CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-18 23:09:56 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

USS Enterprise Flies Into Space

Steve Schnier launched this model of the movie version USS Enterprise into space (via weather balloon) with a camera attached to it and the resulting footage is pretty cool.

Though he may have caused aneurysms in the brains of some fans by using the Star Trek: The Next Generation theme tune.

2013-05-18 22:47:30 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Book Review: Icefire by Patty Jansen

This short story apparently inspired the author to write a trilogy and given the material presented here I can see why.

There's a remarkable amount of world building packed into relatively few words. Places, people, governments. There's a lot of background referenced here. And it's that additional background that takes this beyond a stereotypical fantasy world.

After all on the surface we have a poor boy who doesn't know who his father is, a princess and a mysterious stranger with magic. As always it's the execution that matters, not the raw elements you're working with. Certainly if you don't like fantasy this won't change your mind. But the characters have a surprising depth to them for a story of this length.

In fact there's really only one area where the short story structure... more »

2013-05-18 20:46:44 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

What Is Google's H840?

Well according to the FCC filing it's a Digital Transmission System and the description is The device functions as a media player.

Two things were noticeably absent from Google I/O 2013. Nothing was said about the failed Nexus Q, and there wasn't a Google branded Google TV box.

So...

2013-05-18 20:28:31 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Who Much Would It Cost To Build the USS Enterprise

Surprisingly little it turns out. Well, relatively speaking anyway.

Of course there are some problems with Gizmodo's estimate on the cost of building the movie version of the Enterprise. Not least of which is that certain things like Warp Engines and Transporters aren't actually possible currently.

So it's all just a bit of fun but their total cost of $478,947,711,160 seems surprisingly modest when you consider what is being talked about.

http://gizmodo.com/how-much-would-it-cost-to-build-the-starship-enterprise-506174071

2013-05-18 20:13:17 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Mum

Taken during our recent visit to the zoo. This is a very familiar expression.

2013-05-18 19:56:23 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

Dubai Timelapse Video

Those of you who have followed me for a while will know that I love a good bit of timelapse photography.

I don't post them very often because it's not easy to put together something really special in that format. But this multi-scene time lapse of Dubai is quite stunning and really seems to give a flavor of the city.

I say seems, because I've never actually been there.

2013-05-18 19:44:37 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special - Matt Smith & David Tennant Chat

So since tonight was the final episode in the season (I haven't seen it yet!!!) I don't have a promo for the next episode to share with you.

Instead how about this little spoiler free chat between Matt Smith and David Tennant about the 50th Anniversary Special that will air on November 23rd 2013.

2013-05-18 17:57:15 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Spider-Man & The Incredible Hulk

The boys had fun with the face-painting and balloon sculptures today.

2013-05-18 17:53:20 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Superhero Cosplay - Gender Switched Cable

This is a pretty solid gender switch Cable costume. I mean all the core elements are there. Shoulder pads, BFG,  glowy eye, mechanical arm.

What puts it over the top is including Baby Hope from one of the sillier runs of the character when he spent all his time protecting her by having her strapped to his chest like a shooting target...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=524387664288065&set=a.459444430782389.105313.421675771225922&type=1&theater

2013-05-18 17:44:13 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 0 +1s)

Dance-Off With The Star Wars Stars 2013 Finale

These are always fun to watch.

2013-05-18 13:38:25 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

The Google TV Brand Fades But Android Is Still Coming To TVs

When Google launched their Google TV brand people got very excited. Would this be the product that finally moved these sorts of streaming boxes from a niche hobby to the mainstream?

Nope.

Google stumbled when they forked Google TV from Android which dramatically slowed down the updates and content provides reacted in a particularly hysterical fashion by blocking their product from the service.

But Google can't give up on this market. Everyone is gunning for it including Microsoft with their XBox and Apple with the Apple TV (it may be a hobby now, but eventually it will be something more).

Since Google TV launched, Google have spent a lot of time building up relationships with the content companies. Now they sell movies and tv shows in the Play store and have just launched a... more »

2013-05-18 13:21:34 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Game Of Thrones Cake Looks Good Enough To Eat

When you play the Game of Thrones you eat or you die...

CakeRetro has produced this remarkably realistic Game of Thrones cake featuring Tyrion Lannister sitting on the Iron Throne.

Apparently it was made with modelling chocolate and then hand pained with edible sugar pains. The base is sponge with a strawberry filling.

All of which sounds delicious, but how could you slice up something that looks like this?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=133237153538226&set=pb.133121376883137.-2207520000.1368586028.&type=3&theater

2013-05-18 13:17:35 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

LEGO Spaceships - Omega Docking Station

LEGO builder kaydee1982 thinks on a pretty massive scale. In this shot you can see his Eclipse spaceship ( a sizeable LEGO build in its own right) at berth in the Omega docking station.

Check out his Flickr account for different angles on both LEGO models amongst other things.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaydee1982/8736321842/in/photostream

2013-05-18 01:00:36 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Superhero Pop Stars

Artist Butcher Billy has taken 80's pop stars and worked them into the covers of various DC Comics superheroes. The results are remarkably effective.

This one of The Flash is my favorite but there are some other great ones too including Siouxsie and the Banshee's as Wonder Woman and The Cure as Plastic Man.

http://www.behance.net/gallery/The-Post-Punk-New-Wave-Super-Friends-by-Butcher-Billy/8688795

2013-05-19 02:06:51 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Gouverneur Kemble Warren, Little Round Top, Gettysburg PA

Warren (January 8, 1830 – August 8, 1882) was a General in the Union army during the Battle of Gettysburg. He is sometimes referred to as the Hero of Little Round Top for arranging a last minute defense of the  hill, recognizing it as a key defensive position.

This particular shot is exactly how you're not supposed to do it. I'm facing the sun and even pointing the camera up towards it.

Mainly that's because I wanted to get this particular angle of shot. And actually I rather like how it turned out.

2013-05-17 21:48:42 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

Doctor Who - The Name of The Doctor Clip

The BBC has released another clip to tease you for tomorrow's Doctor Who season finale The Name Of The Doctor.

They're calling the clip A Message for Clara and it's certainly a teaser.

2013-05-17 00:12:35 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Doctor Who: The Name Of The Doctor - Loads More Promo Pics

Just in case you're not already excited enough about the Doctor Who season finale. Here's a few more pics to drool over.

2013-05-16 23:36:32 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Flooded Potomac, Harpers Ferry

A nice shot from the Harper's Ferry Overlook showing the rather full Potomac after an awful lot of rain had fallen.

2013-05-16 21:01:32 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Longer Trailer

Okay so there was the 6 second promo and the 30 second teaser. Now we get a full 3 minute trailer and I've got to say that Agent's of S.H.I.E.L.D. looks better and better.

This time we get some of the snappy dialogue I expect to hear from Joss Whedon characters. Plus they make it clear they will address the Agent Coulson issue.

2013-05-16 20:36:18 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Marvel Cosplay: Lady Thor

The Hammer is her.... um... wait a second...

I like the arm guards myself.

http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2013/05/16/lady-thor-cosplay-pics

2013-05-16 18:04:16 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 4 +1s)

It got rather lost in the G+ hoopla but the Google Now updates they rolled out are pretty sweet.

Not sure it's got my music taste figured out but the rest is spot on.

2013-05-16 16:12:36 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Do You Chat With People Just Because They're Online?

I see a lot of complaints that people can't tell who is online to chat with. Which makes me wonder how common that behavior is.

I am in the habit of sending a message when I have something to say and not thinking about whether people are online or not (just as I would for SMS or email). I get my response... well... whenever they see it.

Like most things I'm probably in a minority.

2013-05-16 15:48:41 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

30 Million Americans Want To Try Google Glass

It's interesting how a simple change of wording can dramatically change the tone.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57584611-71/90-percent-of-americans-wont-wear-google-glass-survey-says/

2013-05-16 15:47:18 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Hmm. Has the new G+ interface broken Google+Blog?

2013-05-16 15:43:48 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Is The HTC One Coming To Verizon?

HTC (along with pretty much every other Android phone manufacturer) is being roundly spanked by Samsung in the market currently.

A large part of that is down to marketing. Samsung has made the Galaxy a brand that people want. But availability is also a significant factor.

HTC's One is by all accounts a really nice phone. But so far it's not available on Verizon in the US, which is a major gap in their market.

http://androidcommunity.com/verizon-htc-one-talk-returns-as-the-htc-pn073xx-surfaces-20130516/

2013-05-16 15:31:11 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

LEGO Robot - Retro Style!

I love retro style futuristic stuff. Why? Well I guess it simultaneously appeals to the sci-fi nerd futurist and my rose tinted glasses for the past.

This LEGO robot designed by Norweasel combines the clunky yet functional aesthetic with an amazing amount of personality.

Someone should turn this into a life size LEGO robot...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/norweasel/8729095421/in/photostream

2013-05-16 13:56:47 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

People really need to stop throwing around phrases like:

"Nobody cares what the users think"
"Dumbing down the interface"
"Facebook clone"

First off they're shallow and essentially meaningless substitutes for a critique. Secondly no one ever backs them up with anything. Third, They're demonstrably not actually true.

2013-05-16 11:32:33 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Playing around with the Photos section in G+. They've made some major improvements, not just in functionality but in layout and folder management.

Very promising.

2013-05-16 00:35:41 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Here's the monkey script to auto load G+ post.

Steps:
#1. Install TamperMonkey: http://goo.gl/EAp4d 
#2. Copy the Gist for the script: http://goo.gl/z5nmv

#3. Add script in TamperMonkey

There you go!

2013-05-16 00:29:46 (33 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Initial Non-Hysterical Thoughts G+ New Layout

I think overall I like it.

Bigger pictures is a major plus as far as I'm concerned.

Like the auto hashtagging feature because it comes up with some that I wouldn't have thought of. And hey maybe new eyes on my posts?

Less text in the short version... I'm fine with that. People who can't be bothered to click to expand and read... I'm not really interested in talking to anyway.

Three column layout. Yup. Makes it easier for me to skim what's going on. I think (we'll have to see) it may make me more active on other people's posts.

No auto-refresh. Undecided. I didn't like the way it used to jump around while I was typing. But I am lazy.

There are some niggly bits mind you. When I'm reading notifications and expand the comments, suddenly... more »

2013-05-16 00:21:02 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 18 +1s)

Eve From Wall-E Reimagined

So this is Eve from Pixar's Wall-E reinterpreted by artist DanLuVisiArt as a robot warrior formenting rebellion after the pampered humans essentially reinslaved the robots.

http://danluvisiart.deviantart.com/art/Eve-371446655?q=gallery%3Adanluvisiart%2F293242&qo=0

2013-05-15 22:14:16 (4 comments, 8 reshares, 9 +1s)

Google Books Lets You Upload Your Own EPUB or PDF Files

Oh this is a lovely feature that Google is adding.

Now you can upload your own EPUB (or PDF) and read them anywhere you have web access. 

This just might start to wean me away from Amazon though as long as I have a Kindle it won't replace them.

http://liliputing.com/2013/05/now-you-can-upload-your-own-books-to-google-books-read-anywhere.html

2013-05-15 22:02:38 (26 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

People Who Announce They Don't Like The New Layout Will Probably Get Booted From My Circles

You can't expect me to take you seriously if after having a new layout for 20 minutes you decide it's terrible.

Change is not a bad thing. Take a deep breath. Give it a day.

Then whine.

2013-05-15 21:55:25 (24 comments, 16 reshares, 29 +1s)

Riddick Full Trailer

So here's the full trailer for the upcoming Riddick movie and we get a lot of Vin Diesel speaking in a silly voice.

But that apart it does look like it's got the potential to be a solid action movie in the way that Pitch Black was. Story goes as follows:

Betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, Riddick fights for survival against alien predators and becomes more powerful and dangerous than ever before. Soon bounty hunters from throughout the galaxy descend on Riddick only to find themselves pawns in his greater scheme for revenge. With his enemies right where he wants them, Riddick unleashes a vicious attack of vengeance before returning to his home planet of Furya to save it from destruction.

As well as Vin Diesel we've got Karl Urban and Katee Sackhoff (which should improve the acting a bit). Also... more »

2013-05-15 21:41:08 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Zombie Voldemort Is Quite Scary

Well. He is.

http://fashionablygeek.com/costumes/zombie-voldemort-will-haunt-your-dreams-cosplay

2013-05-15 21:21:48 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

I'm really liking the extra space photos get in this new layout.

2013-05-16 11:42:36 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 12 +1s)

Legend of Zelda Cosplay: Princess Zelda

Great costume, great photography

http://rikkugrape.deviantart.com/art/Twilight-Waltz-329401474?q=gallery%3Arikkugrape%2F590844&qo=22

2013-05-15 20:23:24 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Follow The LEGO Brick Road

A clever Wizard of Oz LEGO diorama by captainsmog complete with flying monkeys and Toto.

Of course Dorothy, The Tin Man, Scarecrow and The Cowardly Lion are there, cleverly reimagined to get around the lack of specific minifigures for those characters.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/captainsmog/8738649406/

2013-05-15 17:39:20 (14 comments, 1 reshares, 6 +1s)

Your G+ Stream Will Look Very Different Soon

Pictures blatantly stolen from The Verge

This looks quite like the redesign for your profile page.

2013-05-15 14:19:15 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

40,000!

So I signed up for CircleCount on October 23rd 2011 at which point I had what I considered to be an impressive 1,802 people circling me on Google+.

It took me a while but on April 9th 2013 I broke the 20K barrier with a ridiculous 20,045 circlers.

As of today May 15, 2013 (only 36 days)  I have 40,185 people circling me.

That's just silly.

2013-05-15 00:40:34 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Graphic Novel Review: Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Smuggler's Code

Dark Horse publish a wide variety of Star Wars licensed comics aimed at different audiences. This 80 page graphic novel is done in the style of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series on Cartoon Network.

And when I say in the style of, I mean both the art and the story. While not identical (The Clone Wars is 3D animation) the artwork here clearly apes the designs and mannerisms of the show. It's very cartoony, very expressive and full of movement.

And this story absolutely feels like a one and done cartoon episode, starting with Anakin and Obi-wan relaxing on a tourist world, only for Obi-wan to head off on his own trying to track down a wanted fugitive from his past.

There's not much in the way of deep characterization here. The violence is kept very PG and most of the... more »

2013-05-15 00:13:37 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly, Maryland Heights, WV

Saw this little beauty on my hike yesterday. Sadly I didn't have a telephoto lens  so it's too small for printing out, but the image works well on monitors.


The Zebra Swallowtail has a wingspan of 2.5 to 4.1 in. The triangular wings are white to greenish-white with black longitudinal stripes. A pair of swordlike tails extend from the hind wings.

Protographium marcellus is the official state butterfly of Tennesse.

2013-05-14 23:40:27 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Turtles, Smithsonian's National Zoo

It was a sunny day when we visited the zoo and as you can see the turtles really appreciated it.

2013-05-15 00:33:00 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Universal Studios Florida's New Harry Potter Attraction Will Be State Of The Art

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been a huge success for Universal Studios Florida and they're currently building a second area in Diagon Alley. This will introduce two new rides:

The Gringotts ride is part rollercoaster, part 3D story driven dark ride which will feature Voldemort. Meanwhile the Hogwarts Express doubles as a connector between Diagon Alley and the existing Hogsmeade but will also feature Dementors.

There will also be new shops and restaurants, but beyond that there will be interactive elements that Universal claim will put Disney's recent additions to shame.  Those elements apparently include: the Knight bus; a fire breathing dragon and animated suits of armor.

It all sounds very impressive.
more »

2013-05-14 20:10:25 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Doctor Who Cosplay - TARDIS Cosplay

So TARDIS dresses are all over the place lately. It's almost boring. How about the TARDIS Console then? 

How about if it actually lights up?


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=583324938367080&set=a.111295035570075.8930.110298935669685&type=1&theater

2013-05-14 19:53:41 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

LEGO Akira - Tetsuo

This clever bit of Akira inspired LEGO design by crises_crs gives us a model of Tetsuo (complete with metal hand) sitting on his throne.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33774513@N08/8730378293/in/photostream/*

2013-05-14 19:43:38 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Gollum Face Mask

This latex mask gives us the Lord of the Rings version of Gollum rather than his more youthful Hobbit version. And it's wonderfully creepy. Great for a bit of cosplay I'd say.

http://amzn.to/YHwCi9

2013-05-14 00:28:27 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Almost Human Trailer

Another FOX show that may be of interest is Almost Human. It does run the risk of degenerating into a standard copy buddy format but the premise has potential.

2013-05-14 00:20:28 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 5 +1s)

Sleepy Hollow Trailer

So one of the FOX Network's new shows for Fall will be Sleepy Hollow with Tom Mison starring as an Ichabod Crane who finds himself in present day Sleepy Hollow. The show is written by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (Star Trek).

The trailer says it might have some potential, but there's a good bit of cheese in there as well.

2013-05-14 00:03:46 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

LEGO Castles: The Siege of Lenfel Fortress

Another week another epic castle diorama from Mark of Falworth. And this time round he's given us a siege in progress complete with flames and collapsed wall.

And let's not forget the elephants.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark-of-falworth/8729378003/