Mor.sl uses your tastes, preferences and skill-level and recommends curated recipes from around the web.

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The social web lit up during the second week of the Olympics. As swimming wrapped up and track and field took center stage -- while soccer, basketball, gymnastics and other competitions kept going strong -- social media users around the world took to a range of platforms to celebrate, brag and generally emote.

Fresh new data from the social media monitoring platform Salesforce Radian6 puts the conversation in perspective. Radian6's data takes into account a total of more than 150 million sources including Twitter, Facebook, blogs, YouTube and message boards. What follows is a snapshot of how the socially savvy talked Olympics from last Saturday through this Thursday.

The United States…
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Self-publishing has become a popular method for authors to get their work to the public, though it can still be difficult to publicize and distribute your work. Developing a readership is easier for authors than it was a decade ago if they've gained a following via social media and personal blog; those without a following may still struggle. StoryBundle helps independent authors by connecting them with potential readers.

StoryBundle works by grouping together e-books of similar content and genre and selling them together. The bundles are pre-picked and change regularly. If there is a specific author or book of interest, you only have a limited time to buy their book via StoryBundle.…
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More About: books, e-books, e-bookstore, e-reader, ebooks

Shannon Eastin made history Thursday night as the first woman ever to referee an NFL game. She threw five penalty flags in the preseason matchup between the San Diego Chargers and Green Bay Packers. Her hat and whistle from the game will now be shipped to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to immortalize her achievement.

But how did the Twitter peanut gallery take to seeing the first female ref prowl NFL sidelines?

To find out, we tapped the social analytics firm Topsy to track the volume and mood of Twitter chatter before, during and after the game. The term "Shannon Eastin" was mentioned about 2,700 times during that span, according to the data, with mentions peaking near the game's kic…
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Add this to your list of shopping companions: Eyeona, an app for iPhone and Android smartphones, lets you scan your receipts and sends you an email if the price drops on anything you've purchased.

More About: Android App, bizspark, eyeona, iphone app, retail, shopping

1. Tasty filtered water? Thanks, NASA.

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Sipping a cold glass of freshly filtered water? Give NASA a high-five. Kicking back and tuning in to 500 channels of satellite television? Send a thank-you fruit basket to NASA.

That's right, Earthlings, NASA's technology has not only put a man on the moon and a robot on Mars, it's also helped with life right here at home.

SEE ALSO: Sensational Interactive Panorama Feels Like You Landed on Mars

WTFNASA offers eye-opening answers to the question "What the fuck has NASA done to make your life awesome?"

Northeastern University student Jacob Mulligan launched the interactive site that asks visitors to vote "Fail to Launch" or "That Rockets" for each fun NASA fact.…
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More About: NASA, Watercooler, space

Looking to fill your calendar with exciting events in the social media sector? We've got your back. Below you'll find four exciting events handpicked from Mashable's Events Board, all of which will propel your business forward in the digital space. Check out this assortment of business conferences and exhibitions, where you'll have a chance to learn about fresh innovations in social media. These events will help you reach your target audience on the front end, the back end and on their social feeds.

If you're looking for events in business, marketing and advertising, visit the Events Board to learn about networking opportunities, meetings and expos that will give you a chance to learn…
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More About: Advertising, Business, Events, Marketing, Social Media, features, pr

"How do the sperms move? Can your eggs brake [sic]?"

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Remember seventh grade? If you're like the rest of us, you probably blocked out that entire awkward time between elementary school and high school.

Luckily, Tumblr sites like Sex Questions From Seventh Graders exist to help stir up memories from a time filled with acne, metal mouths and mysterious hair growth.

SEE ALSO: This Tumblr Celebrates the Olympics' Greatest Tradition: Scrunchies

An anonymous middle school teacher set up a box for students to submit note cards with questions they felt too embarrassed to ask in class. According to the teacher, nearly all the questions are about sex. Rather than keep these pearls of insight into the middle schooler brain stashed away, th…
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More About: Watercooler, tumblr

Microsoft says it's working to offer better security for users of its Outlook.com web-mail service, but don't expect two-factor authentication, like on Gmail. Instead, Microsoft wants to offer a "strong solution" that won't be as inconvenient for users.

Outlook.com is currently in preview and doesn't offer Google's optional two-factor authentication, which requires both the account password and to be in possession of the user's phone in order to sign into a Google account on an unrecognized computer.

When asked about security, a spokeperson for Microsoft said Outlook.com "requires strong passwords" and offers single-use codes.

Single-use codes are codes users can have sent to their…
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A new app called WedPics is looking to revolutionize how guests capture pictures at weddings.

We've all been to at least one wedding where the bride and groom set out disposable cameras on all the tables at the reception. The idea is that everyone uses the cameras to capture shots of the event, providing the happy couple with a ton of candid pictures of the event.

WedPics takes that same concept a step further, replacing disposable cameras for smartphones.

The app is created by the same team behind Deja Mi, a photosharing app used to create location-based albums of events.

Used at large conventions such as IBM's Smarter Commerce Global Summit, Deja Mi allowed you to colle…
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More About: App, andoird, iphone, wedding

When a monsoon hit the Philippine capital of Manila on Monday, causing widespread floods that have so far affected more than 2 million people and killed at least 60, YouTube searches for the Philippines spiked over 70% as people around the world tried to watch the latest crisis coverage.

YouTube users searching for "Philippines flood" during the tragic event may have noticed something new: a special white box at the top of the search results page, presenting recent, relevant footage of the disaster.

This new tool, called the Crisis Response One Box, is a joint effort from YouTube and Storyful, a news agency which provides streams of verified social content. The tool curates the mos…
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More About: Social Good, Social Media, Video, YouTube

As many productivity experts will tell you, building a good chunk of downtime into your day isn't just helpful in recharging yourself and your creativity. It's essential.

More About: Opinion, google doodle, lifestyle

Facebook's settlement with the Federal Trade Commission was finalized Friday. As part of the deal, Facebook must make it clear to users when the social network shares their information beyond what their privacy settings mandate, operate a program to protect users' privacy and get users' approval before sharing their information.

Facebook will also be subject to an independent inspection of its privacy practices every two years for the next two decades.

Facebook didn't have to admit to any wrongdoing as part of the deal. Failure to meet the terms of the settlement could prove costly for the company -- each violation could set them back $16,000.

"We intend to monitor closely Face…
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More About: Business, FTC, Facebook, Social Media, US, privacy

As forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad clash with the rebel Free Syrian Army in the streets of Syria, Internet-savvy government supporters are fighting a parallel information war in cyberspace. Called the Syrian Electronic Army, the group has a single mission: unleash an onslaught of pro-government propaganda upon the Internet.

Strategy and Tactics

To achieve that goal, the group uses social media platforms such as Twitter and YouTube to counter the claims of the rebel Free Syrian Army. It coordinates massive spam attacks against anyone it perceives to be anti-government, posting thousands of pro-government messages in news article comment threads and on public offici…
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More About: Arab Spring, Syria, World, anonymous, cybersecurity, middle east, syrian electronic army, technology

Apple may be the most valuable company in the world, and Facebook continues to add new users in droves. But which public U.S. tech giant has grown by the largest clip over the last six months?

You might be interested to know that it's LinkedIn, up 94% in revenue growth over last year. As a smaller company, it does have more "room" to expand before revenue evens out -- that's certainly typical. But year-over-year growth is an interesting dimension to watch, especially for investors looking at immediate gains.

Our friends at Statista have put together this chart to illustrate the comparison.

Thumbnail image courtesy of iStockphoto, TimArbaev

More About: Business, Facebook, Revenue, apple, linkedin, microsoft, trending

A new iPhone app turns your device's camera into a biosensor to measure your heart rate. It does this by measuring light reflected off your face. The app from the Rock Health accelerator program is called Cardiio.

The company explains how the app works on its website: "Every time your heart beats, more blood is pumped into your face. This slight increase in blood volume causes more light to be absorbed, and hence less light is reflected from your face. Using sophisticated software, your iPhone's front camera can track these tiny changes in reflected light that are not visible to the human eye and calculate your heart beat!"

The technology was …
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More About: Cardiio, Rock Health, apps, health

Steve Kardynal found the perfect way to not only display his extensive bikini collection but also bring a touch of delight to strangers.

More About: Music, YouTube, chatroulette, trending, viral videos

Think you have what it takes to be the next Hope Solo? The newest interactive Google Doodle lets you test your mettle as a soccer goalie just one day after Solo helped lead the United States women's team to Olympic gold in London.

Friday's illustration pits you against an offensive player who tries to score on you in a penalty kick type of situation. Your goal, so to speak, is to block as many shots as possible before the automated opponent scores three times.

He's a sneaky bugger, though, angling shots high and low. Google instructs you to use your keyboard to defend -- the left and right arrows move you side-to-side, and the space bar to jump. But here's a pro tip: You can do t…
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More About: Google, Sports, google doodle

1. @BrendonBurchard

Brendan Burchard is a motivational speaker and author of The Charge and The Millionaire Messenger.

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Twitter has established itself as not only a forum for socializing, but also as a place to share inspiration.

While many users look to friends or celebrities for inspiration, others also rely on the insight of perceived experts. The list includes everyone from authors and television personalities to yoga practitioners and Buddhist figureheads.

SEE ALSO: 25 Twitter Accounts That Will Make You Smarter

People turn to Twitter for daily mantras of the inspirational variety. Topics include personal growth, travel, meditation, financial responsibility and much more. Among the most popular, some Twitter accounts simply encourage followers to embrace who they are.

Who inspires you on T…
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More About: Social Good, Social Media, Twitter, activism, features, philanthropy, trending

When 31-year-old Taylor Grey Meyer wrote a hasty email to the San Diego Padres after applying for a job at the franchise for the 30th time in a row, she didn't know her words were about to set the Internet on fire.

First reported by sports blog Deadspin, Meyer -- who has held internships in professional sports over the years -- sent an email to the Major League Baseball (MLB) team applying for a job as a ticket seller after being rejected for a series of more prestigious roles. When the team rejected her application yet again and suggested she attend a job fair-like event at the stadium for $500, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

SEE ALSO: 9 Social Networks for Sports…
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More About: Major League Baseball, Sports, Viral, trending

The Los Angeles Lakers dramatically altered the NBA landscape Thursday night by reportedly agreeing to terms in a trade that will land them superstar center Dwight Howard -- also known as Superman. Friday morning, Lakers legend and current alpha dog Kobe Bryant took to Facebook to welcome the new addition from London, where he's competing in the Olympics with the United States basketball team.

"Well, it looks like Superman has found a home," Bryant's post begins.

"The Lakers landed a piece that will hopefully carry the franchise long after I'm gone," the note continues. "I have spoken to Dwight Howard already and we are locked and loaded to bring back the title. Wow, what a summer Ji…
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More About: Facebook, NBA, Sports, trending

Four men embarking on a plane ride in Idaho's ominously named Frank Church -- River of No Return Wilderness faced a terrifying moment when the small aircraft hit an air pocket. The plane began to rapidly lose altitude shortly after takeoff and crashed into trees below with head-jolting force.

The men had brought along two cameras to record the highlights of their backcountry adventure. The footage they ended up with was a frightening first-hand account of a plane crash.

The three passengers sustained minor injuries. The pilot, who you can see from the footage took the brunt of the impact, is expected to make a full recovery.

Warning: Slightly graphic images.

More About: Watercooler, YouTube, trending, viral videos

LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman once said, "The entrepreneurial journey starts with jumping off a cliff and assembling an airplane on the way down."

In other words, the technology startup world is tough to enter. But despite the excruciating hours and inevitable letdowns, the silver lining of the startup environment is the chance to work with some truly brilliant and motivated people -- and of course, the chance to leave an impact on society and change your own life with your product.

SEE ALSO: 44 Female Founders Every Entrepreneur Should Know

Those with flourishing startups concocted a winning recipe of hard work, highly marketable ideas lots of good luck. Among the droves of start…
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More About: Business, Startups, features, trending

Google is making it even easier to get around a foreign city when you travel. The Google Translate app for Android got a major update allowing you to take a photo of a sign or even a menu, and translate it into another language. Now you never have to sit in a café unable to read the menu and wonder "what is it I just ordered?"

Here's how it works.

Using your phone's camera, point to the text you want translated, and take a picture. Then freeze the image and swipe the words you want translated (see the image above).

Google can translate the text into Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portugese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish. The company says it's worki…
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More About: Google Android, translations application, trending

In May, Facebook announced it would be rolling out its new Promoted Post feature. For those who aren't familiar, Promoted Posts let brands with 400 to 100,000 fans pay to insert a post into their fans' news feeds. The post must be less than three days old and the pricing and reach are predetermined by Facebook. Although this was pretty exciting news for smaller brands and businesses, larger brands with big fan bases are out of luck. Or are they?

Recently, Facebook also made some changes to their ads API and Power Editor, allowing for ads managers to have much more granular control over ads. Through these changes, larger brands can create ad units that work in the exact same way as…
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More About: Facebook, Marketing, contributor, features, online marketing

The successful landing of NASA's Curiosity rover on Mars recaptured worldwide interest in space exploration, likely inspiring thousands of kids to build cardboard spaceships in their backyards once again.

While the allure of exploring the unknown is probably the greatest draw of becoming an astronaut, there's still plenty of exploring to do in everyday life. For this week's challenge, we want you to send us photos that express curiosity.

SEE ALSO: 16 Gorgeous Photos of Gold From Our Readers 

How do you find beauty in everyday objects? Do you see things that might normally go unnoticed? Maybe it's a plant nestled under a crevice, or a surreptitious bit of graffiti on a subway…
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More About: community, photo challenge, photography

If you've ever played World of Warcraft, today there was some irritating -- and potentially dangerous -- news: Activision Blizzard, the developer of the game, was hacked.

Someone managed to penetrate the company's systems and steal the contact information of many its users as well as a password file, the company revealed in a message posted on the site.

However, those passwords were encrypted, the message says, so it would be extremely difficult for hackers to gain access to them. Even if they tried, they would have to attempt to decipher the passwords one by one. Nevertheless, as a precaution, Blizzard is urging users to change their passwords immediately -- and that also goes for any…
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More About: Activision Blizzard, Blizzard, Diablo III, cybersecurity, games, world of warcraft

Spread the word: Microsoft Excel isn't just for green eyeshade types. This stop-motion animation video from YouTube favorite MysteryGuitarMan shows the creative possibilities of what is normally characterized as a spreadsheet app.

And it only took a little less than five hours to complete!

Maybe MGM can work his magic on PowerPoint next.

[Via YouTube Trends ]

More About: YouTube, microsoft, trending, viral videos

While not attending to official space station duties, NASA astronaut Don Pettit practices his zero gravity yo-yo skills. Pettit demonstrated a few of his impressive yo-moves for the camera. Just another day floating in space.

More About: NASA, Watercooler, YouTube, space

The Apple-Samsung trial has forced both companies to open the books on their sales in more detail than they ever have before. Within the filings, we can now see just how big a success story the iPhone has been for Apple.

AllThingsD posted the mobile sales figures for both companies this morning. Although we've already seen how the iPhone has affected Apple's bottom line in the company's quarterly earnings reports, it's informative to see just how much it's grown in Apple's home country, the U.S.A.

Since its release in June 2007, people in the U.S. have bought 85 million iPhones -- almost one iPhone for every third person in the country, according to the most recent census data. Tho…
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More About: apple, iphone, samsung