Links for 2005-08-09

Posted August 9, 2005 1:17 AM.

• Top 10 dot-com flops "Few of these companies actually made enough money to recoup that cash, and when their investors fled to the hills, these start-ups died dramatic deaths. These are the celebrity victims of the new-economy bust."
• In which Daring Fireball takes Cory to task for a post on Apple and Trusted Computing Interesting one this - Cory treats any technology in his machines that could potentially be used to limit his freedoms as an invasion and an imminent danger, John points out that it's not in Apple's interest to utilise it. My head's with John, my heart's with Cory.
• Google Maps EZ Some easy code and a walkthrough for using the Google Maps API on your own sites
• Remote-Controlled Humans - by delivering electric currents behind the ear, you can steer human beings... "A demonstration video shows a young man walking down the street nearly run over by a passing motorcycle, steered to safety at the last minute by a guardian angel wielding a remote control. "
• "American researchers claim to have found convincing evidence that locates the site of the lost kingdom of Atlantis off the coast of Cyprus." I used to teach myth at University and for the most part the academic approach to this is to say that the myth or idea of Atlantis is way more important than any real place - and to remind people that Plato used a lot of metaphors and fables to illustrate his philosophy.
• Bacteria froze the Earth, researchers say "Humans apparently aren't the first species to change the climate of the planet. Bacteria living 2.3 billion years ago could have plunged the planet into deep freeze, researchers at the California Institute of Technology claim in a new report."
• Apparently you can 'hack' lifts by pressing 'door close' and the floor you want to go to.. I've tried this at the BBC several times and the results have been inconclusive. Treat with suspicion!
• Ruby and Python Compared I'm just getting myself started in programming, after years of concentrating on navigation design, client-side design and code - Ruby is looking like it might be the language for me...
• What I'd say to the Martians (being a really funny New Yorker rant) "People of Mars, you say we are brutes and savages. But let me tell you one thing: if I could get loose from this cage you have me in, would tear you guys a new Martian asshole"
• An uncut interview with Joss Whedon from In Focus... "An interview with Joss Whedon, the renowned script doctor and "Toy Story" scribe who created "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" - and makes his feature directorial debut with the sci-fi actioner "Serenity"
• BBC News' obituary of Robin Cook "Former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, 59, has died after collapsing while out hill walking in Scotland."