How to be the Perfect Girlfriend

YouTube - How to be the Perfect Girlfriend

This is a pretty funny video.



Dan

The Art of selling by Alec Baldwin - Video

5min - The Art of selling by Alec Baldwin - Video

Ok. This has nothing to do with technology or language learning, but I just came across this video clip and I had to post it. It's one of my favorite scenes from Glengarry Glen Ross. While some people in sales may not like what he has to say, it hits the nail on the head.

Take a look



Dan

Lemon Tree video

This was one of my favorite songs once upon a time. I'd never seen the video though.



Dan

Great phishing mail I just had to share

I recently received the old "The IRS wants to give you money" scam in my inbox. Usually, I just delete these things without thinking, but I took a closer look at this one.

I've posted the email below, but I want to point out some things first.

1. Note the first URL. This actually points to an image on the IRS site. This can help to assure even some savvy users that this might be legit. The first thing that I look for is a valid URL (not the link text, but the underlying URL). This one is legit. However, it is just a picture.
2. Now just look at the text. It doesn't seem all that strange, but it should make you think a little. Doesn't it sound too conversational for the IRS? IRS and government communications are usually rather dry sounding. Not to mention, they don't sign letters, "Internal Revenue Service".
3. Last, but surely not least, is the link to apply for your refund. I may be wrong, but given the current climate in Washington D.C., I don't think that they are going to name their server "tehran". Even if they did, how likely is it that the IRS's server is in Iran? The best thing is that these guys didn't even try to cover it up with misleading link text.
   

I'd suggest that you NOT follow this link. You never know what nasty stuff they have on the site. I just thought that it was a classic phishing email and that you had to see it.

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http://www.irs.gov/irs/cda/common/images/irslogo.gif
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $109.30. Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.

A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.

To access the form for your tax refund, please click here http://www.tehran.agri-jahad.ir:84/irs.htm

Regards,
Internal Revenue Service

© Copyright 2007, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A..
ZCQMILQUUYYRJWNFBOLVPPVZNBWECCCWXNZUCR


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A N I M O T O: the end of slideshows

A N I M O T O: the end of slideshows

This is a pretty cool application. It turns your photos into an exciting video, complete with a large selection of music (pretty good music). 30-second clips are free, but longer ones will cost. The free clips will allow 15 pictures or more with warnings that extras may be cut off.

Here is my sample



Dan

JibJab - Starring You!

JibJab - Starring You!

JibJab is best know for their politically charged animated shorts, but this is your chance to personalize their videos.

Here is my quick attempt (I could make my head better).



Dan

PubCon Street Tips: Giving a Kick Ass Presentation

PubCon Publishers Search and Marketing Conferences 2007

This is a great article of giving good presentation. A lot of common suggestions and a few unique gems. The overall article is for presenters at technology conferences, but most of the advice is good for general presentations, including academic presentations.

Dan

Access blocked web sites at your Office, School or University

Tech Thoughts: Access blocked web sites at your Office, School or University

These are some more good suggestions for getting around those pesky school firewalls. I don't advocate breaking the law, but breaking some rule set by ignorant, authoritarian administrators (of both the tech and school sort) is fine by me. There are great materials out there on YouTube, Blogger blogs, and various evils that are often blocked. I've even heard of one school blocking del.icio.us! That's just nuts. You students are using these services to get to MySpace, why can't you? Just be careful and don't loose your job :) Dan

YouTube - 'Harold Buttleman, Daredevil Stuntman' FULL FEATURE FILM

YouTube - 'Harold Buttleman, Daredevil Stuntman' FULL FEATURE FILM

This was a fun movie and a good example of how YouTube is providing an alternative distrubution stream and revenue stream for films that would otherwise have been lost in time. Now, after watching, you might think that this one should have been left lost, but I'd disagree. It is a quiry yet intreging movie that kept me interested throughout. I really liked the ending too.

Take a look for yourself.



Dan