Posts tagged Blogger at Switched

Posts with tag blogger

Artist Wants Webcam Installed In Her Prosthetic Eye

by Engadget Staff, posted Nov 17th 2008 at 4:31PM

Tanya Vlach, a San Francisco-based artist, lost her eye in a 2005 car accident, and now keeps a blog chronicling the "monocular life." She's got a real-enough looking prosthetic peeper, but Tanya's a self-described "sci-fi geek," and, with the approval of her doctor, she's put out a call for engineers to build her a camera... for her fake eye. \

Likening her possible future self (the one with the eye-cam installed) to a cyborg, Tanya reasons that her aesthetic-only eye could become a source of "augmented reality," and she's got a list of possible specs up on her blog for would-be engineers to begin with. Just some of the things mentioned for inclusion are: DVR capabilities, MPEG-4 compression, a microSD slot, A/V out, and Bluetooth. In other words, Tanya Vlach is insanely cool. Emphasis on the insanely part. [Via Digg]

Readers Unite to Aid Injured Blogger With Online Auctions

by Dan Reilly, posted Sep 10th 2008 at 10:17AM

For all the talk about the Web diluting personal relationships, now comes the New York Times's moving story of a blogger's readers starting a fundraiser after a plane crash left her and her husband in critical condition.

Since last week, Stephanie Nielson, the author of motherhood blog the NieNie Dialogues, and her husband, Christian, have been in a Phoenix hospital burn unit after a private plane they were flying in crashed, leaving the pilot dead. As she recovers from burns to over 80-percent of her body and reconstructive skin grafts, many Web sites have started 350 auctions that could raise over $100,000 for the couple and their four children, who range from ages six to 23 months.

The reason for this outpouring of support is the inspirational message the NieNie Dialogues supplied to its 1,000 regular readers, a number that's risen to over 20,000 as Ms. Nielson's sister has taken over updates. The blog, originally started so Nielson could provide family updates to her large Mormon clan, is popular due to her upbeat and positive postings, which readers say are a welcome change from many other mom blogs that are rife with complaints about motherhood.

For more information on Nie Nie Day auctions, visit Design Mom, which has a listing of many of the prizes being offered. So far, prizes have included an autographed Maroon 5 guitar, Arizona Diamondbacks tickets, and all sorts of clothing, jewelry, and services from many generous donors. So, please get bidding and show that the Internet can really provide solid relationships between people who've never met. [From: The New York Times]

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World's Oldest Blogger Dies at 108

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Jul 14th 2008 at 11:19AM

Olive Riley, the world's oldest blogger, died this Saturday in a nursing home in Woy Woy, Australia. The bubbly and mentally sharp Riley began blogging in February of last year with the help of a friend who helped put Riley's posts on the Web.

Riley won herself a sizable international audience with her ruminations on historical events of the last century -- she was born in 1899 -- and her upbeat entries on life. She even posted occasional videos, including clips of her singing a "happy song." Riley was not a passive poster either, she had frequent communication with readers from around the world, helping to keep her mind fresh and her spirits up.

Riley's posts can still be read and watched at The Life of Riley and World's Oldest Blogger. [Source: Reuters]

Blogger Awarded $85,000 in Lindsay Lohan Defamation Suit

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Jan 25th 2008 at 10:57AM

The term "celebrity blogger" may sound like an oxymoron, but we swear it means nothing about Perez Hilton's popularity. Hilton was awarded almost $85,000 to pay for his legal fees stemming from a defamation suit brought against him by Lindsay Lohan hanger-on Samantha Ronson.

Hilton, who claims to have the most hated blog in Hollywood, had re-posted a report on another Web site that claimed Ronson had planted cocaine found in Lohan's car following the train-wreck starlet's run in with a tree in May.

Hilton's lawyer, Bryan J. Freedman, defended him successfully on First Amendment, freedom-of-speech, grounds, then proceeded to take Ronson to bank for Perez's exorbitant legal fees.

We're wondering what happened with the blog that originally posted the accusation of planting cocaine, but also sure (and thankful) that Ronson learned a thing or two about free speech in the process.

From AOL News/AP

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Saudi Blogger Jailed for Criticizing Religious Extremism

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Dec 31st 2007 at 5:13PM

You've probably never heard of Fouad Ahmed al-Farhan, but there is the chance that no one will ever hear from him again. Fouad is the latest blogger to become a victim of censorship by a totalitarian regime. The Saudi Arabian government arrested Fouad for criticizing religious extremism and several figures close to the Saudi royal family on his blog, alfarhan.org.

Fouad isn't unique in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia isn't unique in the world. All over the globe regimes such as China, Iran, Russia and Cuba have made it a matter of national security to squash the practitioners of free speech, and those who might disagree with the politics of the ruling party.

Alfarhan.org has not been shut down completely just yet, though. The normally Arabic language site now has an English banner across the top declaring "Free Fouad" and the letter he wrote to his friends just before his arrest has also been posted. It states that he knew the authorities would be coming for him soon.

Sadly, there isn't much the average person can do except repost the "Free Fouad" banner and make sure the enemies of freedom of expression know they can't hide from the critical eye of the global masses.

From PC World

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Bloggers of the World Unite!

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Aug 7th 2007 at 11:29AM

A group of left wing political bloggers is attempting to unionize in order to make it easier for professional bloggers to obtain health insurance, conduct collective bargaining and set professional standards.

Blogging is often a very low-paying gig, with those who work for small-time blogging networks making just a few bucks a month, maybe enough to pay the broadband bill if they're lucky. Those who run their own blogs often make much less.

Without a union specifically dedicated to them, bloggers are left with other unions such as the Freelancers Union, the Authors' Guild, or the National Writers' Union.

Ultimately, the market will decide what a reasonable wage for blogging is, but getting organized is a step towards blogging as a financially viable employment choice.

From Tech Crunch

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Malaysian Blogger Arrested for Political Satire

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Jul 17th 2007 at 12:39PM

Malaysian authorities are out to prove that no one has a monopoly on stifling Internet based free speech. Nat Tan, blogger at Jelas.info has been arrested under the country's Official Secrets Act.

Nat was arrested, according to initial reports, for posting doctored images of the Deputy Prime Minister that showed him having dinner with a victim of a high profile murder and a prominent scandal-plagued political analyst.

The authorities are now saying he has classified documents in his possession, which may be linked to allegations of corruption against government officials.

Supporters are posting the image to the right as a sign of solidarity with the imprisoned blogger. We of course as well feel it necessary to post as well. We're fans of free speech and political satire so, it's a no brainer.

From Boing Boing

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