Links for December 3rd through December 4th

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on December 4, 2008). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

Sometime between December 3rd and December 4th, I thought this stuff was interesting. You might think so too!

  • Readers React to David Pogue’s Review of the BlackBerry Storm: For years, tech critics like me have occasionally endured abuse from the Cult of Mac. If you write anything that even hints at a less-than-perfect Apple effort (like my reviews of, for example, the original Apple TV, iMovie '08 or MobileMe), the backlash is swift, vitriolic and heated. We're talking insults, vulgarities and even threats. I've always thought that that vocal sub-population of Mac fans make up the world's most watchful, most hostile grass-roots lobbying arm. But now I see that I was wrong. There's an even nastier one: the BlackBerry nuts.
  • Leonard Nimoy on the new Star Trek fim:: "About two months ago my wife Susan and I saw a near finished version of the new Star Trek movie. Some special effects and new score were not yet in place. Susan can be a very honest and tough critic. When it was clear that the story was wrapping up she turned to me and whispered, 'I don't want this movie to end!'"
  • The Stories Behind Hollywood Studio Logos: You see these opening logos every time you go to the movies, but have you ever wondered who is the boy on the moon in the DreamWorks logo? Or which mountain inspired the Paramount logo? Or who was the Columbia Torch Lady? Let's find out…
  • Mobiles distract drivers more than chatty passengers: Mobile phone calls distract drivers far more than even the chattiest passenger, causing drivers to follow too closely and miss exits, US researchers reported on Monday. Using a handsfree device does not make things better and the researchers believe they know why – passengers act as a second set of eyes, shutting up or sometimes even helping when they see the driver needs to make a manoeuvre. The research, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, adds to a growing body of evidence that mobile phones can make driving dangerous.
  • Holidailies: Holidailies participants solemnly vow to update their Web sites daily from Dec. 5 to Jan. 6. (Considering doing this, as I've been a bit neglectful of my blog lately. I do wonder, however, why this site and so many similar ideas appear to skew so heavily towards the feminine side of the blogosphere, in everything from the site design to the participant list. Generally speaking, do guys just not do this kind of thing? Or am I off-base here?)