GeekSugar

Library of Congress Classification Game to Tests Your Wits

GeekSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:11:33 -0800

No really, I'm not kidding. If you have a few minutes to spare check out the Library of Congress Classification Game, which offers a timed test of your knowledge of the Library of Congress classification system (yes, it's different from the Dewey Decimal System you learned in grammar school). Sure, it sounds less than extraordinary, but it's actually a ton of fun. You pick up the books from the cart with the cursor and have to place them on the right shelf, in the correct spot in an allotted time frame. First the Library of Congress joins Flickr and now this?! I'm sensing a geek trend.

Statetris: It's Tetris On A Map Of The US

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:00:54 -0700

In search of your afternoon distraction? Check out Statetris, a free Tetris game based on a map of the United States.

You chose "easy," "medium" or "hard" options and proceed to fit descending state pieces into a map of the U.S. The "easy" option provides you with both a colorful state piece and its name, while the "hard" option shows just the state piece without any name. Clearly, I took the easy route.

See if you remember anything from third grade. I dare you.

Source: Neatorama

Daily Tech: Which Pocket Camcorder Is the Best?

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:50:38 -0800

Gizmodo compares and reviews the most popular pocket camcorders on the market - Gizmodo
You can now spruce up your Google Sites with a new template - Google Blog
Canadians can finally get an Amazon Kindle - The Boy Genius Report
For people looking to buy a gaming console this holiday season, here's your shopping manual - CrunchGear
The Shift Chair by Simone Micheli consists of a bunch of computer keys - Gizmodiva
Seesmic plans to launch a native desktop client for Windows - TechCrunch

To Catch a Predator - With a PS3

GeekSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:25:24 -0800

Forget fancy expensive computers - Federal Agents have a new tool in the fight against child pornography - the Sony PlayStation 3. Turns out, when several PS3s are networked together, their processing component is perfect for cracking computer passwords, which are protected under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution. So investigators can seize a suspect's computer, but they have to crack the passwords on their own.

The gaming consoles work well because of their computing power; producing detailed gaming graphics requires a lot of power. The PS3 is particularly well suited because it allows you to install Linux, an open-source operating system.

One funny catch: you can't install a new OS on the new PS3 Slim, released in September - it requires an older model. The solution? They're buying old PS3s off eBay!

New Risk Factors For Internet Addicted Kids

GeekSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:50:36 -0700

Though it's not an official diagnosis, CNN reports that some kids and teens are more likely to become addicted to the Internet than others. A recent study suggests that kids who are depressed, hostile or have social phobia have a higher chance of developing an addiction, which is usually defined as spending so much time online that your day-to-day life suffers. Experts cite the constant stimulation of fast-paced video games and social networking sites, plus the ability to easily become anonymous or adopt a completely different persona.

According to the article, teens in Asian countries have the highest rate of addiction. In China alone, over 4 million teens are reportedly spending more than six hours a day online. Treatment is especially tricky, since it's nearly impossible to mandate teens avoid the Internet completely. To start, experts recommend parents put the computer in a central location in the home - like a hallway - as opposed to in a child's bedroom, which could encourage spending too much time online.

I think this is a scary phenomenon, and it's not new. Remember the Illinois facility offering treatment for web addiction and a similar Summer camp in China opened to help Internet-addicted teens? I just re-took the Internet addiction quiz to make sure I'm still in check!

Pong Clock: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Pong was one of my favorite arcade games back in the day because it was so easy to play and so thrilling to win. Now you can sit back and watch an exciting game while the time ticks on by with this Pong Clock. Not as fun as playing yourself, there's two computer clocks duking it out every minute of every day.

Seems like an essential for your game room out, but surely is at the top of every geeks want-but-can't-have list - these babies were a limited edition and are already sold out. Bummer.

Daily Tech: Facebook Is Popular . . . Everywhere

GeekSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:30:38 -0700

Here's a visual of how many people across the world use Facebook - TechCrunch
Sony's new PlayStation 3 commercials are actually kinda funny - Gizmodo
These games are educational and you have a fun time playing them - Green Pixels
AT&T and Apple are getting sued for not being accurate about MMS launch dates - CrunchGear
China finally gets the iPhone, but it comes without WiFi - Wired
Here are some under $100 computer speaker suggestions - Switched

Tech Dating 101: He Has Nude Photos on His Laptop

GeekSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:13:00 -0700

Dear geeksugar:

I just started dating this guy. He's really sweet, caring, and I feel like he could be "the one." Although something happened the other day that I feel really uncomfortable about. He was showing me some photos on his computer, most of them were of family and friends, but I could see mini previews to ones that were, shall I say, very x-rated. When he went to the restroom, I quickly looked at them to find photos of him and naked girls. I want to confront him about them, but don't want him to think I was snooping. And if they happened in the past, should I even be concerned?

To see what I suggest as a game plan for handling this situation, just read more.

First things first, don't panic. Guys are, well, "visual learners," so I wouldn't automatically go and dump the guy. But I'm sure you're still stunned at what you saw, and can't get over the fact that he may not be as prim and proper as you previously thought.

Now I'm not going to scold you for looking on his laptop and getting all up in his virtual business, because you did see the racy photo previews. The thing is, if this guy has been amazing to you, hasn't betrayed your trust, and has been a saint in every other way, then these photos could just be from a drunken night back in college. If you can't seem to get them off your mind, and it's affecting your relationship, then I would definitely ask him about them. Just seem curious rather than confrontational to see what he says. If he says they were taken years ago and he'll delete them if they bother you - great. If he says they were taken a few weeks ago and he likes taking photos of three-ways with girls - not so great.

The Latest in Geek Tees!

GeekSugar — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 10:11:08 -0700

There's nothing quite like slipping into your favorite comfy tee - especially when it shows off your favorite social networking site, computer, or video game! Here are my top picks for geek tees that are bright, bold and come with irresistible designs.

View Slideshow ›

If You Had To: Give Up Phone or Computer For a Weekend?

GeekSugar — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:15:32 -0700

It's time for a classic game of "Would You Rather?" only instead of something saucy, we'll discuss something tech.

So: If you had to, would you rather go a weekend without your computer or your cell phone? Strip away all the work-arounds for either situation (you have a smartphone with a browser and email, you can send texts online), and think of it for convenience's sake.

Do you catch up on the blogs in your reader all weekend, and surf for fun? I do, and it would make giving up my computer painful. Do you make a lot of weekend plans and need the phone to coordinate with? I do, and not having my phone would definitely mess up my plans.

Everyone likes to be disconnected every once in awhile, but it sucks when it's against your will. So I'm making you choose: which one would you rather give up for a weekend?

Photo courtesy of The CW