The prototypical computer whiz of popular imagination — pasty, geeky, male — has failed to live up to his reputation. Research shows that among the primary creators of Web content (blogs, graphics, photographs, web sites) are not your typical geek stereotype, but actually, teenage girls.

A study published in December by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that among Web users ages 12 to 17, significantly more girls than boys blog (35 percent of girls compared with 20 percent of boys) and create or work on their own Web pages (32 percent of girls compared with 22 percent of boys). Girls also eclipse boys when it comes to building or working on Web sites for other people and creating profiles on social networking sites (70 percent of girls 15 to 17 have one, versus 57 percent of boys 15 to 17).

Video posting was the sole area in which boys outdid girls: boys are almost twice as likely as girls to post video files. This is not because girls are not proficient users of the technology, Professor Palfrey said. He suggested, rather, that videos are often less about personal expression and more about impressing others. It’s an ideal way for members of a subculture — skateboarders, snowboarders — to demonstrate their athleticism, he said.

[via NYT]

Here’s an awesome list of the world before Web 2.0 via CopyBrighter. For more details check out Copy Brighter.

1. Before YouTube… there was “America’s Funniest Home Video”

2. Before Twitter… there was IRC.

3. Before blogs… there were ‘zines.

4. Before podcasts… there were codelines.

5. Before blogrolls and comments… there were web rings and guest books.

6. Before Facebook… there was the 20th annual high school reunion.

7. Before Skype… there were k0dez and bridges.

8. Before eBay… there was the pawn shop.

9. Before the iPhone… there was the PayPhone.

10. Before P2P file sharing… there was Columbia House Records.

11. Before Craigslist… there was the men’s room wall.

12. Before Digg… there was your local newspaper’s “Top Stories of the Year” issue.

Here’s another little cool infograph that represents the most popular social networking sites in the world. Most of the Arab world is blank save for Jordan (Facebook), Lebanon (Facebook), Egypt (Facebook), Tunisia (Hi5), Kuwait (Hi5) and the UAE(Facebook).

Pretty cool interface is the only reason I’m sharing this.

60% Geek

It started with shoes, furniture, and computers, now, you can customize your very own “wakaleh” car. Volkswagen and their outsourcers have been busy during the past 6 months designing and building the brand new Volkswagen UK site that allows you to customize your car before you buy.

Nifty stuff.

Changing Tides
Omar is kinda sick of anticipating.
Hiba is Amazed yet Shocked !
Sama’ is thinking.
David ponders.
Nick is ready to go boldly into the world.
Rama need a change :S.
Tareq is shifting areas.
Yosra is excited, nervous, excited, happy, happy.
Ola is battling some of those same old doubts and insecurities.
Alaa I Neeed a Change!!!
Naseem is waiting on the world to change.

Beginning of the month
Ola is happy :)
Amer is LA ALLAH HAPPY :)
Mahmoud is having a great time :)
Asil LOVIN’ iT !
Sara is so in loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Mona is sooooo happy her leeeeen is with her!!
Kareem is feeling so dame go00od ; ).
Husam is stumbling with happiness.

Super Tuesday
Mohamed is following the results of Super Tuesday (well, Super Wednesday, technically, it’s already tomorrow here…)
Biesan is concerned about Hillary’s status.
Nour is هيلاري قاعدتلي على أعصابي.
Sherien is on her way to vote.
Farah is elated! it’s super tuesday..go hillary
Fares is going to see Hillary Clinton tomorrow. I’d rather see Hayfa Wahbi but Hillary is OK.

Misc.
Shadi LOST season 4 has begun …
Jeff just received the heating bill, and has determined that it will actually be cheaper to burn rolls of $5 bills from now on…
Lulwa is missing her gauloises amigo gucci-communist phase.

Related:
September and the summer is over
The end of August
Weekend Update
Beginning of January