reBlog from engadget.com: Kodak debuts EasyShare Z950, M381 and M341 digicams

I found this fascinating quote today:

Had enough Kodak this fine morning? No? Good. Just hours after showcasing its newest 1080p pocket camcorder, the aforesaid firm is hitting us up with a few more new pieces to digest. First up is the EasyShare Z950, a modest megazoom-in-a-P&S-body that packs a 10x optical zoom, 12 megapixel sensor and a $279.99 price tag. Next, we've got the totally ho hum EasyShare M381, which also offers a dozen megapixels alongside a 3-inch rear LCD, 5x zoomer, easy upload to Facebook / YouTube, face detection, a variety of lovely hues and an MSRP of $179.99. The last cam is the M341, which steps down to a 3x optical zoom and a smaller 2.7-inch LCD for $149. Closing things out is the EasyShare D830 (£119.99; $196) and D1030 (£169.99; $279) digital photo frames, which check in at 8- and 10-inches respectively (in terms of display size) and tout interchangeable face plates, 512MB of internal memory, a Quick Touch border, memory card reader and a USB port. Everything here should ship in the US and UK by September, though those hungry for additional details are welcome to tap that read link.engadget.com, Kodak debuts EasyShare Z950, M381 and M341 digicams, Jul 2009

You should read the whole article.

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Now playing: Jonas Brothers - Play My Music
via FoxyTunes

reBlog from adamostrow: Firefox: 1,000,000,000 Downloads

I found this fascinating quote today:

Of course, more important than total downloads is the actual percentage of active web users that use the browser. Recent stats peg Firefox with 22 percent of the browser market, up about 4 percent from this time last year. Meanwhile, Safari continues to grow, while upstart Google Chrome is slowly gaining adoption. All of this continues to come at the expense of Internet Explorer, which is still steadily losing market share.adamostrow, Firefox: 1,000,000,000 Downloads, Jul 2009

You should read the whole article.


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Now playing: Taylor Swift - You Belong with Me
via FoxyTunes

Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Achieves 15th Hit-To-Kill Intercept in Space

Raytheon Standard Missile-3 Achieves 15th Hit-To-Kill Intercept in Space

"PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, KAUAI, Hawaii, July 31, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- A Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) Standard Missile-3 destroyed a short-range ballistic missile target in space July 30. The test marked the 15th hit-to-kill intercept for SM-3 and the 19th missile intercept of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program.

...

"The target ballistic missile was launched from the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range on Kauai while the crew of the guided missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG-70) fired the SM-3."

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• Missile defense system passes test (cnn.com)

Aaron's NASCAR Dream Machines to Feature Aaron's Outdoors, Mossy Oak Brand Camo Paint Schemes

Image via Wikipedia

Aaron's NASCAR Dream Machines to Feature Aaron's Outdoors, Mossy Oak Brand Camo Paint Schemes:

"ATLANTA, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aaron's, Inc. of Atlanta, GA (NYSE: AAN), the Aaron's Outdoors television program and Mossy Oak Brand Camo have teamed together to produce a unique marketing campaign that features specialty paint schemes on three NASCAR racecars and a national register-to-win sweepstakes. Aaron's will replace its familiar Aaron's Dream Machine paint schemes with Mossy Oak patterned camouflage and prominently feature the Aaron's Outdoors logo on the hood and TV panel of the racecars. To help promote the special paint schemes, Aaron's has also developed a national register-to-win sweepstakes that will award nine grand prize winners camouflaged replica race helmets, each autographed by the three drivers who will pilot the cars.

...

"The first of these special paint schemes will premiere on the Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) No. 00 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's Dream Machine driven by David Reutimann at the Pep Boys Auto 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 6, 2009. The paint scheme will again be featured on the R3 Motorsports No. 23 NASCAR Nationwide Series racecar driven by Ken Butler III in the Dollar General 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway on October 16. The final paint scheme can be seen on the MWR NASCAR Nationwide Series No. 99 driven by Trevor Bayne in the O'Reilly Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway on November 7.

"In addition to featuring the special paint schemes on the racecars, the program will include a national register-to-win sweepstakes offering fans a chance to win one of nine replica race helmets featuring Mossy Oak Brand camouflage and autographed by each of the three drivers. Registration for the sweepstakes begins July 30 and ends on Nov. 4. An independent judging organization will choose three winners the week before each featured race."

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Now playing: Demi Lovato - One and the Same [From Princess Protection Program]
via FoxyTunes

Subaru Rally Team USA to Compete in ESPN X Games 15

Image via Wikipedia

Subaru Rally Team USA to Compete in ESPN X Games 15

"CHERRY HILL, N.J., July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru Rally Team USA will once again compete in this year's ESPN X Games 15. The team will look to build upon their success in 2008, when Travis Pastrana won X Games Rally Gold. The ESPN X Games 15 will take place July 30-August 2, in Los Angeles, California.

...

"Subaru Rally Team USA (SRT USA) is comprised of returning drivers Travis Pastrana, Ken Block, and Dave Mirra, who each intend on securing gold at X Games 15 in the Rally Car Racing competition. As a 3-time Rally America National Champion and defending X Games Rally gold medalist, Pastrana will be looking to repeat the achievement in 2009. Each SRT USA driver will be piloting rally cars based on the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI model and identically prepared by technical partner Vermont SportsCar."

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Now playing: B Real - Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem)
via FoxyTunes

reBlog from ycorpblog.com: What our Microsoft deal means to you

Image via CrunchBase

I found this fascinating quote today:

It’s inhumanly early in California, but it’s already a great day at Yahoo!. We’ve just signed a major search deal with Microsoft. Under the terms, Microsoft will become the search engine behind Yahoo! and we will become the worldwide exclusive relationship sales force for both companies’ premium search advertisers.ycorpblog.com, What our Microsoft deal means to you, Jul 2009

You should read the whole article.

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AT&T to Sponsor MLS

AT&T Named Official Communications Services Sponsor of Major League Soccer; U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams

"DALLAS, July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Soccer United Marketing, on behalf of Major League Soccer, L.L.C. (MLS), the U.S. Soccer Federation and AT&T announced today that AT&T will be the official communications services sponsor of MLS and the U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams. As part of the multi-year agreement, AT&T is the title sponsor of the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, and in the future will enhance the soccer experience for fans by delivering exclusive content across the wireless device, TV, and PC.

"As the title sponsor of the 14th annual MLS All-Star Game, AT&T's logo will be placed on the front of players' jerseys and on in-stadium signage throughout Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. AT&T will also have the ability to deliver behind-the-scenes content, including post-game highlights, player profiles and interviews, goal of the week and more, to AT&T U-Verse(SM) TV, AT&T MediaNet, CV mobile video and online at http://fanzone.att.net. Plans also include development of an SMS fan platform and MLS wireless application protocol (WAP) page."

Dayton Scrabble Tourney This Friday

Image via Wikipedia

500 SCRABBLE® Experts To Descend on Dayton Friday; City Braces for Obscure Words, Dubious Definitions:

"DAYTON, Ohio, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- It will definitely not be your grandmother's SCRABBLE® when 500 SCRABBLE® tournament experts from all over the world begin to play at the Dayton Convention Center on Saturday morning, August 1st. Vying for the $10,000 first prize will be word wizards from 13 to 80 years old. They include former World, National and School SCRABBLE® Champions from the estimated 25,000 tournament players around the globe."

reBlog from mashable.com: Firefox 4: Removing the Parts We No Longer Need

Image via Wikipedia

Image via WikipediaI found this fascinating quote today:

The dev team that’s working on Firefox 4 seems to be thinking along the same lines. Recently, we’ve discussed a new set of screenshots which are depicting possible interface designs for the upcoming Firefox 4. These are likely to change before that version is released, but they’re a good indication that Firefox is about to shed its skin and remove or redesign everything that’s not an absolutely necessary part of your browsing experience.mashable.com, Firefox 4: Removing the Parts We No Longer Need, Jul 2009

You should read the whole article.

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• Firefox 4.0 Mockups has Hints of Google Chrome (techie-buzz.com)
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• Design ideas show Firefox 4.0 with a Chrome look (news.cnet.com)

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Now playing: Kellie Pickler - Best Days of Your Life
via FoxyTunes

Check Me Out on Last.fm!

I'm into rock, pop, soundtrack, female vocalists and Disney, including:

Steve Jablonsky, Miley Cyrus, Linkin Park, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Christy Carlson Romano, The Smashing Pumpkins, Genesis, Cast of Camp Rock, Jimmy Buffett, Metallica, PUFFY, Barenaked Ladies, Nickelback, Martin O'Donnell, Klaus Badelt, Evanescence, Vince DiCola, Hannah Montana, Simple Plan, Will Smith, Kim Possible, Bon Jovi, Jeff Foxworthy, Phil Collins, Godsmack, Tom Rothrock With Jim Wise, Sheryl Crow, Queen, No Secrets, Toby Keith, John Williams, The Prydonian Renegades, Kikuko Inoue, Billy Joel, "Weird Al" Yankovic, M2M, Mitchel Musso, Bryan Adams, James Taylor, Everlast, Limp Bizkit, Alan Jackson, Aerosmith, Avril Lavigne, 3 Doors Down, Garth Brooks.

Check out my music taste: http://www.last.fm/user/RJBailey

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Now playing: Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead or Alive
via FoxyTunes

SIRIUS XM Covering Baseball HoF Induction

SIRIUS XM To Offer Exclusive Radio Coverage of Baseball Hall Of Fame Induction July 26

"NEW YORK,, July 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SIRIUS XM Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced today that it will offer listeners the exclusive radio broadcast of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday, July 26, 2009 on MLB Home Plate, XM channel 175 and SIRIUS channel 210 with the "Best of XM" programming package.

"MLB Home Plate, SIRIUS XM's 24-hour baseball talk channel, will have live coverage starting at 1:30 pm ET, as all-time runs and stolen bases leader Rickey Henderson, longtime Boston Red Sox slugger Jim Rice, and former Yankees and Indians second baseman Joe Gordon are enshrined in Cooperstown, NY. "

Star Wars... In Concert!

Announcing Star Wars: In Concert

"LOS ANGELES, July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Star Wars™: In Concert, a unique multi-media event featuring music from all six of John Williams' epic Star Wars scores, begins its worldwide arena tour on October 1, 2009 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

"Narrated live by Anthony Daniels (the actor who portrayed C-3PO in all six films), the production features a full symphony orchestra and choir, accompanied by specially edited footage from the films displayed on a three-story-tall, high-definition LED super-screen -- one of the largest ever put on tour. The live music and film elements are synchronized in order to create a full multi-media, one-of-kind Star Wars experience.

"'We've taken the key themes from the music and cut together all the images that fit with each theme, so you can really get a sense of how the music played into the images,' said George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars Saga. 'The whole soundtrack is a testament to John Williams' creativity and his extraordinary ability to enhance the emotional aspects of the films.'

"'Creating the music for the Star Wars films has been an exciting and wonderful experience for me, and I therefore have derived particular pleasure in assembling a compendium of themes from all of the films to be presented in Star Wars in Concert,' said Williams. 'The editors at Lucasfilm have created original film montages to accompany each of the musical selections, and in the process, I believe that a singular and unique Star Wars experience has been born.'"

The tour also includes an exhibit of movie props, costumes, and other artifacts.

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Square Enix Merch at Comic Con 2009

Square Enix to Showcase Surprising Merchandise Lineup at San Diego Comic Con 2009:

"LOS ANGELES, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today their merchandise lineup for San Diego Comic Con 2009. In addition to a display of upcoming products from the FINAL FANTASY® XIII, FRONT MISSION EVOLVED™, FULL METAL ALCHEMIST® and KINGDOM HEARTS lines, Square Enix will be debuting brand-new prototypes of RESIDENT EVIL® 5 products on the show floor."

'Halo Legends' Anime Project Announced

Image via Wikipedia

Halo Universe Breaks New Ground With Unveiling of Halo Legends Anime Project

"REDMOND, Wash., July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A renowned set of storytellers from some of the world's leading anime studios in Japan are about to take one of the most iconic franchises in science fiction and video games to a new level. Microsoft Corp., in collaboration with some of the most acclaimed anime creators, today unveiled a new project called Halo Legends, which will bring the Halo franchise and its sweeping sci-fi saga to an entirely new medium, in the form of several original anime short films.

"Halo Legends, which will officially debut at a panel presentation today at Comic-Con International in San Diego, is being produced by Microsoft's 343 Industries and features creative direction from anime pioneer Shinji Aramaki, director of the critically acclaimed Appleseed and Appleseed EX Machina anime features, and Mamoru Oshii, director of the landmark Ghost in the Shell movies, with additional production from Joseph Chou of J-Spec Pictures. The compilation will include a series of short stories that explore different times, themes and characters from the "Halo" universe and will be distributed globally by Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. company. Influential studios that are part of the project include the creators behind some of the most popular and celebrated anime to come from Japan, such as The Animatrix, Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist, Ghost in the Shell, Dragon Ball and more.

...

"A preview of select Halo Legends episodes will first debut on Xbox LIVE, the largest gaming and entertainment network in the world, starting this fall through a new experience called Halo Waypoint. Launching in fall, Halo Waypoint will be a new destination for Halo fans on Xbox LIVE around the world. It will inform fans of the latest Halo news and activities, and grant access to content ranging from podcasts, trailers and screenshots, to exclusive video footage you won't find anywhere else. It also will provide a new challenge for Halo gamers with a career system and player rankings tied to both in-game and out-of-game accomplishments related to Halo. In addition to the limited, early episode premieres, Halo Waypoint will debut several behind-the-scenes videos that chronicle the making of Halo Legends."

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Rock Band Country Releases Today

MTV Games, Harmonix and EA Announce Rock Band® Country Track Pack™ Available Now in North America

"CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks, (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (Nasdaq: ERTS), today announced the release of Rock Band® Country Track Pack™, the first Rock Band game focused exclusively on country music. The standalone software is available now at retail stores nationwide for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Wii™ system. The suggested retail price for Rock Band Country Track Pack is $29.99.

"Featuring 21 tracks from some of country's biggest artists, such as Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Kenny Rogers, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean and Shania Twain, Rock Band Country Track Pack is a standalone software product that allows owners of Rock Band® and Rock Band®2 to keep the party going with a whole new setlist. (To view a full list of tracks please click here.) Thirteen of the on-disc tracks are brand new to the Rock Band platform and will be exclusive to the Rock Band Country Track Pack disc for a limited time before joining the Rock Band Music Store as downloadable content, including music from Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Sara Evans and more."

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Bakugan at Comic-Con

Spin Master's highly anticipated North American "Bakugan™ Ultimate Battle Tour" takes over Comic-Con July 23rd - 26th

"TORONTO, July 21 /PRNewswire/ - The 'Call to Brawl' will roar at Comic-Con in San Diego, CA July 23rd - 26th as Spin Master Ltd. showcases its highly anticipated new 2009 Bakugan™ line up complete with free on-site training by its team of Bakugan™ Battle Masters at its booth #3712.

"Comic-Con is the next stop on the 'Bakugan™ Ultimate Battle Tour' that is currently travelling across the U.S. and Canada as part of a 22-city tour running throughout the summer ending in mid November. The tour visits a new city each week, taking over local malls for the entire weekend to create the ultimate Bakugan™ game play experience for brawlers of all skill levels. The full tour schedule is available at http://ultimatetour.bakugan.com where kids will also be invited to follow the tour as it moves across North America through the Battle Master Team's tour blogs, video and more.

"Spin Master will also be offering a Comic-Con exclusive, limited edition Bakusteel Neo Dragonoid collector's item for sale at its booth. Only 1,000 numbered limited edition Bakusteel Neo Dragonoids will be made available with only 250 released per day. Each will cost $20 and sales will be limited to two per person."

More Beatles Rock Band Tracks Revealed

MTV Games and Harmonix Unveil Next 15 Songs Featured in The Beatles™: Rock Band™

"NEW YORK, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV Games and Harmonix, the world's leading developer of music-based games and a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today revealed 15 more of the 45 on-disc tracks that will be featured in The Beatles™: Rock Band™. A gameplay trailer featuring eight of the 15 newly announced songs can be viewed by visiting www.thebeatlesrockband.com.

"Following the world premiere of The Beatles: Rock Band at the Microsoft press briefing at the 2009 E3 Media & Business Summit last month, the newly announced 15 songs represent a cross-section of hits and favorites that span The Beatles' storied career from 'Can't Buy Me Love' and 'Paperback Writer' to 'With A Little Help From My Friends' and 'Yellow Submarine', bringing the total number of announced songs to 25."

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iFight Shelby Marx Airs Aug. 7

Nickelodeon's Emmy-Nominated Hit iCarly Features Ultimate Battle Between Teen Stars Miranda Cosgrove and Victoria Justice in All-New One-Hour Movie Event Premiering Friday, Aug. 7, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

"SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- TV's top-rated kids' show iCarly gives fans the teen queen match of the year as star Miranda Cosgrove battles Victoria Justice in a special one-hour iCarly TV movie event -- iFight Shelby Marx, premiering FRIDAY, AUG. 7, (8:00 p.m. ET/PT). Justice (Spectacular, Zoey 101) guest stars as Shelby Marx, a female championship fighter who challenges Carly to meet her in the ring. Leading up to the big premiere, Nickelodeon will get viewers ready to rumble with back-to-back competition-themed episodes of iCarly airing Monday, Aug. 3 - Friday, Aug, 7, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. ET/PT. The Emmy and Teen Choice-nominated iCarly, quarter to date ranks as number-one kids' program on all of broadcast and basic cable with Tweens 9-14, and is the number-one program with kids and the top-kid targeted program with total viewers (P2+) year to date."

Philly Steak Takes The Prize

Image via Wikipedia

Domino's Consumers Vote Philly Cheese Steak Their Favorite Domino's American Legends Pizza:

"ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Domino's American Legends™ may be inspired by tastes found throughout the country, but Domino's Pizza® was curious if consumers would vote their 'regional' pizza their favorite pizza. Via Domino's exclusive Pizza Tracker poll, Domino's asked consumers to vote for their favorite Domino's American Legend pizza. With over 14,000 total responses, Domino's divided the results into four U.S. regions, East, West, South and Midwest, to find that Philly Cheese Steak took home the prize in three out of the four regions."

reBlog from mashable.com: Beastie Boys Reveal Cancer, Cancel Tour via YouTube

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

I found this fascinating quote today:

Once again, social media proves to be one of the most effective, intimate, and genuine ways to reach an audience (the video’s already surpassed 50,000 views). We’re sure Beastie Boy fans are disappointed they won’t get to see the boys in person for a while, but understand that MCA has to deal with his cancer head-on. Luckily, it looks as if the cancer was caught early and is treatable.mashable.com, Beastie Boys Reveal Cancer, Cancel Tour via YouTube, Jul 2009

You should read the whole article.

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My Trekkie Test Results

"You know Trek, and you love it. You may not dress up in uniform every day, but you're dedicated to your series, or two, and happy with being entertained by it."

Not too bad. ^_^

EA Sports Teams Up with MLG

Image via CrunchBase

Major League Gaming and EA Sports Partner to Launch A New Era of Competitive Sports Video Gaming

"NEW YORK and REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Electronic Arts Inc. (Nasdaq: ERTS) and Major League Gaming today announced a collaboration to bring the 2009 EA SPORTS™ Challenge Series to gamers around the world. Beginning this summer, MLG will operate live and online qualifying competitions for multiple titles from the EA SPORTS line-up. Best Buy, one of the nation's leading gaming retailers, continues its commitment to EA SPORTS Challenge Series as presenting partner for the competitions. The 2009 EA SPORTS Challenge Series will be played on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.

"MLG and EA SPORTS are also teaming to create new online offerings for the EA SPORTS Challenge Series, allowing for competitors to join the 2009 EA SPORTS Challenge Series online for the first time. Both online and live competitors in the 2009 EA SPORTS Challenge Series will be competing for cash and prizes totaling $170,000, made possible by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc."

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New CodWaw Maps Dropping This August

Call of Duty®: World at War Map Pack 3 Locked and Loaded to Release Four New Maps This August

"SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Reinforcements are scheduled to arrive for one of the most-played online multiplayer games, as Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and developer Treyarch, confirmed plans today to deliver Call of Duty: World at War Map Pack 3 in August. Map Pack 3 will feature three multiplayer maps ("Battery," "Revolution," and "Breach"), co-developed with partner Certain Affinity, and one new Zombie map ("Der Riese"), for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Visit www.CoDWaW.com for more details."

reBlog from mashable.com: Apollo 11 Moon Landing: A YouTube Timeline

Image via Wikipedia

I found this fascinating quote today:

We felt compelled to find some way to pay tribute to the 40th anniversary of when man first stepped on the moon. We showed you last week How To Experience the Apollo 11 Moon Landing in Realtime, but we’re taking it a step further, by taking you step-by-step through that mission utilizing YouTube as a medium. This is the Apollo 11 mission, from Kennedy’s famous speeches to Apollo 11’s recovery, in the form of YouTube videos.mashable.com, Apollo 11 Moon Landing: A YouTube Timeline, Jul 2009

You should read the whole article.

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• Time travel with us and watch the Apollo 11 landing as it aired 40 years ago. (thenextweb.com)

reBlog from Pete: Confirmed: Digg Just Hijacked Your Twitter Links

I found this fascinating quote today:

In short, Digg has broken the trust relationship with its publishers and users. They might not be hurting, however, since the use of Diggbar links significantly increased the amount of traffic to their site. Now that they’re driving a bunch more traffic from thousands of hijacked URLs, they’ll experience a veritable traffic bonanza at the expense of users and publishers.Pete, Confirmed: Digg Just Hijacked Your Twitter Links, Jul 2009

You should read the whole article.

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LRO Snaps Its First Pics of Apollo Sites

Image by Goddard Photo and Video Blog via Flickr

NASA's LRO Spacecraft Gets Its First Look At Apollo Landing Sites:

"WASHINGTON, July 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, has returned its first imagery of the Apollo moon landing sites. The pictures show the Apollo missions' lunar module descent stages sitting on the moon's surface, as long shadows from a low sun angle make the modules' locations evident.

"The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, or LROC, was able to image five of the six Apollo sites, with the remaining Apollo 12 site expected to be photographed in the coming weeks.

"The satellite reached lunar orbit June 23 and captured the Apollo sites between July 11 and 15. Though it had been expected that LRO would be able to resolve the remnants of the Apollo mission, these first images came before the spacecraft reached its final mapping orbit. Future LROC images from these sites will have two to three times greater resolution."

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Rock Band Network Announced Today

Image via Wikipedia

MTV Games and Harmonix Empower Artists and Labels to Get Their Music in the Game with the Rock Band Network:

"CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and NEW YORK, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmonix Music Systems and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced the Rock Band Network, a ground-breaking initiative that gives musicians and record labels the ability to author their own original recordings into gameplay files and sell their music as playable Rock Band tracks through the newly-created Rock Band Network Music Store. The introduction of the Rock Band Network marks a fundamental shift in the exposure music games can give emerging and established artists through innovative technologies that will open new revenue streams and promotional avenues.

"The Rock Band Network will launch as an open beta in late August 2009 in the U.S. and provide a sophisticated toolset, with detailed documentation on how bands can begin the process of authoring songs into Rock Band gameplay files. Authors will be able to submit tracks for playtesting and peer review via a specialized Web site, Creators.RockBand.com. Potential publishers will need a membership to Microsoft's XNA Creators Club Online in order to test and publish game content. The service will only be available to those who purchase a premium membership to Microsoft's XNA Creators Club Online, which can be purchased for four months at $49.99 or for a year at $99.99."

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RailwayAge Magazine - Caltrans touts EMD “green” machines

RailwayAge Magazine - Caltrans touts EMD “green” machines

Posted using ShareThis

"The locomotive is an F59PHI originally built by Electro-Motive Diesel in October 2001. EMD has installed its 710ECO™ Repower upgrade package with the latest microprocessor-controlled locomotive engine technology for lower emissions, increased fuel economy, greater reliability, and predictable maintenance costs. The upgraded locomotive will now achieve EPA Tier 2 emissions performance, two levels cleaner than required for this model, Caltrans said."

My GI Joe Figure

Created using the figure builder for the contest at gijoe.com even though I'm too old to enter. ^_^ Printed using Snagit 9.

Full Tilt Poker's Phil Ivey Makes the WSOP Main Event Final Table

Image via Wikipedia

Full Tilt Poker's Phil Ivey Makes the WSOP Main Event Final Table

"DUBLIN, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Team Full Tilt's Phil Ivey has made the final table of the most prestigious live poker tournament in the world, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event.

"Battling through eight days of play and a field of 6,494 players, Ivey earned a spot at his first-ever Main Event final table and a shot at the US$8.55 million top prize.

...

"The growing popularity of poker and the WSOP in recent years has made it a tall order for professional players to "go deep" in the Main Event, making a final table finish more significant than ever for the soft-spoken, 33-year-old New Jersey native. Other high-profile pros who have made the Main Event final table in recent years include Team Full Tilt's Allen Cunningham and Mike Matusow, along with Full Tilt Poker pro Lee Watkinson."

Officially Doing Business As 'TD Garden'

Image by wallyg via Flickr

Officially Doing Business As 'TD Garden':

"BOSTON, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Delaware North Companies, owner and operator of Boston's premier sports and entertainment arena, together with the venue's naming rights partner, TD Banknorth, officially renamed the TD Banknorth Garden to 'TD Garden.' In a symbolic gesture, John Wentzell, President of Delaware North Companies - Boston and TD Garden, and Bharat Masrani, President and CEO, TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, unveiled the brand identity by illuminating the first completed piece of signage at 12 noon to represent the official changeover. TD Garden will be the official name of the 19,600-seat arena through 2025."