Stop pagination now

Written by

Slate:

Pagination is one of the worst design and usability sins on the Web, the kind of obvious no-no that should have gone out with blinky text, dancing cat animations, and autoplaying music. It shows constant, quiet contempt for people who should be any news site’s highest priority—folks who want to read articles all the way to the end.Splitting articles and photo galleries into multiple pages is evil. It should stop.

It’s not “evil” but it is incredibly annoying and definitely should be stopped.

The “Hop” is a suitcase that follows you around

Written by

Terminal U:

Overpackers take note: this could be the invention that changes your life forever. Or it could also be the most gimmicky travel accessory you’ve ever seen.The “Hop” as it’s been called, is a suitcase that you don’t have to lug through the airport. You don’t even need to pick it up, as it follows you wherever you go – a bit like a lost puppy.

This is one of those things that, when you read about it you think, “Hey – that could be kinda cool!” Then you watch the video and think a bit more about it you realize, “oh yeah…this is a really stupid idea.”

Naming winter storms

Written by

The Weather Channel:

During the upcoming 2012-13 winter season The Weather Channel will name noteworthy winter storms. Our goal is to better communicate the threat and the timing of the significant impacts that accompany these events. The fact is, a storm with a name is easier to follow, which will mean fewer surprises and more preparation.

Winter is coming.

Hurricanes have been given individual names for years and those fancy pants Europeans have been naming winter storms since the 1950’s. The list of names is interesting too – I can’t wait for that storm with the K name so we can all look skyward and scream, “KHHAAAANNNN!!!”

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite really shines

Written by

TechHive:

The new Kindle Paperwhite is a dramatic update inside and out, one with fully redesigned software and an appealing integrated light that makes the Kindle more usable in any environment.

While I prefer the iPad, Amazon is doing a great job with the Kindle line. The reviews for the Kindle Paperwhite have all been quite complimentary. I’ve recommended various Kindles to any number of people who don’t need the full feature set or functionality of the iPad.

A look back at the CD

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The compact disc player turned 30 today, and this retrospective offers a history lesson about the format and the medium.

Sculley talks Newton, ARM

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John Sculley recently spoke about Apple’s development of the Newton MessagePad and the genesis of the ARM processor.

Inside the world’s last pinball design shop

Written by

Wired:

While The Who’s “Pinball Wizard” still stands up after four decades of radio play, the designers of the pinball machines that made Tommy so good have become an endangered species.Only one company in the world, Illinois’ Stern Pinball, still designs and produces these electro-mechanical marvels, the lone holdout since industry behemoth Williams Electronics shuttered its pinball division in 1999. It may be a dying art, but the creative minds at Stern are nonetheless continuously creating new machines that can keep their industry moving forward and give them one more replay.

I still prefer pinball machines to video games. There’s something “retro-cool” about the mechanical action of the game play that you can’t get from computerized games.

Klingon Style

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“Gangnam Style” is much better in the original Klingon.

30 geeky ways to spruce up your nerd pad

Written by


BuzzFeed:

Home decor for the inner nerd in all of us.

Come on, admit it. You’d like at least half of these in your own nerd pad, wouldn’t you? I love #2 but #6 would make me break the door down.

Arment on iCloud backup and muggles

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Marco Arment explains some of the problems that regular folks like his grandparents still have with Apple technology that many of us take for granted.

Nook e-reader goes HD

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Barnes & Noble is continuing its fight against Amazon with new versions of its Nook e-reader, including a model that’s about the same size as the iPad.

The Ostrich Pillow lets you nap anywhere

Written by

OhGizmo!:

Admittedly, the thing is pretty awesome, if only because it’s so ridiculous looking. But it’s also sort of smart. It’s a pillow with an opening for your hands, and for your mouth and nose. Your eyes are covered and your head is cushioned whether you decide to plop your noggin down on your desk or sleep in the airplane.

I’ve always wanted a foolproof “Dork Detector” and, if you’re using/wearing this, there’s no doubt – you are an absolute dork!

Who better to lead America than a country already leading America?

Written by

The Globe and Mail:

“Who better to lead America than a country already leading America in so many ways?” is just the beginning of Canadian Brian Calvert’s case, made in a YouTube video, for why Americans should vote for Canada to run the U.S. this fall.A scrolling list of things Mr. Calvert argues Canadians do better include healthcare, human rights, and the employment rate – along with big foot sightings, lumberjack fashion and bear attacks.

Seriously, America. Why not let Canada govern you for a while? What’s the worse that could happen?

Drunkenomics 101: Playing a beer market

Written by

Wired:

Usually, the only math required at a bar is tip calculation. But a new algorithm-based program from Miami company Drink Exchange makes ordering cocktails much like playing the stock market.If a particular concoction is popular, the software automatically raises its price. Conversely, the less popular a drink, the less it costs. Bar promotions (such as a sudden “market crash,” when all prices fall) affect prices minute to minute. Television screens and LED tickers display the prices so patrons can follow along—and throw elbows to get their orders in.The system is currently set up in 25 watering holes, and there are plans to be in 300 by year’s end.

Seriously? Would you do this? I don’t want to work this hard just to get a drink.