The Pursuit of Techyness

I've Moved!!!

2007-12-22T17:42:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone!

I've moved to http://www.techyness.com and to WordPress. Check it out

Everyone's in Pursuit of Something...

2007-12-04T15:31:00.000-05:00

The first reason why I am making a reference to Robert Frost..
Syracuse, New York weather.

Robert Frost, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Second, this poem has me wonder where the speaker is traveling... and what s/he is in pursuit of.

So my question to you (readers) is: What are you pursuing?

Sure, your travels may not be as snowy as what it is like in Syracuse right now, but we're all looking for something...

Daily Orange Article #2: How the Internet Eases the Job Search

2007-12-04T11:16:00.000-05:00

Although a few quotes were edited out because it came from someone who writes for the D.O. (oops)... I'm hoping that students will get something out of this article.

Check out the Article

As the fall semester ends, Syracuse University seniors are weighing possible post-graduation plans. Options are endless - anything from full-time employment, graduate school or even a year off.

Since time isn't so open-ended, some knowledge in networking typically goes a long way. Debi Walker, assistant director at Center for Career Services, stresses the importance of taking advantage of the tech-savvy resources SU has to offer.

Walker explained new developments to Orangelink, SU's online recruiting software, including switching to a new vendor and a partnership with CareerBuilder.com and how it will be easier for students to use this online tool.

If they don't use additional resources, students "might be missing out on something really great," she said.

"Networking is the still the best way to find employment opportunities," said Tim Kalucki, Information Technology and Services vice president. The firm specializes in consulting and direct staffing with offices throughout the Midwest. He warns students that they need to differentiate themselves in today's job market.

"If you're not competitive and out there, you will get passed over," he said. "It may not be your dream job, but look for a well-respected company. (Recent graduates) need experience and prove that they know how to work in a professional environment."

Another way to network online is through blogs, which can provide a new perspective to job hunters. Blogs connect to one another by linking to thoughts of other bloggers, instantly creating a knowledge network accessible no matter where the user is located.

The business networking site LinkedIn can be used for online networking by anyone, and joining is free. The site is made up of more than 16 million people representing 150 industries. The Web site boasts that "more people have joined LinkedIn than live in Sweden."

But it's no Facebook. The New York Times' blog Bits quoted LinkedIn Chief Executive Dan Nye explaining that the site is a "productivity tool to make professional people more effective," unlike other sites, where "there is a lot of noise and interference."

To find a blog that fits a specific topic, check out Technorati, a search engine devoted to blogs and social media. According to Technorati, which searches a database of more than 112.8 million blogs, there are 175,000 new blogs created every day.

Or, if generating your own content is more your style, create your own blog by signing up for free with Blogger, WordPress or Blogster, among others.

Kalucki, who works closely with college students and professionals to find life after graduation, stresses the need to publish one's resume in cyberspace."Put your resume out in as many areas as possible because you don't know how it's going to get picked up," he said.

His company and many other third party recruiters utilize software that scans the Internet for key words."Since on-campus exposure is limited, get your resume out there - on your home page, Monster.com and Craig's list," he said. "You want as many people to see it as possible."

"Employers say that a lack of research is why students don't get selected or interviewed," Walker said. "You need to be prepared before talking to employers or you are cutting yourself short. The technology is there. You can even (research) at 3 a.m."

Maine's Wife Carrying Championships (unrelated to Tech)

2007-12-03T23:15:00.000-05:00

Bethel, Maine: Even if you can’t be here for the annual North American Wife Carrying Championships, Bethel is worth the detour off the well-traveled Maine Coast. Here in the White Mountains and along the Androscoggin River lie some of the state’s most exciting adventures, such as backpacking the new 42-mile Grafton Loop Trail, which has premier views of sparkling lakes and rolling hills. The Androscoggin teems with rainbow and brown trout while the town’s calendar is filled with community road runs, adventure triathlons and canoe and kayak races. Bethel is also a classic New England town with enough charm to warm cold winter nights after a day dog-sledding and cross-country skiing around the Telemark Inn or skiing and snowboarding Sunday River Ski Resort (207-824-3000). It’s Sunday River that hosts the Wife Carrying Championships every fall; teams train to compete on a 278-yard obstacle course and to win the wife’s weight in Red Hook beer.

via MSN city guides on the 10 Best Outdoor Cities.

I love the part that says "win the wife's weight in Red Hook Beer." YES!!!!!!!

The Blackberry Helmet

2007-12-01T22:47:00.000-05:00

This is hilarious!! I love the little flag that you can put on the antenna.

Ode To BlackBerry.

2007-11-30T16:10:00.000-05:00

This one's for all you BlackBerry users out there.

My favorite part is at the end when he has the blackberry in one hand and a bottle of beer and a kid's bottle in the other.

A Week Without Technology?

2007-11-30T15:54:00.000-05:00

I found this video on YouTube after doing a random search for "crackberry." I'm a new user (I purchased the new 8830 world edition over Thanksgiving break and I love it.

Due to my newfound addiction, I have started to run into things while walking. This could become a problem.

Anyway- back to the video. This video features Dennis Neal, managing editor of Forbes Magazine. He volunteered to "go without" email, cell phones, and his blackberry for a week.

Is it possible? Could you do it? I couldn't.

I love that he could "hear" the cell phone ringing- and also that he went through withdrawl. Another reason why it's a "crack" berry.

He brought up some interesting points though- in Today's society we are very demanding and expect instantaneous communication. Cutting off our "connection" (literally) may be liberating at first but I don't think I could do it. Similar to Dennis Neal, I'm living a "wired" existence in a "wireless world."

Dennis lasted 40 hours.

[On life, love &] Accolades.

2007-11-29T19:33:00.000-05:00

iSchool Senior Received Honorable Mention in CRA’s Outstanding Undergraduate Award Competition
http://ischool.syr.edu/about/news.aspx?recid=491

Hi, I'm Alana, and that iSchool senior is me. Yesterday, I was walking home from pilates and the trusty (and new) BlackBerry (8830 world edition) was buzzing feverishly. I looked down, expecting a new facebook wall post or perhaps an email from a group project member and read this:

"We are very pleased to inform you that you have been selected for Honorable Mention in the Computing Research Association's Outstanding Undergraduate Award competition for 2008.

This year's nominees were a very impressive group. A number of them were commended for making significant contributions to more than one research project, several were authors or coauthors on multiple papers, others had made presentations at major conferences, and some had produced software artifacts that were in widespread use. Many of our nominees had been involved in successful summer research or internship programs, many had been teaching assistants, tutors, or mentors, and a number had significant involvement in community volunteer efforts. It is quite an honor to be selected for Honorable Mention from this group. A list of the winners, the runner-up, finalists, and honorable mentions appears below.

A copy of the announcement as it will appear in the January 2008 issue of Computing Research News will be posted on CRA's website (www.cra.org) next week. On behalf of the Computing Research Association, we are pleased to have you as a member of the computing research community, and wish you the best for the future."

I'm pleased too! Honestly, I can't believe I received an honorable mention out of the pool of applicants. The winners were from Princeton, Cal Tech & Stanford. Check out the complete list here.

As stated in the iSchool news article, I must take this time to dedicate this award and the other honors I have won to those who have guided and mentored me throughout my academic career.

To all of you. My most sincere thanks. I couldn't have done it without you.

What a girl needs to survive…

2007-11-21T00:02:00.000-05:00

I was planning my journey home to Ohio for Thanksgiving break when my mom called and suggested that I stop somewhere and stay the night (mainly as I am a terrible nighttime driver)

Anyway, I went online and started to check out my options- I usually check out sidestep.com first and then go for your normal expedia’s and so forth.

What I came to realize as I was scrolling through my options of Country Inn’s, Hampton Inn’s and the like is that I didn’t want to stay there. Sure, they had high speed wifi and a fitness center and probably lots of channels… but I’m sick of those places. Yes, I’m 21 and sick of those places.

I know what you’re thinking. She’s totally spoiled.

But it’s not that. I decided to check out b&b’s in the greater Erie, PA area (it’s my halfway point). I stumbled upon a chamber of commerce site and caught myself- again realizing the power and reach of the Internet. The chamber of commerce site was bad- it didn’t even have websites listed!!

Here I am, a 21-year old student traveling home from Syracuse on home and refusing to settle for the average, common place hotel stay.

Instead, I checked out b&bfinder.com and wished they had more funding to make their site easier to use and browse. Regardless of the technical capabilities of the site, I found the Grape Arbor Bed & Breakfast. (grapearborbandb.com) located in North East Pennsylania.

The only word I can use to describe this place is perfect. I’m sitting here, the only guest in this mansion (they own two), drinking green tea, eating chocolate and sitting on this bed that is probably about three times to large for me with homework strewn about it.

Anyway, the point of this is that I realized that there are a few things that will make me happy no matter where I am. And I found them here, about 5 miles off Westbound I-90. My MacBook (now with parallels, why did I wait so long!?), headphones, a nearby outlet, a fireplace, low lighting, tea and chocolate. So what I’m really trying to say is that I’m thankful for these things. Really, really thankful.

So, it makes me sound a little techy. I’m kindof over it ☺

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

Published in the Daily Orange!

2007-11-13T17:28:00.000-05:00

After noticing the new "technology" section in the Daily Orange, Syracuse University's campus newspaper, I decided to email the editor and ask if they were looking for any contributing writers.

The result: a feature article in the "technology" section based on my previous blog entry on coupon codes.

Check it out here.

Article Text below:

With winter right around the corner, students might not be as likely to make the trek to Carousel Center for a shopping spree. But unlike students of years past, there's one major resource today that transcends barriers of precipitation and physical space: the Internet.

The Internet can be used for investigative work on Facebook, research on Wikipedia, finding a place to live on Craigslist and even gossip with friends abroad on Skype. But what about shopping online?

The same Web 2.0 premise of user collaboration aided by the Internet applies to the online distribution of Internet coupons - also known as promo, discount or key codes. Usually transmitted via e-mail to mailing lists, discount codes award loyal customers additional discounts to be applied on future purchases.

Interactive marketing expert and adjunct professor Sean Branagan said he believes that discount codes follow a "natural progression of coupons."

"From UPCs to printed coupons and now, discount codes in an online shopping environment, these codes are the next organic step in couponing," Branagan said.

However, with online databases distributing the codes for free, online shoppers are no longer restrained to the offers targeted directly at them. Sites such as RetailMeNot.com and currentcodes.com offer bargain hunters a chance to browse codes in an easy-to-use interface as well as vote on which codes work. This interactivity encourages online collaboration to ensure that discount codes are freely available to all.

For example, if one searches RetailMeNot for Sephora codes, free shipping, extra samples and free gifts pop up. After visiting the site, a junior supply-chain management and marketing major Alyxa Lease said she thought the site was a great resource.

"I'm going to check this site before I commit to any online purchases. It's a useful resource that appears to be improving and expanding," Lease said.

The number of online shoppers who take advantage of sites like RetailMeNot continues to grow. Data from Alexa, the Web Information Company, reports that the site's Internet reach has increased 43 percent during the past three months.

On the consumer side, Mark Frantz, a dedicated Internet bargain hunter and vice president of technology at Internet Consulting Services, based in Syracuse, said "if there's a box, I search for codes. It's an extra 10 minutes to save money that you wouldn't have saved in the store."

But the use of retail codes is not restricted to the tech-savvy. "It's mainly classic bargain hunters, not more or less technical," Branagan said. "The advantage is to a technical bargain hunter," a hybrid style of consumer "who would know how and where to search."

Some wonder whether the effect of increased distribution of discount codes will be positive or negative.

"It's viral," Branagan said. "I would reward it. I would send these people more codes. It's a new way to gain customers with a low cost of acquisition."

Jeff Rubin, president and founder of Internet Consulting Services, said it would be in the best interests of businesses to look at these code distribution sites as opportunistic.

While browsing through RetailMeNot, many offers are posted by the companies themselves, most likely trying to gain usable data on the number of users who go to the site to find deals.

"Marketers must take into consideration the market diffusion of the codes," Rubin said. "Customers enjoy saving money. If the end result of using discount codes is that customers feel better about their purchases, then I don't see an issue."

Chris Kirkegaard, a graphic artist and adjunct professor at School of Information Studies, said he believes discount code users come from all walks of life. "My mom uses them and she can barely turn on her computer."

For discount updates, download the cross-platform RetailMeNot desktop widget or Mozilla Firefox add-on.

Just in time for the holiday season.

...I wish I could have added a shoutout to techyness.com to this article! Maybe next time ;-)

Retail Codes: Internet Shoppers Unite.

2007-11-07T15:53:00.001-05:00

An Internet connection + a computer - free time + a love for shopping = online shopping!

Yes, I love to shop online. Not as much as shopping in a physical retail environment, but it's a quick fix when driving to the mall is not an option. In exploring this increasingly evolving retail "place" (One of the "Marketing P's").

For me, it's mainly things that I can't find in the greater Syracuse area that I want anyway. Like Sephora, Patagonia, pearls from China (ebay) or my newest purchase- headphones by skullcandy (review to come at a later date).

A few weeks ago, I was buying myself a post-breakup gift: (Patagonia's Re-Tool Snap T Pullover) and decided to google "retail codes" or "coupon codes" just to see if I found anything.

I stumbled upon Retail me Not- an online catalog filled with these codes. (& there are many others out there just like it, like (currentcodes, etc.) Simply stated, you just enter in the URL of where you're looking to find deals, and then the current results will display.

The best part about this site is that users vote on what works and what doesn't- so it wastes less of your time.

On a recent Sephora purchase, I searched the site and used "FREESHIP25" ... free shipping with a $25 order. Kinda sweet if you don't have a store nearby.

I have to admit- while entering the sephora code, i felt a little guilty- mainly for those who spend time analyzing data and sending out strategic emails to certain market segments with pre-determined offers. But then I was like- hey- i'm saving some money here. Still, that Whitman School of Management marketing minor in me feels a little for this current situation. However, if it means one more transaction, or a client to buy more or buy more often- does it really matter?

My conclusion: It must just affect the end data that marketers collect on the number of codes used for online transactions-- if you were to compare this data to the number of codes that were emailed out- it's a worthless figure. Maybe they'll come out with something new... but then again, someone will figure out a way to work around it. god bless the internet.

Want to ensure you get the best deal always? Download the Retail Me Not desktop widget or firefox add-on... but proceed with caution. There's no turning back once you begin to install firefox add ons. If you don't watch out, you'll turn out like me and have lots of them. I'm actually using ScribeFire to write this post.

10% of our Brains, 10% of our Hearts, 10% of our Computers?

2007-11-05T22:21:00.001-05:00

We all remember the line from wedding crashers, "You know how they say we only use 10% of our brains? I think we only use 10% of our hearts."

Well I was sitting in class today, and somehow this concept came to mind- mainly it was during a presentation given by a representative from Harris Interactive and also due to watching the girl sitting close to me in class work on her computer (I'm often easily distracted).

I've come to realize, mainly through observation, that although a great number of people today use computers and technology, that the overall knowledge tends to peak at a certain point. I'm not sure if it has to do with a general disinterest in computers/technology, a lack of knowledge on the subject, or a type of "fear" that just keeps people away from learning about it.

On campus I have been working as an undergraduate research associate on the Syracuse Information Systems Evaluation (SISE) projects- one project that I have assisted with is the IT Workforce project, where we explore perceptions of IT and IT-related careers in society. One interesting topic was the Geek vs. Nerd stereotype research- the quotes from the surveys were hilarious. However, not all of the research had a humorous edge- one research angle came from discussing how IT professionals are regarded in the US vs. other countries- we found that in India, IT professionals are regarded almost as highly as doctors and lawyers. A strong differentiation from the United States, where IT professionals are frequently stereotyped as being antisocial and working in an otherwise undesired field. Although these are two distinctly separate countries (and cultures), I believe that it proves that the US needs to change perceptions on technical related professions.

I disagree. Not only are graduates from the iSchool at Syracuse University the highest paid graduates of the University, but more importantly, we have the chance to make a strong impact in a society that runs in an online environment.

So, let's try to use more of our brains, hearts... and our computers :-)

My New Guardian Angel: Where & When?

2007-11-04T21:22:00.001-05:00

As I wrote in a previous post, my research on technology modifications inspired me to do the same- take my own advice and make my stuff really "mine." So, I checked out Adafruit's wiki and did a little searching... eventually I found Tech-Tattoos. I noticed in the Adafruit forum, someone from my hometown who was starting up a new laser etching business. Excited but a little nervous, I immediately fired off an e-mail to Jen Horvath, the co-founder of Tech-Tattoos, where they will "zap your crap." Immediately, she emailed me back, a little surprised and impressed that I found her- as she didn't have a website yet. The whole process was amazing, and painless (no needles- i don't like people tattoos).

She even let me press the button- as you can see from this image, I watched the laser etching machine take my clean, untouched MacBook Pro and turn it into my guardian angel :-)

The guardian angels of life fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us. ~Jean Paul Richter

My New Guardian Angel: Inspiration

2007-11-04T21:04:00.001-05:00

While studying abroad in Italy over the course of a semester, I was able to see some pretty cool stuff, to say the least. Taken near the Pantheon in Rome, these wings were featured in the window and I fell in love with them. I don't even want to know how much they cost. I've always loved the complexities of angel wings in art- and my time in Rome increased this fascination.

Raphael's angels. Need I say more? The wings on this angel are beautiful and exactly what I wanted to put on my untouched macbook pro. It just seemed so perfect- the macbook needed something, something that didn't hide the glowing apple, something timeless, something very "Alana."

It reminds me of a book a friend purchased for me as a 21st birthday gift. Unfortunately Italian customs didn't want me to receive this book, so I waited until my return to the United States.

It's called "Quintessence, the Quality of Having "IT" and I love it. I'll write a post about it later and scan one of the photos in. It was the nicest birthday present I've received in a long time- mainly because the gifter said that I, like the book "transcend form and function."

So, the wings on the macbook mean more to me than something cliche.. it's a reminder that no matter where I go (since the macbook goes with me nearly everywhere) that there is always someone looking out for me. Not to be corny or anything.

It is not known precisely where angels dwell - whether in the air, the void, or the planets. It has not been God's pleasure that we should be informed of their abode. ~Voltaire

My New Guardian Angel.

2007-11-04T20:54:00.000-05:00

In August, I bought a MacBook pro.

I know what you're thinking.

"Alana, you're a PC-girl." Well, hey now--- don't jump to conclusions or categorize/stereotype me just yet, I like to keep people guessing.

Actually, one of the biggest reasons I bought my new baby because of my earlier post on laser etching. I was fascinated and wanted something (or many things) laser etched.

I know that this post is sortof backwards- as in I shouldn't be posting the finished product first. So my next post will explain how I found the company and how I was inspired to create wings on my new, 2k+ baby. Who needs a boyfriend when you have something this pretty? That's what I'm thinking.

Angels have no philosophy but love. ~Adeline Cullen Ray

Confessions of a Pandora Addict

2007-11-04T20:17:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, I was in the computer cluster here at Syracuse University and the worst thing happened in the middle of creating a ERD. my ipod died. Upon realizing I was a bit frustrated at this situation, my friend turned to me and said "Alana, have you tried Pandora?"

Being the geeky person that I am, my thoughts turned to Greek mythology and Pandora's role as the keeper of the world's evils... and of course that she was the first woman created by Zeus, and gifted by all of the gods (I guess you could call her the Greek's "Eve") and she was also considered to be something "beautifully evil" hummm...

Anyway, thinking this about Pandora, the last thing on my mind was music. So of course, I was fascinated, not only by the concept of this (commercial) free Internet radio, but why the name "Pandora?"

So after analyzing it, I thought of a few answers before I went on the site to find the "real answer" :

Music isn't evil, unless you think of some of the songs on pop radio, such as Britney Spears' "Gimme More." Then it's evil. So one assumption in this post is that most music is not evil, so this is not the answer where I want to place my faith.
According to the myth, Pandora opened the box of evil, but kept Hope inside. The name "Pandora" could mean, simply, that there is always hope. Not just hope for music, but hope that there will always be new music.
I read that Pandora is based off of the Music Geonome Project- where songs have been analyzed, categorized & "ized" in many ways.. therefore linking songs to different consumer preferences. Seriously, I would love to get ahold of the data this site gets. I hope they make a lot of money selling it. So I'm thinking it might be that their huge database...er..."box" of music data has been "opened" for everyone. I kindof like this conclusion.

drumroll, please....

and according to the Pandora website, the real reason for the name is:

"The name Pandora means "all gifted" in Greek. In ancient Greek mythology, Pandora received many gifts from the Gods, including the gift of music, from Apollo. She was also, as we all know, very curious. Unlike those Gods of old, however, we celebrate that virtue and have made it our mission to reward the musically curious among us with a never-ending experience of music discovery."

hummm... I guess I was kindof close. I'm just glad they left out the whole woman is evil part. Thanks Pandora.

The Chief Justice, Alana, & Thoughts on Cyber Law

2007-09-23T18:26:00.000-05:00

It was the morning of September 19th, and I was on my way to meet and have a private Q&A with the Chief Justice of the United States of America. As I was walking across campus, i couldn't help thinking how the chief justice would answer my question, which, i had a feeling, was going to be different than most he would receive that day. As one of the two chosen representatives from my home college, the iSchool at Syracuse, I wanted to ask something both cross-disciplinary but technology driven.

The basis for my question was from my recent work as an undergraduate research associate. I've been reading articles and playing on Second Life, and my questions just began to pile up. I knew that this September morning was my opportune moment to find out from the head of the legislative branch of the United States of America what his thoughts were on the subject.

My question went something like this: "My question relates to the CyberLaw and CyberEthics. Massive Multi Player (MMP) online games such as Linden Lab's Second Life have been growing and gaining popularity around the world. These virtual worlds allow for the ownership of property as well as running virtual economies that trade real money based on an exchange rate. In your opinion, do you believe that laws from the physical world can be applied in these virtual worlds?"

In response, he said that a bill will probably be passed sometime in the future which would rule on what the guidelines for acceptable behavior. But he did reference the cases on virtual child pornography.

He was referring to the "2002 case that was later affirmed in 2004, deciding that previous prohibition of simulated child pornography under the Child Pornography Prevention Act of 1996 was unconstitutional.^[32] The majority ruling stated that "the CPPA prohibits speech that records no crime and creates no victims by its production. Virtual child pornography is not 'intrinsically related' to the sexual abuse of children." (source: wikipedia).

This led me to do some independent research on the topic:

From a 2007 article found in the Columbus Dispatch:

"In attempting to put their arms around a quickly evolving area of technology and law, justices said the state's ban on child pornography should stand even though it's getting more difficult to distinguish real images from digital forgeries.

Images that are wholly faked, no matter how realistic, still are legal, justices said.

The unanimous decision appears to seek a middle ground in an area where technology, morals and the First Amendment collide.

Prosecutors still can bring charges against people who create or possess images that appear to depict children in sexual situations, and they must show beyond a reasonable doubt that an actual child is involved. But prosecutors do not need to produce the actual child or produce expert scientific testimony that the image is real.

Pictures that appear to be child pornography but actually are the handiwork of digital artists are not against the law. In coming to that conclusion, Ohio justices relied on a 2002 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that found that no children are harmed in making "virtual" child porn." (end cited source).

Overall, in doing some research on the topic, I have come to realize that this is just the beginning. The future will lead us to other cases that will ask a similar question: if i can't do it in the physical world, can it be done online? What are the loopholes- are images that look like children, and modeled after children not considered pornographic in nature?

I believe that cases that set a precedent on virtual behaviors will greatly impact the evolution of today's digital societies and economies.

We've all watched "To Catch a Predator."

Extend your personality… onto your personal device.

2007-08-09T15:05:00.000-05:00

Add together one $20,000 laser etching machine and a $2,000 MacBook Pro and what do you get? A lot more than $22k: A license for creativity.

Options for laser etching today is far beyond the text-only option on your ipod at Apple.com. Don’t believe me? Make magazine has a great how-to article. But, if your credit line isn’t capable of financing this little project quite yet, check out a few of my favorites: the macbook “poe”, the “son of man” book, a tribute to silicon valley, the web 2.0 cloud, a crazy looking tarsier, a celtic knot, and even an iphone.

Interested? Luckily, there is a wiki page available that lists where you can transform your machine into workable art. Adafruit, the company that created the wiki page, offers an “open source” business plan filled with advice on how to startup your own company. The company has crafted some amazing pieces, but unless you’ll be in New York City, you’re a bit out of luck- they operate on an appointment basis only. Talk about sharing the wealth.

Another option is to sell the space on your computer like Leah Culver. A young college student, Leah couldn’t afford a new computer- until she realized that she could sell space on her mac to advertisers such as pbwiki, technorati, firefox, dig, ask.com, and even good ‘ol reliable mom & dad. It worked- check out the finished product.

If you’re looking for a more non-destructive way to modify your precious gadgets, check out icolours, which sells pieces of translucent film to change the color of the lit apple.
To be platform-friendly, there is ColorwarePc, where you can buy aftermarket “body kits” for your computer. Or, the least expensive option is Gelaskins, where you can buy covers for both ipods and laptops.

Fun in the Sun with your Altered PC

2007-08-09T13:11:00.001-05:00

Since it’s summer time, it’s only appropriate to focus on some gadgets necessary for fun in the sun. Let’s be honest, we all love devices with multiple uses: take the “ pop drive,” a combined bottle opener and flash drive, or the iGrill, where music meets meat with a built-in speaker and amp. Do as George would and “knockout tunes and knockout the fat.” Or, if you want to take a more “techy” approach to grilling, the ultimate mod is the PS3 grill, the perfect way to show off your disassembly skills to your friends.
Just like your car, a PC offers unlimited opportunities for modification. For example, take the Top 10 Craziest PC Case Mods, including the GerbilPC, made of a gerbil cage sprayed with clear UV blue and green reactive spray paint; a “toilet” PC that powers on with a simple flush; take apart your frustrations on the Lego PC; and my personal favorite, the waffle iron PC that runs Linux.
When your PC nears the end of its life cycle, fear not as there is a way to find life after PC death. Take the hard disk sound system, where beautiful music can be made from abandoned hard drives. Listen to my two favorites: the Star Wars theme and a techno-trance song (.avi files).
Or, if you’re more interested in being resourceful, Team Boom Tape believes that “where there’s a roll, there’s a way”—and then there’s the Duct Tape Server. The Team used four rolls of duct tape as well as a roll of translucent tape to build this modern marvel. Oh, and they also compete in the Duct Tape wars at LanWar 33.
As long as you don’t turn out like this guy, I’d say you’re ok when it comes to looking for alternate functionalities for your PC.

Alarm Clocks for the Snooze Button Addict

2007-08-09T13:06:00.000-05:00

If you're like me, it's often a bit rough to wake up in the morning. Luckily, manufacturers have realized there is a market for alarm clocks beyond the standard options of radio and buzzer. My mom always used to ask me if there was an alarm that would physically take my covers away or give me an electric shock so I would actually get out of bed in the morning. Strangely, I never looked into it before, but I have found a few more options for those who are looking foran innovative way to get out of bed in the morning.

Need to plant two feet on solid ground or move around to get your "morning legs"? For you, there is the carpet alarm clock, where the only way to turn it off is to stand on it. Or, try "Blowfly," a flying alarm clock that forces you to catch a round helicopter and return it to its station before shutting off. If you're interested in a really frustrating option, there is the hanging alarm clock, where hitting snooze will cause the clock to move closer to the ceiling, therefore forcing you to physically jump to eventually shut it off.Your last option is "clocky" a rolling clock developed by a MIT student for a class project that could very well be the most annoying clock of the bunch. Clocky will roll off your dresser and continue to beep, chirp, and light up until you find it. Hope you're fast.

If work or other commitments force you to wake up before the sun rises (or if you go to a school where there is no sunlight/ a Syracuse University student like myself), the Glo pillow may be the best fit for you. Not just your average pillow, it features a layer of LED woven substrate that creates the "glo." It slowly wakes you up by increasing the light intensity gradually from 0 lux to 250 lux , therefore simulating a natural sunrise. If you're more of an olfactory person, try Aroma, the coffee pot alarm clock, which features coffee fragrance. I don't know about you, but I think this one would actually make caffeine addicts such as myself upset knowing that there is not any real coffee brewing.

Loud noises or bright lights may be too much for some in the morning, and therefore a worthy alternative to noisy competitors is found in "ring." By using a plastic ring that vibrates until it is placed back onto the dock, it is a notable design for both couples and those with hearing difficulties.
If you prefer a mental challenge, there's the puzzle alarm clock from manufacturer Bim Bam Banana. You guessed it- it'll only shut off if you can find the puzzle pieces and reassemble them. You'll never be late again.

And please don't pass on the news to my mother that I did end up finding a "shocking" alarm clock that will send you a bit of an electric shock when you reach over to turn it off. All for the bargain price of $25.

All a little better than your dog licking your face in the morning. And cleaner.

Terrible Technologies (All time worsts)

2007-08-09T13:05:00.000-05:00

Think back to the good ol’ days of web 1.0 applications, AOL 3.0, and that incessant noise of your dial up connection and busy signals. Luckily for all of us who enjoy reliving obsolete technologies that have no current usage except sheer entertainment value, PC World published “The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time.”

In order to build suspense, I’ll be highlighting items taken from the list from bottom to top. At 24 is DigiScents “iSmell,” an interesting (& smelly) gadget shaped like a shark fin that recreated scents at the client level as you surfed the web. Lets just say this one was a “stink” bomb of a product. Moving up the list is the “eyetop wearable DVD player,” released in 2004. Bringing a new meaning to mobile computing, this system claimed to simulate a 14 inch screen but ended up making people queasy.

Onto my personal favorite, number 20 is the CueCat. Yes, I’m sure we all remember the strange barcode scanner sent to hundreds of thousands of the population in order to “connect” readers to advertisers. Upside: you don’t have to type in URLs. Downside: the installed software gathered personal data on users. Next up is CometCursor, another application which, at first glance, seems harmless as you decide to change your cursor from your average “arrow” into something a little more…festive. Too bad it turned out to be spyware.

Jumping up to number 7 is Microsoft’s Bob, released in 1995. According to Wikipedia, Melinda French Gates, Bill Gates’ wife, worked on the bob project. Bob worked to guide us through a screen transformed into a home, where clicking on different items would launch applications. Even Bill Gates is quoted saying, “bob died” in a January 1997 column. RIP Bob, 1995-1996.

I know you’re all wondering, what tops the list in PCWorld’s eyes? AOL. Maybe it’s the ridiculous number of free trial disks we’ve all received in our lifetimes or the fact that we all know someone who still has it, but I don’t disagree with the chosen gold medalist of this competition for the title of the most terrible technology.

What I've found this week...

2007-06-08T15:20:00.003-05:00

Do you find yourself attempting to start a conversation with someone and then realizing that their Bluetooth headset is hidden or on the other ear? Say goodbye to your hands-free bluetooth headset! Instead, send yourself back in time and think of your grandparents’ handset from the 1960’s. Check out the Bluetooth retro handset. Don’t have Bluetooth? No worries, there is a version for those of us who aren’t yet completely wireless.

As laptops continue to boast lighter weights with larger screen sizes, people everywhere have begun to ask, “How big is too big?” Set on proving this point, Laptop Magazine recently ran an acceptance test of Dell’s XPS M2010, with a 20.1-inch screen (!) and a price tag of ~$4,475. Appropriately titled “Attack of the 20-inch Notebook,” the Dell was tested on the subway, at starbucks, and don’t forget the park, where many onlookers puzzledly remarked “why!?” One woman was actually surprised to see that the computer possessed a closing function. Is this really a laptop? I’ll let you be the judge.

The forecast for Summer 2007 looks to be quite “magical.” Any potter maniac knows that July holds two important dates: the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on the 11th as well as the highly anticipated final installment of J.K. Rowling’s book series to drop on July 21st. However, things just got a whole lot hotter (potter) on May 31st when Warner Brothers and the Universal Orlando Resort teamed up to announce the opening of “the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment.” Keep your distance from Lord Voldemort and Diagon alley and book your advance flight to Florida to be the first to check out Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade Village in 2009. Reported to cost upwards of $265 million, it’s a bit more costly than spending ~$12.50 to see the movie or purchasing the “deluxe edition” of the final book for $65. …IMLP inclusion event? Anyone?

Moleskinerie

2007-01-28T08:11:00.000-05:00

(Van Gogh's notebook from 1888-1890)

Moleskine (n): a small, usually black, leather-bound notebook held together by an elastic band. The notebook features a secret back pocket as well as a variety of page types, including blank, lined, and grid. I would consider the moleskine as a renaissance item, another reason to use one while in Florence.

All around Italy I have seen people porting these cross-gender books. The beauty of the notebook is in its flexible nature. Personally I have two, a smaller one to write down URL’s, thoughts, to-do lists, phone numbers, an unforgettable pizzeria, or anything else that comes to mind.

Having a notebook like a moleskine helps to consolidate thoughts which can later be turned into prose.

bottom line: buy one and see what it does for you!

Ciao! So even blogger is in Italian...

2007-01-16T15:46:00.000-05:00

It's beautiful here.

I arrived today, after a few long flights and delays (fog, among other reasons) to a country where I have but only seen pictures. After arrival (thankfully both of my bags made it here), we went on a walking tour, where I ate gelato and walked around the area surrounding the hotel we are staying at-- the Grand Hotel Mediterraneo.

We flew Lufthansa from JFK to Munich and then Florence, and the first plane was clean, new, and huge! There was an empty middle seat in between me and this girl, so we were able to have even more room-- which was fortunate.

I haven't taken many pictures yet-- but as soon as I have them, consider them posted.

The coffee is amazing. And i'm trying to speak a little italian here and there.

Wander+lust=wanderlust

2007-01-08T16:01:00.000-05:00

Wanderlust, a word I came across while wiki'ing, means

"(Middle High German: wandern, to wander, and Lust, desire) is a German loanword. It is commonly defined as a strong desire to travel, or by having an itch to get out and see the world [1]. Some consider it to be a simple linguistic compound of wander and lust."

I've never heard of this word until now, but I think that it describes the feeling of many college students, especially those who are planning (or want) to study abroad.

Do I personally have feelings of wanderlust? Most definetly.

+add that one into your daily vocabulary.