Another talk from JSconf (Been watching these all day). Chris Anderson and Jan Lehnardt discuss using CouchDB to store Web applications:

From JSConf:

Mike Subelsky, shows you the inner workings of SproutCore, the JavaScript library that is used to create MobileMe. Mike has used SproutCore as part of the company he co-founded, OtherInbox.com.

Daniel Shawcross Wilkerson, of Oink/ELSA fame, and Simon Fredrick Vicente Goldsmith (along with some other contributors) have built a distributed transaction layer for Google App Engine. Here, Wilkerson discusses the project.

While we all wait with baited breath to see what happens next in the Sun/IBM drama, I felt it necessary to post up a few lighter side links. First, that seminal classic we're all familiar with: Revenge of the Nerds. The whole movie is on Hulu. *snorts* *makes geeky laugh sound* I suppose I should inform you, ahead of time, that Revenge of the Nerds is a tad racy. Think Animal House racy.

Next, we have Triumph of the Nerds, in three parts.

Finally, we have the History of Hacking. About an hour long. See if you can spot me in there. My BFF Travis is also in there.

Who knew that the guy who spent his time on TV cleaning up pig poop was such a smart fellow? On this last Friday in January, I thought I'd offer up something a bit different for ya'll.

Mike Rowe is the guy on Discovery Channel's show Dirty Jobs. He's famous for jack-hammering concrete out of a solidified cement mixer, grabbing baby gators in murky water, and castrating sheep in a disturbing manner.

Now, before you begin watching this 20 minute video, I should warn you that it's not for the squeamish. He discusses the sheep episode in some detail. But this is a terrific talk which eventually ends up focusing on the economy, and our assumptions about work.

The title of this post comes from Rowe's talk: Anagnorisis. It's Greek, and means something akin to discovery. That's not just a station-related promo, though. You'll understand if you watch this video. The gist is that Rowe advocates not following your passion. Not putting safety first. And not listening to the humane society.

For all of you still wondering about the Antikythera Mechanism, Michael Wright has built a copy.

In honor of the new blog, I feel it is my duty to post a piece of performance art. This video depicts a group of dedicated computer historians re-enacting the great takeover of Digital Equipment Corporation by Compaq.