Virtual Bank

When I was in college I think I did most of my banking via an ATM. I learned that I didn't need to go to a bank branch to get what I wanted. If you accept the fact that you don't need to visit a branch you can open yourself up to bank at a variety of places. In fact, this is a "virtual bank" has very good rates and a nice online banking experience. It is worth a try!

An internet tip of the week

Here is a nice blog about an internet tip of the week. The archives look pretty good. You can also subscribe for an email tip. 

New X-files movie - still cool?

I remember when the X-files was cool. Now after several years and new programs later (such as Lost) I wonder if anyone will care.

fiber optic chips?

This sounds like it something out of Star Trek. It is a fiber optic chip that could make computers 10 times more powerful.

Clevver.com

This website is kind of a you tube lite. It has trailers and videos. 

Netflix was down Monday

Netflix was down for a good portion of Monday. What is interesting to me is this quote from the article;

Swasey said the company, which has about 7.5 million subscribers, was still determining an appropriate course of action for those customers whose shipments were delayed, such as possibly crediting their accounts.

I have been a Netflix subscriber for about eight years in all of that time you can count on one hand the number of times the service was out. Meanwhile I am constantly dealing with problems with Time Warner cable. I have had about 3 different cable boxes, the service is out a at least a couple of times per year and they regularly raise prices. Unless I complained they would never just "credit" my account for an outage.

Netflix hasn't taken action yet, but in my book if they credit the customer for the inconvenience that is a real plus.

glo Pillow

This is just too weird! This is a pillow that gradually wakes you up using light instead of sound. I guess it is supposed to be better for you than the jarring noise we usually use to wake us up. Someone buy one of these and tell me how it works!

The Flip Video Ultra

This is a neat product that allows you to take video very easily and get it into your computer. A great way to get started with video editing and it is less than $150. 

1-800-GOOG-411 not so great?

A little while ago I blogged about the free information service from Google called 1-800-GOOG-411. Since then I have used it a few times I have to say I am not that impressed. What do others think? I find that I frequently give requests that GOOG-411 can't handle. 

Food fit

 FoodFit.com can build a sensible eating plan.  Click here for more healthful eating plans and tips on making better choices at the dinner table, and on how to walk off those holiday pounds.

Walk Score

Here is a website that you can use to check the "walk score" of your home. Essentially if you have a high score you live in an area where you can walk to many services. (like restaurants or stores)

CreateSpace

Another neat service I discovered is called CreateSpace. The idea is you can create DVD’s, CD’s, books, etc and they will do the publishing. You then sell your product on Amazon and they take a cut of each item you sell. Here is more detail from their website:

CreateSpace helps you create and sell your video, music and books on demand. We manufacture, package and ship your product when customers order, so your title always remains "in stock" but you never have to pay for inventory. We can also produce DVDs, CDs and books for your own use

BookLamp

Another nifty service that I have stumbled upon. Here is the info about the service taken from their website:

BookLamp.org is a system for matching readers to books through an analysis of writing styles, similar to the way that Pandora.com matches music lovers to new music. Do you like Stephen King’s It, but thought it was too long? The technology behind BookLamp allows you to find books that are written with a similar tone, tense, perspective, action level, description level, and dialog level, while at the same time allowing you to specify details like... half the length. It’s impervious to outside influences - like advertising - that impact socially driven recommendation systems, and isn’t reliant on a large user base to work.

Wall*E

Here is a link to the new Pizar movie, Wall*E. It looks pretty good. 

Abobe Premiere Elements

I was talking with a friend today and she mentioned that she wanted to create a home video from her Camcorder. She was using Windows miserable Movie Maker software and it was having problems with the format that her Sony camcorder created. I mentioned that Abobe Premiere Elements is a pretty nice program for the PC. You can import just about any format and a free trial is available at their website. Check it out. (this is a windows only thing by the way - if you have a Mac use iMovie it is far superior anyway.)

On another note, I just added the Amazon referral link to the right. When you search Amazon via my site and then buy a product I get a little bonus. So if you see something you like on my blog enter the name in the box and click search- buy it through Amazon and tada you are supporting this blog!

New In-flight WiFi

It amazes me that this hasn't happen sooner. It seems like airlines could charge a nominal fee for WiFi and business travelers would happily pay it. This article specifically talks about a new WiFi service.

Hulu - TV on the web

The new website Hulu is available for everyone now that it has completed the beta phase. It is a pretty decent collection of 100% free video. The content is a little bit hit and miss (why they have some entire TV seasons of some shows and not others is beyond me) but what is available is decent. Just be aware you can't download it to your hard drive or portable device. I hope that comes in the future because I think this site has promise.

Sweet Sweet Music

For those of you that aren't aware my parents run a music series with singer/songwriters. If you are interested you can check their website at www.sweetsweetmusic.net

Jonathan Coulton

This probably won't be a fit for most of my audience...but I have come across a really neat singer/songwriter.  His name is Jonathan Coulton and what makes him unique is that he is kind a tech geek singer. You don't see that much! I think his stuff is fun. Additionally, he really gets the whole web based promotion thing. You can go and listen to virtually every track he has online before you buy. Anyway, click on the link and give it a listen. Try the link that says listening suggestions to start. 

Rip DVD's to your Hard drive

If you would like to put your DVD's into a format that can be played by your iPod, PSP, or Apple TV you will need software to get them onto your hard drive. One of my favorite programs is called Handbrake. You can find it here.

Cell Phones and Driving Don't MIX

No real surprises here, cell phones and driving don't mix. 

GOOG 411

Every once in a while I come across a service that gets me really excited. I felt that way about Netflix years ago and now this new service from google called, Goog 411. 

It is a free information number that you can call. Program it into your cell phone and you can save the $1 you would normally spend on information from your cell phone company. 

At their site you can watch a short video which tells you how it is done. I really liked it when I tried it. 

Earth Twin?

This is kind of a neat article about the fact that Earth may have a "twin" circling the next sun over!

The New Indiana Jones Trailer

I am about as excited about this new movie as I was when the new Star Wars films came out. I hope this one isn't a let down. 

Trade in your HD-DVD Player

This is kind of interesting - it seems that Circuit City will take back your HD-DVD player for a Blu-Ray player. Seems like a nice promotion and a fall back for those folks that bought into HD-DVD early. 

Record Phone Calls

Here is a link to a USA Today article that tells you how you can record phone conversations without special software. Hello big brother! 

Features of Google Maps

Google Maps is pretty amazing. If you haven't checked it out recently go ahead and type in your address. Then, after you can see the roads go ahead and click on satellite. You can see images of your home from the sky that get surprisingly detailed.

If you have a choice for "street view" go ahead and click that...WOW...now you can see your house from the the road. It isn't everywhere yet but it is in many places.

Stories for parents and teachers

This is a neat website for parents or grandparents. It has famous people reading kids books. I thought it might be a good one for teachers too. 

Computer Tips Online

I was doing some research for a presentation and I came across this website. it has tips on just about any type of computing software. It isn't the most elegant looking site but the info is good.

Remote Controls

I was talking to a friend and he was telling me that his mother-in-law needed a remote for the TV but they all had buttons that were so small. While trying to help him I can across several interesting options. 

This one has giant buttons.

This one has HUGE buttons. 

Lastly, check out this voice activated number.