Chris Pirillo » christmas

What do You Want for the Holidays?

Chris — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:46:05 +0000

What do You Want for the Holidays? is a post from Chris Pirillo

If you could choose any one Geeky gift this holiday season, what would it be? Money is no object. Let’s just close our eyes, and pretend that someone out there has very deep pockets, and wants to buy us each the gift of our dreams. How do you narrow down your list? Do you know what you’d want? Is it possible to choose just one thing?

For me, I honestly couldn’t choose. There are a lot of Geeky things I want. Many of them are expensive, which is why I don’t already own them! Even if I were rich, I still couldn’t afford to keep myself happy with all of the gadgets, gizmos, devices and toys that are out there for sale. Places like ThinkGeek taunt me with all of the cool stuff they have. How could I ever decide?!

It seems a lot of you are getting into the holiday spirit. I came across several posts on our sites today revolving around Thanksgiving and even Christmas. It put me in such a holiday mood that I turned on some Christmas music earlier, and let it play over my live stream. I listened to it and hummed along as I caught up on everything going on in our community.

Our downloads center is hopping right now with new and updated products. Check back daily for the best new deals we can find!

Are You Ready for the Holidays?

Chris — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:28:33 +0000

Are You Ready for the Holidays? is a post from Chris Pirillo

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Christmas is but a few weeks away? I was aghast yesterday when I walked into a store that was playing Christmas carols… until I realized what the date was. Holy crap where did the year go? I haven’t even started to think about holiday shopping yet, never mind actually DOING any shopping.

After I had my little panic attack, I sat down to check out what was going on around out community. Low and behold… people are talking about the upcoming festivities. They’re figuring out what to cook with their turkeys, and what the hottest new gifts are for this year. Geez I’m way behind, aren’t I?

I was happy as hell to see that the holidays aren’t the only thing that people are chattering about. Thankfully, I found many interesting and informative blogs and threads on a huge variety of topics to keep me busy… and to get my mind back OFF of the holiday season. I’m just not ready quite yet!

Every day we bring you the newest and hottest software deals that we can find. Make sure you check back every day so that you don’t miss a single deal!

I Know What You Did Last Summer

Chris — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 02:20:50 +0000

I Know What You Did Last Summer is a post from Chris Pirillo

Ok, maybe I don’t know what you did last summer, or even this summer. Now that we’re closing in on back-to-school and Fall, it’s time to start thinking of warmer clothes and holidays already. Yes – some people are already doing their holiday shopping. Stores are putting out winter coats. Before you know it, there will be Halloween decorations and costumes on the shelves.

So… what have you done this summer? Did you even go outside at all? Even the Great Indoorsman headed out a few times, enjoying the sunshine and scenery. Why not share with all of us what you’ve been up to. Did you travel anywhere cool? Did you visit some local outdoor attractions? Surely there is something!!

When you do spend time at home and indoors, hopefully you are spending at least part of that time reading what everyone else has been up to in our community.

Merry Christmas from Santa Chris

Chris — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 05:38:44 +0000

Merry Christmas from Santa Chris is a post from Chris Pirillo

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas (and if you don’t happen to celebrate this holiday, then I hope you have a good day, anyway).

There are so many reasons to like December 25th, if only because it’s a chance to take the day off from work… even though I’m probably going to be working through the day, myself. I don’t have any kids to entertain, and Wicket and Pixie will be busy playing with their new toys.

So, what are your plans this Christmas?

Merry Christmas, and to All a Good Night

Chris — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 04:40:51 +0000

Merry Christmas, and to All a Good Night is a post from Chris Pirillo

It’s been somewhat of a tradition to unwrap our Christmas gifts just as the clock strikes Midnight (the Christmas Eve / Christmas Day cusp). I don’t mind buying presents for family – but I really enjoy finding items for their stocking(s). The “fun” things usually take precedence over practicality, but Ponzi is tricky to buy for. She’s not really into toys, per se – but she requested the game Operation this afternoon. WTF?!

I try to get gifts that I know the other person will appreciate – even if they don’t like ‘em. “It’s the thought that counts” will always apply. Still, I sometimes sneak things for myself (as evidenced by the glowing objets I apparently put on order, realizing that Ponzi’s not really into them as much as I am).

I wasn’t given much to go on this year, so many of her presents are what I could find around town. We’re lucky insofar as we have many things we need – like a roof over our head, and food on our plates. Ponzi really only asked for us to pay a bit more towards our mortgage (to lower the payment), and a few other charitable donations. Difficult not to argue with those wishes, but they’re a bit tricky to stick under the tree (or inside a stocking).

I did my best, given the circumstances. Couldn’t really get around town at the last minute, either – what, with the snowstorm that blew through town the other day. I knew what she wanted, or what she might want, or what she wouldn’t be too shocked to receive:

Travel Door Alarm
iPod Speakers
Hubba Bubba Gum Book
Engrave-It
Annie on DVD
Swiss Army Knife
$50 iTunes Gift Certificate
Sexy Motherpucker Lip Gloss
Expo Marker Set
Papermate Felt Tip Marker Set
Sharpie Pen Set
Astronaut Ice Cream – Neapolitan
BluAlert Bluetooth Bracelet
C.H.I.M.P. Rearview Monitor Mirror – black
DaysAgo Refrigerator Timer – Magnetic
Dead Fred Pen Holder
Glowing UFO Drink Coaster
Heart Hand Warmer
Inanimate Character Stickers
Miracle Berry Fruit Tablets
Paper E-mail
Paper Voodoo Notepad
Phantom Keystroker V2
Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things
Staple Free Stapler – Black
Stickman Action Figure
Tear Away Planner Mousepad
ThinkGeek Bluetooth Retro Handset
USB Aromatherapy Oil Burner – Lavender
USB Plasma Ball

Cutting it Close? Here are Some Last Minute Gift Ideas

coupons — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:16:18 +0000

Cutting it Close? Here are Some Last Minute Gift Ideas is a post from Chris Pirillo

Cutting it kinda close there, don’t you think? If you leave right now, you’ll have a lot of last-minute people just like you to fight over the last stocking stuffer or cheesy-last-minute-thing with. But, with any hope, you might just get lucky. Here are some ideas I found that might help you:

Netbooks – The Acer Aspire One is on sale at Best Buy for $299. These are on sale until Saturday.
Flowers – Say you decided not to exchange gifts this year. Flowers aren’t a gift, but you can show someone you love them anyway. Use FTD and they just might get them today, even if they are far away!
Gift cards – OK, if you’re out of ideas you might be out of options too. If you can figure out their favorite store, or a store they could at least find something useful in, get a gift card. Be sure to let them know they need to use it immediately to retain the original value placed on the card. Nearly any store you walk into will have gift cards for other places including their own.
MP3 players – be wary of the cheap ones; however, if you’re buying for an 8-year-old, a cheap one probably is a better idea than an iPod Classic. Use your best judgment – choose an age appropriate size and brand. Something like the iPod Shuffle is perfect for a stocking stuffer or a gift bag because of the size. The price doesn’t hurt, either.
Cell phones – you can use one as a stocking stuffer outside of the box, or wrap the box and put it under the tree. Either way, it’s a great gift. If you’re getting your teenager their first cell phone, you might want to double your minutes and your text limits preemptively – you will be unpleasantly surprised at how fast they run through limits of your calling plan, so be sure to set some limits with them so they do not rack up high overage charges on your bill.
Fruit baskets – you might be putting the basket together yourself this late in the game. Check your local grocery store to see if they have any – if not, choose appropriate fruit for your basket. You could even put a can of hot cocoa on the top with a bow. You don’t have to use fruit for just baskets – they are quite useful in stuffing stockings as well, especially if you are on a budget. Fruit is economical for the body and for the wallet, and will literally “fill” the stocking. If you’re lucky, your local Edible Arrangements might even be open.
Stuffed animals – any size animal would make a great gift for children or for your girlfriend. Your mom… not so much – I’d probably pick something else. Small stuffed animals are great as a stocking stuffer, too. Not only do they take up space in the stocking, but they also have the “aww” effect (being a cute and tiny thing).
Hot Wheels and Barbies – great choice for younger kids. The die cast cars are very inexpensive, and you can get smaller versions of Barbies or Bratz dolls (or other doll-type figure) that would be perfect for a stocking stuffer.
Card games – you should try to keep the receiver in mind when purchasing, as a 6-year-old girl would be much happier with Old Maid than your 36-year-old brother; likewise I’m sure you don’t want your 10-year-old daughter to begin hosting the weekly poker game.
Handheld electronic games – inexpensive and fun for everyone. Most of these you have a choice between stuffing them in the stocking or wrapping them up to place under the tree.

Did you remember to get gifts for your pets? Please remember the 4-legged family members too! Anything will do – treats, toys, sweaters – just be sure to show love to them as well. Pets are very perceptive to the things that go on around them and know when they are being left out.

Do you have other ideas? Quick, tell us – the time is running out!

A Picture Perfect Christmas

Chris — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:23:03 +0000

A Picture Perfect Christmas is a post from Chris Pirillo

No frost on the window panes, but plenty of snow on the ground. our presents this year are virtual. What does your Christmas Tree look like this year?

My stocking is hung by the fireplace with care, but it’s not likely to be filled with anything but air.

C’est la vie when you don’t receive a wish list from your spouse, or if you’re tired of playing the gift-guessing game – knowing full well that gift certificates are sometimes seen as lame.

At least the weather is cooperating, and the roads seem relatively well managed. I’ll venture out once more tomorrow to see if I can discover any simple surprises.

When people already have what they want, and can get what they need, what else can you do?

Most Popular Gift Ideas on Amazon

Chris — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:48:01 +0000

Samsung Touch of Color T260HD 26-Inch LCD HDTV Monitor – Beautiful inside and out, the Samsung Touch Of Color Monitor is a great way to get the most out of your PC–as well as watch your favorite 1080p HDTV broadcasts. It features an embedded DTV tuner that enables you to watch digital HD broadcasts without a special receiving set. And with six image input terminals, you can connect several pieces of digital equipment to the T260HD and use them simultaneously.
Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Chronograph Canvas Watch is powered by the Eco-Drive movement, which runs continuously in any kind of natural or artificial light for a lifetime of use. Fueled by light, it never needs a battery. This watch has a stainless steel case, military green strap, and a 1 second chronograph and 12/24 hour time indicator.
14k Gold, Round, Diamond Stud Earrings – Extra 40% Off at Checkout. Simple enough for daytime wear, yet radiant with evening attire, diamond stud earrings offer sophistication and versatility all in one beautiful package. Available in 14 karat white or yellow gold.
Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube – Ideal for children of all ages! Create original music from 5 different instruments (French horn, flute, piano, violin and harp) or play music from eight Mozart compositions. Large colorful buttons light up to the tempo of the music. Soft, rounded corners make it easy for a baby to hold. Batteries included.
Keurig B30 Mini Personal Single-Serve Brewing System – The new mini brewer from Keurig is perfect for coffee lovers and makes a single-serving in less than three minutes, with no messy grinding and no cleanup. The unit uses Keurig’s patented K-Cups, which offer over 70 varieties of pre-measured gourmet coffee and tea from a variety of premium brands. Ten K-Cups come with the machine.
Il Divo – Refreshed, reinvigorated, and ready to remind the world just what we’ve been missing. The original and most popular operatic quartet returns with its richest, most dynamic and diverse album, “The Promise”.
Maxim – on sale for only $5, and is one of over a hundred magazines on sale through December 31. Find great gifts for everyone on your list, and print out personalized magazine gift cards right away.
Philips Sonicare FlexCare Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush with Sanitizer – You can get a promotional certificate good for $40 off a future Amazon purchase when you spend $139 on select Norelco, Sonicare, and Bliss Philips products offered by Amazon. Eligible products include Sonicare FlexCare power toothbrushes and Norelco arcitec shavers.
Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Kit – Transform your music gaming into a cooperative band experience. Starting Tuesday, Dec. 2 and continuing each day for 15 consecutive days, Amazon Video Games will be featuring one new, terrific deal for your gaming pleasure, kicking off with the Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar Kit (available for multiple platforms). Quantities will be limited!
The Dark Knight on Blu-ray DVD – Available now, Batman and the Joker will be unleashed on Gotham—and the world—just in time for the holidays. Find The Dark Knight on DVD, Blu-ray, and special editions (plus other Batman-related products) in their Dark Knight store.

Receiving the Gift of Giving

Chris — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:00:56 +0000

Receiving the Gift of Giving is a post from Chris Pirillo

As a young teen, one Holiday season, my parents decided to spread the cheer to an underprivileged family in our area. We were to take a few kids out shopping with us, each of them was given a small stipend (with which to spend on gifts for their siblings). I remember that day vividly – never feeling more grateful for the things I had been given in seeing what others did not have.

So, when Sears offered to sponsor a $500 shopping spree under their ‘Don’t Just Give a Gift, Grant a Wish‘ effort, I didn’t think twice about what I wanted to do with the gift card. It’s all about the toys at Christmas – and even though we don’t have kids of our own, Ponzi and I both thoroughly enjoyed taking a trip across town and down memory lane as we tore through the “Toy Shop.” The goal: to find $500 worth of toys to give to a local donation center.

Now, before I continue, I must again point out that Sears gave me this opportunity. I received the $500 gift card from IZEA, but these experiences are 100% my own. What would *YOU* do with this $500 – spend it on yourself or on somebody else? I chose the latter.

We filled a shopping cart and a half with new toys and remakes of yesteryear. I remembered getting a set of magic tricks for Christmas one year, so I snagged a magic kit from the shelf. I also remembered getting lost with a Rubik’s Cube on Christmas morning, so that was another must-buy. Then there was a time I really wanted a microscope (I still remember my onion skin slide), so a little bit of science made its way into our “buggies” – that’s what Ponzi calls ‘em. Oh, and I can’t remember a single childhood Christmas that didn’t have a Star Wars something in it, so I snagged a few figurines, too.

We circled the Sears Toy Shop a few times, making sure we saw everything. Hulk Boxing Gloves: you don’t wanna see me when I’m angry! Chatterphone: rotary dial! Lincoln Logs: time to build something! Operation: don’t touch the sides! Let’s grab some Play-Doh, too – and we can’t leave without taking a few NERF balls with us. They make a portable Lite Brite now?! Man, I wish I was a kid again. For an hour, I felt like one.

Ponzi saw some toddler toys she used to chew on. Well, not HER toys – but the same kind. There were a few other baby items we thought would make wonderful presents for some kid this Christmas season. The game Don’t Break the Ice (which I had received as a birthday gift one year), a tea set, a couple of Barbie dolls, a Hannah Montana UNO card game (another childhood birthday present), a Mr. Potato Head, and… oh, so many memories. We weren’t just buying toys, you know? We were buying future memories for children – who will hopefully carry those memories into their adult lives.

It felt good. It felt really, really good.

Hours later, I walked into a local donation center and asked if they accepted toys. One guy asked: “Depends on what condition they’re in.” I told him they were brand new, and his eyes lit up like *HE* was a kid on Christmas morning. The whole place was buzzing with excitement. We unloaded the toys and I thought to myself: “I’ve gotta make this a new Christmas tradition.” So, thank you Sears, for giving *ME* the gift of happiness.

But Wait, There’s More…

It’s time to share some of that happiness with some of you. Another contest is upon us (Official Rules). I’ve created three separate Sears gift bundles worth ~$500 apiece: LEGO Wonderland, Star Wars Smiles, and Family Game Night. These, much like the aforementioned shopping spree, were inspired by my own childhood Christmases. If you’d like to receive one of them, it’s super simple to qualify:

Leave a comment on this post with the bundle you desire (and why).
Post to your twitter account if you have one, making sure you include – #Sears @chrispirillo http://bit.ly/giftwish – and whichever bundle you desire in your tweet.
Make an entry in your own blog if you have one, making sure you link back to this particular post URL and mentioning which bundle you want (and why). I register most trackbacks after I’ve received at least one click from your permalink to mine.

You can enter once by commenting, once by twittering, AND once by posting in your own blog (that’s three chances to win what you want). The winner will be selected at random, mind you. So, which one of these gift bundles do you want most?

LEGO Wonderland

10 Cool Lego Mindstorms by Astolfo, David
10 Cool Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 2 Projects by Ferrari, Mario
Adjustable links with Mini Kinght
Building Robots With Lego Mindstorms NXT by Astolfo, Dave
Creator Stegosaurus
Extreme NXT by Gasperi, Michael
Forbidden Lego by Pilegaard, Ulrik
Getting Started With Lego Trains by McKee, Jacob H.
Gold Hunt
Jetrax T6
Jin Sato’s Lego Mindstorms by Sato, Jin
Lego Mindstorms NXT-G Programming Guide by Kelly, James Floyd
LEGO Star Wars: Ultimate Collectors AT-ST
Police Headquarters
Programming Lego Mindstorms NXT by Bishop, Owen

Star Wars Smiles

Clone Wars Blaster Game
Clone Wars Galactic Heroes: Trooper
Han Solo Bobble-Head
Mad About Star Wars by Bresman, Jonathan
Millennium Falcon
Mr. Potato Head: Star Wars – Artoo-Potatoo with Princess Tater Figure
Robot Chicken: Star Wars
Star Wars – The Best Of
Star Wars Clone Trooper Helmet
Star Wars Clone Wars Plug N Play Game
The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia by Sansweet, Stephen J.
The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader by Windham, Ryder

Family Game Night

1 vs. 100 DVD Game
Baffle Gab
Dance Maker Truth or Dare Mat and a Tote Bag
Disney Villains Combo: Checkers and Tic Tac Toe
Griddly Headz Racing Game
Harry Potter Scene It? Game
High School Musical 2 Deluxe Plug N Play TV Game
Karaoke Pop Culture Hip Hop/R&B Vol. 1
Monopoly Here and Now World
No Brainer Board Game
Rumis
Sea Monster Board Game
Tenjo Game
Trapture
Whac-A-Mole Tower
WordSpot – Bookshelf Edition
Yahtzee Free For All

For whatever it’s worth, I received the Millennium Falcon for Christmas when I was a kid – it was my very first Star Wars vehicle. I came close to buying it separately for myself, but couldn’t justify the expense (or figure out where to put it). My first LEGO kit was also a gift from Santa Claus.

I’ll also be using funds generated from this post to make further food bank deposits and donations to other charities. We’re all trying to make this a very Merry Christmas (Happy Holiday) for as many as possible.

Christmas Window Decorations

Chris — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:36:28 +0000

Christmas Window Decorations is a post from Chris Pirillo

I drew these last night (reverse, indoors) with Window Chalk Markers. You can barely see the bulbs in the lower portion of the window since we have the blinds open at the moment. I did my best with Ponzi’s caricature. At least I didn’t make her look like Abe Vigoda again! Oh, and apparently, I can’t draw a snowflake to save my life.

What kind of Christmas decorations do you usually put up? That is, assuming, you don’t keep them up year-round (please, please don’t be THAT person).

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Chris — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 08:16:30 +0000

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays is a post from Chris Pirillo

This is as close as it gets to receiving a Christmas / Holiday card from me. It’s not that I don’t care, it’s just that… my handwriting has gone downhill in the past decade, and everybody already knows what happens with me throughout the year – so it’s relatively pointless to do once-a-year recaps.

I’ve been listening to Christmas music non-stop (almost) since the channels came online not long before Thanksgiving. Today, we’re going out to pick up a fresh-cut Christmas tree down the street – then likely trim it with decorations and lights at some point this evening. I’ll splurge and have another half cup of lite Nog (which still weighs in at 140 calories). Last night, Ponzi decided to throw our inflatable Grinch onto the back porch, then we officially welcomed the season by watching both the classic Grinch cartoon as well as “A Christmas Story.”

Oh, and I finally found a gingerbread house kit that didn’t come with ANY hydrogenated ingredients. That’s a first! The makeshift munch-worthy domicile remains under construction for the moment. Actually, it’s still in the box – I’m afraid to open it. Those poor gumdrops will never make it to the frosting! Maybe we’ll put ‘er together in front of the live stream tomorrow night, considering we’re likely to be snowed in. It’s going to be very cold tomorrow.

Typically, only higher elevations in the Seattle area have White Christmases. Maybe I’ll just forego using shampoo and conditioner for a week, then scratch my head a few times on the front porch. I might be able to cover it!

There’s no stopping Christmas now. Even Wicket and Pixie are getting in on the action:

Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed

How To Spread Christmas Cheer During Wartime

coupons — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:16:26 +0000

How To Spread Christmas Cheer During Wartime is a post from Chris Pirillo

This is John Kennedy’s submission for the HP Magic Giveaway. Feel free to leave comments for this article as you see fit – your feedback is certainly welcomed! If you’d like to submit your own how-to, what-is, or top-five list, you can send it to me. Views and opinions of this writer are not necessarily my own:

Recently we marked the 67th anniversary of December 7, 1941; the day the nation of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and brought the United States into War with Japan and the wider conflict of World War II. As the nation reminisces on those events we Must not forget the soldiers, sailors and airmen who are sacrificing for this great country of ours. Soon it will be Christmas, not a holiday, but a holy day.

We also must not forget the events of September 11, 2001, another day of infamy for the United States that most of us should remember. We are a nation at war. Some children will not celebrate Christmas with their father; some children will not celebrate Christmas with their mother. Many fathers and mothers, sons and daughters will be on the front line protecting another country struggling from the effects of an evil tyrant. More and more we are hearing encouraging words of progress. As for a free and democratic Iraq, time will tell if the sacrifices that were endured made a difference. At present, and all around us what we are seeing in Iraq and Afghanistan is humanity at its best — feeding and helping the needy children and distributing toys to young children. It is not easy to explain why God permits evil but in it all we see a lot of good being done to the neediest of the needy in the Middle East. The United Service Organization (USO) and Gary Sinise’s Operation Iraqi Children are two examples of humanity and hope at its best.

So, how can we help a soldier this Christmas? How can we employ our talents and say: “Thank You” for a job well done?

Don’t forget the soldiers. The best way to help a soldier, sailor, or airmen is support your local United Service Organization (USO).

Help the children cope with parents being overseas. For children, the producers of Sesame Street have produced free videos to help children cope with a parent who has been called to go overseas. Sesame Workshop has videos, pamphlets and learning materials on the topic of deployment. Their video on “deployment” is a good one to watch. You can either play or download the video. These videos and pamphlets can also be ordered and delivered through the mail.

Care packages are always welcomed by soldiers. Sometimes I have received a letter or e-mail from a soldier in Iraq for special items. If I could not meet the need immediately, my local American Legion Council in my neighborhood has a board for just that purpose.

As we move into the New Year, let us pray that all our young men and women come home safely. Sharing the Christmas joy is what this article is about. A simple note of thanks can mean so much to a soldier. So let’s not forget them, their sacrifice, their commitment, and patriotism this Christmas season. If we do our part we can be assured that our soldiers will do theirs. May God Bless them and May God Bless America!

How to Geek Out Your Holiday

Chris — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:27:01 +0000

How to Geek Out Your Holiday is a post from Chris Pirillo

This is Tyler Swett’s submission for the HP Magic Giveaway. Feel free to leave comments for this article as you see fit – your feedback is certainly welcomed! If you’d like to submit your own how-to, what-is, or top-five list, you can send it to me. Views and opinions of this writer are not necessarily my own:

Here are my top five ways to Geek out your holidays!

Design really cool holiday cards on your computer. Why buy lame holiday cards from the stores when you can hop on your computer and print up a few cards that really show your true inner geek? For even more fun, add CDs or DVDs to your cards that are filled with slideshows of family pictures and movies to really spread the holiday cheer to your friends and family. By making holiday cards yourself, you might even save some money, and at the same time, you’ll be showing your friends and family how geeky you truly are.
Have an old computer or toy that you’re not using? Gift it to a friend or family member. The people who will appreciate this most are the people who don’t have a computer or cool toy right now. You could give that laptop you have sitting in the corner of the room to a little nephew or niece. Not only will they appreciate it, but you’ll still have money left to buy different gifts for your friends and family. To make your gift really special, try making something to accompany your gift. For example, if you gave a laptop to your young nephew, try making him a game based off of a drawing he made in his art class at school, or maybe customize an old mouse you have with various items to make it look like their favorite animal or something of interest to them. This can make your gift really special.
Get yourself something you’ve always wanted. Whether it be that new computer or your favorite action figure, it’s always fun to get something new. Not only will it help you find your inner geek, but it will also get you in that fun holiday spirit. TIP: For extra geeky fun, find out practically everything about your new toy and show all your friends. It will make you feel much more geeky, and it might actually help you find some new friends that have similar interests as you.
Help someone with their cool new holiday gifts. If your friend gets a new MP3 player, but has no idea how to set it up, help them out. Your friend will most likely praise you for a job well done, which will make your feel even more geeky. You’ll also be helping someone, and after all, the holidays are all about giving and helping other people in need.
Make a cool light show. Whether you simply make your Christmas tree blink to your favorite holiday tunes, or you have your entire house light up in succession to your own personalized holiday radio station, nothing is cooler or more geeky than a nice holiday light show. TIP: It’s easy enough to go out and buy a kit to make your own holiday light show, but for added geeky fun, try building your own. There are many ways to do this. Depending on how elaborate you want your show to be, it can actually be quite easy. Just look around on Google for a project that would work for you.

This holiday season, try to reach out a hand and spread the joy of being a geek. Try some of the things mentioned above, and tweak them to fit the goals and desires of your friends and your family. Not only will you feel better, but your family and friends will feel better too.

If you have any other ideas on how to make your holiday a little more geeky, or if you’ve made a special holiday gift for someone, be sure to add it to the comments below.

How to Purchase a Fresh Cut Christmas Tree

Chris — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:06:27 +0000

How to Purchase a Fresh Cut Christmas Tree is a post from Chris Pirillo

This is Deb Nagy’s submission for the HP Magic Giveaway. Feel free to leave comments for this article as you see fit – your feedback is certainly welcomed! If you’d like to submit your own how-to, what-is, or top-five list, you can send it to me. Views and opinions of this writer are not necessarily my own:

When you can no longer come up with good excuses as to why you cannot go with your husband to pick out a Christmas tree, go to the closet, get hat, coat, gloves, winter boots, and when he is not looking, the flask in the liquor cabinet. Put the outer clothing on; fill the flask with Bailey’s Irish Crème.
Be sure and check that one of your mindless romance novels, kept for excursions such as this, is in the car before the car pulls out of the garage. Get in the passenger side of the car.
While pulling out of the driveway, politely sympathize and agree with your husband that, yes, this will be the last year that we purchase a fresh cut Christmas tree. After all, you agree that the artificial trees made today are so much better in quality.
While opening your book to any page at all to start reading, comment to your husband that it does not matter where we go to get a Christmas tree. Suggest going back to the place we purchased last year’s tree. Try not to pay attention to the road, as it will probably be snowing, raining, and/or sleeting since that is apparently the only time your husband goes hunting for Christmas trees. Do not be insulted or take personally, that instead of taking your advice on where to purchase the tree, your husband decides to drive in the other direction and go to Menards where he heard a week ago that they had good deals on trees.
After your husband parks the car at Menards and turns the engine off, keep a straight face and refrain from commenting when it is obvious that there are no trees for the taking. Do not comment when the young salesperson relates that most of the trees sold last week during the sale. Do not remind your husband that the same thing occurred last year. Keep to yourself the fact those 30 miles, no make that 60 miles, (round trip) out of your way, and almost an hour and has been wasted on a fruitless hunt for a Christmas tree. Agree with your husband that the remaining trees left are extremely overpriced.
As your husband leaves the parking lot of Menards and turns south toward the tree farm in Brooklyn, do not smile, or comment. Remember he is not swearing at you. Agree with your husband when he says only crazy people are out today buying fresh cut trees. Appear to be deeply involved in your novel. When he suggests that it might be a good idea to check out the place in Brooklyn where we purchased last year’s tree, tell him you think that is a great idea.
You have now arrived at the tree farm in Brooklyn and it appears that you pretty much have the place to yourself. Be sure to put your gloves on and button your coat before you leave the car. Make sure the flask is safely in your coat pocket.
Spend the next half hour trudging through muddy snow, while walking through rows and rows of Christmas trees. When asked, hold the middle of the tree straight up so your husband can crouch down and make sure the tree is straight. This procedure will be repeated many, many times over the course of the afternoon. It is positively amazing how many trees do not grow straight. Now is a good opportunity to take a nip or two from the flask. The rows of Christmas trees provide a good deal of cover for you.
When you have had enough of the mud and you have seen all the trees you care to see, retreat to the pole barn. Once inside go directly to the coffee urn and get yourself a Styrofoam cup. You will have a choice of instant hot chocolate or instant coffee. Both go well with Bailey’s Irish Cream.
When your husband finds you in the pole barn, explain that you were losing the feeling in your toes. He now needs your opinion. Your husband has narrowed his choice of trees down to about three. He then asks you which tree you like. He does not really want your opinion but show your enthusiasm and make your choice. It will not really matter, as you will pick the wrong tree anyway. Marvel at his choice.
Offer to make a hot chocolate or instant coffee for your husband before he starts his haggling over the price of the tree. This is his favorite part of this adventure. Since it is not your favorite, retreat to the car with your hot drink, settle yourself in the passenger seat, and locate the novel. If there were any Bailey’s left in your flask, now would be a good time to finish it off before your husband gets back to the car.
With the haggling over and price agreed on, the tree wrapped and tied to the roof of the car, you are now ready for home. As the conversation returns to the high cost of trees, agree that this will be the last year for purchasing a fresh cut tree. After all, we must be crazy for wanting a fresh cut tree.
Once home, retreat to the house – as this is where the real fun begins. After removing your outerwear, rinse out the flask and return it to the liquor cabinet downstairs. Return to the main floor where you will start clearing furniture out of the way. To bring the tree in through the front doors, work your way toward the foyer, moving the umbrella stand out of the way, and the small area rug away from the double doors.
In the basement under the stairs, locate the tree holder and bring it upstairs. Bring along an old white sheet to use to catch needles that might fall into the carpet while bringing the tree in. Oh, that is right; your husband will not need it. He decides that is too cumbersome. Since you already know the routine, be sure to have the vacuum cleaner out and ready to use.
You will need your gloves to hold and balance the tree in the holder while your husband is down on the floor screwing the tree in place. This procedure usually will last at least a half an hour. Quickly agree that, yes, they just might have switched trees at the last minute. The tree your husband chose was straight, not like the one that is trying to fall over in the stand. Remember he is not swearing at you.
The tree is up and he turns it around to hide the area where there suddenly appears to be some type of gap. Again, it could have been the quick tree switch. It must now dry out for a day before trimming it. Vacuum the needles that have fallen on the floor.
The next morning, coming downstairs, find your insomniac husband sitting in a chair waiting for you with a cup of coffee. It is still dark outside and he has hooked up the lights on the tree. No decorations yet, but you are hit with a kaleidoscope of colors winking at you. As you breathe in the smell of outdoors and fresh pine, you marvel at the beautiful site and the wonderful, outrageous man who is so pleased with his selection. As you sit beside him, you nod and agree that, yes, who could possibly think that an artificial tree could replace something as beautiful as this. After all, people who do not want a fresh cut tree must be crazy.

The Best Christmas Music CDs You Need to Buy

Chris — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 02:10:39 +0000

The Best Christmas Music CDs You Need to Buy is a post from Chris Pirillo

This is Scott Crews’s submission for the HP Magic Giveaway. Feel free to leave comments for this article as you see fit – your feedback is certainly welcomed! If you’d like to submit your own how-to, what-is, or top-five list, you can send it to me. Views and opinions of this writer are not necessarily my own:

(1) Sufjan Stevens – Songs for Christmas

Why You Aren’t Listening to It: Sufjan Stevens hasn’t had any mainstream attention (no matter how much his fans think he should).
Why You Should Listen to It: If you’ve never heard of Sufjan Stevens, it’s almost impossible to compare him to anyone else. “Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas” is full of creative instrumentation, laid back tempos, and vocal harmonies, but it doesn’t have a lot of “over-production” that most albums suffer from these days. There are a few traditional Christmas songs on the disc. And it gives a lot of bang for your buck: he made the album into 5 CDs (over two hours of continuous music), and he doesn’t just do Christmas songs. It is a fantastic collection of music to get you in the Christmas spirit.

(2) MercyMe – The Christmas Sessions

Why You Aren’t Listening to It: Because when your top 40 radio station got done playing “I Can Only Imagine,” you were okay with it.
Why You Should Be Listening to It: Because what made “I Can Only Imagine” a hit makes MercyMe a great band, and it isn’t their fault that your radio station played that song into the ground. The Christmas Sessions contains all the Christmas classics with new arrangements and amazing vocals. Tracks to check out: “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” and “Joesph’s Lullaby.”

(3) Mariah Carey – Merry Christmas

Why You Aren’t Listening to It: Because geeky guys don’t listen to Mariah Carey.
Why You Should Be Listening to It: Because there’s a reason it’s a top selling Christmas CD every year. It’s really, really good. It is important to realize that “Merry Christmas” is from back in the day when Mariah Carey was still making REAL music, and not the booty-pop garbage that her producers are pumping out now. It is possible to like this CD and completely preserve one’s manliness. Tracks to check out: “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World” NOTE: On iTunes, there are two editions of this CD – one is 7.99 and one is 9.90. From what I can tell, there is no difference… so save two bucks if you can!

(4) Andy Williams – The Andy Williams Christmas Album

Why You Aren’t Listening to It: Because if you’re under 30 years old, you’ve probably never heard of him.
Why You Should Be Listening to It: Because Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra are good… and Andy Williams is just as good (or probably even better). Sure, listen to Frank the rest of the year when you want big, smooth, classic vocals. But for Christmas, Andy Williams hits a home run. Check out “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year” and “The Christmas Song.”

(5) Relient K – Let It Snow Baby… Let it Reindeer

Why You Aren’t Listening to It: Because either you’ve never heard of them or you don’t like pop/punk at Christmas.
Why You Should Be Listening to It: There are two reasons to listen. The first is if you like pop/punk music (surging drum beats, driving guitars, vocal harmony). The second is if you like phenomenal Christmas music. If that is you, don’t go buy the entire CD. But DO go buy the two tracks “I Celebrate the Day” and “Silent Night / Away In A Manger.” They sound nothing like the rest of the CD, and “I Celebrate the Day” is a beautiful Jimmy Eat World-esque piano ballad… and literally the greatest song ever written about Christmas. Don’t go another Christmas without this song – you’re only doing yourself a disservice.

Okay, there you go. What do you think? What albums did I leave off? Remember: it’s the music that we AREN’T listening to… so, “Now That’s What I Call Christmas” is NOT eligible!

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.