Tech Links: August 10, 2012

The most appalling infographic you’ll see today compares the cost of the Olympics vs. the cost of landing Curiosity on Mars. And yet, the future of space exploration is more precarious than ever.

Entertainment

If Hemingway wrote JavaScript

The surprising, stealth rebirth of the American arcade

Twitter has leaked into the “real world” so much these days that someone took it upon themselves to “invent” the equivalent of finger air-quotes, this time to indicate you’re speaking in hashtags.

Gadgets

David Pogue, the tech columnist for The New York Times, lost his iPhone. Thanks to his 1.4 million Twitter followers, and the Prince George's County police department, it has been found

The portable 3D printer that fits in a briefcase: Two MIT students created an ultra-compact machine with a detachable head.

A Surprisingly Long List of Everything Smartphones Replaced

Internet

Infographic: Design Evolution On The Web Explained

Google Fiber: Here’s what you need to know

Rather than reading the terms of service for your favorite social media or other sign-up service online, you can see how they fare with easy-to-read iconic summaries on this handy “ToS; Didn’t Read” website.

Vilnius, Lithuania-based creative agency New! took it upon themselves to make a better Wikipedia. New! improved the site visually, made it more user-friendly and above all made a beautiful design. 

A viral video about the phenomenon of viral videos.

Reading & Discussion

Does Cybercrime Really Cost $1 Trillion?

Women and tech: Why don't girls want to be geeks?

Science

Curiosity rover landing on Mars: This is how we should explore the solar system.

Software

Chameleon Clock is an iPhone and iPad clock app that uses the device’s camera to match the screen background to whatever is behind the device for a see-through effect. The app is by Belgian developer NetwalkApps.

Software Runs the World: How Scared Should We Be That So Much of It Is So Bad?

Technology

A Day Job Waiting for a Kill Shot a World Away

Tutorials

Toasted Leg Syndrome, or erythema ab igne, is / are a pronounced skin burn, usually on the thighs, that can lead to permanent discoloration and even melanoma. And you can get it from using a laptop - on your lap. One solution: Make your own cooling pad (1, 2). But that won't help you if you toast the undersides on the warmed seat of your fancy car.