3 posts tagged “millennium”

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".

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

The w2408h is a 24" LCD Widescreen Monitor from HP.  1920 x 1200 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 5ms response time (on-off), with VGA and HDMI support (HDCP-compliant), built-in speakers.  The double-hinge base allows tilt and height adjustment of the screen for best viewing angle.  You can also rotate the screen to portrait mode.  Plus 2 USB ports.

The slightly older model is w2408.  The technical specifications appear to be the same, except for (1) input supports for VGA and DVI-D, not HDMI (but HDCP-compliant too); and (2) a lower contrast ratio of 1000:1.

Manual for TWiT Cottage Etiquette
Dane Golden has sent Dick a TWiT Cottage Welcome Pack, with clear instructions for etiquette at the TWiT Cottage.  Call Leo Mr Laporte; never get closer to him than 3 feet; don't sit higher than him; always reach for the bill; no eye contact; never turn your back on Leo - leave the room facing him bowing and scraping.  Look humble.

GizWizLive Available for Download?
William Lawrence goes back to the old episodes, starting with Episode 1, and it keeps getting better.  He is delighted to hear that Dick will be appearing on TWiTLive on 20 June but is horified to learn that he will be away on a beach without internet access.  Will there be a download for GizWizLive, the gadget event of the millennium?  Leo thinks he might be able to record the show.


Listen to Episode 593
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page

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