6 posts tagged “stability ball”

Presto is a Linux-based operating system with a small footprint, which boots up instantly.  Essentially it's Xandros (which the first Asus Eee PC used) and is from the same company.  The extra is that the software installs itself as a dual boot OS with Windows XP or Vista for you (inclung the familiar Windows dual boot menu).  It comes pre-installed with the most often used applications, such as IM, web browser, and office applications.  There is a Presto Application Store where you can easily find and access other applications that will run on Presto.  It's Linux made easy.

Fitness Ball Recall
After Leo's fitness ball started leaking, he decided to get a cheaper version which quickly became the subject of a recall.  He's now reverted to his Gophersport Ultrafit Anti-Burst Stability Ball (Episode 322).

A Sump Pump for Dan Lueders
Back in Episode 737, Dan Lueders wrote to Dick about a power cut and the flooding of his basement.  Listener Tom Westland suggests the Zoeller Home Guard Back Up Sump Pump, which does not require electricity and simply uses water pressure to work.  Back in Episode 331, Dick talked about Reelsmart's No-Crank Garden Hose Reel, which rewinds the hose using water pressure.

WTHII March-April 2009
It's an Alcotube Plus, for breathalysing yourself.



Listen to Episode 834
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The HYmini is not a fan, but a windmill which converts wind power into electrical engery and stores it in the internal rechargeable battery.  The wind has to be at least 9 mph.  When the wind is fast enough, a green LED lights up to indicate that electrical energy is being generated.  You can also charge the battery using conventional AC power (adaptor included), or using the computer via USB.

You can also charge the battery via USB by buying a solar panel using solar energy, called the miniSOLAR.  There is also a bicycle attachment to harness the wind power, and an arm-band for people who jog.

You can use the HYmini to charge your 5V portable devices.  It also doubles up as a flashlight.

Sit Up!
Leo is back on his GopherSport Anti-Burst Fitness Ball (Episode 322), while Dick is slumped on his chair in a comfortably bad posture.

VCR Plus
Sharon from PoCo (Port Coquitlam) in BC, Canada loves the VCR Plus episode (Episode 560).  She tells Dick that TV guides in Vancouver still print the VCR Plus codes.  Her parents have been using the codes for 7 years.  Jim Nelson also writes in to say that he still uses the codes.

Regis
Leo thinks Regis is great and does his work without anyone knowing it.  For a photo of Regis in his office, go to Leo's Flickr.

It's A Gas
Dick and Leo mentioned the Mad recording "It's A Gas" yesterday, and again today.  A listener James Baldwin has found the recording on YouTube and emailed Dick the link.  Dick has embedded it on his home page, or listen to it here.



Listen to Episode 568
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Cable-It is Monster Cable's new cable management kit.  It's a coiled tube (with a slit down the length of the tube) which houses your cables, for your computer, electrical appliances or AV equipment.  Just put the ends of a group of cables into the hollow of the handle (also called a "Zipper"), attach the tubing to the handle, and pull the handle down the length of coiled tubing.  The tubing will then enclose the cables like a zip.

Cables can come out of the tubing easily via the slit to make their connections at different places along the tubing.  Available in 3 diameters to accommodate different numbers of cables.  Different lengths available too.  Come in black, white and grey.

If you missed Leo's live demonstration of Cable-It during the recording of the show on TWiTLive, you can watch a demonstration of how it works by Jeff MacArthur, Amber's brother, on Episode 130 of the CommandN podcast.


First Looks
Thanks to the amazing technology at the TWiTLive Studio, Dick can finally put a face to the name Dean, or Dave, or Dufus, aka Dane Golden.  Colleen too, but that's another face.  Dick is now scheduled to appear live on TWiTLive on 20 June 2008.

Leo-Branded Stability Ball
Leo is thinking of selling his own brand of the Gopher fitness ball (Episode 322), complete with his visage and autograph so everyone can sit on his face.  It will be called Leo's Butt Ball.

Mechanical Calculators
Girl Geek, whom Dick also calls Geek Girl and other names, who becomes who she is because she has a mother who would buy any crap that passes in front of her, writes in again.  One of the vintage gadgets her mother bought is the Addiator.  The picture below is from John Wolff's Web Museum.


This reminds Leo about the Comptometer, given to him by his father-in-law.  Leo promises to bring it in.  Variations of the Slide Rule.  John Wolff's Web Museum has it too.


Dick can't remember any of these old gadgts.  All he can remember is the old Punch Board, which Leo calls legalised gambling.

Listen to Episode 561
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The Cliphanger is brought to you courtesy of Shane Shellenbarger (who also brought our attention to "And Fun For All" in Episode 542).  You stick any mobile device on to the Cliphanger using the adhesive tab provided, and hang the clip from a trousers loop or your handbag.  It comes with a hook which you can put on the wall near the door and hang the device on it.


You can also get the Cliphanger Shield, custom-made for major models of mobile devices, which in addition to the Cliphanger includes a shield or case for protecting the device.

Petaluma Attractions
Now that the TWiT Studio is almost ready, Dick is keen to visit Petaluma and its many tourist attractions, including its bus stop, post office, parking lot, stop light and the lack of retail space.  Leo is going to put Dick up in the Z, the M or the Hellton, or if Dick doesn't mind the distance, the Bates Motel.

The Land of the Rolling Hills
This year is the sesquicentennial of the birth of the town of Petaluma, even though its history is obscure, explains Leo, and no one knows what the name means - except Leo of course, who left us in no doubt in Episode 313 that it is a native Indian word meaning "the Land of the Rolling Hills".

But here's a conundrum.  The Petaluma Firefighters celebrated their sesquicentennial last year, also according to Leo (see Episode 311).  So people organised themselves into firefighters for a town a year before the town even existed?  It must have been a fiery place 150 years ago.  People after Dick's own heart, those early Petalumans.  Safety first.  Never mind building the town.

Butter and Eggs
Petaluma's Butter and Eggs Day will be on Saturday 26 April this year.  Watch out for the Cow Chip Tossing Contest, the Cutest Little Chick In Town Contest, and the Rotating Parade.  For Leo's descriptions of past parades, listen to Episodes 56 and 311.

DGW Audience
At the last count, the DGW audience consists of 4 listeners: Shane Shellenbarger, Mark Sukoenig, Myra Joyce (Girl Geek, aka Gadget Girl and Geek Chick to Dick) and Dan Lueders.  Ludwik Trammer doesn't count as he doesn't understand English, and Brian Davis doesn't listen any more for obvious reasons (Episode 548).

Dean, Dan, Dufus, Dave et al
After calling Dane Golden correctly on Monday, Dick starts calling him Dean again today, and Leo finally tries to put Dick right.  Dick complains that Dane should make up his mind about what his name is, and wonders why he doesn't address Dick as Chief, or Kimosabe.

Start the Law Suit
Peter Mangione writes in to tell on CBS Radio in New York, FM101.1.  They have a programme called Turn-The-Table-Tuesday.  Start the law suit !!  After some discussion on whose idea it was to call the Tuesday podcast Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday, Leo clarifies the confusion.  The CBS radio programme is called Turntable Tuesday.  Stop the law suit !!!

For a reminder of how TTTT came about, see Episode 115.

Listen to Episode 549
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During the recording of TWiT 98, the exercise ball that Leo was sitting on in the studio gave way and exploded under him, landing Leo on the floor, after use for only 10 days.  A testament to Leo's weight.

So Leo has ordered a new one, an anti-burst stability ball, from Gopher Sport.  The balls come in different sizes for different body heights.  Leo's ball seems to have held up so far, or if it hasn't, Leo wasn't about to tell us.

The Origin of the Gravy Slogan
Listener Anish (rhymes with "quiche", as Leo rhymes with "mayo", whereas Dick doesn't rhyme with any food), wants to know how the gravy slogan came about.  Dick and Leo have no idea but essentially it was a non-sequitur.  Dick thinks they have abandoned the slogan, but Leo points out that they play the gravy jingle at the end of each episode.

For the origin of the Gravy Slogan, see insidedgw.vox.com/library/post/gravy.html

Netcasts You Love ...
... from people who wear kilts - courtesy of Jim Cutler.  Mark Blasco at podcastthemes receives credit for the opening theme written on a geek cruise - the whimsical theme which acts as the background for Leo's introduction of every episode - for the first time since Episode 27.  And Leo continues to mix up George Wood with Paul Minshall.


Listen to Episode 322
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