Themes And Jingles
The Choicest Sounds from DGW
Yesterday, George Wood from Scotland, one of our favourite theme writers, sent me copies of the files for his jingles. It so happens that in today's episode, Episode 515, Leo remarks that when they first started, they had no jingles, and now DGW is happily filled with them. Here's a recap of all the official DGW themes and jingles, in chronological order. A belated celebration of Episode 500.
Opening Theme
Written by Mark Blasco of PodcastThemes
on a geek cruise, who also wrote themes for other podcasts on TWiT,
it opens proceedings every day and sets the whimsical tone for the
Daily Giz Wiz. It was there right from the beginning, in Episode 1, on 20 February 2006.
Closing Theme
Also called the Gravy Jingle, with its reference to the "It makes its own gravy" slogan. Created by Paul Minshall from Vancouver, Canada, it was chosen as the Gravy Jingle among other jingle submissions. First incorporated into the end of the podcast in Episode 116, but was first aired and introduced by Leo during the show in Episode 118, on 2 August 2006. For the history of how the Gravy Slogan and Gravy Jingle came about, see this rather verbose blog entry.
Also called the Gravy Jingle, with its reference to the "It makes its own gravy" slogan. Created by Paul Minshall from Vancouver, Canada, it was chosen as the Gravy Jingle among other jingle submissions. First incorporated into the end of the podcast in Episode 116, but was first aired and introduced by Leo during the show in Episode 118, on 2 August 2006. For the history of how the Gravy Slogan and Gravy Jingle came about, see this rather verbose blog entry.
This picture is taken from the virtual Dick's Gadget Warehouse created by David Knighton on Second Life, aka Boss Melnitz.
Letters Jingle
Created for DGW's Mail Bag by George Wood from Scotland, aka the Jingle Singers. As the show went on, more and more emails came in, and Dick and Leo decided to read a letter in each episode. This original Letters Jingle was first aired in Episode 166 on 9 October 2006. For an audio history of how the idea of a letters jingle came about, see this other blog entry.
Festive Letters Jingle
A special version of the Letters Jingle prepared by George Wood for the Jingle Bells season, but truly a jingle for all seasons. Particularly popular with DGW fans. First aired in Episode 208 on 6 December 2006.
Letters Jingle
Created for DGW's Mail Bag by George Wood from Scotland, aka the Jingle Singers. As the show went on, more and more emails came in, and Dick and Leo decided to read a letter in each episode. This original Letters Jingle was first aired in Episode 166 on 9 October 2006. For an audio history of how the idea of a letters jingle came about, see this other blog entry.
Festive Letters Jingle
A special version of the Letters Jingle prepared by George Wood for the Jingle Bells season, but truly a jingle for all seasons. Particularly popular with DGW fans. First aired in Episode 208 on 6 December 2006.
TTTT Theme
The idea for a Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday first started during Episode 115, and TTTT officially began in Episode 122 on 8 August 2006. The theme for TTTT arrived much later, when George Wood decided to write a theme for our special Tuesday, to sing the praises about Leo's travails in looking under his desk. It first appeard in Episode 307 on 8 May 2007.
The idea for a Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday first started during Episode 115, and TTTT officially began in Episode 122 on 8 August 2006. The theme for TTTT arrived much later, when George Wood decided to write a theme for our special Tuesday, to sing the praises about Leo's travails in looking under his desk. It first appeard in Episode 307 on 8 May 2007.
Wait-For-Dick Jingle
Every so often, while Dick and Leo are recording the show, Dick's doorbell will ring and it's usually a courier deilvery of a gadget. Dick will go "to answer the door, for just one more - UPS delivery," while Leo sits there twiddling his thumbs. In Episode 337, this happened again and Leo broke into song about waiting for Dick. Paul Minshall lost little time in coming up with a superior version to Leo's, which was aired on 2 July 2007 in Episode 346.
After that, it took a long while before another opportunity came up for the jingle to be played, in Episode 417 on 9 October 2007. It also took Leo a long time to locate the jiingle on his computer.
Every so often, while Dick and Leo are recording the show, Dick's doorbell will ring and it's usually a courier deilvery of a gadget. Dick will go "to answer the door, for just one more - UPS delivery," while Leo sits there twiddling his thumbs. In Episode 337, this happened again and Leo broke into song about waiting for Dick. Paul Minshall lost little time in coming up with a superior version to Leo's, which was aired on 2 July 2007 in Episode 346.
After that, it took a long while before another opportunity came up for the jingle to be played, in Episode 417 on 9 October 2007. It also took Leo a long time to locate the jiingle on his computer.
Warehouse Friday Theme
Warehouse Friday started right from the show's first Friday, on 24 February 2006 in Episode 5. Despite its popularity, the request for a Warehouse Jingle did not appear until listener Roy McMahon suggested the idea in Episode 366.
"They're geeky and they're goofy. Together they are loopy." Our favourite theme writers George Wood and Paul Minshall could have been writing about themselves. They collaborated to produce a spooky, squeaky theme song fit for the celebrated Warehouse and our favourite day of the week, Warehouse Friday. It was completed just before Episode 400 (see this blog entry), but first aired only in Episode 415 on 5 October 2007, as Dick and Leo had pre-recorded quite a number of shows.
Again, the picture here is taken from David Knighton's virtual Dick's Gadget Warehouse on Second Life.
Karaoke on TTTT
And if you can't get enough of jingles, here's a karaoke version of the TTTT theme, which you can sing to.
Update:
No-Theme Wednesday Theme
In Episode 478, Dick and Leo decided that they would have no theme for Wednesday, and it's going to a Theme-Free Wednesday. Chicago-based Dan Lueders, who much earlier made a gravy jingle submission (which got misplaced), prepared this Wednesday Theme for DGW, sent it over to Dick in January 2008, which got misplaced again. Fortunately, it saw the light of day on 19 March 2008, when Dick and Leo found it again, and played it in Episode 528.
The album art for this theme is adapted from the original artwork by Lori Lebeau-Walsh.
To know more about the works by our theme song writers, see:
George Wood: Promedia on Vox, PodSafeAudio, and PodShow;
Paul Minshall: PaulMinshall.com, and Paul's blog on Wordpress;
Mark Blasco: Podcast Themes;
Dan Lueders: urSESSIONS and Promiseland.
Warehouse Friday started right from the show's first Friday, on 24 February 2006 in Episode 5. Despite its popularity, the request for a Warehouse Jingle did not appear until listener Roy McMahon suggested the idea in Episode 366.
"They're geeky and they're goofy. Together they are loopy." Our favourite theme writers George Wood and Paul Minshall could have been writing about themselves. They collaborated to produce a spooky, squeaky theme song fit for the celebrated Warehouse and our favourite day of the week, Warehouse Friday. It was completed just before Episode 400 (see this blog entry), but first aired only in Episode 415 on 5 October 2007, as Dick and Leo had pre-recorded quite a number of shows.
Again, the picture here is taken from David Knighton's virtual Dick's Gadget Warehouse on Second Life.
Karaoke on TTTT
And if you can't get enough of jingles, here's a karaoke version of the TTTT theme, which you can sing to.
Update:
No-Theme Wednesday Theme
In Episode 478, Dick and Leo decided that they would have no theme for Wednesday, and it's going to a Theme-Free Wednesday. Chicago-based Dan Lueders, who much earlier made a gravy jingle submission (which got misplaced), prepared this Wednesday Theme for DGW, sent it over to Dick in January 2008, which got misplaced again. Fortunately, it saw the light of day on 19 March 2008, when Dick and Leo found it again, and played it in Episode 528.
The album art for this theme is adapted from the original artwork by Lori Lebeau-Walsh.
To know more about the works by our theme song writers, see:
George Wood: Promedia on Vox, PodSafeAudio, and PodShow;
Paul Minshall: PaulMinshall.com, and Paul's blog on Wordpress;
Mark Blasco: Podcast Themes;
Dan Lueders: urSESSIONS and Promiseland.
Honeywell H316 Pedestal
Kitchen Computer
Link: Old-Computers
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
Listener Jacob ran across the Honeywell H316 Pedestal produced in 1969. It weighed 150 pounds, and its primary use was to store recipes. No screen, no printer, but it had a cutting board - a true kitchen computer. It retailed for just over $10,000, and even came with a cookbook, recipes, and an apron! A real classic.
Leap Day
The Leap Year was introduced during the reign of Julius Caesar. People born on Leap Day (such as St Mattias) are called leaplings.
RainStick
Dan Martin from Houston, Texas wrote to tell Dick that he has been using the RainStick (Episode 500) for 10 years and it is still available at GardenScapeTools.
Listen to Episode 515
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Leap Day
The Leap Year was introduced during the reign of Julius Caesar. People born on Leap Day (such as St Mattias) are called leaplings.
RainStick
Dan Martin from Houston, Texas wrote to tell Dick that he has been using the RainStick (Episode 500) for 10 years and it is still available at GardenScapeTools.
Listen to Episode 515
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Maxtor's One Touch 4 Plus
External Hard Drive/Backup Solution
Link: Maxtor
The One Touch 4 Plus from Maxtor is a USB2 and Firewire 400 external hard drive (with different capacities up to 1 TB), preloaded with backup and recovery software, including Backup and OneTouch Manager, and the SafetyDrill Recovery CD. Not only does the OneTouch 4 Plus provide backups (and it reminds you to do your backup too), data storage, and protection for your files, it also protects your entire computer system in case of disaster. In case of a system crash or virus attack, the Maxtor SafetyDrill feature automatically creates a snapshot of the entire contents of your computer’s hard drive which can be readily booted for a quick recovery. PC and Mac compatible.
For a portable solution, the One Touch 4 Mini (USB2 external hdd) offers capacities of 80 to 250GB. USB-powered, small form factor, and light-weight (6 ounces only).
Win a Maxtor One Touch
Nathan Papadopulos of Maxtor and Seagate has offered one 1TB model of the One Touch 4 Plus, and two One Touch 4 Mini Portable, as prizes for DGW. Send Dick an email with one sentence: "I need a Maxtor One Touch to back up ______." Fill in the blank. Be one of the 3 winners. Shipping only to the US and Canada.
A Late Valentine
Bradley McGuffey who previously wrote in, back in Episode 324, found the Coby Digital Photo Frame DP-5588 (Episode 504) on Amazon for $67, and it could have made a good gift from Leo to Jennifer on Valentine's Day, or Hallmark Day.
Valentine's Day Cards
Dick showed some Hallmark Valentine's Day cards on Regis, and 3 days later, he was asked to return them to Hallmark.
Listen to Episode 514
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Win a Maxtor One Touch
Nathan Papadopulos of Maxtor and Seagate has offered one 1TB model of the One Touch 4 Plus, and two One Touch 4 Mini Portable, as prizes for DGW. Send Dick an email with one sentence: "I need a Maxtor One Touch to back up ______." Fill in the blank. Be one of the 3 winners. Shipping only to the US and Canada.
A Late Valentine
Bradley McGuffey who previously wrote in, back in Episode 324, found the Coby Digital Photo Frame DP-5588 (Episode 504) on Amazon for $67, and it could have made a good gift from Leo to Jennifer on Valentine's Day, or Hallmark Day.
Valentine's Day Cards
Dick showed some Hallmark Valentine's Day cards on Regis, and 3 days later, he was asked to return them to Hallmark.
Listen to Episode 514
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
TeleSpy
Security System/Home Intrusion Alert System
Link: TeleSpy
The TeleSpy is a home intrusion alert system which has a motion sensor which, if turned on, when it detects motion in your home, dials a telephone number you have preset before you leave home, to alert you of the intrusion. You pick up the phone and can listen in and decide whether the intruder is a friend or foe. After 30 seconds, TeleSpy disconnects the line and re-arms itself for another detection. Otherwise, it can be used as a regular phone.
Off To Tasmania
Leo will be going to Tasmania in Australia for about 2 weeks in April on a working trip. Perhaps he could make a hop to Tuvalu as well.
Congratulations on Episode 500
A long-time listener writes in to congratulate Dick and Leo on their Episode 500. His favourite days of the week are Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday and Warehouse Friday.
Listen to Episode 513
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Off To Tasmania
Leo will be going to Tasmania in Australia for about 2 weeks in April on a working trip. Perhaps he could make a hop to Tuvalu as well.
Congratulations on Episode 500
A long-time listener writes in to congratulate Dick and Leo on their Episode 500. His favourite days of the week are Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday and Warehouse Friday.
Listen to Episode 513
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Photo Studio In A Box
Mini Photo Studio/Photography
Link: American Recorder Technologies
From American Recorder, this Photo Studio In A Box is 16" x 16" x 16" is ideal for taking studio style photos of small objects. It comes with a stand for your camera, two 8" tall studio quality lights (2800K Tungsten lamps for even colour temperature), a soft light box made of woven nylon fibre mesh diffuser giving you uniform illumination and eliminating harsh shadows, and a two-sided (blue/grey) non-reflective fabric background.
New Look for Dick's Website
As reported in Episode 500's blog entry, Dick's website has a new look, and Dick has just noticed that he's put at the top of the home page: "This website no longer contains trans-fats." But Dick thinks that the letter read out yesterday (from Bill Mulligan) came before the new website came up. Indeed, Dick and Leo talked about DGW being free of trans-fat, cholesterol and starch in Episode 498.
Gadgets, Science and Technology
Karen Toast Conger (from Toast Floats and Toast Floats Blog) and her family are full-time live-aboard cruisers on their catamaran in the Pacific Northwest. She regularly download TWiT podcasts to learn about all the things she can't afford any more, but DGW does offer news of affordable boat-worthy gadgets, such as the Liquid Image Underwater Camera Mask (Episode 484) and the WaterBob (Episode 319), which Karen calls the Bathtub Water Bladder. She recommends the link on Dick's website to PowerBoat Magazine for boat gadgets.
Karen also says that the gadgets we love are a by-product of science and technology, and believes that we must get to know about the science policy and plans of the next American president. There is a proposed presidential debate devoted to science and technology - Science Debate 2008.
Jerkstopper Unplugged
Leo also refers to a letter sent to him by Bob Harris, who was prompted by the Jerkstopper (Episode 507) to write about a piece of free software for Mac which alerts you when the power cord for your MacBook becomes unplugged, called Unplugged, from Brik Software.
Listen to Episode 512
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
New Look for Dick's Website
As reported in Episode 500's blog entry, Dick's website has a new look, and Dick has just noticed that he's put at the top of the home page: "This website no longer contains trans-fats." But Dick thinks that the letter read out yesterday (from Bill Mulligan) came before the new website came up. Indeed, Dick and Leo talked about DGW being free of trans-fat, cholesterol and starch in Episode 498.
Gadgets, Science and Technology
Karen Toast Conger (from Toast Floats and Toast Floats Blog) and her family are full-time live-aboard cruisers on their catamaran in the Pacific Northwest. She regularly download TWiT podcasts to learn about all the things she can't afford any more, but DGW does offer news of affordable boat-worthy gadgets, such as the Liquid Image Underwater Camera Mask (Episode 484) and the WaterBob (Episode 319), which Karen calls the Bathtub Water Bladder. She recommends the link on Dick's website to PowerBoat Magazine for boat gadgets.
Karen also says that the gadgets we love are a by-product of science and technology, and believes that we must get to know about the science policy and plans of the next American president. There is a proposed presidential debate devoted to science and technology - Science Debate 2008.
Jerkstopper Unplugged
Leo also refers to a letter sent to him by Bob Harris, who was prompted by the Jerkstopper (Episode 507) to write about a piece of free software for Mac which alerts you when the power cord for your MacBook becomes unplugged, called Unplugged, from Brik Software.
Listen to Episode 512
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
The Little Bootie Box
Shoe Cover Dispenser
Link: Freedom Technologies
The Little Bootie Box is an automatic shoe cover dispenser, which Dick spotted at the recent Miami Boat Show around Valentine's Day. Put your foot in it, and your shoe will be wrapped in a shoe cover. Different choices of materials for the shoe covers available.
Jungle Island
But before going to the Boat Show, Dick took the opportunity to drop by the Jungle Island, formely called the Parrot Island.
Gravy No More?
Bill Mulligan from Batavia, New York, who has listened to DGW since Episode 1, was stunned to hear that DGW is now free of trans-fat, cholesterol and starch (Episode 498). Does that mean that DGW no longer make its own gravy? Dick and Leo assures us that DGW continues to make its own gravy, even though it might be of the low-cal non-fat kind.
Listen to Episode 511
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Gadget
Newsletter for Grown-Up Kids
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
This is Issue 114 for March 1985 of Gadget, "the newsletter for grown-up kids", sent to Dick by a listener. Its 12 pages were filled with wonders of 1985 gadegetry, 23 years ago. It had news of Sony's new 1-pound CD Player for $300, Canon's PC-20 Photocopier for $1,095, and Kodak's Kodavision "lightweight" 5-pounder 8mm video recorder for $1,900, and for an extra $300, you could get a timer/tuner for the Kodavision. Other gems included a dental mirror, Intelliwriter, and a speakerphone.
No Letters Today
No letters today, but perhaps Dick is still looking for the letter from the listener who kindly sent him the Gadget Newsletter for the Gadget Warehouse.
Listen to Episode 510
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
No Letters Today
No letters today, but perhaps Dick is still looking for the letter from the listener who kindly sent him the Gadget Newsletter for the Gadget Warehouse.
Listen to Episode 510
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Newertech's Bass Response Earbuds
Earphones
Link: Newertech
The 3rd product from Newertech on DGW, after the USB2 Universal Drive Adaptor (Episode 267) and the NuPower Video+ (Episode 299). This time, it's the Bass Response Earbuds, with insert-Passive Noise Reduction engineering which reduces noise an average of 42dB while boosting the audio soundtrack up to 10dB at higher frequencies. Very decent sound for the price.
It's Thursday the 21st
Leo gets the day of the week right today, but gets the date wrong in the opening intro. It's 21st February, not 22nd. Thanks to Trey Hanson for pointing this out.
Retronyms
A little English lesson from listener Ian Lumsden from Wisconsin, Dick and Leo, on words and phrases such as the acoustic guitar (after the electric guitar was invented) and the dial telephone (after the advent of the number pad).
Listen to Episode 508
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
It's Thursday the 21st
Leo gets the day of the week right today, but gets the date wrong in the opening intro. It's 21st February, not 22nd. Thanks to Trey Hanson for pointing this out.
Retronyms
A little English lesson from listener Ian Lumsden from Wisconsin, Dick and Leo, on words and phrases such as the acoustic guitar (after the electric guitar was invented) and the dial telephone (after the advent of the number pad).
Listen to Episode 508
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Wake And Shake Alarm Clock
Alarm Clock
Link: Clearsounds
The Wake and Shake from Clearsounds is an alarm clock on steroids, with jumbo numerals, phone signaller, under-the-pillow shaker (a vibration pad), and a strobe light. Its alarm can give off up to 95 decibels (adjustable). You can choose any combination of the alarm signals to wake up to (sound, shaker, strobe light, flash). You can also connect your phone to the back of the clock, and it will start flashing for the hard of hearing.
For other alarm clocks for hardy sleepers, see the Clocky Walking Alarm Clock (Episode 306) and the Flying Alarm Clock (Episode 328).
What's Thursday got to do with it?
Leo likes Thursday because it's like the end of the week. That makes sense, except it's Wednesday.
Sleeping Habits
Leo goes to bed around 10 pm and wake up at 6am. Dick goes to bed between 3 and 4 am.
You say Potato, I say Potahto
Dick is reminded of a comedy show of an audition, in which a singer sings "You say potato, I say potato," which Dick thinks is a Cole Porter song. The song is actually "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" by George and Ira Gershwin from the 1937 film "Shall We Dance?" starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
At night the Sporks pick on me ...
Virginia from California was at Taco Bell when she noticed a line on the hot sauce packet which Dick and Leo would love to see: "At night, the sporks pick on me ..." Those poor defenceless hot sauce packets. Who would have thought that sporks were evil? Virginia also points out that Microsoft Word does not have the word "spork" in its English dictionary. Leo confirms that it's not in the latest Mac 2008 Word either. Dick and Leo are justifiably peeved over this glaring omission.
Listen to Episode 508
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
For other alarm clocks for hardy sleepers, see the Clocky Walking Alarm Clock (Episode 306) and the Flying Alarm Clock (Episode 328).
What's Thursday got to do with it?
Leo likes Thursday because it's like the end of the week. That makes sense, except it's Wednesday.
Sleeping Habits
Leo goes to bed around 10 pm and wake up at 6am. Dick goes to bed between 3 and 4 am.
You say Potato, I say Potahto
Dick is reminded of a comedy show of an audition, in which a singer sings "You say potato, I say potato," which Dick thinks is a Cole Porter song. The song is actually "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" by George and Ira Gershwin from the 1937 film "Shall We Dance?" starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
At night the Sporks pick on me ...
Virginia from California was at Taco Bell when she noticed a line on the hot sauce packet which Dick and Leo would love to see: "At night, the sporks pick on me ..." Those poor defenceless hot sauce packets. Who would have thought that sporks were evil? Virginia also points out that Microsoft Word does not have the word "spork" in its English dictionary. Leo confirms that it's not in the latest Mac 2008 Word either. Dick and Leo are justifiably peeved over this glaring omission.
Listen to Episode 508
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
JerkStopper
Cable Retention Device/Computer Accessory
Link: JerkStopper
Turn-The-Tables Tuesday
Bob Crossman of Damage Control Products invented and manufactured this cable detention device to keep the AC power connector on your laptop connected, and protect it from the day to day tugging and pulling the power cord gets. You put the power cable into the U-loop of the JerkStopper, which fits snugly on to the "teeth" of the JerkStopper plug, and then you plug the entire device into an ethernet or modem port or USB port. An ethernet port or a modem port are preferred because they are lock ports.
A Message from ...
... InsideDGW who is not in a position to divulge his identity, over which Leo speculated in Episode 494. All he can say is he looks forward to Episode 747 on 20 January, 2009. For the milestone Episode 500, he thanks Dick for his hard work, Dane for the editing, and Leo for just being there; and as long as Dick and Leo will keep saying "I'll be here," so will he.
Listen to Episode 507
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
A Message from ...
... InsideDGW who is not in a position to divulge his identity, over which Leo speculated in Episode 494. All he can say is he looks forward to Episode 747 on 20 January, 2009. For the milestone Episode 500, he thanks Dick for his hard work, Dane for the editing, and Leo for just being there; and as long as Dick and Leo will keep saying "I'll be here," so will he.
Listen to Episode 507
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
