Eyes of Silver Breeze

Reminder: Don’t Miss the Solar Eclipse Sunday Afternoon!

Will Smith — Sun, 20 May 2012 06:00:00 +0000

If you're in the western part of the United States, a Pacific island, or China make sure you check out the solar eclipse this weekend. During a solar eclipse, the Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun, blocking a significant portion of the Sun as seen from the Earth. It's an annular eclipse because the Moon isn't large enough to block the entire Sun. Instead, the Sun will appear to be a crescent or ring of fire around the shadow of the Moon.

Photo Credit: NASA Goddard

As always, do not stare directly at the Sun. It will damage your vision. Do not look at the sun through your sunglasses! They don't block enough light to protect your eyes. Likewise, pointing your digital camera at the Sun can damage its sensor.

The safest way to view an eclipse (or check out sunspots) is by making a basic projector. You'll get best results by projecting the sun onto a sheet of white paper using a pair of binoculars and a white sheet of paper, but it's also simple to make a pinhole projector. Space.com has a good guide for viewing eclipses and the Sun.

Because the Moon won't completely block the Sun on Sunday, it won't be unusually dark. Instead, expect a strange twilight effect during the eclipse, and be sure to look at the shadows cast during the eclipse. They should be unusually shaped, especially when the Sun is a crescent.

To find out when the eclipse starts and finishes in the US, you can grab a handy chart from NASA or check your local news. If you're outside the optimal viewing area, there will be online streams from several locations. I can't wait to see photos from ISS of the Moon's shadow crossing the globe.

HP Dual-Core Notebook w/ Blu-ray – $449.99

Woot! - One Day, One Deal — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:00:06 +0000

Looking For Mr. Goodbook

If laptops could speed-date, this is the one that would be going home with all the phone numbers at the end of the night.

“So, uh, hi. I’ve never done this before. Kinda weird. Ninety seconds to get to know someone, it’s pretty crazy-”

Well, I have done this before, and you just wasted twelve of those seconds, so let’s cut to the chase. Hi. I’m the HP 17.3” Blu-ray Notebook.

“Uh, hi, sorry. I’m Charles. I work in medical billing. In my free time, I collect cigarette tax stamps. I’m up to 47 states plus Guam. I’m also the proud papa of six – no, sorry, five cats. I’m sorry, I told myself I wasn’t going to cry tonight. My poor tabby Arsenio died a few months ago, and I guess I’m still not over it. I’m OK. I’ll be OK. So, uh, how about you?”

Listen, Charles, you seem like a nice guy, or at least harmless enough that I don’t specifically want to hurt your feelings. But with my specs, I’m really looking for a higher class of person right now.

“Oh. I see.”

It’s just, you know, my 6GB DDR3 memory and 500GB hard drive put me in an elite group of laptops. Even if I did settle for you, I would always resent the fact that I’d wasted my 17.3” widescreen LED and AMD A4-3300M 1.9GHz dual-core processor on someone like you. And frankly, I feel like even if you got your hands on a Radeon 6480G graphics card, you wouldn’t know what to do with it. It would be cruel of me to taunt you that way, like handing a Stradivarius to an orangutan. You understand, right?

“Sure. Sure, yeah. Looks like our time is about up anyway. Oh, uh, did I mention my extensive collection of custom Skyrim mods?”

Hmmm… OK, give me your number. Maybe I’ll give you a call sometime.

Authorized for SquareTrade Extended Warranty

Warranty: 1 Year HP

Condition: New

Features:

Powered by an AMD A4-3300M 1.9GHz dual-core processor, the HP G7-1261NR Notebook PC helps you get the job done
Stunning 17.3” diagonal HD+ BrightView LED widescreen display (1600 x 900)
6GB DDR3 memory (expandable to 8GB) for multi-tasking power
Blu-ray SuperMulti drive – watch Blu-ray movies on your computer; read and write CDs and DVDs in multiple formats
Windows 7 Home Premium simplifies everyday tasks with an improved taskbar, desktop enhancements, better device management and full-screen previews
Connect to a broadband modem or router with wired Ethernet, or wirelessly connect to a Wi-Fi signal or hotspot with the built in 802.11b/g/n wireless connection

Additional Photos:

Specifications:
Processor:	AMD A4-3300M (1.9GHz)
Processor Core:	Dual-Core
Screen Size:	17.3"
Aspect Ratio:	16:9
Resolution:	1600 x 900
Display:	HD+ BrightView LED
Graphics:	AMD Radeon HD 6480G (up to 3061MB)
Memory:	6GB DDR3 (expandable to 8GB)
Hard Drive:	500GB SATA (5400rpm)
Optical Drive:	Blu-ray SuperMulti DVD±RW
Network:	10/100 Base-T
Wireless:	802.11b/g/n
Card Reader:	Digital Media Card Reader (SD, MMC)
Battery:	6-Cell Lithium-Ion
Sound:	SRS Premium with Altec Lansing Speakers
Webcam:	Integrated
Keyboard:	Full-Size with Integrated Keypad
Pointing Device:	Multi-Gesture Touchpad

I/O Ports:
HDMI:	1
USB 2.0:	3
VGA:	1
RJ-45:	1
Mic-in:	1
Headphone-out:	1

Operating System:
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Dimensions:
16.22"(L) x 1.44"(H) x 10.55"(D)

Weight:
6.05 lbs

In the box:

HP Pavilion G7-1261NR Dual-Core Notebook with 17.3” HD+ BrightView LED Display
6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
AC Adapter

Discuss this product

Price: $449.99

I want one!

Raspberry Pi Gets a Camera

Dave Peterson — Sat, 19 May 2012 18:16:41 +0000

The possibilities of the Raspberry Pi Linux computer continue to grow. Although availability of the tiny $25 computer is still very tight, the development team is moving to extend the platform’s capability with an add-on camera. The current imaging hardware is 14 MP, but the Raspberry Pi blog cautions that this may well get reduced before a public release in order to keep down final costs.

Along with pictures of the camera and the way they plan to connect it to to the board (a ribbon cable), the team provided a preliminary sample of the camera in action:

Do you have a Raspberry Pi yet? Does this camera give you a new flood of ideas for how to use it? Let us know in the comments.

(via Raspberry Pi)

Sling Media Slingbox PRO-HD

Woot! - One Day, One Deal — Sat, 19 May 2012 05:00:28 +0000

Dream Big

The only limit is your imagination ... and maybe your Internet connection.

Doctor, I’m really worried about my husband. I think he has rickets. We never go anywhere anymore because he’s afraid he’ll miss something good on TV, so he hasn’t seen the sun for 10 years. Last week, I tried to draw the curtains so I could open the window to let in some fresh air. He HISSED at me. What would you suggest?

No, I don’t think a divorce is the answer. I was thinking something more like vitamin D supplements, or a specialized diet of milkshakes and salmon. Scurvy? Yeah, I guess that wouldn’t be any better. I’m just at the end of my rope here, so I’m grasping at straws.

You know, I did hear about that Sling Media Slingbox Pro-HD. I hear you can connect it to up to three devices like your DVR, cable box and DVD player and then watch from anywhere on your PC or Mac. Maybe that way I can finally get him to take me on that trip to Branson. What do you think?

No, I don’t think he needs a shrink. He just needs a way to watch his favorite shows in stunning HD over the Internet. I really think the Sling Media Slingbox Pro-HD might be the solution! That way, he can just take his laptop to dinner with us at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. Oooh! And maybe we can even dress up and get one of those old timey tin-type photos at Silver Dollar City. Yeah, I guess maybe the computer would ruin it.

That’s it! I’m going to get him one. Thanks, Doc! By this time next week, I’ll be engaged in the fine craft of whittling while enjoying a delicious stick of rock candy. And he’ll be right by my side, viewing his TV schedule with an on-screen program guide and pausing, changing channels, and fast-forwarding and rewinding with a virtual remote control. You hear that, Momma?! Sometimes dreams really DO come true!

Authorized for SquareTrade Extended Warranty

Warranty: 90 Day Sling Media

Condition: Refurbished

Features:

Connect up to three home theater sources, such as your digital video recorder (DVR), digital cable set-top box and DVD player/recorder
Take complete control of your home theater via the web with the comprehensive and easy-to-use on-screen remote control and program guide
Watch your favorite shows in stunning HD over the internet on your PC or Mac laptop or desktop computer—from anywhere
Control your digital cable box, satellite receiver, DVR or DVD player. Access music channels or video-on-demand
Full set of pass-through connections. Easily connect to any of the thousands of compatible standard-definition (SD) or HD sources. Component, composite, S-Video and ATSC connectors
Adaptive video technology. Ensures the clearest picture possible at any given location
With SlingPlayer software (download sold separately) watch and control your TV and all of its programming on your compatible tablet or smartphone
Uses an App on tablets and smartphones, uses standard browsers on computer, even watch on Facebook

Additional Photos:

Specifications:
I/O Ports:	RCA Audio (LR) S/PDIF Audio Component Video Composite Video S-Video Coaxial USB
Source Control:	IR Emitter
Network:	10/100 Base-T Ethernet RJ-45
Display:	(3) Front LEDs: Status Network Power
Power Requirements:	5V/4A
Power Cord Length:	Approx 5 Feet

General:
SlingPlayer System Recommendations:	Network Bandwidth: HD Viewing: 1.5 Mbps or higher SD Viewing: 384 Kbps or higher Mobile Viewing: 250 Kbps or higher Minimum PC Requirements: HD Viewing: Intel 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo class processor or equivalent with 2GB of RAM. Video acceleration support desirable on graphics card SD Viewing: Pentium 4 class or equivalent with 512MB RAM OS: Windows Vista or Windows 7 with latest updates Browser Support: Internet Explorer 7 or higher, Firefox 5 or higher Minimum Mac Requirements: HD Viewing: Intel 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo class processor or equivalent with 2GB of RAM SD Viewing: Intel-based Mac with 1GB of RAM OS: Mac OS 10.6.x (Snow Leopard) or later Browser Support: Firefox 5 or higher, Safari 5 or higher
Supported Audio and Video Sources:	Basic Cable TV Set-top Box Digital Cable Set-top Box Digital Video Recorder (DVR) such as TiVo, Comcast, ReplayTV, DISH or one provided by your cable/satellite provider DVD Player/Recorder HD component input support with resolution up to 1080i (down-converted) Satellite Receiver such as DIRECTV or DISH Video/Security Camera Apple TV Windows Media Center

Physical:
Dimensions:	13.25"(W) x 5.63"(D) x 2.38"(H)
Weight:	4 lbs

In the box:

Sling Media SB300-100 Slingbox PRO-HD
Ethernet Cable
Coaxial Cable
Composite A/V Cable
Component Video Cable
S-Video Cable
Stereo Audio Cable
Remote Control IR Cable
AC Adapter
User Guide
Quick Start Guide

Discuss this product

Self-Destructing SSD

Cali Lewis — Sat, 19 May 2012 00:35:19 +0000

Super-Fast Wireless Data

Researchers at Tokyo University have developed wireless data transmission that hits speeds of 3 gigabits per second.

Self-Destructing SSD

If you REALLY don’t want your data to fall into the wrong hands, you might consider the InVincible line of solid state drives. They come with a green button that simply wipes the drive, and a red button that will fry the drive, physically destroying the media.

Padlock Works with Your Car Key

Want to spare yourself one more key on your chain? The Bolt Padlock can be used with ignition keys to GM, Ford, or Chrysler cars. Just insert the key once and that key becomes the only key that will work with the lock.

Juggling Robot

Factory workers worry about being replaced by machines, now maybe circus employees should too, as we meet a juggling robot.

Adam’s Commencement Address to Sarah Lawrence College’s Class of 2012

Adam Savage — Sat, 19 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Continue reading →

Bonus Show #90: May 18, 2012

Marc — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:30:28 +0000

Today the fellas discuss the feuds they’ve experienced through out their personal and professional careers. This is a juicy one folks!

Wanna listen? Visit our e-store or check it out on iTunes!
VIP Members listen or watch the recorded video HERE or the Member Home Page.
Need some additional help downloading the show? Click HERE to contact us.

GeekBeat Live #64

Dave Herwig — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:29:28 +0000

04:42, by Dave Herwig

Well thats it for this week. We hope you enjoyed the show..

Leave your comments and suggestions below.

We love to hear your thoughts or maybe you have a suggestion for a show topic. Leave them at tips@geekbeat.tv

Make sure you follow Cali and JohnP on Twitter.

You can also Circle Cali and JohnP on Google Plus

Check in on GetGlue.com to let everyone know you are watching the premiere internet tech show, and also get your Geekbeat Live Stickers.

And you can subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

04:41, by Dave Herwig

Its Unboxing Time!!

Up first…

The StirMate .98

Samsung NEW 46″ LED 8000 Series Smart TV

04:22, by Dave Herwig

Talk on Phone in Airplane

US has strict ban on in-flight cellphone use
–other countries loosening up
–Virgin Atlantic latest carrier to allow it
–flying NYC to London = can talk on phone
–connect via AeroMobile using satellites
–need GSM phone
–British O2 or Vodafone networks
–bandwidth low, only 10 calls at once
–about .60/minute
–phone OFF w/in 250mi. of US coast
–one Airbus A330 has the service
–20 more planes by end of year
–Selective Catalytic Reduction System (SCR)
–fulfills emissions requirements in all 50 states

04:20, by Dave Herwig

1,626 Miles, One Tank of Gas

STOCK 2012 VW Passat TDI
–world record for longest distance
–mileage experts John & Helen Taylor
–6 speed manual transmission
–84.1 mpg
–ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel
–carried 120# of luggage
–drove in daylight, in traffic
–did not drive more than 14hrs/day
–took turns driving
–140 horsepower
–236 pound-feet of torque

04:19, by Dave Herwig

Space Shuttle Food Truck

converted DC3 airplane for sale on ebay
–only road worthy DC3 licensed for street use (in world?)
–built in 1944
–flew in WWII
–flew as airliner in 50s and 60s
–possibly hijacked by Cubans
–converted for street use in 1976
–mounted on GMC bus frame
–completely self-contained commercial kitchen

04:15, by Dave Herwig

Robot Petting Zoo

MakerBot 3D Design team
–made robot petting zoo for Maker Faire
–”Wheely” – robot chicken w/ big wheels
–#mypetrobot
–Bay Area Maker Faire 5/19 – 5/20

04:13, by Dave Herwig

Move Robot with her Mind

paralyzed woman moves robot arm w/ her mind
–most advanced brain-machine interface ever developed
–can drink from bottle ‘on her own’, using robotic arm
–sensor implanted in her brain
–reads her thoughts
–decoder=turns thoughts into instruction for robot
–BrainGate2
–sensor implanted in motor cortex

04:04, by Dave Herwig

SourceMap

mapping website traces products’ origins
–splits products into components
–traces each separately
–sometimes has descriptions of the countries of origin
–some of the maps offer carbon footprint figure
–products from laptops to Nutella
–purpose = encourage transparency from co.’s

04:02, by Dave Herwig

Lamborghini Crash

gorgeous yellow lambo
–takes off too fast from red light
–Chicago suburbs
–loses control

04:01, by Dave Herwig

Man Fights Goose

peeps watching out window as man walks toward ornery geese
–fight ensues, clearly not the first
–woman has left bag
–dude adds light sabers to video
–makes it epic

04:00, by Dave Herwig

Power Breather

Snorkel for swimmers
–adjustable for head sizes
–air is inhaled through section behind head – has a check valve
–exhaled by mouthpiece
–no stale air left in tube – only fresh air & no water

03:58, by Dave Herwig

Day Maker alarm clock

toaster style smartphone dock alarm clock
–iPhone ‘pops up’ when alarm goes off, plays music
–can house up to 2 iPhones – Day Maker
–snooze by pushing iPhone back down
–also have single iPhone version
–called “Single Slice”, no speaker or clock
–compatible with iOS clock app
–companion app in the works
–Kickstarter, seeking 5K
–will ship Feb 2013
–K pledged so far, 36 days to go

03:56, by Dave Herwig

Tesla Gun

made by Rob Flickenger
–used the Tesla Coil to create the Tesla Gun
–shoots lightning rays
–gun itself made from melted aluminum cans, then poured into a mold from a Nerf gun

03:51, by Dave Herwig

New GoDaddy CEO

Warren Adelman is the new CEO
–Can anyone think of GoDaddy without thinking Bob Parsons?
–His tactics undeniably worked
–Adleman wants to sell Cloud Computing to techies and turn the image around
–But they supported SOPA (Adleman says it wasn’t an official thing)
–Bob killed Elephants

03:50, by Dave Herwig

No Severance For Thompson

Yahoo’s Parting With Thompson Will Be for “Cause”

–“If Mr. Thompson’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Thompson for good reason, the Company will offer him severance benefits similar to the benefits it provides to other senior executives of the Company at the time of his termination,” reads the document, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. “In addition, if Mr. Thompson’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause, by Mr. Thompson for good reason, or due to Mr. Thompson’s death or disability, the Make-Whole RSUs that are then outstanding and unvested will fully vest upon his termination.”

–Maybe a lame attempt for Thompson to try and resign for “disability” and get to cash in his .5M in options

–Thompson publicly blamed a headhunting firm for making the error back in the mid-2000 timeframe, that company, Heidrick & Struggles, said his claims were “verifiably not true.” According to sources, Heidrick apparently possesses an inaccurate resume submitted to them by Thompson.

03:48, by Dave Herwig

Thompson Has Cancer

Yahoo’s CEO stepped down – Scott Thompson
–”The decision to step down from Yahoo was in part influenced by Mr. Thompson’s cancer diagnosis”, said this person. “The diagnosis had occurred in recent days”, added this person, while the board was investigating why the executive’s academic record had erroneously included a computer science degree.
–was given no choice by board to step down

03:46, by Dave Herwig

Facebook -38

Today was the Facebook IPO
–Launched at /per share – up to now
–symbol FB
–offering 180 million shares Class A common stock
–selling stockholders offering over 241 million Class A common
–valuation more than 0 billion

03:32, by Dave Herwig

So since Josh is in the house today, the Famespot question today is “If you could be on any TV Show, what would it be?” Leave your video answer and you could be on TV

03:30, by Dave Herwig

Josh Malina is the Livid Lobster Guest today.

You can follow Josh on Twitter and on Facebook

LITTLE KNOWN FACTS (JOHN P DID THE RESEARCH):
–Sexiest man alive, 2001-2004 (just beat out George Clooney & P. Diddy)
–Worked for Barnum and Bailey as the Bearded Lady’s stylist, 1963
–NASA Engineering Manager at the Goddard Space Center, Current
–Has a pet monkey named Rupert
–Choreographer for Pee-Wee Herman’s Tequila dance

UPCOMING MOVIE: Knights of Badassdom

PREVIOUS WORK:
In Plain Sight
The Good Guys
Bones
House
Psych
Terminator
Grey’s Anatomy
CSI
Stargate
The West Wing
Sliders
The American President
A Few Good Men

03:19, by Dave Herwig

On Today’s GeekBeat Live..

Yahoo’s Scott Thompson has cancer, Anyone care?

Gun that shoots lightning

Space Shuttle that is street legal.

Lightsaber fight… with a goose..

And we have Josh Malina in the house…

Lets get this party started!!

02:52, by Dave Herwig

Welcome to GeekBeat.tv Live show Episode 64..

The show will begin shortly but in the mean time make sure you follow Cali andJohnP on Twitter.

You can also Circle Cali and JohnP on Google Plus

Check in on GetGlue.com to let everyone know you are watching the premiere internet tech show, and also get your Geekbeat Live Stickers.

And you can subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

To find out about all the giveaways follow this link

House Renovation – Sonos PlayAmp + Yamaha Outdoor Speakers

Mark Zamora — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:28:32 +0000

579: Gonna Pass Here

Marc — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:05:07 +0000

Friday: with an announcement most joyous, a lession in interviewing 101, Deejay theory…and Marc is “The Handler”. Today’s show is brought to you by Smart Smoke e-cigarrettes. Continue reading →