It's all about the photos...on a Mac

Posted by Ted Bonkenburg, Software Engineer, Infrastructure

I'm happy to tell you about the release of Picasa Web Albums Uploaders (beta, of course) for Mac OS X. Picasa Web Albums makes it simple to share photos with friends and family, and now we've made it even easier on the Mac. This new download comes with two handy tools for uploading photos: There's a plug-in for uploading your pics within iPhoto. If you don't use iPhoto, or just want to upload the occasional picture, just drag your photos into the provided standalone app and click Upload. Either way, I can't wait for my fellow Mac users to showcase their talents.

Normally I work on search engine infrastructure. I love my work on web search, but as a change of pace I decided to use my 20 percent time to make Picasa Web Albums better for Mac users. Fortunately, I was not alone. The Picasa and Mac development teams embraced the project and provided great assistance. Greg Robbins, a co-conspirator in the famous graphing calculator story, worked to refine the user interface. Later, another one of our Mac engineers, Mike Morton (I’m OK, mentor), took over as project lead, made quick work of creating the iPhoto export plug-in, and became the one responsible for incorporating feedback and finishing up the application and plug-in.

For me this has been a great opportunity to meet and work with new people, explore new technologies, and help create something that I hope the Mac community will find useful. So, please sign up for Picasa Web Albums, download the uploaders, and show the world some beautiful photos.

Google Earth and Katrina help

Posted by John Hanke, Director, Google Earth and Maps

When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast almost a year ago, people across the country and around the world wondered how to help. Many donated money; others lent their homes to dislocated survivors. A group of Googlers lent their expertise by leveraging the power of Google technology.

Over several long nights, the teams from Google Earth and Google Maps created satellite imagery overlays of the devastation in the affected region, which showed more accurately the scope of the disaster. Soon after, we were told that rescue workers and the U.S. Air Force were using Google Earth to find people who were stranded.

And last week, we received formal recognition from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Members of the NGA presented the "Hurricane Katrina Recognition Award" to the Google Earth team, as well as the Google Enterprise and Global Support groups, for their direct support during the Katrina disaster. Individual recipients included Brian McClendon, Andria McCool, Wayne Thai, Charlie Chapin, Michael Ashbridge, Chikai Ohazama, Lenette Howard, and Rob Painter, along with two folks from Carnegie Mellon University who assisted us: Randy Sargent and Anne Wright. We're pleased to be recognized in this way -- but even more pleased that we could help.

Sexy VJ / Model Bianca Araneta

Bianca Araneta comes from a long line of actors, actresses, models and beauty queens. With good looks and acting talent running in her family, it is no surprise that this Asian beauty ended up joining show business.

A VJ and part-time ramp and commercial model when she isn't busy with school, Bianca is a nature-lover and has been an environmentalist since she was young. She also has an extremely soft spot for animals. This pretty VJ and model loves everything about nature. So much that when tapped to be the spokesperson for "Nestea's Love the Beach" program, she didn't even have to think twice.

Like most young people, she ranks traveling, sports and fashion among her top interest. In fact Bianca plays beach volleyball among other sports, "but none of them competitively." She does it more for the fun of the thing, like other people her age. She is also a very fitness and health-conscious person (how else do you think she maintains that figure of hers?)

She was number 19 in FHM's 100 sexiest women 2005 and has grace various magazine covers such as Cosmopolitan and UNO. Besides the face of Nestea, she's was the face of FILA and Mobile Addict in the Phillipines.

PENELOPE CRUZ

La actriz española es un "bombón" cuando se trata de posar en la alfombra roja. Cuenta con 40 películas rodadas en cuatro idiomas.

Aishwarya Rai, "el rostro más bello del mundo"

Aishwarya Rai nació en 1973, en Karnataka, al sur de la India. Fue Miss Mundo en 1994. Miss fotogénica en el mismo certamen. La fama de miss la hizo recibir muchas propuestas para realizar cine, pero no aceptó hasta acabar su carrera de arquitectura y ciencias. Incursionó en el modelaje. Sus hermosos ojos verdes le valieron diversos contratos publicitarios y su carrera como modelo se disparó a una altura insospechada. Julia Roberts la describió como "la mujer más hermosa del planeta". Más fotos.

Weekend Babe: Stunning Babe Iwasa Mayuko

She is sexy HOT! The weekend babe for the week is Iwasa Mayuko! She's been featured as a weekend babe a couple of times and nobody ever gets tired of this sexy Japanese babe! Have a good one!

Summer health tips

Posted by Karen Wickre, Google Blog team

Our esteemed Google doc, Taraneh Razavi, M.D., has kindly provided a few tips on coping with such summer challenges as tick bites, thunderstorms, and heat exhaustion. She's also blogged about insect repellents and sunscreen. But as she reminds us, summer also means - there's ice cream. Stay healthy and cool, people, and have fun this and every weekend.