Straight Talkers San Diego Weekend!

Hey Blog Buddies!

It's been a while since I've posted on the GeekGirlKnows blog, but I've been active on all of the social media sites we connect on! (@LadyDJames on Insta, @GeekGirlKnows on Twitter). If you're in SoCal this weekend (December 9-11th) come down and hang out with Ross Mathews, Stylist Salvador, Josh Wolf, Nikki Boyer, Mark, CJ, Willy and the whole gang. Check out the fun activities we have planned - including a LIVE Podcast taping!

And if you haven't been around the Straight Talk podcast lately, click HERE to visit the site and watch the latest video of the live show below (where I had the honor of filling in for Nikki B this week).

Hope to see you in San Diego, peeps!

Cheers,

Daria

It's here! Straight Talk with Ross Podcast is LIVE

Did Y'all download the first podcast episode with GeekGirl & Ross Mathews? REUNITED AND IT FEELS SOOOO GOOD!

Click here to subscribe via itunes and check us out on PodcastOne. Plus, email us your questions (or stay tuned for the call in number for next week's show) at straighttalkwithross.com.

Stay tuned for more exciting stuff-this is just the beginning!

Hey GeekGirl Gang!

I'm working on the next podcast RIGHT NOW and I need your help! Anyone out there use a Wacom or other graphic pen/tablet instead of a mouse?



If so, I want to know what you use it for! Do you like it? Prefer a mouse? I want to hear about that too! Have no idea what I'm talking about? I want to hear what you've heard about graphic pens & your thoughts in general. & to all of the above: stay tuned! LOL.

Tweet @ me via my Twitter feed OR email me at geek.girl@earthlink.net RIGHT NOW so that I can include your thoughts in the podcast!

Don't forget you can always email me at geek.girl@earthlink.net

To follow me on Twitter, click here: http://twitter.com/GeekGirlKnows
To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.

Cheers,

GeekGirl

Episode 10.1: Allow me to introduce myself... (UPDATED!)

Hey GeekGirl Gang and Newbies!

I just updated the video on YouTube with fun annotations (you can't do it until the video is done processing!) Check it out again if you've already watched it-the phrenology head and the laptop always have something to say, and I give you little bits of info in pop-ups along the way that you won't get anywhere else and are exclusive to the YouTube videos!) Or, if you are new here, welcome and check out the video I made just for YOU!







Keep checking back for more great news and brand spankin' new videos, sponsored by Roddenberry.com!

email me at geek.girl@earthlink.net

To follow me on Twitter, click here: http://twitter.com/GeekGirlKnows
To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.

Cheers,

GeekGirl

GeekGirl Episode 8.1: CES is fun!

Finally! Here's Part 1 of my 2-part GeekGirl, behind-the-scenes, CES (Consumer Electronics Show) extravaganza from Las Vegas! I had a coveted all-access pass to the industry-only show floor and brought back LOTS of video and pictures for all of my beloved GeekGirl followers! Get in on the action here (and if you are at a computer with a good internet connection, make sure to watch the video in High Quality by clicking the "HQ" in the bottom right-hand corner!) Remember this is just Part 1-in Part 2, I show you lots more including the MyVu booth, the new Blackberry Storm and all sorts of awesome new technology (including big companies taking exciting GREEN initiatives that mix technology and help our environment at the same time) from the show floor!



To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.

And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes (click HERE for my iTunes Podcast Home Page, and then click "subscribe")...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Last but not least, keep those emails coming to geek.girl@earthlink.net!

Cheers,

GeekGirl

New GeekGirl URL Poll! I need YOUR help picking the best new website name!

Hey Geek Guys and Gals!

Soooo, you guys have BLOWN ME AWAY with all the iPhone iLikes and iGripes that I've gotten! So much so, that it's taking me a while to edit down the podcast because I can't possibly include them all, but they are all so good it's making it hard to choose! (A great dilemma to have). I am almost done with the editing (I'm also experimenting with a fancy new GREEN SCREEN for my podcasts, so that's adding edit time as well! fingers crossed. if anyone ever wondered how a green screen works, I can explain that to y'all as soon as I'm sure my effort was successful. :)

Anyway, in order to tide you over, as I know you are all eager to hear your emails/comments read on the iPhone podcast, I have a quick little video announcing my new GeekGirl blog URL here, followed by a poll, because I need YOUR help in deciding whether or not I picked the right name! First, watch this (it's super-short, I promise):A URL is a fancy name for a web address (i.e., www.GeekGirlKnows.com or Apple.com or Google.com, etc. etc.). You can actually have your website/blog "living" on one website addy, and then have a "Vanity URL" (a fancy word for a simpler web address) for which you just purchase the domain name, and simply have it "point" or "redirect" to where your website actually lives. (Maybe I'll do a GeekGirl Quickie on how this works if anyone out there is actually interested or curious! Let me know if you are).

To make a long story short, (or rather, a short story long!) since my original URL was really hard to describe to people (http://geekgirlpodcast.blogspot.com) my best friend/co-worker/officemate at the Tonight Show, Ross (check out his blog HERE), and I were brainstorming the other day on a website name that would be super easy and also fun and applicable to me and what I do here around the old GeekGirl blog. SO, we came up with GeekGirlKnows! Just imagine me saying, "You have questions? GeekGirlKnows!" How's that for a tagline? Fun, right?

There's only one slight problem...before we came up with GeekGirlKnows.com, I had purchased the domain GeekGirlPodcast.com. Both of them work right now (watch, open up a new window and type them both in...they magically go to the same place!) Now I'm not sure which one I like better! Here's where YOU guys come in! Below is a poll... give me your input on what name is better for my new URL!

So vote vote vote and tell me what YOU think! The winning name will be used in all of my GeekGirl graphics and promotions!

Stay tuned for the iPhone iLikes and iGripes video podcast starring YOUR questions and comments!!!

Cheers,

Daria aka GeekGirl

Happy Holidays!

Hello my fellow Geeks and Geek wannabes!

Just wanted to wish you all a happy whatever you celebrate this holiday season!

Be sure to check back here over the next week...I'll surely share any cool techy goodies that Santa might bring for me for being such a good Geek Girl all year long!

Also, if you got any cool or silly gadgets, make sure to let me know by posting them in the COMMENTS section below, or by emailing me at geek.girl@earthlink.net. We might be doing a special Video Podcast featuring Geek Gifts!

To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.
And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Cheers to all of you and thanks for all of your support this year! Hope you are all healthy, happy, and with people you love during this wonderful time of year.

xoxo,
Geek Girl

Episode 4.2: Geek Gads-The Finale!

Hey Everyone! So, as promised, here is part 2 of my TOP 5 FAVORITE GEEK GADGETS. At the end, I read some of your emails! Check out the video here:

Tomorrow I will post a follow-up blog with a text recap complete with links to all of the products so that you can explore them further if you are interested. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please email me or post them in the comments below!

Production starts next week on the next video podcast...I won't reveal the topic just yet, but I promise it will be fun and, well...geeky!

Email me at: geek.girl@earthlink.net.

To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.
And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Cheers!

Geek Girl

OCD Quickie and 1st Official Geek Girl Poll: Circus Ponies Notebook 2.1

Hi Blog Buds!

I was feeling lazy tonight and just HAD to tell you/ask you about this software I read about today, so I decided to do a quick video blog about it instead (I was sitting on my couch with my laptop in front of me, so forgive the background of my living room!) Check out the video here:





And then give me your feedback below in the COMMENTS section. Or, email me your feedback, or even video feedback, at geek.girl@earthlink.net.

To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.
And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Cheers!

Geek Girl

You Asked, I Answer! iPod on the Radio: Transmitters

Hello web friends!!

So many of you have been emailing me over the last two days about the iPod transmitter that I recommended to Ross "the Intern" Mathews after he mentioned it on his blog (click HERE to check it out), that I decided to post a whole blog about it. Also, Episode 3 of my Video Podcast, which is coming up soon, is going to feature all of my favorite gadgets, and I will be including this transmitter in that video as well.

First things first, in case you missed it, here's Episode 2 of my Geek Girl Podcast:




Ok, now, for the piece de resitance...




Before I tell you all about this transmitter and where to find it, I have to give you all a quick brief about how these things work. Lots of people have emailed in about problems with transmitters and the static and interference and plain non-functionality of the devices that they have bought. What you need to know is that there isn't a device (yet) that is external (plugs INTO your car as opposed to having it wired inside of your car radio, which I had done and I LOVE) which will cut out ALL of the static from the airwaves. The way that these transmitters work is like this:

• your car cigarette lighter acts as the power source for the transmitter.
  
• you plug the transmitter into your iPod (which also, as a bonus, charges your iPod via the cigarette lighter)
• you turn on your car radio and scan for a station that is nothing but static...in this case, the more static the better
• you program this station on your car stereo, and then you turn on the transmitter and program that same station on it as well (the transmitter that I'm recommending actually has 3 channel pre-set buttons, so that's a plus, because you can have different stations for different areas you drive in)
• you turn on your iPod and play it, and the transmitter actually transmits what your iPod is playing via the preset station you have selected, and your car radio receiver picks it up. It's like your own mini-broadcast radio station in your car!

But here's the drawback: no matter how good a transmitter you get, you are still dealing with radio waves. Radio waves, even on the best, biggest stations cut out when you are out of the area (i.e. when you go on road trips and there are long stretches of road where you can't get ANY reception). Lots of environmental factors also influence radio waves, such as weather and clouds (random fact: did you know that at night, if the cloud coverage and temperature are just right, you can pick up AM stations over the radio that you couldn't pick up normally? The radio waves actually bounce off the clouds and reflect back down to earth in places they wouldn't normally transmit. Neat, right? Actually, if anyone reading this knows more about that phenomenon, please post about it in the COMMENT section below...I'd love to hear more about it!).

Anyhow, the moral of the story is that you will never get perfect reception with a transmitter. But the one that I show you above has some advantages that help minimize the interfering factors. It's a Kensington Digital FM Transmitter/Auto Charger, and you can buy it at the Apple store HERE. The advantages are:

1. It is digital, which transmits a clearer signal
2. It has 3 programmable stations, which allow you to switch stations depending on the area you are in
3. And it has a Patented Aerielle wireless technology, which enhances noise reduction and stereo separation.

So there you go, blog buddies. Everything you wanted to know about the transmitter. I personally think it's also worth it, if you have the money and a car that will allow for this type of hook up, that you have your iPod cord installed in your car. Then you just plug in your iPod like you would to your computer, and control it via your car CD control buttons, as opposed to the radio. If you do it this way, there is absolutely no radio interference because the car stereo treats the iPod input like a CD, as opposed to a radio wave.

Lastly, a few of you have asked about an iPod cassette adapter. I've found one HERE, however can't personally vouch for it's effectiveness since I don't have a tape deck. Make sure you check out the specs, because you have to have a front loading tape deck, etc. The reviews for this one look pretty good, but make sure to always do some online investigating before you buy any electronics products. Or, check with me. :)

Ok fellow geeks and geeks-in-training...that's all for now! To email me your questions, or even video questions for a chance to be featured in a future podcast, email me at geek.girl@earthlink.net.

To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.
And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Cheers!

Geek Girl

Oh, What's in a Name? Ep. 2 UPDATE

Hello faithful web friends!

As a follow up to the last podcast, Episode 2, in which we discussed USB Card Readers (the video for which I will link to again and embed below), I wanted to give you all some examples of hubs/readers that you can purchase online from reputable sources. I also wanted to clarify some of the nomenclature that I used when describing the device itself.

Now, I knew in my little geek brain that when I created the last podcast that the word HUB actually technically describes a USB port that allows you to plug in many USB devices (cameras, printers, card readers, etc.) into your computer via one USB plug in in the back. A HUB is also generally a dictionary term for the main center for any sort of activity. I always refer to my card reader as a HUB, because I think I cross purposes in my brain when thinking about its function. For those of you who are curious, here is a picture and a link to what an actual, technical USB hub is:

USB HUB INFO

Now, here is a link to the type of hub, or USB Card Reader, that I so highly praised in my last podcast:

I actually have this exact reader for my other camera that has an xD card, and though it does have a cord, it doesn't need an external power source and works just like the reader I showed you in the podcast. San Disk is a great company for these types of products.

There are also multi card readers, which are great if, like me, you have a ton of different cameras and memory card types. These multi card readers are totally affordable, and have lots of slots for your different kinds of memory cards on one nifty little device. Here's a link to one from Staples: MULTI CARD READER

So I just had to clarify for all of you that the more correct term for the device that I hope you will all run out and buy is a USB Card Reader, which I mentioned in the video. But c'mon, how can you make a cute title like "Hubba, Hubba, Hubba" out of "USB Card Reader?!" You can't, is the answer. :) I just had to get that off my chest.

Ok fellow geeks and geeks-in-training...that's all for now! To email me your questions, or even video questions for a chance to be featured in a future podcast, email me at geek.girl@earthlink.net.

To check out my YouTube Channel, click HERE.
To check out my MySpace and become my friend, click HERE.
And make sure to subscribe to my videos on iTunes...they are FREE and the quality on iTunes is way better than on YouTube. Plus, you can take me with you on your iPod. :)

Oh, and here's the episode again, just in case you missed it!



Ok peeps, Happy Friday, and keep those questions and comments coming!!

Cheers,

Geek Girl

Episode 2: Hubba, Hubba, Hubba!

Hello Web-People! Episode 2 is here, and if you take and download digital pictures to your computer, then this one is a must-see!

In this episode, I talk about the importance, benefits and inner-workings (without getting too technical!) of USB hubs, or card readers. These nifty little devices allow you to -- get this -- download pics from your camera to any computer without using software, or your camera, or even a cable!

To check out the Quicktime version of the Podcast online, Click on the image below:


Or, you can check out the YouTube version right here on this page:

The next episode is going to be really exciting! I'm going to talk about all of my favorite new gadgets, and even have a few of them to show all of my faithful Geek Girl fans. So, if you have a gadget you'd like me to talk about and feature, send me an email to geek.girl@earthlink.net, or leave a comment in the COMMENT section below. You can even send me a video message to my email, and you just might be featured in my next podcast! I'd love to showcase some of my fans on this podcast. Oh, and don't forget that you can go to iTunes and subscribe to this podcast, all for the low price of FREE!!

OK people, until next time,
Cheers!

Geek Girl

Episode 1: PodWhat?

Hello cyber-friends and fellow Geeks!

Guess what this is a picture of-just guess! C'mon....



Ok, give up?

It's a screen-grab of the title animation in the first episode of the long-awaited Geek Girl Podcast!

And naturally, the very first episode is about...what else? PODCASTS! There are so many people who think that a Podcast refers to just one specific type of media file for an iPod, and there are people who just plain have no idea what they are. Either way, it's ok, because I've chosen to focus the entire first episode on defining Podcasts and showing you what goes into them. To see the Episode 1: PodWhat? click below:

PodWhat?

or, you can click here to see the embedded YouTube version:



The feed is also available on iTunes in the Music Store.

Let the fun begin!

Remember to send me all of your feedback and questions to geek.girl@earthlink.net.
I'm looking for video questions as well (and pics, if you want). As long as you don't clog up my email with huge files. :)

Keep checking back for more soon, and send me your ideas for future "Blogger's Choice" podcasts!

Cheers,

GeekGirl

It's HERE!

FINALLY...the introductory podcast is up! It should also be in the iTunes directory shortly as well, so right now you will have to view it via switchpod. I am still working on the permanent background, so i just did this one in my office at home. Bear with me as this thing evolves. :) To get the feed, click on the still below:




You might have to let the whole video load first depending how fast/slow your computer is. Also, here is the link where you can subscribe to the feed via iTunes (you have to click on the "Subscribe in iTunes" link on the right-hand side of the page, and the video will download automatically into your iTunes): FEED

(You can also get the video there if for any reason the photo link above doesn't work).

Ok, bloggers, NOW I need your feedback! Let me know your thoughts, ideas, questions, suggestions, etc. by posting a COMMENT below, or by emailing me at geek.girl@earthlink.net

Cheers!

Geek Girl

Testing, Testing, 1..2..3..

This weekend is going to be filled with lots and lots o'testing and learning for Geek Girl! I am in the process of creating a test video Podcast and hopefully will post it by Monday to see how it works with this Blog tool. Stay tuned! I'll need all of YOUR comments and feedback in order to create the most helpful, informative Podcast EVER. (Ok, not EVER, but close).

Just one quick note...I've changed the settings to allow you all to post comments, questions, and/or suggestions without having to give any info. You can remain Anonymous, just how some of you like it. :)

Lastly, I'm putting out a call to ALL of YOU to send me your questions and suggestions on video podcast topics. They can be questions about anything from using software to email to internet to digital cameras to iPod's to peripherals to fonts! Anything that you struggle with in daily life, even if you think it's silly; I bet you it's not, and I bet you I've been asked about it before! I've got most of the season mapped out, but I'd love to do a few episodes that are "BLOGGER's CHOICE" topics. You can also email me reasonably sized questions as video files...I'm hoping to gather enough video questions from you all to dedicate a special Podcast to you all at the end of my "season" that will feature your "live" questions! What do you think? I think it will be really fun and exciting. But then again, I am a geek. ;)

Post your topics, questions and suggestions in the COMMENTS section or email me at geek.girl@earthlink.net. To those of you who have already emailed me, thanks for the feedback!! For the rest of you, let's talk!

Cheers and happy weekend,

Geek Girl