[Video Link]. I suppose I should state the obvious: spoilers!

(thanks, Mark Day) — Read the rest

On Friday, the FBI shut down three of the world's most popular online poker sites, replacing their home pages with the message: "This domain name has been seized by the F.B.I. pursuant to an Arrest Warrant."

Former Boing Boing guest-blogger Joe Menn at the Financial Times nails the story first and best, and describes it as "the largest crackdown since Congress banned electronic gambling transactions in 2006." — Read the rest

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(via Clayton Cubitt) — Read the rest

"Sleepy King and Hello Kitty," a photo contributed to the Boing Boing Flickr Pool by Beckitten.

Health officials in Los Angeles used blogs, Twitter and Facebook to track down the source of a legionella bacteria infection that sickened more than a hundred Playboy Mansion visitors. The verdict: "a whirlpool spa" at the iconic mansion. I think they mean the famed grotto (I've been there on a reporting mission once, fully clothed!), — Read the rest

This week, New Zealand's Parliament rushed in its controversial 3-strikes Internet disconnection law, using emergency procedures invoked to help victims of the Christchurch earthquake for cover. The law allows whole families to be disconnected from the Internet if someone using their Internet connection is accused — without proof — of three acts of copyright infringement. — Read the rest

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Friday Freak-Out: It's A Beautiful Day performing "White Bird" live at the Fillmore, 1971. From the film Fillmore: The Last Days.

This is, hands-down, the best portable audio system I have ever heard. It takes a few minutes to set-up and pack-up, and you need a power source to run it, but wow! does it have great sound! I have used it for parties, outdoor BBQs, and on vacation and it never fails to sound great. — Read the rest

[Video Link] Here's the latest episode of Guns & Gardens. I wonder if they belong to my favorite political party (The Guns and Dope Party). — Read the rest

[Video Link]. An AP item about spectrograms and audio files which captured sound waves associated with the March 11 earthquake off the northern coast of Japan. (via @NYTjim) — Read the rest

Today is the final deadline for your space-themed art entries in the Yuri's Night art contest!

Sean Michael Ragan chose an adorable case to hold his micro FM transmitter. Make: Projects has the complete instructions.

(A No-Prize shall be awarded to the most sanctimonious comment about FCC rules against RF interference.)

Micro FM Transmitter

Chris Strachwitz, 79, is the founder of Arhoolie Records, a small, independent, and absolutely incredible record label based in the Bay Area that for 50 years has released an unending stream of obscure and exquisite "down home" roots, blues, folk, and Tejano music. — Read the rest

"The song line up for 'Searching for Major Tom' has been announced. WilliamShatner.com is happy to report that the album due out later in 2011 on the Cleopatra Records label will have the following songs…"

I've heard his "Iron Man," from an iPhone video captured in the studio by a friend during the recording session. — Read the rest

If you're in NYC on Sunday, April 17th, check out the latest edition of the live improv/storytelling/puppetry/comedy/burlesque show "And I Am Not Lying," put together by BB pal Jeff Simmermon. Starts 8PM at the Kraine theater: 85 East Fourth Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. — Read the rest

Barry Ritholtz of The Big Picture says:

In 2006, just as the Housing market was peaking, the NYT ran this graphic of the 100-year Case Shiller chart. It showed how radically overvalued Housing had become.

Two years later, TBP reader Steve Barry updated that graphic, including the projected Home Price mean reversion.

[Video Link]. Medieval dresses and orgone generators to combat negative vibrations from mobile phones and gaming consoles by Dorota. Everything about this video, right down to the MIDI soundtrack, is unstoppably awesome. Thanks, Robert Popper.

DealNews points to a bunch of education applications for the iPad and iPhone that McGraw-Hill is giving away (regularly $2 each). I just grabbed them all. The deal ends April 16.

McGraw-Hill iPhone / iPad apps for free: Monster Squeeze, Tric-Trac

What are the best iOS (iPod Touch) apps for soon-to-be kindergartners? Preferably related to science, music, art, early reading/writing skills. You know, the stuff CD-ROM makers used to call "edutainment." And fun/silly games too!

My favorite part: they are lining up to take their turn. (Via Illustrateurs)