GeekSugar

The Webby Awards Name Top Internet Moments of the Decade

GeekSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:10:28 -0800

The 2000s were an important decade for the Internet. It was a platform for endless amounts of innovation, a ton of new ideas and content, and it brought lots of change. In fact, I'd be hard pressed to whittle down all of the important things that have happened into a list of only 10. Thankfully popular awards organization the Webby Awards took the initiative to do it themselves and released a list of the Top 10 Most Influential Internet Moments of the Decade.

Among them: Craigslist's nationwide expansion in 2000, music-sharing site Napster's shutdown in 2001, Facebook opening to non-college students in 2006, and the Iranian election protests (a.k.a. "The Twitter Revolution") earlier this year. The list is pretty comprehensive, though I think they should add "the launch of GeekSugar" in 2006! The full list includes some major high-profile announcements as well as some that set the stage for further development and change.

David-Michel Davies, the executive director of the Webby Awards told CNN:

"Maybe in twenty years we'll look back and some of these might change. Something might become more important. I think history and time always gives you more insight into what moments or sites or companies shaped the landscape."

Indeed! It's fun to look back at the moments that shaped Internet history over the past decade, and exciting to think of what's to come in the next 10 years.

More Seniors Are Taking the Plunge Into Tech

GeekSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:17:24 -0800

I may have a game-loving gramps, but he doesn't really venture into the Internet without a little assistance. I'll cut him a break since he's in his eighties, but a recent study shows that more and more seniors are taking the plunge into Facebook, blogs, and tech in general than ever before. Stats show that the senior population (age 65 and over) that uses the Internet has tripled since 2005.

Back in the day, it used to be nearly impossible for the older set to get a handle on tech, but it seems that as times progress and technology is a little easier to grasp, senior citizens aren't afraid to jump in and get their feet wet online. Even if your dad still needs help with his WiFi, you can give him props for at least having an email address. Do the seniors in your life use technology? Share your hilarious family stories with us in our Funny Tech Stories group, or brag about how quickly they got the hang of Twitter below!

Geek Tip: Make Money at Home With These Online Jobs

GeekSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:33:22 -0700

In today's world, technology rules the roost, and there's no reason why you can't work from home and still be able to provide for yourself and your family. Have laptop, will travel, that's what I say. So if you're stuck in a job rut, or are one of the millions still searching for a job, hop online and check out these interesting and unconventional ways you can make money at home with an Internet connection and a computer.

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Another Web Clip Show to Love: Tosh.0

GeekSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:04:27 -0700

TV land has gotten the message that the new cultural currency is viral videos, and it's responding by taking them from the Internet and building TV shows around them.

Chris Hardwick got his show this Summer, Web Soup, and Comedy Central also debuted its new web clip show last month, my new addiction, Tosh.0.

Hosted by Daniel Tosh, Tosh.0 is pretty much the same format of Web Soup (themselves both borrowing from The Soup's format), but its comedian host is as hilarious as the clips he's showing. Plus, the web redemption feature (where viral "stars" like Miss Teen South Carolina get to right their wrongs on camera) keeps things more interesting than just introducing videos.

Are you watching any web clips shows, or is seeing them online good enough?

Photo courtesy of Comedy Central

OD on the Internet Overdose Song

GeekSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:34:23 -0700

If Web Site Story was the musical theater opus to the Internet, then here's the pop punk ballad: the Internet Overdose song. Lamenting the simpler times of when the web was just blogspots and AIM, the song mournfully hits all the right memes.

If the Internet Were a Musical: Web Site Story

GeekSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:21 -0700

Maybe it's because I am a huge musical dork, but this CollegeHumor parody of the Internet - set to classic West Side Story tunes - has me enthralled. FriendFeed, Twitter, Facebook, Pandora, eHarmony - see how many different websites you can pick up in the songs!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Do You Use the Internet as Your Cookbook?

GeekSugar — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:00:58 -0700

Though I'm the first person to screech "Google it!" I definitely still hit the books when I need a recipe: the Joy of Cooking, anyway. But if it's not in there, I have my laptop open in the time it takes to preheat the oven.

Nothing beats the endless recipe compilation that's the Internet - in fact, if you don't have a few go-to places (mine are Yum and the Food Network's site), it can be downright overwhelming trying to find a simple recipe.

At a time when even Whole Foods has an iPhone app and it's easier than ever to geekify your kitchen, technology seems key to becoming a top chef. Of course, there are many traditionalists who don't trust the web for their recipe needs and stick, loyally, to cookbooks. Do you use the Internet for your recipe needs?

Daily Tech: Technology in the Year 1994

GeekSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:42:44 -0700

"It's very hip to be on the Internet right now," said Bill Gates back in '94. - CrunchGear
The Amazon Kindle 2 could be better with these improvements. - CNET Crave
AT&T will offer MMS at no extra cost to customers who get a text messaging bundle. - PC World
Virgin Media has just launched a music download subscription service in the UK. - USA Today
Check out Switched's list of gadget gear for dads.- Switched
iPhone 3G S preorders have started shipping. - Engadget
President Obama lists video games as health concern in a speech to the American Medical Association. - Kotaku

Have You Ever Suffered an Extended Internet/Cable Outage?

GeekSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:45:52 -0700

Dear friends and readers, take pity on me. I have no Internet or cable at my house right now. Both services come from Comcast, and now I'm starting to see where that bundle deal was not such a great idea after all. The modem's probably broken, they say, and the only solution is to send someone out to our house. The catch? They can't come until tomorrow. That happened Monday (without even an apology for the outage, which would have been nice).

Since then, we've been living on a steady diet of season one Lost DVDs and video games (to add insult to injury, Little Big Planet keeps reminding me how fun online play is).

Sure, I should probably be using this forced disconnect time to read some books, maybe go on some long, thoughtful walks, but let's be real: I just want my Internet back (I'm whimpering). And cable and TiVo and Boxxee.

What I really learned this week is how dependent I am on these things - and that I really hate forced outages. Have you ever had to live a few days without cable, Internet, or both, against your will?

Source

How Well Do You Know Your Tech and Internet Culture?

GeekSugar — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:04:57 -0700

I pretty much live my life on the Internet and among technology of all kinds. You can almost always find me online, looking for the newest thing, phrase, or gadget to hit "the 'Net." Hey, it's my job.

Hopefully, you've been keeping up, so the answers to this quiz should come pretty easy. Consider this your short-but-sweet midterm exam for recent events in tech and Internet culture. You may pick up your clicking devices now.

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