In this weekend’s roundup we’ll see how an atheist defends his claim that humanity is better off with religion than without it, find the reasons why everyone is crazy about vampires, learn how to install Ubuntu 9.10, browse more than a hundred brilliant tilt-shift photos, take our first glimpse at the Google Chrome Operating System and understand why couples should pray before making love.

• An Atheist Defends Religion
  “Religion’s misdeeds may make for provocative history, but the everyday good works of billions of people is the real history of religion, one that parallels the growth and prosperity of humankind,” Sheiman affirms. Read more…
• Why Is Everyone Crazy About Vampires?
  You’d have to be living under a rock not to have noticed the prevalence of vampires in today’s culture… one of the most successful movies of late is “Twilight,” the story of teen mortals and teen vampires in love. How do we explain the seemingly endless fascination with the undead? Read more…
• Good Karma: An in-Depth Review of Ubuntu 9.10
  Ubuntu 9.10, codenamed Karmic Koala, was officially released last month. In this comprehensive review, Ars takes you under the surface for an in-depth look at the new features and major architectural changes. Read more…
• 100+ Examples of Brilliant Tilt-Shift Photography
  “Tilt-shift photography” refers to the use of camera movements on small- and medium-format cameras, and sometimes specifically refers to the use of tilt for selective focus, often for simulating a miniature scene. Sometimes the term is used when the shallow depth of field is simulated with digital post processing; the name may derive from the tilt-shift lens normally required when the effect is produced optically. Read more…
• Hub for Parents Launches
  YouTube and Kodak have teamed up to launch For Mom, a robust resource for anyone raising children today. The videos housed on this channel cover everything from cooking and parenting tips, to the best toys and games for kids, to easy ways to maintain your own health and beauty routine. Read more…
• First Glimpse at Google Chrome OS
  Google offered up everything but a finished Chrome OS today, releasing its source code and explaining how it’s different than other operating systems. Here are the features, functions, and screenshots you’ll want to know about. Read more…
• “Prayer before sex” guide comes to Australia
  The prayer before sex asks the Holy Spirit to “place within us love that truly gives, tenderness that truly unites… (and) loving physical union that welcomes” before asking to “clothe us in true dignity and take to yourself our shared aspirations, for your glory, forever and ever. Mary, our mother, intercede for us. Amen.” Read more…