This one actually still has a chance to hit the front page, but it doesn’t look good. Just in case, we’ll go ahead and post it here. This is unique news that covers a very odd portion of the internet - those sites that try to encourage people to commit suicide.
In case you didn’t catch that, let me repeat:
Website that encourage people to commit suicide.
As odd as it may sound, they exist, and the government is making it very clear that it is illegal. Read more…
Digg introduced 2 new sections to their blog today: Community and Technology. These sections will hopefully add more content with better insight into how Digg works and the people who power it (behind the scenes - not the users).
Here is a video that they posted on their first installment of the Community blog.
Mental Floss takes a look at some ugly, even dangerous strikes that turned bad. Not much more description is needed - just a great read into history with a bit of interesting points made about today.
Original Description:
As we head into Labor Day Weekend, we thought it would be fitting to revisit some notable strikes in American history —from the railroad industry to the Post Office, Disney to the NFL.
Recounting a short history of software development, Gates said innovations in natural interaction technology are making technology more pervasive. “When interaction gets more natural, computers can be everywhere to listen to you,” he said, adding that “society will have to have more explicit rules” governing privacy boundaries around software as technology develops.
What he’s really saying is that as computers get more embedded into the Internet and software is advancing more quickly than hardware, we are faced with the problem of diminishing security and increased threats. The bad guys are getting smarter than the good guys. There’s more at stake.
“Software innovation will be pervasive; it will happen to other things in our lives, like our cars and our TVs,” he said.
It’s scary.
Original Description:
The software field is wrought with challenges. Gates believes privacy is at the top of the list.
I once had a discussion with a professor concerning the online classroom. While he thought it was good supplemental tool, he didn’t think it would be able to replace the live environment. I agreed with him; somewhat.
How much can technology change the academic community? They, like the journalism industry, provide information / content to an audience at a cost - a very high one in the case of universities. Can the Internet change the way education is delivered?
“the knowledge is free, the degree will cost you money”
So what are universities charging you for? A piece of paper with the name of their institution on it?
Original Description:
A professor in the University of Texas system solicited open feedback for a course syllabus and got such good feedback that he’s now planning on offering a graduate level seminar online for students at other universities.
This really is, sadly, very close to the truth for many people. I’ve actually warned people before about some of these stages. One thing that I always add, though, is that they shouldn’t even put up their adsense or affiliates while their story is on the front page. Social media traffic is just too smart to click on links.
Original Description:
A video chronicling the seven stages that happen after you make the front page of Digg.
An excellent, well-researched piece that just didn’t fly. It is possible that this site is on the mythical “autobury” list, even though technically it doesn’t exist if you send an email to Digg asking about it.
Sigh.
During the last month Alexa has introduced filtering or penalties, reducing or wiping out the effect of traffic from Social Media and Social News sites such as Digg and Stumbleupon, but potentially other sites such as Twitter or popular feed readers.
Yes, that digitalgopher. He still submits every once in awhile (read: every few months).
Isn’t it amazing how, when gas prices are shooting through the roof and hitting the wallet hard, all these crazy fuel efficient car designs start coming out of nowhere.
I’ve never really been into conspiracy theories, but I have to wonder if all these designs had been censored from us for years. And, as soon as oil/gas becomes an economic burden, the blanket is lifted.
106 MPG would beat the Prius.
Original Description:
“The concept is similar to how a locomotive works, except that compressed air — not steam — moves the engine’s pistons… “The six-seater planned for the U.S. market would be able to reach speeds of more than 90 mph and have a range of more than 800 miles thanks to a dual energy engine”
1 out of 10 U.S. adults now publish blogs (up from 5% last year)
1 out of 5 18-34-year olds publish blogs (up from 10% last year)
22% of U.S. adults use IM (up from 9% last year)
21% of 18-34-year olds use IM (up from 14% last year)
Pretty interesting, considering how strong the influence of social media and social networking seems to be having on our society.
Original Description:
Half of U.S. adults use social media. That is, they do according to the latest findings from Universal McCann’s “Media in Mind” study, an ongoing research effort that analyzes how consumers relate to media and products in their daily life. However, it’s worth noting that in this particular study “social media” includes text messaging.
While the old days of SEO value are behind us in regards to paid links (thank you, Matt Cutts!) it is still considered a way to make money on blogs and websites. At some point, people will stop clicking on them and their value will drop, but until then, expect many blogs to be colored blue, and those links aren’t necessarily related to the content you are reading.
Shame.
Original Description:
Funny SEO Comic about the dangers of buying links for better rankings within the field of search engine optimization.
Do you have an eye for content? Do you see things hit the front page of your favourite social media site that shouldn't while you watch great content fall off into oblivion?
We need you for popFAIL. You don't need to be a super-power-mega-user to be able to contribute. You don't have to be on the top 100 list. You just have to recognize good content and post it here.
If you are interested in contributing, you can just sign up and start contributing straight away!
How much can technology change the academic community? They, like the journalism industry, provide information / content to an audience at a cost - a very high one in the case of universities. Can the Internet change the way education is delivered?
Isn’t it amazing how, when gas prices are shooting through the roof and hitting the wallet hard, all these crazy fuel efficient car designs start coming out of nowhere.
