Today was a big day for running. At the 115th running of the Boston Marathon Geoffry Mutai of Kenya not only shattered the course record for the Boston marathon by almost 3 minutes he also set a new WR (technically due to the wind and net downhill it is with an *).

What is going on here. One of today’s offers from Groupon is for Ludus Tours which is offering PGA Masters Tour Packages @ Augusta National.

I ordered a couple prints from a new(ish) service called FractureMe.com. I’ve been looking for clean simple alternatives to printing and framing digital photos with a bend toward sleek and modern. Fracture uses an interesting printing technique where they print on the back of clear glass (it appears that they actually print to a thin film that is adhered to the glass. The result is a simple but stunning picture that floats just behind the glass and just off the wall- the photos come with a think black cardboard backing which is part of the framing sandwich with holes drilled to hang vertically or horizontally.

After studying them both for a week I have come to the following conclusions:

1. If you are a normal person (aka any kind of run of the mill, point-and-shoot photographer even with a DSLR) and you are looking for something nice to hang on the wall for yourself or gifts you will be totally happy with the slick results of Fracture.

2. If you are a real photo buff you will find the print quality only a B as if you look closely you can see some pixilation from the printing process. It is not bad, but it is not the same as super high quality photo quality paper and a professional printing process.

3. I theorize that because the film they print on is so thin and the backing is black the pictures come out *slightly* dark from what you would expect.

I ordered two prints both 8.5×11, cost was $18 each plus shipping which is a very reasonable price vs cost of print+frame.  I will order again, I will order for gifts, but for certain photos I want the highest quality from, I will order actual high quality prints and frame.

Update: I have taken a photo (using my canon DSLR) of the FractureMe print side by side with an 8×10 actual photo print from SnapFish. You will see some of the color differences as well as slight loss of details in the FractureMe photo. Note, the original was taken with a canon point and shoot, not a DSLR. (click to enlarge image view)

Read the this article about a new car that can also fly as a plane and watch this video about a new shark boat and then vote which you would rather own.