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.

• Shuttle has announced that their computer systems work well with Windows 7.
• Smash Cars will be crashing into the Playstation network on August 20th.
• Why is data recovery so expensive?
• Can I have your attention?
• What is the world like according to Twitter?
• Are you interested in integrating live video with your Twitter feed?
• Protect yourself from Phishing attempts!
• Geeks browser: coming soon for the iPhone!
• Do you have a recommended fix for a Firefox memory leak?

I Know What You Did Last Summer

As you may have noticed, I’ve been out and about a lot more recently. I’ve discovered that there are times when going outside, seeing people and doing things isn’t always such a bad thing. I’m still my Geeky self. I still prefer solitude sometimes. I still prefer the company of my dogs and my computers to humans much of the time. However, having been dragged to several local events and attractions by various friends lately has actually been fun. I’ve managed to do and see some things that I’ve said for years now I’d “get around to one day”.

It’s no secret that I’m most comfortable in my house, within my own little Geek world. I have made many amazing connections over the years online. My knowledge and my mind-set have been expanded due to the people I know on the Internet and in our community. I often view things differently due to the way others look at them – helping me to think outside the box.

However, I’m learning all over again that there are connections to be made outside of my comfort zone. There are so many people out there who have interests and thoughts similar to mine – and *gasp* – not all of them can be found on Twitter or Lockergnome or even Geeks! It’s good to get out there and connect with them, and expand my world even further.

Don’t worry, my grasshoppers. I’ll never forget about you. And, no matter what I may go and do during the day, I still have time to keep track of all of you!

• Do you have a Palm Pre? Are you happy with it?
• One blogger has learned how to stop paying for television.
• The Microsoft earnings disappointment is good news for late adopters.
• Google now owns a fighter jet?!
• The cost of checking your luggage for a flight is increasing again.
• Informative blogging: edit your reputation
• Wal-Mart is beating out Best Buy with a $298.00 laptop.
• Is Apple’s attitude blocking Google’s latitude?
• The problems with the Pre not syncing with iTunes has been fixed.
• Is this the summer of Linux?

Getting Out is a Good Thing

Oh, what fun! Here are a few fhings that happened on this hike up Rattlesnake Ridge:

• I broke a sweat for the third time in my life.
• We met a man with seven wives.
• I saw a cloud shaped like Steve Wozniak.
• We were ticked for yodeling in a “No Warbling” zone.
• I decided that wearing a dark t-shirt was a stupid idea.
• We took the escalator down.
• I realized I have an irrational fear of pine trees.

Much love to my friend for taking me (and packing a homemade lunch to eat at the summit) today.

I Hiked up Rattlesnake Ridge

For the first time in about 22 years, I went out on a lake in a Kayak. My friend Jessica convinced me to go along with her. I’ll admit – I wasn’t sure what to expect. But it really was pretty great. The weather was gorgeous, and the ride wasn’t as bad as I feared. I had a really good time, and will likely go again one day.

Once I returned home, it was back to work for this boy. There’s much to accomplish, people to talk to, and posts to read! Even though it was a gorgeous summer Saturday, many of you took the time to post on the various blogs and forums on both Lockergnome and Geeks. Here are some things that I found interesting, and wanted to share with all of you.

• Are you planning to go see Bruno?
• What is your opinion of Gamestop?
• Is the World-wide recession truly World-wide?
• Are you someone who is interested in creating a story of your own, but aren’t sure where to start?
• A Microsoft VP says that the Google OS is defensive only.
• What does Katherine Durham have to say about Internet strategy?
• The power to give – the power to take.
• Are you a fashion-conscious Geek?
• What are your thoughts on the newest version of Safari?
• What do you do to gain attention?

Kayaking the Day Away

I can’t believe we’re already into July. Where the heck did June go? How did I miss it? I haven’t gone out to tan yet, nor have I played any beach volleyball. Wait a minute… I must have had some odd out-of-body experience for a moment there. Let’s call it a momentary lapse of sanity, ok? I don’t tan. I’m as ghost-white as it gets. The only “sun” I get are the rays that come from my monitors. We all know I’m not one to play sports, either. I’m not sure who took over my keyboard and wrote that garbage!

In any case, summer is half over I suppose. Time flies when you’re too busy to stop to breathe. Gnomedex is only six weeks away, and the team is working hard to get everything ready. I want to thank all of you who have offered your help and services to help make this year rock more than ever before!

Never fear, young grasshoppers. Even though I’m busy, I still make the time to see what you have to say! Your community contributions are the backbone that makes everything I do so much fun.

• Do you use a Google cheat sheet?
• What are your thoughts on Google Wave?
• “Instant-on” Linux faces stiff competition.
• Two weeks after buying the iPhone 3G S, are you still happy?
• Can anything interesting come from a lunch date between Bill Gates and Eric Schmidt?
• Google Apps is going to become an OpenID provider.
• Thousands of medical records have been compromised due to a Trojan.
• Despite the recession, Macs are selling like hotcakes.
• Over half a million laptops are missing or stolen each year.

Summer is Half Over Already?!

Even though it’s a well-known fact that I am so white I glow more than my monitors do – I still love summer. I just hate being cold, and never seeing the sun. Of course, living in Seattle there’s never much sun. However, I digress!

Even if you aren’t into the whole camping/fishing/hiking thing, there’s still a lot you can do outside right now. Heck, just take your notebook and go sit in the park. Enjoy the weather, the sun, and the people-watching! Whatever you choose to do, take the time to enjoy each day. Don’t be like me and coop yourself up inside for too long! You’ll go insane… and you’ll start to glow.

What are you up to these days? Are you writing about the things going on in your life like others in our community?

• Adobe is slow going with Flash for the iPhone.
• Will open Windows ever be a reality?
• Are you impressed with Google Maps?
• How has the Internet changed since you first logged on?
• Are solid state drives safer?
• What rumors are you hearing about the WorldWide Developer’s Conference?
• Let’s hear it for the Linux driver’s project!
• Are you looking for Twitter cheats, tweaks and tools? Look no further than Huitter!
• X-Men Origins: Wolverine Uncaged Edition is now available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
• South Carolina is required to accept Federal aid – whether they want to or not.
• Hunch will be going public with their Beta on June 15th.
• Is WalMart really so bad?
• Why IS gas so expensive?
• Are you strong enough to survive anything thrown your way?

Summer is Finally Upon Us

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

Summer is upon us once again. My wife Ponzi is a very loving person. But, she’s always freezing, and I’m always too hot! I keep it very cool up in my office. Ponzi’s office is down in the basement, and she keeps the heat on. What do you do to keep cool in the summer and beat the heat? Commodore256 from our live chat room sent in his top tips for helping you to stay comfortable and healthy in the summer sun.

1. Drink Plenty of Water. People underestimate the importance of a properly hydrated body. A properly hydrated body is the best way to stay healthy in the heat. As for myself, I always have water with me at all times. Drinking water or like Gatorade is the most important way to help prevent dehydration.
2. Stay Inside an Air Conditioned Building. If you don’t have air conditioning, and your fan isn’t enough, go to a place that has air conditioning. You can head out to visit a friend, catch a movie at the theater, or read quietly at your local library. If you don’t have transportation, some places offer free bus rides on “Ozone Alert” days.
3. Go Swimming. Going to the pool or beach is an excellent way to lower your body’s temperature, have fun and get some exercise all at the same time. If you have a pool, bring your friends over and plan a cookout. After all… the more, the merrier.
4. Wear Sunblock. After all, you don’t want end up getting burned like Icarus. Wearing sunblock will also help keep you from shedding like a snake later on.
5. Stay At Home. If it gets too hot to stay outside and you don’t feel like going anywhere to cool off, just stay at home. You won’t be doing much at home, but you’re not very likely to get heat stroke indoors.

Those are excellent tips, Commodore256. Now, I know all of you are sitting there, muttering to yourselves that you know these things already. But… do you actually DO these things? Keep them in mind, and stay safe this summer.

FirstRSS ERROR: "http://shop.tagjag.com/products/vacation" NOT FOUND!

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y8kOPEpxsQU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y8kOPEpxsQU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://chris.pirillo.com/">Chris</a> | <a href="http://live.pirillo.com/">Live Tech Support</a> | <a href="http://media.pirillo.com/">Video Help</a> | <a href="http://feeds.pirillo.com/ChrisPirilloShow">Add to iTunes</a>

How do you Beat the Summer Heat?