Google has apparently discovered that one of the inputs Microsoft uses to tune their search engine Bing is what people click on in response to Google searches. Microsoft has access to this data via their control of the Internet Explorer browser and the Bing toolbar. Google discovered this with a simple honeypot: tweaking Google search to give ( Read more... )

A few years ago I asked you all about online calendering, email and todos. Scheming about getting a new cellphone has reminded me of getting some todo software. I'd like something with both a computer and a cellphone interface.

Here are some possibilities:

• Remember the Milk (has Google mail integration)
• Google Tasks (Google mail integration)
• Gootodo, ( Read more... )

Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile phones do not work internationally, so I'm planning on getting a quad-band GSM phone and using T-mobile prepaid in the US and another SIM card for that phone when traveling internationally.  One nice thing about T-mobile is they provide $10-$20 off their monthly plans and allow you to have no contract if you don't buy ( Read more... )

I've been thinking about getting a smartphone, but I don't really want to spend the $1000/year ($80/month) that the traditional carriers charge for smartphone data plans. I discovered that two Sprint subsidiaries, Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile, offer no-contract cellphone service including unlimited voice, text and web for around $700/year ($60/ ( Read more... )

My postdoc is at Yorktown Heights, NY, about 40 miles north of NYC: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=41.210,-73.803 . I've currently trying to decide where to live next year. I've heard rumors that the immediate area is good for people with families but can be boring for those without (such as myself). White Plains and ( Read more... )

Over the past few years I've done a fair amount of international travel. The transaction fees are annoying: 3%+ for credit or debit cards, 10%+ for cash currency exchange.

I just did a little web research and it appears Capital One and PenFed don't charge fees for international purchases. For ATM withdrawals there seems to be some variation but I  ( Read more... )

( Longish )

http://www.slate.com/id/2067407/

http://slate.msn.com/default.aspx?id=2070182

Trial by fire -- did Texas execute an innocent man?

A one-way ticket to mars

Here's an interesting article on teaching math. I agree with most of what the author says.

http://www.maa.org/devlin/LockhartsLament.pdf

Brief summary: shouldn't the K-12 math curriculum include some mathematics? The current curriculum teaches people how to be a computer, which is a useful skill sometimes but is not math.