Which Corporation is That?
Oh, you work for THAT Corporation.
"High Quality Daily Amusement"
Monday, June 30, 2003
A Brief History of Alllrrighty Then!
Stephen Hawking ran over Jim Carrey's foot while the two were hanging out together... Wait a minute. Stephen Hawking... hanging out with... Jim Carrey... Huh?
Oy! Your def tweener keeps tossing chin music!
New words have oozed into the newest edition of Webster's Collegiate Dictionary - 10,000 new words, to be exact. Take this quiz and see if you really know what "dead-cat bounce" means.
Google Toolbar; Orbitz Popups
I just installed the Google Toolbar 2.0, and it's pretty cool. One of the things on the toolbar is a "Blog this!" button, which is in the shape of the Blogger icon. By pressing that button, Google automatically brings me to the Blogger entry screen for this blog, and it automatically inserted the following link: Google Toolbar.
The new toolbar also has a Popup Blocker, which I love! Although to be quite honest, I really enjoy those Orbitz ads (the airline, not the lumpy soda). They're pretty well done, and I just keep playing with them (I've discovered that after you click on it the first time, no additional pages come up when you click on it subsequent times). I've hit home runs, bowled strikes, putted holes-in-one, dove cannonballs and bellyflops, and launched fireworks.
The new toolbar also has a Popup Blocker, which I love! Although to be quite honest, I really enjoy those Orbitz ads (the airline, not the lumpy soda). They're pretty well done, and I just keep playing with them (I've discovered that after you click on it the first time, no additional pages come up when you click on it subsequent times). I've hit home runs, bowled strikes, putted holes-in-one, dove cannonballs and bellyflops, and launched fireworks.
Sunday, June 29, 2003
When good spiders go bad
What happens when spiders take drugs? What effects might you see in their webs?
[Yes, these are the biological notions of "spider" and "web", as opposed to some Internet jargon]
[Yes, these are the biological notions of "spider" and "web", as opposed to some Internet jargon]
Commercials from the 80's
Here's something for revving up your sense of nostalgia... Commercials from the 80's has everything from such icons as The California Raisins, Wacky Wall Walkers, and C-3PO Cereal.
No "Where's the beef", though.
[Thanks to Bill for the link]
No "Where's the beef", though.
[Thanks to Bill for the link]
Thursday, June 26, 2003
90% of Euro Notes contain Trace Amounts of Cocaine
Interesting... What they don't point out is that this means they presumably contain trace amounts of boogers, too.
Monday, June 23, 2003
Lego selling custom sets on eBay
This is weird... The Lego Company itself is auctioning custom Lego sets on eBay. And the sets are selling for some hefty cash!
Here's a page from Lego's site that talks about their eBay auctions. Are any other companies doing this?
Sets that have previously sold:
Death Star Mini-Scale diorama: here's one, here's another (over $800 each!!!).
Easter Eggs: here's one, here's another.
Here's a page from Lego's site that talks about their eBay auctions. Are any other companies doing this?
Sets that have previously sold:
Death Star Mini-Scale diorama: here's one, here's another (over $800 each!!!).
Easter Eggs: here's one, here's another.
Star Wars: Episode III Script - Convincing fan fiction
A Star Wars fan has written this Episode III script. Even though this script is not the real deal, it seems to fill in the story quite nicely, and it seems well detailed. Also, the author did an excellent job of writing believable lines for each of the characters.
Hmmm, maybe this really is the script, but Lucasfilm figures that by casting it off as fan fiction, people will ignore it.
[Updated link: Click here for a link to the fan script (6/30/03) ]
Hmmm, maybe this really is the script, but Lucasfilm figures that by casting it off as fan fiction, people will ignore it.
[Updated link: Click here for a link to the fan script (6/30/03) ]
Napsterization
Perhaps the success or notoriety of a product is evident in the vocabulary the product name itself spawns. I just noticed the word "napsterization" in this Lawrence Lessig blog entry. Intrigued, I googled the word and found about 1600 entries.
Maybe someday things will be websliced or baseagented. Hmmm, maybe it helps when your product name sounds verby (is that like complainy?) in the first place.
Maybe someday things will be websliced or baseagented. Hmmm, maybe it helps when your product name sounds verby (is that like complainy?) in the first place.
Fun with Statistics
Here's an odd press release from the "smoothie" cartel*, trying to cash in on the Harry Potter craze via some very weird logic.
In a recent poll of book readers under age 13, The Juice and Smoothie Association found that out of 250 respondents, 54% had purchased at least one book in the popular Harry Potter series since the series inception. Of that, 91% are aware what fresh smoothies are and drink them throughout the year.
Wha'?
* actually, the "Juice and Smoothie Association"
In a recent poll of book readers under age 13, The Juice and Smoothie Association found that out of 250 respondents, 54% had purchased at least one book in the popular Harry Potter series since the series inception. Of that, 91% are aware what fresh smoothies are and drink them throughout the year.
Wha'?
* actually, the "Juice and Smoothie Association"
Saturday, June 21, 2003
Coming to a TV screenizzle near you...
In a continuation of our apparent series of Snoop Dogg blog entries, see how Snoop is going to change television with "Doggy Fizzle Televizzle".
The article describes some of the show's skits as a mix between "In Living Color" and "Saturday Night Live". I'll bet when In Living Color first came out, they compared that show as a mix between something else and Saturday Night Live.
The article describes some of the show's skits as a mix between "In Living Color" and "Saturday Night Live". I'll bet when In Living Color first came out, they compared that show as a mix between something else and Saturday Night Live.
Friday, June 20, 2003
I am so writing this password down...
I just created an account on an Intranet service, and I came across these password rules. As Dave Barry would say, I am not making this up.
I feel like I'm taking a freakin' Mensa quiz here. What password could I concoct that would fit these rules? The thing I'm signing up for is so benign - it's not like I'm setting off nuclear bombs, or even getting an email account. This is a program to award co-workers who have gone out of their way to be helpful.
Of course, once I devise such a password, the only way I can possibly remember it is to write it down, in defiance of all password rules.
Gratuitous link to a Slashdot discussion on the psychology of passwords.
Password Rules:
1. Must be at least six positions in length.
2. Must be no more than eight positions in length.
3. Must contain at least one alphabetic and one numeric character.
4. Must contain only alphabetic or numeric characters.
5. Must contain an alphabetic character in the first and last position.
6. Must contain no more than two identical consecutive characters.
7. Must not contain the userid as part of the password.
8. Must be changed at least once every 186 days.
9. Must not be shared.
I feel like I'm taking a freakin' Mensa quiz here. What password could I concoct that would fit these rules? The thing I'm signing up for is so benign - it's not like I'm setting off nuclear bombs, or even getting an email account. This is a program to award co-workers who have gone out of their way to be helpful.
Of course, once I devise such a password, the only way I can possibly remember it is to write it down, in defiance of all password rules.
Gratuitous link to a Slashdot discussion on the psychology of passwords.
eBay Invaded by Hawks!
Some badass hawks have invaded the eBay campus, and due to federal regulations, eBay can't do anything about it. Workers can defend themselves, though, according to this internal memo:
We recommend that you cover your head with a hat, umbrella, newspaper or notebook when walking in this area.
You know, the high tech economy is hard enough, without getting attacked by raptors on your way to work.
We recommend that you cover your head with a hat, umbrella, newspaper or notebook when walking in this area.
You know, the high tech economy is hard enough, without getting attacked by raptors on your way to work.
Thursday, June 19, 2003
Worst Thing Ever
Getting silly with Google Image Search, I decided to try to find the "Worst Thing Ever". Apparently, this kid is it. Even more amusing... the "Best Thing Ever" appears to be multi-colored shoe liners. Who knew?
Mmm... Lumpy Soda...
Who remembers Orbitz? No, not the travel site that pops up 85,693 ads on your computer every day I mean, the freakish soda-with-lumps of the early 90's. RetroCRUSH ("The world's finest website" according to their <title> tag) has an amusing review of it. I made the mistake of having soda (not Orbitz) in my mouth as I scrolled down and spotted the "Orbitz Martini". I came very close to having an unfortunate carbonated beverage situation of my own.
The article points to some reviews of the five different Orbitz flavors over at BEVNET. Here are some excerpts:
Blueberry Melon Strawberry: "a completely unpalatable beverage"
Pineapple Banana Cherry Coconut: "We would never drink this beverage again"
Raspberry Citrus: "This beverage makes us sick"
Vanilla Orange: "Stay away from this beverage"
Black Currant Berry: "almost impossible to enjoy"
Aha! The last one was only ALMOST impossible to enjoy! I believe we have a winner!
The article points to some reviews of the five different Orbitz flavors over at BEVNET. Here are some excerpts:
Blueberry Melon Strawberry: "a completely unpalatable beverage"
Pineapple Banana Cherry Coconut: "We would never drink this beverage again"
Raspberry Citrus: "This beverage makes us sick"
Vanilla Orange: "Stay away from this beverage"
Black Currant Berry: "almost impossible to enjoy"
Aha! The last one was only ALMOST impossible to enjoy! I believe we have a winner!
Emergency Humor
Just we don't go a day without high quality amusement, here's a funny Flash cartoon. It's pretty long, but quite entertaining.... Cows With Guns.
A Technical Note
I've been talking to the head guy at Webslice Labs, and he thinks he may have a solution for the really annoying delay caused by the remotely-hosted comment links. I... er, he keeps forgetting that IFRAMEs are now perfectly valid, well-supported HTML, and may quite possibly save the day here... Of course, there goes any hope for XHTML validity, but feh, I say. XHTML doesn't even support the "target" attribute of the "A" tag. Don't get me wrong, XHTML is nice and all, but its occasional abandonment of real-world practicality in an attempt to achieve some sort of mystical semantic nirvana can get annoying.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled high quality daily amusement.
Someone, post something amusing.
Dave?
We now return you to your regularly scheduled high quality daily amusement.
Someone, post something amusing.
Dave?
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
A fifth element of taste
People don't believe me that a fifth taste has been found, to augment sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. This article [ABC] and this article [BBC] show that I'm not making this up.
(from this article)
So, there's sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. Got it? Good!
Researchers have recently discovered a fifth primary element of taste. In addition to sweet, salty, sour and bitter, umami (pronounced "oo-mom-ee") has been added to the list of primary tastes. Umami, a savory or brothy flavor, actually enhances or harmonizes the flavor of foods and increases the intensity of flavors.
(from this article)
So, there's sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. Got it? Good!
Back in the Garage With My Bullshit Detector
People have been talking about "bullshit detectors" ever since the Clash's song "Garageland", back in 1980. Finally, someone has done something about it. "Bullfighter" is a plug-in for Word and Powerpoint (2000 or XP), that actually analyzes your text for stupid business jargon and overall unnecessary complexity, then offers you suggestions, and provides an overall "Bull Composite Index".
It was created by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, which is kind of ironic since one of their pages actually contains the following sentence:
"Our integrated best practices methodology and global framework for the delivery of our services, along with our global Intranet for global access to our tools, technologies, and knowledge bases, enhance cross-border synergies and collaboration and facilitates the use of global resources to better serve our clients."
This basically translates to: "We do stuff."
It was created by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, which is kind of ironic since one of their pages actually contains the following sentence:
"Our integrated best practices methodology and global framework for the delivery of our services, along with our global Intranet for global access to our tools, technologies, and knowledge bases, enhance cross-border synergies and collaboration and facilitates the use of global resources to better serve our clients."
This basically translates to: "We do stuff."
The Shizzolator
Tha Shizzolator be takin' yo' web site and translatin' it into gangsta' talk, Snoop D-O-double-G style - know what I'm sayin?
Tuesday, June 17, 2003
Street signs you hope to never see!
This is fun: a Photoshop contest at Worth1000, "Scary Signs 3".
Worth1000 itself is full of other photo contests. I could browse this site all day. Actually, the site looks a lot like Fark, and now I can't find the photo-manipulation contests on Fark... did Fark create Worth1000?
Worth1000 itself is full of other photo contests. I could browse this site all day. Actually, the site looks a lot like Fark, and now I can't find the photo-manipulation contests on Fark... did Fark create Worth1000?
ComPoopSA
The person causing havoc in this CompUSA bathroom should follow Steve Jobs' advice, and just shit in his pants, instead.
The "Bite The Wax Tadpole" URL Award Goes To...
...Our power generating Italian friends at PowergenItalia.com [thanks to vowe]
(If you don't understand the headline, go here)
(If you don't understand the headline, go here)
Smurfs Gone Wild
Wow. Here's an insane Flash music video for you all to enjoy. Safe for work? Um, the audio definitely isn't, and the video is, um... you see there's these Smurfs, and they... Well, just use discretion, that's all.
Monday, June 16, 2003
Soda/Cola/Pop
Researchers from the Harvard Computer Society have published a Dialect Survey, which posed 122 questions to citizens across the country to find out things like, "What is your generic term for a sweetened carbonated beverage?" and, "What do you call the little gray creature (that looks like an insect but is actually a crustacean) that rolls up into a ball when you touch it?" (nothing says 'clarity' like a dialect poll)
Puttin' the homeless to work
Around Cambridge, MA, you can find homeless people hawking the Spare Change Newspaper, a noble effort by the Homeless Empowerment Project to help provide the homeless with income and opportunities to develop skills.
Around Portland, OR, you can find homeless people holding ads for Pizza Schmizza, a less-than-noble effort by Pizza Schmizza to help provide the homeless with income and opportunities to eat pizza and drink soda/cola/pop.
Around Portland, OR, you can find homeless people holding ads for Pizza Schmizza, a less-than-noble effort by Pizza Schmizza to help provide the homeless with income and opportunities to eat pizza and drink soda/cola/pop.
Speaking of Segways...
Here's a fascinating excerpt from the book which launched the whole Ginger/IT/Segway hype machine, revealing what exactly went on in that infamous meeting with Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos and others.
Quoth Jobs: "I think it sucks!"
Jobs also seems to enjoy making points by employing imagery of people defecating in their trousers...
Quoth Jobs: "I think it sucks!"
Jobs also seems to enjoy making points by employing imagery of people defecating in their trousers...
We're number one!
As predicted, Ridiculent is now the only site on the entire Internet to offer "high quality daily amusement"!
Shizzle dizzle
Have you ever wondered what Snoop Dogg is actually saying when he uses words like 'biatch' and 'fo' shizzle'? Of course you have. The mystery is solved: in this article [mtv.com], Snoop discusses only a few of his multitudinous contributions to the English lexicon.
For a much more Discovery Channel-esque style article describing things like "positive self image" and "identity through violence" in song lyrics, as well as a breif history of music, this article will keep your Hummers humming.
For a much more Discovery Channel-esque style article describing things like "positive self image" and "identity through violence" in song lyrics, as well as a breif history of music, this article will keep your Hummers humming.
Friday, June 13, 2003
Not So FAQ's
Some companies don't really understand the concept of FAQ's. They're supposed to be Frequently Asked Questions. Most companies prefer to list questions they WANT you to ask. But, then there are companies that take a different approach to the FAQ, and list just about every question ever asked. Here's my favorite not-so-FAQ of all time:
I am living in Hawaii. I want to purchase the following items: (1) Foxconn Purple Button Mid-tower ATX (2) Case Fan, Ball Bearing (3) AMD K6-2 350 MHz 3DNow! (4) Special CPU Cooler for SS7 and AMD CPU (5) EPOX SS7 MVP3GM (ATX) (6) Creative Lab SoundBlaster PCI 128 (7) Samsung 1.44MB Floppy Drive (8) Floppy Drive Cable. I really want to know how much the total shipping cost will be. If you let me know the total shipping cost for the 8 items, I really appreciate it. My Zip code is 96762 Hawaii.
Come on... how many people have REALLY asked that question?
This comes from the "Frequently Asked Questions - General" page from Directron.com.
I am living in Hawaii. I want to purchase the following items: (1) Foxconn Purple Button Mid-tower ATX (2) Case Fan, Ball Bearing (3) AMD K6-2 350 MHz 3DNow! (4) Special CPU Cooler for SS7 and AMD CPU (5) EPOX SS7 MVP3GM (ATX) (6) Creative Lab SoundBlaster PCI 128 (7) Samsung 1.44MB Floppy Drive (8) Floppy Drive Cable. I really want to know how much the total shipping cost will be. If you let me know the total shipping cost for the 8 items, I really appreciate it. My Zip code is 96762 Hawaii.
Come on... how many people have REALLY asked that question?
This comes from the "Frequently Asked Questions - General" page from Directron.com.
It won't be limited to safety: Mask fashion for fashion's sake
We can thank SARS for introducing a new genre of fashion (647 photos).
Okay, that's fine for an area of the world that is going through a serious health issue. It's probably a good thing to approach SARS protection with a little levity. But I see something different evolving here.
I'm willing to bet that someday, masks covering the mouth and nose will become mainstream, at least among "the kids", and this French product seems to be aiding that effort.
Okay, that's fine for an area of the world that is going through a serious health issue. It's probably a good thing to approach SARS protection with a little levity. But I see something different evolving here.
I'm willing to bet that someday, masks covering the mouth and nose will become mainstream, at least among "the kids", and this French product seems to be aiding that effort.
Segdubyaway
The saying goes: "Make something idiotproof, and someone will make a bigger idiot".
The Segway Human Transporter was designed by some of the world's finest engineers, using medical-grade technology, to be so stable as to be nearly impossible to fall off of. Yet, look who manages to accomplish this.
The Segway Human Transporter was designed by some of the world's finest engineers, using medical-grade technology, to be so stable as to be nearly impossible to fall off of. Yet, look who manages to accomplish this.
Thursday, June 12, 2003
V 2.0
Everybody's favorite human-face-removing alien lizard things from the 80's will be making a return to the small screen in "V: The Second Generation". When I was a kid, I remember making a "V" mask out of a paper shopping bag. It was designed with two layers, so I could pull off the human face to reveal the lizard face. Yeah. I was a weird kid. Anyway, I should probably watch the mini-series again. I think I'd have a better appreciation for the Nazi Germany allegory now, than I did when I was six.
Where are They Now?
From the 80's "Where Are They Now" file: Morten Harket of "A-Ha" fame, is releasing his own line of... bread. Meanwhile, Adam Ant has gone bonkers. And, checking up on Right Said Fred, I guess he found his lost cat or something.
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
Transformers live action movie!
Following in the footsteps of X-Men and other fictional characters come-to-life, Don Murphy and Tom DeSanto are teaming up to create a live-action Transformers movie! [Thanks, Cedrus]
Although I don't know if anyone besides Peter Cullen could really voice Optimus Prime.
The original Transformers cartoon (which, praise the Matrix, is being released on DVD now) featured a lot of talented cast members. For a cartoon, it was really quite well done.
Okay, now for the obvious question: How the heck to you turn a live actor into a robot? Would it be like a Megatron body with a talking face? As cool as a live-action Transformers movie might be, I don't see how it could happen. The robots' eyes and mouths (or mouth shields) is what made their faces identifiable.
Although I don't know if anyone besides Peter Cullen could really voice Optimus Prime.
The original Transformers cartoon (which, praise the Matrix, is being released on DVD now) featured a lot of talented cast members. For a cartoon, it was really quite well done.
Okay, now for the obvious question: How the heck to you turn a live actor into a robot? Would it be like a Megatron body with a talking face? As cool as a live-action Transformers movie might be, I don't see how it could happen. The robots' eyes and mouths (or mouth shields) is what made their faces identifiable.
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Hooray for Mobile Technology
Wanna know the real reason people built tiny little cameras into cell phones? Mobileasses.com (yes, that's mobile... asses... dot com) seems to have the answer. Link via vowe (who seems to have found a couple definite winners). Should be safe for work, I guess ;)
Hungry for a Hot Dog?
You probably won't be for much longer, if you visit "Freaky Franks". In which case, you should consider doing something more creative with your uneaten wieners.
Monday, June 09, 2003
You're an individual, just like everyone else
An online photo exhibit composed of people in similar dress and similar poses, Exactitudes seems to make the statement that there's not much variety in appearance among people [ at-work warning: some topless nudity ]. The about page discusses the "apparent contradiction between individuality and uniformity" of these members of various social groups.
Thursday, June 05, 2003
Send in the Clowns
As a simple Google search will reveal, Ridiculent will one day be the only weblog on the planet that offers "high quality daily amusement."
On the other hand, it is only a drop in the Web bucket for sites that purport to "get something up."
On the other hand, it is only a drop in the Web bucket for sites that purport to "get something up."
Welcome!
Welcome to Ridiculent.com! It's not much to look at because I wanted to get something up and running quickly, but stick around because this will be the place to go for high quality daily amusement! And, eventually, maybe it will be a little easier on the eyes. Content is king, but this layout is kinda boring, huh?
Update: I spiffed up the layout a bit... It's still kind of boring, but in a good way. Nice and clean... woohoo!
Update: I spiffed up the layout a bit... It's still kind of boring, but in a good way. Nice and clean... woohoo!
