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2007 February

Pirillo’s Picks for 02/28/2007

I send my picks to 140,000 subscribers every day – join them by sending an email to picks@lockergnome.com. If you blog and encourage others to subscribe to the list, your site will be placed in the queue to be featured in an upcoming Pirillo’s Picks!

Read more on Pirillo’s Picks for 02/28/2007…

Help with Cleaning a Keyboard

Okay, here’s a little bit of informational fun to lighten up your day…

This is how we clean a keyboard: the Pirillo way!

You could put ‘er it in a dishwasher. Some swear by this method, but it’s never worked for me. I’ve only ruined peripherals with water. Or, you could remove the keys and soak everything in a bathtub full of lukewarm water. Proceed with caution, though. Then again, you could go with my favorite method; turn ‘er upside down over a towel and shake vigorously.

Read more on Help with Cleaning a Keyboard…

 Podcast Video: Download

 Podcast Video: Download

Spam is Cancer: Cancer Spam?

Not sure why I’m suddenly starting to get junk email about metastatic colorectal cancer, but… is there an epidemic I don’t know about?

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) you might want to take some time to learn as much as you can about this condition and how to stay actively involved through the course of treatment. Facing MCRC is a program that provides you with access to reliable information about colorectal cancer and its treatment options. Facing MCRC can also help you talk with your doctor and care team about your condition and ways to manage your treatment and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Read more on Spam is Cancer: Cancer Spam?…

Where Windows Pundits Went Wrong

I’m really starting to get pissed off with the distributed lynch mob that’s forming around my recent decision to drop VIsta for XP. Now, the saddest part of this is – I’m not pissed off at the people telling me to switch to OS X, I’m really pissed off at the people who are blaming me for Vista’s shortcomings. Witness Ed Bott’s jabs:

Read more on Where Windows Pundits Went Wrong…

Windows Vista: I’m Breaking up with You

No, seriously. When I have the time, I’m “upgrading” from Windows Vista to Windows XP. My keyboard is completely ambiguous.

I stand by my original assertion that the shipping version of this OS is late beta, at best. I realize that other enthusiasts are leaving Windows altogether (and leaping instead to Apple’s OS X), but there’s not yet enough momentum behind my willingness to do that. I’ll leave the installs of Vista 32 and 64 on this PC, but I’ll spend most (if not all) of my time back in tried-and-true Windows XP.

Read more on Windows Vista: I’m Breaking up with You…

Keyboard Cleaning

How do you clean your keyboard? Personally, I take the “shake and quake” approach. Some have suggested that I actually place the peripheral into a dishwasher to get all the gunk out. Others have suggested removing the keys and soaking it in a bathtub. No, I honestly think the best approach is to get a new keyboard every year (even though compressed air is fun to shoot). Seriously, these things aren’t usually all that expensive – at least, the ones I’d suggest chucking on a regular basis. Unfortunately, they don’t make my favorite model anymore (A Microsoft Internet Keyboard Pro with two USB ports off the back). I’m either stuck with a sticky keyboard, or forced to find a new favorite.

Read more on Keyboard Cleaning…

Worst Blogger at Northern Voice

I attended Northern Voice, physically – but I’m afraid my brain wasn’t firing on all cylinders. For that, I deeply apologize to everyone there. NV is the one event I look forward to attending every year (not just because of its close proximity, not just because I love Vancouver, but because it’s my chance to meet friends and make new ones).

Read more on Worst Blogger at Northern Voice…

How to Draw Comics

Our daily comic bLaugh is still going strong – and we’re kicking it up a notch with a bit of video learning. Yes, GoDaddy has been an amazing sponsor for us! Brad says that he’s gonna be uploading his “live sketch” videos every single day. Over time, you can learn how to become just as talented an artist.

Read more on How to Draw Comics…

How to use YouTube to Educate

  • Yes, the quality isn’t outstanding. I’m working on improving the workflow.
  • Submit your questions here.
  • Sponsored by GoDaddy and recorded on an AMD system.
  • I wish someone would take Revver’s API and make it so that my YouTube videos were automatically added to my Revver account.

Read more on How to use YouTube to Educate…

Distance Learning Links?

I’m starting to become more and more interested in distance learning applications. I mean, we’re totally living in an increasingly-decentralized world – but is the realm of education keeping pace? I remember talking about future distance learning applications back in the early ’90s, but I’m not sure we’ve come all that far since then.

Read more on Distance Learning Links?…

Who the hell is Franck Muller and why the hell are his watches so damn expensive!?

Okay, I have no idea why I keep getting spam about buying timepieces from Franck Muller. Apparently, these watches are worth tens of thousands of dollars so that YOU CAN SEE JUST HOW LONG IT TAKES TO BE DUPED INTO BUYING SOMETHING THAT WILL DISPLAY THE SAME TIME AS A FREAKIN’ TIMEX PICKED UP FROM ANY CONVENIENCE STORE.

Read more on Who the hell is Franck Muller and why the hell are his watches so damn expensive!?…

Five must-have Joomla plugins (and tips)

When I mentioned in my Picks that we deployed Joomla to drive this year’s Gnomedex site, a Gnomie responded enthusiastically. Jack Bremer operates a handful of Joomla-driven sites, including Prospect Burma and his own 3B Web Design. John and I have been hacking away at it for a while now, but he definitely knows more about the platform than I do – and John offered a handful of tips and suggestions, including his top five “must have” Joomla extensions. From the Bremer’s mouth:

Read more on Five must-have Joomla plugins (and tips)…

BBB for Software?

Long-time Gnomie Gail Fleming popped into my inbox this evening with an outstanding question:

I was just wondering – do you have any areas in Lockergnome where people can report bad customer support for software products that they have purchased? I have been burned a couple of times, once quite recently and I really think the only way some of these people will listen is if their customers come forward and report their experiences.

It seems unethical of certain software companies (MOVAVI) to produce a product that is laced with bugs that they are aware of and they tell you they are working on a fix in their new version. Then they place the fixes in a new version which if 60 days have passed from your original purchase, you have to buy it all over again as an upgrade. Is this typical in your experiences?

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Pirillo’s Picks for 02/21/2007

I send my picks to 140,000 subscribers every day – join them by sending an email to picks@lockergnome.com. If you blog and encourage others to subscribe to the list, your site will be placed in the queue to be featured in an upcoming Pirillo’s Picks!

Read more on Pirillo’s Picks for 02/21/2007…

Home Ownership, Marriage, et cetera

There’s nothing wrong with being busy, is there? Nothing will kill a blogger’s blogging schedule quicker than moving into a new home and getting married. Seriously.

I wanted to whittle my inbox down to ZERO this weekend, but wound up taking care of personal tasks instead: hitting Home Depot for primer and paint, running to Target for dog food and Kleenex, driving to E.E. Robbins for a new wedding band (since the tungsten didn’t work out, which I hope to blog about soon), etc.

Read more on Home Ownership, Marriage, et cetera…