Posts in August 2008

August 1
Give us a (virtual) kiss
Facebook gift designer Susan Kare on Mac icons, computer kisses and everything in between.
One-minute review: Jawbone 2 headset
A new Bluetooth is supposed to cancel noise, but all that's canceled is the conversation you want to hear.
A Grimm take on games
Video game designer American McGee loves the darkest tales best.
So long!
How I spent (two weeks of) my summer as Machinist's guest blogger.
August 4
Don't want your laptop strip-searched?
Encryption might keep Homeland Security away from your files. Or you could just not take your data across a border in the first place.
August 5
Can avatars stop identity theft?
Many look like Barbies and Kens on X, but avatars may hold the key to restoring our control over our digital identities.
Catching Comcast
A new Net neutrality test lets you spy on Comcast -- to see if it's spying on you!
August 6
Will advertisers kill the market for online tv?
If they stuff it with zillions of obnoxious ads, online viewers could click away in droves.
August 7
Why is Facebook so addictive?
Interactive designers use many tricks -- change your status update recently? -- to persuade us to do their bidding.
August 8
Artist at work
Songwriter and composer Allee Willis' new video, "Editing Is Cool," is funky and fun -- and provides a rare window into the creative process.
Ciao for now
It's been a good ride. Thanks, thoughtful readers.
August 11
Cellphones on planes, take 60
A federal bill would ban yapping in-flight -- yet a new survey shows public support for in-air yakking is on the rise.
Hyping the Chevy Volt
Is GM setting a new record for vaporware peddling?
August 12
Cyberwar rages on in Georgia
Government sites under attack from Russian hackers move to U.S.-based servers, including Atlanta's Tulip Systems.
August 13
How creepy is Google's Street View?
Privacy concerns still shadow Google's all-seeing mapping tool, but soon such worries will probably seem quaint.
August 14
Are you losing your memory thanks to the Internet?
The ability to continually look up information is changing how and what we remember. But maybe that's not a bad thing.
Update: Cyberattacks against Georgia
Many experts think that the Russian government may not be directly involved.
August 15
The grave new threat we face from music
Binaural beats pumped into your headphones can cause you to experience sex- and drug-like ecstasy.
Rat-brain robot alters direction of human history ... again!
New robot, not such new science.
August 16
Web users demand privacy, then give it up
As Internet companies track our every move, what to do about data privacy? Do we need a comprehensive law or should individuals be responsible?
August 18
What the Georgian cyber-attacks mean for the U.S.
While Tbilisi's Web sites "burn," Washington fiddles.
August 19
Hulu is already very good, so why isn't it awesome?
As more of us discover online video, frustrations abound.
Playboy TV to launch "Gadget or the Girl"
Why can't we have both?
August 20
Google sets up "Big Tent" for bloggers at Democratic and Republican conventions
But don't bloggers already know about Google?
American Airlines offers in-flight Wi-Fi. Hot damn
$13 for flights over three hours, otherwise only $10.
August 21
The geeks go green
Google.org puts up $10 million in geothermal energy, following others in Silicon Valley.
Has Palm gotten its groove back?
It's crunch time for the fledgling Treo maker.
August 22
Beyond Obama's V.P. pick: Six other great uses for text messaging
Or, why can't I pay for my parking meter from my mobile like the Estonians do?
Coming soon to a theater near you: Cirque du Soleil, "Rent" and sports in 3-D?
Nationwide, movie theaters are starting to show nonmovies.
August 23
Where are the multifuel cars?
Brazil has had them for years now. What's the holdup?

About Machinist

Cyrus Farivar is a freelance technology journalist who regularly reports for National Public Radio, PRI's The World, The Economist and others. His forthcoming book is "The Internet of Elsewhere."

Subscribe

Machinist RSS Feed

Salon

Login to Salon Premium

Currently in Salon

"Frost/Nixon"
By Stephanie Zacharek
Who wants to visit Saddam's house?
By Heather Havrilesky
"Cadillac Records"
By Stephanie Zacharek

Posts by date

November 2008
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30