Odds and Ends, Sun 29 June 2008
1. Universcale
<http://www.nikon.com/about/feelnikon/universcale/index.htm>
"Today, using the electron microscope and astronomical telescope, we can
see the objects which we have not been aware of its existence before.
Are you able to fathom, or even roughly grasp, these sizes? See our
Universcale and experience the sizes of various objects."
[Requires Flash, and turn down the sound if that could be a problem.]
2. "30 Beautiful And Original Product Designs"
<http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/05/26/beautiful-and-original-
product-designs/>
"Successful product design manages to reveal useful functionality beyond
its appealing form. No matter how excellent a design looks like, most
customers aren't likely to spend money on something they won't be able
to use. On the other hand, most people are likely to buy something
useful despite the design it has."
3. "formula 1 user interfaces"
<http://www.oobject.com/category/formula-1-user-interfaces/>
"The complexity is ubiquitous, all 11 Formula 1 teams produce cars with
more or less the same multi button design allowing adjustment and
tweaks of traction and aerodynamics from the wheel itself. Unlike a
road car, space and focus constraints mean that the entire dashboard
is on the steering wheel. This is something that will no doubt be
copied, unnecessarily, in consumer cars in future, but would that be
a UI improvement?"
4. "The 50 Best Pun Stores"
<http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008/06/06/the-50-best-pun-stores/>
"Pun stores. Stores with puns in the title. Bet you didn't think we
could rank the 50 best ones. But you didn't even think there were 50.
Well guess again. BWE.tv has scoured the internet and pulled together
the 50 Best Pun Establishments."
5. "Manure thief falls into dung, flees naked"
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/29/2288876.htm>
"A woman trying to make 'manure bombs' using stockings, slipped into a
slurry tank and fled the scene naked, German police said."
6. "Pigeons smuggle drugs, phones into Rio prison"
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/27/2288463.htm>
"A sharp increase in drugs and mobile phones found inside a Brazilian
prison mystified officials - until guards spotted some distressed
pigeons struggling to stay airborne."
7. "English 'self-important and irritating', says new travel guide"
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/11/2241261.htm>
"The writers confess to bafflement over the quirky English, concluding
that of the 200 countries the guide reviews there is none 'so
fascinating, beautiful and culturally diverse yet as insular, self-
important and irritating as England.'"
8. "The Secret History of Star Wars"
<http://www.secrethistoryofstarwars.com/>
"The Secret History of Star Wars is a new full-length e-book exploring
the writing and creation of the Star Wars saga. Culled from over 400
sources and filled with quotes from people such as George Lucas, Gary
Kurtz and Mark Hamill, The Secret History of Star Wars traces all the
way back to 1973..."
9. "'City of Shadows' by Alexey Titarenko"
<http://www.alexeytitarenko.com/port_cityshadows.html>
<http://www.alexeytitarenko.com/city1.html>
A series of long exposure shots of crowds in St. Petersburg, Russia.
