I’m a TWiT!

Geoff Smith made this fun song about Leo Laporte’s TWiT network, which has oodles of great podcasts you can listen to for free on your iPod, with the free iTunes software, etc.

I am a podcast addict. Here are the technology TWiT audio podcasts I subscribe to:

• Daily Giz Wiz – Gadgets and gizmos with Leo and Mad Magazine’s Dick DeBartolo
• This Week in Tech – Technology news with John C. Dvorak, et al.
• MacBreak Weekly – Hilarious updates on Macintosh computers (and I don’t even own a Mac…yet!)
• net@night – Fun web links and interviews with Amber MacArthur
• Windows Weekly – Find out what Microsoft is up to with Paul Thurrott

And here are my subscribed podcasts outside of the TWiT network:

• Buzz Out Loud – CNET’s fun daily audio podcast on technology news
• Filmically Perfect – Each week get a great review of a “perfect” classic movie
• The Kick-Ass Mystic Ninjas – Superb discussions of classic science fiction novels and movies
• Galactica Watercooler – Fun but lengthy discussion of the latest Galactica episodes
• Pogue’s Video – Product reviews via video from the funny and talented David Pogue
• This Week in Media – Discussions of evolving media technology with Alex Lindsay et al.
• News from Lake Wobegon – Garrison Keillor’s weekly story on A Prairie Home Companion

There are zillions of podcasts out there for every interest – download iTunes today and try some out!

WorldWide Telescope

From the New York Times:

The WorldWide Telescope is the culmination of years of work by researchers at Microsoft, and the Web site and free downloadable software are available starting on Tuesday, at www.WorldWideTelescope.org.

There are many online astronomy sites, but astronomers say the Microsoft entry sets a new standard in three-dimensional representation of vast amounts data plucked from space telescopes, the ease of navigation, the visual experience and features like guided tours narrated by experts.

“Exploring the virtual universe is incredibly smooth and seamless like a top-of-the-line computer game, but also the science is correct,” said Alexander Szalay, a professor of astronomy and physics at Johns Hopkins. “No sacrifices have been made. It just feels as if you are in it.”

The WorldWide Telescope project spans astronomy, education and computing. Educators hope its rich images, animation and design for self-navigation will help entice computer-gaming young people into astronomy and science in general. The space service, astronomers say, could also become valuable in scientific discovery, especially with a professional version being developed with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

The Reality of Facebook

What Facebook would be like beyond the virtual world is portrayed in this video.