Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Spanish Man Escapes Prison With a Fax... Again]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/juan-carlos-serna-escapes-prison-with-fax-again/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/juan-carlos-serna-escapes-prison-with-fax-again/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/juan-carlos-serna-escapes-prison-with-fax-again/#commentsA 57-year-old Spanish man is back in prison today, after using something called a fax machine to break free. The inmate, Juan Carlos Serna, reportedly got his wife to send a fax to the jail, posing as an official order from a regional court. The letter demanded that Serna be released, and was followed by a phone call to confirm. Police then let him stroll out of the facility, in much the same fashion as last October, when Serna pulled the exact same stunt.

SwitchedSpanish Man Escapes Prison With a Fax... Again originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimeescapefaxjailjailbreakjuan carlos sernaJuanCarlosSernalolzman+escapes+jail+via+faxmanescapesjailviafaxpoliceprison+escapeprisonescapespaintopMon, 04 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TweetForger: Your Lawsuit-Attracting Impersonation Site of the Day]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/tweetforger-your-lawsuit-attracting-impersonation-site-of-the-d/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/tweetforger-your-lawsuit-attracting-impersonation-site-of-the-d/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/04/tweetforger-your-lawsuit-attracting-impersonation-site-of-the-d/#comments fake sarah palin tweet TweetForger does exactly what it sounds like. Enter your mark's handle and some lulz-worthy copy, and blammo: You're all set up with a fake tweet. Not that anyone with a basic grasp of Photoshop couldn't already do this, but it's a good time-waster to kick off the week. (Apologies to both Sarah Palin and polar bears.)

SwitchedTweetForger: Your Lawsuit-Attracting Impersonation Site of the Day originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fakelolzsarah+palinsarahpalintoptweetforgertwitterwebMon, 04 Apr 2011 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[April Fools' Day: The Most Horrible Time of the Year]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-day-the-most-horrible-time-of-the-year/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-day-the-most-horrible-time-of-the-year/http://www.switched.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-day-the-most-horrible-time-of-the-year/#comments Google Motion Sadly, April Fools' Day has arrived. Every year on this day, tech companies across the country and the globe spend countless man hours and millions of dollars playing pranks on hapless consumers and frustrated tech journalists. In the past, we've been treated to such delightful jokes as Gmail Paper and every link on YouTube leading to a rickroll. Even NASA got in on the action by announcing it had found water on Mars in 2005, posting a Photoshopped image of a glass of water on the Red Planet. And today the Internet rolled out the prank parade again, trying to outdo last year's shenanigans. Here's a few from around the Web, including a torrent of tomfoolery from Google.

Continue reading April Fools' Day: The Most Horrible Time of the Year

SwitchedApril Fools' Day: The Most Horrible Time of the Year originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april foolsApril Fools DayAprilFoolsAprilFoolsDaygooglehululolzthinkgeektopwebyoutubeFri, 01 Apr 2011 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA['90s Kids Threatened by Unpredictable Web and Word Pervs]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/90s-kids-threatened-by-unpredictable-web-and-word-pervs/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/90s-kids-threatened-by-unpredictable-web-and-word-pervs/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/90s-kids-threatened-by-unpredictable-web-and-word-pervs/#comments
Have you ever been sitting on your computer, doing what you're "supposed" to do, when something came up on your screen that "made you feel bad or uncomfortable"? No? Us neither. Usually the Web doesn't surprise us with pop-up porn or snuff films. Nor do we chat with people using what appears to be Microsoft Word. The Internet was a strange place in the late '90s.

Switched'90s Kids Threatened by Unpredictable Web and Word Pervs originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lolzPSAPublicServiceAnnouncementtopwebTue, 29 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Sneaky, Supercilious Snake Taunts on Twitter, Laffs Ensue]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/bronxzoos-cobra-takes-to-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/bronxzoos-cobra-takes-to-twitter/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/29/bronxzoos-cobra-takes-to-twitter/#comments @bronxzooscobra tweet Forget Time's list of Twitter's best. Our newest local celebrity, a king cobra snake who's lately gone missing from the Bronx Zoo, has just won Twitter. (Fine, it's likely a spoof ghostwriter, but don't crush the dream.) The "super venomous, but not poisonous" Egyptian cobra disappeared on Saturday from the Reptile House exhibit; according to his Twitter account, he's since gone on to gawk at Tina Fey and mock Charlie Sheen. "[Know] what's better than tiger's blood? Cobra venom. #winning #snakeonthetown Also I'm 20 inches long. Just sayin'."

Other herpetological hijinks after the break:

Continue reading Sneaky, Supercilious Snake Taunts on Twitter, Laffs Ensue

SwitchedSneaky, Supercilious Snake Taunts on Twitter, Laffs Ensue originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bronx zooBronxZoobronxzooscobraking cobraKingCobralolzsnakesnakesSocialNetworkingtoptwitterTue, 29 Mar 2011 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Time Warner Sends Ohio Man $16 Million Cable Bill]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/daniel-devirgilio-gets-16-million-time-warner-bill/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/daniel-devirgilio-gets-16-million-time-warner-bill/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/28/daniel-devirgilio-gets-16-million-time-warner-bill/#commentsDaniel DeVirgilio of Beavercreek, Ohio was understandably shocked last week when he received a letter from Time Warner Cable. DeVirgilio, a 26-year-old engineer, had apparently failed to pay his cable bill, and owed the provider a chunk of cash -- $16.4 million, to be exact.

Turns out, the company made what it's calling a "human error" in calculating DeVirgilio's bill. An employee reportedly typed in the wrong total, which triggered an alert from Time Warner's automated system. DeVirgilio was notified that his credit card had been rejected for insufficient funds, but the card was never charged. Time Warner has promised to resolve the issue.

Continue reading Time Warner Sends Ohio Man $16 Million Cable Bill

SwitchedTime Warner Sends Ohio Man $16 Million Cable Bill originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>16+million+cable+bill16millioncablebillbillcabledaniel+devirgilioDanielDevirgiliogaffeslolzman+receives+$16+million+cable+billmanreceives$16millioncablebillmoneySweet16TimeWarnertoptvMon, 28 Mar 2011 08:33:00 EST<![CDATA['Cloud Girlfriend' Makes Sad Guys Feel Worse About Being Single]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/26/cloud-girlfriend-makes-sad-guys-feel-worse-about-being-single/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/26/cloud-girlfriend-makes-sad-guys-feel-worse-about-being-single/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/26/cloud-girlfriend-makes-sad-guys-feel-worse-about-being-single/#comments cloud girlfriend It's easy to feel sorry for lonely dudes. Beyond the fact that they are desolate, there are entire industries devoted to making them feel worse and taking their money. (The same goes for lonely ladies, as well, but let's keep the focus on guys for a moment). So, when apps like 'Cloud Girlfriend' come along, offering to create the "perfect woman" who will fake a loving relationship with someone on Facebook, we can't decide what concerns us more: the fact that individuals might actually pay for this service out of desperation, or that the creators actually thought it could be a lucrative service.

Continue reading 'Cloud Girlfriend' Makes Sad Guys Feel Worse About Being Single

Switched'Cloud Girlfriend' Makes Sad Guys Feel Worse About Being Single originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 26 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appscloud+girlfriendCloudGirlfriendfacebookFacebookAppsLOLZrelationshipstopVirtualGirlfriendSat, 26 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Web 'Comedian' Peter Coffin Caught Being His Own Girlfriend]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/peter-coffin-caught-being-own-girlfriend-xiaxue/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/peter-coffin-caught-being-own-girlfriend-xiaxue/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/25/peter-coffin-caught-being-own-girlfriend-xiaxue/#commentsChances are you've never heard of Peter Coffin (the "comedian" not the artist) or Xiaxue, and even after reading this story you probably won't care about them. But the pissing match between the two is far too bizarre to ignore. It all started, it seems, when Coffin took to Twitter to attack Xiaxue, a blogger and model from Singapore who recently had plastic surgery: "Congrats to @Xiaxue on being one step closer to an unattainable goal as well as being a shit role model. The wrong people succeed sometimes."

The two briefly argued about plastic surgery, but Xiaxue decided to block Coffin and end the Twitter fight there... or so she thought. Shortly thereafter, she became the target of one Kimi Kobayashi, Coffin's Japanese girlfriend. Xiaxue blocked her as well, but something didn't seem right. She started to do some digging. Turns out that Kobayashi is not only not Japanese (as her photos were stolen from a Korean woman named Lee Na Young), but she's not even real. Coffin has admitted that Kobayashi is fake, but now claims he's been duped and led on by this Internet imposter. That, however, seems pretty hard to swallow.

Continue reading Web 'Comedian' Peter Coffin Caught Being His Own Girlfriend

SwitchedWeb 'Comedian' Peter Coffin Caught Being His Own Girlfriend originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lolzPeterCoffintoptwitterwebxiaxueFri, 25 Mar 2011 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[OMG! Emoticons and Txt-Spk Make the OED]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/omg-emoticons-and-txt-spk-make-the-oed/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/omg-emoticons-and-txt-spk-make-the-oed/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/24/omg-emoticons-and-txt-spk-make-the-oed/#commentsFuture linguists will have a field day with this one. The Oxford English Dictionary (the "definitive record of the English language," in case you were keeping track) just released its latest update, and "OMG," "LOL" and even "<3" made the cut.

These Internet acronyms were included due to their cultural relevance today, but it turns out most have origins pre-dating those pesky tween texters. OMG, for instance, was traced way back to 1917, and LOL had a previous life in the '60s, when it was used as a shortcut for "little old lady." Some other awesome bon mots were included in this round of updates. My favorite? "Five-second rule." You can see the full list here. But you've got to suspect that, with some of these picks, the OED did it for the lulz.

SwitchedOMG! Emoticons and Txt-Spk Make the OED originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acronymsEnglishEnglishLanguagelanguagelinguisticsLOLlolzoedomgOxfordEnglishDictionarytopThu, 24 Mar 2011 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Julian Assange as Couch Surfer]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/julian-assange-houseguest-allison-silverman/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/julian-assange-houseguest-allison-silverman/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/julian-assange-houseguest-allison-silverman/#comments
The notoriously nomadic Julian Assange has never sought refuge on our couches, but if he ever did, we wouldn't be terribly surprised if he acted the way he does in this clip, which is allegedly based on an "absolutely true story." Directed and written by Allison Silverman (the former head writer of 'The Colbert Report'), the short features David Rees in a Warhol-esque wig, playing the WikiLeaks founder. He eats leftovers, he doesn't talk, he hacks into his host's laptop. And the only thing he leaves behind is rotten fruit.

SwitchedJulian Assange as Couch Surfer originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AllisonSilvermancomedyDavidReesHouseGuestsjulian assangejulian+assangeJulianAssangelolzparodyshortstopvideoWebWikileaksTue, 22 Mar 2011 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Tech-Savvy Victim Tracks Laptop Thief, Has Lulz at His Expense]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/mark-bao-tracks-laptop-thief/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/mark-bao-tracks-laptop-thief/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/22/mark-bao-tracks-laptop-thief/#commentsHere's a bit of advice for would-be gadget thieves: don't steal other people's stuff. But if you do have the compulsion to take what isn't yours, do the world a favor, and make sure you steal from people who are incredibly tech-savvy, like Mark Bao. The 18-year-old entrepreneur and student at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts had his MacBook Air stolen roughly two months ago. Last week, Bao discovered he could access some features of the machine, including his browser history and the contents of his hard drive. One of the revelations was that his thief (as have others before him) immediately took a picture with Photo Booth. The crook even recorded himself dancing (terribly) to a remix of Tyga's 'Make it Rain,' which Bao posted on YouTube. Check it out after the break.

Using his access to the browser history, Bao was able to identify the perp from his Facebook page, and plans to report the thief to the police. He also plans to identify him to the campus authorities. (Turns out the guy who snatched the MacBook lives near Bao's dorm.) Bao was able to get access to the data thanks to the automated backup service Backblaze, which synced all changes made in the laptop to the cloud. The best part is that the person currently in possession of Bao's machine has no idea that the victim has access. For now, Bao's just having his "lulz," and doesn't seem terribly concerned with reclaiming his property.

Continue reading Tech-Savvy Victim Tracks Laptop Thief, Has Lulz at His Expense

SwitchedTech-Savvy Victim Tracks Laptop Thief, Has Lulz at His Expense originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backblazecrimelaptop+thieflaptopthieflolzlulzmark baomark+baomark+bao+laptopMarkBaomarkbaolaptoptech-savvy+victim+tracks+laptop+thieftech-savvyvictimtrackslaptopthieftheftthieftopTue, 22 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Prankster Duo Lovingly Retouches Facebook Photos, With a Splash of Derp]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/prankster-duo-lovingly-retouches-facebook-photos-with-a-splash/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/prankster-duo-lovingly-retouches-facebook-photos-with-a-splash/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/21/prankster-duo-lovingly-retouches-facebook-photos-with-a-splash/#comments james' face If you're a prankster with a modicum of Photoshop skills, you'll probably want to get in on this one. Oli and Alex are charmers who use their innate artistic abilities to seriously piss off their hapless friend James. As Oli puts it: "I like going onto my friend's Facebook page, taking photos of him, changing them slightly, then putting them back up on Facebook. He doesn't like me doing this." Some are subtle (a slightly redder, puffier face), but most aren't. All, however, are exceedingly obnoxious. Hooray for friends!

SwitchedPrankster Duo Lovingly Retouches Facebook Photos, With a Splash of Derp originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annoyingBadFriendsfacebookFacebookPhotosfriendslolzphotographyphotosphotoshoppranksSocialNetworkingtopMon, 21 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Break the Web, Internet Explorer Style]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/ie6ify-breaks-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/ie6ify-breaks-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/17/ie6ify-breaks-the-web/#comments IE6ify It's no Cornify, but IE6ify does have a certain charm about it. The developer brags: "After years of observation and reverse engineering I proudly announce I have been able to reproduce the IE6 algorithm to break even the most standards-compliant websites." You know the drill: Drag the bookmarklet up top, and let the games begin.

SwitchedBreak the Web, Internet Explorer Style originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsbookmarkletcornifyie6ifyinternet explorerinternet explorer 6InternetExplorerInternetExplorer6lolztopWebThu, 17 Mar 2011 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[SXSW Dispatch: Hunting the Lobster Dog]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/sxsw-dispatch-hunting-the-lobster-dog/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/sxsw-dispatch-hunting-the-lobster-dog/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/15/sxsw-dispatch-hunting-the-lobster-dog/#comments
We bring out the costume a lot. I think we wear it once a year, for Halloween. But I think this might come as a shock, but I don't think dogs like wearing clothes. I think they hate it, actually. It may be wrong to do it, but I love my dog, and if she really didn't like it, I wouldn't put her through it. We have done a hot dog. The dog's aspect ratio is 7:1, so you get all these cool costumes like hotdogs or school buses.
Dave Lewandowski, who helped design the absurdly high tech and beautiful user interfaces of 'Tron: Legacy' in 2010. However, Dave is also known as being the father to our very favorite grumpy canine in a costume, the Lobster Dog.

SwitchedSXSW Dispatch: Hunting the Lobster Dog originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>david lewandowskiDavidLewandowskifictional user interfacesFictionalUserInterfaceslobster doglobster dogsLobsterDogLobsterDogslolzmake it soMakeItSomemessxswsxsw 2011sxsw-2011Sxsw2011toptron legacyTronLegacyTue, 15 Mar 2011 12:37:00 EST<![CDATA['Show Me Now' How-To App Guarantees To Make You More Insufferable]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/14/show-me-now-how-to-app-guarantees-to-make-you-more-insufferabl/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/14/show-me-now-how-to-app-guarantees-to-make-you-more-insufferabl/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/14/show-me-now-how-to-app-guarantees-to-make-you-more-insufferabl/#comments how to perform a pig prank Ever wonder how to find an avalanche victim? Tie a windsor knot? Wrap a Purim basket? Of course you have! Based on the much-ballyhooed book, the 'Show Me Now' iPhone app has over 300 hilariously illustrated how-tos, and promises to help you become an insufferable know-it-all. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some bougainvillea to train.

Gallery: Show Me Now

Switched'Show Me Now' How-To App Guarantees To Make You More Insufferable originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appshow-toiphonelolznewsmainshow me nowshow+me+now+appShowMeNowshowmenowapptopMon, 14 Mar 2011 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[NY Fed Prez Angers Hungry Mob With iPad 2 Gaffe]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/11/william-dudley-angers-mob-with-ipad-2-gaffe/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/11/william-dudley-angers-mob-with-ipad-2-gaffe/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/11/william-dudley-angers-mob-with-ipad-2-gaffe/#commentsWe know that the iPad is a popular device, and the iPad 2 will only make it more popular. It's an important piece of pop culture! We get it.

But here's a piece of advice: When trying to explain to a crowd of angry people that inflation isn't really that bad and that the economy is doing well, you probably shouldn't turn to a luxury item like the iPad 2 as your example of economic stability. William Dudley, president of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, was speaking to a crowd in Queens on Friday when he was bombarded with questions about rising food prices. Dudley's explained that while some prices were rising, others were definitely falling. "Today you can buy an iPad 2 that costs the same as an iPad 1 that is twice as powerful," he told the crowd.

According to Reuters, an audience member responded, "I can't eat an iPad."

SwitchedNY Fed Prez Angers Hungry Mob With iPad 2 Gaffe originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ipadipad 2ipad+2+newsIpad2ipad2newslolzNew York Federal Reserve BankNewYorkFederalReserveBankpoliticstopWilliam DudleyWilliamDudleyFri, 11 Mar 2011 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Placekitten Pairs Web Design, Placeholder Pics and Pretty Kitties]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/placekitten-pairs-web-design-placeholder-pics-and-pretty-kittie/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/placekitten-pairs-web-design-placeholder-pics-and-pretty-kittie/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/placekitten-pairs-web-design-placeholder-pics-and-pretty-kittie/#comments Placekitten For those who design for the Web, securing a placeholder image -- a temporary picture that'll save a spot while the website is under construction -- is often a headache. On top of needing to resize hundreds of images that'll just be tossed anyway, merely locating a group of suitable pictures is a tedious task to which no self-respecting Web guru looks forward. Enter Placekitten, a simple service that lets Web pros enter in requisite dimensions and automatically generates a perfectly sized picture... of a kitten. The simple "placekitten.com/600/250" link equation makes grabbing images effortless, and adorable. The width is entered first, followed by the height. And there you have it: "aww"-inducing images, made on the fly.

Now only if Placekitten could put a furball in the most important spot: our outstretched arms, primed for kitten cuddling. (Each kitty randomly generated based on size specs, of course.)

SwitchedPlacekitten Pairs Web Design, Placeholder Pics and Pretty Kitties originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designkittenslolcatslolzmemsplaceholderplacekittentopwebweb designWebDesignThu, 10 Mar 2011 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Are 'NCIS' Writers Part of a Conspiracy to Troll Gamers?]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/tv-writers-trolling-gamers-in-rage-conspiracy/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/tv-writers-trolling-gamers-in-rage-conspiracy/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/10/tv-writers-trolling-gamers-in-rage-conspiracy/#comments
We're more than used to (and frequently annoyed by) the gross misrepresentations of technology and videos games on TV and in movies, but 'NCIS' has gone to new heights by failing to even approximate reality in this scene that's supposedly about MMORPGs. We just hope this Reddit commenter is right that it's all part of a massive conspiracy by TV writers to troll nerds.

SwitchedAre 'NCIS' Writers Part of a Conspiracy to Troll Gamers? originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaminglolzmmorpgncistoptvThu, 10 Mar 2011 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[This Mark Zuckerberg Action Figure Will Creep You Out]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/mark-zuckerberg-action-figure/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/mark-zuckerberg-action-figure/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/09/mark-zuckerberg-action-figure/#commentsM.I.C., the same company that turned Apple CEO Steve Jobs into an action figure, has released yet another nerd-themed figurine -- this time, of Mark Zuckerberg. That's right, kids: You can now spend hours in your rooms, pretending that you're the founder of Facebook, and arguably the most awkward billionaire the world has ever seen. Granted, M.I.C. demonstrated a remarkable attention to detail in putting together this mini-Zuck, right down to the Adidas flip-flops and vacant stare. But that kind of minutiae only makes the thing even creepier than its namesake. And that's hard to do.

SwitchedThis Mark Zuckerberg Action Figure Will Creep You Out originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action figuresActionFiguresfacebooklolzMark ZuckerbergMarkZuckerbergtoptoysWebWed, 09 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Tinted Sheen' Lets You Surf The Web Without #Winning]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/tinted-sheen-lets-you-surf-the-web-without-winning/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/tinted-sheen-lets-you-surf-the-web-without-winning/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/08/tinted-sheen-lets-you-surf-the-web-without-winning/#comments Sheen Blocker Are you tired of going online for the latest LOLcat news, only to have your line of sight violated by Charlie Sheen? You're not alone. If you've OD'd on tiger blood, there is now a cure. Tinted Sheen is a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that removes all instances of "Charlie Sheen" and "Sheen" (but not "Carlos Esteves") from websites, and even blocks images of his leathery mug. The extension was created by fffff.at and Greg Leuch, a man obviously deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. Install the extension here.

Switched'Tinted Sheen' Lets You Surf The Web Without #Winning originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>celebritiescharlie sheenCharlieSheenlolztinted sheenTintedSheentopwebTue, 08 Mar 2011 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Mark Zuckerberg's Adorable Puppy Gets a Facebook Page]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/mark-zuckerberg-beast-dog-gets-facebook-page/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/mark-zuckerberg-beast-dog-gets-facebook-page/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/07/mark-zuckerberg-beast-dog-gets-facebook-page/#comments Beast the Dog Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and world's youngest billionaire, just got a new puppy -- and OMG it's super-cute. It's even cute enough to have its own Facebook fan page, with almost 2,000 'Likes.' We bet your dog isn't that cute.

To be fair, your dog is probably not a 2-month-old ball of fluff named Beast. Of course, Zuck wasted no time violating the poor puppy's privacy, posting photos of it looking sad and lost. But we won't complain too much. What's the point of the Internet, if not for posting adorable pet photos?

Gallery: Mark Zuckerberg's Puppy, Beast

SwitchedMark Zuckerberg's Adorable Puppy Gets a Facebook Page originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beastcutefacebooklolzMark Zuckerbergmark zuckerberg dogMarkZuckerbergMarkZuckerbergDogpetssocial networkingSocialNetworkingtopMon, 07 Mar 2011 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA['Goodnight Dune' Puts Super Geeky Kids to Bed]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/goodnight-dune-puts-super-geeky-kids-to-bed/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/goodnight-dune-puts-super-geeky-kids-to-bed/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/04/goodnight-dune-puts-super-geeky-kids-to-bed/#comments Goodnight Dune After spotting 'Goodnight Dune' in a list of parody sci-fi children's book titles, Julia Yu felt inspired and turned the joke into a reality. Margaret Wise Brown's classic 'Goodnight Moon' is reworked to include obscure 'Dune' references that only a true fan would get. Yu's illustrations are spot-on as well, blending the original style of 'Goodnight Moon' with homages to David Lynch's film adaptation of 'Dune.' Read the whole book here.

Switched'Goodnight Dune' Puts Super Geeky Kids to Bed originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booksduneGoodnightDuneGoodnightMoonlolzsci-fitopFri, 04 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pixellated Stripper Encourages Stronger Passwords]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/naked-passwords-pixellated-stripper-encourages-security/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/naked-passwords-pixellated-stripper-encourages-security/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/01/naked-passwords-pixellated-stripper-encourages-security/#comments naked passwordThe dweebs at Platform45 think a little pixelated peepshow will be enough to keep negligent surfers from using weak passwords. As your complexity increases, an 8-bit redhead loses her clothing, and eventually -- by combining upper and lower cases, letters and numbers -- ends up fully nude. 'Naked Password' is a bit of script intended for the backend of websites. (Try it out here.) Misogyny aside, the prospect of hacked accounts keeps our passwords strong -- not cartoon booty.

SwitchedPixellated Stripper Encourages Stronger Passwords originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lolzNakedPasswordpasswordPasswordProtectionpasswordssecuritytopTue, 01 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Game Literally Makes You Go, 'Pew Pew']]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/27/game-literally-makes-you-go-pew-pew/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/27/game-literally-makes-you-go-pew-pew/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/27/game-literally-makes-you-go-pew-pew/#comments
'PewPewPewPewPewPewPewPewPew' is a 2-D side-scrolling blaster game that should seem familiar to anyone who lived through the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. This soon-to-be Xbox Live title is a little different though; instead of using a controller, two players man microphones, one controlling thrust by blowing and the other firing lasers by -- you guessed it -- going "pew, pew, pew."

SwitchedGame Literally Makes You Go, 'Pew Pew' originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gaminglolzpewPewPewPewPewPewPewPewPewPewtopvideogamesxbox 360Xbox360Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Classic Literature Converted to QR Codes for No Good Reason]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/books2barcodes-converts-qr-codes-to-classic-literature/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/books2barcodes-converts-qr-codes-to-classic-literature/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/25/books2barcodes-converts-qr-codes-to-classic-literature/#comments Books2Barcodes Books2Barcodes is the brainchild of the jokers over at Wonder Tonic. The idea is to take the world's greatest works of literature, such as 'Ulysses' and 'Moby Dick,' and convert them into thousands of QR codes, each of which houses an 800-character chunks of the tome. Point your smartphone with a QR reading app like 'Google Goggles' at the screen, and you've got a tiny fragment of a classic work. Why would anyone want to point their phone at a computer screen to read slivers of literature that could only consume a minute or so of their lives? We're not sure, but Books2Barcodes is an excellent example of what sadistic people with access to modern technology are capable of doing.

SwitchedClassic Literature Converted to QR Codes for No Good Reason originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>books2barcodesebookslolzQrCodestopWonderTonicFri, 25 Feb 2011 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hide Ya' Kids, Hide Ya' Eyes: 'The Chronicles Of Rick Roll' Is Real]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/chronicles-of-rick-roll-is-real/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/chronicles-of-rick-roll-is-real/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/24/chronicles-of-rick-roll-is-real/#comments
You might have seen the teaser for 'The Chronicles of Rick Roll' already, and thought to yourself, "This is a really bad joke." But you'd be wrong!

The creator of the clip, Andrew Fischer of Nurv.com, told Business Insider he is very serious about making a feature-length film. He assured the publication that "the movie is not a prank," and said he's hoping for a theatrical release. Even if Fischer succeeds in getting 'The Chronicles of Rick Roll' on the big screen, we're not sold on the idea of an "epic comedy" staring viral video celebs like Antoine Dodson, Paul Vasquez, the "Numa Numa" guy, and Leroy Jenkins. Okay, maybe that's an understatement. We're terrified of this film. An hour and a half of Dodsen telling everyone to hide their kids and Vasquez getting over-excited about rainbows? Stab our eyes.

SwitchedHide Ya' Kids, Hide Ya' Eyes: 'The Chronicles Of Rick Roll' Is Real originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AntoineDodsonLeroyJenkinslolzmemesmoviesNumaNumaPaulVasquezTheChroniclesOfRickRolltopThu, 24 Feb 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Louisiana Uses Wikipedia as Historical Record for Monument]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/22/louisiana-uses-wikipedia-as-historical-record-for-monument/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/22/louisiana-uses-wikipedia-as-historical-record-for-monument/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/22/louisiana-uses-wikipedia-as-historical-record-for-monument/#comments Printed Wikipedia Much of the world's history may have been written by the victors, but Louisiana's historical record apparently hinges on the whims of lonely computer nerds. Case in point: the State Capitol building in Baton Rouge, where a statue of the state's first governor is accompanied not by an official document or verified biography, but by a printout of the man's Wikipedia page. Yes, a printout -- from 2009, replete with a URL and external links. Maybe future generations will one day regard Wikipedia printouts as historical relics. In the meantime, though, it looks like Louisiana's schoolchildren will have to learn their state's history from basement dwellers.

Update: State House of Representatives spokesperson Sheila McCant tells The Advocate that the original biographic information was switched out by a prankster.

SwitchedLouisiana Uses Wikipedia as Historical Record for Monument originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BatonRougeeducationgovernorhistoryinformationlolzLouisianatopWebwikipediaTue, 22 Feb 2011 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA['Great Gatsby' Flick to Be Shot in 3-D]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/22/great-gatsby-movie-shot-in-3-d/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/22/great-gatsby-movie-shot-in-3-d/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/22/great-gatsby-movie-shot-in-3-d/#commentsIt sounds like a story line straight out of 'The Simpsons.' For the first time in years, a movie director will soon adapt 'The Great Gatsby' to the silver screen. Except this Gatsby will be in 3-D. And in Australia. Let's just hope that director Baz Lurhmann goes ahead, fully embraces absurdity, and writes in a few car chases.

Switched'Great Gatsby' Flick to Be Shot in 3-D originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-d3dBazLuhrmannGreatGatsbyliteraturelolzmediamoviestopweirdTue, 22 Feb 2011 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Dorky Dad Bakes Son 'Angry Birds' Birthday Cake, Lazy Parents Roll Eyes]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/21/angry-birds-cake/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/21/angry-birds-cake/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/21/angry-birds-cake/#comments
If your kids are currently in the room, it's probably in your best interest to refrain from watching this video. No, it's not because of bad language or nudity or violence. It's because, if they see this monstrosity of a birthday cake (and working model of 'Angry Birds'), they will not rest until you construct it. And that would take us months.

SwitchedDorky Dad Bakes Son 'Angry Birds' Birthday Cake, Lazy Parents Roll Eyes originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry+birds+birthday+cakeangry+birds+cakeAngryBirdsangrybirdsbirthdaycakeangrybirdscakeappsbirthdaydiyfoodgamingkidslolztopMon, 21 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fox's Fundamentals of Sexting: Learn Your MOOS from Your MOSS]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/19/foxs-fundamentals-of-sexting-learn-your-moos-from-your-moss/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/19/foxs-fundamentals-of-sexting-learn-your-moos-from-your-moss/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/19/foxs-fundamentals-of-sexting-learn-your-moos-from-your-moss/#commentsHey, old folks! Feel like getting into the exhilarating practice of sexting? Gizmodo breaks down some intrepid reporting typical of Fox News, so that the next time you get a text that reads 'GYPO IAYM,' you'll know it's not the Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends deriding your Gypsy heritage. Fox reminds you: "Take it slowly. Sexting can quickly go from fun to creepy if you keep it up for too long or escalate too quickly." Whatever happened to a simple A/S/L WANNA CYBER?

SwitchedFox's Fundamentals of Sexting: Learn Your MOOS from Your MOSS originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphoneslolzsextsextingtopSat, 19 Feb 2011 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Group Raises $50,000 For RoboCop Statue, Mayor Be Damned]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/detroit-robocop-statue-group-raises-50000/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/detroit-robocop-statue-group-raises-50000/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/detroit-robocop-statue-group-raises-50000/#commentsBarely a week after Detroit's mayor tweeted that a RoboCop statue wouldn't be erected in the city, the Detroit Free-Press is reporting that a group of artists and fans who supported the idea have raised more than $50,000 toward its construction. The group will continue to solicit donations on its Kickstarter page until March 29th. After that, it will determine how much to spend and hire sculptors to build the RoboCop statue. Despite Mayor Dave Bing initially rejecting the idea, the Free-Press claims the Mayor's office is now working with the group to find a public spot for the statue. If not, the statue will likely end up at an outdoor art space called the Imagination Station.

SwitchedDetroit Group Raises $50,000 For RoboCop Statue, Mayor Be Damned originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DaveBingDetroitdetroit+robocop+statuedetroitrobocopstatuekickstarterlolzMayorDaveBingmoviesrobocoprobocop statueRobocopStatuetopWed, 16 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Frightened Dell Employees Call Cops on Horribly Misguided P.R. Campaign]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/dell-employees-call-cops-on-horribly-misguided-campaign/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/dell-employees-call-cops-on-horribly-misguided-campaign/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/16/dell-employees-call-cops-on-horribly-misguided-campaign/#commentsWe're comforted to know that we're not the only ones who get severely weirded out by overzealous P.R. people. Dell employees in Round Rock, Texas were so freaked out, in fact, that they recently wound up calling the cops on their own coworkers. Of course, they didn't realize at the time that the black-clad, mask-wearing men clutching "metallic objects" and barking orders at them were doing so as part of an internal marketing campaign. Imagine that...

SwitchedFrightened Dell Employees Call Cops on Horribly Misguided P.R. Campaign originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingdelllawlolzmarketingpolicetopweirdWed, 16 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Minecraft' Marriage? Game Developer Pops Pixelated Question With Lava]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/15/minecraft-marriage-game-developer-pops-pixelated-question-wit/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/15/minecraft-marriage-game-developer-pops-pixelated-question-wit/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/15/minecraft-marriage-game-developer-pops-pixelated-question-wit/#comments
Even our stone-cold hearts melted some when we watched this video of Bioware sound designer Joel Green's pixelated proposal to his girlfriend/co-worker, Heather Rabatich, in the world-building game of 'Minecraft.' Green placed signs along the virtual way, leading Rabatich's avatar to an aerial view of his digital monument to marriage: pools of orange lava spelling "Marry Me?" His overture also included a giant iron engagement ring with a diamond that he had mined in the game. (Yes, there was a real ring, too.) Rabatich, who's obviously a fan of the game, said yes to her nerdy beau, only to be killed later by a creeper.

Switched'Minecraft' Marriage? Game Developer Pops Pixelated Question With Lava originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWaregaminglolzmarriageminecraftproposaltopValentinesDayVideoGamesTue, 15 Feb 2011 15:44:00 EST<![CDATA[7-Year-Old Almost Buys Harrier Jet on eBay for $113K]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/7-year-old-almost-buys-harrier-jet-on-ebay-for-113k/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/7-year-old-almost-buys-harrier-jet-on-ebay-for-113k/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/09/7-year-old-almost-buys-harrier-jet-on-ebay-for-113k/#commentsHarrier Jet
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A 7-year-old boy from London almost had himself a real life Harrier Jet after clicking 'Buy it Now' on an eBay listing. The British-built jet capable of vertical take-offs was restored and being sold by Jet Art Aviation not as an auction, but as an instant purchase for £69,999 (around $113,000). Thankfully, the boy's father quickly caught the error and called the sellers to apologize -- gratuitously, we'd imagine -- and explain that his small son would not be able to afford the plane on his allowance.

The sellers were understanding and the Harrier was put back up on eBay, this time as an auction, to prevent excitable children from quickly (and accidentally) claiming ownership. It appears the plane has since been sold and is no longer appearing on eBay. The jet was not quite fully functional at the time of sale but Chris Wilson, the former Royal Air Force mechanic who runs Jet Art Aviation, told Fox News the craft could be made air-worthy again, but only at significant cost to the purchaser.

Switched7-Year-Old Almost Buys Harrier Jet on eBay for $113K originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ebayharrierlolztoptransportationwebWed, 09 Feb 2011 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How to Make an Animated GIF from a YouTube Video]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/08/how-to-make-animated-gif-from-youtube-video/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/08/how-to-make-animated-gif-from-youtube-video/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/08/how-to-make-animated-gif-from-youtube-video/#commentsmake animated gifs Animated GIFs are on the rise again, blanketing Tumblr, Twitter and much of the Switched team chatroom. Some sites offer GIF-making tools, but most, at best, do little more than take multiple screencaps of a video, leaving you with a five-frame result that's not going to get you any Internet cred. Amazingly, there still isn't a dedicated app for making amazing works like these, so you'll have to get your hands a little dirty. We've spent far too much time perfecting our process, which involves YouTube downloads, Photoshop and QuickTime -- but it works.

Continue reading How to Make an Animated GIF from a YouTube Video

SwitchedHow to Make an Animated GIF from a YouTube Video originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animated gifsanimated+gifanimatedgifAnimatedGifsgifsimageslolzmake+an+animation+from+youtube+videomakeananimationfromyoutubevideophotoshoptipsyoutubeyoutube+downloaderyoutube+to+animated+gifyoutube+to+gifyoutubedownloaderyoutubetoanimatedgifyoutubetogifTue, 08 Feb 2011 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[RoboCop Will Not Be Immortalized As a Statue, Detroit Mayor Tweets]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/08/robocop-will-not-be-immortalized-as-a-statue-detroit-mayor-twee/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/08/robocop-will-not-be-immortalized-as-a-statue-detroit-mayor-twee/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/08/robocop-will-not-be-immortalized-as-a-statue-detroit-mayor-twee/#commentsBad news, world: Detroit will not be building a statue of RoboCop. The cyborg who convinced us that, dead or alive, we're going with him will not be immortalized à la Rocky in Philly. Detroit mayor Dave Bing has been reaching out to the community for ideas to revive the inner city, and the public's continued insistence to see Officer Alex Murphy in stone will just simply not be heard. "There are not any plans to erect a statue to Robocop. Thank you for your suggestion," he tweeted, clearly under the influence of OCP. We offer a suggestion: 'The Crow'?

SwitchedRoboCop Will Not Be Immortalized As a Statue, Detroit Mayor Tweets originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Detroitlolzmayor dave bingMayorDaveBingmediamoviesrobocoprobocop statueRobocopStatuetopTue, 08 Feb 2011 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA['The Wii Plays' Takes Gameplay to the Live Stage]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/06/the-wii-plays-takes-gameplay-to-the-live-stage/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/06/the-wii-plays-takes-gameplay-to-the-live-stage/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/06/the-wii-plays-takes-gameplay-to-the-live-stage/#commentsThe Ars Nova theater in New York's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood hopes to translate a collection of eminent, famous fables to the live stage. The series of stories may surprise some avid playgoers, though, because the playwrights actually sought inspiration from the Nintendo Wii. 'The Wii Plays,' devised by the theater's Play Group, includes an assortment of legendary Nintendo titles, including 'Wii Tennis' and 'Marvel Super Hero Squad', as well as seminal characters like Mario and Sonic.

According to the New York Times, the short plays each run approximately 8 minutes, and attendees will be able play real Wii games prior to the show. Ars Nova's associate artistic director, Emily Shooltz, reportedly hopes the "fun and upbeat" atmosphere helps people "embrace the spirit of game night." The fact that the Play Group's 12 members took creative license with their narratives should definitely help contribute to that frivolity. In one particularly intriguing redux, 'Oedipus' meets 'Wii Sports Resort' when a son and stepfather duel for the affections of the family matriarch.

Continue reading 'The Wii Plays' Takes Gameplay to the Live Stage

Switched'The Wii Plays' Takes Gameplay to the Live Stage originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ars novaArsNovagaminglolznintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiithe wii playsTheWiiPlaystopvideo gamesVideoGameswiiSun, 06 Feb 2011 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[NBC Sacks Dude Who Posted 'What Is Internet Anyway' Viral Vid]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/nbc-fires-man-leaked-what-is-internet-viral-video/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/nbc-fires-man-leaked-what-is-internet-viral-video/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/04/nbc-fires-man-leaked-what-is-internet-viral-video/#commentsWhat is the Internet anyway? By now, you've probably seen the chuckle-inducing video of Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel on the Today Show in 1994, trying to figure out just what "the Internet" is. (If you haven't, check it out after the break.) The video was a quaint reminder of just how far we've come in the past decade and a half, but apparently someone at NBC didn't think it was so cute, even after the Today Show crew laughed about it on air (video after the break). It turns out that the guy who posted the video was an NBC employee, and the higher-ups at the network were so unamused that they sacked the poor schmuck. In an official statement, NBC wrote "The individual in question violated the company's standards of conduct by repeatedly copying and distributing a variety of materials without permission." So while the show's hosts apparently have a sense of humor about how befuddling the Web seemed not all that long ago, the company's executives appear to be quite thin-skinned.

Continue reading NBC Sacks Dude Who Posted 'What Is Internet Anyway' Viral Vid

SwitchedNBC Sacks Dude Who Posted 'What Is Internet Anyway' Viral Vid originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1994+what+is+the+internet1994whatistheinternetbryant gumbelBryantGumbelcelebritieskatie couricKatieCouriclolzmedianbc+what+is+the+internetnbcwhatistheinternettoday showTodayShowwebwhat+is+the+internet+anywaywhatistheinternetanywayFri, 04 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Guess What? Camel-Riding Robots Are Armed With Stun Guns]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/22/guess-what-camel-riding-robots-are-armed-with-stun-guns/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/22/guess-what-camel-riding-robots-are-armed-with-stun-guns/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/22/guess-what-camel-riding-robots-are-armed-with-stun-guns/#commentscamel Here are a couple factoids for you to munch on this Friday. Last February, the world's most expensive camel sold for £1.6 million, or about $2.5 million. This camel was an international racing camel, and, yes, that exists. If the fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled world of camel racing doesn't excite you, the absurd wealth of the socialite Arab participants (or at least the brightly colored nose cozies the camels wear) certainly will. And, like any enterprise involving high-stakes dromedaries, camel racing has a seedy dark underbelly. At one time, wealthy racers corralled young boys, some as young as 6-years old and intentionally kept underweight, to ride their camels. The United Arab Emirates decided to ban the use of underaged jockeys in 2005, replacing them with camel-riding robots. Yet even the robots are problematic; it appears that an underground cartel has been equipping the little 'bots with stun guns, allowing them to zap camels as they ride.

Continue reading Guess What? Camel-Riding Robots Are Armed With Stun Guns

SwitchedGuess What? Camel-Riding Robots Are Armed With Stun Guns originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AnimalCrueltyanimalscamelCamelRacingcreepyrobotRobotApocalypsetopuaeUnitedArabEmiratesweirdSat, 22 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Texting Fountain Lady Lawyers Up, Goes on Weepy Offensive]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/22/cathy-marrero-texting-fountain-weepy-offensive/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/22/cathy-marrero-texting-fountain-weepy-offensive/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/22/cathy-marrero-texting-fountain-weepy-offensive/#commentsWith her identity finally revealed, the infamous fountain lady should be joyously reveling in an undoubtedly fleeting moment of Internet fame. Instead, Cathy Cruz Marrero (who actually works, or worked, at the mall where she fell) has hired a lawyer and is publicly crusading for sympathy and an apology. Speaking with George Stephanopoulos, Cruz Marrero and her attorney recently explained the self-explanatory misstep, and expressed a determination "to hold all parties accountable." (Parties? Really?)

Seeking compassion and favor from the Web community (which obviously thrives on embarrassing slapstick hilarity) definitely seems like a hopeless cause. Ms. Cruz Marerro would probably be better suited by hiring an agent, crafting an auto-tune ditty or adding the 'Benny Hill' theme as background music. But, the time for those actions may have passed, because the fountain lady's ongoing media crusade has provoked some unintended, and particularly unflattering, publicity.

Continue reading Texting Fountain Lady Lawyers Up, Goes on Weepy Offensive

SwitchedTexting Fountain Lady Lawyers Up, Goes on Weepy Offensive originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cathy cruz marreroCathyCruzMarrerofountain ladyFountainLadylolzmemesTextingtexting fountainTextingFountaintopSat, 22 Jan 2011 09:01:00 EST