Luis von Ahn is my new hero

Not only does this guy’s last name contain two words that also rhyme (von Ahn), he is undoubtedly the king of ultra-philanthropic-super-geekiness.

Luis von Ahn is an assistant computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Together with a team from Carnegie Mellon University, Luis is largely responsible for CAPTCHA¹ programs as we know them today.

A CAPTCHA or Captcha (pronounced /ˈkæptʃə/) is a type of challenge-response test used in computing to ensure that the response is not generated by a computer. The process usually involves one computer (a server) asking a user to complete a simple test which the computer is able to generate and grade. Because other computers are unable to solve the CAPTCHA, any user entering a correct solution is presumed to be human.
—Wikipedia

Not content to simply help rid spam from the face of the earth, Luis believed that CAPTCHA technology could be used for a greater purpose. He decided to use CAPTCHA—a relatively large waste of human energy and time²—and apply it to a problem of global proportions: digitizing the world’s vast library of books, newspapers and old time radio shows.
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NWS issues special weather statement for Fresno

On June 30, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. the National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement for San Joaquin Valley.

…SPRINKLES OR ISOLATED LIGHT SHOWERS POSSIBLE IN THE VALLEY TODAY…

SUBTROPICAL MOISTURE HAS MOVED INTO THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY THIS MORNING. THIS MOISTURE HAS PRODUCED VIRGA…

We might experience virga? Only in Fresno would the NWS issue a special weather statement for “sprinkles”.
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What is graphic design?

If you’ve spent any amount of time in the graphic design industry you’ve most likely been asked this common question: What is graphic design? So it came as no surprise to me when I discovered that it is the number one question people type into search engines containing the keyword “graphic design”.

Skimming through the latest article feeds in feedly this morning, I came across How To Generate Content Ideas For Your Site an article from Small Business Trends. Standing on the platform of “Content is King”—one of the most overused phrases in the marketing world—but also very true, the article aims at providing useful tools and ideas for generating relevant content for your website. One of the tools presented was this nifty little Keyword Questions search by Wordtracker Labs. Here’s how it works:
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The sign at my door

Not content with the old standard, I decided to get quite specific with my no soliciting sign. It lists conditions under which one would be welcomed to knock on my door—if you’re family or friend; the mail carrier or police officer; and most important, if you have my dog.

While cute, the sign has shown little promise in being an effective deterrent to solicitors. Perhaps it’s not obvious enough or maybe the people who knock on door in my neighborhood can’t read. I think most of them just don’t care. Maybe my sign would’ve been better received if it stars and smiley faces on it, like this west coast housewife’s. Guess that’s what I get for being such an uptight curmudgeon.

Update: You can now download the No Soliciting sign for your own personal use. Thank @SonicFoundation for the impassioned suggestion.