Archive for May, 2008
Online buzz was generated recently with the discovery of a feature on Facebook dubbed the “stalker list”. The list can be found on the search box in Facebook. The feature involves clicking on the search field and pressing the down arrow. Once this is done, a list of five other Facebook users appears. Facebook users speculated that the names on the list are the people who view the user’s profile the most often, hence giving birth to the term “stalker list”.
Notice to the feature was first mentioned in the blog Gawker. Hours after the feature was reported in the Gawker blog, it was taken down by Facebook without any comments. Facebook released a statement afterward explaining that the feature was removed after it caused confusion amongst Facebook users. The press release gave an ambiguous reason for the names that populate the list.
Apparently the feature was added so that the user can gain immediate access to profiles that they would want to see the most often, making it easier to navigate the site. Facebook made it clear that the list was not a “stalker list”, and it did not show the people who viewed a profile the most. However, Facebook also said that the list was not of people the user searched for the most. Facebook was unclear as to how the names on the list were supplied.
Though the feature was reportedly taken down, the list can still be accessed by using the search box. Clicking on the box and pressing down may still yield a list. Pressing the up key instead of the down can show results. Typing a dot (.) on the field will also result in a drop down list. Placing the cursor on the search field and pressing the space bar can also reveal the drop down list.
Some users report that the list is accurate and contains access to the profiles they often search for or often view. Still, some users commented that the list of names is random. People talk about seeing names on the so-called “stalker list” whose profiles they have not viewed recently. Other experiments by users reveal that the list did not show the names of those users they did regularly check on.
Some speculate that the “stalker list” was the result of a faulty algorithm by Facebook. Facebook seemingly tried to give users easy access to close friends. However, the process they used to determine just who those close friends were has failed. The process may work for some users, but it has not proven effective for the entire Facebook community.
If your father is tough to buy for what do you do? I usually try and get my father something that he never knew existed or something that will blow his mind. Well, we can do both with this cool gift idea from ThinkGeek.com. Little gadgets and things that are based on technology have made this world a much more fun and easy place to live in. That is why this is the perfect gift for dad this year on Father’s Day.
R/C Desktop Forklift
Is this not the coolest thing that your father never knew was created? This little guy can hold up your soda, tape dispenser or whatever you have on your desk that needs lifting. All you need to power this baby is 4AAA batteries and a 9 volt for the controller. Doesn’t look like much but there is even a video on Youtube.com showing how it works.
Don’t forget about your father this father’s day. Make his day with a nice gift that he will always remember. Don’t you think that he would remember this?
Thursday, May 15th, 2008 | Posted in Toys | No Comments »
A lot of people work in a cubicle. A small, stinky 8 foot by 8 foot with tall walls and boring colors. I am not sure about how these people get through the day, but I know that if I can smile one or two times, my day is much easier.
If you are at work right now and need a reason to smile, try these little Plush Star Wars guys on for size.
The SD Star Wars Plush from Thinkgeek.com is just the thing that should get a smile out of you every time you look at them. When the boss is on your case about your TPS reports or the fact that you lingered in the break room a little too long today, take a look at these guys and you are sure to forget about work for a minute or two.
Quick Stats:
Darth Vader - approx. 7.5″ tall
Yoda - approx 7″ tall
Chewie - approx 7.5″ tall (with working bandolier pouch!)
If you can’t see something like this in your office or cubicle, get them for a friend. The geeky Star Wars type would be all over this and appreciate that you accept their geeky-ness. 
The owners of the classified ads’ site Craigslist have filed a countersuit against auction site eBay.com. This action is the latest in an unfolding legal battle between the two companies. The first move was made by eBay.com when it filed a lawsuit against Craigslist in April.
In its lawsuit, Craigslist claims eBay had malicious intent when it bought shares in the classified ads company. Craigslist founder Craig Newman and CEO Jim Buckmaster insists that eBay uses several practices against Craigslist. One was to detract traffic from Craigslist by placing false links that lead to eBay or eBay’s classified ads site Kijiji.
Craigslist also cites the creation of Kijiji as a clear sign of eBay’s plan. eBay was already a part of the board for Craigslist when it launched its own classified ads site. Craigslist claims that eBay used knowledge it learned as a shareholder to build a competitor.
The lawsuit filed by Craigslist asks that eBay refrain from using the Craigslist name or brand. The company is also asking that eBay return all the Craigslist shares it owns. Craigslist reasoned that the only reason eBay bought shares in their company is to collect insider information. The Craigslist founders believe that eBay is willingly undermining them because they are seen as a direct threat.
In the initial lawsuit filed by eBay, they claim that Craigslist made moves to devalue their share in the company. eBay holds a 25% stake in the classified ads company. eBay.com filed the lawsuit to protect their remaining assets in Craigslist. eBay.com believes that the board of Craigslist willingly engaged in actions that devalued the cost of their stock by 10%.
eBay responded to the claims by saying they purchased stock without any plans of sabotage. The auction site says the reason for interest in Craigslist was purely to get an idea what sets the classified ads site apart from similar endeavors.
eBay purchased the Craigslist stock in 2004. The shares were originally owned by a Craigslist employee. Several companies were approached with an offer of Craigslist stock, including Yahoo and Google.
Craigslist is a classified ads website that offers several listings. A wide variety of items can be found in the website from job openings to second hand furniture to personal ads. The website charges limited fees for its services. Only job openings posted for Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York require a fee.
Google recently announced the launch of a new advertising tool called Buzz Targeting. The method revolves around the popularity of videos on YouTube. The tool uses an algorithm to predict videos that are about to go ‘viral’.
Viral videos are those that suddenly gain an immense amount of popularity. Buzz targeting can detect when a certain video is already being promoted in blogs and social networks. Once the tool identifies a video about to gain popularity, it offers space on the video to advertisers. Investors can then put their ads at the bottom of the screen.
This is part of Google’s endeavor to make more money off the YouTube website. Google has been constantly seeking to make more money off its acquired video sharing website. Previous efforts to make money off the website included placing inline text ads in searches. Advertisers were also offered the chance to place ads within video players. Overlay ads are placed inside the website’s video player. These ads pop-up before or after a video plays.
Google sells ads by offering categories for the advertisers to choose from. Samples of categories being offered are “Entertainment” and “How-to”. Whenever a search is made in YouTube, ads are displayed based on the words placed in the search field. This allows advertisers to target the kind of users who should see their ads.
Most of the advertising offered in YouTube is targeted towards specific audiences. Buzz targeting is the first option that gives advertisers access to a broader audience. It is the first advertising tool that is based on the popularity of a video rather than the type of audience that sees it.
Google acquired rights to YouTube in 2006. The company bought $1.65 Billion worth of stocks in exchange for being the major shareholder. In the terms of the acquisition, the two companies agreed to remain separate entities. The deal gave YouTube wider reach in terms of access and availability. Google was also given a chance to become a key player in online videos. Both companies have agreed to work out a way to increase income from advertising.
The search engine giant recently admitted that YouTube has not yet yielded the kind of profits they are expecting. Google is still experimenting with ways to serve advertising on the website. Buzz targeting is one of the first advertising tools publicly announced by Google.
The popularity of video sharing has turned YouTube into a household name. 11.5 Billion videos were viewed online in March 2008. 38% of the videos were hosted by Google sites. YouTube accounted for 98% of Google’s share.
A press release was issued by Dell in May 13, 2008 stating that it will continue to support both the XPS and Alienware brands. This press release was issued after a report by Wall Street Journal claimed Dell was discontinuing XPS. Dell will continue to support and manufacture XPS computers while placing more funding into developing Alienware as the primary brand for gaming PCs.
Both XPS and Alienware are computer brands that cater mostly to gamers. The Wall Street Journal report stated that Dell will abandon its long standing XPS line of computers. The newspaper also said that this will be done to bring more attention to the Alienware brand.
Dell countered by saying that its XPS line has evolved from being a purely gaming PC. Recent releases from the brand incorporated more features that allow for business use. The XPS One computer is being touted as an all-purpose machine. Its specifications still allow it to handle high-performance computer games. However, the machine has been modified to allow it to handle several other processes. Another product called the XPS M1330 is the leading portable laptop, while the XPS 420 desktop is a machine designed for creating, editing and supporting multimedia.
Alienware develops a line of computers dedicated solely to gaming. The Alienware Company was acquired by Dell in 2006. Both companies have remained independent in terms of PC hardware and system development. Alienware focuses on custom-made computers with unique designs and high-performance engines. Its machines are patronized by gamers who use high-end computers for hours of game play.
Dell has continued to develop both brands independently. Its own XPS line was developed toward other markets while Alienware continues to develop specialty engines for gaming. Alienware machines take a long time to develop and perfect. Their machines also use both Intel and Advanced Micro Device chips. In contrast, Dell uses an efficient development process that allows it to release several new products and has an exclusive deal with Intel.
Dell’s acquisition of Alienware allows the PC gaming manufacturer to gain access to Dell’s massive marketing engine, while Alienware gives Dell a slice of the high-end computer market.
The Wall Street Journal article that led to the press release states that Dell was switching its main gaming brand to increase profits. In the article, it is said that Dell is disappointed when it placed after Hewlett-Packard in terms of revenue. To solve the problem, the article claims that Dell would abandon the XPS line to focus on the more popular and profitable high-end Alienware products.
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 | Posted in Gaming | No Comments »
After owning a Nintendo Wii now for about 2 months, I must say that it is quite a lot of fun. All the games are excellent and with the soon to be released Wii Fit, I can’t see falling in love with any other system at this point.
I really like the way that you can play tennis, bowling and do a daily fitness routine with the default game it comes with. As soon as I saw that Mario Kart for the Wii was coming out (last week), I knew that I had to have it. One of the best games created by Nintendo without any doubt, I knew it was going to be a hit for the Wii.
I cruised right over to Amazon.com and put my pre-order in (with extra wheel) and within 2 days of release it was at my door. If you don’t have it yet you should check it out. They also have a new channel that you can preview games and even download games to your Nintendo DS. The channel is free and allowing you to preview games is a certain marketing home run for the folks at Nintendo.
The Nintendo Wii really has a unique system with the remote and nunchuk, so it isn’t any surprise to me that games are limited. The ones that I see coming to release do look excellent and really how can you beat a game that reacts to every single move you make? And with games like Rock Band to come out this summer, it looks like Nintendo Wii is all about doing what they can to please!
Do you have the Wii? What games are your favorite?
Ever stand around the water cooler at work and have NOTHING to say? Ouch! Don’t look like an idiot, think of something, quick!
“How about those cool LED lights the boss put on the bathroom faucets?”
Perfect conversation starter. People love little gadgets and talking about cool electronics has become the normal thing these days. Technology is everywhere! Let’s take a look at these things.
Quick Stats:
Chamber with LEDs
Batteries pre-installed plus a set of spare batteries (uses G13-A style watch batteries)
Instruction Sheet
Two universal adapters included. (fits most standard faucets in USA. Not recommended for faucets outside of the USA.)
Dimensions: 2.25″ tall, 1.25″ diameter.
Now when you have an office full of clients, you will be hearing them chat about the cool lights in the bathroom. The bathroom can be such a turn off for people and when you make it inviting and add a little spice to it, the chit chat starts. What a cool little addition for under $20!
What do you think of the LED faucet lights?
As I am one of the newer authors here I would like to introduce myself as John. I run many blogs and became a writer here at www.tech-faq.com to post about gadgets that can make your life more amusing and easier. Bear with me while I post up 5 gadgets that I feel will add that touch of fun and ease to your life. If you like what you read, consider subscribing to the full RSS feed and leave a comment here.
Many people work long hours and get bad sleep to begin with. Now it’s 6am and you have to rise and shine for you next full day of blogging, TPS reports or whatever it is that you do, and you can’ get out of bed. Do you think that you could get out of bed if there was an earthquake every morning?
That, of course, would be a little unrealistic if you don’t own a Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker. That’s right, you will now be wide awake when you set the alarm for 6am and the bed starts to shake like the sky is falling. The Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker is such a neat little gadget I can hardly contain myself from ordering one for myself.
Quick stats:
Features:
Red Display
Two Brightness Settings
Snooze Button
Battery Backup (9V - not included)
Alarm Volume Control
Alarm Tone Control
3 Alarm Settings (Buzz, Buzz/Bed Shake, Only Bed Shake)
Manufacturer Limited Warranty: 1 year
ThinkGeek.com has such a wide variety of these types of things it’s kind of insane. If you like this product why not put it on a Christmas list or even get it for yourself if you can’t get out of bed in the morning.
