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iPhone succumbs to puppy madness

You love your puppies, but maybe hanging out with them at home just isn't enough for you and you want to peek at others' puppies, too. Now you can indulge this puppy love whenever you want, wherever you want, with the potential of seeing an unlimited number of puppies, as long as you have an iPhone.

TheDailyPuppy.com, a Web site that dog enthusiasts have no doubt been using as their home page, announced Wednesday the availability of its application for the iPhone. Now you can get puppies delivered to you via just a few touches of the finger--and … Read more

Another image-based Captcha method

Captcha, or Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart, is a method used by many Web sites to fight against computer-generated input. As computers get smarter, Captchas hves become more of a nuisance because most of them are now tough for us humans to pass.

I recently blogged about a new and more humane way to create a Captcha by using 3D images and the implementation of that method at Yuniti.com. I've just run into a different approach, similar to the Asirra tool revealed by Microsoft in 2007, that seems even easier for humans … Read more

Intelligence agency hosts kids' Web sites

It's never too early to know your organs of state. To this end, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is hosting what it calls the Intelligence Agency Community Kids' Page.

The page offers roughly a dozen links to U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agency sites, where children can learn about the institutional layout and various skill sets of each department.

For example, the NSA offers a primer on cryptology, led by a collection of trademarked characters like Crypto Cat and Decipher Dog. Youngsters can race through timed puzzles and try their hand at photo analysis with … Read more

Franks, just like the pros make them

If you're not the type to invest in a gas or charcoal grill, thankfully there are gadgets that still help you make professional-style hot dogs.

Take this Hot Dog Rotisserie by Giles & Posner: it cooks your hot dogs and toasts your hot dog buns at the same time. Three nonstick rollers roll your frankfurters to perfection, using the same method that's used at corner stores, movie theaters, and football games. And your bread or hot dog buns are toasted at the same time in the specially designed bun warmer on the side, so in a few minutes … Read more

Webware Radar: FirstString launches social network for athletes

An online social network for high school athletes launched Wednesday. Dubbed FirstString, the service connects athletes in the same conference and division, providing them with access to competitors' rosters, opponents, and schedules. According to the company, its network will allow users to post photos, videos, and awards, while providing them with tools to converse and stay up to date on player stats.

Each athlete profile is viewable by all teammates, approved friends, and opponents. It includes personal details, along with stats, team information, and a comment board. The site itself features a sportscasting function, which constantly updates users about game … Read more

The 404 260: Where you can take it two ways

Major props to Capt. Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 for ditching the plane in the Hudson River after a double-engine failure and flying over the George Washington Bridge. Jeff Bakalar remains frightened for his life by flying.

In addition, the Watchmen movie debacle is settled between Warner Bros. and Fox, giving Justin Yu an early birthday present. Speaking of which, Wilson Tang will be joining the soon-to-be 25-year-old Mr. Yu for an Asian karaoke lovefest. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Rickrolls the Interwebs about a year and a half way too late, but … Read more

The 404 233: Where all dogs go to jail

On today's show, dogs, dogs and more dogs! Why? We have no idea. We talk about Bentley the driving dog, an animal abuser who gets served with poetic justice and, of course, the release of cutesy dog movie BOLT. A cell phone saves one man's life, Second Lifers get physical and Canada's biggest losers win in court. Also, angsty teen vampire flick Twilight drops this weekend, get out your Clearisil...

Dan the Mantern here. My favorite story of today is about how Second Life users are getting it on. This article from the BBC describes in vivid detail how to set yourself up for some 3-D lovin. Kudos to the creative programmers who busted out the code that allows for some pretty graphic depictions of virtual anatomy, but, come on people, is this really the way we want future generations to remember how we harnessed technology? Well, at least you don't have to worry about birth control...

EPISODE 223 Download today's podcast … Read more

So just what is running on Windows Azure?

LOS ANGELES--With only a couple of examples shown Monday of programs running on Windows Azure, I started to wonder just how far along things are with the cloud OS.

In an interview, corporate VP Amitabh Srivastava tried to set me straight.

"Windows Azure is at an early stage," he said, "It is real, but it is at an early stage."

In addition to the BlueHoo application shown on stage, Windows Azure was used to build Microsoft's Live Mesh and is also being used to build the next generation of Live Meeting.

"Ultimately the goal … Read more