The Weber Report

I found this thing relatively interesting.  Despite knowing that Ancestry.com was going to do their best to upsell me to a large package of family tree history, I hoped I'd actually be able to see something for free.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could.  In fact, I was able to see the original image of the 1930 census.  It showed my grandparent's family at a time when the world was much different. 

I find this sort of stuff really interesting.  Just looking back in time more than 75 years to see where I came from.  I learned that my grandpa was unemployed, not in the military, and not attending school at the age of 18.  What was he doing then?  If he was still alive, I would certainly ask him.  My other grandpa was working in a factory at the age of 14.  Pretty big disparity I'd say. 

There is just something really powerful about seeing the original hand-written ink from that long ago.  It's truly amazing just knowing that the census taker wrote that with my great-granparents telling them all the answers.

I suggest you try it out by Clicking Here.

Tagged: ancestry.com,  1930 Census, Census, Ancestors, Family Tree

Although this creation isn't all that exhilirating or even useful for the purpose it's intended for, this Amazon sale is well worth reading simply for the comments.  Basically, from what I can see, someone created this cool-looking but generally worthless tank thing and is trying to sell it.  I really don't think this thing is going to provide any real protection to anyone who may actually need it, so don't buy it… ok?

However, after glancing through the comments, I started really laughing.  For example:

So, if you care to read some comedy, glance through the comments by Clicking Here.

Tagged: Tank, JL421 Badonkadonk, JL421 Badonkadonk Land Cruiser/Tank, Tank For Sale

I found this neat toy on Techno Ride.  I've sometimes dreamed of using a gadget similar to this when I'm driving home from work. 

Basically, you stick up an electronic display in the back window of your car.  When someone cut's you off or give's you permission to merge in, you push a button on a remote which flashes a frowning face or a “Thanks” to them. 

Unfortunately, the product lacks in several area's. 

First, it only has four options: 1) Smiley Face, 2) Frowny Face, 3) Thank You, 4) Back Off.  While these options are still useful, it seems fairly obvious that they purposely limited the stuff you could say (likely to avoid law-suits from road rage victim's). 

Also, why make it round?  Seems like an odd choice for a device designed to display text.  Why not make it square or rectangle?  Am I being overly critical?

Fortunately, the company who made this device, AU-MY Ltd., has discontinued this version and is promising a new version in early 2006 (which means they are running late since they still haven't released it yet).

I hope they follow through with this promise!  Even more than that, I hope it has lot's a chilling statements such as “I know I'm hot, but stop riding my bumper” or “Thanks, now I know how to be a jerk when driving!”.  Potentially much more damaging statements could be custom programmed in by the user and I could see a whole revolution of messaging occurring on the interstate. 

Tagged: AU-MY, AU-MY Ltd., Drive-Emocion

Saw this on Gizmodo a few days back. 

We are looking at the all new Beretta Xtrema2 Shotgun.  This amazing new product is the first shotgun I've seen that dramatically reduces recoil.  I've been known to shoot a bit of clay in my day and this thing surely would help to ease the shoulder pains a bit and I can see it really helping with accuracy. 

OK, so you are thinking.. what's the big deal?  The big deal is what the shooter in the demo video does with this gun.  The main thing I noticed is no pumping is needed, this baby is semi-auto.  The gun the demo shooter is using has been modified with an extended magazine allowing him to put a lot more shells in there than is normally legal (at least where I grew up).  Also, it appears that he is using a custom weakened load that is quieter and probably easier to shoot with. 

Regardless, I'm still impressed.  At one point he throws 10 clay pigeons in the air and takes them all out.  WOW!

Click Here to see the demonstration.

MSRP is $1,498 – $1,598.  More information about the gun available here.

Tagged: Beretta, Beretta Xtrema2, Shotgun, Gun

Only on my blog can you see this inside, super-secret, pre-launch picture of the Eponym Blog Directory menu system.  I hope I don't get fired for showing these off, but I just have to!  Click here to see the full size screen shot of the menu.   A shot of the blog specific page is located here.

Jim, one of my fellow programmers, enjoy's taking credit for stuff that I did, hah.  In this case, the credit is well-deserved and mostly true.  However, I did spend a considerable amount of time working with him and testing our latest release: The Eponym Blog Directory.  Thanks to our amazing graphics dude (John), the interface is incredible and looks impressive and modern. 
This project was a huge leap ahead as Jim & I coded the project entirely in Rails.  The menu (navigation system),   is totally AJAX'ified.  If you aren't familiar with this technology; it allows new content to show up on the page without the need to reload the entire page.  In simple terms, it looks really cool and works really well for what we wanted to do.

The incredible thing is how Ruby on Rails helps the proccess vastly.  In no way was this a simple undertaking, but I couldn't even imagine doing this directory in PHP or some other language; Ruby simply blow's them all away. 

Here's where YOU come in!  We need your help with getting the best blogs on the net in the directory.  We are going to be very particular which blog's we accept, but we simply don't know which one's are the best in every category in the world.  If you get a chance, spend a few minutes and add the blogs that you frequent often into the directory.  All you have to do is have the URL of the blog handy to add it.   Remember, we are looking for the best. 

Note: Although a personal blog on your cat named Chucky may be interesting, we only want it if lots of people agree that it's one of the best Cat blogs in the world. 

Later, we will process all of the submissions and rank them.  Only the best blogs will make it; based on their hotness, freshness, and coolness (with a bit of wizardry that culminates in an overall blog score).  Sounds fun doesn't it!  We spent a LOT of time tuning the forumulas to provide the correct amount of emphasis on each factor.  There's also an invisible Hand-of-God knob that allows us to make subtle ranking changes.  Overall, the system is really powerful and should be quite a hit as far as directories go. 

We're hoping the directory can show the world the talent that is held inside these walls and help generate some press for Eponym in general.  Do your very best to spread the word; the only way this directory can succeed is with your help.

Click Here to submit your favorite blogs!

Tagged: Eponym, Eponym Directory, Eponym Blog Directory, Eponym Beta, Eponym Release, Blog, Blogs, Blogging, Blogging Industry, Blog Directory, Directory, Beta

Do you have something really important that you don't want to forget?  Are you constantly forgetting your anniversary, birthday, or other special events?  You should check out “oh, don't forget…“

The idea is simple; you set a number, date/time, and message.  Then, you can forget about all your obligations (as long as you keep your phone turned on).  I know it sounds stupidly simple, but that's what makes it so great.

No signing up, no fee's, no gimmicks.. just plain useful features.

Click Here to check it out!

Tagged: oh, don't forget

I have always been fascinated by extreme weather events. 

When most kid's were hiding under the bed in a thunderstorm, I was out playing in the rain.  When a tornado siren alarmed in my neighborhood, I ran full speed out the door and climbed a tree so I could spot the funnel.  A few months ago,while driving through Texas, we were hit by a fantastically powerful hailstorm; I kept driving hoping to have some hail bust my windshield, just for the story. 

I am a weather fanatic.. which is why I enjoy this movie so much.  That piece of hail is gigantic.  I do feel sorry for his poor rental car though, that thing is trashed!

Enjoy the video by Clicking Here.

Tagged: Hail Storm, Hail, Hail Video, Hailstorm

I stumbled across this mind-tingling site yesterday and was enthralled with the “statistics” in visual form.  Essentially it's a graphical representation of planet and star sizes throughout space.  It's pretty cool to see how small we really are.

I don't know who's idea this was and I can't seem to find out much about who created it.. but WOW… that is really cool. 

When I have kids, I'm gonna recommend this as a science fair project.. just because it would be cool to make those planets!

Actually, I wonder if those are real?  Dang it, they can't be!  Stupid Photoshop.  Get's me every time.

Click Here to check the site out!

Tagged: Planets,  Planet Sizes, Size of Our World, Size of Earth

This video is perhaps one of the funniest video's I've seen on the web in a while.  I think what I find so entertaining is that this kid is totally oblivious to his brother (or whomever has the camera) taping him through a hole in his door.  

I like that this isn't some skit that was fake, this kid was definitely unaware of the camera.  It's also entertaining because I would wager that almost everyone has done this very same thing at some point (to a lesser or greater extent) behind closed doors.  I love it when he see's himself in the mirror and starts acting all crazy (which is also mildly ironic because the song is called Crazy). 

On a side note: after watching this video, I've decided I actually really like this song (Crazy). These types of videos may be a really good way to get your song out there in the public eye; get some silly kid to dance to it in his bedroom with a stuffed animal and the world will listen.

Click Here to watch the funniness.

Tagged: Gnarls Barkley, Gnarls Barkley Kid, Crazy Kid, Gnarls Barkley Dancer, Gnarls Barkley Dancing Kid

Craig Cannon has been known as the stead-fast and confident news anchor on our local news channel (ABC) here in NW Arkansas for quite some time now.  Unfortunately, I think this little slip-up may turn him into an internet joke. 

Don't get me wrong, losing a dental bridge while you're on the air isn't really anyone's fault… but it's still sorta gross… and I'm not easily grossed out either.  Mostly though, it's simply comical.  I don't know if this video is really gonna take off on the net' or not, but I know it's a hit on eBaum'sWorld… so it does have some clout. 

I actually sorta feel sorry for the guy.  He has probably spent the last 20 – 30 years of his life perfecting his on-air skills, only to have something like that happen and get blasted all over the internet.  Stuff like that can ruin a career… or make you famous!  As I've written this article, I've become more and more proud of this humble man.  Keep up the good work Craig Cannon!  On a side note: isn't that just a perfect news anchor name?  It reminds me of the movie Anchorman.. just the name alone.

Whew.. rambling.  Anyways, enjoy this clip of Craig Cannon and respect him for handling it so professionally and laughing about it.

Click Here to check the video out!

Click Here to see his Biography.

Tagged: Craig Cannon, Anchorman Loses Tooth, Dental Bridge, Dental Blooper, News Blooper, Blooper

Want to feel a little better about your
salary?  Check out the Salary Clock. 
This thing is obviously somewhat gimmicky, but it's still quite
interesting to see how your money accumulates throughout the
day. 

Warning: Comparing your salary to the famous
people listed in the drop-down is a good way to feel sad about how hard
you work.  However, it's remarkably incredible to see how
Larry Ellison's numbers jump in such huge increments (he apparently
banks $38 billion a year… which appears to be around $5,500 per
second).  wow.

Click Here to check out
the Salary Clock.
 

Tagged:
Salary
Clock, Wages, Income,
Salary Calculator

Following on heels of pure insanity, I have discovered a relatively mundane, but extremely interesting & funny web site know as Turbo-Minivan.com.  The name gives it all away.

It's clear, simple, easy to understand… but so sadly underestimated.  The author of this site, “Dempsey”,  has an overwhelming and almost comical obsession with turbocharged and highly modified 1980's & 1990's turbo minivans. 

At first glance, this may seem a tad on the odd side; and it is.  However, once you read through the stories and see what sort of fun the owner's of these vans have had making big V8 sports cars look shameful… it's no wonder they spend time working on these babies.

If you are at all into cars, Click Here to check out this site.  It's worth a few minutes of your time.

Tagged: Turbo Minivan, Minivan, Turbo, Turbocharged

I really thought I stayed on top of the latest phenomenon's on the web here lately… but somehow I totally missed the Coke + Mentos video outbreak.

If you haven't seen it, the basic idea is Mentos & Coke (or any other soda with CO2 in it) creates a strong reaction that makes a huge “fountain” of soda out of the bottle.

I can't quite figure what makes this so popular to try out.  I mean it is mildy entertaining, but why would hundreds of people take the time to do it on their own and post the video to the net?  An even more important question is why am I posting about it?  I truthfully don't know.

Want to see the ultimate video of the experiment?  Click Here!

Click Here to see the explanation behind the reaction.

Tagged: Coke Mentos, Coke Mentos Experiment, Coke & Mentos, Coke and Mentos

Despite his relateve unfamiliarity with blogging in general (haha), my buddy Aaron had this interesting post the other day.  He found this interesting toy on the internet courtesty of MyHeritage.com.  You may ask yourself; what could he possibly have found that's worth talking about? 

Well, it's a very powerful “looking” face recognition software that reveals which celebrity you look like (although I somehow doubt it's true mathematical prowess).  I think this thing is mostly graphical and there isn't much actual recognition going on here… but I'm generally pessimistic and un-trusting… so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

This company also offers geneaology services, which I'm guessing is why they created this thing; to get traffic AND to say how close you look to your parents or siblings, et cetera.

For the most part, I rarely give a hoot about anything to do with pop culture or celebrities.. but my curiosity got the best of me and I'll be darned if I didn't sign up and upload a picture.  What are the results?

Here's the highlights:
61% facial match with Billie Joe Armstrong (whoever that is)
48% facial match with Christopher Reeve (Superman!)
48% facial match with Adam Sandler (I've been told that before)
45% facial match with Tim Curry
45% facial match with Andy Roddick

Click Here to check your face.

Tagged: Facial Recognition, Celebrity Facial Recognition, My Heritage, myheritage.com

I haven't been to Post Secret in a while, mainly because it can be a tad “sad” sometimes… and who likes being sad?  Regardless, if you've never seen some of the amazing post cards on Post Secret, you really need to check it out.  Here's the submission process to understand the general idea behind the site:

Some of the postcards (and the associated secrets) they post are simply incredible.  I think there is something about seeing the inner workings and deepest secrets of people that is really fascinating.

Be fore-warned: Some of the images & text can be graphic and/or explicit!

Click Here to check it out.

Tagged: PostSecret, Post Secret