nolan

A startup takes on publishing, with help of Atari's founder

If there's an industry more stuck in the past than the music industry, it has to be book publishing.

It's with that in mind that a Pasadena, Calif., startup is trying to upend the traditional, often unpleasant publishing model that's more like a gauntlet than a process.

Authors typically have to beg an agent for representation, beg a publisher to take their book, hope for an advance that covers expenses, write the book, in many cases find their own editors because the publisher's editors are too busy to pay attention, do their own marketing and promotion … Read more

Facebook Powerball hoaxer: Girlfriend wanted me to nix it

You've probably not yet got over your disappointment that Nolan Daniels won't be giving you $1 million.

This is understandable. It's near Xmas and you've become rather excited about finally owning a four-bedroom McMansion with a Bilirubin-colored Lexus sitting outside.

Daniels -- for those who've been secreted in their panic rooms in preparation for Doomsday -- is the Arizona-based software engineer who faked (badly) a winning Powerball ticket and offered $1 million to one random person among those who would share his triumphant picture on Facebook.

Naturally, people's rapaciousness overtook their eyesight and more … Read more

Facebook Powerball hoaxer is software engineer, report says

You have probably barely slept for wondering what kind of sniveling snail would put their picture up on Facebook with a fake winning Powerball ticket.

Or you have probably barely slept for wondering what kind of saintly sort would ask people to share on Facebook his picture with a winning Powerball ticket and offer $1 million to a random sharer.

Either way, the excitement generated by Nolan Daniels has been heated and profound -- especially as more than 2 million people have now shared in the experience.

Now, it seems, we know which Nolan Daniels he is.

The Savannah Morning … Read more

The real joy of the Powerball Facebook fake

It's the weekend.

You'll be thinking about going to a movie, or the theater, or a museum perhaps.

I have an alternative suggestion. Sit down and go to the Facebook page of Nolan Daniels.

Within 24 hours, Daniels (if that is his real name) has become one of the world's more famous people.

He put up a photo of himself with what was supposedly a winning Powerball ticket and offered $1million to a random sharer of his photo.

As I'm writing this, more than 1.7 million people have shared it. You know, on a just-in-case … Read more

The 404 1,126: Where we've got a Batman hangover (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode starring Jeff Sussman from TheBatSignal Podcast:

- "Dark Knight Rises" Blu-Ray extras likely to include deleted Bane origin sequence.

- Top 10 things you may have missed in "The Dark Knight Rises." Our favorite is the Robin "R" insignia that pops up in the stadium.

- The politics of "The Dark Knight Rises"

- Batman is a reformer and humanist in "The Dark Knight Rises," not an avatar for right-wing fears.

- 12 Gotham newspaper headlines during "The Dark Knight Rises."

- … Read more

The 404 1,098: Where our punishment must be more severe (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Bane voice: What does the 'Dark Knight Rises' villain sound like?

- First 3D printed gun signals the end of gun control.

- Pornography in public takes the next seat.

- Apple reportedly to unveil iPhone 5, iPad Mini on September 12.… Read more

'The Dark Knight Rises' keeps your attention

The official game for the latest Batman movie is here, and it packs a huge punch. Weighing in at around 1.8GB, The Dark Knight Rises for Android boasts impressive 3D graphics, a heavy storyline, and a whole Batcave full of gadgets for you to play with.

While the game's plot isn't exactly loyal to the movie's, it is still incredibly engaging and complex, especially as mobile games go. Fortunately, there's also a lot of story animation to help keep it moving smoothly. All of the characters are there with their own agendas, just as in … Read more

The Dark Knight Rises goes Lego

Fans of the modern Batman series are eagerly awaiting the next installment of the Dark Knight franchise, due in theaters this summer. To help them pass the time until the movie's release, Lego aficionado ParanickFilmz created a reimagined trailer, along with help from a few associates who handled the mouth animation and CGI effects. … Read more

The 404 806: Where we're over being cool (podcast)

Mr. Natali Morris is on the show today which means we get to geek out with Clayton about tech vests, on-air personalities, comic book movie adaptations, and the sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum!

The 404 Digest for Episode 806

Watch the campy 1966 "Batman" movie, featuring Adam West and Burt Ward. Clayton's Scott eVest has enough room for an iPod, an iPad, a book, and a 2-liter bottle of soda. Clayton Morris and Mike Quackenbush talk more about the Batman movies on the Grizzly Bear Egg Cafe. Check out Clayton on Fox and Friends.

Episode 806 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell on the future of software (Q&A)

Whether you know him by name, you almost certainly have firsthand experience with some of Nolan Bushnell's work. He's known by many as the father of video games, since he created Pong and co-founded Atari. And he may have played a role in one of your birthdays because he started the Chuck E. Cheese restaurant chain.

Without question, Bushnell left an indelible mark on the 1970s and 1980s.

But in later years he wasn't finished as an entrepreneur, though his more recent accomplishments haven't risen to the level of his earlier career. In 2005, he launched … Read more