67 posts tagged “dan lueders”
Verizon MiFi 2200
EVDO Mobile Hotspot and Wifi Router
Link: Verizon
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
Leo talked about the Verizon USB720 Modem in Episode 357, and the Cradlepoint Personal Hotspot in Episode 542. The MiFi 2200 from Verizon takes mobile broadband to another level. It is a mobile hotspot using EVDO. It also doubles up as a Wifi (b/g) router, allowing up to 5 devices to share the EVDO connection. The 1150mAh Lithium Ion battery can last up to 4 hours (when using only one Wifi client). It is sold with a Mobile Broadband Service Plan. A similar device is available from Sprint.
Giz Wiz Meet-Up - A Reminder
Dick, Leo and Dane Golden will be at the San Francisco Jillian's Billiards at the Sony Metreon this evening for a meet-up with fans and friends, which will start at 6-ish. Details in Dick's post.
Wine Train - Catching Up
Dick and Leo went gourmet-dining and wine-tasting on the Napa Wine Train yesterday, along with Jennifer and Abby. As promised, Leo (with the help of his Verizon MiFi) uploaded photos and videos from the Wine Train. If you missed it yesterday, you can catch up here.
Totting up at TD Bank
While Leo's rummaging through his mailbag for a letter to read, Dick steps in to read a letter from Doug from Stanhope, New Jersey. In Episode 861, Dick talked about the surcharge imposed by banks for counting up your coins, and the better alternative of the Coinstar Machines. Doug wants to draw the listeners' attention to the TD Bank (formerly Commerce Bank) in the New York/New Jersey area, whose branches will tot up your coins for free.
A Free Ride in the Tesla
Leo finally locates the letter he was going to read. Back in Episode 661 Darrell and Marilyn Holmquist from San Jose wrote to Dick, promising to give Dick and Leo a ride in their Tesla which was due to arrive in May or June this year. Now the Tesla Roadster has arrived, and Dick and Leo can try it when Dick is in the area for the recording of Episode 900. The test run has now been slotted for today (Tuesday Pacific time), before Dick and Leo start this week's recording session.
Listen to Episode 892
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
Haier HLT10
Portable Digital TV
Link: Haier America
The Haier HLT10 is a 10-inch LCD portable TV with a digital tuner, supporting NTSC and ATSC. 16:9 aspect ratio, maximum resolution 800 x 480, about 10" x 7.5" x 1.3", 2 lbs in weight, with built-in speakers, composite and and coaxial inputs.
Lighters' Encores
Leo remarks that these days when the audience want an encore in a concert, instead of holding up their lighters, they hold up their cellphones. Gone are the Zippo and Ronson lighters, although the companies are still around. Zippo even makes a Virtual Zippo Lighter app on the iPhone, as Leo demonstrates.
Leica Distos Abound
John Boline, from Elgin, Illinois, is a land surveyor and uses the Leica Disto (Episode 880) all the time, and assures Dick and Leo that many a surveyor or contractor owns one or more of the Leica Distos.
Listen to Episode 889
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
Eos Wireless Speaker System
iPod Wireless Speakers
Link: Eos Wireless
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
An easy way to spread music around your house. The Eos Wireless Speaker System starts with the base station, where you can play music from your iPod via the iPod dock (not iPhone-certified) or from another audio source through the Aux jack (3.5mm headphone jack). You can add up to 4 wireless satellite speakers which will start working as soon as you plug them into a power outlet. Music is transmitted wirelessly from the base station to the satellite speakers using GigaWave technology, without interfering your WiFi at home. All speakers are stereo 2.1.
For other options, with different functionalities, check out listener Steve Miller's recommendation in Episode 682, the Logitech Squeezebox Boom, or the Sonos System which Leo would love to be able to review.
Family Concerns
Dr Mark Sukoenig has much to write about. Being a model of courtesy and discretion, and a doctor, he asks after Leo's sister Eva (who made a guest appearance in Episode 876) and wonders why she looks significantly older than Leo. Then he asks after Mama Laporte, and is concerned about her oratorical capacity, as she didn't seem to talk much when she appeared on TWiTLive.
Crust and The Ten Commandments
More to the point, Dr Mark is very well connected in the medical field. Hailing from Syracuse, New York, Dr Mark would have been served when he was young by the inventor of the Brannock Device (see his letter in Episode 280). Not only that, he is also a distant cousin of Herman Klotz, a dentist whose name happened to be used by MAD in a satire on Crest, called Crust, for which he was handsomely compensated by having a stack of MAD magazines sent to him. For the cover of the relevant MAD Issue No.43, visit Doug Gilford's Mad Cover Site. Dick remembers that MAD did a visual Ten Commandments, and for "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery", MAD used a picture of a motel, and the motel owner was similarly compensated.
Gotcha!
Dr Mark likes to listen to the Daily Giz Wiz while driving. Just last month, he was doing the same thing, and he laughed so hard that he lost control of the car, the car skidded on an ice slick, flipped over in a snow bank, hit a tree .... and got Leo, but not the street-wise Dick Debartolo. He hasn't heard any report of snow in July, even in Syracuse, and certainly not last July.
Giz Wiz Meet-Up
Don't forget about the Giz Wiz Meet-Up in the evening of Tuesday 11 August in San Francisco.
Listen to Episode 887
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
For other options, with different functionalities, check out listener Steve Miller's recommendation in Episode 682, the Logitech Squeezebox Boom, or the Sonos System which Leo would love to be able to review.
Family Concerns
Dr Mark Sukoenig has much to write about. Being a model of courtesy and discretion, and a doctor, he asks after Leo's sister Eva (who made a guest appearance in Episode 876) and wonders why she looks significantly older than Leo. Then he asks after Mama Laporte, and is concerned about her oratorical capacity, as she didn't seem to talk much when she appeared on TWiTLive.
Crust and The Ten Commandments
More to the point, Dr Mark is very well connected in the medical field. Hailing from Syracuse, New York, Dr Mark would have been served when he was young by the inventor of the Brannock Device (see his letter in Episode 280). Not only that, he is also a distant cousin of Herman Klotz, a dentist whose name happened to be used by MAD in a satire on Crest, called Crust, for which he was handsomely compensated by having a stack of MAD magazines sent to him. For the cover of the relevant MAD Issue No.43, visit Doug Gilford's Mad Cover Site. Dick remembers that MAD did a visual Ten Commandments, and for "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery", MAD used a picture of a motel, and the motel owner was similarly compensated.
Gotcha!
Dr Mark likes to listen to the Daily Giz Wiz while driving. Just last month, he was doing the same thing, and he laughed so hard that he lost control of the car, the car skidded on an ice slick, flipped over in a snow bank, hit a tree .... and got Leo, but not the street-wise Dick Debartolo. He hasn't heard any report of snow in July, even in Syracuse, and certainly not last July.
Giz Wiz Meet-Up
Don't forget about the Giz Wiz Meet-Up in the evening of Tuesday 11 August in San Francisco.
Listen to Episode 887
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
Picture Keeper
USB Thumb Drive for Photos Backup
Link: Picture Keeper
The Picture Keeper is a USB Thumb Drive (4, 8 or 16GB) with pre-loaded software that searches your computer for picture files and back them up to the thumb drive. Subsequent backups are incremental. It can be used to back up pictures on multiple computers. There is also a Picture Keeper Pro which is a USB hard drive (160GB) which does the same thing. You can also get reminders to back up from the website.
Giz Wiz Meet-Up
Dick will be at the TWiT Cottage in Petaluma on Tuesday 11 August for the recording of Daily Giz Wizzes including Episode 900. That evening there will be a meet-up with Dick, Leo and Dane Golden in San Francisco. The time and venue have not been decided yet. Dick and Leo need to know how many people are likely to turn up for the event. Send Dick an email at dick@gizwiz.biz with the subject line "Meet-Up" if you're interested. Check out Dick's website for details.
Giz Wiz Jingles World Tour
Starting 1 October, there will be a world tour of an orchestra playing music from all 6 episodes of Star Wars. Dick reckons they should have the Giz Wiz Jingles World Tour. Leo thinks it should take place in the subways of the world. That way, you get an echo effect, and a guaranteed audience.
Michael Jackson joins the Giz Wiz Singers
Leo asked (in Episode 883), and he has now received, a Michael Jackson Letters Jingle, from musical archivist Dan Lueders.
Just Another Podcast
Leo is going to do another podcast, about Google and cloud-computing. It's going to be called This Week in Google or TWiG.
TiWT
Leo has just received a new TWiT hat that looks great in the mirror. No problem with the trademark there.
Navionics
Joseph Colletti writes in to recommend an iPhone app called Navionics, a nautical chart plotter.
Listen to Episode 886
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
Giz Wiz Meet-Up
Dick will be at the TWiT Cottage in Petaluma on Tuesday 11 August for the recording of Daily Giz Wizzes including Episode 900. That evening there will be a meet-up with Dick, Leo and Dane Golden in San Francisco. The time and venue have not been decided yet. Dick and Leo need to know how many people are likely to turn up for the event. Send Dick an email at dick@gizwiz.biz with the subject line "Meet-Up" if you're interested. Check out Dick's website for details.
Giz Wiz Jingles World Tour
Starting 1 October, there will be a world tour of an orchestra playing music from all 6 episodes of Star Wars. Dick reckons they should have the Giz Wiz Jingles World Tour. Leo thinks it should take place in the subways of the world. That way, you get an echo effect, and a guaranteed audience.
Michael Jackson joins the Giz Wiz Singers
Leo asked (in Episode 883), and he has now received, a Michael Jackson Letters Jingle, from musical archivist Dan Lueders.
Just Another Podcast
Leo is going to do another podcast, about Google and cloud-computing. It's going to be called This Week in Google or TWiG.
TiWT
Leo has just received a new TWiT hat that looks great in the mirror. No problem with the trademark there.
Navionics
Joseph Colletti writes in to recommend an iPhone app called Navionics, a nautical chart plotter.
Listen to Episode 886
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
Charge4All
Portable Charging Mat
Link: Charge4All
The Charge4All Charging Tube rolls out into the Portable Charging Mat, which can charge up to 4 devices, from a single AC source (110-240V). It comes with 5 charging tips: iPhone/iPod, microUSB, miniUSB for Blackberry and Motorola, Samsung SCH phones and LG Chocolate. Other tips are available for sale on the website.
For other charging mats covered by Dick, see Episode 748 (the Powermat and the Wildcharger Pad).
The Bengal Lancer
When asked what the Charge4All might be, Leo guesses that it's a cavalry bugle. This reminds Dick of his hero Sid Ceasar in the Sid Caesar Show, where he played a Bengal Lancer.
Another Lost Reader
Leo has taken his evangelisation of the E-Book Reader to new heights. Not only has he been spreading word of them, he's positively seeding them around on airplanes. His latest Kindle was the second E-Reader he left behind on a flight.
Another Dead Musician, Another Jingle?
With the recent surmise of Michael Jackson, Leo is wondering if he will join the ranks of the dead Letters Jingle Singers. Calling Dan Lueders ...
Terracotta Chia Pets
Talk of China's Terracotta Warriors has prompted another letter from Alessandro Abate. The Chinese invented paper currency (and paper itself), gunpowder, noodles and the compass, but among the less well-known of their inventions was the Chia Pet (see Episode 752 for the Chia Obama). The Terracotta Soldiers were actually the Emperor's private collection of Chia Pets, but the Chinese forgot to water them. Terracotta, Alessandro adds, is Italian for "baked earth". It was the ancient Romans' first failed attempts on making pizza. Thankfully they switched to baking dough in time.
The Man Who Loved China ...
... and it's not Leo. Recommended by Alessandro, this book by Simon Winchester is about Joseph Needham, the British scientist who, starting in the 1940's, became fascinated with China and its scientific achievements. It was the Audible Pick of the Week on MacBreak Weekly 135, but Leo has not got round to reading it yet. The Man Who Loved China is available on Audible.
Leo's Gallery on China Tour
Leo is still enthusing about his tour of China, and was much impressed by the 8,000 odd Terracotta Warriors, each about 6-foot tall and every soldier is different. Check out his photos on Smugmug or Flickr.
Listen to Episode 883
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
For other charging mats covered by Dick, see Episode 748 (the Powermat and the Wildcharger Pad).
The Bengal Lancer
When asked what the Charge4All might be, Leo guesses that it's a cavalry bugle. This reminds Dick of his hero Sid Ceasar in the Sid Caesar Show, where he played a Bengal Lancer.
Another Lost Reader
Leo has taken his evangelisation of the E-Book Reader to new heights. Not only has he been spreading word of them, he's positively seeding them around on airplanes. His latest Kindle was the second E-Reader he left behind on a flight.
Another Dead Musician, Another Jingle?
With the recent surmise of Michael Jackson, Leo is wondering if he will join the ranks of the dead Letters Jingle Singers. Calling Dan Lueders ...
Terracotta Chia Pets
Talk of China's Terracotta Warriors has prompted another letter from Alessandro Abate. The Chinese invented paper currency (and paper itself), gunpowder, noodles and the compass, but among the less well-known of their inventions was the Chia Pet (see Episode 752 for the Chia Obama). The Terracotta Soldiers were actually the Emperor's private collection of Chia Pets, but the Chinese forgot to water them. Terracotta, Alessandro adds, is Italian for "baked earth". It was the ancient Romans' first failed attempts on making pizza. Thankfully they switched to baking dough in time.
The Man Who Loved China ...
... and it's not Leo. Recommended by Alessandro, this book by Simon Winchester is about Joseph Needham, the British scientist who, starting in the 1940's, became fascinated with China and its scientific achievements. It was the Audible Pick of the Week on MacBreak Weekly 135, but Leo has not got round to reading it yet. The Man Who Loved China is available on Audible.
Leo's Gallery on China Tour
Leo is still enthusing about his tour of China, and was much impressed by the 8,000 odd Terracotta Warriors, each about 6-foot tall and every soldier is different. Check out his photos on Smugmug or Flickr.
Listen to Episode 883
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
Samsung NC20
Netbook
Link: Samsung
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
These days Leo goes through his netbooks the same way he goes through his netcasts - lots of them. After his Asus Eee PC (Episode 447) and MSI Wind (Episode 762), the latest addition to Leo's line of netbooks is the Samsung NC20, with the following specs:
- VIA Nano ultra low voltage CPU (1.3GHz)
- 12.1-inch, WVGA (1280 x 800) glossy display
- 97% full-size keyboard
- Integrated 1.3MP webcam
- 160GB 5400rpm hard drive
- 1GB DDR2 memory
- Wifi b/g, bluetooth
- 3 USB ports, an SD card slot
- 11.5" x 8.5" x 1.2" and 3.3 lbs
- 6-cell Lithium Ion battery (5900 mAh)
- Windows XP Home
Leo likes the Samsung NC20 (having made quite a number of upgrades), and hulu plays fine on it. For major reviews of the Samsung NC20 on the web, check out the links on TestSeek.
The First Letters Jingle: An Encore
Andrew Rodriguez welcomes Leo home, and wants to remind everyone of the very first Letters Jingle. He is good enough to attach the jingle to his email. Dick and Leo can't remember who was responsible for it.
It's the Finnish Letters Jingle, by Henrich Antonin from Finland. Billed by Dick as the jingle with the "big finish", it was played from Episodes 151 to 160, and superseded by George Wood's Letters Jingle in Episode 166.
Listen to Episode 882
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
Light For Life UC3.400
LED Flashlight with UltraCapacitor Charging
Link: 511tactical.com
After Leo's TTTT Coleman Flashcell Screwdriver (Episode 782) comes another product using ultracapacitors for charging. The Light For Life UC3.400 is a flashlight with 3 LEDs. Just under one foot long and weighing 1 pound, it uses an ultracapacitor charging station for charging which takes all of 90 seconds. A full charge can last for over 120 minutes (running at 90 lumens for 90 minutes, 25 lumens for 30 minutes and cycling down to 15 lumens for another 30 minutes). With the LEDs rated to last for 50,000 hours and the rechargeable battery capable of up to 50,000 charging cycles, the Light for Life has a rugged body to match the longevity of the other main components and essentially no parts to replace - hence the name. Made of durable polymer, the flashlight's body is resistant to impact, abrasion and water, and perfect for use by law enforcement agencies.
Leo Conducts
Leo was at the Skywalker Ranch watching an orchestra record the score for the PS3 game Uncharted 2 (Episode 864). He picked up a few tricks of the trade from the conductor. Watch him conduct the Daily Giz Wiz Monday Theme (video clip from odtv.me):
Flashlight Stats
In Episode 843, Dick wondered aloud how many flashlights had been covered in the Daily Giz Wiz. Ludwik Trammer of GizWizSearch was paying attention, and with a flick of his fingers (more like a click of the mouse), Ludwik has come up with the statistics. There had been 15 flashlights (now 16), 61 gadgets that emitted light as their main functionality, 13 of which using LEDs.
GizWizSearch Features
This type of information is in fact available to all DGW listeners. All DGW gadgets have been tagged on GizWizSearch, now being done by Alfred Chan of InsideDGW (but for a period of time by another listener Ryan Waterer who shares the credit). Click a tag on the home page and, with Ludwik's coding, you can see all the gadgets with that tag; or you can just type in a tag in the search box. To see all the tags, click on "More Tags" on the home page, with the more frequently appearing tags displayed in larger fonts. If you want to find more detailed info from the InsideDGW Show Notes, click the "Advanced Search" to the right of the search box and tick the appropriate option.
Dick's Next Visit to TWiT Cottage
Before recording this episode, Dick and Leo chat about Leo's new Obama wrist-watch, more instant coffee from WO and Dick's visit to TWiT Cottage for Episode 900. As usual, video clip from odtv.me:
Leo Conducts
Leo was at the Skywalker Ranch watching an orchestra record the score for the PS3 game Uncharted 2 (Episode 864). He picked up a few tricks of the trade from the conductor. Watch him conduct the Daily Giz Wiz Monday Theme (video clip from odtv.me):
Flashlight Stats
In Episode 843, Dick wondered aloud how many flashlights had been covered in the Daily Giz Wiz. Ludwik Trammer of GizWizSearch was paying attention, and with a flick of his fingers (more like a click of the mouse), Ludwik has come up with the statistics. There had been 15 flashlights (now 16), 61 gadgets that emitted light as their main functionality, 13 of which using LEDs.
GizWizSearch Features
This type of information is in fact available to all DGW listeners. All DGW gadgets have been tagged on GizWizSearch, now being done by Alfred Chan of InsideDGW (but for a period of time by another listener Ryan Waterer who shares the credit). Click a tag on the home page and, with Ludwik's coding, you can see all the gadgets with that tag; or you can just type in a tag in the search box. To see all the tags, click on "More Tags" on the home page, with the more frequently appearing tags displayed in larger fonts. If you want to find more detailed info from the InsideDGW Show Notes, click the "Advanced Search" to the right of the search box and tick the appropriate option.
Dick's Next Visit to TWiT Cottage
Before recording this episode, Dick and Leo chat about Leo's new Obama wrist-watch, more instant coffee from WO and Dick's visit to TWiT Cottage for Episode 900. As usual, video clip from odtv.me:
Hang And Level
Picture Hanging Tool
Link: hangandlevel.com
Liette Tousignant, an interior designer in Calgary, Alberta, has been frustrated for many years by the lack of a proper picture hanging tool. She decided to develop her own tool for the job, with the help of her husband. After a lot of sweat and tears, and a significant outlay of money, the result is the Hang & Level. For the story of how they developed the product, see an article in the Alberta Venture.
Gadget Development
The Hang & Level has taken a lot of time and money to develop. For private inventors, gadget development is a very risky business. Not every story is like Topsy Tail, or Crocs (developed by Jennifer's step-sister, Leo reveals). If you want Dick's advice, go back to Episode 141 (Dick's Words of Wisdom), where you can also hear Dick's story of the poster frames called "CornerIts".
Gadget Development
The Hang & Level has taken a lot of time and money to develop. For private inventors, gadget development is a very risky business. Not every story is like Topsy Tail, or Crocs (developed by Jennifer's step-sister, Leo reveals). If you want Dick's advice, go back to Episode 141 (Dick's Words of Wisdom), where you can also hear Dick's story of the poster frames called "CornerIts".
Remote Buddy's 12V Battery
When Dick talked about the Remote Buddy in Episode 844, he was puzzled by the 12V battery supplied, with which Dick was unfamiliar. John Zinn from Texas, for whom the Daily Giz Wiz is his prime source of information and entertainment when he is on the road, reckons that the 12V battery is either the MN21 or MN23, commonly used in a motor-vehicle's remote key fob. John's is the 4th letter written about Episode 844.
Tech Tees
Lori Lebeau Walsh, who made the album art for TWiT's shows, has also designed T-shirts for some of the shows. Check out Art And Tech Tees.
Listen to Episode 869
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
When Dick talked about the Remote Buddy in Episode 844, he was puzzled by the 12V battery supplied, with which Dick was unfamiliar. John Zinn from Texas, for whom the Daily Giz Wiz is his prime source of information and entertainment when he is on the road, reckons that the 12V battery is either the MN21 or MN23, commonly used in a motor-vehicle's remote key fob. John's is the 4th letter written about Episode 844.
Tech Tees
Lori Lebeau Walsh, who made the album art for TWiT's shows, has also designed T-shirts for some of the shows. Check out Art And Tech Tees.
Listen to Episode 869
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
Aqua Alert
Water-Activated Safety Band
Link: Amazon
The Aqua Alert is made by First Alert (who made the Tundra fire extinguisher, see Episode 321), a wrist band to be worn by a child which will sound an alarm over 100dB if it gets the slightest bit wet. Dick does give the caveat that if your child got immersed in water, you would not be able to hear the alarm, so that parental guidance is definitely required. Dick thinks that it might be more useful to leave it in his backyard to get a warning of rain.
Aqua Alert 2 is supposed to be coming, which will send an alarm to a wireless receiver within 300 feet.
Abby Road
Abby Laporte is back from France and doing an internship at the TWiT Cottage. Apart from occasionally doing the Abby Road show and managing the board, she receives additional bookkeeping and catering training, in the form of getting paid by Leo and getting lunch from him. Watch Leo give Abby some fatherly advice, in Abby Road 1.
And On The 8th Day, Verizon Said ...
... "Let there be a dial tone." Dick's telephone hell (see Episode 853) finally ended. With the help of Lil from the TWiT Army (DrMom), Dick managed to get the contact number of the CEO of Verizon. While talking with a Verizon executive, Dick received an email from Ooma (see Episode 779) informing him that XO would be releasing Dick's telephone number in 24 hours. It turned out that when trying out Ooma, Dick transferred his telephone number to Ooma which used XO Communications as a provider. When Dick terminated his service with Ooma, his number became an unused number, and got lost along the way. Dick was not slammed after all, and it was just a bad mix-up. The sacrifice Dick has to make in the name of gadget review!
The Question to the Answer, "Sis Boom Bah"
John Struse from Wayne, New Jersey solves the answer "Sis Boom Bah" from the Carnac the Magnificent segment in Episode 844. The question was, "Describe the sound made when a sheep explodes." You can watch the clip at johnnycarson.com.
Listen to Episode 859
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
Abby Laporte is back from France and doing an internship at the TWiT Cottage. Apart from occasionally doing the Abby Road show and managing the board, she receives additional bookkeeping and catering training, in the form of getting paid by Leo and getting lunch from him. Watch Leo give Abby some fatherly advice, in Abby Road 1.
And On The 8th Day, Verizon Said ...
... "Let there be a dial tone." Dick's telephone hell (see Episode 853) finally ended. With the help of Lil from the TWiT Army (DrMom), Dick managed to get the contact number of the CEO of Verizon. While talking with a Verizon executive, Dick received an email from Ooma (see Episode 779) informing him that XO would be releasing Dick's telephone number in 24 hours. It turned out that when trying out Ooma, Dick transferred his telephone number to Ooma which used XO Communications as a provider. When Dick terminated his service with Ooma, his number became an unused number, and got lost along the way. Dick was not slammed after all, and it was just a bad mix-up. The sacrifice Dick has to make in the name of gadget review!
The Question to the Answer, "Sis Boom Bah"
John Struse from Wayne, New Jersey solves the answer "Sis Boom Bah" from the Carnac the Magnificent segment in Episode 844. The question was, "Describe the sound made when a sheep explodes." You can watch the clip at johnnycarson.com.
Listen to Episode 859
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Find DGW Info on GizWizSearch
Samsung U5
MP3 Player
Link: Samsung
The Samsung U5 is a 2GB Flash MP3 player. It has a USB plug (under a removable cover) for connection to your PC, an FM tuner and recorder, an OLED screen which displays 4 lines of text, all within a 4.35" body. The Fitness Mode lets you know how much calories you can work off. The Study Mode lets you repeat a particular section for learning, e.g. a language. It also has a character called Popcon which kids can design themselves which will be displayed when the U5 is turned on. It comes with its own Windows software called EmoDio for organising your music. The U5 supports file browsing and playlists. Available in black, white, red, blue and pink.
A GizWizBiz MP3 Player ?
The white model of the U5 lends itself particularly well to adaptation as a GizWizBiz MP3 Player, perhaps with built-in support for automatic downloads of the Daily Giz Wiz?
Up Theirs
Dick went to see the latest Pixar film "Up", but there were people in the cinema who were constantly texting messages. Probably to Twitter.
Diaper Stuffing
Suzanne Lander writes in defence of the Sham Wow. Dick, Leo and her husband may laugh at her, but she thinks the Sham Wow is great as diaper stuffing, in place of microfibre towels and hemp inserts which she used to use. It saves her from using disposables. Dick thinks it sounds like Gracie Allen. By the way, the Sham Wow will be featured on MAD 501, and you can win it in due course by playing the next What The Heck Is It game.
A Warehouse Gadget for TTTT
Leo has an old gadget, which should belong to the Gadget Warehouse, given to him by studio guest Jeri Ellsworth. Leo will talk about it on a forthcoming TTTT.
TWiT Donation Button
In the intermission after recording this episode, Leo discusses with Dick and Jeri Ellsworth ideas for the TWiT donation button, and what should happen to Leo when TWiT gets a donation.
TWiT Donation Button
In the intermission after recording this episode, Leo discusses with Dick and Jeri Ellsworth ideas for the TWiT donation button, and what should happen to Leo when TWiT gets a donation.
