8 posts tagged “geoff smith”
Voltaic Generator
Laptop Bag with Solar Charger
Link: Voltaic
Way back in Episode 144, Dick talked about the Voltaic Backpack. Recently at an airport, Dick caught up with a man and asked him if he was carrying a new Voltaic laptop bag. It was, as promised by Voltaic as part of its future plan. It's called the Voltaic Generator. It's got enough solar panels for generating a 15W power supply to charge an internal battery (which takes 5 hours), which in turn charges the laptop. It comes with common adapters for phones, notebooks and other handheld devices, and there is an optional reconfigured MagSafe adapter for MacBooks.
Voltaic does say that not all laptop manufacturers enable charging by external batteries. Most Apple, Dell, Lenovo and Panasonic models work with the Generator, while Sony, Toshiba and Fujitsu laptops are less likely to work. A full refund will be made if the bag does not work with your notebook.
Solar DIY
You can build your own solar power unit using Voltaic's Solar DIY components.
Seltzer, Seltzer, Seltzer
The Seltzer Sisters in San Francisco still makes deliveries of seltzer in classic 1920's glass bottles, which are collected after use. You can mix your own special beverages using their recipes, including the egg cream.
Paul Minshall's Jingles Singles Podcast
Our jingle writer Paul Minshall now has a podcast of his "singles" on iTunes, called Paulywood's 45. You can listen to his songs and jingles for free. Subscribe to it through iTunes (search for Paul Minshall, or Paulywood's 45), or through his website paulywood.com. For good measure, Leo plays for Dick Paul's Country Jingle for the Daily Giz Wiz.
Julius La Rosa and Arthur Godfrey
Leo jokes that this is the last episode of the Daily Giz Wiz. Dick feels as though he were Julius La Rosa, who was fired on the air by Arthur Godfrey. Watch this famous moment in TV/radio history on YouTube.
Listen to Episode 813
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Voltaic does say that not all laptop manufacturers enable charging by external batteries. Most Apple, Dell, Lenovo and Panasonic models work with the Generator, while Sony, Toshiba and Fujitsu laptops are less likely to work. A full refund will be made if the bag does not work with your notebook.
Solar DIY
You can build your own solar power unit using Voltaic's Solar DIY components.
Seltzer, Seltzer, Seltzer
The Seltzer Sisters in San Francisco still makes deliveries of seltzer in classic 1920's glass bottles, which are collected after use. You can mix your own special beverages using their recipes, including the egg cream.
Paul Minshall's Jingles Singles Podcast
Our jingle writer Paul Minshall now has a podcast of his "singles" on iTunes, called Paulywood's 45. You can listen to his songs and jingles for free. Subscribe to it through iTunes (search for Paul Minshall, or Paulywood's 45), or through his website paulywood.com. For good measure, Leo plays for Dick Paul's Country Jingle for the Daily Giz Wiz.
Julius La Rosa and Arthur Godfrey
Leo jokes that this is the last episode of the Daily Giz Wiz. Dick feels as though he were Julius La Rosa, who was fired on the air by Arthur Godfrey. Watch this famous moment in TV/radio history on YouTube.
Listen to Episode 813
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
iFlyz
PMP Stand
Link: iFlyz
iFlyz is perfect for watching movies and videos on a flight. A suction cup for attaching to the back of your PMP, iPod or iPhone, an adjustable clamp that secures the iFlyz to the tray, and a flexible gooseneck for getting a comfortable viewing angle. Or you can get a business card holder from Staples.
Frankly, My Dear
Dick braved the snow storm in New York to go to his local Barnes and Noble to see a presentation by Robert Osborne and Molly Haskell. Haskell has just written a book called "Frankly, My Dear: Gone With The Wind Revisited", with behind-the-scenes information on the making of the film, including actors and actresses who had been considered for roles in the film, such as Katherine Hepburn and Basil Rathbone.
The Test Of Time
Old movies don't always stand up to the test of time, in terms of visual effects production and acting or filming styles, as Leo found out with Kirk Douglas's The Strange Love of Martha Ives. But not Casablanca, which Dick always enjoys rewatching. Leo is waiting for a blu ray version of The Wizard of Oz, but for now he has to settle for a used DVD Deluxe Version.
New Shows on TWiT
Leo is gearing up for a new science show with Dr Kiki, for which Paul Minshall has made a theme. Meanwhile Sarah Lane and Martin Sargent have been doing This Week In Fun on TWiTLive (video available from odtv.me) which Leo might eventually put on a regular podcast feed.
Martin Sargent was responsible for getting Dick and Leo together. For Dick's account, see Episode 100.
More Respect for the Sea
Dick's story in Episode 773 of how he gained his respect for the sea reminded Peter Penny from Toronto of his own lesson. He was to go on a poker run on a cigarette boat and was warned that the boat was so fast that the wind could turn his eyelids inside out. Yeah, right, he thought, until it really happened to him.
For Dick's previous explanation of a poker run, check back at Episode 626.
iPhone PDF Reader
Peter Penny also wants to ask if Leo has any recommendation for a PDF reader on the iPhone. Leo wonders if Stanza can do it, since it's an ebook reader.
Listen to Episode 783
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Frankly, My Dear
Dick braved the snow storm in New York to go to his local Barnes and Noble to see a presentation by Robert Osborne and Molly Haskell. Haskell has just written a book called "Frankly, My Dear: Gone With The Wind Revisited", with behind-the-scenes information on the making of the film, including actors and actresses who had been considered for roles in the film, such as Katherine Hepburn and Basil Rathbone.
The Test Of Time
Old movies don't always stand up to the test of time, in terms of visual effects production and acting or filming styles, as Leo found out with Kirk Douglas's The Strange Love of Martha Ives. But not Casablanca, which Dick always enjoys rewatching. Leo is waiting for a blu ray version of The Wizard of Oz, but for now he has to settle for a used DVD Deluxe Version.
New Shows on TWiT
Leo is gearing up for a new science show with Dr Kiki, for which Paul Minshall has made a theme. Meanwhile Sarah Lane and Martin Sargent have been doing This Week In Fun on TWiTLive (video available from odtv.me) which Leo might eventually put on a regular podcast feed.
Martin Sargent was responsible for getting Dick and Leo together. For Dick's account, see Episode 100.
More Respect for the Sea
Dick's story in Episode 773 of how he gained his respect for the sea reminded Peter Penny from Toronto of his own lesson. He was to go on a poker run on a cigarette boat and was warned that the boat was so fast that the wind could turn his eyelids inside out. Yeah, right, he thought, until it really happened to him.
For Dick's previous explanation of a poker run, check back at Episode 626.
iPhone PDF Reader
Peter Penny also wants to ask if Leo has any recommendation for a PDF reader on the iPhone. Leo wonders if Stanza can do it, since it's an ebook reader.
Listen to Episode 783
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
NJOY NPRO Starter Kit
Electronic Cigarette Substitute
Link: NJOY
At CES, Dick saw someone apparently smoking a cigarette and wondered why. It turned out it was not a cigarette, but some kind of cigarette substitute or alternative. You screw a fully charged battery to an atomiser, then at the other end, insert an NJOY cartridge. You can start enjoying the cartridge.
Each cartridge consists of water, propylene glycol, a scent, and nicotine. It gives the flavour of smoking to the smoker but without the smell of tobacco, as the "smoke" that comes out is an odourless mist. One NPRO cartridge is the approximate equivalent of half a pack of cigarettes.
As the cartridge contains nicotine, it is not a smoking-cessation device, but just a cigarette alternative.
A New "Voice" for Dick
Dick has started using the new microphone (Heil PR-40 Studio Microphone) that Leo sent him. "We can't improve the quality, so we improve the sound," says Dick.
Each cartridge consists of water, propylene glycol, a scent, and nicotine. It gives the flavour of smoking to the smoker but without the smell of tobacco, as the "smoke" that comes out is an odourless mist. One NPRO cartridge is the approximate equivalent of half a pack of cigarettes.
As the cartridge contains nicotine, it is not a smoking-cessation device, but just a cigarette alternative.
A New "Voice" for Dick
Dick has started using the new microphone (Heil PR-40 Studio Microphone) that Leo sent him. "We can't improve the quality, so we improve the sound," says Dick.
Changes at Mad
Sadly, Mad has decided to publish the magazine quarterly, instead of monthly. Circulation and ad revenue are down, and Time Warner has had to let 800 employees go. You can read about the news on Dick's website. When people heard the news, the most frequent inquiry was "What's going to happen to the What The Heck Is It game?" Dick's income is going to drop a bit, but he may start doing the Daily Giz Wiz twice a day, or have lunch with Madoff.
A Leo Jingle
Geoff Smith has done a Leo Jingle (La, la, la, Leo, Laporte), and a "Insert Name Here" Jingle for MacBreak Weekly, which Leo plays on this show.
The Hi Phone
There are scams around selling people the Hi Phone, probably made by Tangerine.
Presidential Ties
President Obama is the first president to have his portrait taken by a digital camera. The EXIF data of the photo shows that it was taken on a Canon EOS 5D-Mark II, on 13th January, the day Leo did his TTTT gadget of the day - the Canon EOS 5D-Mark II (Episode 742). "Does Leo have ties to the President?" asks Nick from Columbus, Ohio. Leo has heard rumours that the new administration may be appointing Dick as the new Gadget Tsar. Dick says they haven't got round to it yet. They've been too busy putting off the Digital TV transition.
Listen to Episode 754
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Air Guitar Rocker
Guitar Simulator
Link: Air Guitar Rocker
Licensed by Guitar Hero, the Air Guitar Rocker is produced by Jada Toys, and features a rocking belt buckle, a wearable mini-amplifier and 2 magnetic guitar picks.
You wear the belt buckle connected to the amplifier, and wave the
guitar pick in front of the belt buckle to play one of 10 available
guitar riffs including Black Sabbath's "Iron Man," Deep Purple's "Smoke
on the Water," Motorhead's "Ace of Spades," Van Halen's "You Really Got
Me", Boston's "More Than a Feeling," and five original Air Guitar
Rocker freestyle riffs, from the Air Cartridge. Additional Air
Cartridges are also available.
Dick at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Dick was at the Boat Show in Florida featuring some really high-end boats and yachts, including one that could motor sideways and decked out with complete home theatres, complete with D-Box's simulator chair - the Quest - a chair that rocks along with specially coded movies (see uberreview.com). One cannot go away from the show without getting something for oneself, and Dick lavished on himself by getting the most beautiful and nicest looking boat brochure he'd ever seen.
Last Day for Bidding for Dick
Today is the last chance to bid for a video chat with Dick, on humanety.com, to benefit Animal Haven.
Leo on Election Day
Leo did a special on TWit Live on Election Day with Jason Goldberg of Social Median (see Episode 72 of net@night for the Goldberg interview).
With A Little Help From My Friends
Dan Lueders writes in response to the inquiry by Danny Noonan in Episode 694. Dan is a bass player, a vocalist and a decent guitarist. He writes and produces music for children for Promise Land at Willow Creek Church. He uses loops for the drum tracks and gets help from his cool musician friends: Dane del Principe on lead guitar on the Monday Theme, John Carlson on saxophone on the Wednesday Theme, and Jimmy Riley on lead guitar and vocals on the Thursday Theme.
A Stromberg Carlson Candlestick
Leo has just been given a Stromberg Carlson "candlestick" phone, but it won't be tomorrow's TTTT gadget. It sits on top of Leo's desk which you can see on TWiTLive. For more on these phones, see Telephone Archive.
Dick at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Dick was at the Boat Show in Florida featuring some really high-end boats and yachts, including one that could motor sideways and decked out with complete home theatres, complete with D-Box's simulator chair - the Quest - a chair that rocks along with specially coded movies (see uberreview.com). One cannot go away from the show without getting something for oneself, and Dick lavished on himself by getting the most beautiful and nicest looking boat brochure he'd ever seen.
Last Day for Bidding for Dick
Today is the last chance to bid for a video chat with Dick, on humanety.com, to benefit Animal Haven.
Leo on Election Day
Leo did a special on TWit Live on Election Day with Jason Goldberg of Social Median (see Episode 72 of net@night for the Goldberg interview).
With A Little Help From My Friends
Dan Lueders writes in response to the inquiry by Danny Noonan in Episode 694. Dan is a bass player, a vocalist and a decent guitarist. He writes and produces music for children for Promise Land at Willow Creek Church. He uses loops for the drum tracks and gets help from his cool musician friends: Dane del Principe on lead guitar on the Monday Theme, John Carlson on saxophone on the Wednesday Theme, and Jimmy Riley on lead guitar and vocals on the Thursday Theme.
A Stromberg Carlson Candlestick
Leo has just been given a Stromberg Carlson "candlestick" phone, but it won't be tomorrow's TTTT gadget. It sits on top of Leo's desk which you can see on TWiTLive. For more on these phones, see Telephone Archive.
Travelon Toiletry Sheets
Travel Accessories
Link: Travelon
Travelon makes travel accessories, like suitcases, bags, computer cases and even carts. These Toiletry Sheets come in 6 types: hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, body wash and laundry soap, each in packs of 50 sheets. Because they're dry, they're TSA-compliant and can be taken on board a flight.
It also has a lot in common with the Daily Giz Wiz and its gravy. Just Add Water.
Halloween Capital
Halloween is big in Petaluma, especially in D Street. They even dress up the chickens! And when you're tired of costumes, you can see some great bands at the Phoenix Theater and McNear's Mystic Theatre (which must be the only theatre in the States with a British spelling), which Kim and Robin from Wild Planet visited recently.
New Business Opportunities
TSA has created so many new business opportunities: Ziplock bags, TSA travel locks (Episode 38), laptop cases (like the Brenthaven in Episode 674), and now these toiletry sheets.
Security Theatre
Security was tested at various airports recently, with the help of security expert Bruce Schneier. TSA's protective measures are no more than a "security theater", according to the article "The Things He Carried" in the Atlantic Magazine.
Little Golden Hood on Audible
Join Audible - and get Little Golden Hood narrated by Leo (which is a free download anyway), or Paula Poundstone's "There's Nothing In This Book That I Meant To Say". Dick's favourite quote from her is "I was such a lonely child that I created 2 imaginary friends, and they would play only with each other."
The Humanety
Geek celebrities including Veronica Belmont, Geoff Smith, Felicia Day, Gary Vaynerchuk and Patrick Norton are taking part in a project by humanety.com, offering a half-hour Skype video chat on auction to the successful bidder. The money will go to the charity named by the celebrity. Dick is taking part and his charity is going to be his own favourite, the Animal Haven, a no-kill shelter. Dick's auction starts today, 30 October 2008. "Humanety, we're all in this together."
Ballooning Inventory
Earl of Southfield, Michigan and proud member of the TWiT Army has among others 2 copies of Good Days and Mad (hardcover and paperback), a GizWizBiz Inka Pen, a Plantronics 650 headset, 3 Open-X's, a Flip Ultra. No Titanium Spork yet but may soon be added to his ballooning inventory. Purveyors of these gadgets should be begging for sponsorship of DGW. He's even bought items mentioned on TTTT. That should be proof enough.
Earl has been listening since Episode 1, and a long-time fan of the Screen Savers from the Kate and Leo days (not the Titanic pair, but Kate Botello and Leo Laporte).
Listen to Episode 689
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Security was tested at various airports recently, with the help of security expert Bruce Schneier. TSA's protective measures are no more than a "security theater", according to the article "The Things He Carried" in the Atlantic Magazine.
Little Golden Hood on Audible
Join Audible - and get Little Golden Hood narrated by Leo (which is a free download anyway), or Paula Poundstone's "There's Nothing In This Book That I Meant To Say". Dick's favourite quote from her is "I was such a lonely child that I created 2 imaginary friends, and they would play only with each other."
The Humanety
Geek celebrities including Veronica Belmont, Geoff Smith, Felicia Day, Gary Vaynerchuk and Patrick Norton are taking part in a project by humanety.com, offering a half-hour Skype video chat on auction to the successful bidder. The money will go to the charity named by the celebrity. Dick is taking part and his charity is going to be his own favourite, the Animal Haven, a no-kill shelter. Dick's auction starts today, 30 October 2008. "Humanety, we're all in this together."
Ballooning Inventory
Earl of Southfield, Michigan and proud member of the TWiT Army has among others 2 copies of Good Days and Mad (hardcover and paperback), a GizWizBiz Inka Pen, a Plantronics 650 headset, 3 Open-X's, a Flip Ultra. No Titanium Spork yet but may soon be added to his ballooning inventory. Purveyors of these gadgets should be begging for sponsorship of DGW. He's even bought items mentioned on TTTT. That should be proof enough.
Earl has been listening since Episode 1, and a long-time fan of the Screen Savers from the Kate and Leo days (not the Titanic pair, but Kate Botello and Leo Laporte).
Listen to Episode 689
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
WebcamMax
Webcam Special Effects Software
Link: WebcamMax
Recommended to Dick by Andy Wombwell of stickam.tv, WebcamMax is a piece of software for Windows to add special effects to your webcam video chat, including special background of your choice, bubble effect, hats and glasses to your video image. You can also do a split screen or picture-in-picture with an additional movie, video clip or picture.
For Mac users, Leo suggests CamTwist.
Andy of Stickam is still trying to persuade Dick to do a show on Stickam (see Episode 600). It may well be called Giz TV. All Dick is waiting for is a new computer to replace his Atari. Then he can wipe TWiT off the face of the internet with the help of WebcamMax.
Off to NAB
Tomorrow Leo will be at the National Associatin of Broadcasters Convention in Austin, Texas. He's going to tell them that radio is history, and podcasting is the future.
Looking under the Desk
While Leo looks under his desk for his TTTT gadgets, Dick looks under his desk for his notes. Unlike Leo, Dick comes prepared.
Say Nay to the Naysayers
John Cleig who wrote in Episode 464, writes again, this time to support Dick and Leo on commercials on the show. He also asks listeners to click on The Animal Rescue Site to generate food and care for stray or unwanted animals.
The End of the World
Dick and Leo haven't stopped the show. Nor has the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland generated a giant Black Hole yet.
No More Fruit Baskets for Dick
The pineapple gift baskets from Hawaii have stopped. Dane Golden is back on the mainland, and telling everyone, "Hang loose, bra".
Listen to Episode 658
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
For Mac users, Leo suggests CamTwist.
Andy of Stickam is still trying to persuade Dick to do a show on Stickam (see Episode 600). It may well be called Giz TV. All Dick is waiting for is a new computer to replace his Atari. Then he can wipe TWiT off the face of the internet with the help of WebcamMax.
Off to NAB
Tomorrow Leo will be at the National Associatin of Broadcasters Convention in Austin, Texas. He's going to tell them that radio is history, and podcasting is the future.
Looking under the Desk
While Leo looks under his desk for his TTTT gadgets, Dick looks under his desk for his notes. Unlike Leo, Dick comes prepared.
Say Nay to the Naysayers
John Cleig who wrote in Episode 464, writes again, this time to support Dick and Leo on commercials on the show. He also asks listeners to click on The Animal Rescue Site to generate food and care for stray or unwanted animals.
The End of the World
Dick and Leo haven't stopped the show. Nor has the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland generated a giant Black Hole yet.
No More Fruit Baskets for Dick
The pineapple gift baskets from Hawaii have stopped. Dane Golden is back on the mainland, and telling everyone, "Hang loose, bra".
Listen to Episode 658
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
XXL Swiss Army Knife
Record-Breaking Utility Knife
Link: Wenger
Only for the dedicated utility knife collector, or to be featured in the modern version of the American Gothic, Wenger's XXL Swiss Army Knife is in the Guinness Book of World Records. This flagship 3-pounder has a total of 87 tools with 141 functions, including a magnifying glass, a compass, a pair of multi-purpose pliers, a laser pointer, a cigar cutter, a golf reamer and lots of other stuff you wouldn't thinking of carrying with you in your wildest dream.
A Bit of Client Schmoozing
Leo was off to Los Angeles last Tuesday for some "client schmoozing".
A Visa Jingle
Geoff Smith, who did the Audible Pick of the Week jingle (Episode 560) and the I'm A TWiT jingle, has done a jingle for the Visa commercial, which Leo has been playing in last week's podcasts.
Living for TWiT
Brady Redfean finds himself arranging his life around TWiT's podcasts. He stays up late to do his homework so he can listen to DGW when it comes out, especially during exam time, in order to stay sane. "We lose our sanity so you can gain yours," say Dick and Leo. He postpones dates (his wife doesn't know) if there's a podcast coming out. He doesn't take his vacation until the TWiTs take theirs. And Dick says no to Twitties Anonymous, unless it's a restaurant that serves Totino pizza rolls.
Look Humble
Whoever gave Leo the "Look Humble" needlepoint knows Leo well. She understands that for Leo, "Be Humble" is an unattainable goal, and "Look Humble" is a more practical compromise.
Listen to Episode 656
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
A Bit of Client Schmoozing
Leo was off to Los Angeles last Tuesday for some "client schmoozing".
A Visa Jingle
Geoff Smith, who did the Audible Pick of the Week jingle (Episode 560) and the I'm A TWiT jingle, has done a jingle for the Visa commercial, which Leo has been playing in last week's podcasts.
Living for TWiT
Brady Redfean finds himself arranging his life around TWiT's podcasts. He stays up late to do his homework so he can listen to DGW when it comes out, especially during exam time, in order to stay sane. "We lose our sanity so you can gain yours," say Dick and Leo. He postpones dates (his wife doesn't know) if there's a podcast coming out. He doesn't take his vacation until the TWiTs take theirs. And Dick says no to Twitties Anonymous, unless it's a restaurant that serves Totino pizza rolls.
Look Humble
Whoever gave Leo the "Look Humble" needlepoint knows Leo well. She understands that for Leo, "Be Humble" is an unattainable goal, and "Look Humble" is a more practical compromise.
Listen to Episode 656
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
VCR Plus
TV Programme Code for VCR
Link: VCR Plus
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
VCR Plus, started by Henry Yuen of Gemstar, was a system of codes for recording individual TV programmes on your VCR. Each programme had its own code, so that you could just enter the code into the VCRPlus-supported VCR machine or remote control, and your VCR would start recording the appropriate channel at the right time. Watch this TV commercial from 1987.
Audible Jingle
Geoff Smith has made an "Audible Pick of the Week" jingle for TWiT. Check out his ringtones on thegeoffsmith.com/.
Keyboard Cleaning
Mike of Eagle River, Alaska took Leo's advice to heart and put his keyboard into the dishwasher, let it dry for a few days, and even put it in the oven. The result upon reconnection? Sparks flew.
Listen to Episode 560
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Audible Jingle
Geoff Smith has made an "Audible Pick of the Week" jingle for TWiT. Check out his ringtones on thegeoffsmith.com/.
Keyboard Cleaning
Mike of Eagle River, Alaska took Leo's advice to heart and put his keyboard into the dishwasher, let it dry for a few days, and even put it in the oven. The result upon reconnection? Sparks flew.
Listen to Episode 560
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
