Chris Pirillo

My mouth hit the floor when I read the title of this thread earlier on Geeks. A drawback to being a Geek – what?! Are you kidding me? Being a Geek is the best possible thing to be. We have it all – brains, looks, girls… what more could we want? The looks, well, just because they are funny looks at times means nothing. It’s just part of the total package that makes us so amazingly perfect, right? And the girls – ahhh, the girls – we all know that Geek boys get all the girls, right? Wait, what? You have trouble finding a girlfriend? Well, perhaps if you showered more often, and stopped being so nervous around the fairer sex. Fine. The looks and the girls may be lacking. But we have the brains! And the brains get us the money! And the money gets us more Geeky gadgets! Who needs girls, anyway?

Ok, time to get serious here, my fellow Geeks. Do you actually feel there are drawbacks to being a Geek? I’m interested in hearing your answers. For me – life is good when you’re a Geek. I’m comfortable with who, what and how I am… and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But I know that not everyone would agree, so let’s have it.

There are hundreds of excellent titles available at our downloads site, including games and other fun things to do!

Are There Any Drawbacks to Being a Geek? is a post from: Chris Pirillo

Roy’s Fish Sampler

Chris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:42:01 +0000

@AlohaBruce is about to enjoy the fish sampler at @OriginalRoys.

Roy’s Fish Sampler is a post from: Chris Pirillo

Phil Plait – Active Skepticism Online

Chris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:10:57 +0000

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Phil talked to us about science communication online, and how the “new” (now teenaged, in more ways than one) media has affected it. Specifically how instant info – passed on Twitter – can actually make misinformation spread faster than good info, and how freaking hard it is to clean up once that happens.

Phil Plait is an astronomer, author, blogger, and skeptic… which means you better have some good evidence for any claims you make to him! In fact, Phil is the President of the James Randi Educational Foundation, a non-profit based on the works of noted conjurer and skeptic James Randi – famous for debunking the spoon-bending efforts of Uri Geller. The critical thinking movement is growing by leaps and bounds, and the JREF has been at the center of a grassroots effort to bring more skepticism into everyday life, especially online.

Phil writes the Bad Astronomy Blog, now hosted by Discover Magazine, and he blogs for the JREF and for SkepticBlog.

His books debunk many misconceptions about astronomy, and to his chagrin he still deals with Moon Landing deniers, astrology, and UFO believers to this day.

In his opinion – and he’s right – the Universe is cool enough. Why make up stuff about it?

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Phil Plait – Active Skepticism Online is a post from: Chris Pirillo

How to Disable the UAC in Windows Vista

Chris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:29:19 +0000

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Recently I threw down the gauntlet, asking all of you to submit your best screencasts. I plan to highlight the best of the best here in my channel, and help promote yours. Dylan has sent a few in to us now, and they’re fantastic. This particular screencast is going to help you quickly and easily turn off the UAC in Vista.

The first way that Dylan shows us to disable the UAC is to go into your control panel, and select “User Accounts and Family Safety”. Then go to “Add or Remove User Accounts”. Highlight your account so that it’s selected. You’ll see an option at the bottom that says “Go to the Main User Accounts Page”. Select that, and at the bottom of that screen, you’ll see where it says “Turn the User Account Control On or Off”. Choose that, and uncheck the box. You’ll then need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

For more advanced users who are comfortable when using msconfig, you can use this method, instead. Go to your Start menu, and type msconfig in the search box so that it will open that up. Once in msconfig, click on the “Tools” tab. Scroll down until you see where it says “Disable UAC”. Click the “Launch” button, and another small box will pop up telling you the operation was completed successfully. Close that little box, click OK in msconfig, and close everything. Reboot your computer, and you’re finished!

See how easy that was? Thanks much to Dylan for providing us with this screencast. Keep them coming, everyone! Who knows – you could be featured next.

Writing Guidelines for Screencasts

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How to Disable the UAC in Windows Vista is a post from: Chris Pirillo

Geek Drinks

Chris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:46:08 +0000

My glass glows. It’s sex on the beach! Thanks to @tikisgrill and @mahalomichael.

Geek Drinks is a post from: Chris Pirillo

What Technology has Shaped Your Life

Chris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:33:00 +0000

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My cousin, Dr. Adrian Lamberti, is writing a book about technology, and wants your help. She and her co-author are putting together a book about technological history. It will look at watershed moments in communications technology, beginning with the advent of email and the World Wide Web back in the 90s. Take a listen to the video and hear the list they’ve already come up with. Then, leave a comment on the corresponding post in my blog with your ideas. Who knows? You may contribute to the book!

She also lists such things, such as MMORPGs, Google, Flickr, Twitter, blogging, Facebook, and MySpace. Also collaborative media such as Google Docs. They’ve even listed the iPhone and iPod Touch!

They are coming at this from one disciplines’ point of view. It will be radically different than what your list might be. What suggestions do you have for Adrian and her writing partner? What can you think of in the world of tech that has really impacted and/or changed your life?

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What Technology has Shaped Your Life is a post from: Chris Pirillo

The Business of Social Media

Chris — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:44:10 +0000

Most business is conducted at play, so claims @MahaloMichael at @TikisGrill. They’re using social media in the tastiest way! They hosted my Gnomedex Hawaii Tweetup a few months ago. Lunch today was great (you must try the Poke Bowl if you have the chance).

The Business of Social Media is a post from: Chris Pirillo

What Would You Do With a Million Dollars?

Chris — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:10:55 +0000

Over on Geeks today, people have been talking about what they’d do if they suddenly won a million dollars. It’s funny to read the answers, and touching as well. Many people would donate to charities, which I would do more of myself if I won that kind of money. I’d also invest plenty of it, in order to retire at an early age!

But we all know me, and we all know that I would be going on a massive Geeky shopping spree! There’s so many gadgets and USB gizmos out there that I don’t have yet!! Don’t lie – you know you’d be buying some, as well. So come on… tell us… what would you do if you had a cool million in your bank account?

I had a look through what’s new at our downloads site today. Holy cow there are some excellent pieces of software. Did you realize you can find everything from games to productivity software… for your Windows machine, your Mac AND your phone?

What Would You Do With a Million Dollars? is a post from: Chris Pirillo

Backup Security and Synchronizing (even for Macs!)

Chris — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:14:38 +0000

You’ve seen us repeatedly say to back up your files. When someone has computer problems, one of the first questions that we ask is whether there is a backup of the important files. You would be surprised at how many people do not have a backup. And there is no reason for that lapse in security.

Computers will fail. Hard drives will stop working. Disasters will happen, so we are going to make this backup routine very easy. We have an offer for our readers from GoodSync. This program has had good reviews and we agree. It is easy to use and it is effective:

GoodSync will automatically back up and synchronize all your important files so you never need to worry about losing your emails, precious family photos, contacts, MP3s, and financial documents. GoodSync works locally – between desktops, laptops, servers, and external drives, but it is also capable of backing up and syncing files to and from remote servers using FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and more.

This program will work with Windows XP/2003 Server/Vista and yes, Windows 7. As a special offer to our readers, there is a twenty percent (20%) discount when you use coupon code LCKGS. This offer expires on November 11, 2009.

And for the Mac users, GoodSync has an alpha version, which is free. It’s still being tested, so use it at your own risk.

For the sake of full disclosure, we tested the pay-for version extensively. The Mac version was not tested by our reviewers.

Backup Security and Synchronizing (even for Macs!) is a post from: Chris Pirillo

Christine Peterson – Life Extension for Geeks

Chris — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:04:14 +0000

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Compared to our computers, our bodies are mind-bogglingly complex systems. There’s no “life extension pill” available today, and none is likely to arrive soon. Fortunately for us, we can use our technical skills to evaluate and implement today’s life extension techniques, some of which can be fun – at least from a geek perspective.

Christine Peterson catalyzes new technologies: first, focusing on atoms, she co-founded Foresight Instituteto advance the field of nanotech. This work is accomplished by providing balanced, accurate and timely information to help society understand and prepare for nanotechnology through public policy activities, publications, guidelines, networking events, tutorials, conferences, roadmaps, and prizes.

Her work is motivated by a desire to help Earth’s environment and traditional human communities avoid harm and instead benefit from expected dramatic advances in technology. This goal of spreading benefits led to an interest in new varieties of intellectual property including open source software, a term she is credited with originating.

More recently, having noticed that — as some crudely put it — “aging sucks”, she works to further life extension, especially within the tech community.

She serves on the Advisory Board of the International Council on Nanotechnologyand the Editorial Advisory Board of NASA’s Nanotech Briefs, and served on California’s Blue Ribbon Task Forceon Nanotechnology.

Christine is the co-author of one book on nanotech, and another on collaboration technologies. She is a member of IEEE, and an alumna of MIT.

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Christine Peterson – Life Extension for Geeks is a post from: Chris Pirillo

Macy’s Coupons

coupons — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:55:24 +0000

Macy’s has a sale on thousands of home items today:

Macy’s – Home Sale: Extra 10-15% off + Free Shipping w/ $125 Purchase using coupon code (exp 11/4/09)

…and there are some great deals including:

Extra 10% off Bella Cucina 13267 Panini Maker, only $17.99 (orig $49.99) using coupon code ENTERTAIN

Extra 15% off Melissa 7 Piece Jacquard Comforter Set, only $50.99 (orig $200) using coupon code ENTERTAIN

Extra 15% off Golden Damask 7-Piece Jacquard Comforter Set, only $50.99 (orig $200) using coupon code ENTERTAIN

Extra 15% off Lexington Manor 7-Piece Jacquard Comforter Set, only $50.99 (orig $200) using coupon code ENTERTAIN

Extra 15% off Pyrex 8-Piece Mixing Bowl Set, only $12.74 (orig $30) using coupon code ENTERTAIN

More Macy’s Coupons:

Macys - Veterans Day Sale with $99 Free Shipping and 2 Day Specials Posted on 11/5/09 and Expires on 11/11/09
Macys - Tommy Hilfiger Duxbury Slip-On Shoes only $29.99 (Regular Price $49) Posted on 11/5/09 and Expires on 11/7/09
Macys - Free Shipping w/ any $99 Jewelry or Watch Purchase using coupon code 99TIME Posted on 11/2/09 and Expires on 11/11/09
Macys - Save an Additional 50% on Clearance Jewelry Posted on 9/23/05 and Expires on 12/31/15

Find Coupons for over 1100 Stores at Coupons.Lockergnome.com

Macy’s Coupons is a post from: Chris Pirillo

World’s Geekiest Rice Cooker

Chris — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:23:44 +0000

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Being the gadget-lover that I am, I have been on the cookout for the Geekiest rice cooker out there! I finally found it, and I love it! It’s the Zojirushi Micom 3-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer. I bought it in the stainless steel finish, to match the other appliances in my kitchen. It’s easy to use, Geeky enough to make me happy, and makes delicious rice!

There are several different ways I can cook my rice, with just the touch of a button. I can choose to change the consistency from soft to medium to hard! I can even change up the type of rice I cook: white, sushi, porridge, brown, and quick cooking! There’s a built-in timer if I want to watch the minutes go by, and it comes with a rice spatula and measuring cup. A rice spatula what?? I’ve never even heard of one, but apparently I need it!

I love to eat rice, flavored in many different ways. This handy new Geeky cooker makes it ten times easier on me to make sure that I cook it to perfection.

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World’s Geekiest Rice Cooker is a post from: Chris Pirillo

Alibris Coupons

coupons — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:19:16 +0000

Lots of new coupons at Alibris books this month and it looks like the theme for this month is 60’s Rock bands:

Alibris - $10 off $100 using coupon code PINKFLOYD Posted on 11/4/09 and Expires on 11/30/09
Alibris - $6 off $60 using coupon code BYRDS Posted on 11/4/09 and Expires on 11/30/09
Alibris - $8 off $80 using coupon code JANIS Posted on 11/4/09 and Expires on 11/30/09
Alibris - $4 off $40 using coupon code STONES Posted on 11/4/09 and Expires on 11/30/09
Alibris - $2 off $20 using coupon code ZEPPELIN Posted on 11/4/09 and Expires on 11/30/09

Find Coupons for over 1100 Stores at Coupons.Lockergnome.com

Alibris has over 100 million used, new and out-of-print books plus CDs & DVDs. Prices are competitive with Amazon and their coupons make for some nice deals.

Alibris Coupons is a post from: Chris Pirillo