'Alien' prequel takes off

Cover of Alien (The Director's Cut)

'Alien' prequel takes off - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety

The original Alien is one of my favorite movies. And since Blade Runner is such a classic, that makes Ridley Scott one of my favorite directors.

I'd love to see what he'd do with a prequel.

Everything I Know About Parenting I Learned from System Administrators

Everything I Know About Parenting I Learned from System Administrators | GeekDad | Wired.com

As a career IT guy, a geek, and a dad, this seems right on! Luckily my kids don't have as many flaws as my Windows servers.

Serious Threat to Shutdown Skype

Image via CrunchBase

Shock threat to shut Skype

Is it really possible that eBay messed up this bad? First, they paid way too much, and now it seems they didn't even buy the whole widget.

I can't help but wonder if this is a ploy to get Skype back into the hands of the founders who appear to have retained ownership of the core technology.

xkcd - A Webcomic - Lease

xkcd - A Webcomic - Lease

More geeky humor for ... geeks. I know a few people like this, even if they won't admit it.

Hilarious Anti-Windows 7 Mosspuppet Video

Context: For those who are not familiar, Walt Mossberg is the primary tech columnist for the Wall Street Journal. While I think he is generally correct, some think he is biased towards Apple. He is considered very powerful due to the effect of his recommendations and columns, and I believe he has gained a reputation for a bit of arrogance.

With that context in place, enjoy the video:

There's evidently a whole slew of these puppet videos including Emperor Palpatine, among others. Funny stuff.

FaceBook Uses Your Pictures in Ads and How to Turn It Off

Image via CrunchBase

It seems a bit slimy, but FaceBook will use your pictures to push ads to your friends. It is understandable that they want to improve the efficacy of their ads, but goes beyond what s reasonably.

If you do not opt out of this "feature", your photos will appear in FaceBook ads hawking whatever product or service making it appear a bit like you recommended it to your friends.

Here's How you Can Turn Off Your Pictures in FaceBook Ads

To opt out of this "feature", go to "Settings" (top right, next to "Logout"), select "Privacy Settings", select "News Feeds and Wall", and select the "FaceBook Ads" tab. Set the "Appearance in FaceBook Ads" to "No One".

New Tron Trailer - Geeky Goodness

Tron Trailer

While some may disagree (wife), the original Tron was a geek classic. The sequel deserves a viewing on that pedigree alone. And the visual effects in the trailer are fairly impressive. Enjoy.

Moon landing tapes got erased, NASA admits

Moon landing tapes got erased, NASA admits| U.S.| Reuters

I'm glad they found copies and restored some of this historic footage.

Erupting Volcano Anak Krakatau

APOD: 2009 July 13 - Erupting Volcano Anak Krakatau

Gorgeous night photo of Anak Krakatau erupting. APOD always has great photos.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0907/krakatau_fulle_big.jpg

Remembering Apollo 11

Remembering Apollo 11 - The Big Picture - Boston.com

Great series of historical photos from Apollo 11 -- a very heady time. I hope we can do something as inspiring in our time.

Unqualified Reservations: Wolfram Alpha and hubristic user interfaces

Unqualified Reservations: Wolfram Alpha and hubristic user interfaces: "no stranger to hubris"

This is an extremely well thought out discussion on user interfaces focusing on the distinction between an algorithmically processed "natural language" interface and a more specific and deterministic "control interface". The author has an impressive grasp of the subject matter.

APOD: 2009 July 7 - The Trifid Nebula in Stars and Dust

APOD: 2009 July 7 - The Trifid Nebula in Stars and Dust

Another beautiful photo. There are amazing sites out there.

Tesla Sedan

It looks pretty good, but I'm not sure how practical it will be, until we have an electric chargin infrastructure or chains of battery replacement shops.

Snowfall on Mars? NASA's Phoenix Lander recorded it

Snowfall on Mars? NASA's Phoenix Lander recorded it - Ars Technica

Snow discovered on Mars. Pretty cool to have additional verification of an active water cycle.

Transformers 2 Review and FAQ That Nail It (and a bonus video)

Topless Robot - TR Review: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Finally. An accurate review of the new Transformers movie. It is really hilarious and ironic that this review is better than the movie but wouldn't exist without it.

Topless Robot - Bonus! Rob's Transformers 2 F.A.Q.s!

If you saw this movie, and it made your head hurt, this is the FAQ for you. While the movie ostensibly made an effort to make sense, it is clear that neither logic nor good storytelling were used as guides.

I found it quite cathartic to read this. Some little piece of my lost sanity and faith in all that is good has been returned to me.

Topless Robot - Watch Transformers 2 for Free!

So, save your self some time. Watch this clip. It's really better than the movie.

Design Dungeons & Dragons Shoes for Wizard of the Coast, Never Be Cool Ever

Topless Robot - Design Dungeons & Dragons Shoes for Wizard of the Coast, Never Be Cool Ever

This is frightening. And scary. Very weird. A contest to design D&D shoes?! Is there a big demand? Did I mention that this was scary?