Tip Top Ten

Top Ten Periodic Tables

2009-03-14T19:33:00.028-03:00

Ah, the periodic table of elements. Educational, iconic, & boring -- an excellent canidtate for a mash-up! A collection of alternate periodic tables awaits you, both informative and funny -- and there just happens to be 10 of them:

10. The Periodic Table of Dessert

A delcious first entry, I present to you: The Periodic Table of Dessert. I particularly like the nuts group. Mmmmm, cashews.

9. The Periodic Table of Video Game Characters

Video games characters from modern times and days of yore come together in The Periodic Table of Video Game Characters. I think the characters that aren't originally from a video game are a bit of a cheat (I'm looking at you, Han.)

8. The Periodic Table of Beer Styles

Learning has never been more tipsy -- The Periodic Table of Beer Styles makes me feel pretty un-initiated with the brewskis. So much to learn, so much to drink.

7. The Periodic Table of Criminal Elements

The Periodic Table of Criminal Elements explores the dark facets of misdeeds with some interesting choices of images matched up to each.

6. The Periodic Table of Typefaces

I'm no typeface nerd, but The Periodic Table of Typefaces manages to get me excited about fonts. A quick study of this table will teach you all the basics about some of the most popular type faces. Now you have no excuse for always using Times New Roman.

5. The Periodic Table of Condiments

On the more practical side of things comes the Periodic Table of Condiments (...that periodically go bad.) Next to each condiment is how long it will last for. I think the bleu cheese entry needs correction, it's already gone bad when you buy it.

4. The Periodic Table of the Internet

With sites listed by rank and category, The Periodic Table of the Internet is your (soon to be outdated) guide to the world wide web. I love that the Yahoo entry has an exclamation mark in it -- the ol' element table could use some of that (i.e. ARGON!)

3. The Periodic Table of Video Game Controllers

Button layouts and control schemes are the name of the game with The Periodic Table of Video Game Controllers. I've never even heard of a lot of these consoles, and I'm pretty geeky.

2. The Periodic Table of Booze

Your liver trembles merely with it's presence. Study up & get hammered with The Periodic Table of Booze.

1. The Periodic Table of Cartoon Characters

Last, but not least -- The Periodic Table of Cartoon Characters. Product mascots are cheating, but I love it to bits all the same.

Top Ten Experimental Jetset Parody T-Shirts

2009-01-01T14:25:00.005-04:00

*Cross post with T-Shirt Connoisseur -- Roundup & review of the best t-shirts on the internet!

(Image & Design Source)

In 2001, a Netherlands based design group called Experimental Jetset created three designs: John & Paul & Ringo & George, Keith & Mick & Bill & Charlie & Brian, and Joey & DeeDee & Johnny & Tommy (band members from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Ramones respectively and obviously.) This design was supposed to be an archetypal band shirt, that represented the essence of the band by simply listing their first names. Most t-shirt fans are not only familiar with this iconic design, but also some of the many unsanctioned variations it's spawned. It's easy enough to apply the template of Helvetica font, vertically listed names to any other band (rip-off or tribute: you decide) but when you use the design with things other than bands, it can become a great parody. SO, listed for your pleasure, the top ten experimental jetset parody shirts:

10. Zack & Kelly & Slater & Jessie & Lisa & Screech.

The Meet Me at the Max shirt @ Threadless makes the design its own with the familiar doodles in the background. Not a Saved by the Bell fan, but it's a great design and a great parody.

9. Simon & James & John & Andrew & Phillip & Bartholomew & Matthew & Thomas & James & Thaddeus & Simon & Judas.

Using the twelve apostles in a position originally meant for rock stars is a great contrast. Also, the ridiculous lengthy list compared to the original is pretty funny. (Source)

8. Heartburn & Indigestion & Upset Stomach & Nausea & Diarrhea.

Printed on a pink shirt, naturally. (Source)

7. Mom & Dad & Gran & Gramps.

How could jetset get all cease & desist-y with a face like that? (Source)

6. Fighter & Black Belt & White Mage & Black Mage & Red Mage & Thief.

The Light Warriors of Final Fantasy show up here in the geekiest entry in the top ten. This one is for sale @ Huzzah Goods.

5. John & Eric & Michael & Terry & Terry & Graham.

The Monty Tribute shirt @ Modern Classic is not quite the Beatles, but pays tribute to another famous british group of not quite the same era.

4. & & & .

Minimalist thinking applied to our shirt design in question. Try not to read too much into this one. (Source)

3. Luke & Leia & Han & Chewie.

This tee design @ Super 7 Store was inevitable. I think I would have included R2-D2 & C3-PO.

2. Inky & Blinky & Pinky & Clyde.

This pac-man inspired t-shirt slyly eschews the standard Helvetica font for something more pixelated. The shirt was available at think geek, but appears to be MIA now, I wonder if it was a poor seller or if there was some legal shenanigans?

1. Yoko & Linda & Maureen & Patti.

"Behind every great man..." -- In response to the original Beatles design, Clemformation has this great shirt design in her Red Bubble shop. The most true to the original, and the most easily called a parody -- it's #1 by a long shot.

Top Ten Weird & Fun Uses for Excel

2008-12-26T12:01:00.001-04:00

The nerdy, boring sibling of the Microsoft office family, Excel is always associated with mathematical functions, ledgers, and other yawn inducing things. Little did you know, Excel has a secret second life full of fun and weird things! Here's 10 of them, conveniently displayed in list form for you:

10. Etch-a-Sketch

Remember etch-a-sketch? Now you can doodle away with your keyboard arrows, excel style. This will keep you mildly amused for about ten minutes, but it beats actually doing work with excel.

9. Meeting Bingo

Next time you have a really boring meeting to attend, use this tool to generate some meeting bingo cards for you and your coworkers. Just fill out the the list with your workplaces most trite & overused buzzwords, and you're ready to go. Winner gets first pick of the new office chairs.

8. Pranks

There's a lot of different excel modifications you can make to excel to have fun with (or at the expense of) your coworkers. For example, did you know that 2 + 2 = 5 (for large values of 2) ? Install this on your coworkers computer and, with patience, that calculation will eventually find its way into one of their complex worksheets.

7. ASCII Animation

I don't even want to think about how this was created, but the point is that if you are really bored and inclined, you can.

6. Board Games

That's right, a completely functional copy of monopoly built right into excel (complete with wheelin' & dealin', cut-throat A.I. !) , and it's not the only board game for excel, you can find most popular board games for excel.

5. Spirograph

The crappy toy is now a crappy excel add-on. Did you know that there's a direct correlation between the decline of Spirograph and the rise in gang activity? Think about it.

4. Joke Charts & Graphs

Graph Jam features a huge collection of user submitted joke graphs and charts for your amusement. Put Excel's visualization tools to good use, and make some of your own.

3. Draw

Probably not your first choice in drawing tools, but people have created some jaw-dropping drawings with Excel, and you can too.

2. Make Music

Someone has made a fully functional drum machine and a synthesizer with Excel! One more Excel based instrument, and you could create the geekiest band in the world.

1. Video Games

There's an entire world of video games ported to excel (like tetris) out there, as well as some made specifically for excel. Try to be productive at work, knowing that.

Top Ten Dubai Wonders

2008-11-11T13:14:00.079-04:00

Whether you think United Arab Emirates' (UAE) largest city , Dubai, is a place of awe or a place of wasteful & overdone extravagances, its recent large-scale (and large budget!) projects and sights are unarguably captivating. The city's bid to become a leading tourist destination has included the construction of many spectacles -- and here they are, listed as usual:

10. Opulent Airplanes

Image Source

To see all these wonders, you've gotta travel to Dubai, and you can do it in style on the native airline, Emirates Airline. The wonder here is their first class suites that include closing doors, a mini bar, a 23" screen, and a seat that converts to a bed. The A380 private suites even have a private bathroom with its own shower. Beats the hell out of economy class.

9. Deluxe Airport

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If they can drag you out of your private sky-suite, you could arrive at Dubai's international airport recently completed terminal 3. This is the largest airport terminal in the world at 16.1 million square feet! (Note: this won't be the last world's blank-iest blank in this top ten).

8. Towering Display Screens

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The world's largest LED display (you were warned) makes its home hawking wares from the facade of Dubai's Podium building. I'm sure I'm not the first person who thought of this when they saw this massive screen.

7. Fanciful Fountains

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Coming soon to Dubai: the world's largest fountain! Shooting water to 450' in the air, it will be accompanied by 6600 lights and 50 projectors for what I'm sure will be one hell of a show. Take that Bellagio, Vegas.

6. Grand Entertainment

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Dubai is also home to wondrous entertainment. You could take in a performance at the jaw-dropping Dubai Opera House, or visit Restless Planet: sort of a robotic version of Jurassic Park. If you want a break from the Arabian heat, you could go to Ski Dubai: an artifical indoor ski hill (yes, seriously).

5. Luxurious Hotels

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There are some crazy hotels to stay at in Dubai. The Burj Al Arab is the world's tallest exclusive hotel (for now...), featuring a 180m atrium, and the world's only 7 star hotel rating (making a complete mockery of the official hotel rating system that only goes up to 5). If surface dwelling isn't your thing, there is also an underwater hotel: Hydropolis. At 66' below, Hydropolis features a ballroom, a biological research lab, a cosmetic surgery clinic (???), and (ironically) a seafood restaurant. Hydropolis has a self-applied 10 star hotel rating (OH, COME ON!).

4. Ornate Bridges

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Construction has just started on the world's largest arch bridge (that's longest and tallest). At a mile long, the bridge has 12 vehicle lanes and two train crossings. Anyone else starting to think Dubai's city planners may have an inferiority complex?

3. Unlikely Islands

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When there is no water front left, what do you do? Make more of course! And while you're at it, you may as well make them into fun shapes that you can only appreciate from a plane or a satellite view. Dubai has a waterfront plan involving a group of small artificial islands surrounding a central island city, not far from a set of palm tree shaped islands, and another group of islands shaped to look like a map of the world! The next set of planned islands will spell out a phrase that translates to "Not everyone who rides a horse is a jockey." (...?)

2. Avant-Garde Meta Cities

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If you need a break from the over-indulgent spectacles of Dubai, you might like to travel to other nearby cities. You need not go too far, as there are other cities inside of Dubai. Two planned projects include a segregated island city, and a self-powered, million-person capacity, pyramid called the Ziggurat. On second thought, that's not at all a break from the spectacle.

1. Impossible Sky Scrapers

Image Source1 Source2 Source3

Topping the list, the most wondrous wonder of them all has to be Dubai's skyscrapers. There are dozens of planned projects for bold and towering structures of diverse design styles and features. Noteworthy among them is the near-completion Burj Dubai (1st pic), that became the world's tallest building on July 21, 2007 (Sorry, Taipei 101), the world's tallest free-standing structure on September 12, 2007 (Sorry, CN Tower), and the world's tallest structure on April 7, 2008 (Sorry, KVLY-TV Mast) at 629m, with the final height remaining a secret. Dizzying heights indeed, but there's more. The proposed Nakheel Tower (2nd pic) would smash the Burj Dubai's record at a height of 1400m ! And finally, surely an offense to god, is the proposed Dubai City Tower (3rd pic) at a height of 2500m !!!!11!11!eleventy!

Top Ten Alternative Browsers

2008-10-25T09:46:00.059-03:00

With just shy of half of all Internet traffic being done using Internet Explorer, other browsers are still considered alternative. There are many other browsers out there, and their resource usage, features and interface are surprisingly diverse. They will all get you to your destination web page, but they can each provide a very different user experience. You probably use your browser for hours a week, why not do it with a browser that suits your surfing? If you haven't tried a new browser in years (and definitely if you have never used anything other than Internet Explorer), it might be time to try out something new to surf with. Here's my top 10 alternative browsers, listed (naturally) :

10. iCab

Supported Platforms: Mac OS

Web Page: http://www.icab.de/

Why You Should Use It: Advanced browsing on a Mac

Why You Might Skip It: One man dev team makes for a few bugs and slow updates

If your using a mac and looking for a change, give iCab I try. Some notable features are a detailed and sortable history panel, web page archiving, saving/loading of sessions (open tabs), and automatic checks for bookmark for address changes.

9. K-Meleon

Supported Platforms: Windows
Web Page: http://kmeleon.sf.net/
Why You Should Use It: Completely customizable for the obsessive
Why You Might Skip It: You couldn't care less about your tool bar and menus

If you're a control freak who likes to have their screen look exactly a certain way, K-meleon is for you. Making those customizations isn't exactly easy, but there are many pre-made derivatives that may already suit you.

8. Camino

Supported Platforms: Mac OS
Web Page: http://www.caminobrowser.org/
Why You Should Use It: It's tweaked to integrate and run smooth on Mac OS
Why You Might Skip It: You don't use a mac

If you're apple geek and want a pure mac alternative to your default, Camino is for you. Camino is tuned to work well on your machine, and it integrates with many mac features.

7. Netscape Navigator

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Web Page: http://browser.netscape.com/downloads/archive/
Why You Should Use It: Nostalgia
Why You Might Skip It: It's d-e-a-d, DEAD!

My first Internet experience (oh, zombo.com, you haven't changed a bit) was using Netscape, and I bet it was the first browser for many other people too. 2008 marks the final release ever of Netscape Navigator (as well as it's final security update and support). Enjoy it now before it's entirely irrelevant.

6. Flock

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Web Page: http://www.flock.com/
Why You Should Use It: Social networking and media are a big part of your web experience
Why You Might Skip It: You're a loner (or you only have meatspace friends)

If you're into social networking, blogging, sharing photos, or sharing articles: good news -- your experience just got a whole lot easier. Flock can integrate the functions of many popular sites, and also makes communication between you and your friends easy. One thing -- It works much better when everyone is in. Are you in?

5. Konqueror

Supported Platforms: Linux (& Unix-like), Windows & Mac OS (sort of...)
Web Page: http://www.konqueror.org/
Why You Should Use It: To embrace the ever-blurring line between your local machine and the web
Why You Might Skip It: For power-users only

Konqeror is a file browser, web browser, and a universal viewing application. It's a new perspective on computing -- if you are interested in that kind of thing, give it a try, but most people should pass.

4. Safari

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS

Web Page: http://www.apple.com/safari/

Why You Should Use It: You're a closet Apple Geek using a PC

Why You Might Skip It: It's ugly as sin

The standard Mac web browser, now on for windows too. In fact, if you have itunes installed, it will insist upon safari being installed as a "recommended update". It's got a pretty good bookmark system, and a "snap-back" back button for when you get lost out there on that wild web (even if you figure out how it works, you'll never use it).

3. Opera

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Web Page: http://www.opera.com/
Why You Should Use It: It's sleek, fast, & feature rich
Why You Might Skip It: Some features might get in the way of day-to-day browsing

Opera has been around for a long time now, but the new version is rich with innovative features, so even if you are familiar with Opera, it may be time to revisit it. It features built in functionality for: torrents, irc, password management, widgets, mouse gestures, frequently visited sites, image-less loading, and more!

2. Firefox

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Web Page: http://www.firefox.com
Why You Should Use It: Lean, mean, & it can be tailored to your needs
Why You Might Skip It: Add-ons & plugins can be a hassle if you just want to surf

With the 2nd largest market share, firefox can hardly be called an alternative. It has good reason to be in such a high standing, it's a great browser. Using relativly little system resources, it gets the job done fast. The best part about Firefox is that it comes barebones, and lets you customize your browsing experience with any of thousands of user created add-ons. With that kind of flexibility, it's hard not to like it (because if you don't, you can just change it.)

1. Chrome

Supported Platforms: Windows (For now..)
Web Page: http://chrome.google.com
Why You Should Use It: Because it is how a browser should work
Why You Might Skip It: You shouldn't

It's about time sometime sat down and designed a browser from scratch, and google has done just that (more or less). It addresses common user behavior in its design that most major browser developers have just ignored until now. The majority of users use the search bar to enter a url rather than the address bar, so why have both? After using chrome's single omnibar for a while, you'll wonder why it took so long to combine the bars in a browser design. And why has it taken so long for a browser with tabs to include the ability to have more than 1 homepage? Google designed chrome to be in tune with users and to be in tune with how the web actually works. It's a beta, so it still has a bug or two, and web developers are just starting to include chrome in their testing. Because of this, you may want to keep another browser at hand in case a feature of a website isn't working in chrome; but, this phase will soon pass. Chrome may be a bit of a change, but use it exclusively for two weeks, and you won't go back.

Top Ten Ways to Improve Your Jack-o'-lantern

2008-10-23T14:37:00.057-03:00

After candy and costume parties, the best part of Halloween, for me, has to be designing and carving a Jack-o'-lantern. Every year, as fun as it is to see so many assorted, lit-up pumpkin faces in windows and on porches, couldn't some of the designs be a little more, well... inspired? Instead of carving out the usual Oogly-Boogly face this year, why not be a little more creative and make your pumpkin stand out! Here's the top ten ideas for a new and improved jack-o-lantern:

10. Colored Lights

Image Source: Robot Room

A simple candle may be classic, but a colored light source can add an eerie effect. At the very least, it's a simple way to make your pumpkin stand out. The right color could even complement your design (glowing red eyes?). There's other non-standard lighting ideas you could consider too (strobe light pumpkin? black light pumpkin?). You can find these kind of lights at pumpkinlights.com (wow, the Internet is really comprehensive.)

9. Painted Pumpkin

Image Source: Julevision

If your pumpkin is for an office Halloween party, or for some setting where it won't have the chance to be lit up, painting it instead of carving it might be the way to go. It's certainly the less messy way to go. Let's be honest though, without carving, it's not really a jack-o-lantern, and you fail at Halloween.

8. External Additions

Image Source: Mr_Stein

Seeds & scrap pieces need not go to waste, and your jack-o'-lantern need not be constrained by its natural symmetry. Scrap pumpkin can make protruding horns, arms, genitalia -- you name it.

7. Pumpkin Gore

Image Source: betseymaebite

The inside of a pumpkin can be gross and, well, scary. What an opportunity to include a little extra fright into a design! The pumpkin guts work well for vomit (pictured above), as it does for gun shot wound gore and brain goo.

6. Skin Deep Carving

Image Source: Bob Zimmerman

Instead of carving all the way through the pumpkin wall, thinning the wall and removing the skin can make some cool effects. Shading using different wall thicknesses for different areas can also be achieved. Just make sure you have a strong light source.

5. Squash Switch-a-roo

Image Source: Joel

If you want a unique shape or color, why not carve one of many different varieties of squash? Loads of interesting designs could take advantage of this (green and wart covered witch or troll?) Yes, this is cheating too, but it's still not as bad as painting on a design.

4. Pumpkin Sculpting

Image Source: Villafane Studios

If you are really skilled and ambitious, you could actually sculpt the flesh of your pumpkin. Assuming you manage to finish the job before your pumpkin rots, this could be the most rewarding experience of your October (or life). Many more pro examples of this @ Villafane.

3. Stem-tacular

Image Source: Fidgital

Incorporating the stem into the design can be an interesting twist on the usual jack-o'-lantern. For that matter, the bottom of the pumpkin or the creases might be creatively employed. Work with what ya got.

2. Complementing Designs

Image Source: Crystal

Multiple pumpkins all involved in the same design can make for a clever Halloween decoration. Making jack-o'-lanterns interact is limitless, or if you are really ambitious, you could set up an entire scene. Pumpkin Hamlet anyone?

1. Pumpkin Torch

Image Source: Geekus

Topping the list, engulfing the entire freaking jack-o'-lantern in flames. How bad ass is that? Sure it probably shortens the lifespan of your orange little friend, but it certainly makes a statement.

Top Ten Poutine Dishes

2008-10-21T20:36:00.021-03:00

Photo Courtesy of Sjschen

This iconic Canadian food is arguably one of the the tastiest (and unhealthiest) foods available. At its simplest, it consists of cheese, gravy, and fries, but there have been many variations spawned over the years. Here's my top ten types of poutine dishes, listed for your pleasure:

10. Greek Poutine

This Mediterranean twist on the classic replaces the mozzarella cheese with salty morsels of feta cheese. Sometimes, it even includes red onions, olives, or other things that restaurants think make food "greek". Feta was never meant to be melted with gravy. ever.

9. Steak Poutine

Take your normal recipe for poutine. Add steak. Voila. And lets be honest: what foods wouldn't be improved by adding steak? I thought so.

8. Italian Poutine

Deviating from the original recipe even more, Italian poutine removes gravy all together in favor of Bolognese sauce (marinara with ground beef). The marinara adds a pleasant bit of sweetness to the traditionally savoury dish. No ketchup required. Magnifico.

7. Stuffed Poutine

Perhaps the most bizarre entry on this top ten list. Stuffing is usually reserved for fringes of thanksgiving dinner plates, but for some reason it found its way into a union with this favourite food. This variation simply consists of a liberal amount of stuffing added to the top of the poutine (before the gravy is poured on). This tasty combo will forever stay in our hearts (and stomachs).

6. Donair Poutine

A great man-made meat like donair makes a great addition to any poutine. If you're particularly adventurous, you can get donair sauce on top as well.

5. Hamburger Poutine

Already slathered in gravy, hamburger seems like a logical poutine progression. Sometimes crossed with stuffed poutine.

4. Chicken Poutine

Why stop at chicken gravy? Chunks of rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken breast make #4 a worthy addition to the top poutine entrees.

3. Wedges Poutine

A subtle substitute, potato wedges can change up the consistency of a tasty poutine. Who ever chooses fries when you can have wedges, anyway?

2. Pepperoni Poutine

Yet another meaty addition, pepperoni poutine is one of the more commonly available variations. Sometimes this spicy meat is paired with donair meat too (see #6): Dubbed "Hero" poutine.

1. Classic Poutine

Sometimes a classic is best unaltered. To be true poutine, it has to be mozzarella curds (not a white chedder cheese, shredded or chunked), chicken gravy (not another kind of gravy or sauce), and french fries (deep fried, and not shoe stringed).