Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Some Interesting Links

Fact Check
Fact Check is "a nonpartisan, nonprofit 'consumer advocate' for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding." Search for a claim that was made by a politician, and see what they found in their research.

Know More
Know More is a non-profit website that uses a wiki-style user input database to compile information about corporations. The main format for the entries is a facts-based criticism and praise page, with a color-based rating system on five categories: worker rights, human rights, political influence, environmental, and business ethics.

The Voice
This is a free software program that can interface with a camera, and transform the visual image into sound. The program was developed to help the blind 'see' with their ears. I'm sure there are other programs that do this without needing special hardware, if you wanted to use this device to make music (like I do) but I think that the concept of making your brain interface with the world in novel ways is always intriguing.

Odd Music
This site is dedicated to weird instruments. Their list is not extremely extensive, but the featured instruments are all awesome. Also, check out their links page.

Sound Samples
A group at the Berklee College of Music, headed by Dr. Richard Boulanger, have compiled a vast array of sounds, including acoustic and electronic drums, instruments, ambiences, bangs, clangs, animals, and put it online to download for free. It's a good, clean, diverse array of sounds specifically compiled for computer musicians.

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