Ever wonder if that job application you sent was read? Does your mother, brother, sister, lover, friend read the emails you send?

Introducing, SpyPig.

SpyPig takes all the guesswork out of emails. The newly launched site with a catchy name uses the same sort of technology spammers use to see if your email is real and actively read. How? you ask. Spammers embed images in their emails. Once you open your email, the image loads and, a unique identifier is sent back to the spammer letting them know that yours is a valid email address. With SpyPig, you enter your email address, message title and then choose from a small selection of SpyPig images to embed. They range from a cute little pig, to a little text graphic reading "I know you’ve read my email!”. Or if you want to go incognito, choose the deceptive white box. Type up the email and then send as normal. SpyPig will send you an email back letting you know the email was read. SpyPig works with Gmail, Outlook, Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo,etc. However, it’ll only work with HTML email, so people who read their emails in plain text will find the image as an attachment rather than an embed. Rich-text emails don't work either. Regardless, it’s free.

Although I'm all for supporting the school for various things, I can't help get my head around the price of textbooks. When I had to buy a fairly thin one for one of my classes, I was surprised to have to put down almost a hundred. To this end, and having learned how much I could save by doing some work, I must say that I:

1. Support buying books from other students.
I like to do this through the site comegetused which is owned and operated by a Berkeley alumnus and an UCLA student (and dedicated to promoting the exchange of textbooks among fellow students). My profile and books, should you want them are located here.

2. Use one of two sites, as they allow you to see a wide range of offerings and sometimes coupons that can be applied, ecampus and alibris.

3. A combination of buying books from the student store, buying the same books online for serious savings, receiving these books, then returning the student store ones. In this manner you always have the books you need, but are able to get the best price.

Slightly underhanded, but tis what you need to do sometimes :P

I think there's something really exciting about the New Year. Can't just help but feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. Here are some videos of displays from around the world :)