Chris Pirillo
Geek, Internet Entrepreneur, Hardware Addict, Software Junkie, Book Author, Once TV Show Host, Technology Enthusiast, Shameless Self-Prom...Video Episodes:
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18:10:21 04/13/11
Community Challenge: Put Words in my Mouth
[LESS INFO] 5 VIEWS | ADDED 18:10:21 04/13/11
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09:07:41 03/29/11
What is the Best Charging Device?
[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 09:07:41 03/29/11
Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed Have you ever been in a situation where someone started telling you how their device was so much better than yours? They have the
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07:52:32 03/29/11
iPad 2 Screen Protector
[LESS INFO] 3 VIEWS | ADDED 07:52:32 03/29/11
Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed Protecting your iPad screen is a good way to ensure that it doesn
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01:01:09 01/13/11
Best Free Blogging Platform
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 01:01:09 01/13/11
Best Free Blogging Platform is a post from Chris Pirillo
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Someone asked recently which free blogging platform is the “best” one to get started with. This question is pretty impossible to answer. There are many decent free blog providers out there. As with anything, you have to research what they offer and see how well it fits your needs.
Blogger is a good choice for beginners. It’s the one I used way back in the day – before it was owned by Google. You can also use WordPress . They have a free blogging area, in addition to the ability to download the software for use on your own domain.
I happen to own a site for Geeks , which has free blogging available. Any good content posted there automatically gets featured in my daily newsletters, so it’s a great way for you to be “discovered” by people looking for blogs to read. Doing something like this can help you gain a dedicated group of followers, who would then read what you’re doing on your own site someday.
We do have free blogs on Lockergnome , but we only accept people there who have excellent writing abilities. If you feel you can write far better than an average person, we’d love to have you. Keep in mind, though, that being able to write well is not something that everyone can master.
There are also services such as Posterous and Tumblr .
Figure out what it is YOU need in a blogging service, and then match that against what each of the providers can give you.
What free blogging service do you recommend – and why?
* Posterous Takes Aim at WordPress
* What Role Do Blogs Play in Your Life?
* Bloggers are Getting Younger Every Day
* Social Media SEO
* The Future of Ning Communities
* WordPress Vs Tumblr
* Free Lifestream WordPress Options
* Create Your Own WordPress Themes
* To Twitter or to Fritter – That is the Question
* Are Bloggers Journalists: Are Blogs new Journalism?
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01:57:08 01/11/11
Will You Rent Electronics from Best Buy?
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 01:57:08 01/11/11
Will You Rent Electronics from Best Buy? is a post from Chris Pirillo
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A few week’s ago, Best Buy (and most recently, Apple) changed their policy and ended the infamous re-stocking fee policy. No more do you have to pay a 10-15% fee to return items that you no longer want or need.
However, this brings up an interesting question mentioned in the Consumerist : Will this tempt people to simply “rent” their electronics? If there isn’t a penalty for returning , couldn’t someone “buy” a 65″ TV for the Superbowl and return it the next day? What about a laptop/projector for a business meeting later in the week. This can definitely be abused, but I hope the bad apples don’t hurt consumers as a whole.
Lamarr asks an interesting question: Will you be abusing this policy and risk being labeled a “scumbag” by your local store, or will you only use it when needed?
* Free iPhone 3GS at Best Buy on December 10th
* Best Buy Reveals Droid 2 Pricing?
* Is McDonalds Creepy?
* Do You Want to Be Able to Read Minds?
* Best Buy Trying to Fire Employee who Created Viral HTC EVO vs iPhone 4 Video
* iPhone 4 Heading to WalMart
* BestBuy Coupons
* Best Buy and Windows 7
* Can a Company Take Social Networking too Far?
* Best Buy Cyber Monday Sale
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18:37:00 01/10/11
YouTube Video Limits
[LESS INFO] 4 VIEWS | ADDED 18:37:00 01/10/11
YouTube Video Limits is a post from Chris Pirillo
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Someone asked recently what my thoughts are concerning the new limits that YouTube has placed upon content producers. They raised the length of video allowed to fifteen minutes for many of you. The problem is, though, that many of us don’t watch anything more than ONE minute.
Do you watch fifteen minute videos? Does anyone you know sit through clips that long on YouTube? I can understand the need to occasionally upload something longer than ten minutes – I’ve done so myself a few times. But realistically, I know that it’s very rare to have someone sit through the entire thing.
What are your thoughts? Do you feel that YouTube did a good thing when they raised their upload limits?
* PopScreen Helps You Discover Headline-Making Videos
* How To Create a Unique Music Video
* How to Deal With YouTube Haters
* YouTube Adds Colored Tags in Comments
* YouTube Unlisted Videos Work Well for Teachers
* What Does the Community Want From Video?
* Screencast!
* How to Create Captions for YouTube Videos
* YouTube Comments are Worthless
* Mark Day and Me
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02:31:12 12/28/10
Why Do You Use Google Chrome?
[LESS INFO] 8 VIEWS | ADDED 02:31:12 12/28/10
Why Do You Use Google Chrome? is a post from Chris Pirillo
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Someone in our live community recently asked what I feel the advantages – and disadvantages – are for using Google Chrome . We are talking about the web browser in this instance, not the operating system. Google Chrome is built upon the Chromium foundation, as are Flock and RockMelt.
One advantage of Chrome is that they are constantly releasing new versions. It’s not going to disappear into obscurity. Google’s entire business model IS “the Web.” They are going to do their best to continue to try and build the best browser possible. There’s seemingly always a new beta version available, proving further that they are evolving on a regular basis.
I honestly can’t come up with a disadvantage, unless someone doesn’t want statistics sent back to Google. There are occasional crashes, as well, but yeah – EVERY browser has that problem at times. Is there anything you can think of?
What are YOUR thoughts? Is Chrome a good choice – or not?
* Sync Google Chrome Browser Features
* Google Chrome Beta: Speedy and Simple to Use
* Google Chrome 5 Beta
* It’s Time to Use a Different Browser When…
* New Chrome Boasts Bookmark Sync and More
* How to Improve Internet Explorer
* Google Chrome for Mac OS X
* Holiday Charity: Chrome for a Cause
* What is the Chrome Web Store?
* How do You get Your News on the Go?
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18:53:10 12/27/10
Is the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool Necessary?
[LESS INFO] 6 VIEWS | ADDED 18:53:10 12/27/10
Is the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool Necessary? is a post from Chris Pirillo
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Someone recently asked if I felt the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is actually necessary . It’s a good tool for what it’s designed to do and I don’t see why you would NOT have it on your Windows machines. It’s free, and it’s designed to help keep your computer – and information – safe.
My assistant Kat is a Microsoft MVP in Windows Security, and I’m pretty sure she’d agree with my assessment, as well. This tool checks computers for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom—and helps remove any infection found. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed.
You can grab the tool via your Windows Updates, or simply download it directly . The version of the tool delivered by Windows Update runs in the background and then reports if an infection is found. To run this tool more than once a month, use the direct download version linked to above.
What security measures do you employ on your various machines?
* Is Your Computer Part of a Botnet in the US?
* Microsoft Security Updates
* Windows Users – Patch Today!
* Firewall and Computer Security
* Does Microsoft Hate Open Source Software?
* What Do You Think About Windows Phone 7?
* 7 Reasons why Windows Phone 7 Should be the Called the Xbox Compass
* Be What’s Next With Microsoft
* World’s Biggest Windows Phone 7 Device
* Public Microsoft Live Meeting for Community Members
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06:26:52 12/24/10
Which Programming Language Do You Prefer?
[LESS INFO] 4 VIEWS | ADDED 06:26:52 12/24/10
Which Programming Language Do You Prefer? is a post from Chris Pirillo
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Someone on our Lockergnome site recently asked which full programming language is “the best.” That is a good question – but impossible to answer, really.
Each language was developed for a specific purpose. What works for one type of application may not work for another. Therefore, you can’t really chose “the best.” It would be better to ask which was the best for what you are trying to DO at any given time.
Everything from WordPress to moveable type uses something different. It’s impossible, therefore, to try and figure out any one language to name as the be-all and end-all of language types. The most useful programming language, ultimately, is the one that will best serve your needs.
No one language will or can do everything . If you want to be a general programmer, you’re going to have to learn many different types. If you want to be specialized, then sure – focus on one or two that you will need in your career or hobby.
What do you think? I’m sure you have your favorite language… but do you truly believe any one is better or more important than everything else out there?
* Deploy – A New Seattle Conference for Developers
* Gnomedex 2010 Open Government Hackathon
* Scoble and Pirillo – What is Gnomedex?
* Open Source vs Closed Source
* Do Computer Majors Mean Anything Anymore?
* Tips for Programming and PHP
* Would You Like to be a Hacker, Like in the Movies?
* What Advice do you Give to Young Programmers?
* Game Developer Programming Suggestions
* How Can Software be Perfect?
4 Views
03:48:17 12/23/10
Organize Your Life With Quick Note
[LESS INFO] 4 VIEWS | ADDED 03:48:17 12/23/10
Organize Your Life With Quick Note is a post from Chris Pirillo
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This week, Marques is showing off one of his favorite Chrome Extensions: Quick Note . It’s such a simple way to organize yourself, remind yourself and keep yourself sane.
As of right now, you can only save notes locally to your own machine. However, the team behind the Extension is working to bring Cloud functionality into the swing of things. This will allow you to sync your Notes with services such as Diigo, Dropbox, box.net , Google docs, and Evernote.
Quick Note is simple to use. It loads instantly, as a notepad should. It boasts one-click access to all of your Notes, instant search to find what you need and the ability to add something new right within the app or via a right-click menu.
What note-taking/keeping program or app do you use?
* What is the Chrome Web Store?
* Bring Chrome to Your iPhone
* How to Copy a URL from a Browser to a Mobile Device
* It’s Time to Use a Different Browser When…
* Why Do You Use Google Chrome?
* Holiday Charity: Chrome for a Cause
* YouTube Chrome Extension
* How do You get Your News on the Go?
* Google Chrome Brings You Free Gogo Wi-Fi During Holiday Flights
* View PDF Documents Right in Google Chrome
6 Views
00:53:29 12/23/10
What Would You Do With TechNet?
[LESS INFO] 6 VIEWS | ADDED 00:53:29 12/23/10
What Would You Do With TechNet? is a post from Chris Pirillo
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Someone recently asked if it was worth spending money on a TechNet subscription from Microsoft. If you’re a developer, the answer is a definite yes . If you’re a student – you can get a pretty hefty discount. In any case, if you’re anyone who uses a lot of Microsoft software, then it’s definitely something you should look into.
Yes, it’s going to cost you money. But do you want to know as much as you can about their software, tools and development? If so, then yes, you totally want a subscription. It’s absolutely worth it. You have to ask yourself how important the knowledge you can gain is to you. How much is it worth to you?
Look at it this way. When you go to a job interview, you’re going to have to discuss what you know and how you know it. Being able to point to having an extreme amount of education when it comes to all of the various Microsoft platforms.
If you’re out of a job, you will definitely hesitate at spending the money for the subscription. But having that knowledge of Azure or .NET could put you head and shoulders above the competition. Even if you’re an Apple fan… you likely will need to use Microsoft software at some point in your life or career.
Weigh your options. How much is a foot in the door worth to you?
* Deploy – A New Seattle Conference for Developers
* Microsoft is Pulling the Plug on Newsgroups
* Are Geeks Friendly?
* Download Center
* Microsoft Security Updates
* How to Get Free Microsoft Software
* Social Views of Email on the Desktop
* What Cross-Platform Software do you Need?
* Software Choices, Crashes, and Updates
* Microsoft Provides Windows Vista Activation Workaround
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06:08:09 12/22/10
How To Have One Profile
[LESS INFO] 3 VIEWS | ADDED 06:08:09 12/22/10
How To Have One Profile is a post from Chris Pirillo
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We have too many profiles on too many social networks. How do people new to our circle know where to find us? We can’t just spam them with all of our links at once. Matthew is taking a look at About.Me this week. The site is a great place to create ONE profile and link to the rest of the places you can be found online.
Your About profile is completely customizable. Add whatever links, feeds and information you choose. You can choose different fonts and colors for each separate section and make the background you feel fits you the best.
Add your email if you wish, move the description box to a better place on the page and even view your stats. The Dashboard will show you the average time spent on your profile, the total views and the number of new visitors. You’ll be able to see how many times your various links were clicked on.
One thing Matt suggests is to link to this new static page in your email signatures. Instead of listing your LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, why not just give out one simple link to serve as a landing page?
Do you have an About.Me page yet?
* Are You Still Using MySpace?
* What Information Should You Put in a Social Profile?
* Who Do You Like a Little?
* Jumo Social Network for Social Good
* How Much Social Networking is Too Much?
* Twitter now Boasts Nearly 200 Million Visitors
* Share Your Gravatar Public Profile
* How To Introduce a Child to Social Media
* Ning Services Will Remain Free for Educators
* Will Yahoo be the Next Twitter?
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08:45:40 12/21/10
Google TV vs Apple TV
[LESS INFO] 4 VIEWS | ADDED 08:45:40 12/21/10
Google TV vs Apple TV is a post from Chris Pirillo
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This is Google TV . I am more than grateful to the team at Google for sending this unit to me, and for showing me how I can help all of YOU win one for yourself. I have to tell you – this piece of hardware is simply stunning. The quality is far beyond what I had expected. Besides, what could be cooler than watching YouTube videos on a big screen television?
Google TV is a new platform for television that combines your normal TV programming with a full web browser, Android apps and a simple way to search through all of it. It’s even easy to switch between TV and the web without having to change inputs on your television set. >
With Google Chrome and Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Google TV lets you access everything on the web. Watch your favorite web videos, view photos, play games, check fantasy scores, chat with friends, and do everything else you’re accustomed to doing online.
If you’re a video producer like I am, you’re going to love this. Google TV gives web video stars the change to be a TV star. Google TV users can even bookmark your YouTube channel onto their TV home screen. This makes your content appear one click away from whatever they are already watching.
Google TV will come pre-loaded with apps like Netflix, Twitter, CNBC, Pandora, Napster, NBA Game Time, Amazon Video On Demand and Gallery. Starting early next year, apps from Android Market will work on Google TV as well. As I already said in the video above, the quality and clarity of this Sony television is just – fantastic. I cannot imagine anything better to surf the web with, including my beloved Mac Pro and dual 30″ monitors. This TV set puts those to shame. Seriously.
I’m sure you are ready to know how you can win one of these for yourself, aren’t you? Google is graciously giving YOU the chance to win . The contest ends on December 22nd, so you’ll have to hurry. 100 people will win a 46″ Sony Google Internet TV on January 20th.
To enter, simply create a video describing why you’re excited about watching the Internet on TV. You can upload your entry as soon as you’re ready – and please make sure you’ve read the official contest rules . Your video cannot be longer than one minute, so be creative with your time – and good luck to everyone!
Thanks again to Google. This Sony in my office is now my new best friend. Why are YOU excited about Google TV?
* Apple TV Initial Impressions
* Google TV Thoughts
* Sony Sweep Panorama Photo Contest
* The Gift of Giving
* Would You Like to Win an HP Laptop?
* How to Enter Community Contests, Giveaways, and Sweepstakes
* Wanna Win a Wii?
* New PlayStation Device Rumors Strengthen
* How to Edit Audio and Video with Roxio Creator 2011 (and a Giveaway!)
* Free iTunes Movie
4 Views
20:41:35 12/14/10
Recover Lost Files With Recuva
[LESS INFO] 4 VIEWS | ADDED 20:41:35 12/14/10
Recover Lost Files With Recuva is a post from Chris Pirillo
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This week, Matthew is showing off a small but powerful tool called Recuva . Recuva recovers files deleted from your Windows computer, Recycle Bin, digital camera card, or MP3 player. And it’s free!
I know it’s happened to you… you’ve deleted something that you shouldn’t have. Perhaps your computer crashed (or the power went out) and you lost something you were working on. I know I’ve deleted something from the Recycle Bin and later realized I still needed it. It happens to all of us. Recuva will help you get those files back, though.
Recuva works on any rewritable media you have. Whether you need to recover priceless photographs from your digital camera’s memory card, files you backed up to an external hard drive, or the documents you carry around every day on your USB key, Recuva’s got you covered. Heck, it can even recover stuff from your iPod’s drive!
This program can restore unsaved Word documents, find files on a “reformatted” disc and recover that email you shouldn’t have deleted.
I TOLD you it was powerful. It’s simple to use, and it really is free. Why haven’t you downloaded it yet?
* What is IPTV?
* What is Your Favorite Technology?
* How to Mix Sexuality with Technology
* Do You Look Good in Stripes?
* Vector Fun
* OldNavy Coupons
* Leopard vs. Windows Vista
* Tom Huntington on DivX Stage6
* Which CD Case is the Best?
* North Korean Red Star Operating System: Designed to Spy?
3 Views
22:23:24 12/13/10
LEGO Advent Calendar 2010
[LESS INFO] 3 VIEWS | ADDED 22:23:24 12/13/10
LEGO Advent Calendar 2010 is a post from Chris Pirillo
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‘Tis the season to assemble LEGO ! You may not celebrate Christmas or Advent, but how cool is this particular Advent calendar, anyway? There are 25 days, just as with normal Advent calendars. Instead of chocolate being behind each little window you open, there are new LEGO pieces!
The kit comes with a total of 257 pieces, including various city equipment, minifigs, a Christmas tree, a fireplace, and much more. You’ll have everything you need to put together a fantastic city scene, which can (of course!) be used as a holiday decoration.
I’m not sure which holiday you choose to celebrate. I choose Christmas, even though I am no longer a practicing Catholic. To me, the holidays are about giving to others, no matter what religion you are a part of or which holiday you call your own. Heck, I keep in mind that we “stole” Christmas from early Pagans. They began their Solstice celebrations many MANY years before Santa Claus or Christmas made their entrance.
No matter what you choose to celebrate this year (and every year), I hope it is a safe, healthy and happy one for you and your family.
* Favorite LEGO Gift Memory
* LEGO Minifig Sausage or…?!
* Bing Building Bling
* What Did You Get for the Holidays?
* Gifts for Him and Her
* Christmas Dogs
* Santa Claus is Coming to Town
* Santa Claus Email
* Dogs Christmas
* A Christmas Story
18 Views
07:50:44 12/11/10
How to Edit Audio and Video with Roxio Creator 2011 (and a Giveaway!)
[LESS INFO] 18 VIEWS | ADDED 07:50:44 12/11/10
How to Edit Audio and Video with Roxio Creator 2011 (and a Giveaway!) is a post from Chris Pirillo
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When the good people at Roxio asked if we wanted to take a look at Roxio Creator 2011 , I jumped at the chance and tagged Dylan to do the honors for us. His work is solid, and I knew he’d give an honest review. From what I’ve seen in this video, Roxio Creator 2011 is a fantastic overall application that will fit most of your media needs. We’ll tell you later in this writeup how to win one of three copies for yourself!
Roxio Creator allows you to edit in 3D, and create standard-definition and high-definition Hollywood-style 3D movies on DVD from 2D and 3D input. Free 3D glasses are included with your purchase!!!
Easily edit your standard and HD videos. Add picture-in-picture effects, titles and scrolling credits. Rotate video with one click, auto-adjust color, brightness and contrast. Access and share the videos and movies on your PC from the Internet virtually anywhere, anytime.
Trim unwanted parts, combine multiple tracks together, normalize the volume across the mix and add fun effects. Create advanced playlist projects with crossfades, transitions and audio mashups. Dylan reports that this software is quite good at audio editing. He would know, as he’s a professional podcaster and works with audio files every day.
The photo-editing portion of the suite is not one that Dylan felt comfortable enough to do an in-depth review of. He admits to not being a photo editor. However, he found the software to be intuitive and simple to use… yet allowed him to make photos look very VERY good with just a few easy clicks.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one suite, Roxio Creator 2011 just may be the one for you! If you’d like to win one of three copies for yourself, make sure you’re following me on Twitter . Send me an @ Tweet and include the hashtag #RoxioCreator before noon eastern time on Friday, December 17th. Three people who do this will be chosen at random to win a copy for themselves. That’s all there is to it!
* Mac Media Software (and Saving Money)
* Do You Want a 3D TV?
* iMovie ‘11 Review
* Create Art Using Microsoft Paint
* iMovie for the iPhone
* Google Introduces Picnik on Your Picasa Albums
* Giving Away my iPhone
* Win an Optimus Maximus Keyboard by Asking and Answering Questions
* 3D TV Is…
* iPhone TV Show Streaming with MobiTV
11/09/10