Monthly Archives: July 2009

Gmail is no longer beta

July 8, 2009UncategorizedUncategorizedGreg Laden

Have you ever noticed that many google servies, like most or all of the google apps including Gmail and Google Docs, are “Beta”?

Well, not any more:

Like many software products, Google’s Gmail service was first released with a “beta” label on it. In the software industry, a product that is in beta is still in its testing phase. Beta versions, which are sandwiched between internal “alpha” versions and final “release” versions, typically have a lifespan of weeks or perhaps months. But Gmail was different. Released on April 1, 2004, it was still in beta five years and tens of millions of users later.

That is changing Tuesday. Gmail is finally shedding the beta label, signaling that Google considers the product to be fully baked. Google is also taking three other applications — Calendar, Docs and Talk — out of beta.

NYT

The Synaptic Cleft Rap

July 8, 2009Uncategorizedaddiction, brain, Neurobiology, neurons, synapseGreg Laden

Ion channels, chica.

Hat Tip: Virginia Hughes. Who also has something interesting on Coffee.

Raytheon develops STEM tool

July 8, 2009UncategorizedEducation, Science Education, stemGreg Laden

Whatever you may think about the Military Industrial Complex, you’ve got to admit that Raytheon does like to give money to edumication and stuff. Or at least, those of you who live in the Greater Boston Area have seen their name on a bunch of projects.

I’ve just received notice of a new modeling tool that allows education researchers to play out proposed education scenarios and policies in simulated form to test for those programs with favorable/positive outcomes.

Here’s the press release:
Continue reading Raytheon develops STEM tool →

Crazy Christian Preacher: Palin will be president, Obama is evil

July 8, 2009UncategorizedMichele Bachmann, Palin, RepublicansGreg Laden

And a few words about Michele Bachamann. Oh, and he makes the claim that Dan Quail was brilliant. Brilliant!

Man, this guy sure does know how to babble. At least he admits that he is a moron several times.

More details and analysis here, at DMB.

What a Difference a Century Can Make

July 8, 2009UncategorizedAfrica, Africa, Anthropology, Congo, lost congo memoir, Polio, pygmiesGreg Laden

At the beginning of the 20th century, a traveler in Central Africa made mention of some strange people that he had come across. He was traveling among regular, run-of-the-mill natives…probably Bantu-speaking people living in scattered villages and farming for their food. But along the way, strange people came out of the forest. These strange people had sloping foreheads; they were short of stature, bow-legged and otherwise misshapen. They also clearly were, in the eyes of the traveler, of subhuman intelligence. The traveler described these people as a separate, subhuman race that lived in the forest. As I read this, I began to think that perhaps he was speaking of so-called “Pygmies” who live in this region, and as I began to think that, I started to get mad at this writer because so-called “Pygmies” do not look or act as he described. …

I give you Senator Al Franken

July 7, 2009UncategorizedAl Franken, Al Franken, Norm Coleman, paul wellstone, RepublicansGreg Laden

Here is Al Franken being sworn in to the U. S. Senate:

Continue reading I give you Senator Al Franken →

How to moonwalk

July 7, 2009Uncategorizedmichael jackson, UncategorizedGreg Laden

It has come to my attention that you may not know how to do it.

Once you practice a while, you will look just like this:
Continue reading How to moonwalk →

Newsflash: World Accepts Darwinism

July 7, 2009UncategorizedDarwinGreg Laden

The British Council, a Royally Chartered organization involved in education, has completed a survey which indicates that there is “a broad international consensus of acceptance towards his theory of evolution.”

From the press release:
Continue reading Newsflash: World Accepts Darwinism →

File sharing between Windows, Linux and Macs (Samba)

July 7, 2009UncategorizedLinuxGreg Laden

This is indeed very easy to do.

Notice how “sudo gedit” lets you edit special secret powerful files that you should not be messing with.

Remember, Linux is not for everyone.

The loudness of coffee shops

July 7, 2009UncategorizedAnthropologyGreg Laden

The coffee shop was already loud. The walls, floor, and ceiling of the Caribou are all made of sound-bouncy materials. The equipment behind the counter is loud to begin with and is not muffled by any structure. The barista has developed the typical barista habit of banging shit on other shit as loud as he can and as often as he can.

Then in walked the big loud highly annoying Christians from the local seminary….
Continue reading The loudness of coffee shops →

Michele Bachmann Calls for … I’m not sure, just watch.

July 7, 2009UncategorizedMichele BachmannGreg Laden

have puke bag ready

She’s speaking here to the Tea Baggers.

HT DMB

Musing about skeptical blogging. Thoughts from SkepchickCon

July 6, 2009UncategorizedEducation, Science EducationGreg Laden

Nothing is typical. As I’m sitting here in the lobby of the hotel noticing that far fewer than half of the people waking back and forth in this busy hotel are wearing unusual science fiction or fantasy costuming (that will change as the day develops) this (“nothing is typical”) is the phrase that sticks in my mind from this morning’s session on Skeptical Blogging.
Continue reading Musing about skeptical blogging. Thoughts from SkepchickCon →

Making multimedia work in Medibuntu

July 6, 2009UncategorizedLinuxGreg Laden

This may not be entirely legal so don’t tell anyone where you heard it.

Link to Medibuntu Community Documentation page

Always follow the law. And remember, Linux is not for everyone.

The liberal blogosphere eyes Al Franken

July 6, 2009UncategorizedAl FrankenGreg Laden

Today, Al Franken goes to Washington. And we helped.

Now, it is time to kick his ass.

This is the difference between the dittoheads who will follow the anointed head of the Republican Party into a big pile of dogshit if he so orders them and us. They follow their sens less leaders, they stomp their feet and whinge and threaten, but it takes forever for even the most thoughtful Republicans to even begin to question their leaders. But we in the Liberal Blogosphere do not do this. We watch and we evaluate and we comment and we do not give anyone a pass just becasue we voted for them.

So how is Al Franken doing so far?

Continue reading The liberal blogosphere eyes Al Franken →

Home Chemistry: A New Guide for Hobbyists and Home Schoolers

July 6, 2009UncategorizedBooks, Education, Homeschooling, Science EducationGreg Laden

Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science) is a new book by Robert Thompson. The premise is simple. The coolest thing in the world is a home chemistry set like this one from Gilbert, which combined both chemistry and microscopy:

Chemistry Set Combine the sciences of Chemistry and Microscopy in one big laboratory set! Microscope has a magnification of 60 power, plus unique Polaroid device that shows the brilliant colors of specimens under the lens. Set includes “Fun With Gilbert Chemistry”, “Gilbert Microscope”, “Glass Blowing” manuals and dissecting stand. From the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop

Continue reading Home Chemistry: A New Guide for Hobbyists and Home Schoolers →