Fake Facebook profile victim wins libel case

By Mark O’Neill
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

A man who saw his whole life laid out in a fake Facebook profile has won his libel case against a former friend in the High Court in London.

Mathew Firsht was awarded a total of 22,000 pounds ($43,500) after a judge ruled that Grant Raphael had libelled Firsht by setting up the fake Facebook profile to settle a grudge, and then putting in Firsht’s life information, accompanied by blatant lies.

Those lies included implying he was homosexual, changing his political views, saying he and his business were in serious debt and that he and his company were not to be trusted, amongst others.

Luckily though, Mr Firsht’s brother spotted the profile after 16 days and it was swiftly taken down.

Raphael claimed that the profile was made by friends at a party at his home but that defence was rejected.

This case could set an important legal precedent as social networking profiles become even more widespread in our lives.   More and more personal information is being included in these profiles so the potential for abuse is rife.   Therefore the next libel trial is probably not that far off.

I wouldn’t be surprised therefore if this judgment isn’t quoted as a precedent in another courtroom either in Britain or another part of the world soon and many more times to come.

Via Times Online



Who will be next to face Batman?

By Mark O’Neill
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

On Saturday night, I went to see the new Batman movie and it was absolutely sensational – in fact, I am already planning a repeat visit to the cinema to see it again.  I can’t remember the last time I went back to the cinema to see a movie a second time, so that goes to show you how good the Dark Knight really was.   It was so good in fact that I spilt my Ben and Jerrys right down my nice T-shirt when the Joker did his disappearing pencil trick.

But as we were leaving at the end of the movie, everyone was already discussing (what with Heath Ledger’s untimely demise), who the next bad guy (or girl) will be in the inevitable sequel.  There was also a fierce debate as to whether Robin should be introduced into the movie.

This page here has a nice roundup of possible villains who could face the caped crusader next time around.   I have to say though I am not too keen on the Penguin or Catwoman (Danny DeVito and Halle Berry have kind of spoilt it don’t you think?).   I like the idea of Hugo Strange or Black Mask.   What about you?   Who do you want to see going up against Batman next time?

As for Robin, I think that would be the worst possible move to put him in the movie.    I think keeping him out of the last two movies has been an extremely good move by Christopher Nolan and the box office takings prove that.   Once you start putting in Robin, it’s my opinion that the movies will start going downhill to the point where they will be no better than the Michael Keaton and George Clooney versions of Batman.

Do you agree – or not?

Microsoft’s Sphere provides 360-Degree of Multi-Touch Goodness

The Sphere, a new product from Microsoft Research, has all the same feature as a traditional multi-touch screen, but mapped across a sphere. The device uses algorithms to round images before displaying them, because obviously, they just wouldn’t look right without this. Be sure to check out the cool “earth” mode and also the fun-looking pong-like game.



Cell Phones…For Your Health?

By JR Raphael
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

Some new mobile technology is aiming to turn your cell phone into a health machine.

It’s a refreshing change from the fear-inducing reports circulating once again of the cell phone’s potential to cause cancer. A Pittsburgh cancer research doctor sent out a new warning last week asking his staff to limit its cell use because of the possibility.

“We shouldn’t wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later,” the New York Times quoted him as saying.

Now, though, Japanese carriers are coming up with ways to give phones positive power — at least, a little of it. KDDI’s Au unit has launched a new Smart Sports program for its customers. Its phones can now use GPS and motion sensors to measure steps taken during the day (either in running or walking). The devices can then calculate distance and calories burned and keep a running record, even transmitting the data wirelessly to PCs for further analysis. The program also has a music option that’ll pick tunes to match the intensity of your workout.

Japan’s NTT DoCoMo is getting ready to launch cell-linked blood pressure monitoring and even mobile-based weight checks. The goal, PC World explains, is to get hospitals and even health clubs to start linking up their own offerings with the technology.

Is it just me, or does all this exercise talk make you want to kick back and play some good old-fashioned cell phone PacMan? Now that’s what I call a workout.

Tags: , ,

Monetize your site with Performancing Ads

My Pal Ryan from Performancing.com just sent me an email to tell me that the company he works for has just officially launched their new ad network named Performancing Ads. Performancing Ads is an open ad marketplace that will help you sell 125X125 ads on your site.

Here’s what you’ll get as a publisher in the PerformancingAds network:

  1. A full time ad sales representatives selling 125×125 ads for your website
  2. A high-profile marketplace where advertisers can discover your blog. Since advertisers like to advertise across numerous blogs in a particular category, you’re much more likely to get sales than on your own.
  3. Minimum 60% revenue share on the ads they sell, and 100% revenue share on the ads you sell
  4. Free traffic through their exchange ad program and exposure on big sites. Once you sign-up, create an exchange ad. For ever ad you sell or exchange ad from a different publisher you show, you’ll earn credits and have your site shown on other sites.

Performancing Ads has been running in beta for a few weeks now on GAS, and it works wonderfully. There’s not much to do to make it work. Just subscribe to the service, add the plugin to your wordpress installation, and decide where you want to insert the ad module on your site. After, the performancing team will take care of everything.

And yes, even though the service was in beta, we already made a few bucks (and got paid!) out of it!

If you’d like to sign-up for PerformancingAds and give it a shot, here’s the link.

Power-generating Dance Clubs

Yep, you read that right folks. The guys from the Sustainable Dance Club project have developed a piezoelectric dance floor that uses the energy that dancers generate to power most of the equipment required to run a proper dance club. The first establishment using this technology opened in Rotterdam last year, and just a few days ago, on July 16, another club has opened in King’s Cross, right outside London. Video and diagram after the jump.

Continue reading ›

PS3’s WipEout delayed for failing epilepsy tests

By Mark O’Neill
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

If you’re waiting for the Playstation 3 game WipEout then you’re going to be waiting a while longer.   It seems that the game has failed epilepsy tests due to the speed and flashing lights on the screen and will therefore have to be “re-engineered” by the developers.

There’s no word yet on how long that will even take.

I had no idea that games companies even ran “epilepsy tests”.   I am quite impressed by their thoroughness.

Via CVG

Bloggers : The typing more and moving less syndrome (Video)

By Mark O’Neill
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

This blog post by David Risley kind of hit a raw nerve today because it is a problem that all bloggers face sooner or later.

Blogging is a sedentary occupation.   I personally sit in my chair for 12 hours or more, 6 days a week.   Yes, I have breaks and walk around, but I don’t do a lot of strenuous exercise.   Blogging isn’t like working on a building site or working as a police officer or fire fighter.   It just involves sitting in front of a screen, typing away.    I enjoy what I do, but it’s hell on my lower back and neck.

This also means I am tempted to snack away on junk food while I am typing.   So quite often you’ll see chocolate wrappers, empty soda cans and so on around the computer monitor.   As a result, my weight has shot up over the past few years to the point where people are asking me when I am going to give birth to my triplets.

Now this is not uncommon with bloggers and other home-based workers.   You sit around all day, hardly moving, eating crap and the weight is going to eventually start piling on.    I keep telling myself I should start going to a gym to workout, but how many people tell themselves that but never go in the end?   I’m sure you tell yourself that too but never go either.   It’s human nature to get lazy and put it off in favour of opening another beer.

Which is why the best thing to do is : eat less and move around more!

Become the Dark Knight for only $7.4 million

By Mark O’Neill
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

As millions of people head to the movie theaters to see The Dark Knight, you too can be Batman – if you have a spare $7 million and change lying around.

The Chicago Tribune has a feature showing you each step you have to take and how much it will set you back.   From the suit to the car to the butler and much more.   As you will see, saving the world and getting the girl isn’t cheap.   The suit itself would take up just over $2 million of your budget.

But if you want to go the low budget route, the “Cheapo’s R-Us” strategy, then the Tribune has that covered too.   Just head towards the end of the article for some options leaning towards the Homer Simpson end of the price scale.   Oh look – a small Batmobile toy from Toys-R-Us for $27.99!  Holy Smackeronies Batman!