Ziff Davis To Close PC Magazine Print Edition
One of the oldest computer magazines is shutting down its print edition. The magazine arguably created the concept of comparative reivews and benchmarks, and its columnists and Editor’s Choice awards were always great. I’m sad to see it go, but the reality is that tech print publications are slowly dying, and most of the writers are doing more of their writing online. I knew PC Mag would be going away from print soon, as their magazine had just gotten smaller and smaller. I bought a copy a couple years back when I went to Colorado, expecting to have plenty of reading material for the plane ride (as PC Mag was usually full of articles and content), and there was little content — mostly short blurbs that said to read more at their Web site.
It saddens me, too, because back in the day, long before I got married and had kids, I went to college to become a journalist, specifically a technology journalist, and would’ve loved to have written for one of these types of publications. When I got married and had a family to feed (which was before I got out of school), I gave up being a reporter and decided that tech was going to pay my bills and feed my family while being a geek writer probably wouldn’t. I always had a place in my heart for tech magazines, and even did several reports and assignments on a few of them (was the only guy in my classes that did, with most of them focusing on music/culture magazines). I still have a WinMag coffee mug from when I got published on the back page of the magazine back in the day.* But I saw this day coming, like I’m sure most folks did.
* That coffee mug, a couple Intel bunny people dolls, my “Cloned by Ghost” ghost doll (before Symantec bought the program), and my “I’m Feeling Lucky” Google boxers that I won during Google’s original beta period (long before they were re-released) are probably my geekiest historical things that aren’t computer parts. What do you guys have?
Free To Good Home: Small Critters
We have a long-haired Guinea Pig and a Teddy Bear Hamster with full cage setup that need homes. The Guinea Pig just doesn’t get along with our current pig, but is very nice and friendly and calm piggie otherwise (easy to handle and does fine by itself), and the hamster is just too nocturnal for us. They’re both very sweet and nice. I’m posting it here as I know many of the people who comment on this site, and hopefully will find somebody who can give it a good home. E-mail me (or comment below) if you’re interested.
Another Reason to Love Google: LIFE Photography Archive
Google is now hosting LIFE Magazine’s photo archive. Some of the world’s most memorable news photos were published in that magazine, and having an archive of the LIFE library — most of which were never published — is an amazing resource.
Link via the Google Blog
Want to Lose Your Lunch?
If you cover your eyes, these female body builders look like men with bikini tops.
Thanks Kottke — now I need to go bleach my brain.
Baltimore’s One Scary Place
Apparently Baltimore is more dangerous than Mogadishu (screenshot with highlighted text below as because with all Wiki type of sites, this will probably get changed pretty quick):
Update: And as I post this, it’s already been changed. You can see the historical page here.
“These cuts on my arms? I was trying to be a hero…”
“It has nothing to do with the break in at the adult toy store up the street. Really. I promise.”
There’s A Fetish For Everything…
…and for those people, here’s a blog with nothing but pictures of cute girls at tea (safe for work, don’t worry).
Insanely Difficult Game For The Day
Try as I might, I wasn’t able to get this guy to go past three meters. Apparently there’s a long jump pit if you make it far enough.
Here, try this far less frustrating game instead.
Did Bend Have A Ninja Problem in the Early 80s?
It’s a good question that Jon asks, based on what he found in the Bend City code.
Possession of a Throwing Star.
(1) Definition: “Throwing Star” means any instrument, without handles, consisting of a metal plate having three or more radiation points with one or more sharp edges, and designed in the shape of a polygon, trefoil, cross, star, diamond, or other geometric shape for use as a weapon for throwing.
(2) A person commits the offense of possession of a throwing star if the person knowingly manufactures, causes to be manufactured, brings into the city, keeps for sale, offers for sale, exposes for sale, gives, lends or possesses a throwing star as defined in section l herein.
(3) Possession of a throwing star is a Class A misdemeanor.
[Section 5.070 added by Ord. NS-l398, passed 6-20-84]
Now, looking at that date, it appeared that it was adopted into law two days before Karate Kid hit the theaters. I was six years old then, but I used to think karate stuff (and throwing stars) were pretty sweet (what little boy didn’t?), but I wouldn’t have ever know they were illegal (my buddy had a few of them, but we didn’t live in the city limits at the time, so I’m sure we were fine). And ol’ timers know the story behind this?
I wonder how often this law is enforced. I remember seeing them for sale at some store around town at one point in recent memory, but can’t remember where.
But Jon’s inspired me — I think I’m going to have to start digging into the city code. I’m sure there are some goodies in there.
Update on 11/15: Thanks to Cheryl, who talked to some folks at the city, we have an answer:
Yes, the problems was associated with one store owner who was importing various weapons and selling them to kids. The police asked that the owner not sell the throwing stars to kids under 18, but the store owner wouldn’t comply. Then the newspaper got wind of the concern expressed by some folks in the community and it was referred to the Council and became a total ban.