12.31.2004: The internet continues to prove that there are people with way too much time on their hands, and that they are willing to document it. Behold, creating the perfect miniature orange.

12.29.2004: Back in the early days of the internet, only the geekist geeks knew what "dot com" was. It's interesting, but you may recognize almost every one of the 100 oldest domain names.

12.27.2004: PDAs are becoming more popular. There are many brands, but the most well-known is the ubiquitous Palm and its huge library of software: the top ten weirdest Palm programs.

12.24.2004: It's Christmas Eve, and many of you are off for the holidays. For most geeks, that means lots of quality gaming time. You'll spend hours trying out the games at Andkon Arcade.

12.22.2004: Text-to-speech converters are somewhat of an internet staple, providing minutes of fun. But most speak only in English, not offering a selection of languages and voices like this one.

12.20.2004: Many geeks wear glasses. But they have an annoying habit of constantly sliding down your nose. Body art and fashion come to the rescue, by combining eyewear with body piercing.

12.17.2004: Puzzle games present you with a conundrum that, when solved, provides you momentary bliss before advancing to a harder level. Such as the deceptively-named RefleX.

12.15.2004: Waistlines are expanding, and many people fight back by turning to healthy snacks. But fresh fruit, such as bananas, is easily bruised or damaged. Unless you slap it in a banana guard.

12.13.2004: Everyone has watched cartoons. But is beauty only skin deep? Most people are used to viewing the outside of animated characters, never expecting to see their cartoon skeletal systems.

12.03.2004: Like most Flash games, this one is simple, but you soon get drawn in by the challenge of the puzzles. You'll go insane trying to coordinate movement around obstacles to save the lobsters.

12.01.2004: Hot or not was the pioneer of internet peer rating, and it has spawned numerous imitations and satires. But along comes one that caters to true geeks: rate my network diagram.

11.29.2004: Everyone has received AOL CDs in the mail. Most people use them for coasters or send them to the landfill, but one imaginative geek used 4000 of them to construct the AOL throne.

11.26.2004: Geeks are no strangers to competition: the fastest computer, the highest video game score, the newest gadget. But for electricians, it's who can stand the most current.

11.24.2004: Everybody uses computers today, almost taking them for granted. But years ago, computers were something mysterious. Luckily, it was easy to find out how computers work.

11.22.2004: When you're coming up with a name for your online company, sometimes you need to look at it with a critical eye. They may sell pens, but the email address says something different.

11.19.2004: Riding a unicycle is a unique talent that requires coordination and an uncanny sense of balance. Even without obstacles, you'll find it frustratingly difficult to play Unicycle Challenge.

11.17.2004: The stereotype of Japanese businessmen is that they work very long hours. Which means they have to catch up on their sleep wherever they can, as these pictures show.

11.15.2004: It's no secret that, even though the U.S. elections are over, not everyone agrees with the results. In fact, an entire army of apologists is trying to show the world that they are sorry.

11.12.2004: Maybe it's similar to other online games you've played, and maybe it starts out too easy, but once you take to the challenge, you'll find that you can't stop playing Road Blocks.

11.10.2004: Blogging is all the rage these days, but in the aftermath of the presidential elections, are there any blogs worth visiting? It depends if you include the strangely compelling What is it?

11.08.2004: Vanity license plates are the modern way to assert your individuality. Trouble is, many good ones are already taken. What can you do? Get creative with the license plate dictionary.

11.05.2004: It's not often that our researchers can find something that successfully captures the essence of this web site. It starts out easy, but you're soon overwhelmed with electrons: Nucleus.

11.03.2004: Sometimes artists can amaze you with the combination of the materials they use and the result of their talents. Take this Brazilian who creates sculptures out of ordinary drinking straws.

11.01.2004: There are many alternative and ergonomic keyboards, but they are for people with full use of both arms. Now you can get them in single-handed and mouth versions, among others.

10.29.2004: It's Halloween, which is not just about candy and costumes. It's also about a Tetris ripoff with a spooky theme, and saving the world from multiplying, nougat-filled shrunken heads.

10.27.2004: On the battlefield far from home, a warrior is forced to make do. But even if your theater of operations is a cubicle, you still need to know how to build an office claymore mine.

10.25.2004: As games go, the play is really uninspiring: roll the ball back or forth into the goal. And it's pricey for such a simple game. Perhaps that's because of how you control it. It's Mindball.

10.22.2004: The internet is full of tests, especially if you have a computer background. And depending on the test, you can find out if you're more of a geek or more of a nerd.

10.20.2004: Being on the Internet means communicating with a keyboard. In chat rooms, blogs, and online games you've seen leetspeak. But how is it done so quickly? With this keyboard.

10.18.2004: Often art isn't enough; you wish you could zoom in or zoom out to get a better view of a painting. But what if you could do both in an endless loop? You'd have the infinite zoom picture.

10.15.2004: Resourceful geeks will construct devices from commonly available materials, and then show you how to duplicate their work. Like turning stainless steel coffee cups into a ramjet.

10.13.2004: Take some stock photos you can find almost anywhere, extract just a small section of them, and you get the (actually safe for work) things that totally look like porn but really aren't.

10.11.2004: In these uncertain times, we need to help bring people together. So don't do something alone when you can do it with a group of people. It's not just a bike, it's a party on wheels!

10.08.2004: There are geeks, and then there are Geeks. And for these capital-G types, solving problems can be as fun as a game, especially if it leads to a cool job. Test your skills with the GLAT.

10.06.2004: Geeks love sci-fi. But it has been remarkably prescient, moving from fiction to fact in our lifetimes, as illustrated by ten technology items inspired by science fiction. See them here.

10.04.2004: "Sex sells" is a well-known mantra of advertising, but sex itself has always been a taboo undercurrent in American society. You can see both in these book covers and sci-fi posters.

10.01.2004: Gamers, as would be expected, play a lot of games, and have fond memories of their favorites. But how well do you remember classic video game sounds? Find out in Name That Game.

09.29.2004: Most people use Google to find things on the web. The search engine is so popular that it has become a verb. But how well can you search the internet when using Google rotated?

09.27.2004: Everything old is new again, including geek projects. If you recreate the first video game using the concept behind one of the first computers, you have mechanical Pong.

09.24.2004: Hand-eye coordination is an interesting phenomenom. You control your hands, but what is stronger, "muscle memory" or mental power? See if you can control the reverse mouse.

09.22.2004: Karaoke is where (mostly) inebriated people sing popular songs in front of a crowd. Now you can act out your favorite movie scenes in much the same way: movieoke.

09.20.2004: It's all the rage to build a unique computer case, or to construct a computer using exotic devices. One geek had enough, and decided it was time to build the reverse case mod.

09.17.2004: The internet is full of quizzes. But here's an interesting one that tests your powers of deduction. Based on the resulting images it displays, determine the Google search terms.

09.15.2004: Is it the start of a viral internet marketing campaign? Or just the random hijinks of two guys with video editing software? Either way, marvel at the bravery of Super Stunt Slug.

09.13.2004: Malta is not just a Mediterranean vacation spot, a lot of people also call it home. Some locals wryly observe that people are people, regardless of where they live. Only in Malta.

09.10.2004: It started out when a man, presumably without anything to read, stared at the tiles on the bathroom floor. But once you start connecting the squares, you can't stop comboling.

09.08.2004: In today's fast-paced world, office workers put in long hours and grab sleep as best they can. But where can you get some quality shut-eye in, say, New York City? At MetroNaps.

09.06.2004: In a modern world where we strive to put aside our differences, inter-racial harmony is a worthwhile goal. But inter-species harmony? Dream of a world where animals are friends.

09.03.2004: Today's computer games provide awesome, realistic, immersive environments. And yet gamers keep returning to their roots. Play classic arcade games in both Java and Flash.

09.01.2004: The internet brings together people with similar interests. It also allows those people to present their interests to the rest of us. Such as this amazing x-ray video of a sword swallower.

08.30.2004: The web offers numerous sites that make you laugh or wonder at the way people spend their time. But it can also provide us with fascinating information, such as drift seeds.

08.27.2004: The game is nothing new, but you're probably used to playing it with paper and pencil. What makes such a simple game need with a computer? Pick your own category in Hangman.

08.25.2004: Geeks are drawn to rules and logic, making them naturals at programming and mathematics. But sometimes irrefutable rules provide paradoxes, such as when 64 equals 65.

08.23.2004: Maybe because it's so hard to achieve, man has a special appreciation of flight. So even with different subjects and scales, these are still captivating, beautiful aerial photographs.

08.20.2004: It may not be the traditional game that you've played at the pool hall or your friend's basement, but the competition style and other surprises keep you interested in Lightning Pool.

08.18.2004: Sometimes it's hard to determine what is more interesting, the design of a web site, or the product it's promoting. You get to decide while you're checking out Office in a Bucket.

08.16.2004: It's hard to get a peaceful night's sleep when you're worried about hurricanes and tornados, bio-chemical attacks, and kidnapping. Unless you're snoozing in the Quantum Sleeper.

08.13.2004: Today's more powerful computers combined with development platforms with better support for 3-D graphics mean that you can play games on the Web that are as cool as Slick Ball.

08.11.2004: People take pictures and put them on their computers. Then they share their files and connect with P2P networks. More knowledgeable types then access those files: found pictures.

08.09.2004: The latest diet revolution, low-carb, has made it acceptable for people to be carnivores again. And while meat shakes may be a great idea, you'll find yourself singing the catchy jingle.

08.06.2004: Take a simple game we've all played in the office, use Flash to animate captured video, add a wisecracking co-worker who feeds you the ammo, and throw the paper wad in the trashcan.

08.04.2004: Computers combine three devices: monitor, mouse and keyboard. You may have tested your mouse skills and typing speed, but how many words-per-minute do you read?

08.02.2004: Geeks love to make gadgets do things other than they were originally designed. Such as turning the hottest consumer electronic device, the iPod, into a universal remote.

07.30.2004: It's the nature of games to get harder as you progress. Some do it so well, and so quickly, that you're in over your head before you know it. Such is the simple yet frantic Eskiv.

07.28.2004: Geeks typically do a lot of wincing when exposed to Hollywood's interpretations of science fiction. But they don't understand that show business writers need to follow a formula.

07.26.2004: The Internet is a huge database of information. Some "amateur" sites can be quirky yet mind-numbingly thorough, cataloging such things as screen captures of movie titles.

07.23.2004: Games, by their nature, are generally fun. But a stimulating visual environment can really enhance the experience. Add funky music and powerups, and you've got Bubbles.

07.21.2004: Can you ask questions, and use one-word answers to deduce what the mystery object is? How good is a computer at the same game? Try to stump the AI with 20 questions.

07.19.2004: "Geek" is a generic term, but the taxonomic family geekus contains a myriad of species. Take the math geeks that actually compete in drawing, by hand, perfect circles.

07.16.2004: Games are frustrating when you lose, but some are better than others at getting you to keep playing in order to improve your score. It's a moving target, but don't let go!

07.14.2004: Pity the poor mother that has run out of ideas on how to make meals more exciting for her children. Now even the plain everyday hot dog can be interesting and unique: the Octodog!

07.12.2004: There's beauty in the human body, and it's often the subject or canvas for artistic expression. But sometimes the body itself can be used in art, as when honoring a higher power.

07.09.2004: In today's fast-paced world, you have to juggle a lot of tasks simultaneously. But what about juggling the same task sequentially? This game truly challenges you to save Mr. Malibu.

07.07.2004: The Web is a boon to artists every-where, as they display talents and wares to people who otherwise would never know such things. Like finding the inner purpose of, and painting, rocks.

07.05.2004: The beauty of the Internet is that it allows someone with almost any interest or pasttime to have a Web site. Such as, everything and anything having to do with airline food.

07.02.2004: When you're inebriated, one of the hardest tasks you can perform is to walk in a straight line. It may be hard to figure out how to do it, at first, but that's the point of this game.

06.30.2004: All geeks know about the fun of Global Positioning System (GPS) toys. But what happens if you store the path you travel, download it and print it out? You're doing GPS drawing.

06.28.2004: Today's "fashionable" can quickly become tomorrow's "forgettable," especially when it comes to cutting-edge interior design. Here's a view from Europe in the 1970s: EuroBad '74.

06.25.2004: If you've played classic videogames, you know the drill: pilot your single ship past wave upon wave of defenses. But what if the roles were reversed? They are in the inverse shoot 'em up.

06.23.2004: Some areas of everyday life benefit from constant advancement, while others languish with "technology" hundreds of years old. Get with the program: it's time you upgrade to the Chillow.

06.21.2004: Teachers grade a lot of schoolwork throughout their careers, perfecting the art of being subjective. Like this teacher that decided to assess letter grades for the flags of the world.

06.18.2004: Some people are collectors. While some people collect more mainstream items, like coins or comic books, others are into more obscure objects: antique mouse and rat traps.

06.16.2004: Everybody hates popups when surfing the Web, and most people run some sort of blocking software. But how well does it really work? Now you can easily test your popup blocker.

06.14.2004: Today's geeks don't just burn CDs and DVDs, they create personalized, custom-made keepsakes. And special discs can't be relegated to ordinary holders. They need Jewelboxing.

06.11.2004: Geeks are funny. They'll spend tremendous amounts of time (and money) trying to turn something analog into a digital duplicate of itself. In this case, it's the MP3 boombox.

06.09.2004: Any Boy Scout can tell you that you can cook food using only the power of the sun. What you may be surprised by is the number of both retail and improvised solar cookers.

06.07.2004: As todays PCs and game consoles keep advancing, gamers are overcome with nostalgia and yearn for days gone by. Relive the glory of gaming with your own paper arcade.

06.04.2004: Some games are addicting because they're easy to learn and yet challengingly difficult to win. Which means that, even as you're cursing, you just have to solve the ladybug puzzle.

06.02.2004: True geeks take on seemingly worthless challenges, just for the opportunity to create an elegant solution to the problem. A clever portrait is the basis for infinity in your browser.

05.31.2004: Computer gamers like to gather online, facing each other in massive multiplayer environments. But what about more traditional two-man physical games? Geeks and MMTW.

05.28.2004: Breakout is a classic arcade game using a Pong ball and paddle to destroy a brick wall. It takes a bit to get used to, but you'll soon be swearing at this updated circular version.

05.26.2004: He was one of the leading (and most bizarre) comedians of the 1970s. He (supposedly) died twenty years ago this month. Some still believe his death was a hoax. Has he returned?

05.24.2004: Pity the poor avante garde artist, his work is rarely understood or accepted. He takes pictures posted in blogs, edits them, and reposts them for the blogger to see. It's the eyebrow thief.

05.21.2004: Here's a game that is easy to learn, addicting, and fun. And it keeps getting harder. How long can you play before you give up or the boss catches you? Shoot a round of panda golf.

05.19.2004: Nothing can beat an endless supply of fresh, natural, organic eggs. But you live in the suburbs, not on a farm; exactly how do you think you're going to keep chickens? Behold the eglu.

05.17.2004: Time is interesting. If you take someone with too much of it, and add that to the geek penchant for finding new ways to depict it, you end up with something as odd as this.

05.14.2004: Many people crack their knuckles. But it's normally something you do at your computer, not with your computer. Of course, this being the Internet and all, guess what?

05.12.2004: Perhaps you've heard the line about reality being stranger than fiction. Which may be debatable until you realize that it's pretty hard to argue with worldwide photographic evidence.

05.10.2004: It's the oldest story in the world. Guy digs hole, guy adds computer, guy meets wildlife, then shoots and eats it. But he doesn't just tell the story, he's got the pictures to prove it.

05.07.2004: If you're a geek, then you know how to use computers (your mouse especially) and how to play games. But you might be surprised how hard it is just to click on a plain black dot.

05.05.2004: Are family and group photos getting boring with everyone just standing around smiling at the camera? Your pictures just need a little imagination and some basic Egyptian engineering.

05.03.2004: Tasers are just cool, and everyone would like to have one. The most common obstacle is the cost. Until geeks learned how to make a cheap taser from a disposable camera.

04.30.2004: Just when you think the everyday latte is commonplace, along comes a group of baristas determined to take it to the next level. Fancy coffee isn't enough, you need latte art.

04.28.2004: Modern technology's many methods of communication keep us in touch with each other constantly. So it's refreshing to see an old-school way of dealing with common relationship issues.

04.26.2004: In today's world, a guy is defined by his car. But what do you do if you have a less-than-fashionable ride and a limited budget? You do what you can afford: tongue-in-cheek customizing.

04.23.2004: Rubik's Cube is the 1970s 3D puzzle that is still frustrating people today. You may not solve it, but you can certainly have fun manipulating the four-dimensional version.

04.21.2004: We can't all be rocket scientists. Unless you decide to combine some MacGyver inventiveness with everyday household objects. The amazingly simple result is matchstick rockets.

04.19.2004: Who is Jeremy's dad, and how does he manage to meet so many celebrities? Poor kid, when he grows up, he may not know who his real dad is, especially with the photographic evidence.

04.16.2004: Photo editing software packages let you modify and morph pictures of, say, faces. There are also some Internet-only versions. But none seem as easy and compelling as this one.

04.14.2004: Sound Recorder is a simple audio editing program that came with Windows 95. With imagination and too much free time, even this humble program can make beautiful music.

04.12.2004: Geeks like building technical things from scratch, but you don't often see the terms "ohms," "fiber optic," "Dremel," and "turd" used in the same project. Until you have seen this one.

04.09.2004: Some people are obsessed with puzzles, and mazes in particular. But who knew that there were so many different kinds of mazes? You may never get out once you enter this page.

04.07.2004: Most portable/wearable computers on the market today use heads-up technology for the screen display. The surprising part is to see products that are both functional and stylish.

04.05.2004: When you consume "free" media, you're subjected to advertising. But the audio-only restriction of radio forces advertisers to take their commercials' dialogue to ridiculous extremes.

04.02.2004: We're used to Jerry Seinfeld showing us slices of everyday life. But his friends don't normally include The Man of Steel. It may be a commercial, but it's Seinfeld and Superman.

03.31.2004: Geeks can really make office pranks fun. Especially when you combine their weird sense of humor with practically unlimited (and free!) office supplies. Redecorating is post-it easy!

03.29.2004: Mankind is all about searching for answers. Some of these answer come from science, others from less rational sources. Both are combined when you dissect a Magic 8-Ball.

03.26.2004: The game is simple, easy and fun. How tall can you build it before you are done? Stack them quickly but click with care, and it will rise up into the air. The odd plant growing game.

03.24.2004: Art requires a combination of creativity and talent to effectively express ideas or concepts. This is true even when the artist's canvas is an ordinary number two pencil.

03.22.2004: There are fans of sci-fi, and then there are fanatics. The weirdest ones create "fan fiction", imaginary versions of their favorite shows. Like these artists fixated with Kirk and Spock.

03.19.2004: Tattoos are cool, but they require a rather large commitment of time, money, and pain endurance to complete. Now you can effortlessly show off realistic-looking ink by just slipping it on.

03.17.2004: Geeks are always on the cutting edge of technology. What do you do when you've got a hot new gadget but no immediate use for it? You turn it into a technically geeky challenge.

03.15.2004: If you're a gamer, you've spent hours playing side scrollers and FPSes. But have you ever noticed that certain screens, at the right moment, contain accidental video game porn?

03.12.2004: Here is a game that is a study in contrasts: a simple concept with a single rule that is decidedly difficult to master. But, oh, how good you feel when you finally separate the colors.

03.10.2004: During bad weather, your local news station typically displays closure information across the bottom of the screen. A bad idea when anyone on the Web can enter information like this.

03.08.2004: The Internet is a repository for almost any type of information, whether you need it not. Medical information is frequently sought after, such as nail diseases and disorders.

03.05.2004: It's Friday, which means you need to spend some quality time on productivity-lowering pursuits. How about killing office zombies, armed with just a stapler? Get ready, it's Crunch Time.

03.03.2004: What do you get when you combine 'shopped images of glee and a wacky Internet grassroots campaign designed to spread mirth and joy? Nothing less than The Happy Poster Project.

03.01.2004: A Möbius strip is a circle with only one side. Its mathematical kissin' cousin is the Klein bottle, a container with only one side. But it's not just theoretical if you can buy one, right?

02.27.2004: Watches are the perfect geek gadget: they're small, portable, and easily expandable. But what's better than reading a review? Reading a review by geek girls!

02.25.2004: You can choose different avatars and voice types. The animation is interesting, and although the computer-generated pronunciation isn't perfect, it will say anything you type.

02.23.2004: Sometimes you need the Internet just so you can play a game. And not just any game, but a simple one that's addictive and keeps high scores. Spend some time stacking the pigs.

02.20.2004: Recently, some of the Windows source code was leaked onto the Internet. While some examine it for nefarious purposes, others just like reading the programmers' comments.

02.18.2004: When you play a game, you follow a set of rules to achieve an objective. But what happens if you don't know the rules or the object of the game? Then you'd be playing Grow.

02.16.2004: Everybody thinks their parents are crazy. In a mirrored copy of a Something Awful forum, one guy documents the depths of his mother's insanity. Behold the Collectinator.

02.13.2004: Everybody's computer crashes now and then, but since geeks push the envelope, theirs are more prone to crashing than most. Geeks plus crashes plus Internet equals gallery.

02.11.2004: The basic human expression of happiness is the smile. You see them all the time, but they are surprisingly easy to fake. Can you tell the difference between real and fake smiles?

02.09.2004: Most people prefer a more direct sales approach, without all the stuffy and politically correct salespeak they usually receive. But can being direct go too far? Houses as metaphors.

02.06.2004: Today's complex games are judged on the graphics "engine" they use. But sometimes a mass-market development tool, combined with a simple concept, provides a compelling diversion.

02.04.2004: Geeks obsessed with The Lord of the Rings continue to nitpick the differences between the written trilogy and the cinematic portrayal. It may be hard to find one more detailed than this.

02.02.2004: If you're like most people, you dislike the necessity of work. But what if you could work the same amount, yet have more free time? You would, if you adopted the 28-hour week.

01.30.2004: Lots of people are creative, and many use the Internet to sell their crafts, turning hobbies into money. But what's scarier, the fact that you can buy them, or the dolls themselves?

01.28.2004: Whether drawing or painting, two key artistic concepts are using perspective and shading to make pictures seem more realistic. But not many artists do it live on a public canvas.

01.26.2004: Geeks of all types like to build custom hardware. But if you're going to design the world's largest motorcycle, regardless of the specs, you shouldn't include training wheels.

01.23.2004: Geeks are generally good at math and science. Cross this trait with programming skills, add a desire to convey technical concepts, and the result is cool math and physics applets.

01.21.2004: It's no secret that men don't always make the best babysitters. Ok, who are we kidding? They suck at it. Which is why one mom turned to technology: babysitting by PowerPoint.

01.19.2004: You've probably heard the story about the guys whose "friends" coated everything in his apartment with aluminum foil. But unlike most news articles, the Internet has pictures.

01.16.2004: When it comes to case mods, most geeks think of customizing their computer. But case modding is not just for computers any more. And every home has one: the refrigerator.

01.14.2004: There's nothing like flying to give you a sense of freedom as you soar effortlessly in three dimensions. But leave it to the Internet (and trick wingmen!) to let you fly like a stunt pilot.

01.12.2004: Real geeks don't just use instant messaging, they chat on IRC. If you know about kickbans, mode sets, and joins, then you'll enjoy the recently discovered IRC logs of The Bible.

01.09.2004: A large number of people are seriously freaked out by spiders. But if you're not, and want just pictures without all that pesky reading, thank the Internet for spiders galore.

01.07.2004: Geeks needn't always aspire to the highbrow when making literary, historical, or cultural references. Witness this compendium, by no means exhaustive, of subtle Simpsons sayings.

01.05.2004: Maybe you haven't heard, but geeks are really into The Lord of the Rings series of movies. And if you had any doubts, we present The Return of the King's geeky observation list.

01.02.2004: Lots of people have personal Web sites. Perhaps you've seen some. They can be boring, juvenile, even outrageous. But few offer the scary honesty and personal insight of Roberto.