September 2007 Archive

Welcome to the PC&G blog!

My name’s Liz, and I scour the Web for cool sites — not all of them make it into our weekly video package, so we’re posting them right here. I’ll post my finds daily.

Got something you think we should see? Send me an e-mail at mobileliz@foxnews.com!

Friday, September 28, 2007

• Stickam — So I think there are a MILLION different social networking sites out there (OK, that’s an exaggeration, but you know what I mean). Well, here’s one more, and I’m actually kind of disturbed by it. It’s almost exactly like MySpace and Facebook where you invite friends, post pictures and leave comments ... BUT with Stickam you can watch your friends in real time via their webcam! http://www.stickam.com/

• Digital Retouching — Just another reminder that the beauties we see plastered across magazine covers are not as perfect as we thought. http://www.digitalphotoshopretouching.com/retouching.htm

Thursday, September 27, 2007

• Dance Party — WARNING: You’ve got to be at least 18 years old to enter this one - it’s a promotional site for the new Heineken Draught Keg ... BUT that’s not what’s awesome about it. Check out “the dance floor.” Simply upload images of you and your friends and this site does the rest for you - a perfect, very silly interactive tool. http://heinekendraughtkeg.com/index.php?friendid=39867

• Scrib Link — This one is a really cool idea, but it has a few kinks to work out. Basically it’s a virtual whiteboard where you can doodle in real time and interact with your friends and family. Create your own FREE personal account — the more you invite, the merrier it will be. The problem I had was inviting people to the board … I have a feeling this issue can be easily fixed, so don’t get discouraged. http://www.scriblink.com/

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

• A Mother’s Journey — This one won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography, and might just be the saddest, most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. It’s a photo diary by Renee C. Byer, of one mother’s struggle with her son’s terminal illness. The photos speak for themselves, but for more details make sure you turn the captions on. http://www.sacbee.com/static/newsroom/swf/april07/mother/

• Smart or Stoopid? — Here’s another one by the guys over at flashbynight.com. It’s a quiz testing your IQ, and, well, I guess I’m not as smart as I thought I was … but, hey, at least my mom still thinks I’m special! http://www.flashbynight.com/test/

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

• Set Game — Here’s a brain-buster that will definitely keep you occupied! It took me a while to figure out how to play, but when I did, it became extremely addictive. Not the kind of game you play for hours, but one that you can leave up on your desktop and keep going back to all day long. http://www.setgame.com/

• The Death Psychic — I know this is completely fake — there is no way a Web site could accurately predict how you will die. But, the results are interesting: — I’ll be “electrocuted” in a swimming pool, due to a fallen power line … and, according to the site, I’m “fried instantly.” Ironically, I don’t know how to swim. http://www.thedeathpsychic.com/

Monday, September 24, 2007

• “Tune Master” — Think you’re a musical prodigy? Well name this tune: "He can’t be a man cos he doesn’t smoke the same cigarettes as me" — … or, you can test your skills with this lyrical quiz. http://www.flashbynight.com/tunemaster/

• Hungry Squares — The MOST addictive game ever — no joke. You’re the yellow square, and your goal is to eat as many little green squares as possible, without being eaten by the larger red squares. Sounds simple, and kind of similar, but for some reason I couldn’t stop playing — … I think because I wasn’t able to beat it. http://www.bugzu.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=499&Itemid=40

Friday, September 21, 2007

• Deflector — What can I say, this game is absolutely … positively … ADDICTIVE! The goal is to protect your asteroid from getting hit. It’s a lot harder than it looks – I do suggest starting off on the “normal” level -- “easy” is just way too easy. http://www.armorgames.com/games/deflectorgame_popup.html

• Gimme More (Pills) — Yes it’s another Britney VMA parody, but it’s brilliant. Greg Scarnici and Mario Pando rip the pop princess a new one with their racy version of her “fall down” performance. Hats off to these two … I hope they release more in the future. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f20c07thws

Thursday, September 20, 2007

• Sound Recorder — This animation uses classic Windows sounds to create this rather cool soundtrack. Just sit back and relax because this is pretty relaxing. http://www.cothrun.com/gallery/albums/Misc/windows_mix.swf

• Role Models — Here’s a YouTube video that’s taking a stand against pop culture by morphing the faces of our “favorite” celebrities to show how much of a role model they really are. Now this video is flagged as containing questionable material, so make sure you’re over 18 to view this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=bz301&v=VcTLPZNBRaY

• Anger Management — Here’s the story of one man and how he learned to control his anger. Revenge can be so sweet – and this could also be a load of crap, but who cares if it’s real or not, it’s hysterical. http://www.manbottle.com/humor/Anger_Management

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

• Signal Map — I am so sick of not having service on my cell. I mean, come on, we now have phones that can play music, show video, act as the Internet …. AND make calls …. but we can’t create one that will ALWAYS have good reception? I think Apple needs to get on that. ANYWAYS… here’s another way of using Google maps that will let you know which provider has the most “bars” in your area. http://signalmap.com/

Suggested by Amanda from Staten Island, NY:

• Book Worm — This might be the most addictive, intellectually stimulating flash game out there. OK, so that might be an exaggeration, but it’s still an awesome game! Your goal is to find words using letters that are next to each other. It sucks that you have to be a member to play the game — but it’s free to sign up. http://download-games.pogo.com/online2/pogo/bookworm/index.aspx?refid=16&code=110119950

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

• State Mottos — “You Want A ##$%##! Motto? I Got Yer ##$%##! Motto Right Here!” Yeah that’s Jersey’s motto for you, but I think my absolute favorite is Wisconsin’s, “Come Smell our Dairy Air.” http://funny2.com/states.htm

• Map Test — Think you know all 50 states? Think again. Try looking at a blank map and match each state with its proper name. Oh, and you’re timed, so think fast – it’s definitely not as easy as it seems. (I only got 42 out of 50 right on my first try.) http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf

Monday, September 17, 2007

• The Fantastic Two — Monday night football fans, get ready because here’s a 17 webisode series based on Fantasy Football. I’m not even going to try to lie — I’m not a football fan, nor do I even understand the game. But, I will predict that Charly “The Tuna” Shapiro and Mitch “The General” Carriati will cause enough mayhem to entertain the masses. http://www.thefantastictwo.com/

• Fafarazzi — OK, do you hate spending your Sunday afternoon perched on a bar stool, drinking beer and eating wings with your boyfriend and all of his friends? — Kind of sounds like heaven to me minus the football fans … but flat domestic beer is not everyone’s cup of tea. So here’s a fantasy league for celebrity gossip — pick a starry lineup based on who you think will land in the tabloids that week. Best part is, it’s totally free. http://www.fafarazzi.com/

Thursday, September 13, 2007

• Do The Puppet Master — From hobbit to this! Will Elijah Wood ever get a break and play a character that appears larger than 3-feet tall? — Here he is performing a sexy creepy dance on the "Yo Gabba Gabba!" show. http://youtube.com/watch?v=U73xInOzz4o

• Tyra Teaches Britney — Gamers, In light of Britney’s "comeback" fumble, YouTube has been swamped with parodies, opinions and replies to the pop stars misfortune. Well this one's by far my favorite. And it's NOT the Chris Crocker meltdown, it's Tyra Banks trying to help heal Brits pain. HA! To see the original version of Tyra’s freak-out, take a look at this clip. http://youtube.com/watch?v=ylPqlrBoyRY

Suggested by Matt from Wayne, N.J.:

• Clubs For Sale — At first glance this looks like your average eBay auction, however, if you scroll down and really read the description of the item — now I mean READ it, don’t just skim through it — you’ll see why this is absolutely HYSTERICAL. Thanks for the suggestion, Matt! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120154868323&

Thursday, September 13, 2007

• The Guild — Gamers, Get Excited — This webisode was created especially with you in mind. But don’t fear, cause I’m pretty sure non-gamers will enjoy it too! The season’s just started, so hurry up and catch up on the first three episodes. http://www.youtube.com/user/watchtheguild

• Prangstgrup — I once played a prank on the RA of my dorm — I hid myself in a suitcase outside his door and right after knocking, I zipped myself in. He had no idea I was in there until he heard my incessant giggling. What can I say, it was a lame prank … ANYWAY, the masterminds of this site are MUCH better at pulling off college pranks than I am. My favorite is “Reach – A Lecture Musical” where in the middle of a serious class lecture, one student stood up and belted out a Broadway inspired musical number. If it was rigged, I don’t care, it’s still very funny. http://www.prangstgrup.com/index_1000.html

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

• Accuradio — I am always on the hunt for new, free and legal ways to listen to music. I ran across this site and was rather impressed. The pros: choose which artists you DON’T want to listen to and skip as many songs as you want. But, there are ads — annoying, but understandable. http://www.accuradio.com/

• Flu Flix Video Contest — It’s a contest on YouTube — it may seem a little weird, seeing as how they want you to talk about influenza, but I think it could be interesting to see how creative people will get. Start submitting your videos on September 15 … oh, and did I forget to mention the $500 prize? http://www.youtube.com/contest/FluFlix

• Internet people — This one was featured on YouTube, and I have to say, it’s rather clever. Funny that I was able to point out over half the references mentioned in this song … Oh and I like turtles! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pPCkhYMQgY

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

• In A Van Down By The River — In classic Matt Foley style (if you have to ask, I suggest you Google it), this young couple is getting rid of their worldly possessions and moving into a pimped out van down by the river — then blogging about it. Keep in mind that this is a brand new site — and when I say new, I mean brand spanking new. The first post appeared on September 5, 2007. It sounds like a promising idea, so subscribe to their feed! I know I will. http://www.inavandownbytheriver.com/

• Big Fibs — Have you ever told a lie? Big or little, it doesn’t matter — this site will post it! Now, I’m pretty sure some of these are made up, but if they are 100 percent truthful, then it just proves that this can be a cruel, cruel world. Take fib No. 152 for example: A woman was cheating on her husband right in front of his face … no, literally, he was blind and she said the “noise” he heard was the TV. http://www.bigfibs.com/152.htm

Monday, September 10, 2007

• Americans Say the Dumbest Things — And this YouTube video proves it! So sad. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE

• Amateur — An awesome display of skills on various instruments! (And, I love the armbands he wears when he plays the piano.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzqumbhfxRo

• Gorilla Power — This funky monkey’s got soul! - almost as much as the “Amateur” from that last post. It’s “A Glass and a Half Full Production” and it’s great. http://www.aglassandahalffullproductions.com/

Friday, September 7, 2007

• Subtly Simpsons — Some of the best one liners you may have missed the first three times around. http://www.westegg.com/simpsons/

• Television Toons: THE GAME — A while ago, I posted the Television Toons site and they’ve since created a game that tests your TV theme show knowledge … and it’s awesome! http://www.televisiontunes.com/game.html

• Transformers: The Furniture — Urban dwellers, this is for you. Furniture that folds up and stores away for later use. http://weburbanist.com/2007/08/23/transformable-convertible-collapsible-furniture-for-cramped-urban-living/

Thursday, September 6, 2007

• Cadaver Calculator — Answer a few simple questions and find out how much your dead body will be worth. YES, it’s a little morbid, but interesting. (I’m assuming the more money you’re worth, the better health you’re in … but that’s my own opinion.) Me, I’m worth $3,390 … not too shabby. http://mingle2.com/cadaver-calculator

• Flash Flash Revolution — Exactly like Dance Dance Revolution, but without the dance. I found this to be a little difficult, seeing that I have ZERO hand eye coordination. But if you can master it, join a tournament and play with your peers. http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/

• Shop Goodwill — I love shopping at thrift stores but HATE weeding through all the crap! Well, here’s the perfect place to find the greatest second-hand deals, all condensed into one online auction. http://www.shopgoodwill.com/listings/listByCat.asp?catID=27=Items

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

• Great American Crime Spree — This one definitely grabbed my attention. It’s the promotional site for the book, “You Can Get Arrested For That.” To sum it up quickly, these two guys went on a road trip to break the 25 dumbest laws in the country. Did you know it’s illegal to drink a beer from a bucket in St. Louis? http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/youcangetarrestedforthat/

• Dog Doo Surprise — Send your worst enemy a steaming pile of dog droppings. (It’s not actually poo, but realistic enough to send the message.) http://www.dogdoo.com/Default.asp

• Did It Hurt? — Did it hurt when you fell from heaven! The other day I thought Pickupedia was “the place” for a large listing of pickup lines. Well, I was wrong. This site is gigantic! Everything from the classics to the cheesy, it’s a true treasure chest for pre-pubescent boys. http://linesthataregood.com/

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

• Emergency! — Actual emergency icons and what they REALLY mean. http://www.nirvani.net/misc/emergency/

• Google’s Flight Simulator — Powered by images from Google maps, this game allows you to fly around and shoot things. It’s very addictive, but sadly it takes a long time to load the images on your browser, so be patient. http://www.isoma.net/games/GogglesBeta09.swf

• Sarcasm — I absolutely LOVE sarcasm, especially when it’s done well. I highly recommend the sarcastic quotes — my favorite ones are from Groucho Marx. http://www.sarcasmsociety.com/sarcasticquotes/