14 posts tagged “disneyland”
Lift N Lok Professional Toolbox
Self-Fastening Toolbox
Link: PDY Systems
The Lift-n-Lok is a toolbox with 3 compartmentalised drawers and a storage bin at the top. The neat feature is, when the handle is lifted, the cam connected to the ends of the handle not only fastens all the drawers but also lifts the drawers to remove the spaces between them to prevent spillage. It's best to see a demo.
Catching Up
It's been 3 weeks since Dick and Leo last talked, and they take the opportunity before the recording of the show to catch up:
- Dick has worked out that if he and Leo should take a week off for
the Christmas holidays, the recording of Episode 1000 will fall around 4th January (it should be Tuesday 5th January). Dick can then come
out to Petaluma to do the show at the TWiT Cottage, and then go on to CES in Vegas, which will take place from 7th to 10th January.
- Sunday In The Park with Leo
Leo had a walk in the park one Sunday evening in the Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing, and was ready to meet the Chinese version of the Sharks and the Jets or the Crips and the Bloods. Instead, he chanced upon a group of middle-aged Chinese women doing a co-ordinated dance, and before long, another troupe came along to perform Beijing Opera.
TV Vegas Style
Leo's account of CNN's story on the Xinjiang riots being blocked in China reminds Dick of how Howard Hughes, before the days of the VHS or DVR, used to ask his TV station to rewind parts of a TV programme - while it was being broadcast.
He Said, She Said
Comedian Steve Allen and his actress wife Jayne Meadows were a great couple. They never got an answer wrong on He Said, She Said. The story goes that one night, Jayne Meadows had a dream in which she was caught in a building on fire, and Steve Allen in his own dream rescued her from the building. Both Dick and Leo think highly of Steve Allen, and David Letterman has also admitted he has been very much influenced by Steve Allen, too.
A Fine Analogue
15-year-old Steven Rodriguez, better known by his handle optionshiftk, is in the chatroom while Dick reads his letter. Steven wonders if Dick and Leo are familiar with the raconteur and radio show host Jean Shepherd, famous to modern audience for his Christmas Story, but who for many years hosted a show on WOR Radio in New York, telling stories and anecdotes, reading poetry and making observations about life in New York. Steven has not had the benefit of spending nights with Shep, but the Daily Giz Wiz and other shows on the TWiT Network provide him with a fine analogue.
Leo grew up listening to Shep, which decided Leo's career for him. You can get Jean Shepherd on Audible, or follow the links provided in the website Flick Lives.
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:
Schlage LiNK
Remote Access Keypad Entry Lock
Link: Schlage
The Schlage LiNK is a door lock that allows different codes to be set for different users for keypad entry. Its main feature, however, is its internet-enabled remote access so that commands can be sent remotely to the door lock from your computer or cellphone via the internet.
The (black) Wireless Bridge is connected to your home router connected to the internet. You log on to your account on the Schlage website, send your commands from your cellphone or computer to the Wireless Bridge, which are then transmitted to the door lock wirelessly using Z-Wave technology (which uses RF, not infrared as Dick mentions in passing). All communications are encrypted. The commands include unlocking the door and changing the access code for a particular user. You can check whether the door has been locked, and configure the system to send you notifications by email or text message of door entries (say, to check that a child has safely returned home, at what time). All door entries are logged and kept for 90 days.
If you have a network-enabled security webcam you can also connect it to the LiNK system and monitor the webcam on the website. The (white) "light module" also allows you to turn on a lamp in the house remotely.
As the web-based instructions and monitoring are conducted through the Schlage website, you will need an account and pay a monthly subscription.
Leo thinks this is really cool and would like to buy one in order to lock Dane Golden in at the TWiT Cottage after midnight, but has a small reservation about the security or hackability of the system. The Schlage website says it uses "128-bit AEC encryption" (sic), "similar to online banking". By that, they must mean 128-bit AES encryption via SSL (when you log on to your account online and send your commands through the website).
As to the wireless transmission to and from the Wireless Bridge, the only information available is that it uses Z-Wave technology. According to the FAQ of Z-Wave's website, the wireless transmission makes use of the 900 MHz radio frequency band (908.42 MHz). The Z-Wave chip uses a "3DES engine for confidentiality and authentication". Presumably it uses the Triple DES encryption standard.
Another Gadget Show for Leo?
Dick noticed the other day that Leo was tweeting about who the audience would like to see if he were to do a hardcore gadget show a la TWiT. Leo thinks that such a show might attract advertisers, which would help keep his crew employed, although he is not sure he will do such a show.
Printing Costs
Speaking of advertising, Dick remarks that the New York Times now accepts advertisements on their front page. Leo read an article (see The Business Insider) recently that it would cost the New York Times half as much to give away free Kindles to their subscribers for reading the electronic edition as to deliver hard printed copies to them.
Newspaper Online
Dick got a link the other day from a listener about an old TV programme report in the early 1980's on getting your newspaper online via a phone line, and the whole process was started by dialling a rotary phone. It was a 2-hour download at $5 an hour. Dick later tweeted about it on the TWiT Army. The link was sent in by Mike Gunn, of a YouTube video of a KRON-TV programme way back from 1981. The revolution is taking a long time.
GE Product Schenectady
Paul McElligott notes the happy coincidence in Episode 758 in which Dick did a GE product (the 911 Emergency Light Switch), and read a letter from Schenectady, New York. Schenectady used to be a GE company town for many years. His own parents met there in the 1940's while working for GE, and so one can say, that Paul himself is a General Electric product.
Listen to Episode 768
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
The (black) Wireless Bridge is connected to your home router connected to the internet. You log on to your account on the Schlage website, send your commands from your cellphone or computer to the Wireless Bridge, which are then transmitted to the door lock wirelessly using Z-Wave technology (which uses RF, not infrared as Dick mentions in passing). All communications are encrypted. The commands include unlocking the door and changing the access code for a particular user. You can check whether the door has been locked, and configure the system to send you notifications by email or text message of door entries (say, to check that a child has safely returned home, at what time). All door entries are logged and kept for 90 days.
If you have a network-enabled security webcam you can also connect it to the LiNK system and monitor the webcam on the website. The (white) "light module" also allows you to turn on a lamp in the house remotely.
As the web-based instructions and monitoring are conducted through the Schlage website, you will need an account and pay a monthly subscription.
Leo thinks this is really cool and would like to buy one in order to lock Dane Golden in at the TWiT Cottage after midnight, but has a small reservation about the security or hackability of the system. The Schlage website says it uses "128-bit AEC encryption" (sic), "similar to online banking". By that, they must mean 128-bit AES encryption via SSL (when you log on to your account online and send your commands through the website).
As to the wireless transmission to and from the Wireless Bridge, the only information available is that it uses Z-Wave technology. According to the FAQ of Z-Wave's website, the wireless transmission makes use of the 900 MHz radio frequency band (908.42 MHz). The Z-Wave chip uses a "3DES engine for confidentiality and authentication". Presumably it uses the Triple DES encryption standard.
Another Gadget Show for Leo?
Dick noticed the other day that Leo was tweeting about who the audience would like to see if he were to do a hardcore gadget show a la TWiT. Leo thinks that such a show might attract advertisers, which would help keep his crew employed, although he is not sure he will do such a show.
Printing Costs
Speaking of advertising, Dick remarks that the New York Times now accepts advertisements on their front page. Leo read an article (see The Business Insider) recently that it would cost the New York Times half as much to give away free Kindles to their subscribers for reading the electronic edition as to deliver hard printed copies to them.
Newspaper Online
Dick got a link the other day from a listener about an old TV programme report in the early 1980's on getting your newspaper online via a phone line, and the whole process was started by dialling a rotary phone. It was a 2-hour download at $5 an hour. Dick later tweeted about it on the TWiT Army. The link was sent in by Mike Gunn, of a YouTube video of a KRON-TV programme way back from 1981. The revolution is taking a long time.
GE Product Schenectady
Paul McElligott notes the happy coincidence in Episode 758 in which Dick did a GE product (the 911 Emergency Light Switch), and read a letter from Schenectady, New York. Schenectady used to be a GE company town for many years. His own parents met there in the 1940's while working for GE, and so one can say, that Paul himself is a General Electric product.
Listen to Episode 768
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Christmas Wishes
Christmas Day Special
Link: best holiday wishes from dick debartolo mad's maddest writer and the giz wiz
No gadgets again on this Christmas Day from Dick and Leo, but Dick has asked the TWiT Army to email him about gadgets they would love to see under the Christmas tree this year. Here are some of them: a Mac Mini with Parallels and Windows Vista, a Google Android phone on Verizon, a laptop - a MacBook Pro perhaps or an HP TouchSmart Notebook, a ThinkGeek Annoy-A-Tron, a camera with geotagging and a decent zoom, a blu ray player, a Segway, "My two front teeth" or some high speed RAM, a Powerball Gyroscope, a Tricaster (from Leo maybe?), a Flip Ultra for Jean Troiano (and a belated Happy Birthday to Mike Troiano on 19 December), and an autographed Richard DeBartolo Handle-bar Moustache that wiggles and barks like a Bijon Frise.
Blessed Interaction
Leo has everything he could ever wish for, and feels blessed that he is able to do the podcast with Dick, and Dick loves interacting with Leo on the Daily Giz Wiz, especially on Tuesdays.
Family Affairs
Dick and Leo aren't that keen on family meet-ups, and Dick for the first time on DGW reveals that he has a brother called Leo. Who can blame him?
Pride And Glory
Pride And Glory has finally been released. You can catch a glimpse of Dick's houseboat (now given away to a charity) in the film. Watch out for a fibre optic Christmas tree. For the full story, revisit Episodes 460 and 461.
And Finally, A Merry Christmas ...
... from me and all my imaginary staff at insidedgw.vox.com to Dick and Leo (who have given us a show for all seasons), to the TWiT staff (Dane, Colleen, Tony and Frederique who have kept the TWiT machine running), to Ludwik Trammer (who keeps doing wonders), to Paul Minshall, George Wood, Dan Lueders, all the jingle contributors and Daniel Rodrigues Parreira (who have made the show so much fun to listen to by performing all the themes and jingles and making them accessible to us all), and to all the fellow DGW listeners (who are mad enough to listen to the show).
Listen to Episode 729
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Blessed Interaction
Leo has everything he could ever wish for, and feels blessed that he is able to do the podcast with Dick, and Dick loves interacting with Leo on the Daily Giz Wiz, especially on Tuesdays.
Family Affairs
Dick and Leo aren't that keen on family meet-ups, and Dick for the first time on DGW reveals that he has a brother called Leo. Who can blame him?
Pride And Glory
Pride And Glory has finally been released. You can catch a glimpse of Dick's houseboat (now given away to a charity) in the film. Watch out for a fibre optic Christmas tree. For the full story, revisit Episodes 460 and 461.
And Finally, A Merry Christmas ...
... from me and all my imaginary staff at insidedgw.vox.com to Dick and Leo (who have given us a show for all seasons), to the TWiT staff (Dane, Colleen, Tony and Frederique who have kept the TWiT machine running), to Ludwik Trammer (who keeps doing wonders), to Paul Minshall, George Wood, Dan Lueders, all the jingle contributors and Daniel Rodrigues Parreira (who have made the show so much fun to listen to by performing all the themes and jingles and making them accessible to us all), and to all the fellow DGW listeners (who are mad enough to listen to the show).
Listen to Episode 729
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Gene Simmons's Axe
Wireless Game Controller for Rock Band/Guitar Hero
Link: hipstreetonline Kobian-Inc
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
Inspired by Dick's gadget yesterday, Leo introduces the Gene Simmons Axe. A ¾-size replica of the original Axe of the bass guitarist and vocalist of Kiss, it is a game controller made by Kobian USA for playing Rock Band and Guitar Hero on Playstation 2 and Playstation 3, with all the standard game controls. It plays wirelessly (up to 30 feet) or directly plugged into the USB port of the game console.
The PS2 and PS3 version will be released on 15 November 2008. Versions for the Nintendo Wii and XBox 360 are expected towards the end of the year and early next year.
Gene Simmons's long tongue not included.
Looking Under the Desk
Leo spent in long time during the recording figuring out this week's gadget for TTTT (hence Dick's remark that Leo searched for almost one month). The Rovio was not ready yet, the Epson P7000 had been done; so had the Toothpick Bird. Then he was about to embark on the aTV Patchstick, but fortunately the Chatroom realised that it had also been covered. Finally Leo picked the Axe.
In Flanders Fields ...
... the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row ... Today is Veterans' Day, or Armistice Day, commemorating the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany and the end of WWI on 11 November 1918.
One Good Turn Deserves Another
Dr Mark Moran, a lasic surgery specialist who has emailed a picture of himself and his nurses in the operating theatre all wearing GizWizBiz Caps, has received the gift certificates for 3 iPods for him and his nurses (who aren't nurses, but members of his staff) from Leo, with thanks. Anxious to restore faith in a cynical anaesthesiologist who thought that he would never see an iPod, Dr Moran has made a generous donation to the TWiT network. For the history of this happy exchange, revisit Episode 683 and Episode 691.
So, one good turn deserves another, and more. Leo has just got an email from a fan who has an old Mac Cube he'd like to send over to Leo (who famously bought a Cube the day before Apple announced its end of life). Another fan who does animatronics wants to take an animatronic model (of Leo?), like Abraham Lincoln in Disneyland, to the TWiT Cottage in person. Now Leo can do TWiTLive 24/7.
Listen to Episode 697
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Dr Mark Moran, a lasic surgery specialist who has emailed a picture of himself and his nurses in the operating theatre all wearing GizWizBiz Caps, has received the gift certificates for 3 iPods for him and his nurses (who aren't nurses, but members of his staff) from Leo, with thanks. Anxious to restore faith in a cynical anaesthesiologist who thought that he would never see an iPod, Dr Moran has made a generous donation to the TWiT network. For the history of this happy exchange, revisit Episode 683 and Episode 691.
So, one good turn deserves another, and more. Leo has just got an email from a fan who has an old Mac Cube he'd like to send over to Leo (who famously bought a Cube the day before Apple announced its end of life). Another fan who does animatronics wants to take an animatronic model (of Leo?), like Abraham Lincoln in Disneyland, to the TWiT Cottage in person. Now Leo can do TWiTLive 24/7.
Listen to Episode 697
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
GFX-100 Indoor Antenna
Indoor Antenna
Link: milk.com Wall Of Shame
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
From about 1990, the GFX-100 Indoor Antenna distinguished itself by its advertisement. "No cable fees because you're not getting cable." "No sateliite fees because you're not using satellite technolgy." "Works indoors like ordinary rabbit ears." "Captures signals right out of the air!" Absolutely telling the truth - it was just an ordinary rabbit-ears antenna.
The ad would have belonged with the best of Mad Magazine spoof ads, had it been satire. As it was, the GFX-100 belonged with the Electron Echo Mini Piano (Episode 465), the Bluebird AX2 Sewing Machine (Episode 455), and the miniature mirrors which Dick frequently referred to (in Episodes 13, 215, 248, 552) . "Marketing Breakthroughs".
This scam was first mentioned by a listener Joe La Rosa in Episode 479.
The Zenith of Easy Hang-Up
Wally Holloway from Lexington, Kentucky writes to tell Dick that Easy Hang-Up (Episode 660) was also made by Zenith who made the Zenith EZ Hang-Up (actually it was licensed by Phonex, the original maker, to Zenith). He agrees that it was a bit of pain to have to rush to the device where it was connected to the line, to push the button. He solved the problem by hacking into a music-on-hold device from Radio Shack, and he could set off the message by pressing any key on the phone itself. The only problem was, he couldn't use the number pad for other purposes at all (such as accessing his voice mail). Not to be defeated, he got a remote control Christmas lights switch to disable the power for the EZ Hang-Up so he could use the number pad for his voice mail, when necessary.
Wally Holloway truly made it to the zenith of not-so-EZ Hang-Up, but obviously he enjoyed all the hacking.
Listen to Episode 670
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
The ad would have belonged with the best of Mad Magazine spoof ads, had it been satire. As it was, the GFX-100 belonged with the Electron Echo Mini Piano (Episode 465), the Bluebird AX2 Sewing Machine (Episode 455), and the miniature mirrors which Dick frequently referred to (in Episodes 13, 215, 248, 552) . "Marketing Breakthroughs".
This scam was first mentioned by a listener Joe La Rosa in Episode 479.
The Zenith of Easy Hang-Up
Wally Holloway truly made it to the zenith of not-so-EZ Hang-Up, but obviously he enjoyed all the hacking.
Listen to Episode 670
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
CatGenie
Automated Cat Toilet
Link: CatGenie
Back in Episode 220, a listener wrote in about a partly-automated pet toilet, called LitterMaid. The CatGenie, on the other hand, is a fully-automated toilet for the cat. The unit is connected to your bathroom's fresh water supply and waste disposal plumbing. It has a toilet bowl with Washable Granules sitting over a grid/filter (which rotates during cleaning). After the cat has done its business, infrared sensors will automatically activate (although you can choose manual activation) the cleaning process - a long, extensive and elaborate procedure including filtering, scouring, pulverisation, a number of water cycles, draining and hot air drying. The whole process takes 15 minutes according to Dick, although a user on YouTube says it's more like 30 to 35 minutes. It's best to watch the video to see how it works.
To complete the setup, GenieDomes, Genie Sidewalls and GeniePaws are available as accessories for different covers for the CatGenie and your cat.
Dusty the Cat
Sadly Leo's old cat had to be put down recently. Meanwhile, Dick has got in new stock for his GizWizBiz Caps, and Alfred E Neuman is standing underneath David Blaine the illusionist waiting for some loose change to fall down.
WizneyLand
For a catchy name for Dick's mansion, Aston from Plymouth, England suggests WizneyLand, or Taj My Hall. Leo learns, to his surprise, that Mickey Mouse has yellow feet (or shoes).
To complete the setup, GenieDomes, Genie Sidewalls and GeniePaws are available as accessories for different covers for the CatGenie and your cat.
Dusty the Cat
Sadly Leo's old cat had to be put down recently. Meanwhile, Dick has got in new stock for his GizWizBiz Caps, and Alfred E Neuman is standing underneath David Blaine the illusionist waiting for some loose change to fall down.
WizneyLand
For a catchy name for Dick's mansion, Aston from Plymouth, England suggests WizneyLand, or Taj My Hall. Leo learns, to his surprise, that Mickey Mouse has yellow feet (or shoes).
Gorgonz Work Hat
Temperature Regulation Hat
Link: Gorgonz
The Gorgonz Work Hat has an outer shell made of rain-resistant nylon. The layer next to the skin is made of 100% Polyester called Coolmax which pulls sweat from your head. But the main difference with other baseball caps is its middle layer of insulation called "Hydroweave", made of 50% Polyester and 50% Polymer Fibre. When dry, this layer keeps your head warm. In hot weather, you soak up the middle layer with cool water, and the water together with its evaporation pulls heat from your head and keeps it cool. When the water has dried up, just soak up the hat with more water to keep you cool. 2 colours to choose from: khaki and navy.
For another cooling cap, see the Solar Cool Cap (Episode 325).
Podcast Expo
Leo will be going to the Podcast Expo in Las Vegas again this year. Dick recommends the Gorgonz Work Hat to Leo for the hot weather in Vegas, and Rick, the Vegas Cabbie (see Episode 492). No awards for the TWiT network this year, because Leo forgot to get DGW nominated.
Water Skiing with the AutoTether
Gerard Wise suggests another application for the AutoTether (Episode 614). Put the boat on autopilot and water-ski behind it wearing the AutoTether. Just let go to stop the boat.
The Mama Laporte Podcast
Leo's mother may well be joining the TWiT network with another podcast. She just needs to decide what she wants to talk about: cooking, gardening, knitting.
Listen to Episode 621
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
For another cooling cap, see the Solar Cool Cap (Episode 325).
Podcast Expo
Leo will be going to the Podcast Expo in Las Vegas again this year. Dick recommends the Gorgonz Work Hat to Leo for the hot weather in Vegas, and Rick, the Vegas Cabbie (see Episode 492). No awards for the TWiT network this year, because Leo forgot to get DGW nominated.
Water Skiing with the AutoTether
Gerard Wise suggests another application for the AutoTether (Episode 614). Put the boat on autopilot and water-ski behind it wearing the AutoTether. Just let go to stop the boat.
The Mama Laporte Podcast
Leo's mother may well be joining the TWiT network with another podcast. She just needs to decide what she wants to talk about: cooking, gardening, knitting.
Listen to Episode 621
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Chatterbug
VoIP Device
Link: Chatterbug New York Times Article
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
A fairly recent gadget from the Gadget Warehouse, the Chatterbug hails from 2006. It was a VoIP device which you connect between your home telephone and the land line, and when you dialed a long distance number, it would route the call via Chatterbug's computer network. You didn't need a computer to do it, but paid $9.95 a month for US and Canada calls.
Another Birthday
Steve Weiner has been listening to DGW since Episode 1. He watched GizWizLive on 20 June 2008, and noted that Dick and Leo should have realised that the day had a further significance. It was the 66th birthday of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.
Roz Rows
Dick thinks Roz Savage is very brave to row across the Pacific, when sailing from Miami to the Bahamas was dangerous enough for him.
Listen to Episode 615
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Another Birthday
Steve Weiner has been listening to DGW since Episode 1. He watched GizWizLive on 20 June 2008, and noted that Dick and Leo should have realised that the day had a further significance. It was the 66th birthday of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.
Roz Rows
Dick thinks Roz Savage is very brave to row across the Pacific, when sailing from Miami to the Bahamas was dangerous enough for him.
Listen to Episode 615
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
PLANon Printstik PS910
Portable Printer
Link: PLANon
The PLANon Printstik PS910 is a portable handheld printer which works with Windows and Blackberry phones. It's 1" x 10.75" x 1.5" in size, 1.5 lb in weight, and prints black and white on to custom thermal paper (20 pages in one paper cartridge). As with most thermal paper, it only prints up to the end of the document, so that a single print job does not necessarily use up a full page. Connection can be via USB or Bluetooth. Print resolution is up to 200 x 400 dpi, print speed is 3 pages per minute. It uses a rechargeable battery, a full charge of which can print 30 pages.
It comes with an AC charger, one roll of paper cartridge, and an installation CD. For $50 more, you can get the PS950 which includes a car adapter, a USB cord and an executive hardshell case for the cables and chargers, although the car adapter can be bought separately as an accessory for $30. The refill paper cartridges are currently sold in packs of 3 for $25 (i.e. 60 pages, about 42 cents per page), or packs of 9 for $60 (about 33 cents per page).
Back to Square One
As the Chatroom noted while this episode was being recorded, Dick has previously covered another PLANon product, the DocuPen portable scanner, the very first gadget covered in DGW, Episode 1.
A New Sponsor ...
... for DGW, GoToMeeting, which Andy Marken used to show Dick a demonstration of Cyberlink's MediaShow 4 (Episode 583). Listeners can try it for free for 30 days, at www.gotomeeting.com/gizwiz. According to Dick's Digital Day Counter (Episode 611), it's been 195 days since the last cheque. However long ago it was, It's been too long.
DownThemAll !
DGW marathon listener JR Rodriguez IV (see Episode 600) wants to thank Ludwik Trammer especially, for helping him download all 577 past episodes of DGW by setting up a special webpage for JR with all the right download links. JR then used the Mozilla Firefox extension DownThemAll ! to download all the links on that page.
Any listeners who need to catch up with past episodes and want more convenient access to the download links can use the same webpage, at www.gizwizsearch.int.pl/list2.php, which automatically adds new episodes to the list.
Listen to Episode 613
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Back to Square One
As the Chatroom noted while this episode was being recorded, Dick has previously covered another PLANon product, the DocuPen portable scanner, the very first gadget covered in DGW, Episode 1.
A New Sponsor ...
... for DGW, GoToMeeting, which Andy Marken used to show Dick a demonstration of Cyberlink's MediaShow 4 (Episode 583). Listeners can try it for free for 30 days, at www.gotomeeting.com/gizwiz. According to Dick's Digital Day Counter (Episode 611), it's been 195 days since the last cheque. However long ago it was, It's been too long.
DownThemAll !
DGW marathon listener JR Rodriguez IV (see Episode 600) wants to thank Ludwik Trammer especially, for helping him download all 577 past episodes of DGW by setting up a special webpage for JR with all the right download links. JR then used the Mozilla Firefox extension DownThemAll ! to download all the links on that page.
Any listeners who need to catch up with past episodes and want more convenient access to the download links can use the same webpage, at www.gizwizsearch.int.pl/list2.php, which automatically adds new episodes to the list.
Listen to Episode 613
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
