ie8 fix

planets

Free map maker

StatPlanet Map Maker provides a simple set of tools for creating a detailed map. While the main function was more tedious than we originally hoped, the results were still useful in the right situation.

The program's interface is simple to grasp, and its controls are intuitive. StatPlanet Map Maker's layout reminds us of pop-up maps we've seen on news Web sites. The program also includes an extensive User's Manual, which is helpful for inputting your own data. It gives you full control over your map view, with options such as choosing to view the entire planet … Read more

Buzz Out Loud Podcast 1111: Facebook is depressing

Why the long Face...book? A woman battling depression put some pictures of herself having fun privately on Facebook. Somehow the insurance company found them and cut off her benefits saying she looked happy enough and must be cured. Really? We also get further impressions on Google's Chrome OSD now that we've had more time with it, and YouTube pulls a Hulu, but not in the good way.

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Try out Chrome OS for yourself http://gdgt.com/google/chrome-os/download/Read more

Simple astrological tool

MB Astrology Natal Chart provides a simple look at the planets, sun and moon on a person's day of birth. While the program looks fantastic and has a lot of details, its lack of information keeps newcomers from enjoying it.

We found the program's interface to be a mixed bag. While very basic and practically fool-proof to operate, the program and its Help file provided no information about Astrology or the meaning of the chart, which left us feeling lost. Upon entering our day and year of birth, along with the longitude and latitude of our birthplace (luckily … Read more

Useful astronomy tool

AstroViewer provides users with a map to the skies over their home. This versatile tool provides a better view of celestial bodies through a simple layout that users of all skill levels will appreciate.

We got right down to business, thanks to an interface that provides a large, easy-to-read map of the sky. Its command icons provided all the direction we needed, which was fortunate because there is no Help file. We chose our city from a comprehensive list of choices and entered the time and date to get a recreation of the sky outside our home. The results were … Read more

Clock with extras

LavClock is a clock, an alarm, and much more. With its simple operation and extensive options, this is a fantastic choice for people who want more than just a clock.

We were able to avoid the program's simple topic-related Help file because its interface felt instantly familiar. The actual clock didn't really impress us, as it made itself at home in the tray and didn't improve upon Windows' time teller. However, things improved once we realized we were able to set an alarm through a basic menu and customize the sound. We opened up the Options menu … Read more

Astronomy helper

CyberSky provides users with a planetarium right on their computer screens. With options to please newcomers and astronomers alike, this is a great, educational program.

We were instantly overwhelmed with the interface's massive collection of command icons and numbers. However, after taking a deep breath and experimenting for a few minutes, we developed a strong understanding of how everything functioned. We couldn't help but stare at the program's dominating feature, a globe-shaped view of the sky above our home. We ensured this was our night's view after choosing our town from a comprehensive list of the … Read more

3D planetary tower defense

Star Defense is a noteworthy addition to the crowded field of tower-defense games on the iPhone and iPod Touch. In addition to tight game design and lavish effects (both audio and visual), Star Defense introduces a substantial twist to the genre: a 3D space environment, in which you fight the insectoid S'rath on small planets that you can quickly twist, rotate, and zoom in and out on.

Waves of S'rath march toward your fragile colonist base on a set path through trenches on the game's seven different planets. You can choose between five different types of defense … Read more

BOL 1051: Firefox 3.5, now safe for porn

Yes. Snow Leopard reviews are out, and I have my favorite. But the more interesting story is Mozilla finding out that people didn't want to upgrade because they're afraid of the awesome bar exposing their porn. So they introduced private browsing mode fast. We also welcome Jon Strickland from HowStuffWorks to the show and he helps us understand how we can turn any story into an Apple story.

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Best OS X Snow Leopard review I saw http://twitter.com/rstevens/status/3582198132Read more

Cluttered fortune-telling program

MB Kabbalah Tarot gives users a Kabbalah and tarot reading based on their sun sign. Although the program delivers what it promises, users who want to know how any of this works or what it means would do well to look elsewhere.

The program's interface is simple in the beginning--the only information a user needs to enter is name and birth date--but a substantial amount of it is devoted to advertising for the program's publisher, Mystic Board. Once users proceed to the results page, the interface becomes a jumble of text boxes, images, and diagrams. The information is … Read more

The 404 388: Where there's a Tesla coil in the room

Somehow we make it past the wild Tesla coil in the room to bring you an awesome (if not kind of late) show! Today we show you how to self-destruct your private data, discuss how 3D is totally lame, and why we think Jon Stewart should run for president.

Sorry for starting late today, live listeners! I think today's show made up for the tardiness, and it all starts with Little Big Planet celebrating one million user-created levels. Since the game's popular release, a level is created every 21 seconds or so, on average, which means that if you were to play all of the levels it would take 5 years to finish them all, and that's only if you're playing 24 hours a day. Wild!

I'm also very excited (big surprise!) about the rerelease of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game, dubbed TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled. Who can forget that classic side-scrolling beat-em-up? I logged so many hours at the local nickel arcade next to my house just sitting there with my friends feeding nickels into that machine. Those were always my favorites kinds of games, and there used to be so many titles, too, including Streets of Rage, Final Fight, Simpsons, and Sunset Riders! Ahh, the old days when you actually had to go to an arcade to play a video game...

We also complain about the recent upsurge of all things 3D and how even YouTube is jumping on the bandwagon, offering users the capability to display their 3D videos in multiple formats. Later on in the second half, we analyze Jon Stewart's role as America's Most Trusted Newscaster, according to an online poll by Time Magazine. Should we be scared that America is relying on a comedian to report the daily news? We're not questioning Stewart's credibility here--he's clearly a smart man--but we're wondering how Comedy Central will leverage such a powerful figure.

OK, I have to bring up the Wikipedia page one more time and then I'll shut up: after a brief recess following yesterday's announcement, the page is now in Wiki-limbo. We need users and 404-supportive Wikipedians to populate the page with more details about the show, the hosts, references, guests, etc...since we can't do it ourselves (no, really, we can't), feel free to insert our appearance on "Fox Strategy Room" as well as other blogs on the Internet that mention The 404, even if it's your own! Anything helps, but please remember not to edit the redirection page; only edit the content at the existing address. Thanks, everyone!

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