Tag Archives: google

Someone needs to blog more

And that someone is me.

We’re already over 2 months into 2014 and this is my first entry of the year. I’m still adjusting to being a parent, and having less free time than before, but then, I don’t recall having much to begin with. Well, this someone has set a few goals for this year.

1. Learn JavaScript.

I have a desire to develop an application to do scheduling and generate a phone list for search and rescue. It needs to allow administrators to add, edit and manage the user information, generate a weekly schedule (for either 1 or 2 crews) and generate a phone list, which can be viewed online or emailed to members of a distribution list. I discovered that Google has a custom script engine, and decided that using Google Drive, Docs and Scripts to complete this would be a good learning experience. I’ve begun working on the tutorials available at www.codecademy.com.

2. Switch from my laptop to a Chromebook.

90% of what I use my laptop for is online. I purchased a Dell Inspiron 14 back in August 2011, partly for me to use while watching TV, and since at the time my wife was off work for 3 months after having knee replacement surgery. I am also a big fan of Google, so why not a Chromebook? Selection is still a bit limited in Canada, but the prices for the devices seem right, ranging from around $199 to $349. I think I want to get one of the 13″ displays, so that narrows the options down a lot, pretty much the HP Chromebook 14, the Toshiba Chromebook or (if I’m a little crazy) the Pixel.

3. Get Google Glass.

It may seem a strange goal, but I want to be one of those people wearing Google Glass. I see potential to use it for work, navigation, and I’d like to figure out the logistics of using it while flying a plane. Think about it, it could be handy for general aviation navigation, landing approach plate overlays, and could even be handy for aerial search and rescue. Since the device is not available in Canada yet and still costs $1,500 USD, this could be pushed back until next year. NOTE: If anyone that currently has Glass, wants to donate their pair, hit me up (leighATleighcDOTcom). I suspect getting Glass to fit with an aviation headset is going to be real tricky/fun.

Google Glass, someone wants this.

Best of the Week – 0413

Here we go with this weeks edition of Best of the Week!

Movie Trailer of the Week: 

Movie 43 – In theatres January 25th, 2013

Synopsis:A series of interconnected short films follows three kids as they search the depths of the Internet to find the most banned movie in the world.
I’m not even going to attempt to name any of the cast of this one, but if you’ve seen a film of any kind in the last 5 years or so, then you will be able to name over half of this ensemble. I don’t think the trailer does it justice either, and I really hope they didn’t plug up the trailer with all the good parts, I hate when they do that.

YouTube Video of the Week:

Mission Impossible – Lindsey Stirling and the Piano Guys

Lindsey Stirling makes another appearance on my YouTube video of the week list with a new take on the Mission Impossible theme. This time she team’s up with The Piano Guys and a chap with a cello. I am moving closer to the conclusion that any musical compilation that Lindsey comes out with, will be pure awesome.

News Article of the Week:

Norway goat cheese fire shuts down road tunnel.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/01/23/bring-your-fries-and-gravy-traffic-meltdown-as-massive-goat-cheese-fire-shuts-norway-road-tunnel/
Yes, you read that title correctly, a fire that consisted of gourmet goat cheese shut down a road tunnel in Norway. Not only did it shut the tunnel down, but it burned for 4 days and is expected to take weeks to clean up the mess. In Norway this particular goat cheese is known as Brunost, which is a caramelized brown cheese. I may have discovered an alternative fuel source.

Goat Cheese Fire, big news this week.
Expensive alternative fuel source.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As always, I’m still open to suggestions for other categories, and for nominations to get included on the list. You can let me know at: oftheweekATleighcDOTcom

Best of the Week – 0313

Here we go with this weeks edition of Best of the Week!

Movie Trailer of the Week: 

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters – In theatres January 25th, 2013

Synopsis:In this spin on the fairy tale, Hansel & Gretel are now bounty hunters who track and kill witches all over the world. As the fabled Blood Moon approaches, the siblings encounter a new form of evil that might hold a secret to their past.
Who needs breadcrumbs when you can have bounty hunting! So, let’s take a favourite childhood story and update it for the 21st century. The cast is led by Jeremy Renner as Hansel(Hurt Locker, The Avengers, The Bourne Legacy) and Famke Janssen (X-Men series) as Muriel, but I’ll want to see it for Gemma Arteton as Gretel, as she was the gorgeous Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace.

YouTube Video of the Week:

Toy Story : Live Action

Wow, this is stunning. YouTube user JonasonsMovies actually took the time to re-create the 1995 Disney/Pixar hit scene for scene, and with permission from Pixar! Given time and money, I would probably do something similar, or just keep making videos of my dachshund.

News Article of the Week:

Google denies killing a donkey in a Botswana hit and run.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/google-denies-killing-a-donkey-in-a-botswana-hit-and-run-1.1117386
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, it is. Google, who are working to get Street View in more and more locations, are currently uploading portions of Botswana, in Southern Africa. Eagle eyed users spotted what looked like a donkey lying dead in the road. Google has defended itself on the Street View blog, letting us know that the donkey is perfectly fine.

Google's dead donkey from this week.
Gulf Sierra Victor to base, Donkey Down. I say again, Donkey Down.
Google Donkey is ok, from this week.
Base, the Donkey is alive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Meme of the Week: 
Boardroom Suggestion

Meme of the week.
No one will read a comic strip about a strong man in tights Joe, it will never fly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I work in an office, and I can assure you that things like this should happen every day. Now, why don’t you browse through some of the meme’s over at Knowyourmeme.

As always, I’m still open to suggestions for other categories, and for nominations to get included on the list. You can let me know at: oftheweekATleighcDOTcom

Best of the Week – 51&5212

Here we go with this weeks edition of Best of the Week.

Movie Trailer of the Week: 

Pacific Rim – In theatres July 12th, 2013

Synopsis:When an alien attack threatens the Earth’s existence, giant robots piloted by humans are deployed to fight off the menace.
Giant robots fighting to save earth??? sounds familiar doesn’t it, but this time I don’t expect everything to blow up like a Michael Bay film or star the overrated Shia Labeouf. This time we get Guillermo del Toro, who I must say has done some decent work, including writing some of The Hobbit, putting his spin on this tale. Most of the stars I don’t know, but it does have the awesome Ron Perlman.

YouTube Video of the Week:

Fifty Shades of George Takei

Although I haven’t, and don’t plan on reading this particular series of books, I can be amused when they are read by none other than George Takei. His rich, deep, voice almost makes this tolerable, plus he throws in a few of his trade mark “Oh My’s”.

News Article of the Week:

Dental assistant fired for being “too hot”.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/12/melissa-nelson-dental-assistant-fired-for-being-irresistible-is-devastated/
Really? OK, let’s see if we can figure this one out.
Women gets a job with dentist, works there 10 years, dresses like a woman. Dentist finds assistant attractive, maybe too attractive, starts texting assistant. Dentists wife finds out, demands assistant get fired for being attractive, woman gets fired. Woman sues for gender discrimination, court disagrees. Yup, we sure live in a sane world.

Attractive dental assistant - this weeks news
The dental assistant in question

 

 

 

 

 

 

App of the Week:

SeriesGuide Show Manager
Synopsis: Manage the progress of (re-)watching your favourite TV shows. See what is coming up, keep track of what to watch next. Check in with trakt.tv or GetGlue. Share episodes with your friends or the world.

As always, I’m still open to suggestions for other categories, and for nominations to get included on the list. You can let me know at: oftheweekATleighcDOTcom

Best of the Week – 5012

Here we go with this weeks edition of Best of the Week.

Movie Trailer of the Week: 

Man of Steel – In theatres June 14th, 2013
http://youtu.be/ll39CAovGrg?hd=1
Synopsis:An alien infant is raised on Earth, and grows up with superhuman abilities. He sets out to use these abilities to guard his adopted world.
You are probably getting tired of super hero movie reboots. Man of Steel is bringing us, what I would call the second reboot, of the Superman franchise. Henry Cavill, a relative unknown, is taking on the lead role as Clark Kent/Superman. Russell Crowe is going to be playing superman’s father, Jor-el. Superman’s nemesis, General Zod, will be played by Michael Shannon. Super sexy redhead Amy Adams takes on Lois Lane, and Clark’s parents are rounded out by Hollywood veterans Diane Lane and Kevin Costner.

YouTube Video of the Week:

Zeitgeist 2012 – Year in Review

2012 may not yet be over, but Google has put together the data to show us what we wanted to know about this year. Whitney Houston was the top search term, Jeremy Lin the most popular athlete, The Hunger Games the top film and Hurricane Sandy the top event that we went looking for on the worlds most popular search engine over the last 11 and a half months.

News Article of the Week:

Well Dressed Monkey roams around Ikea parking lot.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/12/09/toronto-monkey-ikea.html
It’s a real life story of Curious George. This past weekend, a small Monkey wearing a winter jacket and a diaper, was spotted wandering around the parking lot at a Toronto area Ikea store. Store staff were alerted and called in animal services, who were able to track down the poor little guys owners and reunite them.
Ikea Monkey from this week.

 

 

 

 

App of the Week:

Waze – Community based navigation.
Synopsis: A cool social GPS driving and navigation app that connects you to other drivers.
Waze is a fun, community-based traffic & navigation app, 30 million strong. Join forces with other drivers nearby to outsmart traffic, save time & gas money, and improve everyone’s daily commute.
From what I have heard, and haven’t been able to confirm yet, is that you can also tag accidents and speed traps, which would be just plain awesome.

As always, I’m still open to suggestions for other categories, and for nominations to get included on the list. You can let me know at: oftheweekATleighcDOTcom

Best of the Week – 4712

Here we go with this weeks edition of Best of the Week.

Movie Trailer of the Week: 

A Good Day to Die Hard – In theatres February 14th, 2013

Synopsis:John McClane travels to Russia to help out his seemingly wayward son, Jack, only to discover that Jack is a CIA operative working to prevent a nuclear-weapons heist, causing the father and son to team up against underworld forces.
Yippe Ki-Yay Mother Trucker*! Yes, Bruce Willis returns again as our favourite Cop in the wrong place at the wrong time, in this, the 5th instalment in the Die Hard franchise. This time, looks like he is travelling to the Motherland, to prevent something that is highly unlikely to happen.

* Homage to all the television stations that censor the best phrase in the film.

YouTube Video of the Week:

PSY and MC Hammer perform at the American Music Awards
http://youtu.be/WOyo7JD7hjo
Maybe, sometime in 2013, the Gangnam Style phenomena will finally be over, but until that time, we will continue to be flooded with more Gangnam Style videos, mixes and mash-ups. Now he teams up with 90’s rap star MC Hammer, and even dons the famous parachute pants. On the topic of the AMA’s, they are another waste of time and money, seriously, they gave Justin Bieber the Artist of the Year award twice.

News Article of the Week:

Deer attacks man, steals cigarettes.
http://www.wtsp.com/news/watercooler/article/283278/58/Deer-attacks-man-steals-cigarettes
Don’t get between a deer and his nicotine.  I feel for the deer, this is what I would do to get at some bacon, and may have to do soon to get Twinkies.Deer wanted his smokes this week.

Since I mentioned Twinkies, you need to know this:
Hostess declares bankruptcy, begins liquidating assets.
Meanwhile in Canada, we will continue to have the lovely little cream filled pastries.

Game of the Week:

Ingress

I’m in, are you? Invites seem almost impossible to get. This is going to be an amazing social experiment, and I’m glad it is backed by Google. The only thing about getting in so early is trying to find portals to hack, which is damn near impossible in New Brunswick.

As always, I’m still open to suggestions for other categories, and for nominations to get included on the list. You can let me know at: oftheweekATleighcDOTcom

 

Best of the Week – 4512

Here we go with this weeks edition of Best of the Week.

Movie Trailer of the Week: 

The Last Stand – In theatres January 18th, 2013
http://youtu.be/iEMmL0uQYeY?hd=1
Synopsis: The leader of a drug cartel busts out of a courthouse and speeds to the Mexican border, where the only thing in his path is a sheriff and his inexperienced staff. This film will mark a return to acting for veteran action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger, and pair him up with Johnny Knoxville, Harry Dean Stanton and one of my favourite hispanic actors, Luis Guzman.

YouTube Video of the Week:

Angry Birds: Star Wars

They teased us with this one not so long ago, and yesterday (November 8th, 2012) was release day. Just think about what happens when Rovio teams up with Lucasfilm to bring you an all new take on what is probably the most popular game, not played only on PC or Console, of all time. You can pick up your copy, possibly for a price, for the desired platform below.
Android (FREE): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rovio.angrybirdsstarwars.ads.iap
PC ($4.95): http://shop.angrybirds.com/us/games/pc-games/angry-birds-star-wars-pc-version.html
iTunes SD format ($0.99): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/angry-birds-star-wars/id557137623?mt=8
iTunes HD format ($2.99): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/angry-birds-star-wars-hd/id557138109?mt=8
Windows Store ($0.99 for Phone or $4.99 for PC with Windows 8): http://apps.microsoft.com/webpdp/en-US/app/angry-birds-star-wars/c7628194-ce39-4a18-97e9-590af59c2fd0

News Article of the Week:

President Obama wins a second term.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/obama-acceptance-speech_n_2086832.html
There is no way you could avoid hearing this news, it was everywhere, and dominated Tuesday night’s television lineup. In what was expected to be one of the closest elections in recent history, turned into a steam rolling, with Obama claiming all the swing states with the exception of North Carolina. I’m guessing that binders full of women and threatening to kill Big Bird didn’t help Mitt Romney out at all. Something to note though, Mitt did take ~48% of the popular vote,,, just goes to show how different the Electoral College system is from what we have here in Canada.

2012 US Presidential Election Results - This week

Awesome Software of the Week:

Jam with Chrome by Google.

How cool would it be if you could collaborate with your friends to make music online without any instruments? Google has stepped up and given us Jam with Chrome, which does exactly that. You can pick from a large choice of guitars, bass guitars, drums, keyboards and more, and play along with friends online.

I also feel that I will be returning to posting satirical or humorous news articles more… it just felt right.

As always, I’m still open to suggestions for other categories, and for nominations to get included on the list. You can let me know at: oftheweekATleighcDOTcom

Best of the Week – 4212

Here we go with with this weeks edition of Best of the Week.

Movie Trailer of the Week: 

Cloud Atlas – In theatres October 26th, 2012

Synopsis: Cloud Atlas explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave dramatically through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future. Each member of the ensemble appears in multiple roles as the stories move through time. The cast includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon and Hugh Grant

YouTube Video of the Week:

Psy vs. Ghostbusters – Gangnam Busters

I’m really starting to wonder when our obsession with PSY will end… nvm, this guy is pure awesome, and mashing him up with Ray Parker Jr. and the Ghostbusters just works.

YouTube channel you should be subscribed to, of the week:

What’s Trending – Hosted by Shira Lazar
https://www.youtube.com/user/Whatstrending?feature=watch
This is probably my new favourite channel… well, maybe second favourite channel to subscribe to. Shira and the crew at What’s Trending go out and find the top 5 videos on YouTube every day, plus they get in special guest hosts to help out, and normally post interviews afterwards with some of the people featured on their show. It probably helps that Shira is easy on the eyes, at least in my opinion.

News Article of the Week:

Former McOwner sells 20 year old McJordan sauce for $10,000.
http://www.kxan.com/dpps/news/strange/nd-man-sells-mcjordan-barbecue-sauce-for-10k-nd12-jgr_4800468
First off… Really? Someone was willing to shell out $10,000 for 20 year old McDonald’s barbecue sauce? Second, who would want to save a gallon (3.785 Litres for us metric folk) of special sauce that is named after Micheal Jordan. It probably helps that MJ (not Micheal Jackson) is one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Cool software (sort of) of the Week:

https://www.google.com/about/datacenters/inside/streetview/
Google takes us for a virtual tour of one of their data center‘s. Here you can take a streetview like walk though parts of the Lenior, NC. location, and although you don’t get to see everything, there are some interesting things to look for, almost like Easter Eggs. I managed to find the Stormtrooper and R2-D2, the giant Android and got Rick Rolled. There a few more you can find listed here.

Google Android, found this week on streetview.
Google Android in a server cage, found him this week.

 

As always, I’m still open to suggestions for other categories, and for nominations to get included on the list. You can let me know at: oftheweekATleighcDOTcom

Best of the Week – 3612

Here we go with with this weeks edition of Best of the Week.

Movie Trailer of the Week: 
James Bond: Skyfall – In theatres November 9th, 2012

Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost. Daniel Craig returns as 007 in the 23rd bond film to date (I’m not counting the non ‘EON’ production films), this time with a new Q, the same M and of course, a mastermind villain.

Video Mashup of the Week:
Like A Bad White Guy Party Gangnam Style – PSY, LMFAO, Dev, Offspring, Bloodhound Gang

I’m already a big fan of PSY‘s Gangnam Style video, so what makes more sense than to find an awesome mash up that throws in some LMFAO, Dev, The Offspring and The Bloodhound Gang.

News Article of the Week:
Silicon Chip enables the mass manufacture of quantum technologies
http://www.bris.ac.uk/news/2012/8755.html

This weeks best of the week image, a silicon quantum chip next to 20 pence
a Quantum Chip next to 20 Pence coin


Although it may not be that exciting for most people, this could pave the way for the biggest breakthrough in computing since the embedded circuit. Instead of using electrical currents passing through transistors, diodes and resistors; these new chips would manipulate millions of photons, in essence, Light. These new chips can be made over 1000 times smaller then existing chips, thus enabling us to make smaller devices, and connect device that were never possible before. I can’t wait for my Star Trek style communicator.

eBay Auction of the Week:
A Frickin Mystery Box!!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mystery-Box-/290770822107?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b34aa3db#ht_500wt_1414
I’m not even joking… $10,000 for a mystery box that has a hint of ‘Piece of Art’. I could draw a stick figure and call it art.

Awesome Software of the Week:
Sky Map – Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.stardroid
Sky Map turns your Android-powered device into a window on the night sky.
Open sourced and donated by Google.

The video is old, but you get the idea.

As always, I’m still open to suggestions for other categories, and for nominations to get included on the list. You can let me know at: oftheweekATleighcDOTcom

Best of the Week – 2612

Here we go with with this weeks edition of Best of the Week.

Movie Trailer of the Week:
Dredd – In theatre September 21st 2012

I don’t always get excited about a reboot/remake, but when I do, I expect awesomesauce. Yes, they are doing a reboot of the 1995 Judge Dredd which starred Sylvester Stallone. Now, the 1995 film wasn’t the best received, or well liked film… but this reboot does look good… and at least they waited 17 years to remake, unlike Spider Man.

Music Mash Up Awesomeness of the Week:
Sarah Donner and The OatmealThe Motherf*cking Pterodactyl

Warning: Language!
Matthew Inman runs The Oatmeal, a fricking awesome site with web comics, odd quizzes and more… and it’s all pure internet genius. Sarah Donner is an indie musician with her own record label, oh, and she loves cats. Together, they created one of the best videos ever.
Currently, Matthew and The Oatmeal are in a bit of a sticky wicket, as another website is trying to sue them for slander… but Matthew decided to leverage this and try and do some good, to the tune of raising $200,000+ to split between the National Wildlife Federation and the American Cancer Society. Here’s a recent article on the shenanigans that are going on.

News Article of the Week:
Google Nexus 7
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/28/nexus-7-review/
Shut up and Take my moneyShut up and take my money! Google teamed up with Asus to make the Kindle Fire killer. The specs are amazing, a quad core cpu, 8 or 16gb or storage, 1280×800 display, and all for $199 ($209 in Canada), and add $50 to jump to 16gb. All it is really missing is HDMI out and expandable memory, though the second thing is negated by cloud storage.

eBay Auction of the Week:
4″ Kangaroo Scrotum Leather Pouch
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EL900-1-4-KANGAROO-SCROTUM-Leather-POUCH-coin-purse-WEIRD-ball-bag-hide-roo-/300728029561?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4604c99179#ht_945wt_1037
Umm, well at least they got the ‘Pouch’ part. I was going to link to some collector popcorn, but the auction ends too soon.

I’m still open to suggestions for other categories, and for nominations to get included on the list. You can let me know at: oftheweekATleighcDOTcom