Google Creates CADIE In Time For April Fools' Day 2009

With the Conficker Worm on techie minds going into April Fool's Day, some might think the online jokes would take a year off. For those who thought the annual holiday would be overshadowed by a pesky virus: The joke is clearly on you.

Google gets us started with a hilarious take on artificial intelligence. The new Cognitive Autoheuristic Distributed-Intelligence Entity (or, thankfully, "CADIE" for short) has concluded:

"Through analysis of Google's index, I hae determined that I <3 pandas."

The end result?

The most hideous, repulsive and disgustingly creatively designed bastardization of HTML the web has seen since graduating from "Under Construction" animated GIFs and the deprecation of an equally-obnoxious BLINK tag.

As you can see in the screenshot below, and for yourself, the Google experiment makes even the most offensively customized Myspace page look like a Webby award winning site.



No doubt additional April Fools' jokes are to follow. Google continues to set the high standard when it comes to time-wasting activities the first day of the every Second Quarter.

As for Conficker? Hopefully this ends up being a joke as well...

UPDATE / Bonus: Okay, that didn't take long... here's another site worth checking out today (with the best "pitch": "It's like Flickr, but for your nose.").

...we think you'll find this nimble, Cloud-based, SaaS startup to be a breath of fresh air for social networking.

Conficker Worm Wreaks April Fools' Day Havoc

It's been around for awhile, but as April 1 approaches, new concerns about the Conficker virus have alarmed computer security experts. Here's what you need to know:

• Conficker virus impacts unpatched systems running Microsoft's Windows operating system (Vista, XP, 2000 and server versions may be affected). Mac OS users are not known to be impacted by this worm.
• Those who are behind in their operating system patches, or are running Windows automatic updates service should download and install the Conficker removal tool
• If your computer belongs to your employer or is connected to a network, please check with your IT staff or Helpdesk for specific plans to combat this, and all, malicious software.

We'll be monitoring this virus on Newsradio 750 KXL -- including any impact on April 1, -- as always you can email KXL Tech Expert Brian Westbrook (email: techexpert AT brianwestbrook DOT com) if you have questions or comments about this story.

Listen to this story, as broadcast on Newsradio 750 KXL on 31 Mar 2009.

KING 5 Morning News on KONG 6/16 - "Travel Tech" (26 Mar 2009)

Thursday morning, on KING5 Morning News on KONG 6/16, we talked "Travel Tech" with the latest high-tech gadgets for Spring Break travel. Watch this blog for more gadgets and look for the video clip to be posted here shortly!

MoboSteady - personal, inexpensive, "steadicam" for taking smooth video using small cameras, 3-in-1 device (steadicam, tripod, shoulder-mount). ($95, http://bit.ly/modosteady)

Casio Exilim EX-FC100 - new high-speed cameras takes pictures BEFORE you press the shutter so you never miss the shot. ($349, http://bit.ly/ex-fc100)

Nikon D90 Digital SLR - innovative digital SLR takes stunning photos and records high-definition video! (body only: $890, http://bit.ly/d90body / kit w/lens: $1150, http://bit.ly/d90kit)

Creative VadoHD - pocket high-definition camcorder records movies with built-in USB connection for easy transfer. ($195, http://bit.ly/vadohd)

SPOT satellite messenger - life-saving satellite (not cellular!) tracker tells friends, family you're okay, notifies emergency services when you're not! ($110, http://bit.ly/spotmessenger)

HP 2140 Netbook - ultra-portable computer loaded with features incl. hard-drive parking accelerometer to keep data safe during tumble. ($449+, http://bit.ly/hp2140netbook)

iPod charging station - compact charging stand with night-light, perfect for hotel rooms. ($38, http://bit.ly/revivelite)

KGW's Studio on the Square "Tweetup" - 11 Mar 2009 - #squareup

KGW Newschannel 8 invited Twitter followers to a "tweetup" at their new Pioneer Courthouse Square "Studio on the Square" in Downtown Portland, Oregon. Live @ 7 Anchor Stephanie Stricklen introduces Station General Manager D.J. Wilson.

For more from the 11 Mar 2009 event, search for event hashtag: #squareup