Photo editors have a job to do. Part of that job is to make sure of the sources of the images they publish, especially gigantical, four-column monstrosities like the one in the Calgary Herald. Great image, illustrates the story well. Trouble is, this photo is from a tsunami that hit China a few years back. It’s easily found on the web via a google search. Turns out this is a two-year-old Reuters photo of a group of people who gathered to watch some large waves, and one turned out to be larger than expected. The mayor of Calgary had the image and showed it during a presentation for tsunami aid, and the Herald asked for the image, assuming that it was a current image. Ooops. Link to apology here.
Patently Absurd
The patent office is a fascinating resource, I have discovered, after readying an interesting post on Waxy.org.
Andy Baio points out a patent application by Apple Computer for the backend software used to publish music to the iTunes Music Store. Cool stuff.
Even more interestingly, he points out that you can keep up with your favorite companies approved and pending patents, like so.
So, here are all approved patents and pending applications for Apple Computer. Some other interesting company searches: Google’s pending and approved, TiVo’s pending and approved, and Yahoo’s pending and approved.
And this blog, FreshPatents.com, has RSS feeds by industry on new patent requests/grants. Cool!
Tsunami Strikes Aceh
BBC footage from a second-story balcony in Aceh, Indonesia. This is one of the most compelling videos I’ve seen to date of the wave striking, in a blink of the eye obliterating everything in it’s path. Single story dwellings are swept away, and only two-story buildings seem to be spared. Via Waxy.org.
Sir Peter
British games maker Peter Molyneux (who I discussed regarding his game Fable a few weeks back) will become the first games developer to be named to the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth. Here here, Sir Peter! You’ll have to write yourself into the Fable sequel, I guess, as lord of one of the manors. More here from the BBC.