Chris Pirillo » Audio

How to Convert Cassettes to MP3

Chris — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:02:25 +0000

How to Convert Cassettes to MP3 is a post from Chris Pirillo

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One of the first pieces of hardware I ever remember lusting after was a cassette player. I was pretty young back then, and a cassette player was innovative! As I got a little older, making “mix tapes” for girls you liked was all the rage. I enjoyed being able to record things, and play them back. These days, we take audio and video recording for granted. Back then… it was really high tech stuff!

I still have several of my old cassettes. I want to start archiving those memories into MP3 format, so that I can save them. There’s a few different ways that you can accomplish this, using various pieces of hardware. The folks at ThinkGeeksent me something that will help me do this easily… the ION USB Cassette Deck. It works with either Windows or Mac OS X, and comes with its own software. I have to warn you, though. Even though the hardware is an excellent device, I don’t recommend using the software. It’s not so great.

It’s a dual cassette deck of sorts. You can dub from one deck to another. Or, I can use a USB connection and play it back on my computer… and record it from there if I wish. I recommend downloading the free version of Audacity in order to record and edit your audio files.

Pop open the cassette deck and throw your tape in. I still have the first cassette I ever purchased – Twisted Sister. Tell me you remember the song “We’re Not Gonna Take It”. It’s a classic that’s still played often today! Hey… I loved them back in the day. What’s wrong with liking the song now?!

The ION features LED Audio Level Indicators to let you know when it detects music on one side or the other. The “A” deck is for cassette playback only. The “B” deck can be used to play and record. Copy your music from one cassette to another at regular OR high-speed. There are several nifty little add-ons for all of you cassette junkies!

I do like this gadget, and will be using it quite a bit. I am having a great time going down memory lane and putting faces, names and memories with each song on the tapes.

What’s the first piece of hardware you remember lusting after?

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Who Will Dominate the Internet?

Chris — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:04:40 +0000

Who Will Dominate the Internet? is a post from Chris Pirillo

I read an article on TechCrunch earlier today, discussing how Twitter will soon dominate the Internet, replacing even Google as the king. This made me stop and think for a bit. I mean, come on… Google is, well… Google! Do we honestly believe that anything could topple it from its undeniable reign at the top of the Internet ladder? The answer is a resounding YES.

I blather on about Twitter all of the time. Hell, half the World talks about Twitter, and with good reason. Twitter isn’t just some hot new fad where people talk about what they ate for lunch. Sure, we post silly things in our tweet stream. But Twitter is so much more than that, and it’s time more people accept that fact – and embrace it!

Twitter is one of the fastest and most accurate news sources out there. It may not have been intended by the creators to serve as such, but that is exactly what it is doing. When news happens, you can find it on Twitter within literal seconds. People who are on the scene of accidents post immediate updates as soon as they know them. Anyone in the vicinity of where there is something newsworthy happening whip their phones out and tweet faster than you can blink your eyes.

Twitter is also fast becoming an amazing way for businesses to connect with their customers, just as Frank Eliason discussed at Gnomedex recently. Your customers are on Twitter, so your business better be there, as well.

What are your thoughts? Do you think Twitter will soon replace Google as the Internet King? Have you read any other interesting tidbits today? If so, I’d love a link to them. I’m always looking for something new and thought-provoking to read, other than what we find on both Geeks and Lockergnome every day!

Are you looking for discounts on the hottest and newest software that is available? We have a team putting deals together every day for every platform you can think of: mobile apps, windows software, mac apps, and more!

How to Broadcast a Wireless Audio / Video Signal from PC to TV

Chris — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:42:31 +0000

How to Broadcast a Wireless Audio / Video Signal from PC to TV is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Let’s say you have an HDTV, a computer and Internet access. Why not put all of those things together by experiencing computer content on your computer? How would you get content from the computer to the television? You know you don’t want to run a cable from one to the other, right? So what else can you do? Lucky for you, the latest product from IOGear is here to save the day!

The Wireless USB Audio and Video Kit allows you to connect your computer to your TV wirelessly without the long and unattractive cable run. The system has strong, reliable signals – ideal for streaming media content across a room… even up to 30 feet away. There’s not even any complicated setup process.

The kit consists of three adapters: audio for speaker connectivity, VGA for the TV and Wireless USB for the hosting PC. Once you’re hooked up, you can do everything from watch your favorite YouTube videos to editing a spreadsheet for work – right on your flat-screen TV!

Broadcast whatever is on your computer onto your television. Make your family happy. Instead of gathering around your monitor, you can relax in front of the TV.

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How to Experience Digital Media on HDTV

Chris — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:25:36 +0000

How to Experience Digital Media on HDTV is a post from Chris Pirillo

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You have digital images, digital video and even digital audio. What if you want to experience digital quality on your television? It’s not so easy to do, unless you have a specific device such as Hi-Den.

The Hi-Den HDMI Digital Photo Viewer is a small easy-to-use device that allows you to view your photos, watch videos, or listen to music right on your HDTV. Forget crowding around the computer. Sit back and relax on your couch while sharing your fave pics and vides with everyone. Show pictures on HDTV by inserting a memory card or USB drive. Play your favorite MP3 files through your tv, or watch slide shows from the last family reunion.

Assuming you have an HDMI television or a cable, you’ll be able to easily set this up. It has an AC adapter, and a remote control! It allows you to browse, or choose what type of device to watch from. You can even adjust the resolution right from the remote… supporting up to a whopping 1080p!! That’s about as good as it gets these days.

If you know of other cool devices I need to check out and review, drop me a line. I’m always looking for the latest and greatest gadgets!

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How to Share Audio Input and Output with a Friend

Chris — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:01:51 +0000

How to Share Audio Input and Output with a Friend is a post from Chris Pirillo

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If you haven’t already picked up some kind of headphone splitter, I highly recommend you do soon. You never know when you’ll need it. You and a friend may need to listen to the same thing at the same time. You grab a little Y-connector, and you can both listen. That would be sharing audio output. But what about when you need to share audio input, as well? That’s where the simulTALK comes into play.

It allows you to split both the input and output signal. Say you’re on the phone, and have your headset on. Someone else has their headset on, as well. Just plug this little gadget in, and everyone can join in.

Each one of the outputs has its own independent volume control. You can adjust it however you need it so that both parties can hear perfectly. It comes with a variety of adapters, so that you can make the simulTALK work for you, no matter what situation you are in – or what gadget you need to use.

SimulTALK is a headset Y-splitter designed for cell phones, cordless phones and laptops. It allows two, or more, people to plug their headsets in together and be on the same call – simultaneously! Simply plug SimulTALK into the headset port on your phone, plug two headsets into SimulTALK, and you are instantly connected for a private and comfortable conversation.

If you’re thinking about getting some kind of splitter for your audio devices, I would definitely consider the simulTALK (which is patent pending!). This is one of those things you wish you had when you need it, but you never knew you needed it – and yeah. You didn’t know you couldn’t live without it until you finally have it!

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Audio Technica AT2020USB Condenser USB Microphone Coupons

coupons — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 08:07:09 +0000

Audio Technica AT2020USB Condenser USB Microphone Coupons is a post from Chris Pirillo

From: T-Rave
Date: December 12, 2008 11:54:34 AM PST
To: Chris Pirillo
Subject: Audio Technica USB Microphone Coupon
I was wondering if I could get a coupon for the Audio Technica AT2020 USB mic. Looks and sounds fantastic. Thanks.
T-Rave

Here are the best deals on the Audio Technica AT2020USB Condenser USB Microphone:

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Find More Coupons

What USB Microphone are You Using to Record Audio?

Chris — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:54:21 +0000

What USB Microphone are You Using to Record Audio? is a post from Chris Pirillo

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What microphone do you use if you’re recording audio or video? If you’re looking for a mic, I have a new recommendation for you. Right now, I’m using the Samson CO1U, but I’ve picked up something that’s smaller. The Snowflake USB Microphone by Blue is very compact and lightweight.

Whether you’re recording your newest podcast, talking business on the web, or just narrating your latest great family movie, the Snowflake can capture it with amazing clarity and depth that’s head and shoulders above any comparable portable USB on the market!
The Snowflake works on both Mac and PC with no complicated drivers to install: just connect it to your computer’s USB port, follow the prompts and you’ll have high-fidelity sound in no time. It’s perfect for podcasting, voice recognition software, iChat, and VoIP software such as Skype and Vonage. Or use it for dictation, field recording, lecture recording, and narration for slideshows and PowerPoint presentations. The sky’s the limit. It’s even great for recording music via GarageBand and other multitrack recording software.

The Snowflake has its own digital converter. It’s extremely portable. It’s just this little mic that sits in the square, or you can pop it out. It kinda looks like an eyeball! You can have it sitting on your desk, or hang it off the back of a laptop or monitor. The mic head pivots around 360 degrees!

The sound quality is pretty nice. It records up to 44k 16-bit audio, which is more than enough if you are recording your voice for a podcast or something. You really only want to record at about 22k for voice. Anything more is overkill. You’d want 44k if you’re recording music.

Again, this is the Snowflake mic from Blue. I expect this will be the microphone that I will be using from now on!

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Where Do You Create and Share Your Audio Files and Remixes?

Chris — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:32:12 +0000

Where Do You Create and Share Your Audio Files and Remixes? is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Recording audio can be fun! You may be doing your own podcast, or you’re in a band. If I were to ask you for an open-source solution that will help me edit audio, you would probably recommend Audacity. I just don’t like it, though. What other alternatives are out there? Koblo is another open-source (read: FREE!) music community that allows you to do a variety of things.

Koblo is a music community that helps you make music and promote your songs, band or label.
Koblo Studio is our free, open source music editor that you can use to create, edit and remix songs on both Mac and Windows – at no cost!
At the Koblo Marketplace you can buy plugins to extend your studio, as well professional content for remixing or using as a starting point for your own monster hits.
We think everybody should have the chance to create music on their computer. So join us and get into the groove!

You don’t even have to register if you don’t want to. Download the audio-editing tool, and jump right in. Purchase (or download for free!) professional multi-track projects, and get all the music material you need for remixing or kickstarting your own projects.

There’s an auxiliary section, so you can tweak things as you like. What makes this different from a regular old audio editor, is that they cross your compilations over with the community. As soon as you create something with this software, they want you to share it with everyone else. You’re not on your own. The entire thing is centered around your creation, in relation to the rest of the community.

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What Audio Recorder Do You Use on Your iPhone or iPod Touch?

Chris — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 09:48:52 +0000

What Audio Recorder Do You Use on Your iPhone or iPod Touch? is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Back before I started live streaming, I did a few hours’ worth of audio streaming each week. It’s a stark contrast from doing live video stream, for sure. There have been many times I’ve been out and about, and wished I could easily record an audio file of my thoughts at the time. I’ve tried phone-in services before, but the audio quality has always been bad with them. There may be times that I run into someone, and want to interview them. So, I took a tour through the iTunes AppStore, to try and find something that would work well on my iPhone.

I was looking for something that would allow me to control my audio quality, where I could get a good readout, and an easy way to transfer the audio recordings to my computer. After reading reviews and scouring for a bit, I found a free app that is working perfectly. I came up with iTalk Recorder.

iTalk’s uncomplicated user interface lets you start/stop, choose Good/Better/Best sample rates, and manage the list of your recordings, all with just one finger.
Run iTalk Recorder to record on your iPhone. Run iTalk Sync on your computer to transfer your recordings from your iPhone to your computer via Wi-Fi. Your recordings are saved as AIFF files. Specifications include:
High-quality handheld recording using your iPhone or 2nd-generation iPod touch.
Easy, convenient user interface and controls.
Drag & drop wireless file transfers to your computer.
User-selectable 11.025 kHz, 22.05 kHz, or 44.10 kHz sample rates.

The desktop portion is clean, which I love. It reads the information on my iPhone, and allows me to easily transfer my files. If you want to record audio, don’t phone it in. It sounds bad. If it’s a low-quality audio recording, I won’t even listen… just like most people won’t. You can use this free app for anything. You can take your own dictation, record your thoughts, or even do an on-the-spot interview. This is an excellent app, and I’ll definitely be using it often.

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Jumping Jack Flash Audio Question

Chris — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:55:50 +0000

Jumping Jack Flash Audio Question is a post from Chris Pirillo

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My friend Anthony sent a video mail to me, to ask a technical question. You’ll notice the sound quality of the video is really bad. However… that’s exactly why he’s asking for help!

Any time Anthony records a video on a site that uses Flash, he has sound quality issues, and odd background noise. He tried several computers, the same thing happens. He tried a few Windows-based applications, and the sound was fine there, as well. After trying all these things, Anthony still wasn’t sure why he is having issues.

This is actually an answer I’m pretty sure I know. When I record, I use a Sampling rate of 44KHz. If I drop it down to 8KHz, you’ll notice how muddy and bad the audio is now. Most Flash pages record using only 8KHz, which is most likely why Anthony is having issues. Sometimes you can change the default to a higher Sampling rate. Or, you can email the page/tool author, and ask them to change the default. If neither of those options are available, you can always upload your video separate from the Flash page, to a site such as YouTube.

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Remove Audio Noise from LPs, Cassettes, MP3s

Chris — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 06:30:33 +0000

Remove Audio Noise from LPs, Cassettes, MP3s is a post from Chris Pirillo

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http://live.pirillo.com/ – Chris Proctor emailed to say he’s trying to salvage music off of old, damaged CDs but they’re full of static and fuzz and other scratchiness. He’s wondering if there are programs available to remove that audio “noise”.

The static and fuzz Chris is referring to is commonly known as “pops” and “hissing”. The pops are from vinyl albums, and the hissing sounds come from cassettes. Most of the software you’ll find to fix these problems is quite expensive.

One program I’ve found that isn’t so pricey is Spin It Again. You can get this for around $30.00, and they even have a 30 day free trial. Not only will the program make the whole recording and track dividing process easy, but it will also clean your recordings by getting rid of click and pop record noise, or by removing hiss and hum off old cassettes. You can also record your LP collection and cassettes to your iPod or portable MP3 player! Check out some of the samples on their site to hear the before and after difference yourself.

I still recommend using the Microsoft Plus! Digital Media Pack. Unfortunately, Microsoft has discontinued Plus! SuperPack for Windows XP and Plus! Digital Media Edition. Many of the features and tools that have been enjoyed for years now can be found in new Microsoft titles and services including Windows Vista. The Microsoft Plus titles will be available in retail outlets while supplies last… so get it while you can!

Another idea is WavePad. I haven’t tried this myself, but it was recommended by chatter UncleJohn. WavePad audio editing software is a sound editor program for Windows. This audio editing software lets you make and edit music, voice and other audio recordings. When editing audio you can cut, copy and paste parts of recordings and, if required, add effects like echo, amplification and noise reduction. WavePad also has a free trial.

Have you guys dealt with this before, and if so… what programs did you use? I’m interested in finding out what works, and what doesn’t.

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Formats Available: MPEG4 Video (.mp4) Flash Video (.flv) MP3 Audio (.mp3)

The Future of Audio and Video is Here

Chris — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:47:29 +0000

The Future of Audio and Video is Here is a post from Chris Pirillo

I’m thrilled witless – making #1 Guru on YouTube today without having been featured anywhere significant within the network. Everything is going according to a loosely-structured plan, and things are only getting better with every passing day. While anybody is free to set up an account, we’ve been specifically invited to MetaCafe, LiveVideo, and a few other video verticals – all because of our production workflow, inherent community value, and forward-thinking sponsorship strategies.

Marshall is starting to put two and two together, too. He submitted a video voicemail via Eyejot – and I thought it was a good enough question to dive further into (although OPML is anything but a simple subject for people who are still trying to wrap their heads around the Back button in their browser). No matter, here’s how it came out:

A few hours ago, I received an odd notification in my brand search folder. Some site was referencing my YouTube video, but… here’s the text, which seemed to be a machine translation of the video’s audio…

I… Explain what — and now is I don’t even know what it is I’ve heard it. But Kevin. Year not unlike many people out there they may have heard of — now. Specifically when it comes to organizing RSS feeds — your favorite subscriptions former. Around the blog — or the news steering generally. I can use that as a word. Opium now stands for outlying processor market language in streaks you’ll just pasted a full. Description of their from wikipedia thinking in the town of beit chat and video’s going to catch all of that thank you feeling shout fire. Essentially opium now is an XML document it to type of XML document. That was designed to help you organize data. In an outline fashion so you’re ever in grade school he — – agreed school having to write out outlines you know — start with the a Roman humor all in a capital A and then 23 and lower case letters and it’s think it — much the same way only. In document. Format in fashion so white is — pinot exist well its data it’s smart data. That can be transferred back and forth between any application that understands what the penal file it. So is it is the case of most news aggregators or programs that allow you read RSS or atom feeds they understand that you can take your subscriptions from one computer one account to another and they used opium Mel. As a way to organize those feeds and Eveready categorize them in a certain fashion in one news aggregators you can export that seem hierarchy in imported into immediate — your — So now is an outline format that specifically written in the — now language or four. Specifically for applications that understand how to parse — now or how to render it make it usable in some fashion. So Marshall Kirkpatrick asked me just the other day. …
This is commercial. I want to ask a question about anything cannot files we — is the easiest way to do it. …
Okay so his audio is not — – I’m sure it doesn’t sound any better because they have it coming out of my speakers into the microphone. Marshall from slash cast if you haven’t heard a splash cast give — a shot. We’re actually using it slash cast video it’s like and video aggregators that works — a single slash widget we’re using it on the Gnomedex website which is exactly where I’m going to take — to right now our conference on the puts together. I I play very small role in Gnomedex parties the brains and brawn behind it this happens BR conference the next — coming up here in the Seattle area August ninth through 11 here in 2007 we do whatever here. …
Play Here 0:02:55 … And on the front page if you scroll down you’ll see looks like small. Version of your news anchor Peter we’ve got ready in line with in Gnomedex dot com if — that paste a link. Inside the chaplain who captured for the video. This is an aggregation a collection of all the people that are registered to come to my conference. This is GO — – you’re looking at a going houses an opium — file hop. This is a grazer widgets that he an incredible widget that I have on the web page that’s taking the opium elf file this organization of all everybody who has. Decided they’re coming in my conference they put their RSS feed into the registration for. It’s then quickly to automatically in OP ML file in that I use this free Greece or widgets. To render better looking — file so that people can actually use the information that the opium are well. That’s the beauty of opium. It makes it easier to transfer information back and forth between various services walk in the specific case of — is being used to help organize RSS feeds an integrator widget. Takes — OP now while — usable for a lot of people if you go to the don’t — you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. It’s so. Wonderful to have all the people who are coming in my conference leaked right here in automatically organize it takes RSS feed. Renders it in line in the and you can read their blogs right here that to visit everybody site. That’s part of the beauty of our assets and in the beauty of OP now is it organizes all those RSS feeds . In terms of editing — amount you’re not brave like I am IDS_PS. pad which happens to be a free text editor that’s available PS — it. Dot com. Use notepad for that matter. I have really yet to find and a penal editors that use. Not only powerful. There is also easy for people to use D Weiner has treated you — editor — I’m sure I — heard much about it lately. And but I was really hoping that it would really take off because. It shows people the power of organizing information in action now and makes it easily accessible and and specifically translate able. Through widgets like raises that intake RSS — now in Macomb. Accessible as the bottom line Marshall said that he used deeds and here — he said that he found it a little confusing a little daunting. The only other — – editor that I have found. Is no longer being developed it was called syndication studio and I’d try to get a hold of the guy and he’s not responding to might emails. It was amazing it was nice windows editor for RSS an opium now any XML editor will work for okay now to thank you Jim mora the other one that I just found is at buzz that’s nearly buzz exist dot — half. Dot net and of course you know when I — – got that I’m talking about SourceForge or the world’s ultimate repository for all things open source . And buzz is an open source who — anger that should run cross platform for you. I don’t know if you’re going to find any more usable than deep whiners — letter this one of those who came on editor has icons so I suppose it makes it. A little more user friendly — in someplace you know for the most part most people are never going to ever look at editing — – now while they’re just gonna want to use them in many cases just export Lucchino from — news aggregators. Look at it notepad or text editor — seat you’ll start to understand a little more about how all this data becomes organized in you know it. This is how you learn. How to you work inside this world of technology you make — a lot less strange when you open things up you viewed the source and you look at how things come together. You’ll learn a lot just by diving in that way if your curious you know I think you’ll go pretty far. So there’s a couple of suggestions specifically for you Marshall is buzz okay now editor again it buzz — – — dot net. Does anybody else nobody — – now other then for news aggregators. I haven’t really seen too many applications in general not to — – this but it you know one by all means let me know I’d be interest in finding out just inside. This is this is what’s funny to me it is knowing where information is going in organizing an information in making it easier more accessible for everybody …

I’d never heard of EVERYZING before. Either I need to speak more clearly, or speech-to-text technology still has a long row to hoe.

Creative Sound Windows Vista Audio Warning

Chris — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 03:43:21 +0000

Creative Sound Windows Vista Audio Warning is a post from Chris Pirillo

As a follow-up to the Windows Vista Story, Lockergnomie Jerry Whelan just sent me an update about Windows Vista’s audio bugaboos…

It’s unbelievable that Microsoft would dump the HAL Layer for sound cards because doing so kills all the advanced features of all the cards. The real problem comes with home recording – ALL the controls, such as volume mixer, reverb, panning, graphic equalizer, noise removal, EAX effects, stereo tweaks, multiple inputs, and anything else you can think of that makes home recording possible and effective – well, they’re gone and you can no longer use them. In other words, you might as well make your recordings on an old tape cassette recorder.
I have a home recording studio that’s usually pretty busy, but now it’s dead, dead and gone, and all my expensive hardware is now mostly useless. I upgraded to Vista, got the driver for my Audigy 4 Pro sound card, was even getting ready to upgrade to an X-Fi card, when I discovered that the whole range of audio controls was no longer there, and will also no longer be there in the X-Fi card. When I called Creative tech support they informed me, with bitterness, irony, and some weeping, that Microsoft has removed the Hardware Abstraction Layer for advanced sound and has left us all in the dark – darkness and silence. All advanced sound cards have suffered a similar fate, and many video cards too, so everyone who shelled out the money for advanced hardware has been effectively told by Microsoft, “Too bad.”
As I said, it’s unbelievable. I have had to reinstall Windows XP in a dual-boot configuration with Vista so I can use my sound studio again, and am still trying to get everything to work right. Reinstalling Windows XP after installing Windows Vista caused horrible and terrifying disk error problems with conflicting partitions, which took me an entire day to fix, made ten times more difficult because Microsoft has tightened up the controls so severely on how you can install and upgrade the Vista OS. All of this is cold-blooded murder, and all of it relates to the well known tendency of Microsoft to go for the buck whenever possible (and they probably have enough bucks already).

I haven’t wanted to buy a Creative product in years – especially after one of their reps was a complete asshole to me. I have a high definition audio system built into the motherboard on this rig, and Vista’s software has been beyond impressive. I have more jacks than I know what to do with, although I can see how I’d want even more if I were doing anything advanced.

Zune: Good and Bad

Chris — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 20:10:27 +0000

Zune: Good and Bad is a post from Chris Pirillo

The Zune good:

Wireless capabilities
Content subscription
Easy media sharing
Plays MP4 & AAC formats
Microsoft-backed product
Forces Apple to do better
A unified experience

The Zune bad:

No podcast management
Another closed system
Completely new ecosystem
Not cross-platform
Smaller capacity than iPod 5.5G
New software to install
Yet another device to manage
Just launched, few accessories
Likely won’t dent iPod market share
Questionable battery life
Not clearly better than the iPod

The Zune needs:

Wireless downloading on-demand
Built-in DVD ripping
OS X port of management tool
Support for RSS, enclosures
Mini-games support (like Clix, iPod)
New firmware, software features every 6mos

Cancel Napster

Chris — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 23:58:57 +0000

Cancel Napster is a post from Chris Pirillo

Hey, Napster? Thanks for making it an absolute pain in the ass to cancel our account – yet another reason to abandon your service. I had to call a phone number to tell you that I wanted to quit. Why?

MTV’s new URGE service is far less problematic. Far less.
I really like the Clix, and URGE works better with it.
Napster’s software continues to suck.
You made me call a number to cancel service. I hate that. Really.
URGE is the future, Napster is still living in the past.

Windows Media Player 1l… is still far from impressive. Don’t swallow the hype when you see it, please? WMP11 is better than WMP10 – but “less crappy” is not an honorable benchmark. They continue to ignore user interface inconsistencies and feedback from Windows Media’s most ardent supporters – including MVPs, who were seemingly marginalized during 11’s development process.

How to Handle Remote Tech Support

chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:30:00 GMT

Using GoToAssist is the easiest way to view and control another person's computer online. Use it to provide instant technical support to family, friends and customers. Start a session with just one click, and instantly connect with the other party.

Network Tools for Windows

chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMT

You need these network tools, no matter which operating systems and networks you have to support. SolarWinds ipMonitor: Affordable Network Monitoring for SMBs. Get turnkey network, server and application availability monitoring with SolarWinds ipMonitor v9.0. This easy-to-use, reliable solution for SMBs delivers out-of-the-box availability monitoring so you always know exactly what's up with Active Directory, DNS, Exchange, FTP, Web, IMAP, MS SQL Server, and SMTP. Download your free trial today. Or, try their totally free tools! And, through 2/29, save 20% when you purchase ipMonitor 9.0.

Get Your Own Web Site

chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMT

Starting at just $3.99/month, web hosting from GoDaddy includes 99.9% uptime, 24/7 support and free access to GoDaddy Hosting Connection, THE place to install over 30 FREE applications sure to help you get the most from your hosting plan and Web site. Enter code CP2 at checkout, and save an additional 10% on any order.

Plus, as a friend of Chris Pirillo, enter code CHRIS7, that's C-H-R-I-S and the number 7, when you check out, and save an additional 10% on any order. Get your piece of the internet at GoDaddy.com.

VMware and Parallels for Virtual Machines

chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMT

It doesn't matter if you're running on Windows or Mac OS X - every power user needs either Parallels or VMware (or both). There's never been an easier way to test software without destroying your primary operating system's stability. Think of how many times you wish you could press a 'reverse' button on your computer. Plus, there's no easier way to try new Linux distributions - see what all the fuss is about. Run Windows in OS X, run Linux in Windows, but the best way to do either is with VMware and/or Parallels.

Coupons for Online Shopping

chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:56:13 GMT

This feed is fueled by Lockergnome Online Shopping and Coupon Codes

Before you shop next time, see if we have a coupon first.