Sea floor now better rendered...

in Google Earth according to this recent announcement.  Higher resolution bathymetric surveys have now been incorporated in the image server, showing seamounts, trenches and other features in greater detail than ever before.  Take a look, look takers.

Google upgrades Earth...

with significantly better rendering, doing away with the patchwork quilt resulting from imagery from different sources.  More here: Google Releases Pretty Earth.

EWU's marketing motto...

seems like a natural domain name for a pornographic web site - startsomethingbig.xxx - don't you think?

RELATED:  Washington colleges pay to fend off porn sites.  "At Eastern Washington University, school officials decided against purchasing any of the domains during the two-month window but are continuing to consider their options."

So is EWU's reluctance to jump on this a) a missed opportunity to protect the university's fine reputation, b) overlooking a potential money-maker during a time of diminished state support, or c) a failure to generate greater student interest in our institution?

Interesting interview...

with David Gelernter:  Rethinking the Digital Future.  And another with him here:  Seer of the Mirror World.

The new addiction...

People deprived of the Internet feel 'upset and lonely' and find going offline as hard as quitting smoking or drinking.

The world wide web...

of submarine fiber optic cables is impressive (click image for link to web site with detailed map.)  I'd like to know more about the challenges of laying cable across deep ocean trenches and mid-ocean ridges.

Watch the world's largest shark tank...

via a live streaming webcam until 7 August.  Play it in full screen mode and sit back and enjoy.  Mesmerizing.

I have been invited...

to make a presentation at the EWU Teaching with Technology Boot Camp on 26 July about my blogging experience during the last two and a half years.  I've agreed to participate, and this will provide a good opportunity for me to reflect and focus my thoughts related to this activity.

Be prepared for serious emergencies...

with The Ship's Captain Medical Guide, an on-line reference from first aid to child birth and much more.  It may be worthwhile to download some of the files so they are locally accessible in case the Interweb crashes.

Less seriously, this may also come in handy in late 2012, or during the inevitable Zombie apocalypse.

Another concern in the digital age...

What Happens To Your Online Data When You Die?

Downside to the cloud...

Google Gmail Messages Go Missing.

Fortunately my account was unaffected. However, I intend to do this when I have time this weekend: Make a Local Backup Of Your Gmail Account.

Give your thumbs a break...

at least once every 48 hours: Chinese Online Gamer Dies After Three-Day Session.  Apparently this isn't the first time this has happened.

Hat tip: the Bu bro.

Bigger than big...

The State of the Internet:  Summing Up 2010

The definitive guide...

to finding free Wi-Fi.

For a company that pledges...

"do no evil" this seems highly suspicious: Google Wi-Fi Data Collection Discussed by 30 Attorneys General.

If you have a home network with an unsecured wireless router then you are terribly vulnerable to such intrusions. Wise up! Lock it down!

Your documents in the cloud...

How Does Office Web Apps Compare to Google Docs?

For me, as it should be for you, security seems to be the biggest issue.

More about cloud computing.

Be sure to read the fine print...

7,500 Online Shoppers Unknowingly Sold Their Souls

How fast is your broadband?

Take the Consumer Broadband Test, Help the FCC Keep ISPs In Check

I've performed several speed checks after I switched from satellite to DSL for my home Internet service and am getting the promised upload/download speeds, if not a bit more.

If you need an FTP client...

then I recommend FileZilla. It works well, and it's free.

I give it two binary digits up.

I need all the help...

I can get: The Internet Will Make You Smarter, Claims Study.

And make note of this good news: Taking a Nap Makes You Brainier. I think I'll build that into my daily schedule, right after lunch and before office hours.