Skip to Content

Listen to the Joystiq Podcast (because your ears can't read)
AOL Tech

Best of the Web This Week

by Switched Staff, posted Nov 16th 2008 at 2:01PM

Even though the election is a week behind us, we took the time to gawk at Joe the Plumber's new website and say goodbye to our favorite election season friend. Elsewhere, it was back to animals and weird Internet distractions. Since the web is the gift that keeps on giving, we found a lot of oddness -- so sit back, relax and check out our favorite posts for the week:

From the editors of URLesque.

Facebook 101: 25 Tips and Tricks

by Switched Staff, posted Nov 13th 2008 at 10:52PMFeatured Story




Chances are, if you're not on Facebook already, then you're likely to be getting on it pretty soon. Whether it's your kids or your next door neighbor (or those old friends you just reunited with at your high school reunion), folks around you have been hounding you to sign up, set up a profile, and start "social-networking" with all your friends, and their friends, and so on. Truth is, social-networking sites such as Facebook (and MySpace, Bebo, LinkedIn, etc) are increasingly turning into the first place people go when they get on the Internet, as these services offer e-mail, chat, music players, photo sharing, and so much more beyond just staying in touch with your Friends.

But the best (or worst) part about Facebook is all the people from your past who come out of the woodwork (we're talking grade-school past). All this means you'll want to look your very best on your Facebook profile, and make the best use of all that the service has to offer, which is why we've come up with 25 tips that'll optimize your social-networking experience. Try 'em out by clicking on 'Next' below, and if you've got any tips we've missed, please let us know!

Have You Ever Checked Your Significant Other's E-Mail?

by Switched Staff, posted Nov 13th 2008 at 9:48PM


It's the 21st-century version of checking your significant (or semi-significant) other's diary, except this one involves actually snagging a password and sneaking into someone else's e-mail. E-mail should be private, even between spouses, or should it? We took to the streets of New York City and found some surprising answers on both sides of the debate, which you can see in the above Switched video. What do you think?

Best of the Web This Week

by Switched Staff, posted Nov 8th 2008 at 7:01PMBreaking News

It's been a big week for America. The election is finally over and a new president has been elected. First order of business? Naming the Obamas' new puppy! (Well, what else would you expect us to say?)

When we weren't brainstorming puppy names, we were scheming about how to steal the amazing Shiba Inu puppies that are taking the web by storm via a live streaming puppy cam (we also liveblogged their Thursday afternoon nap).

But alas, there were lots of other kibbles of goodness to share this week, and though it is hard to pick our favorite puppy post, here are a few that you may enjoy.


Now shake your fanny and enjoy the weekend!

From the editors of URLesque.

Sneakiest Computer Viruses

by Switched Staff, posted Nov 6th 2008 at 12:45PM



'Sinowal' Trojan Horse

The next time you upload pictures from your birthday bash or post comments to your favorite social networking site, you may be doing more than putting your reputation on the line and online. You may also be exposing your bank account data to a pretty sneaky Trojan horse.

A Trojan horse called Sinowal, a variant of the Mebroot trojan we reported on back in January, has to date gathered details of more than 500,000 online bank accounts, and may be one of the most advanced and dangerous security risks on the Web, according to Internet security firms that track these sorts of things. The scary thing is that a user doesn't need to click on a pop-up window or do anything else traditionally seen as risky -- the Trojan downloads to the user's computer in the background automatically the minute a user clicks on an infected link.

While initially found mostly on random, unsecure Web sites, the Trojan is now finding its way to popular social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, where it can sometimes be found in those random postings you get on your wall.

This so-called "drive-by" infection is just one of many cropping up all across the Internet, with as many as 1 in 10 sites showing some kind of malicious software risk, according to a Google estimate. How to protect yourself? Unfortunately, not much can be done other than being wary of clicking on anything that seems to random or unfamiliar on popular sites. You can also download a free copy of GMER, which purportedly gets rid of this menace.

Warning: These Gadgets Can Kill (or at Least Hurt You)

by Switched Staff, posted Nov 4th 2008 at 11:36PMFeatured Story

Most of the time, our gadgets are our friends. But occasionally, due to manufacturer screw-ups, faulty parts, or user incompetence, they can turn on us in events that can be scary, tragic, and, at times, hilarious. (To be honest, some gadgets are just inherently bad for you.) Starting below, Switched presents a list of gadgets and how their evil ways are wreaking havoc on unsuspecting victims.



Sony Laptop Battery Recall

Okay, so no one's actually been hurt due to burning laptop batteries in this latest battery recall incident, but Sony is concerned enough that it has asked anyone with Lenovo, HP, Acer, and Compaq notebooks from 2004 and 2005 to turn 'em in for battery replacement. What started as a recall of 35,000 batteries last week has now hit at least 100,000 (75,000 of which are HP-related) and now includes Li-ion batteries used in some Lenovo and Acer laptops as well as the original list of Dells, HPs, and Toshibas. Affected models include: Dell Latitude 110L, Inspiron 1100, 1150, 5100, 5150, and 5160; HP Pavilion dv1000, dv8000, and zd8000, Compaq Presario v2000 and v2400, and HP Compaq nc6110, nc6120, nc6140, nc6220, nc6230, nx4800, nx4820, nx6110, nx6120, nx9600; Toshiba Satellite A70/A75, P30/P5, M30X/M35X, and M50/M55

Best of the Web This Week

by Switched Staff, posted Nov 2nd 2008 at 8:29AM



The Internet was bustling this week with Halloween excitement; pregnant ladies in costumes, grampires and dressing up like internet memes to name a few of the exciting time-wasters!

The editors of URLesque pretty much shout out the glories of the Web each and every day by posting about the weirdest, funniest, and/or coolest places and happenings they find online. Lucky for us, they've shared the best of this past week's finds with us, and we're passing these hilarious and/or strange picks along to you. Read and click on...

Now we grant you permission to unwind with your 14lbs of Halloween candy and enjoy these tasty treats from the Internet.

Best of the Web This Week

by Switched Staff, posted Oct 26th 2008 at 5:17PM



We're arrived at Web 3.0, and it's run by animals. How else can you explain hamsters on a piano eating popcorn? Or the sad shark? Or a dog piloting a Segway? Or real pet rocks (above)?

The best we can do is accept our new animal rulers and enjoy the internet while we still can. We give the following links two paws up: From the editors of URLesque.

Best of the Web This Week

by Switched Staff, posted Oct 25th 2008 at 8:10AM


Always expect the unexpected on the Internet -- it's fast and unruly and sometimes we need to raise our voice with glee at just how awesome it is.

The editors of URLesque pretty much shout out the glories of the Web each and every day by posting about the weirdest, funniest, and/or coolest places and happenings they find online. Lucky for us, they've shared the best of this past week's finds with us, and we're passing these hilarious and/or strange picks along to you. Read and click on...

We're arrived at Web 3.0, and it's run by animals. How else can you explain hamsters on a piano eating popcorn? Or the sad shark? Or a dog piloting a Segway? Or real pet rocks (above)?

The best we can do is accept our new animal rulers and enjoy the internet while we still can. We give the following links two paws up:

Best of the Web This Week

by Switched Staff, posted Oct 11th 2008 at 10:13AM



Leaves are falling (well, for some us) but the internet is rising with sheer awesomeness. This week we discovered musical vegetables, girls with mustaches and a tourist that replaces landmarks with knick-knacks (see above).

We've worked hard all week, so relax this weekend with some of these Web-a-rriffic links.


From the editors of URLesque.

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