ferretgeek
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Zappos tries robots on for size
I buy all my sneakers (i.e. all my footwear) at Zappos, and now I have another reason to love them. According to CNET they use a "team of autonomous, stout, orange robots" to gather items to fill orders. I'd love to see a video of the little guys at work, but the company's site oddly restricts access to the demo.
Labels: cool
¶ 8:16 PM 0 Comments
Friday, June 27, 2008
Pachelbel Rant
This is excellent.
Thanks to Jack for the link.
BTW, his first name is Johann. ¶ 6:24 PM 0 Comments
Thanks to Jack for the link.
BTW, his first name is Johann. ¶ 6:24 PM 0 Comments
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Exfoliating plastic beads actually sea life killing plastic
You know, you recycle, use reusable bags when you shop, eat eggs from allegedly happy chickens, and then you find out that your body wash may be killing off marine life. You see those "exfoliating beads" are actually little bits of plastic, that don't biodegrade, and end up being consumed by all sorts of sea creatures, from "otters to octopi." Nice.
Labels: disturbing
¶ 8:19 PM 0 Comments
Black-Footed Ferret Born at National Zoo
A single black-footed ferret kit was born yesterday at the National Zoo. The Zoo has a live cam set up where you can check in on Mom and her teeny, tiny baby. The cam is located here.
Update:
Some excellent footage from the web cam here:
Bonus points for the musical accompaniment.
Update #2:
Captured this screen shot this morning:
¶ 7:00 AM 4 Comments
Update:
Some excellent footage from the web cam here:
Bonus points for the musical accompaniment.
Update #2:
Captured this screen shot this morning:
¶ 7:00 AM 4 Comments
Friday, June 20, 2008
I want to work at Mahalo!
There is something very compelling about a company that buys its employees a $700 iced tea machine.
¶ 5:37 PM 0 Comments
Christian Bale as Robin Hood?
In the excellent casting rumor department, Cinematical is reporting that Christian Bale play Robin Hood in the upcoming film, Nottingham. As a bonus, it is going to be directed by Ridley Scott, and star, wait for it, Russell Crowe as the Sheriff of Nottingham.
¶ 1:56 PM 0 Comments
Cops chase a UFO over Cardif
In a story right out of Torchwood, the Sun is reporting that a police helicopter chased a UFO over Cardiff, Wales earlier this month. My favorite quote from the story: "The chopper is crammed with hi-tech cameras and surveillance gear, but the UFO somehow avoided being caught on film."
They also have an excellent story about a mother duck traveling over two miles to save her ducklings. I believe the duckling story. Make sure you check out the graphic detailing the duck's trip with little webbed footprints showing her route.
Update: Shockingly, there is an explanation for this that does not involve alien invasion. Sorry Captain Jack. ¶ 8:02 AM 3 Comments
They also have an excellent story about a mother duck traveling over two miles to save her ducklings. I believe the duckling story. Make sure you check out the graphic detailing the duck's trip with little webbed footprints showing her route.
Update: Shockingly, there is an explanation for this that does not involve alien invasion. Sorry Captain Jack. ¶ 8:02 AM 3 Comments
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Ice. On Mars.
NASA is reporting that the Phoenix Lander has found ice on Mars. Actual water ice. When the substance was first uncovered, it was speculated that it might be salt, but it sublimated, proving that it was ice. The Phoenix lander site has an excellent document explaining why this is such a big deal. (PDF warning.)
via Twitter
Update: Wired has an explanation of how they know it is water ice, and not C02, here.
via Twitter
Update: Wired has an explanation of how they know it is water ice, and not C02, here.
Labels: cool
¶ 8:12 PM 0 Comments
Making Friends With Mountain Gorillas
National Geographic has republished, both online and in print, a wonderful article by Dian Fossey from 1970. I remember reading this article in a well-worn copy of the magazine I had a kid. I wanted to runaway to Africa and help her save the gorillas. Her tragic death in 1985 stunned me, and was a huge loss to the wonderful creatures she fought so hard to protect. More information about protecting the gorillas can be found here.
¶ 5:59 PM 0 Comments
Firefox 3 Easter Egg
So, of course you downloaded Firefox 3 on download day, right? If not, go ahead. I'll wait. La la la... OK. Finished downloading and installing? Go the address bar (Now called the AwesomeBar. Really.) and type in about:robots. Share and enjoy!
¶ 5:11 PM 2 Comments
Monday, June 16, 2008
Firefox 3 Download Day!
Help set a new record and download Firefox 3. C'mon. You know you want to. Isn't the fox super cute? Plus, it's Firefox, so it will be great. ¶ 9:01 PM 0 Comments
Help set a new record and download Firefox 3. C'mon. You know you want to. Isn't the fox super cute? Plus, it's Firefox, so it will be great. ¶ 9:01 PM 0 Comments
Stan Winston: 1946 - 2008
According to Superhero Hype, legendary special effects wizard Stan Winston has passed away at the age of 62. This is truly a terrible loss for sci-fi film
¶ 8:25 PM 0 Comments
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Baby Beluga!
No matter how many times I see a marine mammal being born, I am always in awe of the process. They immediately get up to surface and take that first breath, using their floppy little limbs. Amazing.
via Pharyngula
Update: You can watch a live cam of baby and mama here.
No matter how many times I see a marine mammal being born, I am always in awe of the process. They immediately get up to surface and take that first breath, using their floppy little limbs. Amazing.
via Pharyngula
Update: You can watch a live cam of baby and mama here.
Labels: cool
¶ 8:13 AM 0 Comments
Battlestar Galactica vs. Star Trek
Mental Floss has a good discussion of Battlestar Galactica vs. Star Trek. It doesn't fall into the "which is better" trap. (Read the comments on Digg if that's what you are looking for. I think of BSG as being the anti-Star Trek in a lot of ways, but that doesn't make me like Trek any less. Except Vovager, which was just lame.
Labels: tv
¶ 7:39 AM 2 Comments
BSG Finale- Do not read unless you are caught up!
Highlight with your mouse to read (not you, Jack):
So, although there was no sign of the Statue of Liberty, I'm pretty sure they are in New York. Brooklyn, to be exact. Looking for a screen shot to support my cause...
Update: Ah ha! (via the comments on TV Squad.)
----------------
Now playing on iTunes: Audra Heaslip, Chuck Cage, Sean O'Hara - GWC Podcast #104
via FoxyTunes
So, although there was no sign of the Statue of Liberty, I'm pretty sure they are in New York. Brooklyn, to be exact. Looking for a screen shot to support my cause...
Update: Ah ha! (via the comments on TV Squad.)
----------------
Now playing on iTunes: Audra Heaslip, Chuck Cage, Sean O'Hara - GWC Podcast #104
via FoxyTunes
Labels: tv
¶ 6:07 AM 0 Comments
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Awwwwww
Before I get flamed, just let me say that I am opposed to state lotteries, as they are basically a tax on being poor and hopeless, but you've got to love this commercial. I don't know how much of this is special effects, but the penguin really seemed to be having fun. The chicken, on the other hand, just looks confused. That may just be because it's a chicken, though. ¶ 8:14 PM 0 Comments
Before I get flamed, just let me say that I am opposed to state lotteries, as they are basically a tax on being poor and hopeless, but you've got to love this commercial. I don't know how much of this is special effects, but the penguin really seemed to be having fun. The chicken, on the other hand, just looks confused. That may just be because it's a chicken, though. ¶ 8:14 PM 0 Comments
