Mike's List * Issue 88 * January 27, 2006 * http://mikeslist.com

'The newsletter with the self-referential tagline.'

A World of Mystery

Inevitably, now that global satellite photography is in the hands of millions -- thanks to Google Earth, Google Maps, Virtual Earth, TerraServer and other sites -- people are, well, finding things. Some people have actually seen themselves, for example, or moving objects such as airplanes in flight. But some are making much less mundane sightings. For example, an Italian software programmer actually discovered the ruins of a Roman village.

Tinfoil-hat types are having a field day as well, finding the secret Area 51, swastikas, crop circles, plane crashes, naked ladies, flying cars and other UFOs. (Here's a great site for seeing unusual satellite photography sightings.)

What have YOU discovered? Let me know at [email protected].

PS: Have you tried Google Earth yet? I'm not going to go into all the details about what it does and how cool it is. Please -- do yourself a favor and download and install it. It's awesome.


Mike's List o' the Week

Geek o' the Week - This dude will give you $6,000 if you're first to boot Windows XP on an Apple iMac.

Bad Robot o' the Week - This bad boy is armed to the teeth and ready for war.

Big Number o' the Week - 100,000: The number of hotspots now available worldwide.

Crazy Japanese Thing o' the Week - Temp agency offers robot receptionist that says "hello!" (Hello Kitty, that is...)

Twisted Game o' the Week - Keep your aim as sharp as your knife!

Wacky Web Site o' the Week - Don't like "The Simpsons" characters? Build your own!

Useless Web Site o' the Week - Mining Pics is a gallery of horrible accidents involving giant machinery.

Useful (But Annoying) Web Site o' the Week - If you're single, you might need this.

Gotta-Get-It Gadget o' the Week - Why spend $10 on a flashlight when you can spend $2,500?

Gotta-Forget-It Gadget o' the Week - When you gotta call ... and you gotta go.

Reader Web Site o' the Week - The United States of Ajax (from Mike's List reader Jim Hamilton) (Go here for more.)

Cell Phone Folly o' the Week - Since small children seem reluctant to embrace cell phones, one company is giving them away.

News You Can Lose o' the Week - Don't tell me you still let your iPod run around naked....

Tax Dollar Waste o' the Week - The eyes have it.

Car Craziness o' the Week - New tech not only parks your car, but even finds you a spot!

Computer Crime o' the Week - They all had legit jobs until they turned to the dark side.

Science Project o' the Week - How can an ink-jet printer make you smarter?

Obvious Observation o' the Week - What? They still have spam?

Absurd Patent o' the Week - The Russian government has given a patent for something they presumably didn't even see!

USB Gadget o' the Week - Who needs a vacation when you can make your cubical tropical?


Stuff You'll Love


Mystery Pic o' the Week

What is it? Send YOUR guess (be sure to say where you live). If you're first with the right answer, I'll print your name in the next issue of Mike's List! (Check out previous Mystery Pics)

LAST WEEK'S MYSTERY PIC: No, it's not an "anti-kidnapping suit," a "bullet-proof, wearable computer," or even a "motorcycle jacket with built-in airbag," as suggested by some readers. In fact, it's a Portuguese Civil Protection project called the i-GARMENT. When finished it will be suits worn by emergency workers, such as firemen, and equipped with sensors to monitor the location and vital signals (temperature and heart beat) of the wearers. The info will be sent wirelessly to the agency's headquarters. Mega-congrats to Sean Maguire of Dublin, Ireland, who was first with the right answer!

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