Interestingness Rediscovered

Difference between Blog and traditional websites

Link: Video: Blogs in Plain English | Common Craft - Explanations In Plain English.

For a long time I have wondered: What is the difference between so-called "personal website" and "blog"?
This video, especially at the end of it, gave me the epiphany: the openness.
Blog is open, but "personal website" is not. This is largely a matter of attitude than technical innovation, but I think what Blog has done is to open up the communication, or the potential of communication, on the internet - in the "personal website" area probably people still used the Internet as closed mediums with flexibility and faster access.
Blogging changed the attitude, which IS the real, frightening, change. This is exactly why blogging was attacked by the early adopters of the web - they felt that their pioneering position was violated. And of course they were dead-on, except that the violaters, bloggers, were showing what these early adopters should have done.
Isn't it frighteningly annoying when newcomers show you not only they can do your job better, but worse - they show you that you weren't getting "it" after all.

By the way as a user interface designer I am wondering  why on earth Common Craft's presentations are so easy to understand AND addictive. Hats off.

How to make people backup their PC

Link: GraveWarning.jpg (JPEG Image, 800x539 pixels).

I think a couple of testimonals (with real ID) should help a lot more. And I haven't backed up for several months. And my motto is "face the reality, stupid".

Snap decision

Link: About Me | I'd Rather Be Writing.

I am quoting a line from Fraud introduced in Malcolm Gladwell's Blink introduced in Tom Johnson's blog.

When making a decision of minor importance, I have always found it advantageous to consider all the pros and cons. In vital matters, however, such as the choice of a mate or a profession, the decision should come from the unconscious, from somewhere within ourselves. In the important decisions of personal life, we should be governed, I think, by the deep inner needs of our nature. (268)

I agree. Snap decisions (gut feeling) regarding big decisions do not lie. So what should be done is to write down (or create the first prototype) rapidly, then take time to refine it. What matters is the overall direction and it rarely fails as long as I listen to my body, not my brain.

Definition of Geeks

Link: 8 Celebrities You Didn't Know Were Geeks | Cracked.com.

The surprising fact for me is that Natalie Portman is listed here. Does graduating Harvard in non-computer science degree counts as "being Geek"? I was expecting somebody like Justin Long, who according to my fantasy, merely plays himself onscreen. If having a B.S. or B.A. from a respectable university counts as Geek in Hollywood term, then the urban legend that the movie industry is made up of school dropouts might (still) be a reality. Which is cool.

Come see the kittens

Link: The Kittens! » Dee’s Inbox.

Wonder what will happen in 10 minutes.

Name is important

Link: 6tbfxps.jpg (JPEG Image, 512x384 pixels).

Reminds me of the poor, naive, but sweet Gaylord Focker in the movie Meet the Parents.

Best Free Documentaries: The Truth About Female Desire

Link: Best Free Documentaries: The Truth About Female Desire.

I am going to watch this four-volume series out of curiosity mostly hoping that I can score better at catching my partners..
Recommended via Reddit

No smoking

The label fits perfectly into the tiles, and stares right at the toilet users. Direct, confronting, but not intimidating probably due to its size.
At 3rd floor toilet in Mister Donuts, YongKang street