Author Archives: Mark Frauenfelder

ReBirth Synthesizer for iPad

ReBirth for iPad is a $15 multitouch synthesizer that emulates the Roland TB-303 Bass synth and the Roland TR-808 and 909 drum machines. You can create music on it and output the songs as MP3s.

Combine these with FX units, fully featured pattern seq…

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IBM hard disk drive from 1956

With a capacity of 5 MB, the IBM 350 disk storage unit could have stored about two MP3 files. This photo, showing a unit getting forklifted onto a plane, is from 1956.
IBM’s history website has more information about the drive.

IBM 350 disk storage…

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Dating site OKCupid analyzes effectiveness of profile pictures

The data nerds at OKCupid cataloged over 7,000 photographs to find out what kinds of profile photos generated the most interest from its members. As expected, men and women should employ different strategies. For instance, it’s good for young men w…

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College students arrested for not tipping

A group of college students were unhappy with the poor service they received, so when the bill came, they didn’t pay the tip. The restaurant called the cops and the students were arrested.

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