For those interested, here is a copy of Michael Jackson’s Will.

Michael Jackson’s Will

In the above video Seesmic founder Loic Le Meur shares a new direction for his startup.

I agree, video conversations will definitely be part of the web, just not today. So instead Loic is focusing on his social application Seesmic Desktop and the upcoming web and iPhone versions. Smart move.

It’s not easy to adapt to the modern Internet; after all, it moves so fast. However it’s vital to know when to let some aspects of your business go, shifting to focus on what’s actually working.

And since the foundation of the social web has already been laid, it’s a better move to improve that experience, not add to it.

What Others are Saying:

• Mixergy
• CenterNetworks
• VentureBeat

via 1timstreet.com

The Los Angeles Times is the first major news outlet to confirm Michael Jackson has indeed died.

Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times.

More:

Did Michael Jackson go into cardiac arrest? TMZ is reporting the famed (and de-famed) pop star Michael Jackson went into cardiac arrest today.

We’ve just learned Michael Jackson was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Los Angeles … and we’re told it was cardiac arrest and that paramedics administered CPR in the ambulance.

He was picked up at his home around 20 minutes ago — we’re told his mother is on the way to visit him.

So far his condition is unknown.

Most sources are now confirming that Michael Jackson has indeed died.

More:

Michael Jackson Photo Gallery

Michael Jackson Heart Attack?

Breaking: Michael Jackson Heart Attack

I wanted to share the stats from the Twitter infographic I ran on Manolith today. Minus the few hour delay from Google Analytics, the above stats represent today’s traffic from this piece.

As you can see, Digg is still the largest traffic-driver for viral content. I was really curious how much traffic Twitter would generate, because let’s face it, that piece was total “twitter bait.” At the end of the day the article saw around 700 retweets, some from users with very large followings. Yet the total traffic from Twitter was only around 3000 pageviews. I actually need to look deeper at that direct traffic number though, as some of that might include traffic from Twitter.

The bounce rate is high, typical with any Digg spike. However that average time spent on page number is AWESOME, I think folks really took the time to process that infographic. While it can be difficult (read:expensive) to do pieces like this all the time, it’s great to incorporate them into your content on a regular basis. In addition to the traffic, and great in links, you’ll make a huge statement to your readers. You might even introduce tons of new folks to your brand.

Huge thanks to Infoshot who took my little idea and turned it into something amazing.

When it comes to digesting a lot of info, sometimes an illustration is a great way to visualize a topic (or series of events). We’ve published a few great infographics over on my Men’s site Manolith, the latest one covering the history of the microblogging service Twitter.

I worked with graphics house extraordinaire Infoshot to make this one happen. I gave them some of the key milestones and they went above and beyond to produce the below graphic. If your company is looking to produce great visual info docs, please look these guys up.

Thanks to TechCrunch for publishing this today and everyone who retweeted!

It seems celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton was assaulted by Will.I.Am around Midnight PST Sunday night. According to his Twitter account, right now he is bleeding outside the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel in Toronto.

After the alleged attack Perez sent out a call for help on Twitter, which apparently is better than calling the police. I’m sure the mounted police are rushing to the scene right now.

See the video

(via Laughing Squid)

View more from JPEG Magazine

I like this new service Hunch by Flickr Co-Founder Caterina Fink. It takes every day questions and helps you find the answer. It learns about you by asking you a few questions in return. I’ve tested a few queries and found the answers pretty spot on, in fact it even told me that Hunch was indeed the best collective knowledge site for me:

Yes I like this site and here’s why:

• Low Entry Point: Right away I can start interfacing with Hunch. I don’t have to create an account, or worse, go and build yet another social network. I can immediately start asking a question or giving the site input about me.
• Man vs Machine: After a few clicks you can already see there is a very powerful algorithm behind Hunch. However where you find unique computing knowledge, you also find a fair amount of human curation as well. From the questions themselves, to the answer you get back. The experience feels very personal, something that is difficult to find from a search experience today.
• Rich Index: It’s always nice to find a site with a healthy content index right at launch. On Hunch you can explore their topics section and quickly find a question of interest. Where most new search experiences leave the user saying “Uhhhh, What should I search for?”, Hunch makes it easy to discover your next step.

Give it a try yourself and let me know in the comments how it went.

Hunch around the web:

• Search Engine Land
• TechCrunch
• Official Blog

More:

• Marshall Kirkpatrick
• Scobleizer
• CNET
• Memeorandum

Via the official blog, Wordpress 2.8 “Baker” is now available for download. I’m not going to upgrade just yet, but as you can see in the above video, there are some nice new features available.

Congratulations California, you have a new Miss and her name is Tami Farrell. No word yet on her views of equality etc, but she certainly is A LOT hotter than Carrie Prejean.

From Manolith:

Formerly Miss Mailbu, Tami Farrell will now be taking over as the newly crowned Miss California. Former Miss CA Carrie Prejean lost her title today, after month’s of controversy and “breach of contract” issues. We all know the real reason was of because of her politically incorrect answer to Perez Hilton and those risque pictures that leaked out last month.

2.7 million visitors at the height of its “viral-ness”. Not too bad.

Visit http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com to see why.

The new Apple iPhone was just announced, its name the iPhone 3Gs.

Here are some of the details:

• The S Stands for Speed
• Video, 30 Frames Per Second
• Better Camera 3 MegaPixel, Auto Focus, Auto white balance
• Compass? (lame)
• Voice control? (lame)

Photos via Gizmodo

Silicon Valley mega investor Ron Conway wants to invest in the real time web, big time.

TechCrunch reports he wants to invest in some 40-50 new companies focused on real time data. 

I’ve been thinking about real time web experiences A LOT lately. I look at things like FriendFeed and Twitter and I see the beginning of something very unique. I think Conway does too. If you could create a similar experience for the masses, I think you’d have yourself something great.  

So what are you waiting for?

From last nights episode of The Tonight Show, Conan pokes a little fun at Twitter.

It has been confirmed that missing Air France Flight 447 has indeed crashed. Here is the official press release from the CEO of Air France regarding the disappearance.

Air France regrets to confirm the disappearance of flight AF 447 flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, scheduled to arrive at 11:10am local time today, as announced to the press by Air France CEO, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon.

The Airbus A330-200, registration F-GZCP, left Rio on 31 May at 7:03pm local time (12:03am in Paris).

The aircraft hit a zone of stormy weather with strong turbulence at 2am this morning (universal time), i.e. 4am in Paris. An automatic message was received from the aircraft at 2:14am (4 :14am in Paris) indicating a failure in the electric circuit a long way from the coast.

The Brazilian, African, Spanish and French air traffic control centres all tried to make contact with flight AF 447 but to no avail. The French military air traffic control centre tried to detect the aircraft but did not succeed.

216 passengers were on board: 126 men, 82 women, 7 children and one infant.

There were 12 flight crew members: 3 pilots and 9 flight attendants.

The flight captain had a record of 11,000 flight hours and had already flown 1,700 hours on Airbus A330/A340s.

Of the two first officers, one had flown 3,000 flight hours (800 of which on the Airbus A330/A340) and the other 6,600 (2,600 on the Airbus A330/A340).

The aircraft was powered by General Electric CF6-80E engines.

The aircraft had totalled 18,870 flight hours and went into service on 18 April 2005.

Its last maintenance check in the hangar took place on 16 April 2009.

Air France fully shares the anxiety and distress of the families concerned. The families are being taken care of in a specially reserved area of Paris-Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2.

Bing, the new search engine from Microsoft is now open to the public. So head on over and give it the true test by searching for your own name. How did it do?

Other Interesting Things To See:

• On the homepage hover over the image to reveal pop-up messages. Each contain a snip it of info, and links to related search content.
• Try a video search and hover over the video thumbnails. Once you do you see a clip and even hear audio from the video. This is a nice feature that has long been a part of various porn video sites (not that I would know).
• Do an image search and scroll down, notice the page less scrolling.
• Search Bing for Google and you get a nice integrated search box. This feature will be great for your non-techy relatives. 

Coverage from Around the Web:

• Search Engine Land
• Loic

If you spend a lot of time “in the chair”, you know working too much online, your body might feel like mine. Pretty much useless.

After a few years in the web space my personal health has been in major decline. So much so that lately I’ve been pulling my back out and generally feeling like crap. I’ve been looking for ways to fit in any type of exercise. Everything from running, to Wii Fit and Yoga.

Since free time seems to be my biggest hurtle, I wanted to share this video I found from Ilchi Lee. In just 5 minutes you can get a quick workout, and for those with some sense of balance, do some pretty cool head stand tricks.

Heres the video:

In what looks like a completely staged MTV stunt, Sacha Baron Cohen’s character Bruno (in fairy wings and a thong) drops from the air during the 2009 MTV Movie Awards and bascially tea bags Eminem.

Related:

• Eminem And Bruno At The MTV Movie Awards

We did one of those online star charts for me the other night, here are the results.

This birth chart shows the positions of the planets of Sean

The planets in the signs

The position of the planets in the signs of the Zodiac has an influence on the character of the individual and these influences form a large part of the individual psyche.

Sun in Virgo

He is ingenious, sharp customer, discerning, crafty, diplomatic. To the point and subtle in speech, he is a real diplomat.

Weaknesses: petty and over-critical. Over-attention to detail, nit-picking and fussy.

Moon in Pisces

Imaginative, sharp insights. He is impressionable, with an abundant imagination. Multiple births.

Weaknesses: troubles caused by too much sentimentality, worries, problems, unhealthy imagination, nervousness.

Mercury in Virgo

He discusses, deduces and judges. He reasons logically and accurately.

Weaknesses: he is easily irritable and nervous. He tells off and criticizes. He is impulsive and manic.

Venus in Virgo

Gives help to sick and old people. He is very devoted, does not show emotions: he is prudish and never lets himself go, either through fear of ridicule or through fear of not being loved in return as much as he loves. Always suspects the feelings of others. He is therefore sometimes too undemonstrative, so the other (thinking she is not loved) will leave.

Weaknesses: likes to flirt and provoke. He is perfectly in command of his own feelings, which often lack passion or force. His love is never for free but must automatically bring a bonus, be it only an intellectual pleasure.

Mars in Cancer

He works relentlessly for the well-being of the family. All the aggressiveness is channelled in order to improve the conditions of life for the family, which is his foremost preoccupation. He rarely gets angry and never cries. He controls himself perfectly. That said, if someone, even a member of the family, goes too far then the anger is all the more impressive for being so uncommon.

Weaknesses: Domestic quarrels, discipline problems with children, house moves that are not necessarily an improvement.

Jupiter in Leo

He is ambitious, wants to impose himself, to be someone, while nonetheless having sincere and pure feelings.

Weaknesses: pride, haughtiness, arrogance.

Saturn in Virgo

He likes order, harmony, method and balance. He can undertake long-term medical or scientific studies.

Weaknesses: he is intransigent, stubborn. Misuse of medicines, or asking for too much medicine.

Uranus in Scorpio

Intelligent and subtle. Adores research, inquiry, investigation. Very sensual.

Neptune in Sagittarius

Likes long voyages, things foreign, water.

Pluto in Libra

Brings changes.

Sign and ascendant

Virgo ascendant Cancer

The planets in the houses

The planetary positions in the houses express the facts relative to destiny.

Sun in III

He has a good education, a solid grasp of facts. Socially successful, he wants to be known. He has a strong influence on his circle.

Moon in IX

Highly imaginative. Prolonged studies, is intuitive. Professionally successful abroad, or in import-export or as a diplomat. Contact with foreigners. Long journeys. Ability to learn foreign languages.

Mercury in III

Deep studies. Adaptable. He is attracted to the Arts/letters. He knows how to share ideas. Moves around a lot professionally. He can easily keep many irons in the fire at the same time.

Venus in III

Likes everything that is beautiful, likes decorum. Outstanding intelligence. He works in a trade linked to beauty, fashion. Numerous select friends.

Mars in I

He gets angry and carried away a lot. He is provocative, impulsive, dynamic and bold. Great spirit of enterprise. He has a great need of activity and throws himself into projects without thinking of the consequences of possible setbacks, nor of the dangers that may arise.

Jupiter in II

Easygoing over money matters, no credit problems, increases his inheritance. He earns good money, without too much effort. He enjoys what he has.

Saturn in III

His studies will be restricted. He is serious, discrete. He takes on mental tasks that require time and concentration. He travels little even though he likes it. He has few friends, who are, however, very close.

Uranus in V

He is independent, likes even dubious distractions. His amorous adventures are not only numerous but also very complicated, otherwise they hold no charm.

Neptune in VI

He is more prone than most to the bad influence of alcohol, medicines and drugs. To be avoided at all costs.

The houses in the signs

Ascendant in Cancer

He will certainly have a large family. Indeed, family life, the home, the children will be very important for him.

House II in Leo

Financial success will be very easy thanks to the support of influential people.

Tendency to spend more than what is earned.

House III in Virgo

He pulls everything to pieces, analyzes, critizes. Doesn’t take on anything without examining the pro’s and the con’s. He is very careful, sometimes to a manic extent, taking everything into account even to the slightest detail.

House IV in Libra

The simple life, the small home isn’t for him. If the job doesn’t pay well or he doesn’t marry well financially speaking, he will probably be unhappy. Likes luxury goods to make life comfortable, going out, cocktail parties. Goes round only with refined people, perhaps sometimes a little too affected, and with good jobs.

House V in Scorpio

Gets blinded by and drunk with love: everything revolves around his love. His passions are angry, exclusive and domestic quarrels are in prospect as a result. Fertile love life.

House VI in Sagittarius

Likes jobs that involve travel, moving about a lot. Weak point: the circulation of the blood.

House VII in Capricorn

A love-and-friendship marriage. Unproblematic, quiet relationship. A few hiccups, but nothing really serious. Faithfulness.

House VIII in Aquarius

An unexpected inheritance.

House IX in Pisces

Likes sea cruises. Sometimes has brilliant ideas that come from nowhere.

House X in Aries

All the leadership qualities are there: authority, energy, initiative, leadership, lots of gung-ho and of course intelligence.

House XI in Taurus

Likes to be surrounded by frank and good-hearted friends. These friendships don’t stand on ceremony. Carries out everything he undertakes surely, composedly, calmly until successful.

House XII in Gemini

Anxiety, preoccupation concerning a dear one.

Interplanetary aspects

The interplanetary aspects have a strong influence on the character and disposition of the individual and, consequently, on his destiny.

The conjunction aspect is variable and depends above all on the nature of the conjoint planets.

383 Conjunction Sun - Mercury

He is intelligent and knows what he wants. Is a good organizer, he likes moving, travel. He likes literature.

-329 Opposition Sun - Moon

230 Conjunction Sun - Venus

He is gay, sociable, welcoming. He is a lover, and has many affairs: he is seduced by beauty and charm. He likes the Arts and social life.

-213 Opposition Moon - Mercury

He is happy in his imaginary world and thus is happy nowhere, because he can never find his ideal world - thus causing a lot of change, instability and also disquiet. He is a liar, a gossip and leaves himself open to criticism. His lies save him. If the other aspects allow, he can be a very good novelist.

213 Conjunction Venus - Saturn

He has a good grasp of reality and of duty. He is thrifty, reserved and does not show off. He likes truth and justice. In love, his sentiments are sincere and deep, he never plays false. He is, of course, faithful in love and friendship. He can love a much older person and appreciates his intelligence and good sense.

-123 Opposition Moon - Saturn

He has changeable moods, a reserved character, is stubborn and lacks assurance. His relationship with his mother is disturbing and difficult, he has considerable family problems. This is the standard aspect for children who are abandoned or lack maternal love.

108 Conjunction Sun - Saturn

He likes to work alone, quietly. He pays attention to detail, is serious, methodical, patient and can take on long, difficult and delicate tasks, and complete them.

107 Sextile Saturn - Uranus

He knows how to be on top of the situation. He perseveres, is determined but ingenious and original. He is very practical. He proceeds slowly, but is always bound to achieve his objectives in the end.

91 Conjunction Mars - Ascendant

-81 Opposition Moon - Venus

While he is gay and gracious, he is also inconstant and capricious. He has a changeable nature. A varied love life and a sometimes dubious morality. He is weak and easily influenced, and can get involved in unfortunate situations because of a lack of understanding.

70 Sextile Saturn - Ascendant

He is serious, sober, thoughtful, pays attention to detail. He likes to be with older people.

69 Sextile Venus - Uranus

independent in love. His love life is rich, but with passing love affairs. He tires quickly and is scared of losing his liberty. If he marries, he will regret it. He has that little something that attracts the opposite sex: he likes amorous adventures, he is romantic. He is the eternal lover and, of course, is unfaithful if he has a serious relationship. He likes art, anything new.

67 Sextile Venus - Ascendant

He likes everything beautiful, the Arts, balance and harmony. He is amiable and sociable. He likes entertainment and has a loving nature.

60 Sextile Neptune - Pluto

52 Sextile Mars - Saturn

He is energetic and determined. He has strength and resistance, ability and patience: he is tough, and sometimes insensitive, and puts all his energy and talents into overcoming all the obstacles to his success. He is obstinate, calculating, does not take on anything without having thought of all the possible consequences, he can take all the time in the world and never loses patience to achieve his objectives. He is not particularly popular in his circle, but is feared and respected.

-50 Square Saturn - Neptune

Living conditions are difficult for 47 Sextile Sun - Ascendant

42 Trine Moon - Ascendant

He has a good influence on the family, which loves and helps the person. He likes travelling, movement, change. He likes contact and is open to other people.

39 Trine Mars - Uranus

He possesses exceptional energy. He is impulsive but bold. He takes on risky enterprises for the good of the community, with all the energy he possesses. He has a great need of his independence, likes his freedom of action.

35 Trine Moon - Uranus

He is imaginative and has the Moon’s intuition complemented by Uranus’ independence and originality. His life is out-of-the-ordinary, with lots of changes and a great knowledge of the world not through reading but through personal experience. He likes the sensational, new things. He acts instinctively, but fortunately has a good sixth sense. He likes to be surrounded by original people, artists.

-35 Square Venus - Neptune

He lacks self-confidence and his ideals are not easily to achieve. In love, he is unstable, unfaithful and deceitful. He is easy-going and follows others, he does not take the initiative.

-30 Square Mars - Pluto

He is violent, brutal, irascible and succeeds in crushing others, without giving it a thought.

-29 Square Sun - Neptune

His imagination turns to internal day-dreaming: he is easily influenced, and complicates life unnecessarily. He does not bring plans to a conclusion. The dream-world is enough.

29 Sextile Venus - Mars

He is amorous, not a peaceful and calm lover but a passionate one with a strong temperament. He is demonstrative in love, and likes healthy pleasures. He enjoys life to the full.

25 Trine Uranus - Ascendant

He is always changing, is unstable. He is ready to innovate, to change everything. He is inventive.

14 Conjunction Mercury - Venus

He looks on the bright side of life: he is gay, agreeable, optimistic, sociable. He likes to speak and write, and does both with charm and artistry. His intellectual pleasures are influenced by his feelings. He is amorous and sensual. He likes beauty, the Arts but also travelling.

12 Trine Moon - Mars

He is frank, honest, full of vigor and ambition. He is strong-willed and powerful at work. He is a little hard on himself but, above all, on others whose capacity for action is not as great.

-7 Square Pluto - Ascendant

He imposes his will by force, violence.

-4 Square Moon - Neptune

He lacks firmness, he is weak and lazy. He likes to live in a dream, in the imaginary.

4 Trine Jupiter - Neptune

He is very generous and altruistic, helping people in difficulty or sick people. He knows how to listen or, at least, how to give that impression. He is a dreamer, with lots of imagination: he likes the Arts.