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Social networking isn’t all poking people and sending gifts.  This is demonstrated perfectly in the case of an unnamed 14 year old boy from Canada who used Facebook to start a group with evil ends involving redheads.

Inspired by a South Park episode the boy (who we will call “John” to make things easier) set up a Facebook group whose aim was to encourage people to kick a ginger.  This group was set up purely as a joke, almost as a tribute to South Park.  However, it would appear that you can’t say anything these days without someone taking you seriously.  The group grew to around 5,000 people, and a date was set to initiate this ginger-kicking-fest: the 20th of November.

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Sections: Web, Websites

If you’re a fan of online video, you’ve probably heard of Revision3.  Plenty of people are calling the company “RevisionG4” in light of the recent changes. 

Primer

If you’re unfamiliar with Revision3 here’s a quick primer: The company started as a vehicle to produce podcasts like thebroken, systm, and Diggnation.  Many new shows followed and lots of familiar faces were added to the mix.  Those of us who missed TechTV were comforted with the arrivial of Revision3 along with TWiT.

The shake up

Recently, there have been big changes over at Revision3. Cancellations of shows, distribution deals dropped and personnel changes.

Has Revision3 turned into RevisionG4?  Keep reading.

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Sections: Video, Content, Originals, Web, Web 2.0, Online Music/Video, Features

Just Wednesday, Microsoft announced a site set up exclusively for tech startups.  No, working with startups isn’t a new concept for Microsoft.  But often, the programs weren’t very well known, and the scope was rather narrow.  This latest launch, BizSpark, is a different story. 

First off, when joining, you get the what you might expect—Microsoft products.  Of course, there are the obvious Office, Visual Studio, Sharepoint, as well as both Windows and SQL Server.  But that isn’t all.  BizSpark works with over 300 Network Partners who can offer the program right to startups.  The really big bonus?  There is absolutely no upfront cost to join.  You do however, have to pay $100 when you leave the program.

Learn more about what you can do with Microsoft’s help after the break.

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Sections: Computers, Desktops, Laptops, Networking, Security, Software / Applications, Wireless, Web, Web 2.0, Web Apps, Web Browsers, Websites

Getting a docking station from the maker of your laptop is expensive.  One way to get around the high price is with this: the Startech.com USB to VGA 4-in-1 Docking Station.  Small and tidy, this simple device requires only you to plug in one USB cable to make all the magic happen.

And what magic is that?  Dual monitor usage is the rage, so why not use the unit’s VGA out which supports 1680x1050 and 1600x1200 displays and has three distinct video operating modes allowing you to easily extend your laptop’s workspace.  There are the 4 USB ports so you can keep your mouse, keyboard and other gadgets waiting for your laptop when you are away.  Upon returning, simply plug in one USB connector and you are up and running.  The unit also has a USB Mini B port, one RJ45 10/100Mbps network port, and two 3.5mm audio (mic, line out) ports that all feed off that one USB input. 

How’d the Startech docking station work?  How much does it cost?  Keep reading.

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There are lots of methods of educating children offered these days.  Private school, public school, online charter schools.  But somehow it seems the actual education kids seem to be getting is often on a downhill slide.  And to many, this is a major concern.  The latest in the list of ways to help fill in the gaps you think your child’s schooling may be lacking, or even if you just want a little “extra,“ is Brightstorm.  Continued after the break.

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Sections: Computers, Networking, Gadgets / Other, Lifestyle, Web, Web 2.0, Web Apps, Websites

We’ve seen this as the end game for the telecoms for sometime: cell phones will stop being the main pipeline for cash.  Technologies like VOIP are changing the means by which we communicate and that could spell trouble for the likes of AT&T and Verizon.  So what is a heavily invested in infrastructure to do?  Answer: go after everything.

Find out what AT&T plans by hitting more below.

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Do you remember a couple of years ago when Gotuit came out with “SceneMaker?“  It was all new and amazing back then.  It let people take videos from platforms like YouTube, and then cut scenes from it, and tag them with metadata and stick it on a Gotuit (and eventually any other) page.  Although people could edit videos before this, it was never with quite the same precision and tagging ability that SceneMaker offered.

Now Gotuit is teaming up with Pixsy to bring you the ability to search through videos by scenes.  How?  Keep reading after the break.

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Sections: Video, Accessories, Content, Computers, Software / Applications, Web, Web 2.0, Web Apps, Web Browsers, Websites, Online Music/Video

Think of how many people have become very used to the ease of having TiVo.  And now, it’s going to be available for your computer as well.  Nero and TiVo are working together to launch LiquidTV, which basically is TiVo, just for a computer.

You’ll still get many of the same basic functions you know and love on regular TiVo.  You can watch live or recorded TV. You are able to burn videos to DVD if your PC has a DVD burner.  As long as your LiquidTV is networked with other TiVo boxes you have in your house, it even plays nice with those.

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Sections: Video, Accessories, Portable Video, Video Providers, Communications, Smartphones, VoIP, Mobile, Computers, Mobile Computers, Networking, Software / Applications, Wireless, Gadgets / Other, Household, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Web, Web Apps, Websites

DISH Network will be first to bring you* 1080p resolution HD content through broadcast means.  Say goodbye to the 720 garbage you’ve been forced to watch and bask in the 1080p you should have had all along.  Available tomorrow is “I am Legend” video on demand will be in full 1080p.

The asterisk after “you” above means you may not actually be “you”.  According to Electronista:

The upgrade in resolution isn’t available for all subscribers but will be a no-charge addition for anyone who owns an HD DVR capable of playing MPEG-4 video. A software upgrade will be pushed out at the same time as the 1080p service that enables playing the video format, though no mention is made of supporting the HD resolution for recording regular TV shows.

No word on how smooth the image will be or if it’s compression means we’ll be seeing chopped action.  Either way, it is a step in the right direction.

Read [Electronista]

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The alleged takeover of the City by the Bay may sound totally rare, but, unfortunately, it has happened before that disgruntled employees take to modern technology as a means for revenge.

City tech employee Terry Childs, allegedly modified the city system so that he was the only one with top level clearances. The city is still in a tizzy trying to regain control of their new fiber optic municipal network that handles everything from the mayor’s email to electronic court records. Childs, who was arrested on Sunday, is still being held on $5 million bail, after allegedly refusing to hand over the passwords. He at first did supply some, but they turned out to be bogus.

It isn’t even clear why he did what he did, although it’s been said that in days leading up to his arrest, his behavior towards his colleagues was becoming erratic. A new security chief had been brought in to oversee the group’s security, and over the past few weeks some evidence of tampering had been found. It was escalated to the police, who in turn brought in their own forensics team to investigate their network.

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