As seen on MakeUseOf.com, it slowly dims your screen and turns it monochrome.

You can pre-set the time to correspond with the sun or, for night owls like myself, set it as late as you like. I don’t know if I’ll be downloading this myself, but there are a couple computers I might just sneak it on.

As a frequent pedestrian, I am a user of the Los Angeles subway. (Ok, it’s called the metro, but this former New York resident cannot make the switch.)  Like most every civic structure in LA, the train stations are a masterpiece of design. High ceilings, open spaces, art installations and a different theme at each stop. It’s quite remarkable really and I suggest taking a ride. No one uses it but me it seems, so the view is never obstructed by passengers.

However, one very badly designed element at my local stop, Vermont/Sunset, bothers me each day. Let’s go to the photo and maybe you can guess.

Yes, I am Captain Obvious and it is the placement of the trash cans.

With a spacious passenger area, why would you have people dispose of refuge next to where they are seated? In fact, it’s not next to it’s actually placedalong with passengers. 

How does this make passengers feel? What is the city saying about them? Or, is this a terrible oversight by the designer?

What do you think?

The main difference in real-world viral marketing and online, is that it spreads much like a true virus: Real human viruses are limited to central “outbreak” locations and spread via human carriers. Computer viruses have no such local limitations and are transfered via computer-to-computer interaction. Viral marketing works the same way in either format. 

One real-world viral that has been making it’s way around Los Angeles is The Room. It’s a 2003 film that’s getting a lot of traction in the same way that Rocky Horror Picture Show did. It plays once a month at the Laemmle 5 Theater to a packed house who throw spoons, yell catch phrases and otherwise interact with the film. It’s truly viral and very funny. Only…well, the movie wasn’t supposed to be funny at all and it’s widely considered the worst film ever made.

One look this trailer will tell you why it has become the well-deserved victim of public mockery.

 

The writer/director/producer/star, Tommy Wiseau has either taken the entire mishap in stride, or he simply doesn’t speak enough English to understand what’s going on. No one knows where Mr. Wiseau is from, much about his background or how he was able to afford the film’s estimated six million dollar budget. My theory? Romanian Arms Dealer.

If you want to see just how far this viral has reached since 2003, check out the LAist, NPR, the Wiki, The Hollywood Reporter, Mahalo, etc, etc- All this about a movie that plays in only one place!

Have there been any real-life virals in your area?

Well, John Kirkland has created this wonderful and romantic book. And, though I’m not usually mushy, I decided it would make a great gift along with the DVD of the SATC movie (out Sept 22nd). 

So, check out John’s book here for only $19.95 and give it to someone you love.

The Backyard Cat product is a weighted bag that hangs from a little harness and trains your cat not to jump. Effectively, it’s just a weight. It costs $18 – $22 depending on the size of your cat. It was designed specifically to prevent your pet from jumping over a fence and leaving you. 

What’s next? Backyard Man?

hrmph. 

This video is of Aiko. She is a robot. And she is highly passive aggressive in my opinion. 

Via Omoshiroi Gadgets

The HomePub Refridgerator/Freezer is a quality cooling unit from Scandinavian manufacturer Asko. It’s available in Europe right now for around $1,000 and is coming to the US soon. 

Via Geekologie.