Google DNS

via googlesystem.blogspot.com

Google DNS is now available to replace your existing ISP's DNS server or whatever DNS you use. Looks like the key here is speed. Initial testing shows a performance boost over local ISP SmartCity and OpenDNS. Though the feature set of OpenDNS is more "robust", Google's built in privacy policy appears to actually be better since no registration of personal data is required to use the DNS server addresses.

Posted via web from Chris' posterous

The real power of Twitter

I have been thinking about some posts I read recently regarding what Twitter is and isn't. Certainly the original mission has changed, as evidenced by the change to "What's happening..." in the all familiar status bar. I think the power of twitter is its ability to connect people via their ideas and content. Where a traditional blog is great for telling a story or sharing detailed information, a tweet allows us to peek into the mind of those we want to follow or want to get to know. It is a great equalizer in that you can be connected to some great thinkers. It's almost like a giant academic campus, where we have access to all the professors and all the students at any given time. By carefully managing who you follow, you can create a very powerful knowledge base of some of the best thinkers in tech and advertising. And in many cases, if you are careful and thoughtful in your own posts, you will be followed back by some of the same folks who might otherwise be way outside your social or business networks.

I was looking at my "following" list this weekend and was amazed at the sheer volume and quality of "knowledge" these people bring to the table. In a way, I am thankful to have them as informal advisers, teachers and in some cases friends. If you look at Twitter in this way, you can truly appreciate its power and use it as a tool rather than a view it as a distraction.

Posted via email from Chris' posterous

Finally, a way to put all that extra gold to good use

Got a lot of gold laying around collecting dust? That college master debater ring, the wedding ring from your first wife, the gold teef from your old "grill". Now they can be put to good use for something really meaningful, especially with the holidays right around the corner.

Posted via email from Chris' posterous

Grand Floridian Ginger Bread House

Posted via web from Chris' posterous

Characters in Flight

Posted via web from Chris' posterous

jQuery Tooltip @ jQuery TOOLS - Tooltips done right

via flowplayer.org

Looks like one of the better tooltip widgets I have seen. Clean implementation and extensible.

Posted via web from Chris' posterous

Closure Compiler - Google Code

What is the Closure Compiler?

The Closure Compiler is a tool for making JavaScript download and run faster. It is a true compiler for JavaScript. Instead of compiling from a source language to machine code, it compiles from JavaScript to better JavaScript. It parses your JavaScript, analyzes it, removes dead code and rewrites and minimizes what's left. It also checks syntax, variable references, and types, and warns about common JavaScript pitfalls.

To help you work with your transformed code, you can also install the Closure Inspector, a tool that makes it easy to use the Firebug JavaScript debugger with the Compiler's output.

The Closure Compiler has also been integrated with Page Speed, which makes it easier to evaluate the performance gains you can get by using the compiler.

How can I use the Closure Compiler?

You can use the Closure Compiler as:

An open source Java application that you can run from the command line.

A simple web application.

A RESTful API.

To get started with the compiler, see "How do I start" to the right.

What are the benefits of using Closure Compiler?

• Efficiency. The Closure Compiler reduces the size of your JavaScript files and makes them more efficient, helping your application to load faster and reducing your bandwidth needs.

• Code checking. The Closure Compiler provides warnings for illegal JavaScript and warnings for potentially dangerous operations, helping you to produce JavaScript that is less buggy and and easier to maintain.

via code.google.com

Now that's what I'm talking about when I think useful. After a disappointing read of the "Go" spec, this seems a little more useful and exciting.

Posted via web from Chris' posterous