Many of you may be drooling over the iPad, but wondering, is it worth it and do you need one?
Last night I appeared on Maine’s premier evening news magazine program, 207, to review the iPad. It went something like this:
Archive for the ‘Off Topic’ Category
Digital & Virtual Currency: The Future of Money
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010We’ve moved beyond plastic, paper and coins, and we’re well beyond using bushels, shells, heifers or salt for payment. By using tools like PayPal and the Apple iTunes store, we’re already delving into virtual currency. In this segment we take a look at some of the new forces that are driving the shift to digital currency. You can watch the video below or view Rich Brooks on Online Currency at the 207 Web site.
Here are some of the resources we looked at in the segment:
- TwitPay – digital payments through Twitter & PayPal
- RT2Give – digital donations for non-profits using Twitter & PayPal
- Obopay – get and receive payments through mobile devices
- Square – a credit card swiper that plugs into your iPhone or anything else with a headphone jack
- Ven – the virtual currency of Hubculture
This segment was strongly inspired by the excellent article in Wired Magazine, The Future of Money: It’s Flexible, Frictionless and (Almost) Free.
Online Resources for Cheap Gamers
Friday, April 2nd, 2010Another hard-hitting segment on 207: Online Resources for Cheap Gamers. Basically, we look at some places gamers can turn when they don’t have a whole lot of cake. Watch it below or at the WCSH Web site.
Gaming Resources Discussed:
- Kongregate
- Castle Wars (at Kongregate)
- Pogo.com
- PopCap
- Sawbuck Gamer (at The A.V. Club)
The Best Fitness Web Sites
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010Donning my tech guru hat once again–but leaving my jump suit behind–I visited the set of 207 for a segment I like to call Fitness Web sites.
If you can’t view the video above you can check it on the 207 Web site.
Here are links to the sites we discussed:
- American Council on Fitness’s Get Fit site
- Let’s Move!
- FitDay
- Diddit’s Fitness & Health
- Cooking Light
- Guiding Stars
And, in the honorable mention category: This is Why You’re Fat.
Thanks for everyone who suggested a site, especially personal trainer and ex-Spider-man, Mark Nutting.
There’s No Pleasing Everyone…
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
As I was cleaning through piles in my office this evening I coincidentally found the feedback on my Social Media presentation at the NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) Conference from last year. I guess I had never read through this, because I don’t remember seeing it before.
The reviews were generally pretty good, but I got a laugh when I read through the comments. Here’s a sampling:
- Very basic information was given.
- Am still in learning mode and so some of this was above my head.
- Material presented in a clear, concise manner. Not too basic, nor too technical.
- Way too much content for a 90 minute session. Make sure to have Rich back for a pre-conference workshop next year.
- I already knew quite a bit about social media sites. I was hoping to learn specifically how to use these sites to attract more customers, rather than connecting with people I already know. I only got a little of that.
- Fantastic session; just what I needed and wanted–surpassed my expectations.
And my personal favorite:
- His unprofessional attire was a turn off.
That’s the last time I wear my Spider-Man jammies to a speaking gig.
Rich Brooks
Dressed for Success
Photo Credit: Angela Coulombe
New Year’s Resolutions for the Technophobe
Thursday, December 31st, 2009Are you, or someone you love, afraid of technology? If so, 207′s “tech expert” is here to help. Here are a few ideas for New Year’s resolutions that will help you overcome your irrational fear of technology. It’s time to strap on your jet pack, take your robot dog for a flight, and get down to business.
Safe Internet Shopping Tips…As Seen On TV
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009The other day I made my way over to WCSH Channel 6 here in Portland, Maine, for another one of my “tech expert” segments on the evening news program 207.
The topic was Internet Shopping Tips with a focus on keeping you–and your money–safe on the Interwebs.
This was the best still they had of me? Really? 
If you need me to double-check your usernames and passwords for any Web site just leave them in the comment section below and I’ll let you know if I think they’re secure enough.
Web Developer Appreciation Day Take II
Thursday, November 12th, 2009I came into the office this morning to be greeted by a box of chocolates from Jeff and Jennifer from SelectDwelling for the recent Web site flyte designed and built for them.
As a “you’re welcome!” I offer a link to your Web site (see above.)
Best of luck with your business of helping home owners and long-term renters connect in southwest Florida!
Rich Brooks
Will Link for Chocolate
How Not to Do Customer Service, By Yahoo
Thursday, October 15th, 2009The other day I had a question, and decided to try out Yahoo Answers for the first time. I put together my question, filled out the necessary items and hit submit. Unfortunately I received a Yahoo 999 error.
Neither of these bullet points seemed relevant, but it was late at night and I let it drop, knowing I could attempt again from the work the following day.
The next day at work, on another computer, from a separate ISP I tried again. Same result. So I decided to follow up with customer service at http://help.yahoo.com/.
Dear AT&T, What’s the Real Cost of a $699 iPhone?
Thursday, July 16th, 2009
The other day I jumped into the pool, fully clothed, to save my daughter who had gotten in over her head. Unfortunately, I hadn't removed my iPhone from my pocket before doing so.
I don't tell this story to brag–everyone reading this would have done the exact same thing. I only mention this because I want to make it clear that this wasn't one of those situations where someone drops their iPhone in the toilet while they're drunk at a party.
The good news is that I had Apple Care for my iPhone 3G. The bad news is that getting it wet–no matter how noble your purpose–isn't covered. The best Apple could offer me was to repair my iPhone for $200.
Next, I called up AT&T. I had only bought the iPhone about 6 months ago, so I didn't qualify for any kind of upgrade. I said I was more than willing to add two years to my contract to get the discounted 3GS price, but they wouldn't do it. They would, however, be happy to sell me the iPhone 3GS at the non-discounted price of $699.
So, if you're scoring at home, AT&T could have kept me happy by locking me into their service for an additional two years of profit to them! Instead, I'm in the market for a used iPhone and counting the days until my contract with AT&T is up. If the iPhone/Verizon rumors are true AT&T has convinced me that they're not interested in keeping my business.
There must be some convoluted bean-counter logic to all this, but I can't find it. Instead, I'll be patiently waiting until I can get onto a network where I can get more than one bar at my house.
Rich Brooks
Frustrated AT&T Customer
Happy Ending: Me–being me–had tweeted my iPhone's demise, and the cause behind it. At the same time, the company behind SimplyTweet, a Twitter iPhone app, was running a contest on Twitter. The grand prize? A $200 iPhone gift card.
I only heard about this because Tyler Strange (aka @attractiveideas) entered me in the contest, and I was selected!
Although I still couldn't upgrade to the 3GS I was able to trade in my wet 3G for a dry one thanks to Tyler and SimplyTweet. You can follow SimplyTweet on Twitter, as well.
