Radio Shack



I walked into a Radio Shack the other day. I needed Cat 5e plugs for a wiring job I was working on. For those that don’t know, they are the actual plugs on the Ethernet cable.

Bottom line: I was in and out of Radio Shack in under 2 minutes. And it wasn’t with positive results.

The first thing that really annoys me walking in the store – Velcro salesman. Doesn’t matter which Radio Shack it is, they just cling on and hold. And 90% of the time, it’s usually that cheesy car salesman feel.

This is really the reason for the rant: I told him I needed Cat 5e Data plugs. He pointed them to me. 10 for $8 – Seriously?

In and out. I drove to Home Depot where I got 25 plugs for the same price. I should have drove there to begin with. And while thats not the best price around, it was the best price for when I needed them.

I really scratch my head on how this store still survives. The products are sub-par, the prices are too high and the quality of service is spotty at best.

About 10 years ago, this place was a great outlet to get the hard-to-get items. Components to build or repair a device, soldering guns, wire, component plugs and just all the really geeky items. Nowadays you can get network connection items at the local hardware store. Whatever you can’t get at local stores, you can get online.

Two months ago I needed a component to finish a project – a piezzo sensor that I have bought there before. The only place that would have it is Radio Shack but they didn’t – “only on line” says the store clerk. That didn’t help me finish the project. Luckily, I was able to reuse another Piezzo and replace it later.

I would love to see a component store with good quality stock and decent prices. I understand it’s specialty items, so prices would be more than online. After all, you are getting something here and now.

However, places like Home Depot, Best Buy and even Toys R Us are stocking items that were once hard to find. It really makes me think when I walk into a Radio Shack. After all, I don’t want to waste gas, too.


Too Many Cords!



There’s a new gadget out that will let you charge multiple electronics with only one USB port. I don’t think it’s intended to charge everything at once, and I wouldn’t expect it to. But what a gadget like this would do is cut down on the number of cables you need in your laptop case.

Which could be very helpful, if many of our devices were standard. I have one USB cable for my iPod, one for my phone (a Sony Ericckson Walkman), and one for my digital camera. If I could carry one cable for all three, I’d be a pretty happy camper. I’m always foraging around in the pouch on the front of my laptop case trying to pull out the right cable for the job. It gets annoying, as well as being a time-waster. I carry all three of those devices any time I travel, and to have it all in one cable would be wonderful.

I do wish there was more standardization in the market. There is no reason to have a different style of cable for each device; why can’t all cell phones have a standard charger connection? Back in the day when we were buying a/c adapters, you only had to know the voltage and you could use whatever cord you had that matched that voltage. I often used one a/c adapter on multiple devices to cut down on the clutter.

It’s about time that comes to our electronic gadgets, too.


State of Podcasting Quick Look Full Analysis in November!



Cochrane-smallEvery year at the end of the Podcast Awards I do a pretty big study on the shows that are nominated. I have a whole laundry list of things I look at. I had some extra time tonight and did a real quick look at about a 187 shows.

When the Podcast Awards is over I will look at the 3000 plus shows that will be nominated for a Podcast Award. You would think that shows that are looking to win the biggest award in the podcasting space would have done their homework and had their sites ship shape.

Well like always I am pretty disappointed in what I have found so far. Plus I am giving podcasters plenty of heads up so maybe for the first time ever people will clean their sites up. Read my Quick Look Here.

Todd..


Goodbye iPhone Apple made me do it!



NoiphoneI am sitting here so pissed I can barely contain myself due to the actions of Apple in conjunction with the denial of two podcasting applications from being listed in the Apple App store. Their actions smell like typical anti-competitive business practices. While many developers are getting their applications approved those that have been rejected are potentially losing 100’s of thousands of dollars in development expenses and lost revenue.

The PR damage to Apple will be significant as companies like mine shift development dollars completely to the Android platform due to them stifling competition .  Plus companies that were expending development dollars in the iPhone Application space need now be worried that their investment may be flushed down the toilet if there iPhone applications are rejected due to in my opinion Apple’s anti-competitive practices.

As of today, I am going to say goodbye using my iPhone! I will be switching to a Google based Android handset.  My wife had wanted an iMac and I can guarantee you there will be no way I am buying another Mac, iPod and whatever other new fangled device they have for the foreseeable future.

Apple has also revoked the ability for the developer of the Podcaster application to distribute the application outside of the Apple Apps store as they promised during the launch of the App Store.  For those of you that are Apple Fan boys these actions should make you sit up and question Apple’s motives. Maybe it is time for a DOJ probe into Apple’s Actions.


Android for Junkies



My wife is a cell phone junkie, degenerate, addict, etc. You choose the word. She gets a new phone every month either on craigslist though swapping or buys one. I could care less about cell phones except to talk to people on one. Yes young people, you can actually talk on these devices. I am trying to get her to get the new Android phone with the Google operating system. I know she will like it & we are likely going to change from Verizon to T-Mobile so that will fit nicely. She has never had an iphone but I think she will appreciate the apps available for free for the Android. She mainly likes texting and weird ringtones but when she sees all this is phone can do she will go even deeper into cell phone addiction. The fact that the Amazon DRM-free music store comes preloaded is a big plus as well. I love getting music from Amazon & using it however I want to! She is starting to use her phone as a music player so this is right up her alley.

I really like techy stuff I just have not went all in for cell phones yet. One reason is cost & the fact that I am rough on the free phones I use so I cannot see paying big bucks for something I am likely to jack up pretty quickly. Another reason is I am a home body so when I am away from the house I am working & not needing a hi tech device except an mp3 player. When I am home I am almost always on the computer so that is when I do my “computing” and not on a cell phone. Obviously I am in the minority at least in the geek community but eventually I will be in the 12 step program with my wife for cell phones. And Android may be my gateway device.


GNC-2008-09-23 #410 Standard Show Micro Vent at Start



Plenty of tech for everyone today. Normal show length.. I talk a bit about Bodies the Exhibition during the show and all I can really say is simply amazing. Plus I found a cool pic to share with your kids.

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Listener Links:
Studio 360 on Hadron Collider
Digital Camera Reviews
Verizon Integrated Payment with Phones

Show Notes:
Apple Installs Software when you say No!
StackOverflow Programmer Site
Garbage Kept In Basement to stay Green?
Android not just for Phones
End of World Delayed
Buying Used Laptops
Today is Equinox
RIAA gets real Greedy
Apple Users Beware of Quicktime Bug
8 Hacks to Speed up Firefox
China Contaminated Food
Best Buy Antics
Blu-ray DOA?
State of Blogsphere
Mars South Pool Icecap Shift Explained
Comcast Usenet canceled
T-Mobile to Launch Android Phone
Verizon No contract Required
iRex Roll Out a Wash
Someones Going to Jail
Cannon 5D Mark II
Amazon Android Music Application?
Encrypt your Email
MySpace Music Screenshots
Is CableCard Dead?
5 Easy Speed Hacks (User Beware)
Mars Rover Opportunity on the Move!
Undisclosed Product Placement Thoughts

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Do you want to Speak at Podcamp Hawaii?



PodCamp Hawaii - Honolulu Convention Center - October 24-25, 2008Podcamp Hawaii is fast approaching and the team is working on the conference agenda. We know that some folks are coming to Podcamp Hawaii from the mainland and abroad and we want to make sure that we give those coming a chance to speak at the event if they have a topic that on the New Media, Podcasting Space.

Like most Podcamp Events we will finalize the speaker list and session 2–3 weeks before podcamp. But we need to know now if you want to participate.

Podcamp Hawaii is going to be a wonderful event and because we are adding the spirit of Aloha to the event it will be one that you will not want to miss. 

This is a huge opportunity for Hawaii residents to find out exactly what the podcasting space is about. Meet dynamic people and learn how to grow one’s personal, small business or corporate brand. If your not familiar with Podcamp please visit the Podcamp Hawaii Website for more info.