Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[10 Fashions You'll Never See at Fashion Week (Geek Chic)]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/09/10/10-fashions-youll-never-see-at-fashion-week-geek-chic/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/10/10-fashions-youll-never-see-at-fashion-week-geek-chic/http://www.switched.com/2009/09/10/10-fashions-youll-never-see-at-fashion-week-geek-chic/#commentsFiled under: ,


While you'd be hard pressed to find the latest styles of sneakers and hoodies adorning the pages of Vogue, that's not to say fashion designers don't think about the geeks out there. (We're being polite: this means you.) So to aid with your back-to-school sartorial choices, we came up with our own geek-centric fashion picks for the season. We think you'll find them fabulous.

Continue reading 10 Fashions You'll Never See at Fashion Week (Geek Chic)

Switched10 Fashions You'll Never See at Fashion Week (Geek Chic) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:21:00 EST<![CDATA[What Are the Best Budget Computer Speakers Under $100? ]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/08/28/what-are-the-best-budget-computer-speakers-under-100/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/28/what-are-the-best-budget-computer-speakers-under-100/http://www.switched.com/2009/08/28/what-are-the-best-budget-computer-speakers-under-100/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Question: I use my computer for most of my TV and movie watching and music listening, but my machine's built-in speakers sound bloody awful. I want a set of computer speakers that sounds good whether cranked up loud or turned down soft. And I don't want to spend a fortune.

Advice: The underpowered speakers built into laptops and desktops can suck the life out of any video or song. They're too small to handle bass, and not of a high enough quality to reproduce most of the detail and richness in the audio.

Continue reading What Are the Best Budget Computer Speakers Under $100?

SwitchedWhat Are the Best Budget Computer Speakers Under $100? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budgetfeatureshouseholdjusttellmewhattogetspeakersstudentstopFri, 28 Aug 2009 12:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Web Site Does Kids' Homework for Them]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/03/05/web-site-does-kids-homework-for-them/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/05/web-site-does-kids-homework-for-them/http://www.switched.com/2009/03/05/web-site-does-kids-homework-for-them/#commentsFiled under: ,



Does it ever feel like the rich keep getting richer while the poor keep getting poorer? Well, they do, and this isn't helping: namely, a new French Web site that lets children pay for older students to do their homework for them.

The site, which goes live on Thursday, is called FaisMesDevoirs.com, which translates to DoMyHomework.com in English (yes, someone already owns the URL). Using the site, children can purchase a final presentation (with slides and speaking notes) for 80 euros (or about 100 bucks), or answers to smaller-scale math problems for an equally staggering 5 euros (or about six bucks).

"I realized there was a gap in the market," founder Stephane Boukris told Reuters. "Add to that a dose of insolence, a zest of arrogance and the Internet, and you have FaisMesDevoirs.com."

Continue reading Web Site Does Kids' Homework for Them

SwitchedWeb Site Does Kids' Homework for Them originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheatingeducationfais mes devoirsFaisMesDevoirsfaismesdevoirs.comhomeworkschoolstudentsweb siteWebSiteThu, 05 Mar 2009 13:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Will Podcasts Replace Professors?]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/will-podcasts-make-professors-obsolete/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/will-podcasts-make-professors-obsolete/http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/will-podcasts-make-professors-obsolete/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



A recent psychological study suggests that iPods and podcasts might be stealing some thunder from collegiate professors and lectures, we've learned from Ars Technica.

Psychologist at the State University of New York in Fredonia, Dani McKinney based the report, entitled "iTunes University and the classroom: Can podcasts replace Professors?", on a study of 64 students. After being encouraged to take notes during a psychology lecture that was supplemented by a PowerPoint presentation, the students were split into two groups. McKinney and her associates provided the first group with PowerPoint printouts while they gave a podcast of the lecture, synchronized with the PowerPoint slides, to the second group.

When the students took a test on the subject material one week later, the podcast-supplied students wound up better off, with an average score of 71, while the PowerPoint slide-equipped students averaged a 62.

While these findings do demonstrate the benefits of using podcasts as study aides, we are -- truth be told -- far from foretelling the obsolescence of professors. Need proof? The highest-scoring group of students, averaging a grade of 77, were those who listened to the podcast and took notes during lecture. [From: Ars Technica]

Related Links:

SwitchedWill Podcasts Replace Professors? originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegeeducationlecturepodcastpodcastspowerpointprofessortopuniversityFri, 27 Feb 2009 08:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Slimmed Shooting Bag Stylishly Holds Your Camera]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/01/06/slimmed-shooting-bag-stylishly-holds-your-camera/http://www.switched.com/2009/01/06/slimmed-shooting-bag-stylishly-holds-your-camera/http://www.switched.com/2009/01/06/slimmed-shooting-bag-stylishly-holds-your-camera/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Does your camera bag leave something to be desired in the style department? If you find yourself looking for something a bit more discrete when toting around your DSLR, take a look at the Shootsac. This neoprene shoulder bag ditches the zippers and bulky design factor for a slimmed-down ergonomic design that accommodates 3-6 lenses and other accessories. It's designed to be worn while shooting, giving you easy and quick access to your essentials.

If the basic black bag ($179) is a bit too blasé, the company offers a number of different covers ($39) for the bags, so go right ahead and personalize it to your heart's (or your wallet's) consent.

You can check out the company's Web site here. [From: ChipChick, Via: ShinyShiny]

SwitchedSlimmed Shooting Bag Stylishly Holds Your Camera originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dslrphotographystorageTue, 06 Jan 2009 07:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Startup Develops iPhone Apps for Universities]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/11/30/startup-develops-iphone-apps-for-universities/http://www.switched.com/2008/11/30/startup-develops-iphone-apps-for-universities/http://www.switched.com/2008/11/30/startup-develops-iphone-apps-for-universities/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Startup Develops iPhone Apps for Universities
We'd estimate that 99.9 percent of the programs in the App Store are little more than a waste of time. So we get excited when a developer starts showing off tools for the iPhone and iPod touch that look genuinely useful.

A small startup, called TerriblyClever, is testing out a suite of applications aimed at universities that, if it becomes widespread, might make the Apple handhelds an indisposable tool for college students. The app is being given a trial run at Stanford University and is appropriately (and unoriginally) called iStanford. It consists of five tools that allow students to add and drop classes, plan a schedule, pay bills, look up contact info in the school directory, find locations on a campus map, and get up-to-date scores from school sports teams.

TerriblyClever hopes to expand its list of client schools and its suite of apps over the ensuing months. This could also be a great delivery method for news about class cancellations and campus alerts. Much better than the text message based CUNY (City University of New York) system which sends out useless messages like:
"FRM:NY-Alert Administrator
SUBJ:NY-Alert
MSG:CUNY Alert:College of Staten Island aΔ"
(that is not a typo)

[From: The Industry Standard, Via: Textually.org]

SwitchedStartup Develops iPhone Apps for Universities originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeAppStorecollegeeducationistanfordschoolterriblycleveruniversitySun, 30 Nov 2008 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[R2-D2's Got Your Back (Like a Back Pack)]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/10/16/r2-d2s-got-your-back-like-a-backpack/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/16/r2-d2s-got-your-back-like-a-backpack/http://www.switched.com/2008/10/16/r2-d2s-got-your-back-like-a-backpack/#commentsFiled under:



Unlike good ol' George, the licensing department at Lucas knows how to take the 'Star Wars' brand and make things we actually like. Take, for instance, this insanely adorable R2-D2 backpack by online retailer fredflare.com.

While it's questionable whether we'd actually wear it in public (we're not that nerdy... or are we?), we can't deny how soft, cushy, and charming the thing is. And while it may not be quite the chick magnet, it's definitely quite the dude magnet. Now where's our Yoda pack? [From: geeksugar]

SwitchedR2-D2's Got Your Back (Like a Back Pack) originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backpackfunr2d2starwarsThu, 16 Oct 2008 11:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Professors Posting Pricey Textbooks on the Web]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/09/15/professors-posting-pricey-textbooks-on-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2008/09/15/professors-posting-pricey-textbooks-on-the-web/http://www.switched.com/2008/09/15/professors-posting-pricey-textbooks-on-the-web/#commentsFiled under: ,

Text Books Go Digital, Free
Those of you who have been out of school for a while may not realize just how expensive college textbooks have become. Truth is, most college students could probably feed themselves fillet mignon for a year with what they pay for textbooks.

The costly textbook market is starting to come under pressure from both the academics who author the texts and groups who believe knowledge and information should be free and available to all. They're taking inspiration from a number of Internet phenomena such as peer-to-peer file sharing, Wikipedia, and the open source movement.

Professor R. Preston McAfee, from Cal Tech, has authored an introductory tome on economics that he has made available online for free. The book is also being offered in print from multiple outlets for a fraction of the price of normal textbooks -- $11 at its cheapest. The book, 'Introduction to Economic Analysis,' is even being used at Harvard.

But McAfee's free e-text book is just the beginning. Connexions is a tool for making what amount to textbook mash-ups. Authors can submit full length texts of individual sections (called modules) that can than be edited, mixed and mashed, as long as the original author is credited according to the Creative Commons license.

Connexions is just one way in which the open source movement is influencing the education market. Perhaps even more impressive is MIT's OpenCourseWare, which since being announced in 2001 has made lectures, assignments, and reading material for over 1,800 classes available online to the general public.

Textbook publishers are now rushing to join the 21st century before they can be blindsided and replaced (as record stores and printed encyclopedias have been) by these new Internet-powered movements. CourseSmart was formed by a consortium of academic publishers who have made over 4,000 textbooks available online or as digital downloads for less than their print options. But even these discounted offerings are pricey and lack flexibility, offering students the option to either download, or read online, not both.

These new free and community based educational offerings are quite a ways from deposing the academic publishing powerhouses, but they will likely find a niche amongst the more technologically savvy and experimental professors and students. [From: The New York Times]

SwitchedProfessors Posting Pricey Textbooks on the Web originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegeconnexionscoursesmarteducationInternetopen sourceopencoursewareOpenSourcetextbookswikipediaMon, 15 Sep 2008 14:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies/#commentsFiled under:

It's not here quite yet, but it's coming. You know, the time when you (or someone you birthed) heads back into the somber fray of study, working tirelessly to make ample use of the thousands invested in his or her education. Here are a few ways to make the learning process a bit more enjoyable (depending on whether you're the spender or the spendee).



Apple MacBook/Gateway P Series

Picking the right laptop is difficult, particularly on the PC side (on the Mac side, a MacBook is usually powerful enough for anything, except video work, for which a MacBook Pro is much better suited.) On the PC side, our pick is Gateway's P-Series notebooks. They can handle gaming, movies and media (and "word processing"), and really any reasonable task you throw at them (including video and graphics work).

Though a bit bulkier, the full-sized keyboards on the 17-inch screen makes writing papers a bit more comfortable. If you're a young Luddite or don't play many games, then go with a Mac; if you're a gamer and online-app head, then your only choice is a PC.


SwitchedTop 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresschoolMon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 10]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-10/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-10/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-10/#commentsFiled under:



Herman Miller C2 Climate Controller

Say your roommate likes the heat on, but anything above 65 degrees makes you want to pass out on your desk. Or you live in an old dorm that's a bit drafty. No problem, iconic-comfy-office-chair manufacturer Herman Miller has come up with the C2, a desktop climate controller that helps regulate the temperature right around your workspace. Really, it's just a small fan that blows hot or cold, but its bread-loaf size doesn't take up too much space on your desk and the periscope-like design adds flair to any otherwise generic dorm room.

SwitchedTop 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 10 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 9]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-9/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-9/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-9/#commentsFiled under:



Wacom Cintiq 12WX

For art students working with graphics or images, the Wacom Cintiq tablets are a gift from the interface/productivity gods. Essentially, they bring together a super high-quality display with a pressure-sensitive tablet, so that you can directly draw and edit your images on the tablet's screen (rather than looking at your monitor while writing on a screen-less tablet). The feel is incredibly fluid, and adjusts to the finest variations in pen pressure. The 12-inch model is about the size of a laptop, so you can work with it in your lap), but if this is something you're going to be using all the time it's well worth the investment.

SwitchedTop 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 9 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 8]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-8/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-8/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-8/#commentsFiled under:


30" All-in-One Display: Apple 30"/Gateway XHD3000

When space is key, you should look for a display with good versatility - something that can serve as a huge work monitor or medium-sized television. While Apple's 30" Cinema Display is the slickest looker, Gateway makes a sweet rig as well. Both are plenty sharp for computer work, and they both use DVI as a standard input -- the Gateway also comes with the ability to hook up multiple high-def sources, including HDMI, S-Video and component. The Gateway model does 1080p and even has a video upscaler to make everything look good, from Blu-ray to YouTube (Gateway also has an impressive-sounding sound bar that gives satisfying 2.1 sound for movies and games).



SwitchedTop 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 8 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 7]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-7/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-7/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-7/#commentsFiled under:



I.R.I.S. IRISPen

The latest IRISPen portable OCR scanner is an impressive device: Just slide the pen over your text source (a book, a paper), and the pen converts it to text on your computer (just connect it via USB). It'll recognize any of the 128 languages you might be majoring in, and the included Translator version even offers to-and-from translations between eleven major languages. Both printed text and numbers (including special characters) are scannable. And while it isn't 100% perfect (you'll usually have to clean up the text a bit after you scan it in), it's still a million times faster than retyping text from paper documents.

SwitchedTop 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 7 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 6]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-6/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-6/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-6/#commentsFiled under:



Axiom AudioByte computer speakers

Since music is an obvious essential to achieving "a better studying environment" for your dorm room, you might as well get something that produces nice sounds. On the higher end of the "desktop computer speaker" spectrum, Axiom's unit is capable of producing clean, high-quality sound from a small package. This pair of blasters is available in various finishes to suit a dorm room's carefully-crafted interior design. Plus, Axiom has a free shipping policy and a 30 day in-home trial period ... which makes taking the plunge a bit less nerve-racking.


SwitchedTop 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 6 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 5]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-5/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-5/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-5/#commentsFiled under:



Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse

There are a lot of mice out there. And since your hand will be spending quite a bit of time on one of these electronic vermin when computing, you should go with a good one. In addition to the spot-on ergonomics of the MX Revolution, the motorized scroll wheel lets you fly through Web pages depending on how fast or hard you flick the wheel (once you try it, it's tough to go back). The multiple buttons are useful, and the super-responsive wireless capability seals the deal.


SwitchedTop 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 5 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 4]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-4/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-4/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-4/#commentsFiled under:



Turtle Beach Ear Force X4

Since speakers aren't always the best option for parents/roommates/etc, some good headphones for late-night (or mid-day) gaming/study sessions are also essential. If you're a gamer and need the combination of Dolby 5.1 surround sound and voice chat on your Xbox 360, Turtle Beach has devised a wireless pair of 'phones called the Ear Force X4. They come with a removable microphone, and route your voice back through the headphones, meaning you can hear all of your incessant trash-talking loud and freaking clear. Plus, you can use them for Skype calls when you have to call Mom or Dad.

SwitchedTop 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 4 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 3]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-3/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-3/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-3/#commentsFiled under:



Videogame console

A game console can help take the edge off of all-night study sessions and thoughtful 10-page essays. If you haven't committed to one yet, now's a good time: all have established game libraries and killer titles and they've all worked out most of the kinks in their software and hardware. If you want to play with members of both sexes, go for the Wii: it always draws a crowd. PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 make a good choice if you're more into high-stakes action with a bunch of dudes, online gaming and first-person shooters (these last two are also good if you like TV or movies, as they both have built-in media extenders that let you watch any of your PC videos on your TV).


SwitchedTop 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 3 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 2]]>http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-2/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-2/http://www.switched.com/2008/07/14/top-10-hi-tech-school-supplies-2/#commentsFiled under:



Canon Pixma iP2600

If you're looking for a solid printer that won't take up too much real-estate in your room, then look no further than the Canon Pixma iP2600, which produces quality prints quickly and boasts a sleek fold-up design, to boot. The printer prints text documents quickly, too -- about six pages/minute (in black-and-white), which will let you work on that essay right up until class-time. What we love best, though, is the $50 price tag, which is hard to beat.

SwitchedTop 10 Hi-Tech School Supplies 2 originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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