Clipmarks | ericskiff's 'nyc' clips

The Watchmen set is built!

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:17:58 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: The Watchmen, by nearly everyone's account, is one of the all-time best graphic novels. It's a complex and well written literary work combined with art that helps bring the story to life.

It's always felt very movie-like to me, so I'm excited for it's transition to the big screen. Warnerbros has released some pictures of the backlot, and it looks amazing. These snaps look just like the NYC depicted in the Watchmen - a gritty early-eighties New York with a very particular look and feel.

Clip Source: rss.warnerbros.com

After a couple months of shooting at various locations and on stages, last week we finally made the transition to our New York City backlot. Since the New York City that is rendered in the graphic novel is so particular, it was very important to me that our backlot speak the same language, the vernacular of WATCHMEN. In addition, the backlot needs to function as many different parts of the city, countless store fronts, street corners, alleys, etc. So, with that in mind, we set out to build own own custom backlot here in Vancouver, BC. In my opinion, the results speak for themselves.

Here are a few interesting facts about the backlot:

Street had to work for 1938, 1945, 1953, 1957, 1964, 1974, 1975, 1977, and 1985

160,000 lbs. of steel I-beams support the facades

6,000 square feet of glass

20,000 donuts were consumed by the construction crew

NYC Food Bank's warehouse is running low!

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:37:38 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: Record demand and lack of funding for emergency food is hitting food pantries hard.

Clip Source: www.foodbanknyc.org

The Food Bank's warehouse — normally filled with 7-8 million pounds of food — is now at 3 million pounds. We need your help.

This is what the Food Bank's warehouse should look like! As part of our efforts to confront this problem, the Food Bank is asking our supporters to help raise one million meals during the holiday season.
DONATE TODAY

Donations will help provide meals for New Yorkers in need now. The Food Bank also needs you to help fight for legislative change that will make a lasting difference. The Food Bank is working with legislators to provide increased funding for emergency food through the 2007 Farm Bill nutrition title.

Help us ensure long-term changes to the Farm Bill.
CALL YOUR SENATOR TODAY!

Rumor: Microsoft wins bid for stake in Facebook?

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:30:54 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: I wouldn't put a last-minute play by the big G completely out of the picture yet, but from the rumor mill it appears that MS has won the bidding war for a stake in Facebook and the advertising leverage that buys them.

When I spoke with Mark Zuckerberg at the NYC Facebook developers meetup, he seemed completely confident in Facebook's future.

They're lean, profitable, and I'm pretty sure this is more about a partnership and establishing a high total valuation for the company than just about the money.

Clip Source: www.news.com

After weeks of speculation, Microsoft appears to have won a battle with Google over who would get a stake in Facebook, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Microsoft and Facebook were close to a deal, according to the source. Exact details were not immediately available, but the deal is expected to include at least an ownership stake in Facebook and an expansion of Microsoft's current Facebook advertising deal, which only covers the U.S.

Google and Microsoft had both been said to be bidding hard for a deal with fast-growing Facebook.

Facebook PR representative Brandee Barker just added Microsoft PR person Adam Sohn as a friend on her Facebook page.

Clip Source: scobleizer.com

If this is all true, then Steve Ballmer’s promise to buy 50 companies in the advertising and Web 2.0 spaces in the next year is off to a roaring start.

Since I don’t think Steve Ballmer understands the advertising world, it sure looks like someone else is behind this move. I’d love to interview Brian McAndrews.

Print your own stuff with a DIY replicator

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:18:14 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: Zack Hoeken, one of my fellow members of NYC Resistor is working on a opensource do-it-yourself 3D printer called RepRap. The RepRap community (and Zack himself) are working like crazy to make this machine a reality, with the eventual goal of it being able to print itself!

Clip Source: nycresistor.com

My buddy and RepRap co-conspirator, Vik Olliver has been having a string of successes lately. The most recent success was in printing a tiny wine glass. It may seem trivial, but it demonstrates some very important features of his machine: it can do circles, it can make watertight components, and it can do certain overhangs without support material.

Clip Source: nycresistor.com

Self Replicating Machines

I got a chance to go visit Hoeken’s lab tonight and turn a few screws on his reprap project. I’m totally inspired.

That’s him above as the proud daddy of an breadboarded dc motor controller built on an arduino.

Here are some links to blow your mind. Link Link Link

Understreet explosion at 43rd and Lex, NYC

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:09:15 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: There's conflicting reports as to whether it was a steampipe or a transformer, but something left a crater in the street.

Clip Source: www.wnbc.com

NEW YORK -- Fire and emergency crews responded to the scene of a steam pipe explosion in Manhattan on Wednesday during the evening rush hour, police said.

Several blocks were evacuated. The explosion occurred at 43rd Street and Lexington Avenue, blocks away from Grand Central Station and the Chrysler building.

The New York Police Department said a steam pipe exploded, and had no immediate detail on possible injuries. The NYPD has officially ruled out terrorism.

Live video from the ground showed a huge hole in the street.

Consolidated Edison said there was an operational problem the area and crews were responding, but had no more immediate information.

Tags: nyc, explosion, transformer, steam

PodCamp NYC in BusinessWeek

Mon, 07 May 2007 21:45:01 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: I was one of the organizers of PodCamp NYC, so it was awesome to see it get a mention today in this month's BusinessWeek!

Clip Source: www.businessweek.com

Unconferences turn the plodding, predictable business gathering inside out. They're a hybrid of a teach-in and a jam session, with a little show-and-tell mixed in, and they are attracting hundreds in cities like Austin, Tex., Bangalore, San Francisco, Sydney, and Tokyo. Unlike traditional, $1,000-a-head and up conferences, they're totally unstructured—the agenda isn't determined until the opening day of the event. Everyone who shows up is a potential speaker, and those who don't speak contribute by posting photos, blog entries, podcasts, and video clips of the proceedings. Neckties and heels are noticeably absent. And attendance is almost always inexpensive or free.

These "camps" are one of the fastest-growing types of unconferences

"I don't see why I should pay hundreds of dollars for the privilege of being sold to," says David Tamés, a consultant and blogger who spoke recently at PodCamp NYC, a free gathering about podcasting held in early April.

Tags: podcampnyc, podcamp, unconference

Learn about New Media at PodCampNYC - the Free Unconference

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 07:16:13 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: I'm one of the organizers of PodCampNYC - it's going to be an incredible event!

Clip Source: www.podcampnyc.org

What is PodCamp NYC

PodCamp NYC is a FREE unconference dedicated to podcasting, blogging and other new/social media—hosted and co-organized by the prestigious New School. The objective is to allow you to:

Learn about podcasting & social media
Share your ideas about podcasting and social media by conducting your own session
Form new relationships and build the community
Have fun!

Normally you would pay as much as $2000 for a conference like this. But thanks to our generous sponsors, it's 100% free to register. You can see the schedule here.

Read 10 Reasons to Attend PodCamp NYC or...

then

Tags: podcamp, podcasting, media, new media, podcast, conference, unconference, barcamp

"There's a new plague" of bedbugs in NYC

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:47:44 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: We dealt with a lot of these at my old job (providing supportive housing for the formerly homeless).

Beware shopping at thrift stores and traveling abroad!

Clip Source: www.boingboing.net

New York City apartment dwellers lodged 4,638 bedbug complaints in fiscal 2006, up from none three years earlier. Complaints ballooned 67% in the first half of this year from their pace a year earlier.

"There's a new plague," said Dini Miller, an entomologist at Virginia Tech University.

Tags: bedbug, gross, insect, insects, nyc, newyork, new york, new york city, bedbugs

Happy Australia Day from Clipmarks!

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 23:51:05 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff

Clip Source: www.glitchnyc.com

Adam is our resident Aussie here in the Clipmarks office, and he was awesome enough to bring in a few cans of Fosters in celebration of Australia Day! It’s been an extremely intense week, and we’ve got so much amazing stuff coming that we’re informally calling it “Clipmarks 2.0″ here in the office. Seriously, some of this stuff is going to knock your socks off.

After a week of late nights, it was great to unwind a bit, hang out, and brainstorm over a beer.

Now, Sara and I are headed to California Pizza Kitchen for a much needed night out. Pizza has never sounded so good!

Clip Source: www.flickr.com

Tags: clipmarks, australia, nyc, office, beer

Host a Japanese Family for Dinner

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 16:38:09 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: That sounds awesome The only problem is that Sara and I don't really have room for 4 extra people for dinner... Maybe if we moved the kitchen table into the living room and put the leaf in.

I'll have to start listening to japanesepod101 again and brush up, I've been lax in my studies!

Clip Source: kitchen.apartmenttherapy.com

Japanese tourists visiting New York City often ask if they can eat dinner with a "regular American family," according to the Talk of the Town in this week's New Yorker.

The Japanese Travel Bureau here in New York has to turn down these repeated requests becasue they cannot find New Yorkers to host them. "Nobody will do it in New York," said tour leader Carol Elk.

Sign me up! I'd surely host a family of Japanese tourists for a dinner at my apartment and then dream that someday I'd make it to Japan and they would return the exchange. Would you host some tourists and their translator too? What would you serve?

Tags: tourism, japanese, nyc, hosting, exchange program, japan

Music benefit for Common Ground in Brooklyn this friday

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 18:01:29 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: I'm still a huge supporter of Common Ground's mission of solving homelessness (I worked there before coming here to Clipmarks), and will be attending this benefit show Friday. It's also going to be a great show of up and coming independent musicians!

If you're in or near Brooklyn, please come out and join me at this event. The cover goes towards a great cause, and it should be a great night!

Clip Source: www.jezebelmusic.com

SPECIAL: THE SECOND ANNUAL JEZEBEL MUSIC BENEFIT SHOW FOR COMMON GROUND
Friday January 19th at North Six

66 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY
$15.00 -

For the second year, Jezebel Music presents a Benefit Show to support Common Ground’s work to end homelessness. This year’s event will support Common Ground’s new green initiative, which will incorporate eco-friendly design elements in its affordable housing residences. The benefit showcases past Jezebel Music Monthly Features, bands who have achieved acclaim as an independent act.

8:00:
Via Audio

8:45:
Black Bunny

9 :30:
Leah Siegel

10:15:
Jaymay

11:00:
Lowry

11:45:
The Black Spoons

12 :30:
Proton Proton

1:15:
Sexy Champions (Dynasty Electric)

Jaymay

Lowry

The Black Spoons

Proton Proton

Tags: homeless, homelessness, nyc, commonground, music, brooklyn, jezebel, jezebelmusic

Massive gas leak in Manhattan

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 15:32:05 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: We've got MSNBC on in the Clipmarks office here in NYC, waiting for the Mayor to make a statement. Crazy stuff!

Clip Source: www.ny1.com

City Agencies Investigating Strong Gas Odor In Manhattan

Con Edison, the Fire Department and multiple city agencies are investigating the source of a natural gas odor throughout Manhattan this morning.

Hundreds of reports of the smell began flooding the 911 system around 9 a.m. in parts of Manhattan and New Jersey.

The Jersey City mayor's office said officials there were told the odor was due to a gas leak in Chelsea.

Early reports indicated that the odor is widespread throughout Manhattan, from Battery Park City to Upper Manhattan.

Tags: gas, leak, news, breaking news, manhattan, new york, nyc

New York Bans Most Trans Fats in Restaurants

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 22:26:25 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: I'm glad that this was done in a measured, sensible way. The gov't isn't regulating calories, they're simply informing consumers so that they can make their own choices. As for trans fats, there are cheap, healthier alternatives.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

The New York City Board of Health voted yesterday to adopt the nation’s first major municipal ban on the use of all but tiny amounts of artificial trans fats in restaurant cooking, a move that would radically transform the way food is prepared in thousands of restaurants, from McDonald’s to fashionable bistros to Chinese take-outs.

Some experts said the measure, which is widely opposed by the restaurant industry, would be a model for other cities. Chicago is considering a similar prohibition that would affect restaurants with more than $20 million in annual sales.

“New York City has set a national standard,” said Harold Goldstein, executive director of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, who predicted that other communities would follow suit.

While the trans fat regulation captured the most attention, the Board of Health approved a separate measure — also the first of its kind in the country — requiring some restaurants, mostly fast food outlets, to prominently display the caloric content of each menu item on menu boards or near cash registers.

Tags: fat, transfat, calories, health, food, eating, new york, new york city, nyc

Last minute voting guide

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 18:17:33 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: Gotham Gazette has turned in a decent and reasonably balanced summation of the positions of the candidates you'll be choosing from when you step in the booth. It's certainly worth a read if you haven't already voted.

Clip Source: www.gothamgazette.com

Guide For The Last Minute Voter, 2006 General Election

Why The 2006 Election Matters

ALBANY
. Governor
. Attorney General
. Comptroller
. State Legislature

WASHINGTON
. Senate
. House of Representatives

BEFORE YOU GO TO THE POLLS
. Where and When Do I Vote?
. What Are My Rights?
. Where Can I Go for Help?
. What Do First Time Voters Need To Know?

GETTING THE RESULTS
. How Do I Find Out Who Won?

SENATE

New York's junior senator, Democrat Hillary Clinton, is facing a challenge from former Republican mayor of Yonkers John Spencer.

(Watch a video of a debate between the candidates)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

(To see a list of all the contested House races, click here)

BEFORE YOU GO TO THE POLLS

The election will be this Tuesday, November 7, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Only registered voters who have registered at least 25 days before the election can vote.

You should have received a notice in the mail telling you where to vote, but if you do not have it, you can go to the Board of Election's poll site locator or call 1.866.VOTE-NYC. This number can provide you with other information as well, such as registration deadlines.

HOW DO YOU FIND OUT WHO WON?

Visit Gotham Gazette's Election Results.

Tags: politics, voting, guide, new york, nyc, new york city

I'm a geek too! CNet includes my comments on clipmarks.

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 17:13:56 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: I'd say "working with" rather than "working at" - a slight misquote

I met Eric G a few weeks back and got so excited about Clipmarks that I've been spending thursdays here in the office, brainstorming about how I can help build the clipmarks community and spread the word.

Clip Source: news.com.com

New Yorkers: We're geeks too

"There's so much innovation happening here in the city!" extolled Glitchcast blogger and BarCampNYC participant Eric Skiff, who works at Web 2.0 start-up Clipmarks.

While Skiff admitted that he and his co-workers are well aware of the popular view that Silicon Valley is the center of American technological innovation, he's eager to stand up for his city. "In reality, there are tons of start-ups here doing innovative and amazing things, mixed with campuses from every major tech company you can think of," he said. After all, Google (native to Silicon Valley) did just open a block-long complex in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

Tags: clipmarks, ericskiff, cnet, geek, geeky, geeks, nyc, new rok