And I thought Clippy was annoying...

Simulated social interaction always seems hollow and insipid. Does it make anyone else nervous that this is a Microsoft project? "One of my programs has crashed and has lost your spreadsheet. I see by your expression that you are angry. Would you like to draw a fish?"

See also: Eliza, Little Computer People

The Mona Lisa Curse

Robert Hughes presents a survey of the rise of the contemporary art market, and its withering effects. (link) (via)

A Friday Afternoon Project

The Canon Hack Development Kit (CHDK) enables many Canon point-and-shoot models to do things like RAW image photography, bracketing, and remote capture for stop-motion animation or kite photography. I installed it this afternoon. Like most firmware hacks there is pain involved (using a hex editor, for instance). Ask me about this if you try to install it and get stuck.

Link.