Posted by gman on May 24th, 2008
I have taken an additional dive into the social networking pool and joined FriendFeed this week.
As the title to this post asks; are social networking applications tools or gadgets? Remembering my earlier definition of what a gadget is, mostly a luxurey item that serves no real everyday purpose, I often wonder if I use these tools as gadgets then tools. I mean really, how much time do I/you spend watching the chatter flash on our displays? How often do we actually join in on a conversation? What real role do these tools play?
For bloggers such as myself, I find these social networking applications as tools. They do help me keep track and up-to-date on a variety of information I am concerned about. I am not too interested in the ‘water cooler’ approach many people use these tools for. Although I have reverted to using them as a chat mechanism instead of the typical IM tools.
So gadget? Yes, to some; Tool? Can very well be one if an effort is made.
If you are just getting started, as I am, it is surely a gadget. So go lookup FriendFeed on the net and get going.
Posted in home, office, opinion | Edit | No Comments »
Posted by gman on May 23rd, 2008
 |
Is your CEO, CIO, or CTO better on the golf course then you?Do you really want to mess with their minds?If you get away with this, you might just get a raise!
Here is a great way to have some clean fun on the golf course—a radio controled golf ball. Just think, right before your boss hits that 5 foot put, you take action and take control of his golf ball. Now you will have to figure out how to make the switch before he puts, but I’m sure you’ve gotten his attention before. I would suggest taking control of the ball AFTER they make the put and put some interesting curves to miss the cup. Or, if you want that raise, you just might make it circle the cup and go in. |
Posted in sports | Edit | No Comments »
Posted by gman on May 22nd, 2008
 |
I remember the days when we had to wear those big bulky headsets just to listen to music while we tried to partake in sporting events. Those days are over with an MP3 player built into sunglasses. There are no wires hanging off as everything IS built into the plastic frames. Quick play buttons, flip-up eyeware to clear vision, and earphone speakers that swivel allow you a fully customizable fit where you can easily tune-in or tune-out of your environment.
Some of the features I like:
- Premium audio sound
- 4 hours playtime – not too bad
- adjustible fit
- 100% UVA and UVB
- Lithium-Ion battery with USB re-charge socket
Find these at The Gadget Box
|
Posted in sports, yard | Edit | No Comments »
Posted by gman on May 21st, 2008
 |
Ever miss a call in the dark because you forgot to turn off the silent-mode on your cell phone?
Well here is a tiny phone light that will illuminate and flash prightly when you receive a call regardless of the mode your phone is in. In order for this to work the phone does need to be on the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) standard. But a lot of carriers provide this, just check to see if your phone is already configured. Just looked on the Wiki page and they estimate 82% of all phones use this standard. So chances are yours does. This is not compatible with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
Find this at X-treme Geek
|
Posted in office | Edit | No Comments »
Posted by gman on May 20th, 2008
 |
Have you ever used a hands-free headset with your mobile phone. I have tried this a few times but honestly didn’t like the feel, sound, or stability of the piece. This one looks like it overcomes some of those issues and has a noise-isolating feature that is supposed to cut down on the external noise. I don’t know about you but this is a problem just with using my mobile phone anyway! I don’t know how many times I have had to try and find cover from wind or away from a crowd just to hear the person I was talking to. With an internal windscreen, a boom microphone can greatly reduce the noise. Includes 2 windscreens, 4 eartips, VoIP adapter, and case. Might be worth a try if you find yourself in noisy conditions.
Find yours at X-treme geek
|
Posted in computer, office | Edit | No Comments »
Posted by gman on May 19th, 2008
 |
Now you can have a mouse that works for you. This USB Mouse will pedal away as you type. The faster you type the faster the mouse pedals.
This is really cool to. This mouse will also keep track of how many words you type per day. Instead of tracking miles he keeps track of your word count. Get one for your cube mate or the whole office to have competitions. The only problem I see is that it might make us all a bit more productive.
Of note: while this mouse is activated through the USB port, it does require 2xAA batteries. This is actually a good thing as you wouldn’t want to suck power from your computer. Especially if you plan on taking this guy on the road.
Get the USB Mouse at Gadget Hub |
Posted in computer, office, toy | Edit | No Comments »
Posted by gman on May 18th, 2008
 |
What keeps you from purchasing one of those handy mobile rechargers for you mobile phone?
For me it has always been the fact that I just never think I will need one, I change phone brands quite often, and they are a bit ugly to be honest.
Well, here is one that might cut into some of your same thought processing. It isn’t too ugly, can handle 4 different brand of phones (Nokia, Siemens, Motorola, and Ericsson), and the price seems about right.
So if you think you just might be away from power for a long long time, this just might work. I personally like to just tote around the much smaller mobile phones power coard and hope I’m close to a coffe shop if I need a quick power fix. But maybe next time I won’t be.
You can find this little unit at The Gadget Hub
|
Posted in computer | Edit | No Comments »
Posted by gman on May 17th, 2008
 |
Everyone has some form of security software installed on their computers to defend from enemy attack. But what about attack from real people that might just want to come steal your system.
You can now put up a true physical defense barrier around your computer with this USB missle launcher. Unsuspecting intruders, or the guy over the cubical wall can be zeroed in on and have missles launched at. Just take aim with mouse or keyboard control and fire away! Ok theyse may just be foam darts but think of all the fun. I might even suggest you purchase a USB hub and stockpile.
Happy launching, I saw this at the Gadget Hub |
Posted in computer, toy | Edit | No Comments »
Posted by gman on May 16th, 2008
 |
Do you want to bounce into the outer atmosphere?
When I was a kid, a pogo stick had a very, very, very short lifecycle. Why? Because it never seemed to bounce quite high enough. I mean I wanted to fly! For thrills, when I was a kid, I would jump off the top of my house and garage (*this is not intended for you to follow*). After all I liked heights and coming down was just as fun.
So, TODAY, bounce in the Flybar. A pogo stick that can bounce you up a good 4 feet. Not quite as high as the top of my garage but I’d give it a go!
Check them out at www.flybar.com
|
Posted in toy | Edit | No Comments »
Posted by gman on May 15th, 2008
by Tengaport
|
How many gadgets do you have?
How often do you use your gadgets?
Is there one gadget you use everyday?
When traveling, do you have a gadget bag that you store EVERYTHING in?
Do you take ALL your gadgets with you EVERYWHERE?
I don’t even want to count how many gadgets I have.
I really use some form of a gadget everyday.
Obviously my computer everyday but I don’t think that classifies a gadget. Actually I don’t even know if you use something everyday it should be classified as a gadget. I sort of think of gadgets as an item that is fun and brought out on occasion. Gadgets that are used everyday have transported themselves into daily activity and shouldn’t be thought of as a gadget.
I do have a gadget bag. AND I use to take everything with me. Over the years it has become too difficult to take everything. I limit myself to gadgets that “I might use”. Usually I never use them.
Let me know what your favorite gadgets are. Send me link to them on the net and I will post them here for all to see.
|
Posted in opinion | Edit | No Comments »
