Google Makes Creative Commons That Much More Easy

By Jimmy Rogers (@me)
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

If you’ve ever written a blog post or made a website, one of the most onerous tasks is finding good graphics without copy protection.  Text-only content is generally frowned upon because the increased popularity of the internet has somewhat “raised the bar” for the average blogger.  Readers expect some sort of layout.

Well fear not, Google has FINALLY come around and, according to the Google Blog, offers Creative Commons search within Google Image Search.  Other search services for CC have been created in the past (such as the one provided by Creative Commons itself), but many bloggers prefer using Google’s simple Image Search.  Now the only question is: How does it work?

  • First, go to Google Image Search.
  • Next, go into the “Advanced Image Search” menu.
  • Scroll down to “Usage Rights” and select one of the options.  For most people, “labeled for reuse” is the best option, because if you are not going to mashup the work or try to sell it, the simple reuse option will yield the most search results.
  • Finally, hit Search and you’re DONE!

Try it and you might get something as cute as this (a CC image)!

squirrel

After testing out the service a little bit, I find it a little lacking.  The search results don’t seem as robust as other searches for CC I’ve tried in the past.  I’m guessing that like most new Google things, this will eventually work better than the rest, but right now they are still fleshing out their algorithm.  I still anticipate that this will be a GREAT tool for bloggers all over!

[“Red squirrel with pronounced winter ear tufts in the Dusseldorf Hofgarten” image from Ray Eye, Wikimedia Commons, CC]


OMG! I FELL IN #2 :-(

If you’ve never bumped into someone or something while attempting to text and walk at the same time, you’re either smart, lucky, or lying. But according to reports, one teenager from New York took such an unfortunate situation to new heights… or depths.

15-year-old Alexa Longueira of Staten Island was walking along a local street and typing a message. Presumably engrossed by the screen, the next thing she knew was that she’d dropped five feet through a manhole.

The amusing element of the story is that the manhole was open to allow workers to flush a high-pressure sewer, meaning Longueira fell straight into what a local CBS affiliate described as “smelly darkness.” (It also noted “Alexa lost one of her sneakers in the sewer. She does not want it back.”)

The less amusing side is that the girl suffered deep cuts and bruises to her back and shoulders from scraping the side of the manhole.

It’s worth noting that conflicting reports have Longueira admitting that she was sending a text at the time, while her mother denies this was the case. That might have something to do with the mother confirming she is considering taking legal action.

Given that the manhole was allegedly unmarked with no warning tape or cones (apparently left unattended while staff went to get just such equipment), there is something of a genuine complaint there. That said, a good lawyer would probably have advised it was a good idea to keep quiet about the whole texting thing.

Of course, while texting while walking can be dangerous, the potential consequences are even more serious while driving. Amazingly just six US states (plus DC) currently ban drivers from using handheld phones while in control of a car, though doing so elsewhere would certainly put a driver at risk of breaking general safety laws.

[Pictures via Flickr 1 | 2 (CC)]

If you thought Torchwood wasn’t kid-friendly, wait ’til you see these aliens

Torchwood

This past week, the five-part Torchwood miniseries “Children of Earth” aired on BBC 3. This was a replacement for a typical season-run for the third season of the show, much like Doctor Who is interspersing four “specials” (one down, three to go) throughout the year rather than the usual thirteen-episode season.

Torchwood has always been darker than Doctor Who, but “Children of Earth” really takes it to a whole new level. I can’t reveal too much without spoiling the plot, but let’s just say that even if you’re not a fan of the show, if you appreciate science fiction with complicated ethical dilemmas and don’t mind the social commentary a tad heavy-handed at times, this is not to be missed. Plus, creepy children and really, really, really creepy aliens. When every kid in the entire world freezes in place and starts speaking in unison, you know you’ve probably got an alien problem – and the image is all very Children of the Corn.

Though I should offer two warnings: (1) you may be forced, as I was, to stay up until 3am watching all five episodes; and (2) Russell T. Davies, who pinned most of the scripts, is the type of writer who seems to delight in slowly carving fans’ hearts out with a spoon.

There has not yet been any word on whether there will be more seasons of Torchwood, abbreviated or otherwise, though I suspect that if there is an announcement it will be made at Comic Con, since both Davies and star John Barrowman will be there. However, it would not appear to be the last time we’d see Captain Jack Harkness in any case, as Barrowman has been seen on the set of the upcoming Doctor Who specials.

If you are in the U.S., “Children of Earth” will begin airing on BBC America on Monday, July 20. You’ll want to give your kids a hug after this one.

Good things come to those who get up early

You know what they say: “Good things come to those who get up early.” Anyway, when I spotted this nice 3D animation on my pal Korben’s French-language blog, I just knew I had to post it to remind everyone that those who sleep in until Saturday afternoon miss wonderful opportunities Saturday morning. Video after the jump.

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