Site Review: Web 2.0 Directory

Been blogging for some time but Web 2.0 has been a bit elusive to me and I always resisted to know more about it.

The excuse: I am not a webmaster!

Well, knowing a bit of the balls and bearings of new web phenomenon doesn't hurt you. So I am trying to see if I can know what Web 2.0 actually means. I am going through a blog that gives directory of nice Web 2.0 sites. I wish there were how-tos and tutorials too. But as it is a review site I think the design and contents justify the theme of the blog. Nice work!

How green is this blog?

Based on the the total electricity usage of the readers' computers as they spend time on the site CO2Stats Project calculates the carbon dioxide emission statistics.

It claims that the internet is responsible for more than 100 billion pounds of CO2 emissions per year. It sure is alarming how we are unknowingly helping in increasing CO2 emission.
Founded by Ph.D. students at Harvard and Yale, The CO2Stats Project has the ambitious goal of making the entire Web carbon neutral!
I don't believe you can make it carbon neutral but we sure can help in reducing it though.
Here is my widget....

Google Adsense Enabled YouTube Video Player

Finally Google decided to share its revenue from YouTube.
Choose categories or have Google target your site content, and decide which categories you want to exclude. ... Bring users to your site more often and keep them there longer with highly revelant, frequently refreshed video from popular content providers.
Looks like you can't have ads if you display your own video.

The player for ads enabled video can also be customized to suit the website theme and layout.

Here is the screen-shot of the information page.

My adsense account doesn't seem to be updated to incorporate YouTube till now (Is your's updated?). If you don't have adsense account, you can get one by clicking on the white button on top of this page.
(via Problogger)

Auction Ads

Does the image in left look like something weird?
Yes zero everything and earnings $25. That is what the welcome screen stats looks like when you sign-in Auction Ads for the first time. That is great to get some money for doing nothing.
Auction Ads is a advertisement network set-up to promote eBay auctions and they promise to pay 100% of eBay commission revenue. Auction Ads is not contextually based ad product so it can go along with Google Ads too.
If you are wondering why they are paying $25 for every new publisher, there sure is a catch. They have increased the minimum payout amount to $50 so you have to earn another $25 from the advertisements to be eligible to receive your first pay in PayPal. If you want to sign-up here is the referral link.

Steve Jobs Blogger Exposed as Forbes Editor, Dan Lyons

I posted a post about a blog "The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs" written by an anonymous blogger. The New York Times has pulled the mask off a blogger known affectionately as "Fake Steve Jobs," author of "The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs," a satirical blog based on Apple's chief. Fake Steve is really Dan Lyons, a senior editor at Forbes.
The blog has been around for the last 14 months and nobody was able to pin point the author of the blog. Various news media was determined to discover Fake Steve's identity. Some thought it was tech columnist Andy Ihnatko. Others thought it was actor Harry Shearer. Still others called out various well-known tech bloggers as the true Fake Steve.

"Well it had to happen," Lyons, 46, wrote in his August 5 blog post. "Honestly, I can't believe it's taken this long. But as you may have heard, I've been busted by a newspaper reporter. My cover has been blown."
news source

One month of paid posting

Last month I started writing for pay-per-post and I also got some money from it. It is in the PayPal account and as I haven't used it. It sure will be helpful in paying the server bills. I have to think about what to do with the remaining amount :)

Well, before starting to post paid posts in this blog I thought about it a lot. Some people told that it degrades our morality or it is like selling our soul and so on. But those same people were happily posting other advertisements like Google ads and talk proudly about sponsors in their websites. If you think in similar manner, all my paid postings are in "sponsored" category and you can easily skip them to read other postings. I am not forced to take every opportunity that come in my way. Also, I believe I have a moral compass that works well enough to tell me it?s wrong to post dishonestly just to make cash.

If you are blogging for at least 3 months and haven't been lazy enough in updating it regularly you can apply for payperpost account and get paid to blog about the things you like from its big pool of opportunities. Payperpost is a platform in which bloggers write posts linking to advertisers' websites, fitting within the advertiser's guidelines for the post. The bloggers get paid via PayPal once the post has been live for 30 days. Blogging opportunities range from few dollars to hundreds of dollars depending on ranking of your website based on various parameters. I would suggest you to give it a try if you haven't already.

Blogging Is Turning Ten on December 2007

It's going to be 10 years since the blog was born. Well, that is not a kid in the internet term. They've roiled presidential campaigns and given everyman a global soapbox. We are approaching a decade since the first blogger - regarded by many to be Jorn Barger - began his business of hunting and gathering links to items that tickled his fancy, to which he appended some of his own commentary.

On Dec. 23, 1997, on his site, Robot Wisdom, Jorn Barger wrote: I decided to start my own webpage logging the best stuff I find as I surf, on a daily basis. The Oxford English Dictionary regards this as the primordial root of the word 'weblog.'

To mark this Blogiversary, The Wall Street Journal published an article where twelve commentators - including Tom Wolfe, Newt Gingrich and actress-turned-blogger Mia Farrow tell what they think of blogging.

Well, if you want to know more about Jorn Barger you can visit his wikipedia page or visit his blog.
Tags: blog history blogiversary "jorn barger" "Robot Wisdom"

First person to fly over top of the world

Bear Grylls climbed Mount Everest at the age of 23 in 1998 and became the youngest British climber to scale it. That was a British record. He was not satisfied by the record and he was lured by the highest peak to fly higher and create a new world record!

To the news reporter covering flying over the top of the world Grylls said: "The propeller, oxygen bottle and all the other equipment strapped to my back weighed more than 120kg (264lbs). It took me three attempts to get off the ground but when I was finally in the air, I noticed the crowd of people sitting on the ridge clapping and cheering," .
"On 14 May 2007, Grylls and his fellow pilot and inventor of the parajet engine, Giles Cardozo, took off from the small Himalayan village of Pheriche, which lies at an altitude of 4,400m (14,435ft) about 20 miles (32km) south of Mount Everest in eastern Nepal," the news report said.
It is great to see the incredible videos and pictures of the mission in the official mission homepage.

US Military says YOU SUCK

I don't like talking about politics. That doesn't fall in any of my interest but still I enjoy reading news. Well, this post is not really a political writing it is rather about internet and its freedom.

I was always told that US is the most democratic country in the world and they enjoy the ultimate freedom. Today there was a news about US Military Blocking Web site Access to its soldiers with funny reasons to back up the ban.

Commander Jeffrey Gordon, spokesman for the Department of Defense, pointed out that the regulation is intended primarily to prevent military Internet connections from being clogged with uploads or downloads of data-rich files such as video clips. The ban is also meant to guard against infiltration by malicious or spying software hidden in files created by hackers.
Gordon says that the bottom line is bandwidth, which is the most important consideration. They have to make sure the network is reliable. Restrictions were imposed on MySpace, YouTube, and other Web sites after a usage study showed they were the most visited by soldiers.
Hey, US doesn't have sufficient bandwidth for its military! What about other countries?
Banned websites include video-sharing sites - YouTube, Metacafe, iFilm, StupidVideos, and FileCabi; social networking sites - MySpace, BlackPlanet, and Hi5; music sites - Pandora, MTV, 1.fm, and Live365; and the photo-sharing site, Photobucket. We have to be aware of the malicious or spying software hidden in files too!

Anonymous Blogger and the Secret Diary

The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs is a satirical blog by an anonymous writer channeling Apple's chief executive. If you are in ayway (even remotly) interested in Apple product like iPod, Mac computer or looking to get an iPhone you will surely love to read the posts and get a good laugh.
The Secret Diary that started last year with daily stream of unfiltered satirical entries lets techies revel in their never-ending fascination of their own industry, and be entertained at the same time. The guarded identity of the blogger has fueled the guessing game in the industry. Some tech journalists and former Apple marketing staffers are popular choices in the guessing games.
link: The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs | news: Businessweek Article

Record Setting Cable Car to be Constructed

A 4.4 kilometers long cable car that runs from the 2,182m high Whistler Mountain to the 2,440m high Blackcomb Mountain is planned to be completed by December 2008.


The company hired to build the cable car, Doppelmayr of Austria, says it will set two world records, one for distance between two pillars supporting the cable - 3,024 meters - and one for height over a valley - 415 meters.
In the official website there is a very neat presentation highlighting these two record breaking features of the cable car.


As Vancouver and the Whistler-Blackcomb region have been selected to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, this is one of the many new infrastructures being constructed in the area.
Via
 
Tags: cable car, mountain, winter olympics

Make money online by using your Photo Stock

Well well well just posted an article about making money out of photos and then started researching (That's not how things shouldn go .... A lesson for me!!). I found the link tried the website and thought it was ok to share among you people ....
(shall I remove the post ?... well let me leave it for now!)
Then I found some sites posted in this blog that helps making some money with your photos stock. Let me list them here:

1. BigStockPhoto
BigStockPhoto requires a photo seller to take the Photographer Test after studying the Tutorial pages. If you pass you?ll be able to upload photos, which will be reviewed by the editors. When users download them, you earn fifty cents each time (or up to $60 for some downloads if you have elected to also sell photos under our Special Licensing agreements). BigStockPhoto mail checks or make payment to you via Paypal or MoneyBookers.
2. Dreamstime
Dreamstime requires that the image must be at least 3MP in size or more; it must be RGB saved at highest JPG quality 12. You should also have a model release on all people recognizeable in your image. Sellers get 50-80% from each sale made. Payment is via bank check, Paypal, and MoneyBookers.
3. Fotolia
Landscape, Architecture, People, Fauna & Flora, Objects, Transport, Food & Drink to Social Issues and Travel are the most in-demand image subjects that Fotolia suggest to those who want to upload photos using their site. Requires minimum of 1600 x 1200 pixels for web use and 2272 x 1704 pixels or greater for print use
The preferred files are with atleast 2000 x 3000 pxels. Fotolia pays an average of 52% commission to its contributors.
4. iStockPhoto
iStockPhoto requires that the images be RGB JPG format only. Required file sizes: the bigger, the better. 300 dpi 5? x 7? is optimal. 640×480 images are not usable by most graphic artists. All files should be 1200 x 1600 pixels minimum (anything smaller will be automatically rejected The royalty structure on iStockphoto is 20%. If you?re eligible for exclusivity, you can make up to 40%. Pay is via Paypal and Moneybookers, or you can request a check by mail; Electronic payment requests are usually processed within 3 workdays. Check requests are processed at the beginning of each month and the checks are sent out at the middle of the month.
5. ShutterStock
Shutterstock pays 25 cents per download and it also has a referral program that users can also earn from. ShutterStock also accepts stock footage. Images must be at least 2.5 megapixel to be accepted. But new photographers? minimum size is 4.0MP. Pay checks are mailed monthly.
To make the most out of making money online with stock photography make sure that your image is original and truly copyrighted by you. All trademarks must be removed. This includes logos, brands and entities with copyright or trademarked elements. This many also extend to trademarked products such as cast sculptures, toys, architecture and other elements of design. This is necessary to avoid future legal problems.
Always check the sellers? portion for frequently asked questions, you better check it out first before trying to publish your work and sell your photos. This will help a lot in clarifying whatever you want to know about how to make money online from that stock photo site.
Also, don?t forget to know what are the most in-demand image subjects to avoid wasting your time uploading least requested images.
Sounds great and I hope this is useful to you. Good Luck!

Amazing cloud

You will be amazed by the pictures of clouds and their incredible forms Mammatus Clouds, or "breast-clouds" Lenticular Clouds are often mistaken for UFOs link|Via

Apple Sold 100 Million iPods

In a press release today, Apple announced that they?ve sold 100 million iPods since it was first launched five and half year ago, in November 2001, making it the fastest selling music player. Apple has rolled out 10 different models of iPod spanning across 5 generations.
Apple Press Release
Steve Jobs : ?At this historic milestone, we want to thank music lovers everywhere for making iPod such an incredible success,? said Steve Jobs, Apple?s CEO. ?iPod has helped millions of people around the world rekindle their passion for music, and we?re thrilled to be a part of that.?
Via

World Ice Art Championships - 2007

World Ice Art Championships - 2007 Single Block Classic
Feb. 27 - Mar. 1, 2007
This championship is held in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Aiming Eyes by Junichi Nakamura (Japan) and Peter Slavin (USA )
The sculptures are photographed each day of the two and a half day competition. The sculptures are then judged under white light. To see the great sculptures on ice visit the homepage of the Championships.

Joyful Dance by Servey Loginov and Denis Abdulin (Russia)

The last king of France: Found in India

Balthazar Napoleon de Bourbon, an Indian lawyer, is being feted as the long-lost descendent of the Bourbon kings who ruled France from the 16th century to the French revolution. He is alleged to be not only related to the current Bourbon king of Spain and the Bourbon descendants still in France, but to have more claim than any of them to the French crown.
Prince Michael of Greece, the cousin of (British) Prince Philip, this week published a historical novel called Le Rajah de Bourbon, which traces the story of Mr Bourbon?s first royal ancestor in India. Prince Michael believes Jean de Bourbon was a nephew of the first Bourbon French king, Henry IV. In 1560, during a voyage across the world, he turned up at the court of the Mogul emperor Akbar. It was the beginning of a long line of Bourbons in India, who centuries later would serve as the administrators of Bhopal and become the second most important family in the region.
Michael of Greece, who lives in Paris and is of Bourbon descent, believes his detective work on his newfound Indian ?cousins? is more than just the latest whimsy in a history of attempts to uncover relatives of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
?If I am right then Balthazar Bourbon would be the eldest in the line,? he told the Guardian.
From his home in the Bhopal suburbs, Mr Bourbon, 48, said he would be glad to take a DNA test, but remained stoical about the ?hypothetical question? of whether he was heir to the throne. Conscious of the bloody outcome for royals in France, he felt royal status could bring ?trouble?, not to mention questions from skeptical historians.
Found at The original story at this link

Vitalist - Online Getting Things Done (GTD) Software

Vitalist is a web-based application designed specifically for David Allen?s methodology of Getting Things Done. Vitalist compliments the GTD system by offering an inbox, actions, projects, and ticklers.

Other features include:
* A mobile edition
* iCal and RSS feed
* Recurring actions
* E-mail and SMS reminders
The free version is advertising supported. Users can upgrade to a premium account which removes the advertisements and adds features:
* SSL encryptions
* Collaboration
* File attachments
* and a soon-to-be-added calendar

Vitalist is perfect for anyone needing to Get Things Done. Easily organize actions and projects online. From grocery lists to business projects, track it all with Vitalist.
Vitalist website Via: link
Tags: getting+things+done, GTD, productivity, software, web

Kitchen Computer ...

Kitchen Computer



Hello! It is 1969, and my wonderful husband has bought me a Honeywell Kitchen Computer to help me with my cooking! It is a $10,000+ status symbol from the Nieman Marcus catalog. It will replace my unwieldy and difficult to use recipe box. How I love my Kitchen Computer! And my husband!
The Kitchen Computer is both stylish and functional. See its sleek lines, bright red accents, and handy built-in counter top? It matches my dress! And my lipstick!
... ... What a piece of junk! What idiot thought this was a good idea? I hate my Kitchen Computer! I hate my husband! I'm going to divorce him and go get a job designing computers that don't suck!
An article about kitchen computer in Dr. Dobb's Jornal.
You can see it in person at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, currently housed next to the first production Google rack (in the background of the photos to the left of the Kitchen Computer).
Source: link via : link

Won Guinness Record and Learnt it after 8 yrs

This guy won Guinness World Records in 2005 and didn't know about it till now. He is the only Nepali sportsperson to feature in the Guinness Book of World Records, for clocking the fastest run at the highest altitude, but he learnt about it only eight years after setting the record (source: kantipur daily). Spectacular views compensate for the dangers of high altitude running. Source His record was Published in 2005, the Golden Jubilee year of Guinness Book of World Records. It states the Jumla-based marathoner set a world record timing of 3hr. 16min. 3sec. in the Everest Marathon in 1999. The race began from Gorak Shep at an altitude of 17,100 ft and concluded at Namche Bazar at 11,300 ft. These are the only pictures I could find of him. I hope to find and update better quality pictures later. A News quote about Hari. Hari Bahadur Rokaya’s practice schedule is as tough as his home terrain in Jumla. Like most marathon runners he prefers setting off in the early morning, past the bazar, along the trail down to the Bheri, over the suspension bridge, past paddy terraces glistening in the sun, along the edge of the pine-scented forest. After two hours, this world class athlete is back home in time for a snack of instant noodles. His training may be ‘low tech’, his shoes frayed, but Hari more than makes up for it with his determination and patriotism. The up-and-down and the thin air at 3,300m is good training. The 41-year-old sets himself a grueling pace: he has reached Rara Lake from Jumla in seven hours, a distance that takes trekkers two days. From: Nepali Times Issue #153 (11 July 03 - 17 July 03)

Miracle Baby .. He is alive once again !!

After trying for 30 minutes to bring two-week-old Woody Lander back to life, doctors decided there was nothing more they could do and called in his parents to say their tearful farewells. A nurse passed Woody to his heartbroken father and gently pulled a tube from his mouth so they could kiss him goodbye.
Then the miracle happened. The lifeless baby suddenly coughed and moved. Nurses immediately grabbed Woody back, re-attached the tubes and lifesaving equipment and he came back to life in front of his astonished parents. Woody is now 14 months old.


Source Via link