Because of io9.com's list of 10 catchphrases you swear you never use, I was inspired to snag some videos with famous sci-fi quotes (at least famous to me). Let me know what you think!
"Make it so."
This is Unix...
That's no moon...
Three seashells
Three seashells - in French?
Have a great weekend!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Mind the Nozzel
Captured somewhere between Cinci and Chicago this Thanksgiving:
I think they're doing it wrong.
I think they're doing it wrong.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Don't Let the Alarm Clock Drive
Here's a little motivational psychological tip to help you get every last bit of kick out in the morning: Don't let the alarm clock drive.
In other words, instead of getting up when you hear the blaring of the clock or the ring of your phone alarm, hit that snooze button (you know you're doing that already, anyway). Take a few deep breaths, run through your first steps of the morning, and get moving under your own power.
It's a small mind trick, but when you let the alarm clock drive the first act of your day, you're being pushed by an "outside" force. However, when you move on your own, get up between beeps, YOU are taking charge of the first moments of your day, you are grabbing ownership at the get-go. And that can make all the difference the whole day through.
In other words, instead of getting up when you hear the blaring of the clock or the ring of your phone alarm, hit that snooze button (you know you're doing that already, anyway). Take a few deep breaths, run through your first steps of the morning, and get moving under your own power.
It's a small mind trick, but when you let the alarm clock drive the first act of your day, you're being pushed by an "outside" force. However, when you move on your own, get up between beeps, YOU are taking charge of the first moments of your day, you are grabbing ownership at the get-go. And that can make all the difference the whole day through.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday! Snow FAIL, Scrollwheel, Starting Line FAIL
Things still snow-covered? Don't try to remove it like this:
I love helping others in understanding technology and the internet. But sometimes it's even worse than this:
And I guess we can close it out with one more FAIL:
Have a great weekend!
I love helping others in understanding technology and the internet. But sometimes it's even worse than this:
And I guess we can close it out with one more FAIL:
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
MyCleanPC.com - Buyer Beware
Here's an edited version of the commercial with a humorous end, but the only bit I could come up with on short notice:
Now this has been around for a few years, and that tells me that someone's making a heap-load of money because it's become even more prevalent on television in the past few months. Or maybe I'm watching more late-night television.
More Than 3 Seconds
So aside from the spokesman looking and sounding like he's nursing a nasty cold (purposeful? virus?), the line that always bugs me is "Does it take more than three seconds for your email to load?"
What exactly does that mean?
That's just my off-the-cuff process. Many people watch that commercial and respond "Yeah, slow email: bad."
And then they've got you.
But here's a tip: the whole thing is meant to be vague, indirect, and misleading, especially to people who find computers to be a little complicated and confusing.
What's the Harm?
You're going to go to their website and you'll see the giant green button and the word FREE all over the place and OMG you computer's so slow *click* and you're downloading and installing the executable file which will scan your registry. And it will tell you that you have registry errors. Want to fix them?
Oh, that's easy. We just have to discuss the little issue of purchasing the activation for the software so it can fix your computer.
Ah, but you're savvy, so you looked ...all over ...two links? Why won't they tell me how much it is before I scan and then have to buy it?
Exactly.
MyCleanPC.com is shilling for a program called CyberDefender. I don't care if it's the best dang registry scanner in the fracking world: The deliberate misdirection and manipulation of people who very simply may not know better is a SHADY practice and something to be abhorred.
Feel free to contact them to let them know they're shady.
But What Can I DO?
I know. I understand. Your computer is still slow and the most obvious solution on the teevee is actually a potentially dangerous bogeyman. Why not take a look at my post on The FREE Way to Clean & Protect Your Computer. It is completely legit: It highlights truly free programs that I have found work quite well and I get absolutely nothing for telling you about them. This is about making you a more savvy consumer.
That's one down. What scams or shady practices have you run into recently or in the past? Hit me in the comments and don't be afraid of the sidebar - I'm always available in a variety of ways and happy to take the time to chat about your thoughts or questions.
P.S. Depending on the branch of science, jiffy has several definitions as a length of time.
Now this has been around for a few years, and that tells me that someone's making a heap-load of money because it's become even more prevalent on television in the past few months. Or maybe I'm watching more late-night television.
More Than 3 Seconds
So aside from the spokesman looking and sounding like he's nursing a nasty cold (purposeful? virus?), the line that always bugs me is "Does it take more than three seconds for your email to load?"
What exactly does that mean?
- Should I be clocking Outlook to see if the program opens in 3 seconds?
- Should I be clocking the email load once Outlook opens?
- Should I be clocking how long it takes to complete a send/receive request?
- Is it how long it takes my browser to open in the process of checking online email?
- Maybe the length of time it takes to bring up Gmail?
- Does typing time count?
- What's a jiffy?!
- I'm so confused!
That's just my off-the-cuff process. Many people watch that commercial and respond "Yeah, slow email: bad."
And then they've got you.
But here's a tip: the whole thing is meant to be vague, indirect, and misleading, especially to people who find computers to be a little complicated and confusing.
What's the Harm?
You're going to go to their website and you'll see the giant green button and the word FREE all over the place and OMG you computer's so slow *click* and you're downloading and installing the executable file which will scan your registry. And it will tell you that you have registry errors. Want to fix them?
Oh, that's easy. We just have to discuss the little issue of purchasing the activation for the software so it can fix your computer.
Ah, but you're savvy, so you looked ...all over ...two links? Why won't they tell me how much it is before I scan and then have to buy it?
Exactly.
MyCleanPC.com is shilling for a program called CyberDefender. I don't care if it's the best dang registry scanner in the fracking world: The deliberate misdirection and manipulation of people who very simply may not know better is a SHADY practice and something to be abhorred.
Feel free to contact them to let them know they're shady.
But What Can I DO?
I know. I understand. Your computer is still slow and the most obvious solution on the teevee is actually a potentially dangerous bogeyman. Why not take a look at my post on The FREE Way to Clean & Protect Your Computer. It is completely legit: It highlights truly free programs that I have found work quite well and I get absolutely nothing for telling you about them. This is about making you a more savvy consumer.
That's one down. What scams or shady practices have you run into recently or in the past? Hit me in the comments and don't be afraid of the sidebar - I'm always available in a variety of ways and happy to take the time to chat about your thoughts or questions.
P.S. Depending on the branch of science, jiffy has several definitions as a length of time.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday Videos: Fried Gnocchi, Metrodome, Worst Web Meeting Evar
Fried Gnocchi
A cautionary tale. Don't fry your gnocchi. Really. Don't. Evar.
(via urlesque)
Metrodome Roof Collapse snOMG!
If you haven't seen it yet, here's your chance.
Worst Web Meeting Evar
A little creation of my own, collecting all the head-shaking moments as a web developer in one meeting from hell.
A cautionary tale. Don't fry your gnocchi. Really. Don't. Evar.
(via urlesque)
Metrodome Roof Collapse snOMG!
If you haven't seen it yet, here's your chance.
Worst Web Meeting Evar
A little creation of my own, collecting all the head-shaking moments as a web developer in one meeting from hell.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Social Media: State Farm, Tempur-pedic, and Leveraging PR
Tempur-pedic & State Farm have both been doing something in the past several months that I have seen NO other companies doing and I wanted to bring it to light.
Perhaps you've seen this commercial from Tempur-pedic?
"Ask me," they tempt you. "Go to Facebook," they say.
Or perhaps the "People Trust People" commercial from State Farm:
"Talk to State Farm ...but not yet."
Both of these commercials are taking a single idea, leveraging social media, and coming out more transparent and credible for it.
The idea is this: The guy/gal selling you something has words staged to sell. If you hear "X Company is awesome" from them, it doesn't carry NEARLY the weight of hearing "X Company is awesome" from a friend, friend on Facebook, or as a testimonial from an existing customer.
And these companies are taking a chance: if you're looking for negative views of Tempur-pedic or State Farm, you can find them on the internet. They're staking a claim on the positive reviews of their clients, and because they both have a solid product that people are generally happy with, they have faith that YOUR friends or other people you don't necessarily know will speak wonderfully about what they have to offer.
(Side Note: the psychology behind justifying a large purchase that's better than what they had [Tempur-pedic] or "nothing going wrong when nothing happens" [State Farm] is not being addressed here.)
The great thing about these campaigns is that it's a design every small business can emulate (as long as you don't have a backlog of unsatisfied clients).
How does it work for small business? Easy.
When you're networking, when you're selling yourself, when people ask (and they should): Why should I choose you? You answer them by saying "Here's what makes us special..." AND "We can do what you need to increase value to your company, but here are a couple people/companies that know what we can do. Talk to them first. If you're still interested, my number's on the card."
You, too, can leverage organic PR to grow your business. You just didn't know you needed to do it yet. Now you do. Make it happen.
Perhaps you've seen this commercial from Tempur-pedic?
"Ask me," they tempt you. "Go to Facebook," they say.
Or perhaps the "People Trust People" commercial from State Farm:
"Talk to State Farm ...but not yet."
Both of these commercials are taking a single idea, leveraging social media, and coming out more transparent and credible for it.
The idea is this: The guy/gal selling you something has words staged to sell. If you hear "X Company is awesome" from them, it doesn't carry NEARLY the weight of hearing "X Company is awesome" from a friend, friend on Facebook, or as a testimonial from an existing customer.
And these companies are taking a chance: if you're looking for negative views of Tempur-pedic or State Farm, you can find them on the internet. They're staking a claim on the positive reviews of their clients, and because they both have a solid product that people are generally happy with, they have faith that YOUR friends or other people you don't necessarily know will speak wonderfully about what they have to offer.
(Side Note: the psychology behind justifying a large purchase that's better than what they had [Tempur-pedic] or "nothing going wrong when nothing happens" [State Farm] is not being addressed here.)
The great thing about these campaigns is that it's a design every small business can emulate (as long as you don't have a backlog of unsatisfied clients).
How does it work for small business? Easy.
When you're networking, when you're selling yourself, when people ask (and they should): Why should I choose you? You answer them by saying "Here's what makes us special..." AND "We can do what you need to increase value to your company, but here are a couple people/companies that know what we can do. Talk to them first. If you're still interested, my number's on the card."
You, too, can leverage organic PR to grow your business. You just didn't know you needed to do it yet. Now you do. Make it happen.
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