Google has released it's statistical software to the public. When Google first talked of offering a service they had talked about a $199 price tag, but now it is being offered for free up to five million hits. Even if you reach the limit you just need to have an active adwords account. I've added it to my site for the moment to test it out, but I don't believe it will stay for too long.

Why does Google offer these services for free? They tell us that they want to organize the world's information. Google offers free wireless internet for the same reason they offer the new analytics service: Information. Using their internet allows them to see all where everyone using their service is going. Analytics allows them to see who is coming to your website. Properly analyzed Google could personalize advertisments information to be targeted directly for you. As everyone knows information is power. Big brother, anyone?

Ian Albert has created a set of fantastic full-color maps of video games. Most of them from NES and SNES along with a few PC classics. The pixel art in some of the older games is simply amazing even to some of the graphics we have today. Especially when you view it in higher resolutions on your full color monitor.

And for those of you who miss the tunes of those good old games, check out Gaming FM, they've got a classic and a modern selection for your listening pleasure.

Hapland is this weeks "Flash Friday". If ever you have been frustrated by a puzzle this one will do it. The only hint I will give out is that there are some things that require timing and a little speed. This should keep you amused for at least an hour. Also, if you beat it, there is Hapland 2 as well. (Note: The 'via' link may not load the flash movie.)

Click the continue button to play the game!

If ever there was a single desktop that could be used to take over the world. This would be the system. A man on eBay is selling a computer that he claims he invested over $20,000 into. There are eight 20" flat panels powered by two Xentera GT 4 video cards. As well as the fact that his modest computer runs on two 3.2GHz Xeon processors and two 10,000 RPM 150GB Hard Drives. Sometimes I really wish I had the money to drop on something like this, but at the same time, I have an extra monitor I don't use right now (mostly because I don't have room for two 19" 60lb CRTs on my desktop, but that's beside the point).

PS: My birthday is November 2nd. Feel free to spoil me.

It must be superhero week because I keep finding good articles related to them this week (or completly random polls). But regardless, this livejournal post about Spider-man and his adventures with Fantastic Four member, Johnny Storm. As far as I can tell these comics have not been modified in their artwork form although some panels have been removed or switched around. The most obvious thing is that the text has been changed to protect the innocent make it funny. It's definitely worth a read and probably some linkage to your friends. I remember reading comic books from the era and let me tell you, fruit pies were everywhere. No wonder your dad has a big belly.

If you could have any superpower you wanted, what would it be?
X-Ray Vision - 10 votes
Super Strength - 4 votes
Super Agility - 6 votes
Invulnerability - 3 votes
Super Regeneration (ala Wolverine) - 0 votes
Invisibility - 8 votes
Shape-shifting - 9 votes
Telepathy (Read Minds or Suggestive Powers) - 7 votes
Telekinesis (Move objects with your mind) - 2 votes
Pyrokinesis (ala Johnny Storm) - 4 votes
Teleportation - 5 votes
Other (Leave a comment) - 4 votes

A lot of people have written and asked me about broadband over power-lines (BPL) and how it works. This isn't because I'm an expert on the subject matter, but rather that I am employed by Cinergy Corp. and I work in the IT department (who is partially responsible for the matter). Even though I really don't deal with the BPL projects I've found some key information on it. All of the information I have obtained is from the interenet, not inside knowledge from Cinergy. I do not divulge internal company data as a general rule.

Google, IBM and Motorola have all announced investments in BPL. State and federal legislation have also begun to push for easing up on standards required by the power lines. Is this good or bad? That remains to be seen. On to my FAQ:

As my first entry on my World Takeover edition of joshmaag.com I will introduce you all to the Urinal Game. Men, when you play this, just think of common bathroom etiquette and women, just do your best to imagine having to deal with urinals and how easy it is to see the "stick" next to you. Enjoy!

Oh and as a tip, one of the answers isn't completly obvious. If you're a female and you get them all on the first time without having played before I'll give you props! (I'm not exactly sure what you can do with props, but I'll let you figure that out.)