Now I can tweet at 30,000 feet! I’m also able to catch up on emails!

Thank You for the WiFi, Alaska Airlines

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?

• Are the chimps running the asylum at HP?
• Help prevent Social Media scams.
• What is life like with Ubuntu, five years later?
• AT&T has a suit for that.
• How can Twitter Lists help?
• Is the Apple Tablet the eBook Reader you wanted?
• Do you have a recent example of good customer service to share?
• Windows 7 isn’t a fabulous experience for everyone.
• Does Nokia need to drop cells?
• Moving at the speed of slow…
• Copyright and Piracy – Geek to Sleek
• Go to Harvard – and watch television in class.
• What do you think of T-Mobile’s new rate plans?
• Not all seats are created equal.

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?

[awsbullet:windows 7 upgrade]

What Would You Do With a Million Dollars?

Both @flyhawaiian [a good group to follow if you wanna know more about traveling to Hawaii] and I are asking… How do you keep yourself occupied when flying?

suddenlysmilee: I sing… I believe I can fly :)

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:36:43 +0000 2009

tmartin62: sleep

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:37:25 +0000 2009

LashaKrikheli: Interesting magazine articles. iPhone. Book.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:37:44 +0000 2009

lrv94: I would say either sleep, or if your flight has wifi then use the internet!

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:38:09 +0000 2009

MrRichmond1995: my alptop

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:38:18 +0000 2009

SimonTheSnowman: Gadgets!

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:39:16 +0000 2009

1lyserg2: on a plane? iPhone all the way

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:39:50 +0000 2009

iThomasina: Flying? Sleep. And try not to snore. Audiobooks are good too. And there's always the amazingly awesome in flight magazine! XD

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:40:13 +0000 2009

Bethanyb17: I watch a movie, listen to music, or read a book or magazine to keep myself occupied while I am flying.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:40:41 +0000 2009

pierce40: when i am flying i tend to listen to music with a good set of in-ear headphones to isolate sound. The other is to sleep!

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:40:48 +0000 2009

VOIDMunashii: DS, reading, sleeping (if possible), complaining about the lack of legroom.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:41:06 +0000 2009

hectic92: watch tv.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:41:16 +0000 2009

lalalolly88: I become immersed in a good book :)

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:41:28 +0000 2009

mehalchin: Old fashioned here, I like to catch up on hard copy reading materials while flying; altho I am increasingly using iPod too

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:42:21 +0000 2009

jondthompson: Last time I flew, I was amazed at the feeling of sitting in a backwards facing chair. Of course, I was one of six in the plane

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:43:12 +0000 2009

jonathanstark: Podcasts.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:43:31 +0000 2009

jondthompson: Including pilots. Normally, I just enjoy the flight and the tops of clouds/rolling terrain below.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:43:55 +0000 2009

robertohoyos: sleep and keep my arm to myself.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:44:37 +0000 2009

mviloria1: first skim through the airplane magazines then read a non-fiction book. when all else fails watch podcasts and listen to music

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:45:43 +0000 2009

g3houdini: ipod touch podcast

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:46:42 +0000 2009

paperfairy: I usually keep flapping my wings. Don't you?

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:47:30 +0000 2009

SuziBeerman: — I read or nap. It is a great relief to have quiet time for hours at a time.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:48:49 +0000 2009

grumpytechs: I hit myself with a sledgehammer if rum and Coke doesn't do the trick.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:49:27 +0000 2009

twobears29: I just keep telling myself “don't say bomb” over and over again.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:49:36 +0000 2009

LindseyGroepper: I try to catch up on some zzz's if in window seat. Don't underestimate the dorky travel neck-pillow

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:50:07 +0000 2009

ArttLaFlamme: I don't fly I pull the John Madden and travel via bus on land.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:50:14 +0000 2009

LGatCEA: ipod, catch up on podcasts, macbook pro, watch a movie or read a book. Can't sleep. wish i could on a plane.. but just can't.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:52:39 +0000 2009

chena007: I either watch movies or play games :)

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:52:55 +0000 2009

gWhiteNights: zzzzzzzzzzzz

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:54:28 +0000 2009

maritbergh: read a good book or listen to music or sleep :D btw im norwegian and i can show u how to pronounce KJØTTKAKER :D

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:54:57 +0000 2009

schottsi: i read a book, usually on my iphone. wish i could sleep on the long flights.

about 5 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:55:30 +0000 2009

AnthonyTuch: mile high club is a good way ;-)

about 4 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 19:59:18 +0000 2009

ToniMorenoURV: Solving Sudokus.

about 4 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 20:01:23 +0000 2009

Sharonrey: By running my fingers through the hair of the passenger next to me. Then when they request a seat change, I listen to my ipod

about 4 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 20:03:57 +0000 2009

blindkangaroo: usually one of three things. Reading, sleeping or listening to podcasts

about 4 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 20:08:11 +0000 2009

WebGalPat: If my husband is the pilot, I am usually in a death grip on the seat cushions. Otherwise, watching movies on my iPhone!

about 4 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 20:08:50 +0000 2009

Flander_Mi: sleeping or movie on laptop

about 4 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 20:19:44 +0000 2009

n3vqh: by flying the plane… FAA Prefers I do that …

about 4 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 20:24:44 +0000 2009

householdhacker: Netbook + airline wifi

about 4 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 20:26:40 +0000 2009

I_PRODUCTIONS: Remember your not falling

about 4 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 20:34:06 +0000 2009

cbgfilms: when flying I take my videocam, & film stuff like the lady behind me who sticks her bare foot between the crack of my seat.

about 4 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 20:50:49 +0000 2009

Ebzeek: play psp lol they have great battery life and you can download movies onto them

about 4 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 20:51:16 +0000 2009

cliff538: When flying it's; iPhone: watching podcasts, reading books on Stanza. MacBookPro: trying to better Photoshop skills.

about 3 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 21:43:09 +0000 2009

Frezkee: delta wifi and lots of movies

about 2 hours ago

Mon Aug 31 22:05:10 +0000 2009

shand1: Flying? I read or sleep, or watch the airline TV. I'm afraid of heights, lakes and pools.

about an hour ago

Mon Aug 31 23:32:11 +0000 2009

KayDee28: reading is always a win when flying. I always seem to obsessed with gadjets to ever sit down and read :)

about an hour ago

Mon Aug 31 23:43:26 +0000 2009

How to Entertain Yourself on an Airplane

I’ve learned that quite a few airlines are starting to offer in-flight WiFi service. The addition of this amenity has been long overdue.

I’m just hoping that people will be responsible with the wireless connection at 30,000 feet. It won’t take much to ruin a nearby passenger’s flight. How about some guidelines?

1. Either hit the mute button or use your headphones
2. Avoid browsing adult Web sites (or anything like ‘em)
3. Shut down all Bittorrent / P2P clients

And, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you open up a Skype video / audio call if there’s someone sitting next to you. I tweeted about it the other day – with some of my followers in complete agreement, and others completely oblivious to the reasoning:

randallholahan: why no skype? Bandwidth?

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 21:30:02 +0000 2009

iBetaTest: Thanks for that great Video review about beta testing and mentioning iBetaTest.com :) Much appreciated!

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 21:00:02 +0000 2009

DirkBeveridge: Agreed Chris. They MUST block Skype at 30,000 ft! Personal space is already invaded – I need my thinking or resting space!

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 20:52:50 +0000 2009

cjweeks: just take notes and ask them later if you have any questions

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 20:10:31 +0000 2009

RudyMcComb: no skype Chris…lol

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 20:00:45 +0000 2009

jamesisapc: yh gd answer I think wifi on planes is great

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 20:00:04 +0000 2009

wbahner: @chrispirillo: Skype on a plane? WTF??

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 19:52:28 +0000 2009

macwhisperer: true that. And stay off those porn sites too.

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 19:50:37 +0000 2009

TracyRenee: thought you couldn't use internet on planes, what good is skype then?

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 19:48:43 +0000 2009

ammunix: rofl why? was someone babbling next to you?

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 19:48:37 +0000 2009

Swamp_Daddy: so picky

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 19:47:54 +0000 2009

JamesNaughton: I completely agree!

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 19:47:52 +0000 2009

dougmcarthur: what's your beef with skype on planes? sucking too much bandwidth? too many people making noise?

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 19:47:45 +0000 2009

Patrick_Grady: I know, right? I'm not old school about much… but come on. BTW – your piece on CNN was brilliant.

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 19:47:36 +0000 2009

Ruben32: why?…

about a day ago

Sat Feb 07 19:46:25 +0000 2009

WiFi on Airlines: Great Idea, Bad Users

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Flying is an excellent way to travel. However, there is much room for improvement, wouldn’t you say? What kinds of things would you like to see on airplanes if you could choose? We had a good time in my chat room discussing this, and throwing around ideas. Some of them were a tad over-the-top, but these are the five things we all agreed on.

• Outer Space We’ll be there. I don’t mean just flying to the Moon. I mean we’ll be able to take our crafts higher and higher, and be able to get to our destinations much quicker.
• Luggage Tracker I can’t imagine not wanting to have something implanted into your luggage so you can keep track of it at all times. It would be kind of cool to be able to broadcast that, wouldn’t it?
• Internet Access I had this once. I was on a connection by a Boeing flight. It was a test flight, flying around Mt. Ranier. The Internet was free-flowing, and it was truly awesome. It would be great to have Internet access, and some kind of powering station. Heck, even a USB port would be good. We could have our iPod going!
• Massages!!! Imagine being on a flight, stressed out and in a rush. You could plunk down some money and get a massage. I would totally do that in a heartbeat. Airlines could heal their financial deficits by offering paid massages!
• In-Flight Competitions and Gaming You’re not going anywhere. Why not have a LAN party on the plane, and have gaming competitions against other passengers? Have fun on the plane. The best flight I ever took was a trip from Seattle to NewYork. It was a red eye flight. I was in between my wife Ponzi, and a friend. Everyone had their own television screen, pulling in Satellite tv. It was so excellent! Airlines seriously need to offer some type of mindless entertainment.

I know the cost of travel is going up rapidly. The whole industry is in trouble. It needs to concentrate more on consumers. Given a choice between spending a lot of money or not, and possibly postponing a trip due to cost… there’s no contest. It’s a no-brainer. You cannot raise prices without raising expectations as well.

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What is the Future of Air Travel?

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Do you travel by air often? Are you going to be flying in the near future? What airline do you choose? How do you know which is best? Here are some tips to help you decide the next time (or first time!) you will fly.

• If the airline is new to you, you may want to look up their safety record and look at the ways they are criticized by others. If the airline has a crappy safety record and their maintenance allegedly sucks, you may want to give that airline second thoughts. A good place for this is Wikipedia.
• You may want to look at reviews of this airline If they allegedly have crappy service and the pilots don’t seem well trained, you may want to reconsider your decision to fly with this airline. But don’t let just one review convince you, only really get concerned when there are several reviews criticizing the same issue.
• If you have flown this airline before and you had a pretty bad experience while the reviews are mostly good, you may want to give this airline a second chance; it could just be that one crew.
• I know this may sound silly, but research the type of plane you are going to be on; the airline website when you are looking at flights will usually give you the plane model (e.g. 757, 737, A320, etc.). You can look at passenger comfort reviews of the plane and see what type of plane would be your best choice.
• And last, but not least, check out other airlines’ prices. You don’t want to spend $1000 on an airline that is the same quality as an airline that offers $100 for the same thing.

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How to Choose the Best Airline

Okay, so it’s not exactly for airplanes – the Inflight USB Power Unit was designed for airline passengers. “Plug compatible with any standard USB charging cable. The Inflight USB Power unit plugs into the passenger seat audio jack and outputs regulated power to the attached USB charging cable/connector.” If only I could get every device manufacturer to let me charge by USB, I’d be in heaven. This is a must-have USB charging device. I play with my PSP on just about every flight, and it’s nice to know I could connect my iPod as well. Consider this sucker ordered and owned.

USB Charger for Airplanes