Skip to Content

Massively has the latest Warhammer Online news, guides and analysis!
AOL Tech

Teen Streams His Own Suicide Live on Web

by Tim Stevens, posted Nov 21st 2008 at 10:44AM

19 Year Old Streams Suicide Live on InternetWe've covered no shortage of Internet-related suicides, particularly the epidemic of student deaths in Wales, but we haven't seen anything like this before. On Wednesday, 19-year-old Abraham K. Biggs chose to end his life with an overdose of pills, and also chose to stream his death live on Justin.tv -- apparently while being encouraged by members of the bodybuilding.com forum.

Viewers of the stream watched and commented until Biggs appeared to no longer be breathing, then called police. In the live video stream, police were seen to storm the house before covering the camera. Unfortunately, they were too late to save Biggs, who in his suicide note indicated "I hate myself and I hate living." While it seems Biggs was intent on taking his life, online or off, we're certainly hoping his choice of making it known doesn't start a new trend. [From: NewTeeVee]

Cell Phone Takes a Bullet for New Orleans Man

by Evan Shamoon, posted Nov 21st 2008 at 9:14AM

Having two first names is cool, but being saved by your cell phone is even cooler.

The Times-Picayune reports that a New Orleans man by the name of Ronald Richard was mowing the lawn last Saturday when a stray .45 caliber bullet hit him in the chest. But somehow, instead of killing him, the bullet hit his Motorola RAZR; the phone was destroyed, and Richard was fine. The bullet may have come from the woods near Richard's home.

Making the story even more miraculous, Richard normally clips his cell phone to the hip pocket of his overalls. On this particular Saturday, however, he hooked it to the chest of the overalls just over his heart.

"Something hit me in the chest really hard," said Richard. When he removed his sweater and opened his phone's case, a .45-caliber bullet fell out of it. "I don't look at any of this as coincidence," Richard said Wednesday. "I look at this as God telling me to put my cell phone in that pocket, and I'm grateful and humbled."

There's one thing that doesn't make sense, though: We thought God used an iPhone? [From: Nola.com]

Related Links:


Medical ID Theft Growing Concern, Security Experts Say

by Will Safer, posted Nov 21st 2008 at 7:03AM



When most people think about ID theft and fraud, their concern is over bank accounts and credit ratings. But have you thought about the security of your medical identity? It turns out medical ID theft is a major and growing concern among security pros, who say that once your medical ID is compromised it can take years to undo the damage.

Most hospitals, they say, don't do much to confirm identity when patients check in, which means a crafty criminal can get procedures (everything from getting a prescription to giving birth) done under someone else's name. If someone else's procedures, allergies or injuries end up listed on your medical records that could make getting insurance more difficult or impossible for you. Robert Sciliano, head of IDTheftSecurity.com, told CBS News that "You're screwed," if your medical ID is stolen.

The quick remedy you can prescribe yourself? If your wallet is stolen or lost, don't just call your bank. Call your medical insurance company immediately to report the card missing. And when you get paperwork from your insurance company, don't just file it or throw it away. Read the document carefully to make sure everything they state is accurate. And there's plenty more you can do to protect yourself from identity theft.

The long-term remedy is for hospitals and medical centers to do a better job of confirming patient identification. Some already have hand or fingerprint scanners in place, where a simple wave of your palm confirms your ID and brings up a medical history. But most don't yet have that modern tech in place, so it's up to you to protect yourself. [Source: CBS News.]

PETA Makes Scary Version of 'Cooking Mama' Game, Majesco Replies

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Nov 20th 2008 at 7:15PM

PETA Grinch Tries to Steal Thanksgiving
Animal rights activist group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has never been known for its subtlety. Actually, that's an understatement. PETA has long been known for its over-dramatic publicity stunts. It's not that we always disagree with PETA's goals, it's just that their methods make us so uncomfortable we start to think that maybe Ted Nugent isn't such a bad guy after all.

The group's latest target is Thanksgiving. PETA has created a flash version of the Nintendo Wii hit 'Cooking Mama' (we hear the lawyers warming up their suing pens right now) that gruesomely details the steps involved in gutting and dressing a turkey.

Even if you lose, PETA still rewards you with a video that shows off the terrible conditions at commercial turkey farms. We agree it's not pretty, but they're gonna have a hard time convincing people that their food should be treated better. Especially if their main method of preaching is a flash version of an incredibly frustrating video game.

Majesco (publisher of 'Cooking Mama') responded with a press release noting that the new title 'Cooking Mama: World Kitchen' features plenty of vegetarian dishes, including miso soup and rice cakes. The gaming publisher doesn't appear to be taking the offense too seriously, since half of the release consisted of quotes from the fictional game's protagonist, 'Mama,' including her claim that her, "...only goal is to ensure you leave the table well fed."

We don't know about you, but we're hungry now. Maybe the Nuge can go kill us some grub. [From: Download Squad]

FOX News Anchor Shows His Creepy Facebook Page on Live TV

by Lee Bains, posted Nov 20th 2008 at 6:35PM



The host of FOX News's 'Fox & Friends,' Steve Doocy spends a good bit of time on Facebook, according to a video of the morning show on ValleyWag.com.

Apparently, Steve updates his Facebook Status every day with such mundane notices as, "Steve is tired from a busy weekend," and posts marginally creepy profile pictures, like the one of him, as a kindergartener, in a Santa suit. All weirdness aside, Mr. Doocy is in clear violation of Facebook Guidelines One and Eleven.

We'll let one of you Doocy fans send him a private Facebook message informing him of his infractions, since he's "pretty much maxed-out" and hasn't yet accepted our friend request. [From: ValleyWag.com]

Irish Use Cell Phones the Most, Report Says

by Tom Samiljan, posted Nov 20th 2008 at 5:46PM



Maybe it's the vast green pastures separating towns and cities or just the lousy weather, but in 2007, residents of the Republic of Ireland spent the most time per head talking and sending text messages on their mobile phones. This is just one of several statistics disclosed on the International Communications Market report by British regulator Ofcom, Reuters reports.

The Finns may have more mobile phones, but it's the folks who live on the Emerald Isle who take the cake for actually using those mobile phones a lot. But enough about mobile phones and Ireland -- this report shared the gadget-use-superlative love among many countries.

China, for example, added 88 million new mobile phone subscribers last year, while Russian cell phone use rose a whopping 1,000-percent. And let's not forget the U.S., where folks spent the more time online per week -- 15 hours -- than any other country (followed by the UK at 14 hours per week). The U.S. and Britain also watched TV shows online more than any other country, but Canadians, it turns out, like to get on Facebook, MySpace, and Bebo the best, since more than half of them (55-percent) are on social-networking sites.

Unfortunately, the U.S. also tops the list for TV-watching, on average 4.5 hours a day. Does that mean that, like our economy, we're a nation of depressed couch potatoes? [From Reuters]


Do you prefer making phone calls or text messaging on your cell phone?




Related Links:

'Bottoms Up' Beer Dispenser Pours 10 Pints in 10 Seconds

by Lee Bains, posted Nov 20th 2008 at 5:01PM


In keeping with the close kinship between beer and technology, the Scotsman company has introduced the innovative Trufill beer dispenser, Uber Review and Foodbev report.

With Trufill's pioneering design, beer enters the glass through the bottom, allowing a bartender (or overly enthusiastic drinker) to pour as many as 10 pints of beer in 10 seconds. This speedy dispensing technology could be a boon for crowded bars and concession stands, who often lose sales with the time it takes to pour a headless beer.

Scotsman Beverage Systems' Web site explains that the Trufill's functionality depends upon a 'non-return valve' in the bottom of a specially designed glass. That's too bad; we'd really hoped that the folks at Scot-Bev had invented some sort of fluid-teleportation device. [From: Foodbev via Uber Review]

Orb 2.0 Streams Live TV to Your iPhone

by Nilay Patel, posted Nov 20th 2008 at 3:52PM


We knew Orb was working on an iPhone port of its media-streaming app, and it looks like Orb 2.0 just stealthily went live in the App Store. The $10 app lets TV junkies watch live TV from a tuner connected to a Windows PC, as well as stream music, videos, and photos from their libraries. Even cooler, Orb allows you to monitor a Webcam, so you can finally nail those Diet Coke thieves from the comfort of your cube (or keep an eye on your infant, whatever.) Sadly there's no date for the Mac and Linux versions, but Orb says they're on the way. Alright Sling, looks like the ball's in your court.

[Via jkOnTheRun]

Is E-Mailing, Texting, and Chatting Online Really So Bad for Teens?

by Lee Bains, posted Nov 20th 2008 at 2:56PM



While many a parental unit is concerned about his or her teenager's constant texting, instant messaging and Internet surfing, as well as the impact such activities could have on a developing personality, researchers at the MacArthur Foundation are assuring parents that the kids are alright, the New York Times reports.

Much of the cause for parents' trepidation, according to lead researcher Mizuko Ito, is a basic confusion about how kids are spending time online. Primarily, Ito says, kids are socializing with friends, not making themselves vulnerable to "stranger danger."

Conducted over a three-year period, the study demonstrates the extent to which new media -- including cell phones and social networking sites -- have become integral to young people's social lives. Far from calling this a problem, Ito claims that this new form of socialization prepares kids for the tech-heavy work environments they will undoubtedly encounter in their later years.

If Ito is, in fact, correct in her assessment, and this article is correct in its own, it might be Facebook that winds up getting us out of this economic crisis. [From: The New York Times]

Cat Takes a Ride on Roomba

by Lee Bains, posted Nov 20th 2008 at 1:49PM



Our dear friends at Engadget posted this video of a kitty taking a joy ride on a Roomba, the world's finest vacuuming robot. As we all know, cats and technology have long been embattled opponents, so we find a lot of hope in this instance of feline-robot cooperation.

In the interest of perpetuating cuteness, we encourage you to introduce your kitty to a Roomba. Just keep him away from this Roomba. [From: Engadget]

Most Commented On (7 days)

Switched Video

 



Featured Galleries

30 Reasons a Girl Should Call It A Night - Facebook Group
Nabaztag / Tag
Prince's Fan Sites

Switched Photo Galleries

AOL Tech Network


Latest Reviews from CNET.com

CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

Top Product Reviews

Weblogs, Inc. Network

AOL News

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:

Joystiq
Download Squad
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
BloggingStocks
Xbox 360 Fanboy
Autoblog
Big Download Blog
Fanhouse NFL Blog