Newsstand for iPad is really successful (at first)

Newsstand launched, the NYTimes for iPad app saw 189,000 new user downloads, up seven times from only 27,000 the week before, spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha told me. That’s impressive, but it’s nothing compared to the NYTimes iPhone app, which saw 1.8 million new downloads that week, 85 times more than the 21,000 downloads the week …

What is a Heritage Turkey?

The modern turkey (the Broad-Breasted White) has been selected generation after generation for two main traits: white meat and fast growth. The oversized breasts of the Broad-Breasted White render it incapable of flight or natural mating. As it matures, it has difficulty walking. The heritage turkey, on the other hand, is closely related to its …

Microsoft Health Vault, a viable alternative to Google Health

Now that Google Health is shutting down I’ve moved my information into Microsoft’s Health Vault. A while back I spent some time digitizing my health files and also hit-up my Mom for her records. It took a little time but was worth it. I thought this would force me to throw out the paper files, …

Inside a whale's mouth and African Wild Dogs (photos)

Beautiful photos from National Geographic’s Best Environmental Photos 2011. Here are my two favorites: Fish flee the gaping maw of a Bryde’s whale, which surprised…(the photographer, who said) he snapped the picture while also fleeing the whale. A pack of African wild dogs attacks a warthog in northern Botswana. They live in packs that are usually dominated by a monogamous breeding pair. The …

Inside a whale’s mouth and African Wild Dogs (photos)

Beautiful photos from National Geographic’s Best Environmental Photos 2011. Here are my two favorites: Fish flee the gaping maw of a Bryde’s whale, which surprised…(the photographer, who said) he snapped the picture while also fleeing the whale. A pack of African wild dogs attacks a warthog in northern Botswana. They live in packs that are usually dominated by a monogamous breeding pair. The …

Second Life Failed Because Facebook Became Our Second Life

Slate recently did a piece on why Second Life, the virtual reality world, failed. It concludes, rightfully so, that the Linden Labs creation world lacks a clear purpose. Given how significant this factor is in the “real world” — people with a strong purpose and vision in life thrive, while those who lack direction, don’t …

Surfer breaks world record, rides 90-foot wave: HOLY WOW

Just to preface this video for anyone who has never surfed: the ocean, and specifically surfing, has a way of teaching humility and respect for Mother Nature in a way few things can. It’s tough to comprehend the true size and power of a wave is until you’re staring it down, in the water, just …