Random Thursday
Category: Random Thursday...
Posted Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 08:08 AM [GMT-6]

Let's begin this week's edition of RT with a look at Retrievr, a web-based app that lets you create a sketch (or upload an image) which is then matched against images uploaded to Flickr. The results are, well, unpredictable – but fun. Below is a sketch I submitted (shown on the left) and two of the Flickr matches returned by Retrievr. The resemblances are undeniable.

Screenshots - Retrievr sketch and Flickr matches

I'm not sure about the value of the sketch matching, especially for someone with little artistic ability (like moi), but the image matching feature has definite possibilities.

Or, maybe not.

Screenshots - Retrievr image upload and Flickr match

The image on the left was uploaded to Retrievr, and the one on the right is one of the presumed matches it returned from Flickr. This feature could use a bit more work, methinks.

Now, where were we?

  • I see where the Illinois high school students who were denied diplomas because of cheering families have finally received their papers. The students and families are still upset, though, because the school district and its officials didn't apologize. Having recently sat through the longest three hours of my life at a local high school graduation, experiencing firsthand the lengths to which family members will go to flout both legal notices (sheriff's notice of "no airhorns") and polite requests ("please hold your applause to allow other's names to be heard"), I have little sympathy for those Illinois families. I do agree that it's a shame that students are penalized for the actions of their families, but I'd like to hear alternatives for ensuring the re-introduction of decorum and civility in this group setting. This is one venue where the kids are better behaved than the adults.

  • I guess you saw where John Edwards referred to the global war on terror as "a bumper sticker." That's pretty rich, coming from a candidate who's a haircut.

  • Did you catch Letterman's line last night about Paris Hilton's stay in the slammer? He said that Hollywood is already making a movie about her ordeal. It will be called The Birdbrain of Alcatraz.

  • Well, you'd just have to have been there. Watching the show, that is. Not in the slammer.
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Comments

Have you considered a second career as a police sketch artist? That looked remarkably like the outline of a corpse?
:-)

Posted by: soccer dad at June 7, 2007 08:31 AM

Well, it was supposed to be a duck wearing a party hat, but, yeah, I guess I can see your interpretation, too.

Posted by: Eric at June 7, 2007 08:39 AM

Paris Hilton is already out of jail and that REALLY chaps me. Anyone else would have been jailed long before her but her money and fame allows her to walk free and remain the spoiled little brat she is. There is no justice for the poor and the word justice seldom applies to those with money.

Posted by: bob at June 7, 2007 10:43 AM

My favorite line on Letterman last night was Nicole Richie's response to Dave's question about her "thoughts" on so many Hollywoodites going to the slammer..."it's not just Hollywood, everyone goes to prison."

First rehab, now prison. Lord help us all!

Posted by: gwynne at June 7, 2007 12:26 PM

Oh, and methinks you took some artistic liberties there with that dog photo! ;-)

Posted by: gwynne at June 7, 2007 12:29 PM

Bob, easy there, big guy. You're probably right about the privileges of the rich, but just think of all the downsides to being Paris Hilton. For instance, there's...well...no, that's not one. But what about...hmm...well, I'll have to get back to you on that.

Gwynne, I heard Richie's comment this morning. I understand that she may be doing a little time herself...? At least Letterman didn't devote two hours to interviewing Tuberculosis Guy.

And which dog photo were you referring to, the one on the right, or the one on the left? ;-)

Posted by: Eric at June 7, 2007 12:56 PM

LOL. Maybe retrevr or whatever it's called simply knows dog lovers when it sees them. Eh? Eh?

I'm trying to help you out here.

Posted by: Jim at June 7, 2007 08:48 PM
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