the scoop

the scoop

an about-face

Hasbro broke the hearts of thousands of Facebook users earlier this year when it sued the makers of “Scrabulous,” a Scrabble knockoff that had become a phenomenon on the social networking site. “Scrabulous” creators Jayant and Rajat Agarwalla changed their word game enough to defy the copyright police and renamed it “Wordscraper,” and Electronic Arts produced its own version of Scrabble, but neither caught fire among the Facebook crowd.

Hasbro has withdrawn its lawsuit, but don’t expect “Scrabulous” to return; Mattel, which owns the rights to Scrabble outside of North America, still has a suit pending.

be an arcade hero

One of the more delightful aspects of the “Guitar Hero” craze is that it has moved video gaming out of the living room and back into the public. Bars and clubs all over the country host regular “Guitar Hero” nights, and gamers are challenging each other in a way that hasn’t been seen since George Costanza was a “Frogger” master.

But where to go when there’s no “Guitar Hero” Night in your neighborhood, or if you’re just too young to go to bars? By next spring, you’ll be able to go to your local mall (or movie theater, or bowling alley) and show off your chops on the “Guitar Hero” arcade game.

It’s an unusual partnership between “GH” publisher Activision and Konami, which has more experience with arcade games like “Dance Dance Revolution.” The cabinets are being manufactured by Raw Thrills, an Illinois-base company that has had some arcade success with “The Fast and the Furious” and “Big Buck Hunter Pro.” The arcade version will start with over 50 songs, mostly from “Guitar Hero III,” and machine owners will be able to download more.

Raw Thrills vice president Andrew Eloff says the louder, flashier “GH” “really makes it feel like you’re playing on stage.” But the real draw, he thinks, will be the competition for high scores: “Everybody wants to be the king of the heap,” he says.

tv on the internet

It used to be that the only sources of original video content were television networks. The Internet has blown that barrier-to-entry wide open: if you have the equipment, a vision and a Web address, you’re in business.

One company making a name for itself in this new media world is ON Networks (onnetworks.com). Featuring more than two dozen original shows on topics ranging from video gaming, travel, cooking and sports, ON Networks offers high-quality, professionally produced programs that contain a fresh exuberance you won’t find on traditional TV networks.

“Smart Girls At The Party,” hosted by “Saturday Night Live” star Amy Poehler, features interviews with middle school-aged girls about their interests. The show is funny (as you’d expect from Poehler) without making fun of its subjects. “Play Value” details the history of video gaming, featuring a panel of industry experts.

for meat lovers

smell like a burger

Attention, carnivores: Did you ever drive by a Burger King, get a whiff of flame-broiled burgers cooking? Did you find it irresistible?

If so, you might want to try “FLAME,” a new men’s body spray from Burger King, which smells like flame-broiled meat.

The small tube of men’s body spray sells for $3.99, while supplies last.

Not sure if it’s designed to attract women or men, but it certainly makes a good gag gift. Find FLAME at firemeetsdesire.com.

early action

Even underclassmen should be starting to think about college applications. Here are a few things sophomores and juniors can do to get ready:

1. Begin planning: The most important thing for sophomores to do with college in mind is to begin planning out the courses to be taken throughout the high school years. This way, once it’s time to begin the application process, one is sure to have met all of the needed requirements.

2. Take challenging courses in high school: It is crucial to keep challenging oneself because college admission boards look to make sure students are testing their academic limits.

3. Take the SAT or ACT: Taking the SAT is essential in the junior year. There are always helpful preparation courses available to anyone who desires the extra aid.

4. Anticipate the application process: By anticipating the process and preparing for it, the process will be a relative breeze. The National Association for College Admission Counseling’s PACT Guide suggests creating “draft application essays, collect writing samples and assemble portfolios.”