Starting in 1996, Alexa Internet has been donating their crawl data to the Internet Archive. Flowing in every day, these data are added to the Wayback Machine after an embargo period.
Too early to think about what you want for the holidays? You're all alone then-- Solutions Research did a survey on digital products that Americans want to receive this year, and surprisingly, Apple products didn't make the top 10. The leading product was an HDTV, and Windows-based notebooks and Windows-based PCs took the second and fourth slots (you can see the full top ten list over at Engadget).
Apple didn't do too badly, though-- the MacBook hit number 11 and the iPhone was at number 15. And that is a ranking of all generic products, so considering brands, Apple actually lands in the top 5, with 1 in 6 consumers wishing for an Apple product this year.
Sounds about right. I need an iPhone before the year is out, and as soon as Leopard comes out, I'll have a Mini, too. Of course, I also want a Wii, and about 50 different games, and a new Macbook Pro, and an iPod Touch... well, let's just say if this survey had polled me, Apple would have showed up a little higher on the list.
The interview's got me more excited than ever about this thing-- apparently Penny Arcade and Hothead studios actually polled people on their site about what their favorite games were, and based on that, they came up with a point-and-click interface (a la the old LucasArts adventure games) combined with an RPG-style battle system (as in Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger, which is one of my favorite games ever). That sounds great!
As stated before, the game will be available in episodes downloaded from the website, and you'll be able to create a character that you play across the episodes. Sounds really fun-- the end of the year never seemed so far away.
If you've never played Guitar Hero, you've been missing out. It's quite an experience - you play with a special guitar controller, and as notes fly towards you on the screen, you hit both fret buttons and a strum bar in time to real life rock music. I'm a huge fan of the series, having played the original on PS2, and Guitar Hero II on my Xbox 360. Now, Mac owners will can to take the stage: Aspyr Media has announced that they're bringing the series' third iteration to the Mac.
Guitar Hero III is scheduled to be released in October on the consoles and PC. Aspyr will release a hybrid Windows/Mac box, complete with USB guitar. System requirements haven't been released yet, but I'd expect any PC version to have everything the console versions do. The complete setlist contains pretty much any kind of rock you're interested in, from Rage to Bloc Party to Kiss, and even the D and gamer favorite DragonForce.
Sounds awesome. Considering the guitar is just a USB device, how cool would it be to integrate it with Garageband? Here's hoping Aspyr stays on beat, and makes the PC/Mac version available shortly after the console release. Until then, you may always rock it out with Frets on Fire. Throw the horns!
Face it. It's nearly Mother's day. If you're desperate for a present that says "I love you Mom" and you've got lots of money to spend, consider this Best Buy exclusive. For only $205, you get a 4GB iPod Nano with a gift box and chocolate. It's an in-store item only, so you'll have to actually go over to a Best Buy retail brick & mortar store to track this down. I recommend that you call in advance to make sure they've actually got the gift set in stock before visiting.
And while you're there, check out their crash & dent table. My girls picked up several Game Boy Advanced cartridges recently for between $2 and $4 each. They were also burning off iPod accessory inventory, primarily ugly iPod cases and disposable battery boosters at that same table. Selection will, obviously, vary by store.
Sure, you can pick up a cute iPod speaker or sweet Baby iPod shirt for Mother's Day, but wouldn't a luxurious 24-karat golden iPod send the "I love you so much Mom that money means nothing" message you really want to deliver? Money won't buy happiness but it can buy you a gold plated iPod. Just £299 for a 30G version or £399 for 80GB.
Unfortunately, the front face plates do not seem to be treated as the order page lists black and white fronts along with the gold plated backs. Which is a pity, because Mamma really wants a gold-plated scroll wheel.
Just a few more weeks until Mother's Day. If you're an FanBoi Dad looking for a special way to spice up your FanGirl Mamma's special day, here's an absolutely adorable way to go about it. For only $16.95, you can buy long sleeve or onesies iPod baby outfits. The outfits are available in white, blue, pink and black and are sized at 6-12 months, 12-18 months and 18-24 months. The website says to allow 5 days for US delivery and 10 days for international delivery.
Go on, tickle that click wheel--and check out this gallery of iPod babies while you're at it! Sure gives a new meaning to the TUAW tag "iPod family", doesn't it?
Mother's day is just around the corner. Why buy roses when you can pick up a limited edition pink hoody iPod speaker for a mere 120 bucks? It's practically the same color as that old Mother's Day standby red geraniums, but it's way cuter. Unfortunately, when I say "limited" it means that they are only selling about thirty of these things. Also, I can't tell from the picture which kinds of iPods are supported. Still, it's exactly the sort of present to please and surprise a Mac Geek Mom on Mother's day.
Happy Easter to all our Christian TUAW readers! To help you celebrate, here's a list of some of our favorite OS X Easter eggs for you to discover and enjoy.
A "Python" audio clip. Navigate to the following folder: /System/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.3/lib/python2.3/test. Open the audiotest.au audio file you'll find there in QuickTime and play it back.
A hidden picture in Mail. In Finder, open your Applications folder. Select Mail, control-click (right-click) it and select Show Package Contents. Navigate down to Contents, and then Resources, and then open Senders.tiff by dragging it onto your Preview application icon.
Cool dates in history. In terminal, type open -e /usr/share/calendar/calendar.history
Saint Patrick's day is just a few weeks away. And what says "American Irish" more than green beer, green face paint, and green glowing neon iPod earphones? Akihabara News tracked down these fabulous iPod-compatible neon cables that flash along with your music--whether you're listening to Dexy's Midnight Runners, Thin Lizzy or U2. The cables, which run off a pair of AAA batteries, are available for purchase at this entirely-in-Japanese site. So good luck with that ordering!
Love is in the air, and it would seem it is also in the iTunes Store. Valentine's Day is right around the corner and no doubt you'll want to fill your iPod to the brim with a wide assortment of love songs. iTunes is there with a special section called, oddly enough, Love Songs.
Here, in one place, are a number of different love song compilations for your buying and listening pleasure. Tell someone you love them the only way that counts, by purchasing them something.
Want to order an engraved iPod for Valentines day? Time's running out. To order a laser-engraved iPod to say that certain-something to your certain-someone, you better get your order in no later than the 6th of February.
Think of all the wonderful things you could say: "Be my Valentine", "I love you forever", or "Two months left until taxes are due". Whatever. Or you could look for inspiration at methodshop's list of rejected iPod engravings: "Not responsible for prolonged damage to the ear & brain", "Not to be used as a suppository", and "This iPod will self destruct in 1 year" were all supposedly denied by Apple. Of course, once it's engraved, it can't be returned--but neither can your heart.
You'd think there would be dozens of fabulous widgets to choose from for Valentines day. You'd be wrong. The Valentines widget selection involves mighty slim pickings. Here are a few widgets we googled up for your romantic pleasure. You can create your own semi-custom Widget using Ben Kazez's Valentine Maker, offer an "I Love You" translator from Boer Attila or really dig deep at the bottom of the barrel with a couple of promotional widgets, including one for Britney Spear's new perfume.
Valentine Maker Create a custom Widget for Valentines day, from the maker of the John Edwards widget. You choose the color and the words.
Too early to think about what you want for the holidays? You're all alone then-- Solutions Research did a survey on digital products that Americans want to receive this year, and surprisingly, Apple products didn't make the top 10. The leading product was an HDTV, and Windows-based notebooks and Windows-based PCs took the second and fourth slots (you can see the full top ten list over at Engadget).
Gamasutra has 
If you've never played Guitar Hero, you've been missing out. It's 
Sure, you can pick up a 
Just a few more weeks until Mother's Day. If you're an FanBoi Dad looking for a special way to spice up your FanGirl Mamma's special day, here's an 
Mother's day is just around the corner. Why buy roses when you can pick up a limited edition pink hoody 
Happy Easter to all our Christian TUAW readers! To help you celebrate, here's a list of some of our favorite OS X Easter eggs for you to discover and enjoy.
Love is in the air, and it would seem it is also in the iTunes Store. Valentine's Day is right around the corner and no doubt you'll want to fill your iPod to the brim with a wide assortment of love songs. iTunes is there with a special section called, oddly enough, 
Want to order an engraved iPod for Valentines day? Time's 
