I've not heard of "http://libcinder.org/" before.. It's a cross-platform C++ library, building on boost, that looks like it's strongly focused on graphics and looks like it's taking some inspiration from the "Processing" language.  Looks pretty cool actually.

Cinder provides a powerful, intuitive toolbox for programming graphics, audio, video, networking, image processing and computational geometry. Cinder is cross-platform, and in general the exact same code works under Mac OS X, Windows and a growing list of other platforms — most recently the iPhone and iPad.

Cinder is designed to take advantage of platforms’ native capabilities whenever it’s possible, and relies on a minimum of 3rd party libraries. This makes for much lighter, faster applications, and means Cinder apps get free performance, security and capability upgrades whenever the operating system does.

We also have worked hard to create a library that feels familiar and intuitive to C++ programmers, building on the idioms and techniques the C++ community has developed over its long history. Cinder’s modern internal memory management virtually eliminates leaks, not only of memory but also of resources like OpenGL textures. We make use of the exceptional Boost libraries to fill in any gaps, and always favor techniques built on features which are currently or soon will be standard C++ (such as std::thread or std::shared_ptr).

http://libcinder.org/

Paper discussing ways in which google rigs the search results to put themselves at the top:
http://www.benedelman.org/hardcoding/

Hard-Coding Bias in Google "Algorithmic" Search Results
Benjamin Edelman - November 15, 2010

I present categories of searches for which available evidence indicates Google has "hard-coded" its own links to appear at the top of algorithmic search results, and I offer a methodology for detecting certain kinds of tampering by comparing Google results for similar searches. I compare Google's hard-coded results with Google's public statements and promises, including a dozen denials but at least one admission.

CCleaner is a great tool for cleaning up traces left of browsing and other activities on your computer.  Here's an addon for it that let's it clean up even more things.

http://thewebatom.ne...download-ccenhancer/
http://majorgeeks.co...CEnhancer_d6547.html

CCEnhancer 2.0
CCEnhancer is a simple, easy to use utility designed to add support for over 270 new programs into the popular program CCleaner.

The tool uses the WinApp2.ini system built into CCleaner to easily add new rules and definitions for programs. The rules were sourced mainly from the Piriform Support Forum, with several sourced from other places around the internet.

Editors Note: The actual file containing the definitions is not included with the program. Simply press "Download Latest" and the tool will automatically download the most recent version of the definitions. If CCEnhancer cannot locate the CCleaner.exe file you can open a dialog box and select the page yourself.

http://thewebatom.ne...s/ccleaner-enhancer/

This is an interesting piece comparing how different appeals for donations (types of banners, etc.) have various degrees of success in Wikipedia fundraisers.

Useful information for anyone doing donationware services.

Since August, a team of dedicated staff members and volunteers has worked to develop the fundraiser for this year. We committed early to radical and full disclosure of all the data we had, in keeping with the spirit of the transparent nature of the Wikimedia movement. We quickly identified three major points in the donation process that were "levers" we could pull to optimize the process: banner messaging, banner design, and landing/donation pages.

http://meta.wikimedi..._2010/Banner_testing
http://meta.wikimedi...%27ve_learned_so_far

DC member alias posted today that one of our favorite sites (FreewareGenius.com) has just posted a glowing review of my Find and Run Robot program:

http://www.freewareg...-task-management-app

The verdict: this is one post where I will start with the verdict, which I usually reserve until the end. There are two things I want say about this program to sum it up:

(1) If you are unfamiliar with search-box style launchers like FARR and Launchy, you’re in for a treat. Once you try these, they will literally transform the way you use your computer. Just imagine: instead of hunting in your start menu or other locations for a shortcut, all you need to do is start typing the first few letters of the program name, and it will popup. (Very useful if you have a large folder full of portable programs, like I do, that never make it to the start menu).

(2) FARR is likely the best program of it’s kind. It has come a long way since I first saw it many years ago; for one thing, it has undergone a face ift that brought about the “wow” factor which Launchy had from the start.

Seeing the topic The Story of Stuff brought to mind a TV series I saw a couple of years ago:

The Secret Life of Machines

For any of you with a mechanical/electrical/electronic/engineering interest or you're just interested in how stuff works, I can recommend this TV series which is available for download here.

They cover the history of the device and then go on the replicate it using common low-tech apparatus.