Microsoft Office 2010 - Online

The announcement was made today that Microsoft Office 2010 shall be available in Web-Based versions, much like their Google Docs competitor.

These lightweight versions of the applications will enable various users to access and edit the information from anywhere in the world through an internet connection.

You can see previews to the changes being made in the upcoming Office Suite by visiting the official information page from Microsoft.

In line with Google Docs, the Office Web Apps shall be free to use for those with a Microsoft Live login (all 400 million or so of them!). Other users shall be able to purchase subscriptions to the service as well.

To coincide with this announcement, Microsoft have created a movie-style trailer for "Office 2010 - The Movie" which directs viewers to a website that gives them a "Backstage" look at the development of Microsoft Office 2010.

I have seen a number of spoof action videos on YouTube that use Microsoft Office as the source of the problem, so I was not expecting for this video to be particularly original or funny. However, provide the concept with a bigger budget to give the trailer a true movie feel (minus any acting ability), and it actually works very well.

See for yourself:


Office 2010 - The Movie

"Spell-check THIS!....D.E.D."

The Killers - Read My Mind - Literal Video Version

In general, the highly popular literal music videos have been classic hits from the 1980s. I have always maintained that the 80s produced the majority of unusual music videos that hold no relevance to the lyrics of the song. This is why they make idea videos to create literal versions of.

However, the latest brilliant video from DASjr Productions has bucked the trend by using the music video to the 2007 song 'Read My Mind' by The Killers.

A great song in its own right (even if not yet a classic) the video is sufficiently odd that it works incredibly. Credit must also go to the creators of this video as, once again, the lyrics are spot on and the vocals are fitting for The Killers.

My personal favourite line takes advantage of my love of TV/movie references:
"Why am I dressed like Bret Maverick?"

Genius!


The Killers - Read My Mind - Literal Video Version

HD Video - Slow Motion Surfing

I have previously stated my keen interest in HD technology. The HD picture of the Obama Inauguration still amazes me at the level of detail that was captured.

However, the BBC has decided to stun me again with a fantastic HD video of a slow-motion wave.

Made for the TV documentary 'South Pacific', footage is of big wave surfer Dylan Longbottom in a 12 foot monster barrel - the first shots of their kind ever recorded.

This is without a doubt one of the most impressive pieces of footage ever taken.

Needless to say, the below video should be watched in HD:


Dylan Longbottom in a 12 foot monster barrel

Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day everyone!



P.S. Jeff Goldblum is alive and well (despite what Twitter says) and on The Colbert Report! Any man that can hack an alien computer system with just a mid-90s PowerBook is a legend.

Compare The Meekat - Puppet Theatre Advert

This weekend sees the launch of the 4th main TV advert from Compare The Market featuring Aleksandr Orlov from Compare The Meerkat.

The official backstory to this new commercial goes as follows:

"While doing a rootle around my nursery the other day, I find my old meerkat marionette theatre. Quick as flash, I realise I can use to help my business. So please be excite for comparethemeerkat.com theatre spectacular. Show is based on true story of man who ask me for insurance deal at a party and so I battle him with salami."

This actually ties in well with the newspaper interviews the meerkat has been carrying out over the last few days. It does seem that Aleksandr has a small obsession with the concept of salami as a weapon!

The new commercial:


Compare The Meerkat - Puppet Theatre