Gawker Learns the Hard Way Why ‘Hash-Bang’ URLs are Evil

URLs are an often overlooked part of web design, yet in many ways they may be the most important aspect of your website as Gawker’s family of sites recently discovered.

Gawker recently launched a multi-site redesign that, no sooner than being unleashed on the web, failed spectacularly, leading visitors to blank pages. The culprit was a misbehaving piece of JavaScript, but when a single line of JavaScript causes your entire suite of sites to fail you no longer have websites, you have, well, nothing — via redwolf.newsvine.com

MPAA threatens to disconnect Google from the Internet

Over the last few months, Google has received more than 100 copyright infringement warnings from MPAA-affiliated movies studios: most are directed at users of Google’s public Wi-Fi service but others are meant for Google employees. The MPAA is thus warning the search giant that it might get disconnected from the Internet — via redwolf.newsvine.com

12yo victim leads push to stamp out bullying

In November last year Beth Harper-King, 12, was walking home from school with her mother when she received six phone calls on her mobile, 10 minutes apart.

The voice was unfamiliar, but each time the message was the same.

They wanted to rape me, kill me and do the exact same thing to [my] father, Beth said.

Sometimes bullying does not leave an obvious trail, but in Beth’s case the boys who repeatedly phoned her had left their number showing — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Squid rescue: Beachgoers take beached squid back to ocean in Delray Beach

The man-of-war on Delray’s beach had to make some room Tuesday morning when a 3-foot squid, squirting ink by the cupful, washed ashore.

Delray Beach Ocean Rescue lifeguard Conor Gorman said he saw a dark cloud drifting in the water, stretching up to the shore just south of Atlantic Avenue. Then there it was, washed up onto the beach — via redwolf.newsvine.com

House Carqueija / Bento e Azevedo Arquitetos Associados

Located in Camaçari – Bahia – Brazil, the House Carqueija, designed by Bento e Azevedo Arquitetos Associados, is about 260,00 sqm in a 1.400,00 sqm site, with a reduced program, and no unused spaces, the house is intended to be more site sensitive, emphasize the outside life, and provide functional and comfortable living spaces. With a simple and efficient plan, it is a ground floor house with 2 rooms, a chapel and a large and flexible social area, which integrate living, dining and tv room in a open space, linked to the outside area through a porch — via ArchDaily

Stray dog saves boy in Siberia

For many, Russia’s homeless dogs are a sharp-toothed menace, but one mother believes her son owes his life to a local stray.

When Andrei Pavlov, 4, fell through the ice while feeding ducks near his Krasnoyarsk home, it was Naida who raised the alarm.

The stray saw the accident and her barking alerted a woman who has been feeding dogs in the neighbourhood — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Doner kebab saves bloke’s life

A 37-year-old Somerset man can thank fast food for saving his life, after he plugged a serious throat wound with a doner ebab.

James Hobbs was attacked in Highbridge on 15 January after he popped out to Tasty Bitez for some meaty goodness. He suffered a deep cut across the throat, but held the wrapped £3.40 takeaway to his neck for several minutes until his cousin could provide a towel to stem the flow of blood — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Union Station Bicycle Transit Center / KGP design

At the cusp of a livable cities movement, this facility is a highly visible catalyst promoting bicycle use and alternative transportation options by providing secure parking, rental, and retail uses. At the doorstep of Washington’s major transportation hub, Union Station, the sleek veiled form by KGP design reflects the technology of its contents while complimenting its eminent Beaux Art neighbors — via ArchDaily

Porchdog House / Marlon Blackwell Architect

The Biloxi Model Homes are affordable prototype houses designed for the Architecture for Humanity Model Home Program. The program provides design services and financial assistance for families in East Biloxi whose houses were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

The proposition of raising a home up to 11’ above the ground introduces several issues that challenge the traditional notion of the Gulf Coast streetscape and affiliated porch culture. Among these is the very concept of having a porch that is an extension of the interior space. In addition, the massing of a proportionally tall house speaks more of isolation than of the construct of meaningful social spaces through a series of houses enclosing the street. The PorchDog by Marlon Blackwell Architect addresses these challenges while complying with new environmental, structural, and FEMA regulations — via ArchDaily

Forest’s Quintet / Chiasmus Partners

Forest’s quintet was conceived by Chiasmus Partners as a viable alternative to urban dwelling. Situated in the beautiful mountain range of Yanggu, it is a group of individual dwelling that collectively form an ideal retreat.

The relationship between each house on this 15 acre site reflect the relationship between its owners. They are either relatives and close friends; they have chose to build this dream together and retire together to this beautiful retreat. The architectural language and major material are very similar between each home. Yet, due to the special terrain each house sits on, and the differences in their living habits of each family, every house is unique — via ArchDaily

Nokia at crisis point warns new boss Stephen Elop

Nokia’s new CEO has sent an outspoken and frank memo to his staff that suggests the phone giant is in crisis.

Stephen Elop describes the company as standing on a burning platform surrounded by innovative competitors who are grabbing its market share.

In particular, he said, the firm had been caught off guard by the success of Google’s Android operating system and Apple’s iPhone — via richardfarner.newsvine.com

House in Melides / Pedro Reis

The house in Melides, on the southern Alentejo Coast, by Pedro Reis, represents the desire for a holiday house as a getaway from the bustle of a big city. The client made the unusual decision to have an architectural competition between three distinct ateliers, allowing a choice from a wider range of possible solutions. This winning proposal presents a reading of the drama of the natural countryside, building it on top of a steep hill relatively protected by the surrounding rugged topography — via ArchDaily