Dr. Augustine Fou's Online Scrapbook

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Watch Buzz Around any Topic in Real Time with Spy

Source: http://www.labnol.org/internet/blogging/watch-buzz-around-topics-with-spy/3935/

If you use blogs, FriendFeed or Twitter to monitor buzz around your favorite topics (say iPhone launch) - do check out Spy.

Spy looks for conversations happening on Twitter and FriendFeed around any search topic and presents them in an auto-refreshing vertical timeline.

To get an idea, check the following time-lapse video of Spy that captures iPhone related conversations.

Related: Techmeme Time Lapse Video

Watch Buzz Around any Topic in Real Time with Spy - Digital Inspiration by Amit Agarwal

Use Sleipnir Web Browser as Portable Internet Explorer

Source: http://www.labnol.org/software/browsers/sleipnir-browser-portable-internet-explorer/3954/

change-browser You may have never heard of Sleipnir but it is one of the most popular web browser in Japan that is now also available in English.

The browser is extremely fast and supports the rendering engine of both IE & Firefox so you can change engines on the fly if you encounter a website that supports only one particular engine.

Here are some screenshots of Sleipnir:

sleipnir-picture

Almost every feature in Sleipnir is customizable and the browser is therefore especially popular among geeks and advanced users who can fine-tune it according to their needs.

When you select some text on a web page, there’s a nice magnification lens that appears after a brief interval allowing you to do more things with that text selection.

sleipnir-text-selection

IDG says that Sleipnir has a 9% share in the web browser market of Japan. I’ll probably not dump IE, Firefox or Opera for Sleipnir browser but it’s definitely a good attempt and worth keeping a watch.

And for mobile profession who like to carry their computer on a USB Drive, the portable edition of Sleipnir (download page) may just do the trick - it runs on the IE engine by default though you also have the option to use the Firefox Gecko engine.

Use Sleipnir Web Browser as Portable Internet Explorer - Digital Inspiration by Amit Agarwal

Microsoft trueSpace: Free Alternative to 3ds Max, Google Sketchup

Source: http://www.labnol.org/software/microsoft-truespace-free-alternative-3dsmax-sketchup/3965/

3d software

trueSpace is a 3D modeling and animation software for Windows that lets you create realistic 3D scenes from scratch, walk-throughs, games, etc. You can also import characters created in other software like AutoCAD, 3ds Max, Adobe Illustrator, etc.

trueSpace used to sell for $600 but then Microsoft acquired the company and released trueSpace as a free download probably in response to SketchUp that’s owned by Google.

truspace-3d

The idea is to let users create building and landscapes for Virtual Earth just like one can use SketchUp to create 3D models for Google Earth (SketchUp review).

If you are from the education community, you’ll especially love trueSpace for simulations.

Like with any other 3D authoring software, there’s a steep learning curve involved with trueSpace but if you are looking for a good alternative to 3DS Max or Blender, Microsoft trueSpace is available at a price that may be hard to beat.

Microsoft trueSpace: Free Alternative to 3ds Max, Google Sketchup - Digital Inspiration by Amit Agarwal

The Difference Between Google Knol & Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Source: http://www.labnol.org/internet/favorites/compare-google-knol-wikipedia-encyclopedia/3961/

google knol wikipedia

Google today introduced Knol, a Wikipedia style encyclopedia that anyone can edit but with some major differences:

a) Wikipedia has one page per topic but that limit is relaxed on Google Knol - multiple authors can write on the same topic at different places.

b) Wikipedia is currently free of advertising but contributors at Know do get an opportunity to monetize content that they share on Knol through Google AdSense.

c) All content on Wikipedia is available under "GNU Free Documentation License" but Google Knol users can pick any of the Creative Commons licenses for their articles.

d) On Wikipedia, you cannot create pages for self-promotion while that’s not the case with Knol as their content policy clearly says - "You may use Knol to create articles for your business or to promote your lawful products or services."

e) Anyone can edit (most) pages on Wikipedia but with Knol you have an option to invite only selected reviewers / experts to change pages that you have created. This prevents vandalism though the scope is limited only to experts whom you know.

f) Anyone can rate articles on Knol or even leave comments just like a blog. That’s missing in Wikipedia.

For more, read the Google Knol - Quick Start Guide or check out some detailed coverage from Wired and SEL.

The Difference Between Google Knol & Wikipedia Encyclopedia - Digital Inspiration by Amit Agarwal

Laptop with data about 33,000 Clear card applicants lost at SFO

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/356611037/laptop-with-data-abo.html

The TSA says a laptop with the personal information of 33,000 Clear card applicants was lost at San Francisco Airport on July 26.

The TSA has suspended new enrollments in the program, known as Clear, which allows passengers to pay to use special "fast lanes" at airport security checkpoints.
The laptop belonged to a privately run company known as Verified Identity Pass Inc., which operates the program at 17 airports nationwide.