Facebook App Reveals Your Social Cliques

Socializing online and in the real world may be edging ever closer, but one stark difference remains: it's much easier to juggle different groups of friends offline than it is online. A new tool developed at Stanford University addresses the problem by automatically working out a person's different and overlapping friendship groups by analyzing the history of their Facebook or Gmail account.

The tool?called SocialFlows?is available as a Facebook app. Once a Facebook user connects it with their account, they can extract their social groups in two ways. The researchers' software can either work from the images a person was tagged in over the last two years, or from the pattern of e-mail recipients recorded in the last two years via a Gmail account.

Once SocialFlows has processed the necessary data, it suggests different groups of contacts or friends, some overlapping. An interactive interface allows the user to add, remove, or reshuffle the groups and then save them to either Facebook or Gmail as contact lists or new groups.

Putting different types of contacts into different groups?family or coworkers, for example?can be useful to people who want to control what they share, and with whom, online, explained Diana MacLean, a member of the MobiSocial Lab at Stanford where she and colleagues created SocialFlows.

"The current solution is friends lists," said MacLean at the Intelligent User Interfaces conference earlier this week. "That does give some granular control over who gets to see our data, but they're very tedious to create and even more tedious to maintain over time." As people acquire new contacts, they must keep adding them to groups or perhaps create new ones, and there is currently no way to transfer groups between services, she pointed out.

Social sites actually have all the data they need to tackle these problems, said MacLean. "Your social topology is captured latently in your communication data." SocialFlows is an attempt to tap into that. The algorithm behind the tool first creates many small groups by linking people who have often appeared in the same photo as the SocialFlows user, or who have been recipients of the same e-mail. Larger groups are then assembled by merging groups that are similar. Some groups become nested inside others, as when the data reveals a pattern of connections between a subset of people within a larger group.

MacLean and colleagues conducted a user study in which 19 volunteers were asked to use SocialFlows on their e-mail to generate and fine-tune groups that could help them achieve specific tasks, for example, notifying close friends in their home town of an upcoming visit, or inviting guests to a birthday party. Study participants also performed the same task using Gmail's contact manager.

Powered By WizardRSS

Source: http://feeds.technologyreview.com/click.phdo?i=658fb72353f3fa788b90664779cef996

most popular thanksgiving side dish the game bet lights out nyc school closings

What I'm Playing - Blood Bowl Legendary Edition

Despite its occasional eccentricities, I rather liked the original Blood Bowl computer game. The races all had their own characteristics, so every game had different challenges, and the sense of humour and style fitted the world of the ultra-violent American Football game. Best yet, it brought back memories of playing the board game on which it's based. Legendary Edition adds 11 new races to the game, plus new pitches, rules and a Story mode, so I got myself a copy a few weeks ago.

One of the biggest novelties of BB:LE is the new Story mode, so that?s where I started. It?s a bit of a disappointment, though, as it hangs together a few random games with some Blood Bowl back-story. The story is delivered in a few screens of text, rather than via the fun videos that lifted the original game, and while it raised a chuckle every now and then, the overall result wasn't that impressive.


The Story mode basically seems to be a quick way to get some familiarity with the many races of BB:LE. It forces you to participate in a match between two races, with you choosing which of the two to control. However, my Story game crashed after two games, and as I already knew everything about the original nine races, I just played a few exhibition matches with the new races to get a feel for them.

Some of the new races seem arbitrarily different, rather than genuinely distinct, though. There?s little difference between the Necromantic and the Undead, for example, as only a few player-types are different. I tried the Nurgle too, but quickly became bored with the team?s ploddiness, while the Vampire and Ogre races both comprise two types of player, so held little appeal. In the end, I settled for my trusty Orcs, as this race has a great blend of power and speed. However, this is what?s great about BB:LE ? the teams play so differently that there?s something for everyone.


Having had a great team in the original game, I'd forgotten that I really do need a Goblin for speedy bursts into the End-Zone, though, and that Black Orcs need to be powered up with Block and Mighty Blow to be truly formidable. Perhaps that would?ve been a better place to spend my cash than a lumbering Troll. This is the beauty of the game ? it requires plenty of thought, both in terms of actions in the game and how you build your team.

Some of the annoyances of the original game are still present, though, which I suspect is partly down to the original board game?s rules. I still don?t understand why a team should receive subsidies to spend on pre-match perks if the opposition team has a higher value, for example. Also, I still can?t get my head round the real-time nature of the game. Yep, that?s right, I play BB:LE as a turn-based strategy game. But it?s still a fun game that challenging and addictive.

I?ve tried Dark Elves, but found them toothless (what?s the point of the Witch Elf?) while I found Dwarves horrendously slow and dull. However, I'd be interested in your thoughts on this as well. If you?ve played Blood Bowl or BB:LE, which players do you use, and why?

Powered By WizardRSS

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bit-tech/blog/~3/VJukvUa5OsM/

thomas tew rum issaquah school district the game tv show lasso of truth

What I'm Playing - Blood Bowl Legendary Edition

Despite its occasional eccentricities, I rather liked the original Blood Bowl computer game. The races all had their own characteristics, so every game had different challenges, and the sense of humour and style fitted the world of the ultra-violent American Football game. Best yet, it brought back memories of playing the board game on which it's based. Legendary Edition adds 11 new races to the game, plus new pitches, rules and a Story mode, so I got myself a copy a few weeks ago.

One of the biggest novelties of BB:LE is the new Story mode, so that?s where I started. It?s a bit of a disappointment, though, as it hangs together a few random games with some Blood Bowl back-story. The story is delivered in a few screens of text, rather than via the fun videos that lifted the original game, and while it raised a chuckle every now and then, the overall result wasn't that impressive.


The Story mode basically seems to be a quick way to get some familiarity with the many races of BB:LE. It forces you to participate in a match between two races, with you choosing which of the two to control. However, my Story game crashed after two games, and as I already knew everything about the original nine races, I just played a few exhibition matches with the new races to get a feel for them.

Some of the new races seem arbitrarily different, rather than genuinely distinct, though. There?s little difference between the Necromantic and the Undead, for example, as only a few player-types are different. I tried the Nurgle too, but quickly became bored with the team?s ploddiness, while the Vampire and Ogre races both comprise two types of player, so held little appeal. In the end, I settled for my trusty Orcs, as this race has a great blend of power and speed. However, this is what?s great about BB:LE ? the teams play so differently that there?s something for everyone.


Having had a great team in the original game, I'd forgotten that I really do need a Goblin for speedy bursts into the End-Zone, though, and that Black Orcs need to be powered up with Block and Mighty Blow to be truly formidable. Perhaps that would?ve been a better place to spend my cash than a lumbering Troll. This is the beauty of the game ? it requires plenty of thought, both in terms of actions in the game and how you build your team.

Some of the annoyances of the original game are still present, though, which I suspect is partly down to the original board game?s rules. I still don?t understand why a team should receive subsidies to spend on pre-match perks if the opposition team has a higher value, for example. Also, I still can?t get my head round the real-time nature of the game. Yep, that?s right, I play BB:LE as a turn-based strategy game. But it?s still a fun game that challenging and addictive.

I?ve tried Dark Elves, but found them toothless (what?s the point of the Witch Elf?) while I found Dwarves horrendously slow and dull. However, I'd be interested in your thoughts on this as well. If you?ve played Blood Bowl or BB:LE, which players do you use, and why?

Powered By WizardRSS

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bit-tech/blog/~3/VJukvUa5OsM/

simon chipmunk lebron james twitter jimmer fredette thomas tew rum

Hands on with the LG Optimus 3D [Video]

Hands on with the LG Optimus 3D [Video]

LG certainly attracted a lot of attention with its Optimus 3D handset at Mobile World Congress this week. Does it live up to the hype, though?

It?s certainly an achievement to get 3D without the need for glasses working on a mobile phone, and games, photos and videos all look stunning on this device. The drawback is that you have to hold it at exactly the right angle or you end up with a horrible blurred screen. This means that anyone else watching you use the Optimus 3D won?t get the full effect ? this is most definitely not an experience that can be easily shared.

That?s exactly the problem with my video here too ? there?s simply no way of capturing the 3D display in a way that you can see unless you actually have the device right in front of you, in your hands. Still, this should give you an idea of how the interface works and how impressive its gaming abilities are.

A few things we still don?t know: Price, release date? and whether this mobile 3D thing will just be a flash-in-the-pan novelty or not. Retailer Expansys is suggesting a £514.99 pricepoint and a 25 April release date, although this hasn?t been officially confirmed, so don?t treat it as gospel.

Powered By WizardRSS

Source: http://thenextweb.com/video/2011/02/18/hands-on-with-the-lg-optimus-3d-video/

the chipmunks seattle public schools worldstarhiphop the game season 4 episode 1

Hardware 19 - The Cockney Cast

Hardware 19 - The Cockney Cast

Posted on 18th Feb 2011 at 10:18 by Paul Goodhead with 0 comments

This week's bit-tech and Custom PC podcast is brought to you by Clive, Antony and Paul.

First on the agenda is the continuing Intel Sandy Bridge saga, and what motherboard manufacturers are doing to sort it out. We also comment on MSI's returns strategy, which the company announced on Wednesday.

Next we make some time to talk about the gorgeous Silverstone FT03. It's a pretty peculiar case due to its inverted design, but it's always refreshing to see manufactures taking a different approach.

Finally, Antony gives us a sneaky look at the CPU cooler group test from the latest issue of Custom PC, which went on sale at newsagents yesterday. Make sure you pick up a copy if you want to see which new CPU coolers offer the best combination of cooling and value.


As always, we've also set up our weekly competition, although there's a slightly different twist on it this week. The lucky winner will be able to get their hands on a Mionix Propus 380 mousepad, which will provide the perfect tracking surface for whichever mouse you choose to use.

As ever, the bit-tech hardware podcast features music by Brad Sucks, and was recorded on Shure microphones. You can download the podcast direct, listen in-browser or subscribe through iTunes using the links below. Also, be sure to let us know your thoughts about the discussion in the forums.

Powered By WizardRSS

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bit-tech/blog/~3/9YDeYBokO2k/

seattle public schools worldstarhiphop the game season 4 episode 1 freddie mitchell

Smartphone Buying Guide: First Half of 2011

The year kicked off with two major events in the technology world -- CES in Las Vegas and MWC in Barcelona -- playing host to the launch of numerous tablets and smartphones. And if there's anything that was made abundantly clear at the multiple stages where products were unveiled is that Android has taken the mobile world by storm.

Almost every significant device launched in the last two months or so is powered by Google's platform, which last year managed to leap past iOS in terms of total users. But there's also stuff going on elsewhere. Apple still reigns in terms of handset sales with the iPhone and the recent Verizon launch should give it a good run until the next release in its cycle -- expected around June. Meanwhile, HP updated its range of webOS smartphones, and Microsoft, while not really picking up much steam, recently signed a milestone deal with Nokia that might give Windows Phone 7 a much-needed boost.

Rounding out the major players is RIM, which disappointingly didn't have much to show in the smartphone front, but we're curious to see if the sleek QNX-based OS they are cooking for the PlayBook tablet ever makes it to BlackBerry devices.

To help you navigate through the sea of new smartphones getting released week in and week out we've put together a selection with what we consider are the hottest devices out there. They are listed alongside their respective specs, price, and features from newest to oldest. Many devices listed here are not yet available but will be in a relatively short timespan. We hope this will help you narrow down your purchase, and as usual your feedback is always welcome!

  • Late Q1 and Beyond :: HP Pre 3 LG Optimus 3D Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc Sony Ericsson Xperia Play HTC 7 Pro Samsung Galaxy S II
  • Q1 2011: Now Available :: HTC Thunderbolt Samsung Galaxy S 4G Motorola Atrix 4G HTC Inspire 4G Motorola Cliq 2 HTC Evo Shift 4G
  • Great 2010 Smartphones :: Samsung Nexus S Samsung Focus T-Mobile G2 BlackBerry Torch 9800 Motorola Droid 2 Global Apple iPhone 4


HP Pre 3
Available: This summer

The Pre 3 is an upgraded version of the Pre 2 featuring a 3.6-inch 480x800 display, a 1.4GHz processor, a front-facing camera, a redesigned keyboard for larger fingers, and the same sleek, yet underappreciated webOS. There will also be some synergy with HP's upcoming TouchPad which will be able to take the Pre 3's calls, while touching the two devices together will let you share URLs and other data. Availability is set for this summer but no carrier has been announced.

Additional views:


LG Optimus 3D
Available: TBA

The Optimus 3D is powered by a dual-core Texas Instruments OMAP4 processor and carries 512MB of dual-channel memory. Much like the Nintendo 3DS, it won't require special glasses to view 3D images on its 4.3-inch (480 x 800) display and the South Korean electronics giant hopes to overcome the lack of content by creating its own ecosystem. The Optimus 3D will sport a dual-lens 5-megapixel rear camera to record 3D photos and videos and has HDMI 1.4 and DLNA support baked in to stream content to other 3D-capable devices. Naturally, the device will also support 2D high-definition video and LG says it will have four times more video decoders than competing designs. There's no official price point so far and availability is estimated for Q2 2011.

Additional views:


Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
Available: Late Q1 - early Q2

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc is a uniquely-shaped Android 2.3 handset that crams a large 4.2-inch (480x854) touch display and an 8-megapixel camera into a very thin body. The device is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and is said to feature the a mobile version of the Bravia engine that powers the company's flat screen TVs -- with Sony touting the technology as "Reality Display". The Xperia Arc will be available in most markets from late Q1 to Q2.

Additional views:


Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Available: March - April 2011

In portrait mode, this Android 2.3 device is your typical smartphone with a 5-megapixel camera, a 4-inch capacitive multitouch 480 x 854 screen, and social networking features. In landscape mode, the slide out keyboard reveals a digital D-pad, two analog touchpads, two shoulder buttons, and the four geometric PlayStation buttons (circle, cross, square, and triangle). The first PlayStation Certified device, as Sony Ericsson is calling it, is powered by a 1Ghz Snapdragon processor, an Adreno 205 GPU, and 512MB of RAM. Sony Ericsson has partnered with key publishers to deliver titles like EA's Need For Speed, Sims 3, Guitar Hero, Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell, and a world-first multiplayer version of FIFA 10 for mobile.

Additional views:


HTC 7 Pro
Available: March 2011

The HTC 7 Pro is one of the few handsets in the Windows Phone 7 family that sports a full QWERTY keyboard. Combined with a generous 3.6-inch display and a WVGA resolution of 480x800, the device is sure to find a sweet spot in the hearts of heavy texters. Specs include a 1GHz Snapdragon, 576MB of RAM, a 5-megapixel camera capable of shooting 720p video, and 16GB of internal storage. The device will be available from Sprint in the first two weeks of March.

Additional views:


Samsung Galaxy S II
Available: February 2011 in Europe, U.S. TBA (might be Q2)

The Galaxy S II is the world's thinnest phone at 8.49mm, taking the title from the 9.2mm LG Optimus Black. The device features a 4.27-inch Super AMOLED Plus display (800x480 resolution), an 8-megapixel primary camera with 1080p video capture and a 2-megapixel camera in the front, as well as integrated NFC support on some versions. It features Bluetooth 3.0+HS and HSPA+ connectivity, as well as four new content and entertainment hubs: music, games, e-reading, and social networking. Samsung has yet to announce release date or pricing details.

Additional views:


Powered By WizardRSS

Source: http://www.techspot.com/guides/buying-smartphones/

lasso of truth terrence j most popular thanksgiving side dish the game bet

Smartphone Buying Guide: First Half of 2011

The year kicked off with two major events in the technology world -- CES in Las Vegas and MWC in Barcelona -- playing host to the launch of numerous tablets and smartphones. And if there's anything that was made abundantly clear at the multiple stages where products were unveiled is that Android has taken the mobile world by storm.

Almost every significant device launched in the last two months or so is powered by Google's platform, which last year managed to leap past iOS in terms of total users. But there's also stuff going on elsewhere. Apple still reigns in terms of handset sales with the iPhone and the recent Verizon launch should give it a good run until the next release in its cycle -- expected around June. Meanwhile, HP updated its range of webOS smartphones, and Microsoft, while not really picking up much steam, recently signed a milestone deal with Nokia that might give Windows Phone 7 a much-needed boost.

Rounding out the major players is RIM, which disappointingly didn't have much to show in the smartphone front, but we're curious to see if the sleek QNX-based OS they are cooking for the PlayBook tablet ever makes it to BlackBerry devices.

To help you navigate through the sea of new smartphones getting released week in and week out we've put together a selection with what we consider are the hottest devices out there. They are listed alongside their respective specs, price, and features from newest to oldest. Many devices listed here are not yet available but will be in a relatively short timespan. We hope this will help you narrow down your purchase, and as usual your feedback is always welcome!

  • Late Q1 and Beyond :: HP Pre 3 LG Optimus 3D Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc Sony Ericsson Xperia Play HTC 7 Pro Samsung Galaxy S II
  • Q1 2011: Now Available :: HTC Thunderbolt Samsung Galaxy S 4G Motorola Atrix 4G HTC Inspire 4G Motorola Cliq 2 HTC Evo Shift 4G
  • Great 2010 Smartphones :: Samsung Nexus S Samsung Focus T-Mobile G2 BlackBerry Torch 9800 Motorola Droid 2 Global Apple iPhone 4


HP Pre 3
Available: This summer

The Pre 3 is an upgraded version of the Pre 2 featuring a 3.6-inch 480x800 display, a 1.4GHz processor, a front-facing camera, a redesigned keyboard for larger fingers, and the same sleek, yet underappreciated webOS. There will also be some synergy with HP's upcoming TouchPad which will be able to take the Pre 3's calls, while touching the two devices together will let you share URLs and other data. Availability is set for this summer but no carrier has been announced.

Additional views:


LG Optimus 3D
Available: TBA

The Optimus 3D is powered by a dual-core Texas Instruments OMAP4 processor and carries 512MB of dual-channel memory. Much like the Nintendo 3DS, it won't require special glasses to view 3D images on its 4.3-inch (480 x 800) display and the South Korean electronics giant hopes to overcome the lack of content by creating its own ecosystem. The Optimus 3D will sport a dual-lens 5-megapixel rear camera to record 3D photos and videos and has HDMI 1.4 and DLNA support baked in to stream content to other 3D-capable devices. Naturally, the device will also support 2D high-definition video and LG says it will have four times more video decoders than competing designs. There's no official price point so far and availability is estimated for Q2 2011.

Additional views:


Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
Available: Late Q1 - early Q2

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc is a uniquely-shaped Android 2.3 handset that crams a large 4.2-inch (480x854) touch display and an 8-megapixel camera into a very thin body. The device is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and is said to feature the a mobile version of the Bravia engine that powers the company's flat screen TVs -- with Sony touting the technology as "Reality Display". The Xperia Arc will be available in most markets from late Q1 to Q2.

Additional views:


Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Available: March - April 2011

In portrait mode, this Android 2.3 device is your typical smartphone with a 5-megapixel camera, a 4-inch capacitive multitouch 480 x 854 screen, and social networking features. In landscape mode, the slide out keyboard reveals a digital D-pad, two analog touchpads, two shoulder buttons, and the four geometric PlayStation buttons (circle, cross, square, and triangle). The first PlayStation Certified device, as Sony Ericsson is calling it, is powered by a 1Ghz Snapdragon processor, an Adreno 205 GPU, and 512MB of RAM. Sony Ericsson has partnered with key publishers to deliver titles like EA's Need For Speed, Sims 3, Guitar Hero, Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell, and a world-first multiplayer version of FIFA 10 for mobile.

Additional views:


HTC 7 Pro
Available: March 2011

The HTC 7 Pro is one of the few handsets in the Windows Phone 7 family that sports a full QWERTY keyboard. Combined with a generous 3.6-inch display and a WVGA resolution of 480x800, the device is sure to find a sweet spot in the hearts of heavy texters. Specs include a 1GHz Snapdragon, 576MB of RAM, a 5-megapixel camera capable of shooting 720p video, and 16GB of internal storage. The device will be available from Sprint in the first two weeks of March.

Additional views:


Samsung Galaxy S II
Available: February 2011 in Europe, U.S. TBA (might be Q2)

The Galaxy S II is the world's thinnest phone at 8.49mm, taking the title from the 9.2mm LG Optimus Black. The device features a 4.27-inch Super AMOLED Plus display (800x480 resolution), an 8-megapixel primary camera with 1080p video capture and a 2-megapixel camera in the front, as well as integrated NFC support on some versions. It features Bluetooth 3.0+HS and HSPA+ connectivity, as well as four new content and entertainment hubs: music, games, e-reading, and social networking. Samsung has yet to announce release date or pricing details.

Additional views:


Powered By WizardRSS

Source: http://www.techspot.com/guides/buying-smartphones/

jimmer fredette thomas tew rum issaquah school district the game tv show

Thoughts on Mainstream Game Advertising

Thoughts on Mainstream Game Advertising

Posted on 14th Feb 2011 at 14:05 by Paul Goodhead with 27 comments

As a marketing graduate I often find myself idly assesing the marketing strategies that tech companies employ. It?s an industry that's fairly set in its ways - Taiwanese companies tend to think a CG picture of a pretty girl with an ornate sword or huge gun can sell anything, no matter what we in the West say. Meanwhile, here in the West, we can't help but work the touch-feely lifestyle angle - 'this laptop is good because you can help the kids with their homework on it!'

My interest was piqued therefore when I saw Nintendo?s latest Super Mario advert which marks the 25th anniversary of Mario series of games. The advert is initially quite unremarkable, showing men and women of all ages, some of whom are celebrities, talking about the Mario games and their memories of them. So far, so Nintendo; the company has been using softer, more personal adverts targeted at casual and first time gamers for a while now.

What I did find remarkable though was the end of the advert which contained the message the ad was there to convey - ?Super Mario Brothers, part of the family since 1985?. It?s the first time I?ve seen a computer game use a heritage message, a message that emphasises the history and longevity of a brand or product.


These kinds of messages are more commonly seen in other industries where age and experience are seen as key benefits for the brand. Sainsburys, for example, ran a ?Trying something new for 140 years? campaign in 2009 and Ford is planning a campaign for this year based around the fact that it opened its first UK factory 100 years ago.

As a result it?s interesting to see this angle being used in an industry that is generally more about the new and next big thing than the past. It?s clearly an angle that Nintendo feel will work for their demographic though...and I?m tempted to agree with them.

The Wii has found its niche among those who probably wouldn?t call themselves hardcore gamers and consequently most of its user base doesn?t know all that much about games. They are therefore more likely to be swayed by an easy to understand heritage message than by boasts about DX11 effects or the Havok physics engine.

Part of the reason we?ve not seen messages like this before is also because the industry is relatively young. This is one of the first generations where you?ve been able to have old and young people share a conversation about games. It?s also become more socially acceptable to play games as more and more people are gaming these days. It?s not uncommon to see a mum playing a DS on the train and we?ve all seen the news stories about Wiis finding their way into care homes.

It therefore wouldn?t be surprising to see more of this kind of lifestyle approach, broad appeal advert in the future. It'll hopefully pave the way for a more understanding and calm view of computer games from others, which is why I think advertising like this is a good thing - even though we have to listen to Jamie Redknapp sycophantically spouting crap about how he'll 'never forget the first time I beat Bowser'.

Powered By WizardRSS

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/bit-tech/blog/~3/WGtrJ2WT7xo/

freddie mitchell simon chipmunk lebron james twitter jimmer fredette

Girl attaches camera to rear to catch who?s looking.

Story Toolbox

Have more info on this story?
Contact us!

Do you stare at women?s butts? There?s no escape with The Rear View Girls, who wanted to do a social experiment of sorts by mounting a not-so-hidden video camera behind a hot girl?s rear to see how people would react. She roamed around Los Angeles and unsurprisingly, people looked and stared. However, it?s hard to tell why they did? is it because they just wanted to or because they were curious of the contraption sticking out of the girl?s butt? Because come on, that?s the only reason we?ll look, right? Check out the video below:

Powered By WizardRSS

Source: http://thenextweb.com/shareables/2011/02/18/girl-attaches-camera-to-rear-to-catch-whos-looking/

jimmer fredette thomas tew rum issaquah school district the game tv show