‘Wired ReRead’ Is a Time Machine of Geek Culture for Nerds
As postmodern society accelerates, we look back with greater and greater fervor. Nostalgia, not for decades past but for mere months back, informs us of who we are and whence we come. Reminiscence helps us to situate ourselves in history.
But also, it helps us to make fun of ourselves! Danish tech fan Theis S
Google Adds Biking Directions to Maps
Google Maps was already one of our favorite tools on the Web, thanks to its (borderline creepy) satellite images, (usually) reliable directions, and powerful search tools. The latest edition, though, has really endeared Google to many of us here at the Switched offices: biking directions.
The specific navigation tool for cyclists joins existing options for driving, walking, and public transportation. The biking guide avoids major roads and highways (as well as hills), and, wherever possible, sticks to existing bike lanes and paths.
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Google Adds Biking Directions to Maps originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Best Wii, Xbox and PS3 Games Under $10
Although still in the early stages, 2010 is already developing into a monumental year for video games. 'Heavy Rain,' 'Dante's Inferno,' 'God of War 3,' 'StarCraft 2,' 'BioShock 2' and the (long overdue) next incarnation of 'Zelda' for Wii represent just a small portion of highly anticipated titles.
New copies of those mega-hyped games will cost $50 to $60, though, so gamers may be limited in their total purchases. To help offset those costs, and to promote thrifty entertainment, we've compiled an assortment of inexpensive yet engrossing games from the PSN Store, the Xbox Live Arcade, and the Wii Shop.
These cheapos may skimp on price (almost all are $10 and under), but the graphics, gameplay, and action definitely don't suffer. More importantly, they'll undoubtedly help avid players, regardless of their favorite console, continue their necessary virtual exploits while saving hard-earned cash for upcoming big-budget blockbusters.
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Filed under: Video Games
Best Wii, Xbox and PS3 Games Under $10 originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Google Apps Marketplace Launches for Business Users
One of the few communities in which cloud-based services have been slow to take root is that of business. Sure, the average Joe is fine trusting his e-mail and scheduling to Google or Yahoo!, but enterprises still rely heavily on expensive desktop and server-based programs that cooperate with products like Microsoft's Exchange. Last night, though, Google fired yet another shot in the battle for the hearts and minds of business users when it launched the Google Apps Marketplace.
The premise is simple enough. Google Apps users with their own domains can search the marketplace for cloud-based applications that will integrate directly with their Google services. For example, domain managers could add the Aviary design suite or Inuit's Online Payroll app to their Google apps dashboard. These apps can also directly communicate with apps like Google Calendar or Talk to pull in schedules or to allow in-app instant messaging.
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Google Apps Marketplace Launches for Business Users originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
U.K. to Muzzle Dangerous Dogs With Microchips and Pet Insurance
Dog owners in Britain might soon have extra incentive to keep their canines on a short leash. According to an Associated Press report posted on Huffington Post, government officials want a microchip installed in every dog in the U.K. In addition, the owners of the dogs would be required to purchase insurance on the animals.
The argument being that cheap microchips, costing between $15 and $52 to install, would make it easier for authorities to track the pet's owner, since the rice-grain sized chip can be scanned for personal information in the event of an attack. Insurance, on the other hand, which could cost around $34 a month, would ensure that dog-attack victims are financially compensated.
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Filed under: Computers
U.K. to Muzzle Dangerous Dogs With Microchips and Pet Insurance originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Facebook Ups the Stalker Quotient, Adding Location-Based Updates
Facebook is taking a break from the constant, user-infuriating redesigns to add an honest-to-goodness new feature -- location updates (which will probably be user-infuriating, anyway). Location awareness is all the rage for social networks as GPS has become a standard feature on most smartphones. Twitter, Google Buzz, Google Latitude, and Foursquare have all tightly interwoven these features into their respective services, and Facebook doesn't want to get left in the dust.
According to the New York Times, Facebook is set to unveil location-based updates at next month's F8, the Facebook developer conference. Those with keen eyes have known this was coming for quite some time. In November, Facebook updated its privacy policy to include the following statement: "When you share your location with others or add a location to something you post, we treat that like any other content you post."
Continue reading Facebook Ups the Stalker Quotient, Adding Location-Based Updates
Filed under: Web, Social Networking
Facebook Ups the Stalker Quotient, Adding Location-Based Updates originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Net Sales Tax Prompts Amazon to Cut Off Colorado, More States Could Follow
Right now, there are a bunch of angry former Amazon Affiliate program members in Colorado. A new law signed by the state's governor Bill Ritter would require Amazon to pay sales taxes if its affiliates, meaning Web sites and bloggers who refer purchasers to them, are based in the state. In response, Amazon discontinued its program, leaving thousands of affiliates -- many of whom rely on the referral fees for income -- with little recourse but to complain to their elected officials.
This is not the first time that Amazon has been compelled by states to collect sales taxes. In 2008, New York began requiring the online retailer to pay taxes, but, likely due to the market's size, Amazon kept the affiliate program in place. North Carolina and Rhode Island passed similar laws which caused Amazon to pull the plug on affiliates there.
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Filed under: Web
Net Sales Tax Prompts Amazon to Cut Off Colorado, More States Could Follow originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Get Your E-Spring Cleaning Done With OnyX and CCleaner
We've got a double dose of Switched Downloads for you. Normally we try to cover cross platform apps so everyone can get in on the fun, but with the category of app we're covering today, that just isn't an option. CCleaner and OnyX are system cleaning and optimization tools for Windows and Mac respectively. We searched for a comparable product for Linux, but the closest we could find is the unreliable (and potentially dangerous) System Janitor built into Ubuntu.
PC: CCleaner
What it is:
CCleaner, which is generally understood to stand for 'Crap Cleaner,' removes all sorts of data that might gunk up your system. The program clears your browser cache, empties your recycling bin and clipboard, deletes temporary files, and straightens the disaster that is the Windows registry. Not only does this clear up hard disk space and leave less information lying around for cyber-criminals to harvest, but it can actually make your computer run a bit faster.
Continue reading Get Your E-Spring Cleaning Done With OnyX and CCleaner
Filed under: Windows Software, Mac Software, Downloads
Get Your E-Spring Cleaning Done With OnyX and CCleaner originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Street View Awards Show Best of U.K. Without the Black Pudding
They might not have as high a profile as the Oscars, but Britain's first annual Google Street View Awards ceremony was held Monday. The Telegraph reports a panel of U.K. experts, selected by Google, and about 11,000 online participants voted a cobblestone road in York, called The Shambles, "Britain's Most Picturesque Street." "It has been the backdrop for many a jigsaw, chocolate box and railway poster and once you visit you will see why," shop owner Ian Addyman told the Telegraph.
The competition, intended to hype the many new locations added to the U.K. Street View, also included other award categories. Bath's Milsom Street won for "Best Fashion" and Hampshire's Stockbridge High Street came away with "Best Foodie Street." In return, these winning walks get a ton of free publicity (which business owners must love), and will be highlighted on Street View with special guides and point-of-interest markers. Google hasn't provided Street View links on the Awards announcement, but you can still browse the best of the digitized U.K. via the voting page. [From: Telegraph and Google]
Gallery: The Shambles on Google Street View
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Street View Awards Show Best of U.K. Without the Black Pudding originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
IBM Wants to Help Bloggers Overcome Writer’s Block
Everyone out there has endured writer's block at some point. You don't have to be a novelist, or even a pro-blogger to have smacked up against the wall at some point. Sadly, if you're struggling with a school paper we can't help you, but IBM thinks it has a solution for those bloggers that might be stuck for topics.
Blog Muse is a social tool that allows users to suggest and vote on topics they think a blog should address. Issues are then presented to participating bloggers, who have the option to write about them if they so choose. If a blog covers a topic that a user suggested or approved, the user is notified and sent a link to the post by Blog Muse.
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Filed under: Web
IBM Wants to Help Bloggers Overcome Writer's Block originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.