Category Archives: Around the Web

by | August 23, 2013 · 6:52 pm

Around the Web August 23, 2013

Warner Bros. has announced that Ben Affleck will be playing Batman in the Man of Steel sequel. I’m not sure how I feel about this. We all remember Daredevil, which wasn’t entirely Affleck’s fault, but I’ve heard more than one person say that he wasn’t particularly believable in any superhero role.

I'm Batman?

I’m Batman?

If Affleck is Batman, can we get Damon to be Robin?

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that he will be stepping down and Microsoft’s stock jumped 7%. Ballmer has had a mixed career, overseeing the amazing Xbox, but also the less than amazing Windows 7 and 8. Apparently he has a thing for developers, too.

I never thought I’d have a good use for that clip, but I was wrong.

I know a lot of people who live in studio apartments and they have some serious space issues. A Swiss designer has taken care of this problem for them (and apparently for himself). Not only does his Living Cube look good, but it is extremely practical.

ku-bigpic

I don’t know what is going on, but European designers have been coming up with great looking stuff lately. Even more impressive is that IKEA isn’t involved at all.

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by | August 16, 2013 · 3:30 pm

Around the Web August 16, 2013

This week Popular Science has given us a fun infographic about the evolution of the geek. Aside from being interesting and mildly amusing it also gives us an origin of the word geek.

geek

I bet this guy knows the origin of geek.

If geeks used to bite the heads off chickens, what does that make Ozzy after the incident with the bat?

Speaking of rock stars, apparently KISS has purchased an arena football team. I am nearly speechless on this one. While Gene Simmons has a pretty sharp business mind, somehow I don’t think the football going public is going to get on board with this one.

I have a hard time seeing this man running a sports franchise.

I have a hard time seeing this man running a sports franchise.

I get the feeling this will go the way of the XFL.

Next up is a deleted scene from season 3 of Game of Thrones. Turns out that Grand Maester Pycelle is much less of an old fool than he looks.

Not that we didn’t already know he wasn’t on the level, but the change in personality was more than a little startling.

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by | August 2, 2013 · 3:08 pm

Around the Web August 2, 2013

There are casual Star Trek fans, there are Trekkies, and then there are these folks. I always wanted to see Shakespeare in the Park when I lived in New York, but this sounds like a great backup option.

Kirk_surrounded_by_Tribbles

And they chose to end their careers with the best Original Series episode ever. Well played.

Anyone who has studied pre-WWII history knows that for a long time prior to the invasion of Poland, many people in America were supporters of Hitler and the Nazi party. This week The Hollywood Reporter published an article describing the extreme measures that Hollywood took to keep Nazi Germany happy, all the way up through 1940. Although hindsight is 20/20, it is still disturbing that so many people were still so eager to work with the Nazis, even that late in history.

all quiet

It also saddens me to know that the classic film All Quiet on the Western Front was the catalyst for all of this.

The controversial app Bang with Friends has run into a new problem that has nothing to do with awkward silences. Bang with Friends is being sued by Zynga for copyright infringment, over the use of the phrase “with friends”. Turns out you can copyright just about everything, which is exactly what Zynga has done and from the looks of it Zynga has a pretty strong case.

Bang-With-Friends

And by the way, the founders of Bang with Friends are completely clueless about the whole thing. Not the best way to run a business.

Netflix has introduced a new feature to allow multiple profiles on one account. This feature makes it possible for 5 different people to have unique profiles on the same account. Initially, profiles will be supported on Apple devices, Xbox, Playstation, and select smart TV models with other platforms to follow over the next several months.

netflix

I am a huge fan of this option. Now my roommate’s viewing choices won’t generate weird recommendations on my account. Instead, the weird recommendations will be based on my own viewing history, as it should be.

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by | July 26, 2013 · 3:23 pm

Around the Web July 26, 2013

NBC News recently got a tour of “the coolest museum you’ll never see”. The reason you’ll probably never see it is because it’s located inside CIA headquarters in Langley, VA. For the most part access is restricted to CIA personnel and invited guests. The museum houses some really cool items dating back from to the CIA’s predecessor organization, the Office of Special Services (OSS).

spy-CIA_LOGONot only is there the cool, nearly inaccessible museum, there is also a classified collection that I’m sure is even cooler. While the general public can’t get access to the museum itself, some of the collection can be viewed here.

Ever gone to a baseball game in the middle of summer, gotten yourself a nice cold beer, sat down, taken a sip, only to find out that the 98°F weather outside has already turned your cold beer warm? This is why I don’t get beer at baseball games, and it’s a shame. But now, thanks to the brilliant people at Dodger’s Stadium, this is no longer an issue. These geniuses (and I truly mean that) have discovered a machine that freezes beer foam to act as a mini cooler for the beer.

zkirinfrozenbeer

It’s like the adult version of a Root Beer Float.

This apparently keeps beer cool for up to 30 minutes, which should be plenty of time to finish it before it gets to warm. Perhaps I will have to rethink my baseball game beer purchases.

Beware if you are planning to visit France! An unnamed French woman and her poodle (you can’t make that up) were severely mauled by feral cats in Belfort. This only reinforces my fears that my cats are trying to kill me.

cats

They are always watching…

I’m wondering if this is what happens when they can’t haz cheezburger.

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