13 posts tagged “studio”
nPower PEG
Personal Energy Generator
Link: Green nPower
Yet another green gadget from CES 2009, the nPower PEG (Personal Energy Generator) is an electrical generator, a 9" tall baton, 1.5" diameter in the centre, and 1" in diameter at the top and bottom, and weighing 9 ounces. You place it vertically in your backpack or briefcase, or hang it from your bicycle or even your belt if you don't mind looking like a dork, and the kinetic energy in the vibrations caused by your walking movements is harvested by the PEG and converted into electrical energy for charging your mobile electronic devices, such as an iPod, iPhone, Blackberry and other cellphones via USB. There is no built-in rechargeable battery, and you charge the mobile device directly from the PEG.
nPower claims that the PEG can produce up to 4 Watts of power (i.e. 4 Joules per second), and can give you an 80% battery charge within one hour (though not specifying what type of battery).
Dick and Leo are sceptical about its prospects of success, and Leo would like to see how it works. The idea of swinging a 9" baton from under your belt is too dorky even for Leo, and the projected price of $150 is perhaps too much to pay.
The Late Show Tonight
After Johnny Carson retired from the Tonight Show on NBC, David Letterman hoped that he would be given the spot but it was given to Jay Leno instead. When CBS offered to give him his own nightly show, to be filmed in the renovated Ed Sullivan Theater, he decided to move over to CBS, hosting the Late Show to compete with NBC's Tonight Show.
The Powermat
One of products that caught a lot of attention at CES this year was the Powermat, a mat that charges up your devices using magnetic induction. No more wires and umpteen different chargers and bricks involved. The system consists of a mat (5 models: for Home, Bedside, Desk, Travel and PC+) and a receiver (3 types: Case, Power Disk and Dock - see image above at top right hand corner).
The mat itself is connected to an AC source as the power supply, and various mobile devices are either placed or connected to the appropriate types of receivers which are placed on the mat. The mat first identifies the receiver and only then will the transmission of power begin, by magnetic induction. When the device is charged, the transmission will stop. You can charge multiple devices at the same time, all at the same rate. The website says that Powermat products will be available in Fall 2009.
WildCharge
The Powermat reminds Dick of the WildCharger Pad which has been around for a couple of years. Although it uses a different technology for the transmission of power, it is a similar idea, in that you give your mobile device a WildCharge Skin, place it on the WildCharger Pad, to charge up the device. Dick has seen a lot of new products in his time and is not too excited about the Powermat, which may take a few years to find its place. In the meantime, Dick will stick to his Callpod Chargepod (Episode 368) for charging multiple devices at the same time from one power source.
nPower claims that the PEG can produce up to 4 Watts of power (i.e. 4 Joules per second), and can give you an 80% battery charge within one hour (though not specifying what type of battery).
Dick and Leo are sceptical about its prospects of success, and Leo would like to see how it works. The idea of swinging a 9" baton from under your belt is too dorky even for Leo, and the projected price of $150 is perhaps too much to pay.
The Late Show Tonight
After Johnny Carson retired from the Tonight Show on NBC, David Letterman hoped that he would be given the spot but it was given to Jay Leno instead. When CBS offered to give him his own nightly show, to be filmed in the renovated Ed Sullivan Theater, he decided to move over to CBS, hosting the Late Show to compete with NBC's Tonight Show.
The Powermat
One of products that caught a lot of attention at CES this year was the Powermat, a mat that charges up your devices using magnetic induction. No more wires and umpteen different chargers and bricks involved. The system consists of a mat (5 models: for Home, Bedside, Desk, Travel and PC+) and a receiver (3 types: Case, Power Disk and Dock - see image above at top right hand corner).
The mat itself is connected to an AC source as the power supply, and various mobile devices are either placed or connected to the appropriate types of receivers which are placed on the mat. The mat first identifies the receiver and only then will the transmission of power begin, by magnetic induction. When the device is charged, the transmission will stop. You can charge multiple devices at the same time, all at the same rate. The website says that Powermat products will be available in Fall 2009.
WildCharge
The Powermat reminds Dick of the WildCharger Pad which has been around for a couple of years. Although it uses a different technology for the transmission of power, it is a similar idea, in that you give your mobile device a WildCharge Skin, place it on the WildCharger Pad, to charge up the device. Dick has seen a lot of new products in his time and is not too excited about the Powermat, which may take a few years to find its place. In the meantime, Dick will stick to his Callpod Chargepod (Episode 368) for charging multiple devices at the same time from one power source.
A Librarian Enjoys a Book
Tom Angelo from Brooklyn found a copy of Good Days and Mad in the libarary he works at. He thinks that for someone who doesn't read books, Dick has written a very entertaining one. He promises to buy a copy if he sees one in a book store. Or, he can get a copy directly from Dick, details on Dick's page BuyMadStuff.
Listen to Episode 748
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Tom Angelo from Brooklyn found a copy of Good Days and Mad in the libarary he works at. He thinks that for someone who doesn't read books, Dick has written a very entertaining one. He promises to buy a copy if he sees one in a book store. Or, he can get a copy directly from Dick, details on Dick's page BuyMadStuff.
Listen to Episode 748
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Konica KANPA!
Sound-Activated Film Camera
Link: Digicam History
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
The Konica Konpai or KANPA! came out in November 1989 and was the world's first voice-operated film camera. Designed as a party camera, it came with its own automated motorised tripod, complete with shoes. When you turned the microphone on, the fixed 34/35mm lens, autofocus camera would first sense the current level of noises. It would then turn (within an arc of 45˚) towards a burst of noise above the prevailing level and take a "candid" picture. "Products to Watch", said Fortune Magazine in March 1991. The list price was $216 in 1991.
The name of the camera is KANPAI, not Kanpa, with the letter "I" looking like an exclamation mark " ! ". "Kanpai!" is a Japanese phrase (there is a similar phrase in Chinese) which literally means something like "empty the glass", and is the equivalent of the English interjections "Toast!" or "Bottoms Up!" - in line with the camera's selling feature as a party camera.
When originally released in 1989, the camera was red in colour. Later models came in black.
The name of the camera is KANPAI, not Kanpa, with the letter "I" looking like an exclamation mark " ! ". "Kanpai!" is a Japanese phrase (there is a similar phrase in Chinese) which literally means something like "empty the glass", and is the equivalent of the English interjections "Toast!" or "Bottoms Up!" - in line with the camera's selling feature as a party camera.
When originally released in 1989, the camera was red in colour. Later models came in black.
Coverage of this camera on English language websites is scarce. Digicam History is one (thanks to G Arch in the Chatroom), the archived Fortune Magazine article (above), and CNet UK includes it in an article on Crazy Cameras: 7 Strange Snappers. The camera smacks of a Japanese sense of humour, and as might be expected, you can find the camera quite easily on Japanese websites.
The top photo (black) is taken from http://arrow-camera.weblogs.jp/garakutayatsuhan/2008/09/kanpai-b930.html. The second photo (red) is taken from http://canon-a.fantastic-camera.com/dasoku/kanpai/kanpai.htm. The last photo (haha) is taken from CNET UK.
Konica, Minolta, Sony
Konica and Minolta, both long-time Japanese camera manufacturers, struggled in the digital age, and merged in 2003 to become Konica Minolta. 3 years later, Konica Minolta sold its camera manufacturing business to Sony, and all that remains is its office supplies (such as photocopiers) business.
Ego Searches
Dick and Leo compare Google search results on their names/handles.
From Dick's Store
Dick reminds us that he's unearthed more Match Game Cards, and paperback versions of his book Good Days And Mad.
Weekend Shows
Don't forget to catch up on the weekend shows, the Saturday Theme and Sunday Theme.
Barbara's Pick
Barbara our live studio audience has been sitting through this week's recordings, and she has a pick of the week. It's an iPhone app called iRetroPhone. It gives you the picture of an old rotary dial phone, and you use your finger on the touch screen to turn the dial to input the numbers, complete with visual animation and sound effect. Cool!
No Letters Today
Dick gave us 2 letters yesterday, but today Dick and Leo forget to read a letter.
Listen to Episode 685
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Konica, Minolta, Sony
Konica and Minolta, both long-time Japanese camera manufacturers, struggled in the digital age, and merged in 2003 to become Konica Minolta. 3 years later, Konica Minolta sold its camera manufacturing business to Sony, and all that remains is its office supplies (such as photocopiers) business.
Ego Searches
Dick and Leo compare Google search results on their names/handles.
From Dick's Store
Dick reminds us that he's unearthed more Match Game Cards, and paperback versions of his book Good Days And Mad.
Weekend Shows
Don't forget to catch up on the weekend shows, the Saturday Theme and Sunday Theme.
Barbara's Pick
Barbara our live studio audience has been sitting through this week's recordings, and she has a pick of the week. It's an iPhone app called iRetroPhone. It gives you the picture of an old rotary dial phone, and you use your finger on the touch screen to turn the dial to input the numbers, complete with visual animation and sound effect. Cool!
No Letters Today
Dick gave us 2 letters yesterday, but today Dick and Leo forget to read a letter.
Listen to Episode 685
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
NAJA King
iPod Touch/iPhone Accessory
Link: thoughout.biz
Following Episode 627, Leo put the creator of the PED3, Mike Talmadge of thoughtout.biz, in touch with Dick, and Dick has another gadget from Talmadge. The NAJA King (pronounced na-ha) is another stand for the iPod Touch/iPhone (Dick calls it the NAJA Max by mistake). It has the same rotating holder as the PED3, but the stand itself is made of flexible coil (which can flatten into a compact coil ideal for travelling). If you already have the PED3 and don't need the holder, you can get the NAJA King Coil separately. Dick chooses to wear it round his neck.
There is a similar model for the Nano, simply called the NAJA.
There is a similar model for the Nano, simply called the NAJA.
On the Road to New Media Expo
Colleen and Tony drove for 10 hours with all the camera gear to Vegas for New Media Expo, and had the camera on the way.
Inside the GE Genesis Diesel Locomotive
A Screensaver fan Bob, an engineer from Metro North (where Dick once lost, and found, a shoulder bag, see Episode 291), has taken Dick on an inside tour of a new diesel locomotive.
Skytel
Dick in Episode 635 thought that Skytel, the paging service, was no longer in operation. It turns out that it is alive and kicking, and a number of listeners still use its service, including DoctorMom (Twitter handle), Jeremiah from Detroit, and George Brickner.
DGW Commercials
A couple of DGW listeners are upset that the podcast is now "50% commercials" and will stop listening. There are always people who resist them, and those who support them, such as listener Trey, back in Episode 168, who wrote a nice letter to Dick about missing the first round of Visa commercials.
Listen to Episode 641
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Colleen and Tony drove for 10 hours with all the camera gear to Vegas for New Media Expo, and had the camera on the way.
Inside the GE Genesis Diesel Locomotive
A Screensaver fan Bob, an engineer from Metro North (where Dick once lost, and found, a shoulder bag, see Episode 291), has taken Dick on an inside tour of a new diesel locomotive.
Skytel
Dick in Episode 635 thought that Skytel, the paging service, was no longer in operation. It turns out that it is alive and kicking, and a number of listeners still use its service, including DoctorMom (Twitter handle), Jeremiah from Detroit, and George Brickner.
DGW Commercials
A couple of DGW listeners are upset that the podcast is now "50% commercials" and will stop listening. There are always people who resist them, and those who support them, such as listener Trey, back in Episode 168, who wrote a nice letter to Dick about missing the first round of Visa commercials.
Listen to Episode 641
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Brother P-Touch QL500
USB Label Printer
Link: Brother
Turn-The-Tables-Tuesday
The Brother P-Touch QL500 is a USB label printer which prints a wide variety of labels. About the size of a Roladex, it can print up to 300 x 300 dpi, 2.4" wide labels, barcodes, date and time stamping, and supports Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook Address Book. It comes with its own software too which supports both Windows and Mac.
Leo likes it so much he's bought 3 of them.
Savage Chickens
Back in Episode 567, Leo promised he would talk about a Spork Cartoon, and now he does. Listener Gordon Moul has drawn his attention to Doug Savage's cartoon, a family tree for the Spork.
Here's the link to the cartoon, on SavageChickens.com: all about foon, foodle and sporkula.
Inside the GizWizSearch
GizWizSearch (Ludwik Trammer) and InsideDGW have formed a partnership to enable search for InsideDGW content on GizWizSearch in the latter's advanced search features. Leo reads out part of the press release, and here's the full text (pardon my inflated ego):
WASHINGTON DC and WARSAW, Poland - 28 May 2008: InsideDGW.vox.com and GizWizSearch.int.pl, two leading Daily Giz Wiz content and services providers, today announced an unprecedented partnership to bring users easier and faster access to current information about the Daily Giz Wiz Netcasts. Starting today full InsideDGW show notes for a given episode will be available for everyone right on the GizWizSearch episode summary page. InsideDGW show notes are legendary for their accuracy, insight, and for providing everything you don't need or care to know about the Daily Giz Wiz Netcast.
"Here at InsideDGW we strongly believe that what's good for us is good for the rest of the world. We are happy to bring our quality content to readers of GizWizSearch," says the founder of the InsideDGW website, codename George. "As a result of this new synergy, we fully expect our readership at InsideDGW to expand to the entire audience base of the Daily Giz Wiz Netcast, recently and optimistically estimated to be 6. That will mean a triple growth in our readership numbers. Thanks to us, Dick and Leo may finally become famous."
The two websites, widely considered to be the best in the fast growing Daily Giz Wiz market, have been in talks for about six months. "We want to quash those rumors out there of any competitive ill-feeling between us," says George. "Ludwik is a wonderful personality and is very clever with his fancy computer programming and what not, and deserves all the attention. Here at InsideDGW, we make a very modest contribution. It's called real work."
When the engineering work finally began it took programmers from GizWizSearch nearly five hours of hard work to write a piece of software that would import content from insidedgw.vox.com and reformat it to better integrate with the site's look and feel.
"When the summer season started we were able to get new source supplying us with additional daylight, bringing more energy to the company. That's why we are able to bring our users a series of new exciting features, this being the first one" - says Ludwik Trammer, the 21-year-old founder of GizWizSearch.int.pl - "besides, I felt it would be a great way to try to plug my twitter on the show. Which, by the way, is twitter.com/ludwiktrammer".
The feature both parties are most excited about is the search within InsideDGW content, available in GizWizSearch's Advanced Search options. "Using this one I was able to find out that I was mentioned in at least 16 different episodes, including 364, 472, 572, 563, 554, 549, 546, 527, 526, 519, 471, 461, 418, 410, 408 and 407. It was as easy as checking "search in insidedgw.vox.com posts" and typing my name" - Trammer explains.
Both sites are looking for ways to expand their collaboration in the future, and are confident that they are edging ever closer to their common dream of a multi-million-dollar buyout deal.
ABOUT INSIDEDGW.VOX.COM
InsideDGW is the leading provider of Daily Giz Wiz information, including episode summaries, photos, videos, links, errata and "this-joke-was-already-told-in-these-ten-previous-episodes" Giz Wiz erudition. Founded in June 2007 by an enigmatic figure, previously suggested to be linked with the American government. For more information visit insidedgw.vox.com.
ABOUT GIZWIZSEARCH.INT.PL
Founded 12 July 2007 as "Daily Giz Wiz Automatic Feed Generator", the site constantly expands providing the Daily Giz Wiz community the best services on the market, including an iPhone Application, Firefox search plugin, various statistics, and many different search capabilities. For more information visit www.gizwizsearch.int.pl
InsideDGW contact:
Codename George
insidedgw@gmail.com
insidedgw.vox.com
GizWizSearch contact:
Ludwik Trammer
ludwik@trammer.pl
www.twitter.com/ludwiktrammer
www.gizwizsearch.int.pl/contact.php
More from Ludwik
Ludwik's next project is Time Travel, or ought to be, if Leo can have his way. In the meantime, he's working on GizWizSearch 3.0, codename "The Social". Nothing to do with the Zune, I assume.
... and More, More, More
There are plenty of others who have contributed to the show. Here are some of them:
The Theme and Jingle Writers: Paul Minshall, George Wood, Dan Lueders
DGW Access Providers: Collins, who made the DGW Looker-Upper-Listener; Darcy Fiander who made the Toothpick Bird Random Pick for the iPhone.
Finally, President and BizDev Guy of TWiT with special responsiblity for editing DGW, Dane Golden at InsideTWiT.
Listen to Episode 587
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Leo likes it so much he's bought 3 of them.
Savage Chickens
Back in Episode 567, Leo promised he would talk about a Spork Cartoon, and now he does. Listener Gordon Moul has drawn his attention to Doug Savage's cartoon, a family tree for the Spork.
Here's the link to the cartoon, on SavageChickens.com: all about foon, foodle and sporkula.
Inside the GizWizSearch
GizWizSearch (Ludwik Trammer) and InsideDGW have formed a partnership to enable search for InsideDGW content on GizWizSearch in the latter's advanced search features. Leo reads out part of the press release, and here's the full text (pardon my inflated ego):
WASHINGTON DC and WARSAW, Poland - 28 May 2008: InsideDGW.vox.com and GizWizSearch.int.pl, two leading Daily Giz Wiz content and services providers, today announced an unprecedented partnership to bring users easier and faster access to current information about the Daily Giz Wiz Netcasts. Starting today full InsideDGW show notes for a given episode will be available for everyone right on the GizWizSearch episode summary page. InsideDGW show notes are legendary for their accuracy, insight, and for providing everything you don't need or care to know about the Daily Giz Wiz Netcast.
"Here at InsideDGW we strongly believe that what's good for us is good for the rest of the world. We are happy to bring our quality content to readers of GizWizSearch," says the founder of the InsideDGW website, codename George. "As a result of this new synergy, we fully expect our readership at InsideDGW to expand to the entire audience base of the Daily Giz Wiz Netcast, recently and optimistically estimated to be 6. That will mean a triple growth in our readership numbers. Thanks to us, Dick and Leo may finally become famous."
The two websites, widely considered to be the best in the fast growing Daily Giz Wiz market, have been in talks for about six months. "We want to quash those rumors out there of any competitive ill-feeling between us," says George. "Ludwik is a wonderful personality and is very clever with his fancy computer programming and what not, and deserves all the attention. Here at InsideDGW, we make a very modest contribution. It's called real work."
When the engineering work finally began it took programmers from GizWizSearch nearly five hours of hard work to write a piece of software that would import content from insidedgw.vox.com and reformat it to better integrate with the site's look and feel.
"When the summer season started we were able to get new source supplying us with additional daylight, bringing more energy to the company. That's why we are able to bring our users a series of new exciting features, this being the first one" - says Ludwik Trammer, the 21-year-old founder of GizWizSearch.int.pl - "besides, I felt it would be a great way to try to plug my twitter on the show. Which, by the way, is twitter.com/ludwiktrammer".
The feature both parties are most excited about is the search within InsideDGW content, available in GizWizSearch's Advanced Search options. "Using this one I was able to find out that I was mentioned in at least 16 different episodes, including 364, 472, 572, 563, 554, 549, 546, 527, 526, 519, 471, 461, 418, 410, 408 and 407. It was as easy as checking "search in insidedgw.vox.com posts" and typing my name" - Trammer explains.
Both sites are looking for ways to expand their collaboration in the future, and are confident that they are edging ever closer to their common dream of a multi-million-dollar buyout deal.
ABOUT INSIDEDGW.VOX.COM
InsideDGW is the leading provider of Daily Giz Wiz information, including episode summaries, photos, videos, links, errata and "this-joke-was-already-told-in-these-ten-previous-episodes" Giz Wiz erudition. Founded in June 2007 by an enigmatic figure, previously suggested to be linked with the American government. For more information visit insidedgw.vox.com.
ABOUT GIZWIZSEARCH.INT.PL
Founded 12 July 2007 as "Daily Giz Wiz Automatic Feed Generator", the site constantly expands providing the Daily Giz Wiz community the best services on the market, including an iPhone Application, Firefox search plugin, various statistics, and many different search capabilities. For more information visit www.gizwizsearch.int.pl
InsideDGW contact:
Codename George
insidedgw@gmail.com
insidedgw.vox.com
GizWizSearch contact:
Ludwik Trammer
ludwik@trammer.pl
www.twitter.com/ludwiktrammer
www.gizwizsearch.int.pl/contact.php
More from Ludwik
Ludwik's next project is Time Travel, or ought to be, if Leo can have his way. In the meantime, he's working on GizWizSearch 3.0, codename "The Social". Nothing to do with the Zune, I assume.
... and More, More, More
There are plenty of others who have contributed to the show. Here are some of them:
The Theme and Jingle Writers: Paul Minshall, George Wood, Dan Lueders
DGW Access Providers: Collins, who made the DGW Looker-Upper-Listener; Darcy Fiander who made the Toothpick Bird Random Pick for the iPhone.
Finally, President and BizDev Guy of TWiT with special responsiblity for editing DGW, Dane Golden at InsideTWiT.
Listen to Episode 587
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Safe-T-Bug/Safety Bug
LED Light
Link: Panther Vision
From Dick's favourite LED gadget makers Panther Vision, the Safe-T-Bug (or Safety Bug) has 5 ultra-bright red LED flashing lights which you can attach (by pin, adhesive or magnet) to your cap, backpack, clothing or even your dog's leash for showing you the way. It is so new it's not even on Panther Vision's website yet. A real scoop by Dick!
[Update: The product has finally appeared on the PantherVision website, and is now called the Safety Bug.
The Queen Mary 2
Dick had a great time on the Queen Mary 2. Listen to Dick's account of how well-equipped the Queen Mary 2 is, and learn what is the difference between a boat and a ship.
Dick has posted some of his QM2 photos on Flickr. Here's the link.
More Gas
Ray from San Antonio in Texas was prompted by the recent references to the Mad "It's A Gas" recording to look for his Mad CD which had Alfred E Neuman on its cover. Lo and behold, or Hark, It's A Gas was on that CD.
Leo was sent a disco version of "It's A Gas" which Leo plays on the show. The belches were made by Dick and Sara Fowler. Leo also found a big-band version of "It's A Gas" on seeqpod (thanks to the chatroom), which he likes better.
Mad Minute
Alfco FastFoods's new service: Ordering by Letters.
Listen to Episode 581
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
[Update: The product has finally appeared on the PantherVision website, and is now called the Safety Bug.
The Queen Mary 2
Dick had a great time on the Queen Mary 2. Listen to Dick's account of how well-equipped the Queen Mary 2 is, and learn what is the difference between a boat and a ship.
Dick has posted some of his QM2 photos on Flickr. Here's the link.
More Gas
Ray from San Antonio in Texas was prompted by the recent references to the Mad "It's A Gas" recording to look for his Mad CD which had Alfred E Neuman on its cover. Lo and behold, or Hark, It's A Gas was on that CD.
Leo was sent a disco version of "It's A Gas" which Leo plays on the show. The belches were made by Dick and Sara Fowler. Leo also found a big-band version of "It's A Gas" on seeqpod (thanks to the chatroom), which he likes better.
Mad Minute
Alfco FastFoods's new service: Ordering by Letters.
Listen to Episode 581
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Rotator
Swivel Socket Adapter
Link: Rotator Electric
Like the Socket Sense (Episode 519), the T10 Flexible Power Strip (Episode 449) and the Power Squid (Episode 24), the Rotator Swivel Socket solves the problem of the big plug or transformer that gets in the way of other plugs. The socket adapter is designed primarily for use on a dual outlet. Its elevated position gives you more room to manoeuvre. The socket itself swivels to give you more flexibility and in certain cases, enables better balance for the device you're plugging in.
You can watch a demonstration here.
The Rotato
The name of Dick's gadget reminds Leo of the Rotato, a hand-crank potato peeler. The Rotato Express is electrically powered.
Live Audience
A number of people have asked about watching Dick live on TWiTLive, in the TWiT Studio itself (aka The Giz Wiz Green Room). Dick would love to have a live audience when he appears on TWiTLive on 20 June.
Piano Roll
Daniel Gentleman of ThoughtFix LLC writes in about what he thinks is the oldest method of recorded music distribution - the piano roll, and the player piano.
Even back in the day, the music industry was worried about copyright violation, and one of hte piano roll makers, Apollo, was taken to court, resulting in the 1908 Supreme Court decision in White-Smith Music Publishing Company v Apollo Company, which Apollo won. But later Congress intervened. Read about it on Wikipedia.
Here is an excellent video on YouTube of a TV programme aired on TVOntario in the late 1980's, called "The Acme School of Stuff", on how a piano roll was made.
Dick and Leo wonder if the younger generation would understand what a "bread box" or an "ice box" is.
You can watch a demonstration here.
The Rotato
The name of Dick's gadget reminds Leo of the Rotato, a hand-crank potato peeler. The Rotato Express is electrically powered.
A number of people have asked about watching Dick live on TWiTLive, in the TWiT Studio itself (aka The Giz Wiz Green Room). Dick would love to have a live audience when he appears on TWiTLive on 20 June.
Piano Roll
Daniel Gentleman of ThoughtFix LLC writes in about what he thinks is the oldest method of recorded music distribution - the piano roll, and the player piano.
Even back in the day, the music industry was worried about copyright violation, and one of hte piano roll makers, Apollo, was taken to court, resulting in the 1908 Supreme Court decision in White-Smith Music Publishing Company v Apollo Company, which Apollo won. But later Congress intervened. Read about it on Wikipedia.
Here is an excellent video on YouTube of a TV programme aired on TVOntario in the late 1980's, called "The Acme School of Stuff", on how a piano roll was made.
Dick and Leo wonder if the younger generation would understand what a "bread box" or an "ice box" is.
TT Pack
Restroom Kit
Link: TT Packs
The gadget with the lowest tech and lowest price, according to Dick. The TT Pack is a restroom kit which contains a toilet seat wipe, toilet seat cover, hand wipe, tissue, paper towel and disposable gloves. Brought to you by Eye 2 Eye Ideas.
Are We Related?
Trevor from Sebastopol, Australia was glad to hear that both Dick and Leo are watch junkies. So is he. He's got loads of watches, most of which have flat batteries.
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair has done a special on Mad. See the article, with early Mad covers, online.
Spork Commercial
At Dick's request, Leo plays the Spork TV commercial.
Listen to Episode 558
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Are We Related?
Trevor from Sebastopol, Australia was glad to hear that both Dick and Leo are watch junkies. So is he. He's got loads of watches, most of which have flat batteries.
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair has done a special on Mad. See the article, with early Mad covers, online.
Spork Commercial
At Dick's request, Leo plays the Spork TV commercial.
Listen to Episode 558
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Energizer Light-On-Demand
Emergency Lighting
Link: Light On Demand
Energizer's Light-On-Demand series has 7 products, including a desk lamp, a wall sconce, a motion light and a night light. The main feature of these lighting products is that each has an LED "light stick" with its internal rechargeable battery. The light stick is removable and can be used as a flashlight. If the power goes out, the light stick will automatically come on as emergency lighting (although you can turn that feature off). The light sticks are interchangeable between different fixtures. Light-On-Demand will be available first at Target, then later in the year at other outlets.
I'll Be Here
DGW is so infectious that Gregory Cheney found himself saying "I'll be here" to his mother at the end of their telephone call. He also wants to know how to keep his female cat entertained. Dick suggests a laser pointer pen, while Leo has a more cruel method.
Update (7 April 2008): Another listener, called SS, having heard this episode, writes to Dick suggesting the Ba-Da-Beam Cat Toy, whose email has been posted by Dick on his website. The laser dot circles, pauses, then pauses again, and can never be caught. That should keep your cat entertained. From Drs Foster and Smith.
VideoCasts
Dick and Leo discuss what to call Leo's coming video shows. Suggestions are welcome.
Leo's Journey into Tasmania
Leo is now in Tasmania. Follow his journey on his blog at Leoville, and check out that video with a montage of images from Hobart. Dane Golden has also posted on his blog some of the videos taken by Jenna Fox at the Sydney Airport where Leo met up with some of his Australian fans. In one of those videos, you can see Leo sporting 2 of his TTTT gadgets, the Amazon Kindle (Episode 472), and the big red Tom Bihn bag, the Western Flyer (Episode 522), while wearing his TWiT-branded Scottevest Microfleece Pullover.
Listen to Episode 539
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
I'll Be Here
DGW is so infectious that Gregory Cheney found himself saying "I'll be here" to his mother at the end of their telephone call. He also wants to know how to keep his female cat entertained. Dick suggests a laser pointer pen, while Leo has a more cruel method.
VideoCasts
Dick and Leo discuss what to call Leo's coming video shows. Suggestions are welcome.
Leo's Journey into Tasmania
Leo is now in Tasmania. Follow his journey on his blog at Leoville, and check out that video with a montage of images from Hobart. Dane Golden has also posted on his blog some of the videos taken by Jenna Fox at the Sydney Airport where Leo met up with some of his Australian fans. In one of those videos, you can see Leo sporting 2 of his TTTT gadgets, the Amazon Kindle (Episode 472), and the big red Tom Bihn bag, the Western Flyer (Episode 522), while wearing his TWiT-branded Scottevest Microfleece Pullover.
Listen to Episode 539
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Timex Sinclair 1000
Vintage Computer
Link: OldComputers.net
Dick's Gadget Warehouse
Courtesy of Jim Troiano, more correctly known as Mike Troiano, the Timex Sinclair 1000 has made its way into Dick's Gadget Warehouse, delivered by an official of the United States Government. It was made by Sinclair from the UK, which was a slightly improved model of the Sinclair ZX81 on which it was based, with more memory. The Timex Sinclair 1000 was the North American version, and came out in 1982. It had 2KB memory, as opposed to 1KB of the ZX81. The keyboard was tiny, about 5" x 3".
Mike and Jean Troiano
Fans of Leo from California, they have visited the set of the Screen Savers, the TWiT Office, and will soon visit the new TWiT Studio. They may well take with them Carvel's Lumpy the Whale, more correctly known as Fudgie the Whale (see Episode 357).
TWiT Studio
Leo has referred to the new TWiT Studio a few times in his recent podcasts, including DGW. He's going to set up his live TV station in the old Victorian house in Petaluma. To see what the house looks like from the outside, see Episode 73.
To read more about Leo's new ideas for TWiT, read his blog.
Obsoleting ...
A listener writes in to talk about the quickest time in which a gadget is obsoleted by a subsequent gadget, such as the printer obsoleting the typewriter, and the cellphone obsoleting the typewriter. Somehow the rest of the letter got obsoleted after Dick and Leo distracted themselves with warm-up acts.
Our Own Ed McMahon
Dane Golden is aspiring to be the warm-up act for TWiT Live, as Ed McMahon was for Johnny Carson, Michael Gellman for Regis and Kathie Lee, and Johnny Olson for the Match Game.
Cutest Little Chick in Town
Butter and Eggs Day is coming up in Petaluma and they have a Cutest Little Chick Contest, says Leo. For more on the Butter and Eggs Day, listen to Episodes 56 and 311. Petaluma seems to have more than its fair share of wacky contests, including the Ugliest Dog Contest: see Episode 348.
Listen to Episode 535
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Mike and Jean Troiano
Fans of Leo from California, they have visited the set of the Screen Savers, the TWiT Office, and will soon visit the new TWiT Studio. They may well take with them Carvel's Lumpy the Whale, more correctly known as Fudgie the Whale (see Episode 357).
TWiT Studio
Leo has referred to the new TWiT Studio a few times in his recent podcasts, including DGW. He's going to set up his live TV station in the old Victorian house in Petaluma. To see what the house looks like from the outside, see Episode 73.
To read more about Leo's new ideas for TWiT, read his blog.
Obsoleting ...
A listener writes in to talk about the quickest time in which a gadget is obsoleted by a subsequent gadget, such as the printer obsoleting the typewriter, and the cellphone obsoleting the typewriter. Somehow the rest of the letter got obsoleted after Dick and Leo distracted themselves with warm-up acts.
Our Own Ed McMahon
Dane Golden is aspiring to be the warm-up act for TWiT Live, as Ed McMahon was for Johnny Carson, Michael Gellman for Regis and Kathie Lee, and Johnny Olson for the Match Game.
Cutest Little Chick in Town
Butter and Eggs Day is coming up in Petaluma and they have a Cutest Little Chick Contest, says Leo. For more on the Butter and Eggs Day, listen to Episodes 56 and 311. Petaluma seems to have more than its fair share of wacky contests, including the Ugliest Dog Contest: see Episode 348.
Listen to Episode 535
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Sparxline Helmet Strobe
LED Helmet Light
Link: Sparxline
From Sparxline, the Helmet Strobe is an LED light you put on your cycling or skating helmet that gives off a strobe light as soon as it senses motion. It increases your visibility in the dark. Auto-on and auto off. The battery can last for 80 hours, and visibility is up to half a mile.
A Victechian/Victekian Studio
Leo is in the process of decking out the TWiT Offices with TV lights and other tricks. He's turning the Victorian house into a live studio for the TWiT network.
Ghoulishly Yours
Jeff Mayers writes in to report the news that a documentary film is going to be made by John Landis about Bill Gaines, called Ghoulishly Yours.
One Foot On The Ground
Back in the day, when a bed scene in a film was shot, the man was required to have one foot on the ground.
Listen to Episode 531
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
A Victechian/Victekian Studio
Leo is in the process of decking out the TWiT Offices with TV lights and other tricks. He's turning the Victorian house into a live studio for the TWiT network.
Ghoulishly Yours
Jeff Mayers writes in to report the news that a documentary film is going to be made by John Landis about Bill Gaines, called Ghoulishly Yours.
One Foot On The Ground
Back in the day, when a bed scene in a film was shot, the man was required to have one foot on the ground.
Listen to Episode 531
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
