FriendFeed for the time being is not going anywhere. For the past week the lack of information has troubled and angered me, especially in regards to the termination date for the service. Now, almost a week on, the lack of information now gives me comfort.
- Johnny Worthington
When ever you here about a take over of a car company or any business merger, the plans for both sides are well documented and everyone involved knows the road map ahead. So far, no one knows what will happen to friendfeed.com and I believe that is because either that hasn't been decided or there is no immediate plans to throw the switch.
- Johnny Worthington
Facebook either doesn't want it or simply doesn't care. They got the talent and that is what they were after. FriendFeed posed no real threat to them and a great majority double fisted the sites anyway. So, since it is not an issue to them... it's not an issue to them. The site can continue to function as normal, with pace of updates and servicing slowing as time moves forwards... but it's not going away.
- Johnny Worthington
It would be nice to get some form of notification but until told otherwise, it's business as usual. Even more so, if some form of monetization strategy is implemented, say with adds or even a premium subscription base, the FriendFeed service could not only continue long term but become a profitable venture. Now I'm not saying it's going to make Diddy-style dollars but Sanjya still eats well.
- Johnny Worthington
Am I naive? Probably. Do I have any basis for my prediction? None other than rampant fanboy love.... but I tell you what... on the morning of December 25th, 2009, I plan to make my post wishing you all a Merry Christmas, toast the FriendFeed team and enjoy the day with my family and friends, digital or otherwise...
- Johnny Worthington
Louis... I can never hope to drop science like you sir... but then again... I not only used the phrase 'Diddy-style Dollars' but threw in a 'double fisted' for good measure :P
- Johnny Worthington
When it's Christmas, there's cold weather involved - I'm not a fan of that!
- Drew
Lindsey, agreed, but what do they gain by not telling us that information if they know it? FriendFeed makes no money, no refunds need be paid and no customers are being hurt. In the cold hard truth, the team has cashed out and now have a bigger fish to fry. If they switch it off tomorrow, will you stop using Facebook because they now work there? No PR worries at all. It makes no sense for them to keep it quiet so, sense being the only thing I can go on, I must believe the information is not at hand.
- Johnny Worthington
So, in other words... no ice bergs ahead at this stage. That means, crew of the good ship FriendFeed, I'm gonna keep pushing this site hard, promoting it and the community like I have a heater strapped to the front of the boat.
- Johnny Worthington
Johnny, there is quite a bit of sense as to everyone keeping quiet about what is going to happen. Facebook have just bought themselves a competitive advantage and they are not about to give away that advantage by saying what it is that they will be doing now are they?
- Travis Koger
from iPhone
Other than releasing Facebook real-time search, buying FriendFeed and launching the Facebook Lite beta all withing 48 hours... yeah, they are keeping their cards close to their chest :P
- Johnny Worthington
Yeah but all of the FB announcements not relating to FF were already complete with the FF team. Therefore you can only expect that the FF team will be working on some things that a VERY different. I also read that the FF team were actually being broken up an duferemt people were going to be in different areas at FB.
- Travis Koger
from iPhone
I hope that I'm able to celebrate Christmas on FriendFeed too:)
- Patrik Johansson
I thought I'd get this in early else I'll forget or run out of time. I have 4 more days of work before I'm off until 2010. I hope the 4 days go by very quickly, hehe. :-) What is everyone's plans for the holiday season?
- Kol Tregaskes
from Bookmarklet
My brother will be around for Xmas morning then a panto on the Sunday. Apart from that it will be a quiet one, which I kinda like. I hope we get more snow so I get a chance to go out and do some long overdue photography. :-)
- Kol Tregaskes
Merry Christmas, Kol! I'm hoping for some snow & a quiet holiday. What we have is rain, and we'll probably go out and get drunk. (Well, I don't really get drunk, but all this noise.. :)
- Citronella
Never seen a panto, but i hear they are absolutely hilarious... any celebrities in yours?
- T. Brent, technopeasant
I reshare this to Ideas & Inspiration room :) These are so realistic!
- Kristian Salonen
I'm sorry but this is unbelievable:) I'll give credit to the artist upon more convincing proof! The photogenic look of the tiger and lion really helps the artist's case though:)
- Roney Smith
I'm with Roney... I find this hard to believe... or maybe I'm just jealous that I can't even get stick people right!
- Jasmin Smith
you cannot win on the interwebs. draw some crap it doesn't get noticed. draw something amazing in pencil and people say it's not real.
- Joe Breen
I'm really happy everyone liked these. They're my most liked entry to date, Thanks! There also seems to be some question about whether these are actually Pencil Drawings.I can assure you that they are.When I get home, I should have the links. I have more drawings, too.
- Michael Fidler
from fftogo
Thanks Enrique, I'll post some more soon. They are a little more obvious than these ones. As Luke points out; without being able to look closely it's impossible to tell. He's right; but up close it's more obvious. I'll upload the originals to Picasa later, and then you'll be able to zoom in with any photo viewer and see for yourselves. I can't believe how many people liked these. A few people have reposted them already. Thanks!
- Michael Fidler
Absolutely awesome, Michael. You are extremely talented. Everyone should repost these pix and help to make you famous. You should be doing this full time - you obviously have some passion for this. Bravo.
- Chris Loft
These are really beautiful, Michael. Do you sell them?
- Shannon Jiménez
Chris, I would love to say they're mine, but it's not true. I've had them for a while, but I'll find the artists names. It will just require a little backtracking. Besides, they deserve the credit; all I did was find them:-)
- Michael Fidler
Cut the bullshit! :) Photos are very good.
- Burçak Çubukçu
I draw alot in pencil, but they are amazing, the best for me is the girl, that is the most photo-like one. :o)
- Rob Sellen :o)
I agree Rob, the girl is amazing. My favorite by far! Wait until you see it close up! It's really had to tell, even up close!
- Michael Fidler
Burçak Çubukçu If these were photographs, they would be very good. As Pencil Drawings,(which they are), they're amazing.
- Michael Fidler
@Burçak Çubukçu I can't tell if your serious now or just kidding around. I hope your just having fun! If you are serious, I've never given you a reason to question my integrity, nor do I ever intend to. However, the second set is up now, so judge them for yourself, but don't judge me! http://ff.im/1BJh5 BTW, I messed up and reposted the shot of the women again. Oh well. Hope you like them:-)
- Michael Fidler
@Michael: try deviantART, not Picasa, to submit your artworks
- LouCypher
WOW "I can't believe it's in pencil"
- sofarsoShawn
LouCypher, I know it well, but I don't see why I would want to do that. I hope everyone knows by now that they're not mine? I'm sorry, but I can't say it any clearer than that.
- Michael Fidler
nah, i don't believe it is done in pencil. i am sure it is photoshopped :)
- hasin hayder
I'm finding this both interesting and humorous at the same time. There's a separate message board where this post is being discussed and it has another forty comments on it already. I think its great how this has created some lively discussion, considering that when I posted this I was doubtful if anyone would even like it. When I went to sleep last night there was only had 3 or 4 likes...
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- Michael Fidler
Very interesting. I would like to see them up close and in person...just to make sure. Bill said it's real and possible. Your 2nd set of picts look like pencil. Nice work in finding these!
- LaFern Cusack
Kol, I can't thank you enough! Kol found another post which helps to prove that these are done in pencil. I had my doubts about a few of them because I collected them from several different sites over time, but the site Kol found has done a great job pulling together an impressive collection of these drawings and more. Take a look - http://www.flickzzz.com/2009...
- Michael Fidler
Actually there are more than what this site shows. There's an entire set with the cats(little cats), which I have, and there's a new portrait set.
- Michael Fidler
Found your post here, Michael. :-) I tried my best to find the artists.
- Kol Tregaskes
Amazing and very very very good.... Very impressive ...
- Linda Zeek-Bobinski
Yeah we know, thanks though, James. :-)
- Kol Tregaskes
Excellent pictures - how long did it take you to scan the photographs into Photoshop and then edit them? The only pencil that has come into contact with these "drawings" is the Photoshop pencil. A tip - stop trying to fool people into thinking you are a "real" artist, because all you are doing is cheapening proper artist's works whom have spent hours creating real pictures as opposed to a few minutes on a graphics editing package.
- The Wimp
A bell does ring here. And I am remembering why I was so attracted to the tiger...and the lion for that matter. These are exact replicas of prints I had in our bedroom when I lived in Dallas. I had bought the prints (in color) at a department store,
- Melanie Reed
Actually, I have learned quite a bit about these drawing since I made this post. Not only have I discovered all of the artists, but I've learned more about how they are created. They are always copied from a photograph or painting, but usually a photograph. It is extremely time consuming and detail orientated work. There are many other artists besides the ones featured here who practice...
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- Michael Fidler
Most of them have portfolio's on deviantart.com and their work is truly amazing even if they are copies of other artists work. I suppose with this level of detail, they have to start with something. Nevertheless, I'm still in awe of their talent. Melanie, the animal prints you refer to are from a very well renowned photographer. The originals are B&W I'll look it up later but I do have...
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- Michael Fidler
We already did... starving artist suits me fine :-)
- Jenthemum
I wouldn't have changed my career I loved doing what I did and what was it you ask I was a cook and a KItchen Supervisor. My last job was at a Senior Citizen Center for the town of Southold.But if I hard to take a different job it would be with commerical art.
- VAL D. Zone
my 2 loves have always been working with kids and computers.. did the computer thing for 10yrs.. so kids next plz..
- Jay M
i would have stuck it out with the music business instead of sidetracking into the IT world. MAJOR REGRET.
- Joe Silence
Writing I found it late in life next time I would have started much much sooner
- WarLord
I would be an artist. Would I have a better standard of living or less stress in my life? Probably not. But it would let me satisfy that constant nagging itch to be creative that I have to stifle.
- Fa La La La Lindsay
I'd be a pencil artist/photographer. A combo of my 2 arty favourites. I'd also like to travel and cycle around a bit, which could easily be combined - if only I could work out a way to earn a decent way from this.
- Kol Tregaskes
A pro gamer would be cool too but I'm utterly rubbish at games.
- Kol Tregaskes
I would actually stay a librarian. I love my work, and it still allows me to do the other random things I enjoy like writing and teaching.
- Archangel ωαřмaiden
I don't know. I've never really picked one and I'm at the stage where I HAVE to pick and I just... don't know. But I kind of wish I'd been more determined about finding a job at a nonprofit that I cared about.
- Lis Miller
I'd like to be a cosmotologist/make-up artist.
- Mary Carmen
I'd like to be a casting director. I'd like to match up actors with roles and maybe discover new talent. I've been pretty good at noticing young actors and predicting who would succeed.
- m9m, Crone of FriendFeed
If every computer on the planet stopped working today, I would become a potter/clay artist. Unfortunately, computers are here to stay, I'm good at fixing them and that makes me a good living. :-D
- Jason Huebel
Actually in the midst of starting over. Resuming writing, which is my true love, and looking at academic librarianship. Leaving room on the side for photography as hobby.
- Derrick
I would say doctor, because I love medical stuff, but now with a baby, I realize I wouldn't want a job where I couldn't work at home. I'm not sure what a work-at-home medical job would be, though.
- Rochelle
Even I couldn't do this about a month ago. But peristant effort and lots of time to waste saved the day. Yes, I'm a complete loser....
- अभिषेक(Abhishek) Das
Always could do it, I'm all ...bendy LOL!
- cristina sasu
I used to before I had my son. I could do it on my index and middle fingers. A few weeks after delivering him, I found I lost that ability on both hands. Weird.
- Admiral Anika
@Adrian Me too. Adrian and Cristina, welcome to the group! ;)
- अभिषेक(Abhishek) Das
:D A very weird group? Or is it just me who thinks that?
- cristina sasu
@Cristina @Anika Who knows, I think we're aliens and this is our special sign to spot our bretherens. O_o
- अभिषेक(Abhishek) Das
yes, with all of my fingers. simultaneously, if i need to. my wife can do this as well, so it's a pretty safe bet that we've passed this trait on to our kids.
- Joe Silence
Yes, only that 1 finger on my left hand though. I broke that one when I was a kid and have been able to do that ever since. I can also bend the 2nd joint of both ring fingers, without bending the first. I can also easily lift the middle 3 toes on both feet off the floor while standing, without raising the big or little toes. I can also wiggle my ears and raise my right eyebrow (just not at the same time).
- April Russo (app103)
I feel like I want to tell you only: I love you And then cry, Crying because they reflect a lot, but it reduces a lot, because when children ...
- Iván Abrego
"Sako Architects have designed the BUMPS building complex in Beijing, China. The complex is a mixed-use residential and commercial development, which will be a landmark that leads to further development in the surrounding area of the city. The building is characterized by it’s constant variation between the different levels. Every two floors are set as a unit, and every unit is staggered by 2 metres horizontally, with the resulting set-back areas being used for terraces."
- Bluesun 2600
from Bookmarklet
er...shouldn't there be *6* minifigs?
- WorldofHiglet
i was at a toy store with my wife and kids today looking for a dolly for our oldest. after that was concluded, i disappeared into the 3 aisles of LEGO for nearly 20 minutes. my wife says that when i emerged my face looked like i'd recently received oral gratification. dang.
- Joe Silence
It's Monday morning and my fingers are raw. Very hard to type... Now, how to explain this to my work mates without encountering the relentless mocking that usually follows these types of projects....
- Johnny Worthington
"Spotted Lake, Canada ( Chris Boyle ) During the summer, peculiar white, green and yellow spots appear on this salty lake in British Columbia. The explanation: When the lake water evaporates during the summer, natural walkways form on the lake from crystallized mineral deposits. The spots, made up mostly of magnesium sulfate, vary from white to green based on the mineral composition. The Okanagan Indians considered the lake sacred for its therapeutic qualities. The Okanagan nation owns the lake, which is closed to visitors, but the spots can easily be viewed and photographed from Highway 3, which runs next to it."
- RAPatton
"Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia (Carlos Adampol) Seasonal floods transform the large, dry surfaces of the world's largest salt flat into one of the biggest mirrors on Earth. Salar de Uyuni, near the crest of the Andes, is made up of the remains of dried-up prehistoric lakes. The unusually flat and reflective salt crust gives visitors the illusion they are walking on clouds. Although little...
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- RAPatton
"Tiger's Nest monastery, Bhutan (Scott Bonhard) Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest, clings to the slide of a cliff about 10,000 feet above ground in Bhutan's Paro district. The monastery was built in the 17th century and damaged in a fire in 1998. Visitors can reach the monastery by mule ride or by foot. Walking takes about two hours from the base of the trail. The monastery is still used, and entry is restricted. More info: http://www.tourism.gov.bt/destina..."
- RAPatton
"Black Rock Desert, Nevada (Ken Lund) This Nevada desert's picturesque mountains and sparkling geysers are well-known backgrounds for the annual radical arts Burning Man festival. Fly Geyser (pictured), which is on a private ranch, is one of the strangest and and most beautiful parts of the desert, spouting groundwater from a vivid orange and green calcium carbonate deposit base. The...
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- RAPatton
Black Rock Desert is a beautiful place, but not one where I'd like to experience a car breakdown...
- Helen Sventitsky
"I’ve seen Avatar twice now, which is saying something when you’re talking about a nearly three hour movie that was released 36 hours ago. But we lined up on Thursday night for the first midnight showing. And then I saw it again yesterday at the TechCrunch screening in San Francisco."
- ~C4Chaos
from Bookmarklet
+102 for Bill Waterson references in picture Kevin or words Sinterclas
- Steve C
cute but what happened to festivus this year?
- Laura Norvig
Merry Christmas to the FriendFeed team. You guys rock! FriendFeed reacts quickly and you're adding wonderful features all the time (Thanks soooo much for the "edit" feature.)
- Mitchell Tsai
Happy Holidays FF crue -- you've made this an excellent and memorable year for many of us. Facebook couldn't have done it without you! :)
- Christopher Galtenberg
w00t you gave me the best online year in 15 years!!! ;p Thanks a lot, everyone, for what you've done here XD
- ElijahBailey-Zu of FF <0,
Sigh. Sometimes it is the little touches, like seasonal logos or easter eggs, that mark a site as a living project, and that you really miss when the developers have all moved on to something else.
- Michael R. Bernstein