The first computer "mouse"- the “X-Y position indicator for a display system”

the first computer mouse

Douglas Engelbart created the first computer mouse- the block of wood with a single button above. He was working at Stanford Research Institute at that time on a project which was, in essence, the first iteration of the Internet. Engelbart and his lead engineer, Bill English, received a patent in 1970 for their “X-Y position indicator for a display system,” which was nicknamed a “mouse” because the tail coming out of the back resembled an actual mouse. At that time, personal computers were still years away. The Stanford Research Institute licensed the invention to Apple for a small amount (around $40,000) and Engelbart never received any royalties for his invention. However, in 2000 he did receive the National Medal of Technology for developing the mouse and helping to develop hypertext, both of which helped to usher in the age of personal computing.

Douglas Engelbart created the first computer mouse

from gajitz.com

Tags: Douglas Engelbart , computer mouse, Stanford Research Institute, Stanford , Bill English, Apple, National Medal of Technology, hypertext

On this WEEK in HISTORY: October 8 to 14

Oct 08, 1871 Great Chicago Fire begins

Artist's rendering of the fire, by John R. Chapin, originally printed in Harper's Weekly;
 the view faces northeast across the Randolph Street Bridge.

On this day in 1871 began the two-day Great Chicago Fire which left four square miles of the Windy City in ruins including its business district. The blaze killed around 200 to 300 people, destroyed 17,450 buildings, left 100,000 homeless and caused an estimated $200 million  in damages-over $3 billion worth at this time! Dry weather and an abundance of wooden buildings, streets and sidewalks made Chicago vulnerable to fire. The city averaged two fires per day in 1870; with 20 fires throughout Chicago a week before the Great Fire. 

It was reported that the flames was sparked in the Chicago barn of Patrick and Catherine O'Leary with 
popular legend blaming a cow which  kicked over a lantern in the barn.  Other theories blamed the cause on humans or even a comet. In 1997, the Chicago City Council exonerated Mrs. O'Leary and her cow. She turned into a recluse after the fire, and died in 1895.

Oct 09, 1967 Che Guevara is executed.

On this day in 1967, socialist revolutionary and guerrilla leader Che Guevara, age 39, is killed by the Bolivian army. The U.S.-military-backed Bolivian forces captured Guevara on October 8 and assassinated him the next day. His hands were cut off as proof of death and his body was buried in an unmarked grave. He played a key role in Fidel Castro's seizure of power from Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959 and later served as Castro's right-hand man and minister of industry. He strongly opposed U.S. domination in Latin America and advocated peasant-based revolutions to combat social injustice in Third World countries. Castro later described him as "an artist of revolutionary warfare."

"Guerrillero Heróico". That's how Alberto Korda named his
photograph of Che Guevara, which is the most reproduced in all times

Guevara achieved hero status following his death around the world as a symbol of anti-imperialism and revolution. A 1960 photo taken by Alberto Korda of Guevara in a beret became iconic and has since appeared on countless posters and T-shirts. However, not everyone considers Guevara a hero: He is accused, among other things, of ordering the deaths of hundreds of people in Cuban prisons during the revolution. In 1997, Guevara's remains were found and sent back to Cuba, where they were reburied in a ceremony attended by President Fidel Castro and thousands of Cubans.

Oct 10, 1985 Achille Lauro hijacking ends 

Achille Lauro

The hijacking of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro reaches a dramatic climax when U.S. Navy F-14 fighters intercept an Egyptian airliner attempting to fly the Palestinian hijackers to freedom and force the jet to land at a NATO base in Sigonella, Sicily. American and Italian troops surrounded the plane, and the terrorists were taken into Italian custody.

Oct 11, 2002 Jimmy Carter wins Nobel Prize

On this day in 2002, former President Jimmy Carter wins the Nobel Peace Prize "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development."

Carter, a peanut farmer from Georgia, served one term as U.S. president between 1977 and 1981. One of his key achievements as president was mediating the peace talks between Israel and Egypt in 1978. The Nobel Committee had wanted to give Carter the prize that year for his efforts, along with Anwar Sadat and Menachim Begin, but was prevented from doing so by a technicality--he had not been nominated by the official deadline.

Oct 12, 1492 Columbus reaches the New World

On 3rd August 1492 Christopher Columbus left Spain with three ships. On 12th October 1492
the crew sighted land. It was an island in what is now called The Bahamas.

After sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus sights a Bahamian island, believing he has reached East Asia. His expedition went ashore the same day and claimed the land for Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, who sponsored his attempt to find a western ocean route to China, India, and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia.

Oct 13, 1792 White House cornerstone laid

1792 The cornerstone of the White House was laid by George Washington. 

The cornerstone is laid for a presidential residence in the newly designated capital city of Washington. In 1800, President John Adams became the first president to reside in the executive mansion, which soon became known as the "White House" because its white-gray Virginia freestone contrasted strikingly with the red brick of nearby buildings.

Oct 14, 1947 Yeager breaks sound barrier

U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager becomes the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound.

Captain Chuck Yeager gives an interview next to the prototype Bell X1 Rocket Plane

Yeager was a combat fighter during World War II and flew 64 missions over Europe. He shot down 13 German planes and was himself shot down over France. After the war, he was among several volunteers chosen to test-fly the experimental X-1 rocket plane, built by the Bell Aircraft Company to explore the possibility of supersonic flight. Because of the secrecy of the project, Bell and Yeager's achievement was not announced until June 1948. Yeager continued to serve as a test pilot, and in 1953 he flew 1,650 miles per hour in an X-1A rocket plane. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1975 with the rank of brigadier general.

Tags: Great Chicago Fire, Chicago , Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, Fulgencio Batista, Alberto Korda, Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro , Achille Lauro , Italian cruise ship , Italian cruise , Christopher Columbus, President Jimmy Carter, President , Jimmy Carter, Carter, Israel, Egypt, Anwar Sadat, Menachim Begin, President John Adams, John Adams, Captain Chuck Yeager, Chuck Yeager, X-1 rocket plane, Bell Aircraft Company, Bell

Amazing Bouncing Baby...ELEPHANT!

Amazing Bouncing Baby...ELEPHANT!

Saw this at StumbleUpon from fodrizzle.com. Is this cool or what?!

CNN favorite POST Obama/Romney debate-related TWEETS

Below are funny tweets selected from CNN's tweet compilation  post Obama/ Romney debate. Were these guys as bored as I was watching the debate that they came up with their own funny zingers just to while their time? You be the judge....

W. Kamau Bell ‏-- The media is promoting the #debates like a full on sports event. People are going to be real disappointed when it's just 2 dudes talking.

Obama and Romney boxing match

Sarah Littman ‏-- Mitt: "I like coal" Poor people will find it in their stockings if I am President. #debates

Rachel Lichtman -- So far the only Zingers are in Chris Christie's glove compartment. #debates

Chris Christie

Amy Walter ‏-- "Um, I was told there would be no math." #snl #debates

Marc Lombardi ‏-- The debate would be much more interesting & informative if a buzzer went off every time an untrue statement was made. #debates

Indecision ‏-- Things we've learned Mitt Romney likes: coal, Big Bird, Jim Lehrer.

Indecision ‏-- This campaign to re-elect Bill Clinton is going really well. #debates

Kristi Harrison ‏-- I have to admit they're both pretty handsome. I'm waiting for the swimsuit competition to decide. #debates

Jim Sterling ‏-- Obama is winning in the "Looking amazingly condescending when the other guy talks" race. #debates

Condescending Obama?

Danny Sullivan ‏-- Sorry, that was Obama spending five seconds arguing that he's owed five more seconds to argue #debates

Mo Mandel ‏-- This is the worst SNL skit of all time. #debates

Tara Ariano ‏-- Frankly, neither candidate is working hard enough to land the immigrant feminist small business owner non-voting socialist vote. #debate

This is all people will remember about the first debate between President Obama and Governor Romney: Big Bird.

Fired Big Bird -- If you don't vote Obama, Mitt Romney is going to be eating me by the end of November. Show your support. #BigBird2012

Dave Weigel -- This is like watching a tax law professor debate an investment advice infomercial host

Crystal Bruce -- Whoever dances off stage horse riding style to Open Gangnam --- wins! #debates2012

US president Barack Obama, US presidential candidate Mitt Romney, NBA stars Jeremy Lin,
Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony, pop sensation Lady Gaga,bust a move Gangnam-style!

Doug Benson -- 14 minutes until we can all go back to preferring the candidate we liked when the debate started. #debate

Tags: Barack Obama, CNN, tweets , Obama/ Romney debate, Romney, debate, Zingers, Chris Christie, coal, Big Bird, Jim Lehrer, Bill Clinton, Clinton, Gangnam-style, bust a move , Lady Gaga, pop sensation, Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, Jeremy Lin , NBA stars , NBA , Mitt Romney

Awkward, Cringe worthy US Political Debate Moments in History

With the first 2012 Presidential Debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney just concluded, we now hear pundits left and right analyzing it to bits for all its worth and for all the news media prime time mileage it can muster. Of course, due to public demand, much attention will be focused on awkward or cringe worthy debate moments- sadly more than the meat of the discussions itself. Unfortunately, these  moments tend to have the most historical staying power which at the same time are those that the candidates wish never happened. Below are some of these notable debate moments from  presidential, primary and off-year elections:

Richard Nixon's Sweat

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Vice President Richard M. Nixon
 during a televised debates with Sen. John F. Kennedy in 1960

The best place to start is of course the first televised 1960 debate between Sen. John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon- the first time two candidates squared off on live television watched by more than 77 million people (2/3 of the adult population at the time). The problem for Nixon was actually more on the visuals than what he uttered- he appeared to be gaunt and dripping with sweat on the debate.Understandably so coming from a  12-day hospital confinement for a knee operation and a staph infection for which he lost weight and unfortunately prepped in ill-fitting clothes.

Lloyd Bentsen's 'You're No Jack Kennedy'

"Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

At the 1988 vice presidential debate, then Sen. Bentsen and his opponent, Dan Quayle, were asked what plan they had in mind if they were to become president. "I have far more experience than many others that sought the office of vice president of this country," Quayle responded. "I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency." Quayle often compared himself to Kennedy. But this time, Bentsen didn't let him get away with the comparison. "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." Bentsen's quip received a loud applause.

Rick Perry's 'Oops'

Rick Perry Says God Will Forgive ‘Oops’ Moment

Rick Perry forgot one of three federal agencies he'd do away with and flailed about during a Republican primary debate in November. The third agency Perry couldn't think of was the Department of Energy, which he rails against on the stump nearly every day.

"Seriously?" CNBC moderator John Harwood pressed Perry during the debate. "But you can't name the third one?" 

"The third agency of government I would do away with - the education, the uh, the commerce and let's see," Perry said. "I can't — the third one. I can't. Sorry. Oops."

Perry plummeted in the polls shortly following his on-stage brain freeze. The Texas governor ended his presidential campaign two months later.

George H.W. Bush's Impatience

Impatient George Sr. vs Bill Clinton

Faced with a weak economy and a personable challenger in the face of Bill Clinton, Bush who was running for a second term had a tough time holding his ground. This was made worse in the second presidential debate with Bill Clinton and Ross Perot in 1992. When asked by an audience member how the recession had personally affected him, Bush tucked his suit, checked his watch and gave a lengthy answer that failed to answer the question directly. Bush's move was widely panned as a sign of boredom and impatience with a question that weighed heavily on Americans' minds. Already criticized for his lack of action on the economy, the hoopla surrounding that moment did not serve his candidacy well.  Bush lost to Clinton.

Barack Obama's 'You're Likable Enough Hillary'

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama shared an awkward moment during a 2008 debate when facing a question about Clinton's likability. Clinton was asked what she would say to voters of New Hampshire, who liked her resume but seemed to think Obama was more likable. "Well, that hurts my feelings," a seemingly embarrassed Clinton responded to laughter. "But I'll try to go on. "He's very likable," Clinton continued. "I agree with that. I don't think I'm that bad." As Clinton fumbled, Obama looked up from his paper and interjected, "You're likable enough, Hillary," then promptly continued to write away. "I appreciate that," a laughing Clinton responded.

Obama defeated Clinton to become the 44th president.

John Edwards' 'You Have a Gay Daughter'

Edwards to Cheney: You Have a Gay Daughter

The 2004 debate between the fiery Dick Cheney against young, personable John Edwards was full of drama. The pinnacle came when the two were questioned about gay marriage. Cheney, who has a lesbian daughter, said he didn't agree with the Bush administration's plans to impose a ban on gay marriage but said he would stand by his president on the issue. He didn't mention his daughter and he avoided mentioning her during most of the campaign. Edwards, however, did not hold back. "I think the vice president and his wife love their daughter. I think they love her very much. And you can't have anything but respect for the fact that they're willing to talk about the fact that they have a gay daughter, the fact that they embrace her. It's a wonderful thing. And there are millions of parents like that who love their children, who want their children to be happy," Edwards responded.

Cheney later wrote that he was angry and furious at Edwards and presidential John Kerry for raising the issue of his daughter's sexuality.

from "The 12 Most Cringe-Worthy Debate Moments in History"  By Z. BYRON WOLF | ABC OTUS News


Tags: 2012 Presidential Debate, Presidential Debate, Debate, Barack Obama, Obama, Mitt Romney, Romney, John F. Kennedy , Kennedy , Richard Nixon, Nixon, Sen. Bentsen, Jack Kennedy, Rick Perry, George H.W. Bush, Bush, Hillary Clinton, Hillary , Dick Cheney, Cheney, John Edwards, Z. BYRON WOLF

Are you an internet addict?

from techaddiction.ca

Finally, Psychologists are now working to formally to find out how much online time is too much. The 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM)-the standard for classifying and diagnosing mental illness due out  in May 2013-will include "internet use disorder" as an area "recommended for further study."

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

What this only means at this point is that there will be more formal studies to  be done on a topic which has always been a concern specially considering the explosion of cyber media now affecting the daily lives of millions globally. Is the internet addictive? Why do people spend so much time on the net? How much on line time is actually too much? Independent researches have already shown that the internet can act like a drug, and that the use of social networks has been linked with depression. It's about time though that all of these independent studies be thoroughly evaluated as nobody can deny at this point that this global internet phenomenon is already interfering with our work or personal life.  It can happen that once the data are all in that this may or may not be classified as a diagnosable mental illness in the future but we can only know for sure backed up by findings from a formal group such as the DSM. Knowing so can help us assess how to better cope with this "disorder" which may or may not require a "cure".

Let's wait and see.....

from Tecca by AnnaWashenko

Tags: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders , Mental Disorders, Mental Disorders, Disorders, DSM, DSM, internet use disorder, internet use disorder, internet, internet use, Tecca, Anna Washenko

On this WEEK in HISTORY: October 1 to 7

Oct 01, 1890 Yosemite National Park established.

View of Half Dome and Washington Column in Yosemite Valley

On this day in 1890, an act of Congress creates Yosemite National Park, home of such natural wonders as Half Dome and the giant sequoia trees. Environmental trailblazer John Muir (1838-1914) and his colleagues campaigned for the congressional action, which was signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison and paved the way for generations of hikers, campers and nature lovers, along with countless "Don't Feed the Bears" signs.

Oct 02, 1985 Hollywood icon Rock Hudson dies of AIDS

Rock Hudson

On this day in 1985, actor RockHudson, 59, becomes the first major U.S. celebrity to die of complications from AIDS. Hudson's death raised public awareness of the epidemic, which until that time had been ignored by many in the mainstream as a "gay plague."

Oct 03, 1995 O.J. Simpson acquitted

O.J. Simpson - 1974

At the end of a sensational trial, former football star O.J. Simpson is acquitted of the brutal 1994 double murder of his estranged wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. In the epic 252-day trial, Simpson's "dream team" of lawyers employed creative and controversial methods to convince jurors that Simpson's guilt had not been proved "beyond a reasonable doubt," thus surmounting what the prosecution called a "mountain of evidence" implicating him as the murderer.

Oct 04, 1957 Sputnik launched

Sputnik 1

The Soviet Union inaugurates the "Space Age" with its launch of Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite. The spacecraft, named Sputnik after the Russian word for "satellite," was launched at 10:29 p.m. Moscow time from the Tyuratam launch base in the Kazakh Republic. Visible with binoculars before sunrise or after sunset, Sputnik transmitted radio signals back to Earth strong enough to be picked up by amateur radio operators. Those in the United States with access to such equipment tuned in and listened in awe as the beeping Soviet spacecraft passed over America several times a day. In January 1958, Sputnik's orbit deteriorated, as expected, and the spacecraft burned up in the atmosphere.

Oct 05, 1947 First presidential speech on TV

First Presidential Speech on Television

On this day in 1947, PresidentHarry Truman (1884-1972) makes the first-ever televised presidential address from the White House, asking Americans to cut back on their use of grain in order to help starving Europeans. At the time of Truman's food-conservation speech, Europe was still recovering from World War II and suffering from famine.

Oct 06, 1866 First U.S. train robbery

Frank Reno

On this day in 1866, the Reno gang carries out the first robbery of a moving train in the U.S., making off with over $10,000 from an Ohio & Mississippi train in Jackson County, Indiana. Prior to this innovation in crime, holdups had taken place only on trains sitting at stations or freight yards.

Oct 07, 2003 Arnold Schwarzenegger becomes California governor

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Photograph: Rich Pedroncelli/AP

On this day in 2003, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is elected governor of California, the most populous state in the nation with the world's fifth-largest economy. Despite his inexperience, Schwarzenegger came out on top in the 11-week campaign to replace Gray Davis, who had earlier become the first United States governor to be recalled by the people since 1921. Schwarzenegger was one of 135 candidates on the ballot, which included career politicians, other actors, and one adult-film star.

from history.com

Tags: Yosemite National Park, iew of Half Dome and Washington Column in Yosemite Valley, Half Dome , Washington Column , Yosemite Valley, President Benjamin Harrison , Benjamin Harrison , Harrison , Rock Hudson,, AIDS, O.J. Simpson, Sputnik, President Harry Truman, Harry Truman, Truman, Arnold Schwarzenegger , Schwarzenegger , California governor, California , governor, Reno gang