Quiddities and quandries from my quintessential quest

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Twitter is Measuring its Improvements

I am really pleased with the efforts of the twitter staff in providing their users with constant updates — not to mention, the improved service! Here’s an abbreviated version of a recent post on their twitterstatus tumblog, entitled “Measurable Improvements”: …[Twitter] page response times have significantly improved in the last week, as you can see [...]

Let Language Evolve!

Can we just clear this up now: the word `data’, in english, is a singular mass noun. It is thus a grammatical and stylistic error to use it as a plural. Plural use is barbaric: amongst other crimes, it is a deliberate archaism, and thus a symptom of bad writing. Data is a singular noun [...]

Tweetburner and Link Tracking

Link: tweetburner My curiosity got the better of me!! I’m now gonna start tracking the links I share on Twitter. Or at least, I’m starting to use a link-shortener that will let me track if the urge ever hits. Whether I actually get around to using it is a completely different question… :P UPDATE (June [...]

Email Inbox as a Video Game

I treat [my email inbox] like a video game – if the messages reach the bottom of the screen, I lose. Comment by mcparsons at Open Thread: The value and quality of email at work | 43 Folders. Additional thought, added August 30, 2010: If I get my inbox to zero, I win. :)

Machines That Can Eat

Machines are under development that can digest plants, like we do, heal themselves and even poo. Robot that can build itself to be unveiled – Telegraph I’m sorry, but pooing robots is where I draw the line. Actually, robots that can design and justify a way to destroy humanity is where I draw the line, [...]

Sunset on Mars

NASA – Sunset on Mars This isn’t from Phoenix, but it’s still purdy and relevant, since Mars is in the news so much lately.

Making a Cup of Tea

Procrastination is making a cup of tea…  making a cup of tea.. making a cup of tea.  Nooooo!! Or so I say, as I’m making a cup of tea.  I think the real procrastination here is re-posting this video, but it had to be done. ;)

Zucchini Sandwich

Ricotta, courgette, lemon and mint summer sandwich MmmmMmmmm.  I am eating this right now, but on a whole wheat bun.  I will make this again!

Barefoot-like Footwear?!

…different than any other footwear on the planet. Not only does it bring you closer to nature, it delivers a number of positive health benefits—by leveraging all of the body’s biomechanics so you can move as nature intended. Vibram Five Fingers: Discover the Barefooting Alternative

Tweets from Another Planet

I find it absolutely delightful that someone is twittering as @MarsPhoenix, giving “live” updates about the happenings on Mars and the research going on. I can’t help but wonder who is actually doing the twittering though!! Is it someone from NASA? An interested fan? Someone like @BadAstronomer or another famous science journalist?