Website Spotlight: Caliber

Photography is Art.

Hey, it’s Friday…and this post has absolutely nothing to do with real estate, or San Carlos for that matter.    But it has everything to do with amazing photography, and the stories that are behind the pictures (and the lenses).  Ansel Adams once said that he felt photography was not considered an art form by the “experts” of his era, and it was this slight that drove him to become one of the world’s greatest photographers.   Make no mistake, photography IS art.

A few months back, I read about a website that had just been created that was a essentially a collaboration of the work of four very accomplished Bay Area photographers.   Rather than continue to publish their work independently, the group formed a website called Caliber to showcase their collective works.  Much of their work is based on the scenery in San Francisco — who could blame them?  It’s one of the most photogenic cities on the planet.

But a fair amount of their posts are based on the interesting people of San Francisco, most of which are candid shots like the one on the right.  There’s even an occasional series that’s called the $2 Portrait that is simply compelling.   During his daily travels throughout the City, photographer Troy Holden is often asked for money by a homeless or downtrodden person – in return for giving them $2, they agree to let Troy take their picture, and while Troy is shooting their portrait, he finds out a little bit about that person.  The stories are often times amazing, and incredibly sad at the same time.

See the World Through Their Lens.

If you love photography, or San Francisco (or both), you need to check out Caliber. The photography is breathtaking, and the commentary behind the pictures is equally compelling.   It’s a great reminder of why you chose to live near the City in the first place….

In cased you missed it embedded in the post, here the link again:  Caliber.

Website Spotlight: The U.S. Geological Survey.

We’re Shakin’ and Bakin’…

Even though we live in “earthquake country,”  as we were reminded of recently with the marking of the 103rd annivesary of the Great San Francisco Earthquake, we sometimes forget that signifcant earthquakes happen around the world…each and every day.   It’s simply amazing how much seismic activity takes place around the globe, and of course, when we’re due for another shaker around here.

The New USGS Site.

I hadn’t been on the US Geological Survey site in quite a while.   I recently jumped on when I saw a Twitter update about the recent 6.0 quake in Mexico City.  I was impressed with how they have changed this site — they use all kinds of cool technology such as RSS Feeds and Google Earth to enable you to see what’s happening around the world.  And believe me, there’s lots happening.

If you use a feed reader to get your news, here’s a great feed that informs you about every significant earthquake over magnitude 2.5 around the world: USGS:  M2.5 + Earthquakes

I don’t know why, but this is has become one of the first things I look at when I view my Google feed reader.   If you prefer the more traditional approach of viewing the website, here’s the link:  USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.

Either way, check out what’s happening around the world.  You’ll be surprised at who else gets their share of earthquakes besides California…

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(”Spotlight on Cool Websites” is an occasional series that will highlight a particular website that I think you’ll find interesting.  Links to these websites can be found under the “Great San Carlos Websites” link at the top of the site. )

Got a great website that you’d like to share?  Send me an email with the details…

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Website Spotlight: TechCrunch

It’s All About Tech.

I can’t recall how I stumbled onto this site, but TechCrunch is an absolutely amazing resource of news about technology.  But not just any technology — it’s technology that’s relevant to the average technology user, stuff we use everyday.    They’re on top of the latest innovations in Social Networking (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc…) as well as the tools and gadgets we’re hopelessly attached to (Google, iPhone, Mac’s and PC’s, Android, Palm Pre…)   I read this site every day, and I never fail to gather some gem of useful information that helps me with this site.

They’re On It.

The content on TechCrunch is written by a host of staff writers along with a few guest authors.   One thing that strikes me immediately is how plugged-in this group is.   They seem to be extremely well connected with the companies they follow, and often times are one of the first to break big news stories.  For example, they were the first source I found that tipped the world to Cisco’s intent to purchase Pure Digital (the maker of the phenomenally popular Flip Video camera.) The aforementioned article was on their site two full weeks before the purchase was officially announced.  Nice scoop…

Right to the Point.

Aside from the outstanding content, I’m a big fan of the “get to the point” structure of their articles.  I often refer to it as “USA Today” style — few paragraphs, no circular or redundant writing.   That way, you get the pertinent details, and you’re on to the next article.   It makes for a quick read — and that’s good because….

It’s a Fire Hose of Information.

The best way to read this site is through a feed reader (the same way that many of you read this site.)   The only word of caution is that you need to get in the habit of reading it daily, or your reader will get bloated quickly.   This team puts out 20+ articles on a daily basis, and they’re all worth reading — so you’ll want to stay on top of it.

To get TechCrunch, simply click on their logo at the top of this post, or this link right here –>   TechCrunch

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(”Spotlight on Cool Websites” is an occasional series that will highlight a particular website that I think you’ll find interesting.  Links to these websites can be found under the “Great San Carlos Websites” link at the top of the site. )

Got a great website that you’d like to share?  Send me an email with the details…

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Website Spotlight: Burbed.com

Who ever said that real estate needs to be dry and dull?  Actually, if you’re looking for an industry to poke a little fun at, real estate is what you’d probably refer to as a “target-rich environment.”  That’s where Burbed.com comes in.   What is Burbed?   Well, if there’s a real estate listing out there that:

1. Is massively over-priced,
2. Has incredibly dopey MLS pictures,
3. Is located right next to a freeway or airport, or
4. Any or all of the above….

..it will find its way onto this site sooner or later.    This recent post about a home in Fremont had me doubled over in laughter.  This site is quite popular with homeowners and real estate agents alike (although most of the latter group will never admit it.)   But at the same time we’re reading it and getting a good chuckle out of the comments and anecdotes, we’re also holding our collective breath that our listings don’t make it onto this site!

So check out Burbed.  It will give you a good laugh in the middle of a very un-funny recession….

(”Spotlight on Cool Websites” is an occasional series in which I’ll highlight a particular website that I think you’ll find interesting.  Links to these websites can be found under the “Great San Carlos Websites” link at the top of the site.  Got a great website that you’d like to share?  Send me an email with the details…)

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Website Spotlight: www.94070.org

This website is a handy index to the various non-profit organizations and special interest clubs within San Carlos.   There are links to all of the churches within San Carlos, The Kiwanis Club of San Carlos, The San Carlos Chamber of Commerce,  and the Friends of the San Carlos Library…just to name a few.

Since the buttons to all of the sites are on the front page, they’re all just a single click away (and you know how much I like that.)  It’s super easy to navigate, and definitely worth bookmarking as a handy reference.   Check it out — just click on the banner above, and you’re there.

So who is the author and creator of this site?  It is none other than our own City Council Member and Vice-Mayor Randy Royce.   Nice work, Randy!

(”Spotlight on Cool Websites” is an occasional series in which I’ll highlight a particular website that I think you’ll find interesting.  Links to these websites can be found under the “Great San Carlos Websites” link at the top of the site.  Got a great website that you’d like to share?  Send me an email with the details…)

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Website Spotlight: FireDispatch.com

(”Spotlight on Cool Websites” is an occasional series in which I’ll highlight a particular website that I think you’ll find interesting.  Links to these websites can be found under the “Great San Carlos Websites” link at the top of the site.  Got a great website that you’d like to share?  Send me an email with the details…)

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Where are these guys going?

When you hear a cacophony of fire engine sirens, do you ever wonder “What the heck is going on??!!” If your curiosity piques every time you hear a fire engine pull out of the station, then this is the website for you:

FireDispatch.com is a very cool website for all of you closet firefighters. Not only does it give you a list of what incidents are active in 5 different counties, but one of the coolest features is that you can actually listen in on the conversation between County Dispatch and the engine while they’re on a call. Simply click on the link next to the description of the incident, and you’re riding shotgun. This is particularly interesting when there’s a significant incident such as a structure fire, or a big traffic accident.

UPDATE:  FireDispatch is now on Twitter — follow them there!

As you can see from a sample screen-shot of the main page…

…the site tells you what the time the rig was dispatched, the radio link to listen in on, the nature of the incident, the location, and which Engine Company is responding. (In order to preserve privacy, they won’t post the address for medical aid calls.) And if you’re REALLY into this stuff, they even have settings and alerts for your mobile phone.

So, next time you’re wondering where that fire engine is going in such a hurry, you’ll know where to find the answer!

UPDATE:  You can now follow FireDispatch.com on Twitter @ twitter.com/FireDispatchSMC
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Lookiloos.com gives you a peek inside…

(“Spotlight on Cool Websites” is an occasional series in which I’ll highlight a particularly cool website that I think you’ll find interesting.   Got any great websites that you’d like to share?  Send me an email with the details…)

Along with the normal stream of people actively looking to buy a home, an Open House will always draw in curious neighbors and others who are just dying to know what that particular home looks like on the inside.   They often refer to themselves as “lookiloos.” The open house might be the only opportunity for them to see the inside of the home.   Personally, I love having this latter group through when I’m holding a home open –  it’s fun to talk about the neighborhood and the unique characteristics of the home.   Especially when it’s a home like the one I held open last weekend at 1950 Eucalyptus in San Carlos….  no shortage of things to talk about with this home!

Well, if you fall into this latter category there’s a great website that’s right up your alley:

Lookiloos.com

Created by three Silicon Valley women who share a passion for everything that is unique about homes, this website opens the doors to hundreds of homes and focuses on what’s interesting  — whether it’s architecture, furniture, flooring, or finish work, Lookiloos covers it….from the inside. They will often tour open houses and photograph an interesting home (with permission, of course) or readers will send in their own photos and stories of their homes.    The result is an interesting collaboration of photos, ideas, and conversations — all about homes.    Recently it has started to get extensive coverage in the San Jose Mercury News, so this site has definitely hit the big time.

Although the site focuses mostly on homes in the South Bay, the information is still very useful for Peninsula homeowners who are looking for remodeling ideas.  Regardless, there’s something fascinating about seeing what’s inside someone else’s home — and Lookiloos.com brings you just that!   Check it out — it’s an interesting read.