Google has published slides and videos from a 2007 tutorial series for new interns covering distributed computing, MapReduce, GFS and a few algorithms. This seems to be part of Google’s efforts to engage universities in their code, probably to give future Googlers a head-start. (via Geeking with Greg)
People are increasingly finding that their web images are snapped up by companies without their consent. This is in large part because advertisers are interested these days in putting forth a more “authentic” image, namely schmoes like us. Just look at the difference between a “nerdy teen” on Flickr and iStockPhoto to see why marketers [...]
I am a big advocate of eating right. I participate in the No-Corn-Syrup Diet. To this end, I’m always really frustrated when marketing gets in the way of people making the right decision. Take for instance the 100 Calorie Pack by Nabisco, which come with the following message: Sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy, creamy — what [...]
Here’s Looking At You is a brilliant short film by Lenka Clayton and James Price which exposes how people judge each other on first impression. Beyond all of the depressing skepticism that these subjects expose, I find it fascinating how much information people draw from a nearly-still image. It definitely shows how important a photo [...]
Brand New discusses the recent change to the Xerox Logo which takes a classic brand and turns it into some 3D garbage reminiscent of 2001. Why? “The Internet, sponsorships, all kinds of 3D icons — none of that existed when Xerox adopted its old logo… and you can do animation with a symbol that you [...]
It’s going to be a scorcher today in NYC, by early-January terms. The estimated highs in Central Park are ranging from 65 to 70 degrees, which means a high likelihood of breaking the daily record (65 degrees, set in 1998), and close to the January record (72 degrees, set on January 7, 2007). In a [...]
In 1986, Richard Hamming gave a talk at the Naval Postgraduate school entitled “You and your research” relating his experience working with some of the best scientists of the last century. It’s a must-read for anyone who does research for a living, and probably applies to just about any line of work. A few of [...]
You may remember a strange incident between a famous rapper and a giant donut that I wrote about a while back. It turns out that Jelly Donut has been immortalized in history on Lady Sovereign’s Wikipedia page. Respect to the J.D.
Clive Thompson provides a nice backstory to the Physics paper most likely to become a movie if it’s true: An exceptionally simple theory of everything” by Garrett Lisi, a 39-year-old surfer/physicist affiliated with no university. The Wikipedia page provides a nice explanation of the paper, its reception by the physics community, and a pretty visualization [...]
Over the past year I have had some amazing cocktails. As I head into Health Month, I’d like to reflect on some of the cocktails I’ve had over the past year in Manhattan which are probably among the best drinks I’ve had in my life. Eastside Cocktail (gin, cucumber, mint, lime juice, and simple syrup) [...]