It seems everyone is playing the just released Starcraft 2. TO keep things in the spirit, Gamepro spoke with several scientists, asking them, how much of the science and technology in Starcraft 2 is plausible?

The Real Science Of Starcraft II - Gamepro

Clay Shirky has written a new book called Cognitive Surplus. He argues that thanks to the internet, more and more people are spending their free time collaborating and working on new creative and useful ventures rather than simply consuming content. One comparison he makes is the amount of television US adults watch and the amount of time needed to create something like, say, Wikipedia.

Cognitive Surplus Visualised - Information is Beautiful

Clay Shirky's Cognitive Surplus - A Whole Lotta Nothing

PC World takes a light-hearted look at how the incessant vuvuzela that is ubiquitous in world cup matches is similar to spam on the web.

10 Ways Spam is Like Vuvuzelas - PC World

Buyign game consoles seem to be a fairly innocent decision. But apparently, they might not be. Much like conflict diamonds aka blood diamonds, minerals like tungsten and gold, easily found in electronics like game consoles, are increasingly being used to fund the war in Congo. Kotaku checkwed with the big three console manufacturers, Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft about their sources of such minerals. Only Microsoft responded. Read more at the link below.

Did Buying Your Gaming Console Help Fund War Atrocities in the Congo? - Kotaku

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, which manages the assignment of domain names and IP Addresses have recently approved the top level domain (e.g. .com, .org, .net) .xxx, meant for sexually explicit sites.

But hold your horses first. This isn't because the fellas at ICANN are dirty-minded, this is meant to make it easier for parents to block sexually explicit sites to prevent their kids from visiting them, be it on accident or otherwise. So, by simply blocking all .xxx sites, explicit sites using that domain cannot be visited.

"Honey! We've ran out of printing paper! I can't print the report I need to submit tomorrow!!!"

"Don't worry, dear. That new toaster I bought can print your report for you on your toast."

"Oh, excellent! I just have to remember not to eat it."

This nifty USB gadget is a toaster that prints images on your bread as it is toasted. What more can you ask for?

The yearly video game expo E3 is going on right now in Los Angeles. An excellet source to get the latest scoop on all the gaming news would be the blog Kotaku. Links at the bottom

E3 Recap: Day Zero - Kotaku

E3 Recap: Day One - Kotaku

Blame the user. CIO has a list of some of the worst Powerpoint presentations ever. Ironically, one done by Bill Gates is on the list.

8 PowerPoint Train Wrecks - CIO

8 More PowerPoint Train Wrecks - CIO

Hey Junior College Youth Infocomm enthusiasts!

If you are a JC student and thinking about what course to choose next or what you want to be when you graduate, the Youth Infocomm Seminar 2010 is for you! Get exclusive insider view on the life and journey of top infocomm professionals from luminaries such as:
• Mr Eddie Chau – CEO, Brandtology
• Mr Julian Persaud – MD, Google Southeast Asia
• Dr Lai Kok Fung – CEO, Buzzcity
• Ms Shirley Wong – MD, BT Frontline
• Mr Warren Sperry – Director (Infocomm Technology), Barclays Capital

National Infocomm Scholarship Scholar, Mr Kyle Tan will also be sharing his experience on pursuing an overseas education. Check out www.infocommtalent.sg/yis.aspx for more details on our speakers and student organising committee.

To RSVP, visit the facebook event page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130205943665679 then select “Attending”, AND EMAIL to yis2010@eventstation.sg with your name, school, Year of Study (JC 1/ JC 2/ Year 5/ Year 6), email, and mobile number. This event is open for 1st 300 current JC students only! Register and RSVP NOW to secure a seat for yourself to avoid disappointment!

Take part in our mini challenges and stand to win more than $1,000 worth of prizes!

Date: Saturday, July 31, 2010
Time: 8:00am - 1:30pm
Location: Anglo Chinese School (Independent), Level 1, Lecture Theatre 1, 121 Dover Road, Singapore 139650
Street: 121 Dover Road, Singapore 139650
City/Town: Singapore, Singapore

To get there by public transport, take a train ride to Dover MRT station. At Exit B bus stop, take either SBS bus 14, 74 or 166 which will stop right in front of the school after 3 stops.

Dress Code: School Uniform


Thank you and hope to see you there!

Yours sincerely
Bradford Loh
Deputy President
IDA Infocomm Club Ambassadors Board
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
for and on behalf of
IDA Youth Infocomm Seminar 2010 Student Organizing Committee
http://www.infocommtalent.sg/yis.aspx
YIS2010@eventstation.sg
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130205943665679

And this is what you get.

It's quite heartwarming, actually.