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The Scour search engine attempts to do something that I haven’t seen before - combine the rankings of Google, Yahoo, MSN, then sort them by a combination of their rankings on the other search engines and a compilation of user suggestions.

If you happen to be one of the types of users who don’t mind giving your vote (and, optionally, a comment), they even pay you for doing so (they also pay you for simply searching).

This may be my new search engine of choice!

Scour follows Google’s lead with a clean, simple, focused interface

They offer a lot of interesting details, some pretty common, others unique

Even their about page is cool and AJAXxy - point at the bubbles and they expand with details

- Text Ascii Art Generator -

Tags: Reference, Net Life, Links, Software, General by Jai
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The “Text Ascii Art Generator ” (you’re going to love this) makes text out of Ascii. I know, hard to believe, but look at the pics and you’ll see what I mean.

The site lets you type a chunk o’text, select a font, choose colors, and it outputs your new creation. I found it helpful to just keep arrowing down in the font list to step through the choices.

It may not be useful but it’s pretty darned retro-cool!

There are lots of font choices, and color choice can makes a big difference!

Not all of the fonts supported numbers or other non-alpha characters

A lot of the font options were downright creative, though not all were easy to read

- Text Ascii Art Generator -

Tags: Virtual, Generators, Retro, Just Cool, Net Life, Geek Stuff, Software, Art / Visual, General by Jai
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If you’re using OpenOffice (and you should be), you’re probably already aware that version 3.0 is out and it’s even better than before.

Well, here’s an article on MakeUseOf.com that shows you 9 plugins to OpenOffice that make it better still!

Oh, did I mention that I recommend OpenOffice? And that it’s Free?

Well, I do, and it is. So there.

(Go get it and try it if you aren’t already using it!)

Here’s a shot of OO Writer editing of H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine”

And here’s a view of the Writer’s Tools dropdown (which is only ONE of the nine in the article!)

And finally, here’s a view of the option box for selecting a new Presenter (I.E. PowerPoint) Template

- Original Article on MakeUseOf.com -

Tags: Reference, Software, General by Jai
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When I found TinEye.com, I immediately knew what test to run.

In our Picture of the RTP section, we had run the “two owls” image that I LOVED, but it was only 350×233; I almost an hour looking for a bigger one, but to no avail.

I pointed TinEye at that image and told it to search. It returned nineteen pages of results! The largest one it found was 700×466, and it took under a second!

All I can say is, “Any sufficiently advanced science…”

Here’s the image I was searching on

TinEye found some pretty heavily modified versions (and can even find “similar” images)

And here is the “Indistinguishable from Magic” part… .049 Seconds?!?!

- TinEye.com -

Tags: Multimedia, Collections, Reference, Net Life, Cool Sites, Geek Stuff, Software, General by Jai
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A few years ago on April 1st, Think Geek had an April Fool’s listing of a Wireless Extension Cord. For those not familiar with the idea, that may not sound like much of a joke, but until… Well… Now, it’s been (basically) impossible.

Now, however, it appears that Intel has expanded on some research done at MIT and dramatically improved the original design to allow short-distance electrical power transmission (currently at 2-3 feet).

The technology isn’t quite ready for prime time, but it’s certain to change things a lot when it is!

- Original Article -

Tags: Current Events, Science, Geek Stuff, General by Jai
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It doesn’t have a lot of sexy curves or giant wheels, it’s not known for ultimate luxury or speed, but it may well be my vote for the coolest car ever!

The Flatmobile is a home-brew project that started with an old junker that was then heavily modified and squished as low to the ground as possible (and does take a few cues from the Batmobile).

The final result is…

I want!

Ah yes, a day on the road… Well, very CLOSE to ON the road!

If he was stuck behind that bus, he could just go under!

- Original Article -

Tags: Current Events, Weird, Gadgets, Just Cool, Life Tips, Art / Visual, General by Jai
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I am one of the many, many people who always wondered what the heck was up with Firefly’s Shepherd Book character. There were a lot of hints that he had skeletons in his closet of some sort.

Well, if you’re also one of these people, you may begin rejoicing. Book’s (comic) book is on the way!

Coming Soon: Book Book!

- Original Article -

Tags: Reference, Current Events, Just Cool, Geek Stuff, General by Jai
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