As with any other novel technology, one can observe the curve of early adopters as well as the early and late majority (Diffusion of innovation, Rogers, 1962). PlayStation 3 came to the market in November 2006. I decided to compare the accumulation of "ps3 linux" in search traffic since that time (using Google Trends).

PlayStation3

As we can see, search for PS3 is growing since the first rumours about PS3 in the middle of 2005, culminating later in November 2006 when it became available and then again during Christmas seasons 2007 and 2008. The larger amount of people searching for ps3 in year 2008 than 2007 can be explained by numerous factors, the adoption of this technology by early majority being the most obvious.

Linux on PS3

What about linux being installed on PS3? Another Google Trends graph shows us that installing linux on PlayStation is not new idea at all and it enjoys steady attention (red line). However, the coming of PlayStation3 boosted and dominated this traffic. Linux entusiasts around the world started to experiment with Linux on this powerful machine. Eventhough this search traffic is beyong its peak, it is still searched for very often.

Interestingly, it is not United Kingdom where "linux ps3" is being searched for the most. It seems Scandinavians are interested in Linux on PS3 more than anyone else in the world. Again, Christmas time is fairly dominant, probably Linux fans who just got the console are trying to install their favorite operating system on it. Of course, it can be vice versa, too: PS3 might be the reason someone starts experimenting witl Linux.

See also:

• Linux on PS3 (Wikipedia)
• Linux on PS3 Guide (step by step ebook)

Questia, well known scientific and popular knowledge source, offers 15 free books this month. These are:

1. Why Dick Fosbury Flopped and Answers to Other Big Sporting Questions (Damian Farrow, Justin Kemp)
2. The Practice of Persuasion: Paradox and Power in Art History (Keith Moxey)
3. The Enigma of Globalisation: A Journey to a New Stage of Capitalism (Robert Went)
4. The Evolution of American Investigative Journalism (James L. Aucoin)
5. 19 Urban Questions: Teaching in the City  (Shirley R. Steinberg, Joe L. Kincheloe)
6. More Unsolved Mysteries of American History (Paul Aron)
7. A Question of Evidence: A Casebook of Great Forensic Controversies, from Napoleon to O.J. (Colin Evans)
8. The Literary Detective: 100 Puzzles in Classic Fiction (John Sutherland)
9. Henry V, War Criminal? And Other Shakespeare Puzzles (John Sutherland, Cedric Watts)
10. What's It All About? Philosophy and the Meaning of Life (Julian Baggini)
11. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change (Robert Strayer)
12. The Skeptic's Guide to the Paranormal (Lynne Kelly)
13. Discerning the Mystery: An Essay on the Nature of Theology (Andrew Louth)
14. The Five Biggest Unsolved Problems in Science (Arthur W. Wiggins, Charles M. Wynn)
15. Explaining Human Origins: Myth, Imagination, and Conjecture (Wiktor Stoczkowski)

Reading is realized by Questias own reading engine, similar to the one in Google Book os Adobe Acrobat Reader. Unfortunatelly, you cannot go through pages by scrolling with your mouse (this works only inside individual pages), rather you need to click on "next" button. The search function works but it would need some polishing, like offering excerpts and highlights. Overall, it is clear this is a beta version and that also explains why Questia, generally pretty pricey, gave this source away for free.

Companies or shops can boast with different awards: "Number one in Lonely Planet Guide", "As seen on TV" or "Awarded Little Insignificant Award 2006". But I never saw a company boasting their SEO success in offline world. Until I was in a gift shop in Edinburgh, Scotland, that is.

On the rear wall of the shop, there were several "tartan stockings" samples (tartan is that typical Scotish pattern) and among them a big sign "No1 on Google." Google was written in the Google style, of course.

(bigger picture here, uncropped picture here)

I found it very interesting and somewhat funny. But I understand that this little shop on Princess Street wanted to give their customers (mostly tourists) some affirmation that they are in the right place to buy some tartan stockings. And, no doubt, Google can serve as an worldwide authority.

Of course, wining the SEO battle over a competitive keyword is not easy, on the other hand, the domain name helped them a lot, I suppose. In any case, I found it as an remarkable example of how Google is entering the off-line world.

Ad: What Would Google Do?- new book by Jeff Jarvis, 55 Ways to Have Fun With Google - book by Philipp Lenssen

As you know, I am very keen of SPB Mobile Shell 2 I reviewed last month. Therefore, I was very happy to see that Spb Software House just released Spb Mobile Shell 3.0.

I didn't have time to review it yet, so here is a link to external review. My first impressions, though are:

• seems like they really did some major changes
• they took the best from iPhone and TouchFLO 3D
• I'm not sure if I need that amount of customisation, really
• gadgets are there probably to give you a bit of Android experience

I will try thy system and let you know. Buying the previous version was a no brainer. With this one, it might be "too good" with too many bells and whistles. We'll see.

Bad statistics can be characterized by:

Statistics are like a bikini. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital. (Aaron Levenstein)

79.48% of all statistics are made up on the spot. (John A. Paulos)

But let's talk good statistics now. Statistics that let you visualize things you couldn't imagine othervise, those which are worthy 1000 words. Here are my seven favourite, interesting, best statistics and visualisation web pages. I am sure you will enjoy them, too

1. NationMaster.com

Virtually any statistics you can imagine about countries in the world, you can be sure you'll be able to make them with NationMaster. Comparing population, density, weather, or more obscure parametres like "tea consumption" or "students from households with calculators under age 13" can be easily browsed and countries compared.

For advanced statistics, like cross-analysis, you need to buy a membership. Still, one of the best site of this kind. It gets its data mainly from CIA Factbook, that does sound spooky or trustworthy, but sometimes, there are minor mistakes. It's worth checking before you make a front-page revelation.

2. StatPlanet

"Interactive Visualisation Through Maps and Graphs" brings you all you wanted when you were browsing those old atlases in a book, wishing to find some clues about what country has and you cannot see it. Now you can.

3. Atlas of the Real World

Not exactly statistics, but interesting visualisation of the world map based on interesting comparisons. Computer (and I'm sure, artist, too) increased or decreased the size of countries so they compare on scale of: internet users, war deaths, number of people living on more than US$200 a day etc. Daunting and noteworthy! Check out other stuff from the same authors.

4. Gapminder

Please mind the gap! That goes not only to the London Tube, but to the world in general. And this sites is an excellent tool for teachers, researchers, NGOs or journalists to demonstrate the deep differences. The statistics are interactive so they can e.g. change as the time flows from 1990 to 2000. Really worth checking. Incredibly powerful tool!

5. Google public data

Google now allows to compare publicly available data, so far only from US, it seems. Very promising feature, though. And, as you know, Google Trends might come in handy, too.

6. Flowing Data

Every week, you can find loads of interesting visualisiton of anything, really. Better understanding of financial crisis? Online friendships? It's all there, professionaly designed and, it seems, statistically correct.

7. World meters

World statistics in a real time. You never realize how quick something is changing until you see it in real time.

This source is not that well known as it should be, so I hope to change it a bit :-) When looking for completely free photography to use on your website or in your graphics, register at stock.xchng (Stock Exchange, the address is www.sxc.hu).

When searching for the picture, use more general keywords when you're used to from other stock photography banks. This site is based on mixture of professional pictures (on the top) and general input (lower, and FREE of charge). Before you use the picture, check if the author doesn't require something specific, like "to be notified before (their work is used) for any public work".

Owerall, this is a great free source of pictures. There are many others, like www.freephotobank.org or freephotosbank.com. But I haven't tried them so heavily yet. But with sxc.hu, I know what I'm talking about. It is a great site, with some above-average pictures. And you can usually find there some "no restrictions" or "standard restrictions" pictures that will suite your needs.

Clothes and technology? In this case, yes. Moira is special type of outdoor equipment. It's actually type of threat, and it's unique structure helps it to be, in my opinion, one of the best outdoor equipment you can buy for a reasonable price.

This is my favourite Moira T-shirt, Tropiko.

Moira absorbs liquids and guides them away from your body to the next layers of your clothing. Yes, when wearing Moira, you better dress in layers. It is quite flexible way to dress yourself and you'll enjoy the benefits. The same Moira T-Shirt can be worn as the first layer in winter or as the only layer in summer. Thanks to anti-bacterial qualities it lasts fresh longer than cotton t-shirts. Moira socks, especially EKS socks, are probably the best multi-purpose socks I ever had.

Moira also produces great functional underwear. You won't regret the price you paid, since this light underwear will guarantee you better sport experience. You know what I mean... Ideal for long hikes, running, jogging or any active sport.

Washing Moira is easier than I was afraid it might be. Now I know you just put everythinh Moira in the washing machine, put it on 30 or 40 degrees and spare on washing powder. Respect the label. No ironing, please, and tell it your spouses, too, before it's too late (one of my Moira t-shirts has huge iron sting on it, it sort of melted).

I can recommend Moira to almost anyone, it's just as good for daily wear as it is for outdoor activities. But outdoor enthusiasts, sporters and travelers will benefit the most.

Moira is a Czech brand (www.moira.cz), but available in many other European countries. In comparison to CoolMax and similar technologies, it stands very well in my opinion. Try for instance their socks or some light t-shirt. They also make t-shirts that look less "outdoorish" and more stylish:

Links to Moira sites

• MOIRA in United Kingdom
• MOIRA Europe

I am happy user of iPod Shuffle (1GB, blue) and I would have bought it even if the new, third generation of iPod Shuffle had already been on the market. To understand this, let's review what the iPod Shuffles are about: they're small, easy to use, cheap and compact. For me, iPod Shuffle is ideal mp3 player for sports. No display? I don't mind, I wouldn't look, anyway. If I don't like the song, I just press the next button (you can press the button even over the shirt.

Comparison of iPod Shuffle 2nd and 3rd generation

iPod Shuffle second generation	iPod Shuffle third generation
1 GB (was 2 GB, too) Silver, Green, Blue, Red, Pink colors	4 GB black or silver
battery life: 12 hours	battery life: 10 hours
41.2 x 27.3 x 10.5 mm 15.5 g	45.2 x 17.5 x 7.8 mm 10.5 g
controls to play/pause, previous, next, volume up or down switch shuffle on/off switch player on/off (in iTunes you can set maximum volume, too)	no controls on the player itself controls on the earphones cords multiple playlists, VoiceOver function reads the songs
brushed aluminium	polished steel

Why is second generation better?

1. iPod Shuffle is simply a one-purpose tool. Why to have it too expensive?
2. 1 GB is absolutely fine for my use of iPod Shuffle. I don't need 4 GB. While charging, I can automatically change the playlist.
3. I can use any phones I want. The original phones are very light, and I like having the controls on the playes. They are dead simple to use.
4. I don't really need more playlists - if I want, I can switch off the shuffle function and find what I need fairly quickly.
5. 15 or 10 grams? I can't tell the difference. But using any earphones I want, and paying substantially less, that is a reason to stick with second generation. At least for me.

According to Wikipedia, this is the deal with the earphones in case of third generation iPod Shuffle:

Unlike most other portable audio players, the iPod Shuffle's controls are situated on the packaged headphones. If a customer decides to purchase new headphones, they cannot skip forward, skip backwards, pause/play, or adjust volume. Also, adapters that were made by third party companies for the iPhone and iPod are incompatible with the iPod Shuffle.

It's your choice... Overall, I definatelly recommend buying iPod Shuffle as a portable mp3 player for different sports. You can set it and forget it, it is light and simple. And, if you find a good deal, really really cheap.

See also:

• How to know what iPod I have - review of all available Apple iPods
• Apple iPod Shuffle - PC World Review

We have improved our Quick Review Search, added some optional keywords and few new trustworthy review sites. Hope you'll like the new Quick Review Search. Please use the site with review search for leaving your comments and feedback. Thank you.

Windows Mobile 6.1 is a solid operating system and, while it has numerous faults, I'm overall happy with it. You need to do some tweaking, though, if you want to handle your mobile using just your finger. Unlike iPhone, out-of-the-box WM6 devices don't offer graphical interface customized for finger control. But thanks to the third party applications, you can enjoy some of the advantages, too. I can recommend SPB Mobile Shell.

This app installs like any other, but then, depending on your setting, can perform various different tasks the Windows Mobile usually do. I use it all the time, making it the default screen after device is turned on or woke up from sleep. It offers three screens: Now screen, Applications/Menu and Contacts. You can always find the three SPB screens with a nice smooth finger gesture: slide your finger from top of the screen to the middle and then, still sliding, choose one of these screens. Gestures are also used to switch between screens as if sliding (you can set the animation mode).

Now screen on SPB Mobile Shell

Offers you the weather information - very nice graphics, inboxes, time and calendar. Weather is informative and sleek, quick button for switching on or off the ring tones, or switch to vibrate. New messages are shown, as well as missed calls. So far the best default screen on any mobile, I think even better than iPhone.

Applications

You can customize this screen very thoroughly, and it also customizes itself based on how you use it. Extremely usefull and, compared to any other way of starting an aplication, very pretty.

   

Contacts

You have not nine (Touch Flo) but 16 places for the pictures of people you often call. Well, it's fifteen, actually, since one place is reserved for the Contacts button. This Contacts button is actually one of few weaknesses: it is fairly quick and easy to use, but it doesn't offer searching by firsta and second name combined (writing jsmi for John Smith) doesn't work. They might fix it before we know it, the developement seems quite active.

Using SPB Mobile is easy, you can play arounf with lot of setting to make it just right and customize all the details. The Shell is also supposed to work with other apps from SPB, but I haven't tried them much.

If you want to control your Windows Mobile mobile with your finger touches, I can strongly recommend checking this out. Reviewed SPB Mobile Shell runs smoothly on HTC TyTN II, but also on much older HTC Wizard, which shows it is not too hardware-demanding.

Video of SPB Mobile Shell

Here is a video review I found on YouTube.

Conclusion