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Scott Mueller is a quirky-smart thinker with leadership experience ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. He’s passionate about helping people see their true potential and getting them to places they never thought possible.

Scott and his wife, Alex, started an experiment in life and living, called Moosicorn Ranch, east of Spokane, WA. Through the help of friends and colleagues, they hope to make Moosicorn Ranch a sustainable home and farm. But there are even bigger dreams in the works including providing a place for workshops, seminars, and even a place for artists to live, learn and create.

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Sustainable Living at Gnomedex

Scott and Alex Mueller knew they wanted to live life as much on their own terms as possible when the time came to build a home. They wanted to do their part to help preserve our planet and wanted the freedom to create something lasting for themselves and their family. They dreamed of being able to “reliably produce our own power, food, and shelter, minimize water use, and undertake individual artistic endeavors – all in a sustainable manner, while keeping costs low.” Out of these dreams, Moosicorn Ranch was born.

Scott Mueller is a quirky-smart thinker with leadership experience ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. He’s passionate about helping people see their true potential and getting them to places they never thought possible. Through the help of friends and colleagues, they hope to make Moosicorn Ranch a sustainable home and farm which encompass their definition of “green” and sustainable living.

But there are even bigger dreams in the works including providing a place for workshops, seminars, and even a place for artists to live, learn and create. They will be joining us to speak at Gnomedex 2010 in August, sharing their journey, dreams and ideas with us.

Tickets are still available for the event, which runs August 19 – 21, 2010 in Seattle, WA.

How to Simplify Your Life

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One caller to the live show the other night wondered if it’s a good idea to turn off your laptop when you are finished using it. Many people simply let the machine go into sleep mode or flip it to a screensaver.

When I am done using mine, I tend to turn it off completely if I know I won’t be using it again soon. If I’m traveling and using it often, I let it go to sleep and just get a bit of rest until I need it again. It doesn’t hurt anything to let it sleep for awhile, but I don’t recommend doing it for long periods of time.

Despite the advances in power-saving technologies, it’s better to turn off (and unplug) a device when not in use for awhile. Sometimes, it all adds up when your power bill shows up.

It’s interesting that this question was asked the day that it was. Just that day, a new service from Microsoft popped up on my radar. Microsoft Hohm can help you save money on your energy bill. After you register (for free) and answer several questions, the site will make recommendations based on your answers.

Sadly, I am the Griswold of my neighborhood. I use entirely too much power. I can’t help it! I love my gadgets, gizmos and electronics. It’s an addiction, and I don’t want a 12-step program. I will proudly stand up at the block party and yell “Let there be light!” You don’t think my neighbors will hate me too much, do you?

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When Do You Power Down Your Laptop?

I recently glanced through a forum post on Geeks, where the poster was a woman talking about how Geeks are usually mean to her. She admits that she isn’t a technology Geek. While she does enjoy things like her MP3 player and cell phone, she’s not very knowledgeable about the products, nor how they work. She has felt ostracized many times over the past months in different communities, after being called a n00b – or worse!

We aren’t mean, are we? Sure, we don’t have many social skills, but overall I like to think we’re nicer than most people. Sure, you’re going to get trolls, idiots and jerks. But that happens no matter where you go. I don’t think that Geeks have it in us to be flat-out mean to people!

Am I way off base here? Have you ever felt as though a Geek treated you badly in a social situation? Share your wisdom with the rest of us!

• Why aren’t academic achievements highlighted as much as sports in high school?
• Is another financial meltdown headed our way?
• Your Senior year in high school can get to be quite expensive.
• Do you know how to reduce the size of your PowerPoint presentations with ease?
• Botnets are a very real – and very dangerous – threat.
• Please Rob Me! That site will tell the world when you aren’t home.
• How do you get your ideas spotlighted in your community?
• Is Google doing no evil?
• ATI is tweaking Catalyst drivers for the release of 10.2.
• Can teenagers really become professional bloggers?
• cPanel vs Plesk – does it really even matter?
• Unit 731 experiments will be chronicled.
• Are the Windows 7 mobile phone requirements a turn-off to manufacturers?
• In the modern day version of David and Goliath, it looks as though Goliath will win.
• America favors conservation, but few practice what they preach.
• Should Google buy T-Mobile?
• Malware is often delivered to your computer whether you like it or not.

Don’t forget to stop by our software center to see what new deals we have for you today!

Are Geeks Friendly?

You read the title correctly, yes. Beginning Friday, you can rent movies on YouTube. The Google-owned YouTube has partnered with the Sundance Film Festival to offer five independent movies for rental. In addition, Google is looking for other independent artists and companies to work with in order to bring you even more titles in upcoming weeks.

YouTube is also inviting a number of its partners to participate in the new rental service, allowing those it selects to keep their rights, decide where they want their content to be available, the price of their video and the rental duration. One day, YouTube will offer even more services where movies are concerned, even going so far as to bring movies to platforms other than the website, including Apple TV, Boxee, Wii and PS3.

Is this something that will potentially interest you? Would you pay a flat rate (or perhaps subscription fee?) to rent movies on YouTube? What types of films are you hoping to see there in the future?

• Check out the Kindle for PC at no cost to you!
• Why is technology so important today?
• The subsidy contracts involved with the Nexus One are not a pleasant thing.
• Firefox 3.6 is coming tomorrow. Is it a coincidence that is being released at the same time as a major IE fix?
• What is the first step to consider when you are about to buy a new computer?
• A Greener planet begins with smarter IT people.
• Is Ubuntu seeking advice on closed-source applications?
• Will the NY Times become extinct, much like the dinosaurs did?
• The resources to solve the housing crisis in Haiti may already be on hand.
• Why is Firefox so popular?
• What video-editing software do you prefer to use?
• The next time you are stuck, try creating an outline to help you organize your thoughts.
• I have a dream – of affordable health care.
• Do you feel the iMac is a perfect machine?

Don’t forget to stop by our software center to see what deals we have for you today! We showcase everything from Windows and Mac software to the hottest must-haves for your mobile devices!

Rent Movies from YouTube

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If a device is plugged into the wall, it’s using electricity. Even if it’s not turned on, it’s still draining your wallet by running up your power bill. You may want to look into a device that can help you cut that bill down, and save on your energy usage! There’s a way to do it easily by using TrickleStar’s devices.

Using either the TV TrickleSaver or the PC TrickleSaver, you can cut your energy consumption quite a lot. Using them reduces the standby electricity used by devices. There’s a built-in relay that switches off devices that consume standby current.

The TrickleStar TV TrickleSaver reduces the standby energy consumed by TV accessories. The product has inbuilt current sensing circuitry to sense when a TV is on or Off. When the TV is on the product will switch On all peripheral devices. Conversely when the TV is Off, the product will switch Off all accessories.

Conversely, the TrickleStar PC TrickleSaver reduces the standby energy consumed by PC Peripheral equipment. The product connects to a PC via a standard USB connector and detects the power status of a PC via the USB port. When a PC is powered up, the product will switch on all peripheral devices. When a PC is switched off, the product will switch off all peripheral devices.

Why not make the Earth a friendlier place by cutting down on the amount of electricity you use? Heck… you’re saving yourself money as well, so you really have no excuse!

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How to Save Electricity

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Have you thought about Green Computing? Do you have what it takes to make the next great Green Computing application?

Gnomedex and the Microsoft Live Search have teamed up to sponsor a developer contest called Will Code for Green. The hope is to make a difference in the economy (Green = Money) and the Earths ecology (Green = Environment) that lasts long after the contest is over. For more details, you can read my earlier blog post.

All Semi-Finalists will present their creations at the Gnomedex conference August 20-22, 2009. Attendees at the Gnomedex conference will be invited to vote to determine a Grand Prize winner in each Category – and three runner-up winners from both Categories combined. Each Grand Prize winner will receive $10,000.00 to further their ideas and projects, and each runner-up will receive $3000.00.

Do you have a passion for the environment or economy? Do you have the mad skills to put that passion to work to help others? If so, get busy! The deadline for entry is on August 12th. You just never know… you could be our winner.

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Will Code for Green

http://greentweetup.eventbrite.com/ – Join me today and get some free stuff! It’s green and geekalicious!

Free Green Tea

There’s this thing called “Earth Hour,” and it’s happening today at 8:30pm – you can “Vote Earth” by switching off your lights for one hour. That would be… Earth Hour. So, I asked my Twitter followers:

chrispirillo: Are you participating in “Earth Hour” – and if so, how?

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:14:54 +0000 2009

jerzegurl: not participating. It's foolishness. I save on energy year round.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:15:59 +0000 2009

HelpMeRick: Nope…weekend time requires way too much work on my computers since I spend the week working on everyone elses.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:10 +0000 2009

MarkArchibald: I'm participating with a few people then getting some beers dt after

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:32 +0000 2009

majestikbtrfly: I am spending Earth Hour meditating for the first time ever.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:36 +0000 2009

imrui: For one hour, we will not use electricity in our house. I was hoping all people in our neighborhood will do the same.. :]

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:46 +0000 2009

Raaawry: im recycling condoms

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:47 +0000 2009

christophertran: by turning off everything. :P

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:16:56 +0000 2009

JeffreyTheGee: i will be shutting off my lights in my room

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:11 +0000 2009

sizzler_chetan: My Apartment main switch would be shut off by me for Earth Hour. It consumes a lot of energy! So would help the world.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:16 +0000 2009

PG485: yes. Shutting off most/all electonics.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:23 +0000 2009

rockstarima: Yep! Going to Busch Staduim in STL with my six year old and a few friends. Might even turn off the iPhone!

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:23 +0000 2009

Kennethturner: yes im unplugging my server my modem, router, and any other computer in my house

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:39 +0000 2009

chrisjacobson: shutting off the computer for 1 hr… don't think I'll survive

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:44 +0000 2009

Mr_Fastbucks: By turning on every light and appliance on using a dozen or two “clappers”

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:49 +0000 2009

vlang: WHEN IS EARTH HOUR

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:17:50 +0000 2009

brandon_wirtz: yes, by pointing out that it is a feel good waste of time, and that it is just a way for peopel to feel eco-morally superior

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:18:14 +0000 2009

Zuse: Earth will need a tad more than an hour to make a come back.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:18:32 +0000 2009

barrysaunders: yep. editing earth hour footage for 24 hours as it comes in to the Australian office.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:19:14 +0000 2009

XaveGregz: Well, yeah. We're doing it by default, turning the lights off for one hour.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:19:18 +0000 2009

jerzegurl: We lived for 9 days w/o electricity in Dec.that covers my part for the rest of my life. :)

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:19:21 +0000 2009

cbrowne25: Yes, I'll turn off all the lights in my private jet when I'm fly to florida for the day.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:19:48 +0000 2009

phuzion: Yes, I'm releasing 2.5 metric tons of CFCs at once and consuming 3.6 gigawatts of electricity.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:20:02 +0000 2009

Mendelson9: turning off power and going to read by the fire. You should turn off the live feed for an hour to support the earth. :)

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:20:08 +0000 2009

b0ssman01: playing a boardgame with the family under candle lights.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:20:27 +0000 2009

djdez92: I'm participating by turning on all my lights and appliances and taking an hour long hot shower. =)

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:20:56 +0000 2009

stephenfung: Charging all the UPS' and batteries so that I can be off the grid for an hour :)

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:21:10 +0000 2009

dbhaffey: by turning ON every light, computer & electronic device. if it has a plug, it's going on… LOL ;) Well maybe in my head!

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:21:28 +0000 2009

webdrifter: lights are off with 2 exceptions; porch light on motion detector and the phantom loads. Better solution paint the roof white.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:22:23 +0000 2009

SemperAlwayz: Yes I am n2 @earthhourUS starts here n 8 hrs. We will be celebrating the end of a life here on earth by candle light & music

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:22:31 +0000 2009

eIIe: will be participating in Earth Hour by learning a new cold-food recipe, then turning everything off and cooking by candlelight

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:24:04 +0000 2009

slava_g: By keeping the lights on :P

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:24:04 +0000 2009

Kittyburgers: Forget turning off the lights! http://awurl.com/QI3n66gWf

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:24:06 +0000 2009

8s: re how participating in “Earth Hour”: Unplugging in my apt., evening @ friends' who will unplug, @ a deck in Kirkland, WA!

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:24:40 +0000 2009

jesusvaldez: I'm unplugging the entire house…

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:26:06 +0000 2009

arthurdent3: I am turning all my lights on because the whole thing is a joke. I'll laugh if I am the only one in my area w/lights on

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:26:16 +0000 2009

nealcampbell: I'm participating in Earth Hour by turning on ALL my lights. I'm NOT participating in idiocracy by turning lights off!

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:26:48 +0000 2009

tkells: turning off lights and talking to my kids in the dark.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:26:53 +0000 2009

courtenaybird: shutting off my lights when they tell me to. pretty easy.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:31:47 +0000 2009

itsnex: I sure am :D

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:33:11 +0000 2009

liocalset: Hi Chris, I'm planning to turn off all electronics, light some candles and play cards with relatives. What are U doing?

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:34:29 +0000 2009

ScottyF311: I'll stay on Earth at LEAST for that hour before returning to my home planet.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:36:11 +0000 2009

blog4yourlife: going to prepare a picnic dinner ahead of time and dine by candle light after turning off my main breaker.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:41:20 +0000 2009

dejoe_dide3d: Ya.. i m participating.. Growing new plants and i am turning off my Electricity for the EARTH HOUR :)

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:41:33 +0000 2009

ouasii: By telling others, writing to governments, putting up posters, and turning off everything that uses electricity for one hour.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:42:04 +0000 2009

geekshacker: yes, I am go to be part of it. http://twitpic.com/2irhi

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:44:26 +0000 2009

BlackWolf_: I bought a 150watt floodlight for every socket in the house. And plan to leave them all on for an hour.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:44:32 +0000 2009

albertwu: #earthhour is about energy conservation…. probably should turn off my computers.

about 2 hours ago

Sat Mar 28 05:44:56 +0000 2009

AmritGrewal: I switched to Dark theme in my Tweetie iPhone app

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 05:59:15 +0000 2009

morgan_johnson: I am! My dorm is encouraging everyone to turn their lights off and go roast s'mores outside instead of hanging around inside.

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 06:02:18 +0000 2009

nthmost: Earth? A whole hour? Are you nuts? Can't tell you how many times my car's been broken into in that neighborhood.

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 06:02:21 +0000 2009

kpslover007: When Earth hour comes, I will shut all my lights off like I did last time and also turn off any unwanted appliances!

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 06:12:14 +0000 2009

UncleJohn97420: Heck no, using less energy isnt the answer, its the dang energy companies that need to use cleaner methods of producing it.

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 06:26:47 +0000 2009

edwin_rodriguez: all the lights are gonna go out..

about an hour ago

Sat Mar 28 06:35:02 +0000 2009

lonnie247: Sitting in the dark.

about 45 minutes ago

Sat Mar 28 06:59:57 +0000 2009

How to Think Green