Monday, December 31, 2001
Do the names Zippy, Bungle and George mean anything to you? Thought so. Here's a classic clip just for you. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, watch the clip anyway, it's a good giggle. [Realplayer required]
posted by Mark 9:29 AM
Today's Top Timewaster Award goes to the LEGO Junkbot, one of the best puzzle games I've seen in ages. Shockwave is required for this one, but you all have that installed by now, right?
posted by Mark 9:09 AM
Time for a giggle - try this simple Insanity Test (you need sound for this link).
Of course, I failed the test.
posted by Mark 8:01 AM
In May 1980 the UK government issued a leaflet called Protect and Survive with the intention that "If the country were ever faced with an immediate threat of nuclear war, a copy of this booklet would be distributed to every household as part of a public information campaign which would include announcements on television and radio and in the press."
There is a copy of the booklet, including the illustrations, available online here.
This little book was much derided at the time for the usefulness of it's advice, no more eloquently than by Raymond Briggs in his wonderful comic "When The Wind Blows" - copies of which should be rushed by diplomatic bag to the leaders of India and Pakistan. 'Nuff said.
posted by Mark 7:43 AM
This one is nice - a collection of 5000 copyright-free maps for your edification and delight. Now, where was I? Oh yes, I remember - I was staring in surprise at the huge holes in Iceland when I realised they are actually ice caps. Don't learn anything I wouldn't learn :-)
posted by Mark 5:57 AM
Sunday, December 30, 2001
Is your bank account groaning like so many others with the strain of all this wanton consumerism? Fear not, for we have the solution (for next year if not for this one) the Gift Exemption Voucher.
posted by Mark 2:21 AM
Friday, December 21, 2001
If any of you have bought a new computer recently, or have upgraded your Windows to XP, you need to read this immediately. Vulnerable to Hack Attacks
"A Microsoft official acknowledged that the risk to consumers was unprecedented because the glitches allow hackers to seize control of all Windows XP operating system software without requiring a computer user to do anything except connect to the Internet.
Microsoft made available on its Web site a free fix for both home and professional editions of Windows XP and forcefully urged consumers to install it immediately."
Further information from Microsoft themselves, as well as the patch software to repair this gaping hole, is available here.
posted by Mark 2:00 AM
Wednesday, December 19, 2001
Here are some quite entertaining Optical Illusions for your clicking pleasure.
posted by Mark 8:08 PM
Using a mouse is a fairly fundamental skilll nowadays (I bet you have one in your hand right now), but how do you learn how to use one? Grab it and play with it, right? Me too. However, if you visit the Mousercise website they have some pages that will teach you in a more structured way how it's to be done. Every new computer should come with a link to this puppy. Keep this one handy for when Aunty Ethel gets a computer so she can surf for knitting patterns.
posted by Mark 7:37 PM
Dear Santa
Please may I have a Wheelman in my stocking this year? I promise not to blame you if I break both my legs.
Thanks in advance.
posted by Mark 7:31 PM
A link for the film fans among us, this is an interesting guide to how directors get around the fact that sometimes they end up making a film that they don't want to admit to. By the rules, someone has to be credited as director, and this is where Alan Smithee comes into play.
This site has a list of some of his notable films as well as a brief history of how and why he came to be created. A very interesting read if you enjoy film trivia.
posted by Mark 7:26 PM
I just stumbled across the Federal Flag Code which dictates how the US flag should be displayed. Amazing how many rules thay have about this, but even more amazing is Section 4 item K (see what I mean about there being a lot of these)
The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
So why do I see them getting all upset when someone burns a flag? They're only following the rules after all...
posted by Mark 7:15 PM
Have you ever been curious about what Jupiter would actually look like if you were standing on one of it's moons? Or maybe you want to see how the Earth looked from the moon on the day you were born? NASA has a neat Solar System Simulator that can show you.
posted by Mark 6:59 PM
Here is a collection of real molecules that have unusual, ridiculous or downright silly names. And yes, believe it or not, there is actually a molecule called Arsole... and it's a ring!
posted by Mark 5:40 PM
Friday, December 14, 2001
Right, I really must stop this now - I have to go to Sainsburys to buy cheese. Damn, there I go again.
posted by Mark 2:51 PM
Ever have one of those days when things just seem to run up and present themselves to you? I think I'm having one today . . .
Next up is Web Darts, an online darts game - complete with a multiplayer version for playing your friends across the internet. Cool.
posted by Mark 2:45 PM
Here at the Wasted Times office, we like elephants. We think they're cute (no easy feat when you are that big) and adorable. We like the way they swim, we like the way they eat with their nose, and the baby ones, well, they are even cuter!
Now we have discovered Art By Elephants. "These extraordinary pictures are painted by elephants from the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang which was set up to cater for the large number of elephants who were unemployed after logging was banned."
Unemployed pachyderms turning to art? It doesn't get any better than this.
posted by Mark 2:30 PM
This is another of those daft games I keep seeing - this time it's sort of a skateboarding game on skis. No, really, it is. And as usual, I'm crap at it but can't stop playing.
posted by Mark 2:13 PM
See my Girlfriend Cook my Sock! Free Free Free Pictures! The site you are about to enter contains explicit scenes of sock-cooking and is not intended for minors or those of a nervous disposition. It may be illegal in your state for you to view images of uncensored sock-cooking if you are under the age of 21.
One of the funniest things I've seen in ages - check out the "Underage Leather" page . . .
posted by Mark 1:15 PM
White House for kids!!! Make sure to play the Ronald Reagan Memory Game, it's a classic. This site is reassuring proof that not all americans grow up to be the same kind of wierd. Go on, have a look around.
And if that site lights up your front panel you'll feel right at home at the Landover Baptist Church too - All Jesus, All the time. Where the Worthwhile Worship. Unsaved Unwelcome.
posted by Mark 1:09 PM
Most people are familiar with Murphy's Law - If anything can go wrong, it will - but how many know who Murphy was, or how the law was formulated? Well I do, thanks to this site. There are also pages and pages of derivative "laws" here, many of which are very entertaining.
posted by Mark 9:47 AM
Someone mentioned this site on Metafilter and it has kept me enthralled for hours (your mileage may vary, obviously). The Particle Adventure does a fantastic job of particle physics, explaining that bit of science that worries about how the world works and what it is made of. It assumes you know absolutely nothing at the start (something I think a lot more information-based websites should try harder to do) and leads you slowly and easily into the bizarre world of the tiniest things in the universe. The information comes in small, easily digestible chunks and it's easy to see why it has won so many awards. Marvellous stuff.
posted by Mark 12:05 AM
Thursday, December 13, 2001
Winter is on the way, so remember kids - wrap up warm.
posted by Mark 11:55 PM
Monday, December 10, 2001
Here is an interesting article about Lester Gaba, Soap Sculptor, who produced some astonishing stuff during the 1920's and 30's. This page has some very nice photographs of his work, and some useful (!) tips in case you fancy having a go yourself.
posted by Mark 1:43 AM
Saturday, December 08, 2001
A fast-moving coronal mass ejection (CME) that raced away from the Sun on Nov. 4th swept past our planet at 0150 UT on Nov 6th (8:50 p.m. EST on Nov 5th); the impact triggered a widespread geomagnetic storm.
What does this mean to us? Beautiful photographs.
posted by Mark 3:56 AM
It seems the people at Senseboard Technologies like nothing more than using very clever technology to make us all look silly. I mean, how can you hunt & peck on a keyboard that isn't even there? What a lovely example of a great idea that'll never get off the ground. It's almost a shame.
posted by Mark 2:52 AM
Nutter of the Week this week goes to the author of Time Cube.
Just to give you some idea, here is a small quote...
The common stupidity and evil of humanity, is their "ignorance" of Nature's Time Cube. A school is a church and church is a school.
I am writing a "Time Cube " book that will contradict and condemn every religious and scientific book written and why not, for I am the Greatest Thinker and the Wisest Human.
Well that's all right then.
posted by Mark 2:41 AM
Pulp Fiction as seen by The Simpsons animators...
posted by Mark 2:29 AM