jokingly suggesting I was up to no good. This post captures a casual moment of online distraction and link-sharing from my early blogging days.

Near Victoria's Secret In the meantime, I have been up to no good.

Victorias Secret


I highlight the evolving legal framework surrounding virtual property rights in online games, looking at how digital items and assets are being treated as real-world property with enforceable legal standing in virtual economies.

Virtual property rights in the online gaming world.


I found that a federal appeals court ruled vote-swapping websites are protected by the First Amendment, allowing voters in different states to trade votes to influence presidential election outcomes strategically.

Vote swapping site declared legal via slashdot

Vote swapping site declared legal


I'm highlighting the W3C’s significant move against intellectual property over-protection by making their standards royalty-free. This decision ensures open access to web technologies without the burden of patent fees or licensing restrictions.

W3C's making the first concrete, organised, meaningful move against intellectual property over-protection. W3C standards will be royalty-free.

W3C standards will be royalty free


I shared a link to Webmap, which mapped the internet topographically to create a spatial navigation experience. It offered a unique visual perspective on web structure, though the original software download has since disappeared from the web.

About Webmap. It maps the Web topographically, offering a different way of navigating. Pity, the download is not available any more.

Webmap


Review a concise summary of established principles and unresolved questions in corporate finance. Based on Brealey and Myers, it covers key themes like market efficiency, value additivity, and the capital structure puzzle.

Excellent summary of what we know and don't in corporate finance from Brealey and Myers.

What we know in corporate finance


Understand the historical and geographical reasons behind driving on the left or right side of the road. This analysis traces patterns from medieval horse riders and sword fighting to Napoleonic conquests and modern traffic laws.

An in-depth analysis of which side of the road people drive on (and why). via andersja

Why do we drive on the left


I have three Gmail invites available to give away. If you want to try out Google's new invite-only email service, email me explaining your interest and why you want an account.

I have 3 gmail invites available. Mail me if you're interested (and WHY you're interested in gmail).

3 gmail invites left


I have six Gmail invites available for anyone interested in testing Google's new webmail service. Send me an email explaining why you want one to claim your spot while it's still in its invite-only beta phase.

I have 6 gmail invites available. Mail me if you're interested (and WHY you're interested in gmail).

6 gmail invites left


I explore Amazon's A9 search engine, which leverages their platform strengths by integrating site reviews, related entries, and persistent search history into the interface to create a more personalized and context-aware web search experience.

Amazon's A9 search leverages what they're good at -- offering reviews of sites, related entries, and recent history.

A9


I've shared an Economist article arguing that Americans receive better service because they are more willing to complain. It suggests that while Europeans suffer in silence, American vocalness forces businesses to maintain much higher standards.

The Economist: Americans get better service because they complain more. (subscription required)


I explore the concept of apologetic software, which uses human-like social scripts to apologize for system errors. Research suggests that software taking responsibility for its mistakes significantly reduces user frustration and improves the overall interaction experience.

Apologetic software.

Apologetic software


I curated a collection of resources exploring complexity science and networked systems. The links cover the twelve principles of the networked world, the nature of complex adaptive systems, and speculative 'what if' scenarios in artificial intelligence.

Some interesting material on complexity that I found when hunting through the web. What if...\ Wired: 12 principles of the networked world\ Trojan Mice: What are complex adaptive systems?

Articles on complexity


I found a collection of interesting certificate courses in the arts offered by Xavier's Institute of Communication. These programs cover media and creative disciplines, providing practical vocational training for students looking to expand their professional skill set.

Xavier's Institute of Communication offers some interesting arts courses.

Arts courses


I found a resource for downloading Asterix comics via eMule and suggest reading them alongside OpenScroll's detailed annotations to better understand the clever cultural and linguistic references hidden throughout the series.

Comic Central offers comics downloads via eMule. This includes an Asterix collection (which is best read annotated. Comments rajesh 17 Jan 2007 9:22 am: great man thanks a lot niketha 27 Sep 2004 12:00 pm: Nice to see this website. Nahush Chaturvedi 27 Sep 2004 12:00 pm: Good job !!

Asterix comics


I think many actresses look great even without hair. Since the original gallery link broke, I've updated this post with a Google Image search to showcase the striking aesthetic of bald women in film.

Bald actresses. They look nice without the hair too. Comments kesh 27 Feb 2009 8:53 pm: where s d photos ? S Anand 28 Feb 2009 7:55 am: Looks like the original link went bad. Have replaced it with a Google search.

Bald actresses


I found Blogstreet India, a dedicated directory and search engine for the growing Indian blogosphere in 2004. It serves as a central hub for discovering regional content and tracking community trends across the country.

Blogstreet India.

Blogstreet India


Look at what neuroimaging and fMRI can do to map human thought processes and emotional responses. These 2004-era brain scans provide a window into how specific brain regions correlate with behavior and neurological health.

What we can do with brain scans today.

Brain scan technology


I shared a link to a blog campaigning for Bruce to get a Gmail invite. Google invited early Blogger users to the beta but excluded newer ones, a situation I can definitely empathize with.

Bruce deserves Gmail. Context: Google has invited active bloggers on Blogger.com to use Gmail Beta. Bloggers who joined post facto have not been invited. (I can empathise with what Bruce feels.)

Bruce wants gmail


I share BugMeNot, a platform providing shared login credentials to bypass mandatory registrations on popular websites. It includes a Mozilla extension to automate entering these community-contributed usernames and passwords directly in your browser.

BugMeNot -- registrations for famous sites, along with passwords. Mozilla also has a Bugmenot project.

ButMeNot


I found that Jet Airways now allows you to buy tickets online. This direct booking feature on their website simplifies travel planning for domestic and international flights within India.

You can buy Jet airways tickets online.

Buy Jet Airways tickets online


I examine how cell phone towers are being camouflaged as trees, flagpoles, and cacti to reduce visual pollution while expanding network coverage, a trend highlighting the intersection of infrastructure and aesthetic landscaping.

Cell phone towers camouflaged as trees.

Call phone towers camouflaged as trees


I found an intriguing card trick that uses the Kruskal Count. This mathematical principle allows different starting positions in a shuffled deck to eventually converge on the same final card through a simple counting procedure.

Interesting card trick using the Kruskal Count.

Card trick


I found this guide to identifying logical fallacies and manipulative rhetorical tactics. It breaks down the 'cheap shots' people use to win arguments through intellectual dishonesty rather than seeking the actual truth.

Conversational cheap shots.

Conversational cheap shots


I recommend Kevin Kelly's Cool Tools blog, where he curates reviews of practical hardware and software. It is an excellent resource for discovering functional, high-quality items that solve specific problems and work as advertised.

Kevin Kelly's cool tools blog.

Cool Tools


I explore the start of operations at the Credit Information Bureau of India (CIBIL), a milestone for Indian banking that introduces centralized credit data sharing to improve lending decisions and reduce non-performing assets.

CIBIL -- Credit Information Bureau of India Ltd gets going.

Credit Information Bureau of India


I found and shared a comprehensive list of Disney animated films, ranging from early classics to contemporary releases, hosted on a University of Saskatchewan page for fans and researchers to explore the studio's cinematic history.

List of Disney animation films

Disney animation films


I highlight prediction markets like Hollywood Stock Exchange, Innovation Futures, and Blogshares. These platforms leverage the wisdom of crowds to generate remarkably accurate forecasts across entertainment, technology, and blogging domains.

Alternate exchanges: Hollywood Stock Exchange, Innovation futures, Blogshares. These exchanges are supposed to be remarkably accurate in predictions.

Exchanges using Wisdom of Crowds


I found this resource explaining the technical architecture of the FastTrack network. It details the decentralized peer-to-peer protocol used by Kazaa, specifically the role of supernodes and how the system managed massive file-sharing traffic during the early 2000s.

About the FastTrack (Kazaa) network.

FastTrack network


I found an FBI investigation guide detailing various concealable weapons, featuring unusual items like all-metal, razor-edged throwing cards designed for stealth. It offers a look into the specialized hidden gear law enforcement monitors for security.

FBI Guide to Investigation Guide of Concealable Weapons. Check out the throwing cards. These cards are regular sized, but they are all metal and edged on all sides, designed to be thrown at a target.


I found a fascinating comparison between Fight Club and Calvin and Hobbes, arguing that the movie is essentially a dark reimagining of the comic strip's core dynamic and the nature of imaginary friends.

Fight Club - Calvin and Hobbes? A discussion on how the movie The Fight Club is really Calvin and Hobbes in disguise. Read only if you like Calvin and Hobbes, and have seen the movie.

Fight Club is really Calvin and Hobbes


I discovered a practical guide for navigating call center bureaucracy and getting results. The linked advice explains how to bypass repetitive scripts and reach decision-makers who can actually solve technical or administrative problems without the usual runaround.

A good way to get things done at a call center.

Getting things done at a call center


Mount your Gmail account as a virtual drive in Windows with this shell extension. It treats your email storage as a local filesystem, allowing direct file manipulation within Windows Explorer.

Gmail File System for Windows.

Gmail file system


I found Gmail Gems and GmailForums, two early community resources for discussing and navigating Gmail's features during its beta phase. These sites offer tips and discussion boards for new users exploring the platform's unique interface.

Gmail Gems and GmailForums are discussions on Gmail.

Gmail gems


I link to an early 2004 critique of Gmail by Google Watch, highlighting concerns about privacy and data permanence. It captures the initial skepticism surrounding Google's automated email scanning and the long-term implications for user data.

A different perspective on Google mail.

Gmail is bad


I share an O'Reilly piece defending Gmail's launch against early privacy criticisms. The article highlights how the service's search-based organization and massive storage outweigh concerns regarding automated keyword scanning for advertisements.

O'Reilly on why Gmail is not bad.

Gmail is not bad


I share Kevin Rose's performance test of Gmail as it reaches its 1GB limit. He examines how the interface handles large data volumes, offering early insights into the scalability of Google’s web-based email client.

Kevin Rose tests gmail performance at 1 GB.

Gmail performance at 1GB


I shared a collection of early web games played using Google's search engine. These experiments were popular in the early 2000s as people found creative ways to interact with and test the limits of search indexing.

Google games

Google Games


Explore Google Scholar to search for peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, and abstracts from academic publishers and professional societies. This tool simplifies finding scholarly literature and tracking citations across a wide range of academic disciplines and sources.

Google Scholar lets you search academic references (journals, papers, etc).

Google Scholar


I found Google's SEC registration for their IPO to be surprisingly readable. It provides a refreshing perspective on how corporate governance should function, prioritizing transparency and long-term vision over standard corporate boilerplate.

Google IPO. Their SEC registration is very readable -- and gives a perspective on how corporate governance should be.

Google SEC filing


I found Google Suggest, a feature that offers real-time query alternatives as you type. It’s a powerful addition to Google's search interface, predicting user intent and streamlining the discovery process within the browser.

Google Suggest: another great feature in Google. It suggests alternatives to your query as you type. via Anders Jacobsen

Google Suggest


I recommend Paul Graham’s essay on the qualities of exceptional programmers. It examines why great hackers prioritize technical challenges over money, the benefits of hiring based on language choice, and how technical founders create better engineering cultures.

Excellent article by Paul Graham on great hackers.

Great Hackers


I share how hackers can decode what you type by listening to 'keyboard whispers.' This acoustic side-channel attack uses the unique sounds of different keys to reconstruct sensitive data like passwords from audio recordings.

It's possible to make sense out of keyboard whispers.

Hacking using keyboard whispers


I found a helpful animation that visualizes the biological process of DNA being converted into proteins. It provides a clear step-by-step look at transcription and translation, making complex molecular biology concepts accessible through motion graphics.

An animated description of how DNA gets converted to proteins.

How DNA gets converted to proteins


Learn how we process text by identifying component letters simultaneously rather than relying on overall word shape. This cognitive psychology perspective from Microsoft explains the underlying mechanics behind reading and visual word recognition.

Excellent article by a Microsoft cognitive psychologist on how we recognise words. We recognize a word's component letters simultaneously, then use that visual information to recognize a word.

How we recognise words


This early software identifies a user's location by analyzing photographs of buildings, providing a precursor to modern visual geolocation and landmark recognition by matching architectural features against a database of city images.

There's software that can locate where you are using a photograph of buildings.

Identify location by photographs


I found Melodyhound, a useful tool that identifies tunes when you whistle into your microphone. It is a simple way to track down the name of a song that has been stuck in your head.

Melodyhound identifies tunes if you whistle them.

Identify tunes by whistle


I recommend an accessible introduction to the fundamentals of quantum computing, covering how qubits and superposition differentiate quantum systems from classical hardware based on resources from the Centre for Quantum Computation.

Good introduction to quantum computing.

Introduction to quantum computing


I shared Jared Winick’s award-winning iPod costume from Halloween 2004. This clever DIY project features a large-scale replica of the classic Apple music player, complete with the signature scroll wheel and early 2000s tech aesthetic.

Jared dresses up in an iPod costume and wins.

iPod cosume


Learn how to prioritize meaningful projects by logging your daily activities for two weeks. Jugglezine emphasizes setting aside specific blocks of time and acknowledging reality to help you decide what to do instead of doing everything.

Jugglezine: How to find the time to do anything (not everything!) On a purely practical level, however, the reason we can't find time for that one thing we've always wanted to do is that we don't set aside time for it. Logging how much time things take for two weeks will transform you, because if you know and acknowledge in advance how long something will take, then you can make wise decisions about where to spend your time

Jugglezine


I found a case where a man successfully cashed a promotional junk mail cheque for $95,000 using an ATM. This 1995 experiment exposed significant vulnerabilities in automated banking systems and oversight regarding non-standard financial documents.

Man 1 Bank 0. In May of 1995, I suddenly found myself smack in the middle of a very unusual 'life experiment.' I deposited a junk mail check into my ATM and to my absolute astonishment, it cashed.

Junk mail cheque cashes


I noted how Microsoft acquired the Lookout email search tool and immediately halted public downloads, contrasting this with Google's decision to release Picasa for free following their own acquisition.

Microsoft bought Lookout. Lookout searches for e-mail in Outlook across .pst files. As soon as they did, Microsoft closed downloads of Lookout. In contrast, when Google bought Picasa, they opened it up for free.

Lookout


I found an extensive list detailing the many deviations between J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books and Peter Jackson's film trilogy. It covers everything from minor character shifts to major plot changes for dedicated fans.

A huge list of Lord of the Rings deviations between the movie and the book.

Lord of the Rings - differences between movie and book


I attempted to purchase the special Mathematical American issue from Scientific American, but technical difficulties with their server prevented me from completing the transaction. This issue compiles classic math columns and puzzles from the magazine's history.

I was trying to buy the Mathematical American but the server seems to have some problem.

Mathematical American from Scientific American


I explore the MIT Media Lab's Social Media Group, a research team dedicated to creating innovative sociotechnical systems and understanding how digital environments affect human interaction and communication through design and experimentation.

MIT's Social Media Group

MIT Social Media Group


Mobile phones are banned on flights primarily to prevent ground network disruption, not because they interfere with cockpit electronics. Rapidly moving aircraft cause phones to hop base stations too quickly, which can befuddle cellular networks below.

Phones can be used on flights. (from The Economist. Requires subscription) On an average transatlantic flight, several phones are usually left switched on by accident, and the avionics systems on modern aircraft are hardened against radio interference. No, the use of phones on planes is banned because they disrupt mobile networks on the ground. An airliner with 500 phones on board, whizzing across a city, can befuddle a mobile network as the phones busily hop from one base-station to the next.

Mobiles can be used on flights


I gathered the best resources for navigating Mumbai via public transport, including the IITB Mumbai Navigator for bus and train routes, visual train timetables from Alphonso, and detailed street maps from Google Maps and MapMyIndia.

Mumbai Navigator from IITB tells you how to get from one place to another in Mumbai, using the local bus and train services. Also has maps. (Here's the old Mumbai Navigator.) Alphonso has the full Mumbai local train timetables as pictures. If you're looking for street maps, Google Maps has a pretty good street map of Mumbai. But it's not as good as MapMyIndia, which gives you the driving route from Nariman Point to Bandra for instance.

Mumbai bus and train schedule


I'm sharing the news that Mysore implemented city-wide wireless internet access through the WiFiy service. This 2004 initiative represents an early milestone for municipal networking and broad digital connectivity in urban India.

All of Mysore is on WiFiy.

Mysore is on WiFiy


I evaluated Netscape, Opera, and Mozilla but returned to Internet Explorer for its integration with the A9 toolbar and Google Desktop. These search tools solved my offline browsing needs better than Opera’s built-in features.

A decade with Netscape. I've been wavering between IE, Opera and Mozilla over the last few months, and have come a full circle. IE: Default browser. Works with BCG's intranet.\ Opera: Great offline browsing. Fast downloading. Tabbed browsing. Mouse gestures.\ Mozilla: Powerful plugins.\ IE: A9 toolbar. Fantastic way of searching.\ IE again: Google desktop. Solves all offline browsing problems I had.

Netscape Opera Internet Explorer and Mozilla


I have distributed my final batch of Gmail invites to Rajneesh, Joseph, Kannan, Mark, Mohamed, and Naresh. This brief update captures a moment from the service's early beta period when account access was limited and highly exclusive.

I have no gmail invites left. Please wish Rajneesh, Joseph, Kannan, Mark, Mohamed and Naresh all the best with their accounts.

No gmail invites left


Examine the viral tale of a programmer who reportedly outsourced his job to India to profit from salary arbitrage. While likely an urban legend, it raises interesting questions about remote work and global labor markets.

Outsource your own job. A programmer outsourced his job to an Indian programmer. Salary arbitrage: $67,000 - $12,000 = $55,000. He's planning to get another job and do this again. (It's probably not true, though)

Outsource your own job


I found Dave Archambault's portfolio of intricate paintings created exclusively using a standard ball-point pen. These works demonstrate how a common office tool can achieve remarkable detail and depth in professional fine art illustration.

Dave Archambault's portfolio -- paintings using just a ball-point pen.

Painting with a ball point pen


I examine Malcolm Gladwell’s analysis of US drug pricing and patent tactics like AstraZeneca’s chemical reengineering of Prilosec into Nexium. The article challenges the assumption that the domestic pharmaceutical industry is universally overpriced.

Malcolm Gladwell on drug prices in the US. AstraZeneca twenty-six billion dollars on Prilosec. The patent was due to expire. AstraZeneca decided on a subtle piece of chemical reengineering, creating a single isomer version. The new drug was called Nexium. The F.D.A. gave its blessing, and Nexium hit the pharmacy shelves priced at a hundred and twenty dollars for a month's worth of pills. But the article goes on to show that the US drug industry isn't necessarily overpriced.

Patents in the US healthcare industry


I've started using Picasa to organize my photos, leveraging file names to enable name-based searches for specific people. With Google’s acquisition, I'm looking forward to integrated cloud storage and more powerful image search capabilities across shared collections.

Picasa is good. I incorporated all my photos in it, and I can now search for photos of people by name. (I have catalogued my photos' file names with peoples' names.) Now, with Google taking over Picasa, we will soon be able to store/share photos on Google, and search across others' shared photos, using Google's image search!

Picasa


I recommend Marc's Outlook on Productivity, a specialized blog covering productivity software and tools. It provides useful perspectives on managing workflows and using software to enhance personal efficiency and organizational systems.

Marc's Outlook on Productivity -- a good blog on productivity software.

Productivity software


Jeff Duntemann argues that the root cause of widespread security vulnerabilities is the inherent memory-unsafety of C and C++ rather than Microsoft’s software. He suggests migrating to safer programming languages to fundamentally improve system security.

Jeff Duntemann argues that the reason for security problems is C/C++, not Microsoft.

Programming language determines security


I explore pervasive gaming and real-life multiplayer experiences like CTRL+SHIFT, highlighting how digital mechanics bridge the gap into urban play and interactive social games within physical spaces.

Kottke on real-life multiplayer games.

Real life multiplayer games


I’m highlighting Dan Bricklin's insights on creating software that could last 200 years. The focus is on ensuring data longevity through open standards, simplicity, and decoupling information from the specific tools used to create it.

Dan Briklin on software that lasts 200 years.

Robust software


I explore the evolution of search engine features in early 2004, highlighting how competitors like Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft introduced specialized indexing and new tools to capture market share and improve user discovery.

On the new features of search engines.

Search engine features


I examine early automated blogs like iamlearn and rrobot, which use programs to generate readable yet meaningless content. I compare these experiments to useful automated platforms like Google News and discuss the future of blog automation.

iamlearn and rrobot are self-writing blogs. Written by programs, that is. They're quite readable, though somewhat meaningless. (Why not write a useful self-writing blog... like Google News?)

Self writing blogs and blog automation


I apply the concept of the Uncanny Valley to software design, observing how interfaces or simulations that approach reality too closely can become jarring and lose their effectiveness when they fail to perfectly match human expectations.

Nilesh on the Uncanny valley. The point at which a simulation becomes close enough to reality that it stops matching up. I have seen a lot of this happen in software design too.

Simulation close enough to reality


I highlight an excellent introductory guide to social network analysis from Semantic Studios. It explores how mapping relationships between people and organizations reveals hidden structures in information architecture and digital communities.

Excellent intro to social network analysis

Social Network Analysis


I found a smart method for captioning digital images featured in New Scientist. The software automates the process of tagging photos, making it easier to search and manage growing digital libraries using semantic information.

Smart way of captioning digital pictures.

Software to caption digital images


I found Emdros, a specialized database engine that understands English grammar and lets you perform grammatical queries using MQL. I came across it while browsing an A-Z list of artificial intelligence applications.

Emdros can understand English grammer, and lets you query texts grammatically. Found it while browsing through an A-Z list of AI applications on the AI FAQ.

Software understands English grammer


I shared a critique of Southwest Airlines' forced humor routines, highlighting how scripted jokes humiliate employees and fail to drive business compared to the company's actual competitive advantage of low fares.

Southwest Airline's effort to be humourous. Southwest ... have [my business] because of low fares, and force-marching their employees through comic routines will do little to affect my choice of carrier. They are, however, wasting their "research" dollars and undoubtedly humiliating their employees. I suggest they stop. While the phrases themselves were well-crafted specimens of humor, delivered with carefully practiced inflection of the voice, the eyes of the pressganged comedians were cold and dead.

Southwest Airlines tries to be humourous


I react to reports of street dogs in Athens being poisoned, likely ahead of the 2004 Olympics. I find the practice distressing and wish for more humane animal control methods instead of such lethal measures.

Street dogs in Athens are being poisoned. Maybe this happens everywhere. Maybe it is for the good. I just wish there were another way. (Don't watch the clip.)


Explore how insurgent groups leverage digital infrastructure for coordination and propaganda. These decentralized networks use the internet to gain strategic advantages, reflecting early observations on open-source warfare and the effectiveness of non-state actor operations.

Terrorists use the Internet well.

Terrorists use the Internet well


I shared this link to a curated collection of the most fascinating and high-quality responses from Google Answers, showcasing the unique depth and variety of research people commissioned before the service was eventually retired.

The Best Google Answers.

The best Google Answers


I've been looking into the Gigapixel Project, which produces incredibly high-resolution photography. They use custom-built cameras to capture images with billions of pixels, achieving a staggering level of detail beyond conventional digital methods.

The Gigapixel project. Incredibly high resolution photography.

The Gigapixel Project


I'm sharing a Kuro5hin story that captures the chaotic and mad reality of raising children. It’s a relatable look at parenting that I thought Aniruddha would find particularly interesting given its honest perspective.

About the mad life we have with children. Aniruddha will appreciate this.

The mad life we have with children


I found this Wired article about people who mistake The Onion's satirical stories for actual news reporting. It explores the phenomenon of taking satire seriously and the resulting confusion in public discourse.

Some people think The Onion is serious.

The Onion is serious


Explore Alan Cox's practical advice on improving software quality and reliability. Drawing from his extensive Linux kernel experience, Cox shares essential tips for writing cleaner code that is easier to maintain and more robust.

Alan Cox: Tips on writing better software.

Tips on writing better software


I explore a gallery of global toilet designs, highlighting futuristic models similar to the high-tech versions I used while working at Honda in 1998. It is a fascinating look at how sanitation technology varies across cultures.

Toilets of the world. The page has a section on futuristic toilets. I've used something like those when I was at Honda in 1998. Really nifty devices :-)

Toilet design


I was recently unwell but I'm nearly back to normal now. I plan to update this site more frequently as I regain my health and return to my regular writing schedule.

I was unwell. I'm almost back to normal now, and likely to update a little more frequently.

Unwell


I share an interesting method for using Gmail as an online backup system. It leverages the platform's generous storage capacity to store archives and data remotely using automated scripts and mail-based transfers.

Interesting idea to use gmail for backup.

Using gmail for backup


I'm highlighting Wal-Mart's massive data mining operation, which manages 460 terabytes of data to track consumer behavior. This 2004 milestone shows the early scale of big data analytics in retail supply chains and inventory management.

Wal Mart mines 460 terabytes of data.

Wal Mart mines 460 terabytes of data


Explore the original Nature paper by Watson and Crick detailing the molecular structure of DNA. This landmark publication includes their famous observation that the specific base pairing suggests a fundamental copying mechanism for genetic material.

Watson and Crick's original paper on DNA in Nature magazine. It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material. Comments Dae-Hyun Hahm 12 Sep 2006 6:22 am: I am a teaching professor and I need that paper in PDF for teaching in University.

Watson and Crick paper on DNA


I shared this Forbes piece on wearable displays and microdisplays from 2004, capturing a moment when head-mounted screens were transitioning from specialized gear to potential mainstream gadgets.

Wearable displays. via Anders Jacobsen

Wearable displays


I share a resource detailing the low-level technical operations that occur when formatting a primary Windows drive, explaining what really happens to file systems and disk data during the format C: process.

What really happens when you Format C:.

What happens when you Format your C Drive


Explore twenty specific reasons to avoid posting personal photos on the internet. This resource examines early digital privacy risks, including identity theft, harassment, and the loss of control over your personal image.

20 Reasons Why you shouldn't post your picture on the internet.

Why you should not post your picture on the Internet


I found Business Week’s 'Wireless Wonders' special issue to be a compelling look at the state of wireless technology in 2004, highlighting the trends and emerging innovations that were driving the mobile industry during that period.

This week's Business Week issue is on Wireless Wonders. Interesting reading about the wireless world.

Wireless technology


I’m sharing Jakob Nielsen’s annual list of the ten best intranets from 2005, highlighting internal sites that excel in usability, design, and employee productivity through streamlined information architecture and navigation.

10 best intranets of 2005 according to Jakob Nielsen.

10 best intranets


Explore ten influential technology trends from 2005, including the rise of Ajax, RSS, and tagging. This list highlights historical predictions for the long tail and the evolving utility of PDAs in the digital ecosystem.

A list of 10 trends to keep an eye on over the next 10 years. Includes the Long tail, Ajax, PDAs, Tagging and RSS.

10 for 10


I found a collection of ten archaeological mysteries and out-of-place artifacts that defy traditional scientific explanation, ranging from ancient mechanical devices to curious geological formations found in unexpected locations.

10 most puzzling artefacts.

10 most puzzling artefacts


Learn the essential use cases for Ajax in web applications, including form validation, real-time data polling, and interactive UI widgets. Focus on specific implementations like auto-complete and background saving to reduce full-page reloads and enhance responsiveness.

10 places you must use Ajax.

10 places you must use Ajax


Boost your creativity by introducing artificial constraints, such as picking a random word from a dictionary to incorporate into your ideas. Remember that total freedom often inhibits the creative process, while limitations force more innovative thinking.

10 steps for boosting your creativity If you're stuck for an idea, open a dictionary, randomly select a word and then try to formulate ideas incorporating this word. You'd be surprised how well this works. The concept is based on a simple but little known truth: freedom inhibits creativity. There are nothing like restrictions to get you thinking.

10 steps for boosting your creativity


I found 100 practical Amazon hacks covering everything from API development and search shortcuts to affiliate marketing strategies. This resource offers power-user tips for navigating the marketplace and building on the platform.

100 Amazon hacks.

100 Amazon Hacks


I found a fascinating New Scientist article detailing thirteen scientific anomalies that current theories can't explain. It covers puzzles like dark matter, the Pioneer anomaly, and cold fusion, highlighting where our understanding of physics still falls short.

13 things that do not make sense From the New Scientist. Comments Jetru 17 Mar 2005 5:50 pm: Good one

13 things that do not make sense


I curated a list of fifteen practical uses for RSS feeds, including tools to mix multiple scripts together and services that convert static web pages into functional RSS feeds for better content syndication.

15 things you can do with RSS -- like mix RSS scripts, convert any page to RSS, etc.

15 things with RSS


I found that adding a daily-changing date parameter to my Geocities site URL hides the Yahoo! ad sidebar. This trick likely interacts with Firefox ad blockers to bypass intrusive advertising on the free hosting platform.

When I use the URL to view my site, it doesn't show the Yahoo! ad bar on the right. But when I use any other number, like , or load it plain, like , it doesn't work. I suspect the 200531 is related to today's date (2005 Mar 31), that it changes every day, and that this feature is used by one of Firefox's ad blockers. Comments Jetru 31 Mar 2005 9:15 am: Cool! Jetru 31 Mar 2005 9:25 am: Hey, your search searches the html. S Anand 1 Apr 2005 3:51 am: It does use dates. On April 1, I have to use 20051 instead of 200531 S Anand 1 Apr 2005 3:52 am: Yes, Jetru -- the search box does a regular expression search of all HTML

200531


I highlight a resource listing the 46 best freeware utilities and ask for your favorites. It covers essential system tools, with readers recommending software like FreeMind for organizing thoughts and notes.

The 46 best ever freeware utilities. What do you find useful? Comments Ashu 21 Feb 2005 12:00 pm: thats cool m1109113562454 21 Feb 2005 12:00 pm: I use freemind too

46 freeware


I realized Google Desktop Search uses port 4664 because it spells 'GOOG' on a phone keypad. It matches the pattern of Google SMS, which uses 46645 to spell 'GOOGL' for mobile messaging services.

I just realised. Google Desktop Search is a HTTP server that works on port 4664. 4664 is what you need to type on a phone to spell "GOOG". Incidentally, Google SMS requires you to send messages to GOOGL (46645). Comments Scott Caplan 4 Sep 2005 6:07 pm: That's pretty darn awesome!

4664


Explore this list of fifty creative ways to use your iPod beyond music, including practical data storage hacks, car integration, and more unusual projects like using the device as a digital photo frame or portable hard drive.

50 Fun Things to do with your iPod

50 fun things to do with your iPod


I share the classic technical support legend where a sysadmin debugs an email server restricted by the speed of light, tracing a bizarre 500-mile limit to a misconfigured timeout setting during a Sendmail upgrade.

500 mile e-mail: the story of a server that would not send e-mail beyond 500 miles.

500 mile e-mail


I'm exploring A9.com Maps, which features ground-level photographs of building elevations. It's an early example of street-level imagery that provides a visual perspective of locations, helping users identify buildings and navigate urban environments more effectively.

A9.com Maps. Provides photos of building elevations of location!

A9.com Maps


I shared a link to an MSN Spaces blog purportedly belonging to Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and questioned its authenticity, capturing a moment from 2005 during the promotion of his film Mangal Pandey.

Aamir Khan's blog? Is it really him? Comments sekhar 6 Sep 2005 3:58 am: supposed to be ............

Aamir Khan blog


I highlight a finding from Hardman and Macchi showing that people judge bad outcomes from action more harshly than inaction. This omission bias causes us to prefer higher natural risks over lower risks from intervention.

Thinking, a book by Hardman and Macchi, says people would much rather let bad things happen, than take a risk to stop them: Decisions with identical outcomes are judged as worse when they result from acts of commission than acts of omission. For example, most people are reluctant to vaccinate children against a potentially lethal flu when side effects of the vaccine can cause death. Faced with a flu epidemic that is expected to kill 10 out of 10,000 children, most people are not willing to accept a 9 out of 10,000 risk of death from vaccination, and the median acceptable maximum risk is 5 in 10,000. Apparantly, killing a child with a vaccination (that is, an act of commission) is perceived as worse than causing its death by failing to vaccinate (that is, an act of omission).

Acts of commission rather than omission


I explore whether computers increase or hamper productivity by analyzing reports on digital distraction. I look at how email and internet access create a form of ADD that causes even smart professionals to underperform in business settings.

Are computers increasing or hampering productivity? This article at NY Times talks about the increasing levels of distraction PCs drive us to, with e-mail, Internet, games, music, photos, movies, books, chat, ... It's a form of ADD: attention deficiency syndrome. Harvard Business Review has an article titled Why Smart People Underperform (Jan 2005: subscription required) talks about its impact in the business world.

ADD


I suggest exploring Amazon's Best of 2004, All Consuming, and the Daypop Amazon Wishlist for book recommendations. These links provide curated lists and community-driven insights to help you discover interesting titles to read.

Amazon's Best books of 2004, All consuming, and Daypop Amazon Wishlist are good places to look for books to read.

Amazon Best of 2004


I found Amazon's concordance feature, which displays a book's most frequent words as a visual tag cloud. It provides a quick way to identify central themes and unique vocabulary within a text before purchasing.

Amazon has a new feature called concordance that shows the frequently used words in a book like a tag list.

Amazon concordance


I noted Amazon's 2005 entry into the blogging space through a strategic investment. The discussion captures the era's landscape, including the emergence of corporate blogging at Amazon India and the technical frustrations of mid-2000s web popups.

Amazon enters blogging. Comments Navneet 10 Feb 2005 12:00 pm: Whoa! Hee-uu-ge Geocities popup on page. Thought it was temp. Apparently not.. S Anand 10 Feb 2005 12:00 pm: Can't seem to avoid it... Dhar 8 Mar 2005 8:08 am: Amazon India Center's blog: i-5.blogspot.com S Anand 8 Mar 2005 8:24 am: That was a good one! Didn't know corporate blogs were getting along in India.

Amazon enters blogging


I found a method to manipulate Amazon product image URLs, allowing you to control size, padding, and rendering styles just like Amazon does. These URL tricks provide extensive flexibility for displaying product imagery on external sites.

Amazon image abuse. How you can change Amazon images in practically every way that Amazon itself can.

Amazon image abuse


I found Amazon's Mechanical Turk API, which allows software to invoke human workers for tasks computers can't handle. It treats human intelligence like a remote procedure call, creating what Amazon calls "Artificial Artificial Intelligence."

The ultimate irony. Amazon has written an API that invokes humans. Amazon Mechanical Turk provides a web services API for computers to integrate Artificial Artificial Intelligence directly into their processing by making requests of humans. Developers use the Amazon Mechanical Turk web services API to submit tasks to the Amazon Mechanical Turk web site, approve completed tasks, and incorporate the answers into their software applications. To the application, the transaction looks very much like any remote procedure call - the application sends the request, and the service returns the results. In reality, a network of humans fuels this Artificial Artificial Intelligence by coming to the web site, searching for and completing tasks, and receiving payment for their work. Comments Karthik 11 Nov 2005 5:03 pm: The robots are taking over the world

Amazon Mechanical Turk


I found Shanahan's Amazon Zuggest, a tool that provides live search functionality for Amazon's product catalog. It allows users to see real-time suggestions and results as they type their queries into the interface.

Shanahan's Amazon Zuggest. It searches Amazon live.

Amazon Zuggest


I explored AmazType, a typographic book search engine for Amazon. It visualizes search results by arranging book cover images into the literal characters of the search term, allowing for an interactive and aesthetically unique browsing experience.

AmazType is a typographic book search based on Amazon. I didn't understand what that meant either, until I searched for Six Degrees. Try it. Then click on a few of the book images. Comments Jetru 17 Mar 2005 7:56 am: Cool :D

AmazType


I explore why Americans work more than Europeans, referencing Nobel Laureate Edward Prescott's findings that lower marginal tax rates drive higher labor supply. I also question how India compares to these tax-driven labor trends.

Why do Americans work so much more than Europeans? Because America has lower marginal tax, says Prescott, the 2004 Economics Nobel Laureate. The important observation is that the low labor supplies in Germany, France, and Italy are due to high tax rates. If someone in these countries works more and produces 100 additional euros of output, that individual gets to consume only 40 euros of additional consumption and pays directly or indirectly 60 euros in taxes. I wonder where India stands.

Americans work more than Europeans


I highlighted the archive of Amul’s iconic topical advertisements, known for their 'Utterly Butterly Delicious' mascot and satirical puns on Indian current events. These ads represent a unique, long-running fusion of brand marketing and social commentary.

Amul ad hits. Comments BINDU NAIR 8 Dec 2011 12:50 pm: LOVE THE JINGLE OF THE AD UTTERLY BUTTERLY DELICIOUS AMUL

Amul ad hits


Follow this guide to create custom annotated Google Maps. It demonstrates how to build map mashups, such as displaying Craigslist housing listings directly on a map interface for easier geographic browsing.

How to make your own annotated Google Maps. Like a craigslist on Google Maps.

Annotated Google Maps


This detailed account reveals how flight controllers solved the critical problem of powering up the Apollo 13 Lunar Module as a lifeboat, a technical challenge that was never part of the original mission design.

An incredibly detailed look into the rescue of the Apollo 13 mission. What follows is a little known story, even to many involved in the Apollo 13 mission. While they have been complimented on rapidly getting the lunar module into lifeboat mode, stretching its resources to keep the crew alive for the journey back to Earth, few realize the lunar module controllers first had to overcome a basic problem: how to get the lunar module to turn on at all.

Apollo 13 rescue


I found a comprehensive archive of Apple advertisements hosted by a Penn State faculty member. It is a useful resource for revisiting classic tech marketing campaigns and historical product launches from the company's iconic past.

All Apple advertisements

Apple Ads


I pointed to a MetaFilter thread gathering the best April Fools' Day jokes from 2005. It's a nostalgic look at how the early web celebrated the holiday with creative hoaxes and elaborate site-wide pranks.

April fool.

April fool


I found an economic analysis of those "free Mac Mini" offers. While Hardy successfully received a machine, the breakdown reveals the hidden costs in time and effort to determine if they are truly worth it.

Are the free Mac Minis for real? Hardy tries to get one -- and succeeds. But... is it worth it? Pretty good economic analysis.

Are the free Mac Minis for real


I highlight a deep dive into how phantom withdrawals and systemic security vulnerabilities in the UK ATM network nearly collapsed the banking sector, exposing critical technical flaws and the industry's initial refusal to acknowledge fraud.

How ATM fraud nearly brought down British banking.

ATM Fraud in the UK


I found a great demo of augmented reality technology from the MIT Media Lab’s Aesthetics + Computation Group. It showcases early interactive installations and experimental user interfaces that blend digital information with physical environments.

A great demo of augmented reality at MIT Media Labs. Comments Dhar 6 Apr 2005 3:55 am: Just had a look at your book recos. Have read a few, will check out the remaining. Recently picked up "Clash of Civilizations" and "Getting Things Done". Both look interesting.

Augmented reality at MIT


I automate my daily reading by matching del.icio.us tags from URLs I've blogged about against trending bookmarks. I score sites based on tag frequency and rank the top five, though I need better APIs to scale.

I have an automated (and lazy) way of finding interesting sites. This is what I do every day. 1. I get the del.icio.us tags of every URL I blog about. (It's available at http://del.icio.us/rss/url/ followed by the MD5 hex version of the URL). 2. I pick the most popular tags (at least 50 links must have this tag), and use them as my "preferred tags" 3. I scan the most popular sites on del.icio.us, and get each site's tags 4. If a site has my preferred tags, I give it points (the number of points is equal to the number of times I've blogged that tag) 5. I pick the top 5 sites based on my points, and read them. There are two problems I have now. Firstly, I will find sites similar to those I have blogged about -- not discover anything new. That's fine to start with -- I can search for those manually. The bigger problem is, this is restricted to del.icio.us. There are two ways I can extend this (lazily). 1. By finding new sources of popular URLs (which requires a site with a list of popular URLs updated daily, which I will find interesting) 2. By finding new sites that tag URLs (which ideally requires an API to get the tags for a given URL) There are lots of sources for popular URLs. But though many of sites, including notably Technorati, tag URLs, but none of them I know have APIs. Comments Ravi 2 Dec 2023 5:08 pm: I am a intensive user of ChatGPT . Asking it to ask clarifying questions was not successful in 3.5 . I gave up . I have not returned to it . May be I don’t think the sentence / context completion model is capable of saying, ‘ huh?’ I have not tried ‘ List the different ways will you will interpret the prompt , . But if I already know that there is room for ambiguity, why won’t I disambiguate the prompt myself ?

Autoblog


I highlighted the launch of BBC Backstage, a new developer platform featuring contributions from Tom Coates and Matt Biddulph. It marks a significant move by the BBC to provide data and APIs for creative reuse.

BBC seems to be doing good work for developers at BBC Backstage. Tom Coates and Matt Biddulph are among those involved.

BBC Backstage


Benford's Law describes the frequency distribution of leading digits in many real-life sets of numerical data. Use this mathematical principle as a tool for uncovering fraud or spotting fake data by identifying statistical anomalies.

Benford's Law: how to spot fake data.

Benford Law


Explore Kenneth Arrow's concept of information that is socially useless but privately valuable. In legal contexts, data on judge tendencies helps lawyers win cases without improving justice, creating a zero-sum struggle for a bigger slice of the pie.

Better information is not always beneficial. For $795, LegalMetric LLC will tell you which judges rule most swiftly and which tend to favor patent holders. For lawyer and client, this knowledge can be very valuable. But does it increase the chances that the judge will come to a just decision? It is the sort of information that Nobel laureate Kenneth Arrow labeled "socially useless but privately valuable." It doesn't help the economy produce more goods or services. It creates nothing of beauty or pleasure. It simply helps someone get a bigger slice of the pie. Sure, if the product helps win cases, then both sides will buy it -- just as both sides in high-stakes product-liability cases invest in jury-selection experts and software -- and neither will have an unfair advantage. But does that make the society better off? Comments Arun 24 Sep 2005 4:51 pm: Interesting article. An internet bubble qualifies too, i presume? :-)


I found this amusing video of Bill Gates starring in a 2005 Coca-Cola commercial. He wanders the Microsoft halls late at night looking for spare change for a soda machine, promising to pay his employees back.

Bill Gates in a Coca Cola ad. In August 2005, Bill Gates starred in a Coca Cola commercial. He wanders in the halls of Microsoft late one night looking for someone to loan him change for the Coke machine. "I'll pay you back," he promises.

Bill Gates in Coke ad


I took the Blind Search Engine Test to see which results I truly preferred without brand influence. My vote went to Google, confirming its search quality in a side-by-side comparison against other major engines.

The Blind Search Engine Test. My vote turned out to be for Google.

Blind Search Engine Test


I am experimenting with my blog by adding an RSS-powered feed of recently updated sites I follow and creating an online catalog of my digital fiction collection to facilitate easier lending and tracking of resources.

I'm trying a couple of experiments with my blog. One is a feed of sorts that shows recently updated blogs. I'm conducting a trial with a few blogs I read, on the right-side tab "Recently updated blogs". The last 3 posts of the blogs updated within 3 days one-and-half days show up here (using their RSS feed). The other is creating an online catalog of digital resources I've encountered. Right now, I've put in books (fiction) I've read soft copies of on the right side tab "My fiction collection". I'm planning to add non-fiction, music and movies. The good part about having digital books, of course, is being able to lend them without worrying about losing my copy. Comments Navneet 8 Feb 2005 12:00 pm: You have digital copies of ALL these books? Where did you get them from? Ravi 8 Feb 2005 12:00 pm: not able to see the "my fiction collection" list S Anand 8 Feb 2005 12:00 pm: Bugs in the commenting system. Will fix them and let you know -- including how to fix the TOPFRAME problem.

Blog experiments


I shared photos from the April 2005 Mumbai Blogger's meet, featuring a gathering of local bloggers like Amit Varma and Arnab Ray. It captures a slice of the early Indian blogging community's social scene.

Pictures from the Mumbai Blogger's meet with Aadisht, Altaf, Amit, Anand, Arnab, Nandan, Ravikiran, Saket, Sameer, Yazad, Zainab, and myself. Comments S Anand 15 Apr 2005 5:33 am: More photos from Sameer

Bloggers Meet April 2005


I found Bollycat, a database documenting Bollywood films that plagiarized or were heavily inspired by Hollywood movies. It serves as a specific resource for identifying uncredited remakes and cinematic parallels between these two global film industries.

Bollycat: a list of Bollywood films plagiarized from Hollywood.

Bollycat


I experienced a quintessential moment of dry British humor at King's Cross station. When I mentioned having a zone 1-5 pass, the ticket agent's sarcastic 'Congratulations!' perfectly captured the local wit I'm learning to appreciate.

If it weren't happening to me, I'd appreciate the British sense of humour. I was at the King's Cross station, buying tickets for the next week at a counter. "Hi, um... I already have a zone 1-5 pass..." "Con-gra-tu-LAY-tions!" Comments Anonymous 11 Jan 2007 1:13 pm: dont follow the humour

British humour


I explored a hack to stream music and audio over Google Talk to friends. While I successfully heard a friend's broadcast, my own setup had technical issues, and the method only supports one-to-one streaming.

Broadcasting on Google Talk. Comments Dhar 28 Aug 2005 3:32 am: I tried streaming music to friends... Cool hack. The only thing is that it is not a broadcast... Can be streamed only to a single person unfortunately... :( Arun 29 Aug 2005 7:10 am: wow, this is pretty cool. Dhar, next time you are free, let's try this out :-) S Anand 31 Aug 2005 7:20 pm: I did, this afternoon. I could hear Dhar's broadcast clearly, but he couldn't hear mine. Problem with my laptop, I think.

Broadcasting on Google Talk


The Economist examines business continuity planning via Ericsson's $2 billion loss. A minor ten-minute fire at a Philips chip factory crippled their supply chain, demonstrating how lack of alternative sourcing can destroy market leadership.

The Economist on Business Continuity Planning. The effect on Ericsson, a Swedish mobile-phone company, of a fire in a New Mexico chipmaking plant belonging to the Dutch firm Philips, has become a legend. The fire, in March 2000, started by a bolt of lightning, lasted less than 10 minutes, but it caused havoc to the super-clean environment that chipmaking requires. Ericsson, unable to find an alternative source of supply, went on to report a loss of over $2 billion in its mobile-phone division that year, a loss that left it as an also-ran in an industry where it had once been a leader.

Business continuity planning


Explore the legendary rivalry between Caltech and MIT through their most ambitious campus pranks. This collection documents the engineering-heavy hacks and cross-country stunts used by students to outmaneuver their rivals in a long-standing battle of wits.

Caltech vs MIT pranks.

Caltech vs MIT


I shared links to complete online archives of Calvin and Hobbes comic strips and compiled my own collection of typed quotes from the series. I also included a resource for humorous advice from Calvin's dad.

Complete Calvin and Hobbes cartoons. Grab while the site lasts. (Alternate Calvin and Hobbes collection. I've typed the quotes.) Comments S Anand 15 Apr 2005 3:11 pm: Quotes from Calvin's Dad

Calvin and Hobbes Complete


I’ve updated my Calvin and Hobbes index to cover strips through June 1990. I'm manually transcribing the comics into a searchable text database to help fans locate specific strips by their dialogue and themes.

My Calvin and Hobbes index is current up to June 1990. Comments Sathya 28 Dec 2005 3:23 am: Are you manually typing all these stuff ? Ammadiyov ... why dont u outsource such stuff :-) S Anand 28 Dec 2005 8:04 am: Whom to? :-) ritzkini 28 Dec 2005 8:32 am: !!! :O all by yourself !!?? crazy about C&H,eh ? S Anand 28 Dec 2005 10:55 am: Completely. And I'm not the only one I know either! vikram 29 Dec 2005 12:03 am: wow awesome man! i'm crazy about C&H too. great work man. :) Sathya 30 Dec 2005 3:25 am: Now you know whom to outsource to ;-P S Anand 30 Dec 2005 10:43 am: Hey, my index vanished! S Anand 30 Dec 2005 10:24 pm: It's back. Madhu 5 Jan 2006 7:57 am: Did you try the Calvin Hobbes entire collection for their 20th Anniversary. Its about 5k in India. S Anand 5 Jan 2006 6:00 pm: Very tempting! Anonymous 9 Jan 2006 8:07 am: i have an internet link to the complete c&h, let me know if you would like iy S Anand 10 Jan 2006 9:08 am: Is it in text? I'd really like the complete Calvin in TEXT. S Anand 11 Jan 2006 11:16 am: Calvin theme subjects. Madhu 18 Jan 2006 9:53 am: Let me help you with this. I will work on Calvin and Hobbes backwards from 31-12-95 and see where I can reach S Anand 18 Jan 2006 10:52 am: Thanks, Madhu! That'll be wonderful. Someone else I know in Germany working backwards from 31-12-95. How about if you take it forward from 01-01-93? JustSomebody 3 Apr 2010 5:17 am: Excuse me, but I think this strip search is broken. For some reason, it only has comics up to July 31, 1988. All the other comics aren't showing and the text is replaced with jibberish. S Anand 3 Apr 2010 8:02 am: Yes -- thanks for pointing this out. Fixed it now. The Calvin and Hobbes search Takedown | s-anand.net 21 May 2010 12:02 pm (pingback): [...] bit puzzled, but just added it to my list of eccentricities and carried on. I was halfway there in 2005, pushed further in 2006, and with some help, I managed to finally complete [...]

Calvin and Hobbes index - 900602


I use David Tweed’s search engine to find Calvin and Hobbes comics by keyword, particularly the Tracer Bullet strips. I cross-reference dates with ucomics and have transcribed my favorite quotes for easy access.

Calvin and Hobbes search from David Tweed. You can search for your favourite comics (mine are Tracer Bullet), note down the dates, and check them out on ucomics. (You need a subscription to view old comics.) I've typed out the quotes. Comments Anonymous 4 Feb 2005 12:00 pm: This is cool

Calvin Hobbes search


I transcribed a collection of Calvin and Hobbes quotations to create a searchable resource. I am building this custom text database after being unable to access existing archives to preserve the comic strip's wit.

I've typed up a some Calvin and Hobbes quotations Comments FrogsIntoPrinces 1 Aug 2005 2:05 pm: By the way I have the entire C S Anand 1 Aug 2005 7:26 pm: As text? Or the images? Dhar 2 Aug 2005 2:44 pm: Unfortunately images... Dhar 2 Aug 2005 2:45 pm: And for links, check out http://digg.com/spy They use Ajax, which is a Good Thing (TM). Ravi 2 Aug 2005 7:14 pm: There is a searchable text-index at http://users.rcn.com/dtweed/calvin/index.htm S Anand 2 Aug 2005 7:38 pm: I know. I wrote to David in Feb. He could not share his database with me. So I am recreating it.

Calvin quotes


I found Canvascape, an impressive first-person shooter built using the Firefox 1.5 canvas tag. It demonstrates textured 3D environments rendered natively in the browser, highlighting the potential for early web gaming using new standards.

Firefox 1.5's canvas tag used to create games. A first-player shooter type with textures. Impressive. (You need Firefox 1.5 to view this). Comments sLaSh 4 Dec 2005 2:28 pm: http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video/Science/Physics/Fits-of-Reflection-and-Transmission/15197

Canvas tag used to create games


I shared a guide for capturing screen movies on the fly. While SnapZ is a popular Mac choice, I also discussed using VirtualDub for Windows video capture and compression based on community feedback.

Capturing movies on the fly. Comments Sumit Dhar 30 Nov 2005 1:28 am: SnapZ is a Mac only application? For Windows, I use VirtualDub. Not very intuitive or easy to use, but does the job. S Anand 30 Nov 2005 11:07 am: So do I! It's pretty effective. I do my video compression on VirtualDub as well.

Capturing movies on the fly


Explore the Chemosphere, John Lautner's octagonal "most modern residence" perched on a steep Los Angeles slope. Built for an aerospace engineer and featured in Charlie's Angels 2, this architectural icon uses a unique central pedestal design.

Chemosphere is the world's most modern residence. Incidentally, Charlie's Angels 2 was filmed here. via MeFi Leonard Malin was a young aerospace engineer in late-1950s L.A. whose father-in-law had just given him a plot north of Mulholland Drive, near Laurel Canyon. The only catch: at roughly 45 degrees, the slope was all but unbuildable. Lautner sketched a bold vertical line, a cross, and a curve above it. "Draw it up," he told his assistant. Now publisher Benedikt Taschen owns Chemosphere. Chemosphere Comments Dennis 27 Apr 2010 6:08 am: I love this - also dome homes. I would love to see more photo's than the few I have seen, as well as how the funicular (underground railroad thing) works to enter the house. Also it would be neat to see more about how the house was built, what is involved with keeping it maintained, and how it fared during the various earthquakes - any damage?

Chemosphere


I found a simple way to clean glass inexpensively by using old newspapers instead of paper towels or rags. It leaves windows streak-free without the cost or waste of specialized cleaning supplies.

Clean glass inexpensively using newspaper.

Clean glass inexpensively


I discovered Clocky, a clever alarm clock that rolls off your nightstand and hides when you hit snooze. To turn it off, you must get out of bed and find it, ensuring you're actually awake.

Clocky. Clocky is, quite simply, for people who have trouble waking up. When the alarm clock goes off and the snooze button is pressed, Clocky will roll off the bedside table and wheel away, bumping mindlessly into objects on the floor until it eventually finds a spot to rest. Minutes later, when the alarm sounds again, the sleeper must get up out of bed and search for Clocky. This ensures that the person is fully awake before turning it off. Small wheels that are concealed by Clocky's shag enable it to move and reposition itself, and an internal processor helps it find a new hiding spot every day. Comments Jetru 31 Mar 2005 9:15 am: Saw in Comp. success? S Anand 1 Apr 2005 2:49 am: No, came across it when browsing

Clocky


I found a tool that organizes your del.icio.us bookmarks into clusters. It uses specialized search technology to group similar tags and topics together, helping you navigate and find structure within a large collection of saved links.

Cluster your del.icio.us bookmarks.

Cluster your del.icio.us bookmarks