Will Oremus points out that the recent "Upworthy traffic collapse" stories rely on short-term traffic estimates from quantcast which everyone knows are questionable. It's just more interesting to believe that Facebook is pulling the strings of the entire web: "journalists will believe anything about the social network, as long as it's totally outlandish." He points out an example, at Business Insider, where insinuations over advertising/publisher shenanigans were allowed to be presented as outright accusations–and soon quietly edited out.
The truth about Facebook
Collapse OS, an operating system for after the apocalypse
Collapse OS is an operating system that no-one should ever have to use. It's designed to be useful after worldwide catastrophe destroys human civilization: able to run on junk and easy to work with, assuming a modicum of computer science skill and a copy of the classics. Winter is coming and Collapse OS aims to… READ THE REST
Apple hardware engineering chief Dan Riccio will step down, focus on new project yet to be revealed
Apple's hardware engineering chief, Dan Riccio, is planning to step down to oversee a new project, the company announced Monday, providing no further details on the longtime executive's latest role. Could this be related to the iPhone maker's foray into self-driving car technology? Your guess in the Boing Boing BBS. From Reuters: Riccio will report… READ THE REST
Programming Language Creator or Serial Killer?
Here's a fun quiz that finds a delightful semiotic contact point in the late 20th century, the golden age of serial killers and computer scientists. "Can you tell a coder from a cannibal?" I confess that I mistook Dorothea Puente (~15 dead) for Grace Hopper (theorist of high-level programming languages). READ THE REST
The FurZapper gets all those stray pet hairs off your clothes
If you live in a home with a shedding dog or cat, just try to wear something black. Go ahead…we double-dog dare you. We guarantee that no matter whether you're sitting or standing, whether your clothes are dirty or fresh out of the dryer, it's likely covered in pet hair. It's just a fact of… READ THE REST
Save over 25% on these wireless earbuds that last over 25 hours
Back in 1997, renowned investor and billionaire Warren Buffett said blue chip organizations like Coca-Cola and Gilette were "absolutely wonderful companies run by outstanding managers." But he warned that "you can pay too much, at least in the short run, for businesses like that." That philosophy of paying for quality — but not overpaying —… READ THE REST
If the GameStop drama is over your head, this stock and cryptocurrency training can break it all down.
Exploding like a supernova in our news feeds, the GameStop stock controversy has spawned hot takes from virtually every corner of the world and shows little sign of slowing down yet. And while everybody's got an opinion about GameStop, Reddit traders, hedge funds, the SEC and essentially any element of what led to this Wall… READ THE REST