- Leaked photo of updated Xbox motherboard hints at upcoming slim version of Xbox 360.
This move would make sense given that Sony already has a much slimmer version of the PS3 compared to the bulky original one that was first announced. And while I don't mind the current design of the Xbox 360, it certainly could stand to lose a few extra pounds.
- Ten of the all-time greatest free downloads and services according to PC World.
I find it a little strange that Spybot: Search and Destroy isn't on this list. On almost every PC I've ever had to troubleshoot I usually start by running a scan of Spybot to get a quick glance at what's going on.
- Speeding hearse manages to set new world record.
Secretary of the Tasmanian Drag Racing Association John Hurley says the modified 1987 Ford Falcon hearse was a challenging choice of vehicle. 'I guess there's all sorts of weird and wonderful machines that come out to play in drag racing.'
- 88,000 students team up to try and break world record for jumping rope.
Organizers say more than 88,000 people participated at more than 500 schools. That would easily beat the current record of 59,000 jump ropers set in Australia. The results still have to be certified by the Guinness people.
- New survey shows IT job satisfaction now at an all-time low.
Free food always helps to bolster my overall mood and in some cases overall job satisfaction. Let this be a reminder to any of you who happen to have an IT staff on call, bring them food and help shall come.
- Avatar is now officially the second-highest grossing film of all time worldwide.
In a previous post I doubted that Avatar would reach legendary numbers. Well, allow me to now eat my words. Amazingly enough, I still haven't seen this on the big screen yet. I'm still hearing mixed reviews from pals and fellow geeks.
- You can now use Bing on your beloved iPhone via their brand new app.
For some time Microsoft has tried to muscle onto the iPhone. In August Microsoft app developers made it possible for third-party iPhone app developers to integrate Bing into their offerings by providing a software developers kit (SDK).
- An extensive list of bad decisions made by some notable companies in 2009.
InfoWorld takes a detailed look (six pages worth) at the many blunders by some of your favorite brands including Microsoft, Pepsi, and Amazon just to name a few. Here's to hoping they learn from their mistakes next year.
- Large hadron collider manages to set brand new world energy record.
The previous record of 0.98 trillion electron volts has been held by the Tevatron accelerator since 2001. The LHC is eventually expected to operate at some seven trillion electron volts.
- Five materials that will make the world as we know it obsolete.
Researchers say metamaterials could eventually be used to divert matter the same way the invisibility cloak redirects light waves (feel free to read researcher Shuang Zhang's paper on the matter). At that point pretty much anybody who wears it is a wizard.
- The top ten free Windows tools for IT professionals.
A well-rounded list of some free applications for those of you (who may or may not be IT professionals, InfoWorld) who happen to have a predilection for tinkering under the hood with your copy of Windows.
- The grand history of the Internet, in a nutshell.
While the complete history of the Internet could easily fill a few books, this article should familiarize you with key milestones and events related to the growth and evolution of the Internet between 1969 to 2009.
- Twelve cool ways to donate your computer's spare processing power.
Yes, your computer can actually play a role in a number of life-altering ways such as climate and earthqualke prediction to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The truth is out there.
- Turns out that tweeting jurors pose a problem in the courtroom. Who knew?
One juror in particular went as far to actually tweet the verdict of a trial before the judge announced it. Article cites other bonehead examples of Twitter misuse in the legal process as well.
- World of Goo on sale for a limited time for whatever price you want it at.
2DBoy pulls a Radiohead and lets you pay whatever you want for the game. I've never actually played World of Goo but this little promotion might persuade me to give it a whirl.
- A look back at fifteen years of web browsers.
Navigator was the first commercial Web browser to be wildly successful, rapidly achieving 90 percent market share before Microsoft entered the fray and took over the market. By 2000, Netscape's market share would fall under 1 percent...
- Have a peek at the world's largest pumpkin.
At one point in August, the massive pumpkin was growing 33 pounds a day, Christy told Fox News. She kept it going by plying the soil with a mix of compost, coffee grounds and cow manure, though seeds with good genetics are also key.
- World record for most people doing 'the robot' in unison broken over in Australia.
After the first official attempt failed - some who signed up had turned into wallflowers - they broke the record on the second attempt.
- World record for longest handshake now stands at twelve hours.
That's a lot of handshaking and somehow Hulk Hogan managed to get involved with this as well. WATCHA GONNA DO WHEN THE HANDSHAKE RUNS WILD ON YOU? Believe it, brother.
- Fifty of the world's best foods and where you can actually eat them.
The world's best Texas barbecue happens to be in Texas. Who knew?
- World record for Pac-Man recently broken by Ohio resident.
To nail a perfect Pac-Man score, a player must 'eat every dot, bonus prize and blue ghost across all 256 levels.' At that point, a glitch in the original game code results in an unplayable stage, effectively ending the experience with a score of 3,333,360.
- See how well you fare at a programming IQ test.
Some of these questions are just flat-out evil. Good luck.
- Five species that seem to want to take over the world.
You read that right: the world's leading nomura scientist just said that they cannot be stopped. But more surreal and terrifying is the reason why: when you try to kill one, it literally gives birth to millions of offspring first.
- A list of concerts with highest numbers for record attendance just for you.
3.5 million people in one place? Way to go, Rod Stewart.
- See how well you fare at InfoWorld's technology news quiz.
Not terribly hard but a good distraction from whatever it is you don't want to be doing right now.
- Ten iPhone annoyances and how to fix them.
Readers sent in said annoyances, PCWorld offered up solutions.
- Some more strange ice cream flavors from around the world just for you.
The most shocking one, though, is no better—but perhaps no worse—than the thought of a real-life Monkeys 'n' Cream: raw horseflesh, which can be found in at least one ice cream shop in—yes, Tokyo.
- Skinny-dippers looking to break world record.
Clark Griswold approves of this.
- Have a peek at the latest additions to the UN Heritage list of world wonders.
Article has a link back to last year's additions as well.
















































































































































