netHACKZ

http://nethackz.com/

Wed Oct 22 20:53:41 +0000 2008

by Ralph Averbuch

netHACKZ is a little like lifehacker though perhaps a bit more irreverent and esoteric in the choice of posts. In its own words, "NetHackz delivers Internet productivity tips and software applications to web workers. We like to throw in the occasional picture post and video as well - but that’s for our entertainment as well as yours!" We particularly enjoyed a recent post of Apple's latest 'attack ads' aimed primarily at the US consumer market. It would be amusing to see this approach used this side of the pond. Yet, whilst we can't see them on the telly, we can still enjoy them on the web. But does this count as a productivity tip?

Better Gmail V2.0

http://bit.ly/2Li6CF

Wed Oct 15 13:14:03 +0000 2008

by Ralph Averbuch

As a fussy so and so, this reviewer has always had issues with the otherwise excellent Google Mail. The interface... it's just unnecessarily ugly/plain/boring. Take your pick. But functionality wins the day and thus Google Mail remains the non-work email account of choice. But in the FireFox browser's world of Add-ons even this minor failing can be overcome. Download 'Better Gmail 2' and it will instantly provide you with a choice of Gmail interface tweaks to delight the eye. But note, you also need to have the 'greasemonkey' Add-on installed for Better Gmail to do its magic.

Live Mesh Tech Preview

https://www.mesh.com

Wed Oct 08 16:21:30 +0000 2008

by Ralph Averbuch

Sometimes you discover an application which makes you wonder what you did before it came along. Windows Live Mesh (still in beta) is one of those. Sign up and it gives you 5GB of free online storage but, and this is the great part, it also syncs up any chosen folders and contents, such as My Documents, with any other PC you connect to your mesh. Update or add a new file to any mesh enabled folder on any device and it syncs that file with all others. As a safety measure for the day your PC dies on you, it's indispensable.

The Periodic Table of Videos

http://www.periodicvideos.com

Wed Oct 01 20:37:06 +0000 2008

by Ralph Averbuch

If you're a bit of an amateur science nerd then you may already know the theory that all the elements we know of (117 as of 2006) started life in the first fires of the first suns as hydrogen nuclei were baked into all those we see in today's periodic table. Yet, even at school it was all a bit dry. It's very hard to get excited about the finer points of beryllium or boron so the nice people at Nottingham University have decided to make short videos about each element including some entertaining experiments and the odd out-take. Check out the Caesium video. No prizes for guessing which is the mad scientist.

DineToMeet.ie

http://www.dinetomeet.ie

Wed Sep 24 20:18:46 +0000 2008

by Ralph Averbuch

You can just tell that the web is entering a more mature phase. That first flush of excitement over the possibilities of web dating has been and gone. The novelty, that you could actually meet potential partners online, is past and just about everyone accepts it's as good a way to meet as down the pub in a semi-comatose drink induced state. Recognising this new phase, DineToMeet builds on a simple premise. Don't just let people peruse profiles and take pot luck at finding out if there's any truth to be found there. Instead, it gathers together groups of (hopefully) like-minded people who can meet over a meal. It all feels a little more civilised in its approach. So if you're single, hungry, or both, it may be worth further investigation.

Throw Me

http://petersbn.members.dynasigns.de/throwme.swf

Wed Sep 17 20:13:43 +0000 2008

by Ralph Averbuch

OK, hang on to your seats for some old fashioned 2D play with this slightly addictive flash-based game. Just make sure you're ready with the ALT>TAB if you happen by pure accident to be playing in non-recreational time. Here's the premise... you're a sort of stick figure which gets thrown with great force into the air. You initially control the force by rotating the mouse to build up momentum and then using the space bar to release. You then attempt to keep said figure flying through the air by bouncing off clouds and being blown back into the sky if you hit a bomb on the ground. Sounds simple. It is simple. Simple fun that is. In fact, for something apparently so basic, it's surprisingly enjoyable and definitely harks back to a time when DukeNukem in 2D was all the rage.

Dopplr

http://www.dopplr.com

Wed Sep 10 21:35:23 +0000 2008

by Ralph Averbuch

Dopplr is a slick example of the next generation of social networking sites that aims to use the USP of bringing together frequent travellers. Whilst not unique, Dopplr is a good example of a Web 2.0 site which aims to focus its offering around a very specific type of service. Where Facebook is clearly attempting to be all things to all people, Dopplr is dedicated to social networking for travellers. If you travel a lot it may be, if you'll excuse the pun, right up your street.

CoolSites.ie

http://www.coolsites.ie

Wed Sep 03 20:14:25 +0000 2008

by Ralph Averbuch

It seems that ENN's very own weekly web pick is no longer the only service seeking out interesting new destinations worthy of a visit. CoolSites.ie is itself a rather cool place to discover daily web picks from all corners of the internet. As the About text attempts to explain, "Coolsites is about sites that are cool, interesting or simply useful. Since all of those terms are really vague and ambiguous an explanation might be helpful. Unfortunately there isn't one. The choice of sites is completely subjective and is subject to the editor's discretion." That editor is none other than hosting company Blacknight's MD Michele Neylon, who is known to have something of an obsession when it comes to launching new sites. Being based around a blog engine it's easy to keep updated with each of his new and/or interesting site discoveries or simply comment upon each new cool site listing.

UBIK.com

http://www.ubik.com/

Thu Aug 28 07:50:02 +0000 2008

by Ralph Averbuch

If you rather like the idea of quickly making your blog, or even a full-blown website, available in a mobile phone friendly format then UBIK's worth a second glance. It's all based on simple drag and drop updates which quickly allow you to customise standard templates optimised for viewing on a typical phone browser. Working with social networking sites also seems to be key. There are already Facebook friendly plugins to allow "mobile websites that are an expression of who you are." Still in beta, it's already a highly polished product and, for now at least, being offered free.

Times Online -- Games & Puzzles

http://bit.ly/1KQZfU

Wed Aug 20 18:41:05 +0000 2008

by Ralph Averbuch

Do you love a good puzzle during your lunch hour? Bit of a Sudoku fanatic? Well you might then find the (UK) Times' online puzzle pages have a certain appeal. Whilst not the only newspaper site to offer their print puzzles online (24 hours after the print version), they offer a wide choice of word and number-based puzzles. In the numbers arena they offer both traditional and 'killer' sudoku to print, as well as an online interactive version for those of us too lazy to remove our posteriors from the office chair or incapable of scribing with our mouse-shaped hands.