smidgy

Internet for Dummies

A Halo inspired primer on "real life" versus "Internet life" for all those only getting online now.

Thanks, Mike

London Tube Voice Goes Wacky, Gets Sacked

It's a good thing Emma Clarke, the voice hired by the London Underground to voice such messages as  "mind the gap", has a good sense of humor. Apparently, the London Underground higher ups didn't appreciate her description of the Tube as "dreadful" and let her go lickety split, without even a hint of warning for her to "mind the sack". In her defense Ms Clarke said she was "wildly misquoted":

(From BBC News)

"What I actually said was that travelling in a Tube train would be dreadful for me, listening to my own voice and seeing the haunted faces of commuters being subjected to me telling them to 'mind the gap'.

"I would find it quite an uncomfortable experience in the same way that when I call a company when I'm their on hold voice and it's me saying - please press 2 for accounts - it's a creepy experience to be honest."

Let's hope the Underground changes its mind and re-hires Emma Clarke. Maybe they should listen to some of her spoof announcements and lighten up a bit.

Decode Your DNA

A company called DeCode Genetics is now offering to give you a profile of your own genome. Suddenly, the creepy world of Gattaca doesn't seem so far away. One can already see where this is going, "Thank you Mr. Smith for your application to the position of Inventory Manager at our company. After careful consideration and despite your impressive qualifications, we are unable to offer you this position as your genome profile indicated a high predisposition to smuggling toilet paper out of company facilities for personal use."

Link: BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Firm offers online DNA analysis.

Feed the Hungry, Learn New Words

Is it possible to learn new words and feed the hungry at the same time? At FreeRice.com, you can train yourself for the next spelling bee while contributing to relieve famine. Corporations foot the bill for the rice and in exchange receive a small ad space at the bottom of the web site. The actual food is distributed via the World Food Programme, which was setup by the United Nations Organisation to provide emergency relief for the hungriest people on the planet.