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About Me

 

Known as MAD's Maddest Writer, co-host of The Giz Wiz with OMGchad at www.GizWiz.TV, The Giz Wiz on ABC's World News Now, and on Tech Guy Labs with Leo Laporte on www.TWiT.TV

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    Friday
    Sep252020

    Dick Gadget Warehouse & How To Submit Your Video & Win An Autographed MAD Magazine.

    Our email this week is from a first-time 'warehouse video maker', David Drake. He has a real 'blast from the past' old-time gadget, but wait until you hear you may have owned it! Here's David's email:

    Dick and Chad:

    Here's a link to a video I made for you about some old tech that I picked up at a ham radio event for $10. It might even have some interesting history attached to it.

    It's a little under four minutes long and I am certain it measures down to your usual cinematic standards.

    David

    https://youtu.be/Y6zZw44TjhE

     

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1798  

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show! Here's what we're looking for! Your home shot video – 2 to 3 minutes long, in any of the following categories:
    I bought a piece of crap: Did you buy something you ended up
    hating? We won't get you a refund, but we might be able to give a platform to vent your disappointment. Remember, "family friendly" language applies.
    -
    I invented this! Did you invent something? (Or did a friend or relative invent something.) We can't market it for you, but we can help get the word out. Show us what it is, and how it works. Even if it's a prototype, you can get our (and the audience) reactions. No professional ads please.
    -
    My Gadget Warehouse: Okay, so you don't have a warehouse. It doesn't matter. Just tell us about your favorite old gadget(s). When and where you bought it, and why you're still hanging on to it.
    -
    My Favorite Gadget (favorite old, or favorite new): Show us what it is, tell us what it does and why you love, or loved it! It can be a new gadget you just bought too.
    -
    Post them on YouTube and send us the link! We'll do the rest. (Or possibly nothing, but that's unlikely.) Remember, videos should be just 2 to 3 minutes long! Low production value is fine, but we should be able to hear you and see you! If we select and show your video on The Giz Wiz you’ll earn a tiny amount of fame (hopefully). And if you live in the US, you'll also get an autographed 38+ year old Alfred E. Neuman picture and a MAD surprise (most likely the current issue of MAD.) But no matter where you live outside of US, I can autograph an Alfred E. Neuman photo to you, scan it & email you a high res copy if we show your video. Just print it out, frame it, or just hang it up and no one will know it's a copy. We've tested it out and fans say they look terrific! If you submitting warehouse videos for a second, third time, etc., you'll get the current issue of MAD as a thank you.

    All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

     

    Email of the week:

     

    Friday
    Sep182020

    Giz Wiz Show #1797 September 17, 2020 Independent Show #278

    This is our 5th year of Independent Production! (First Giz Wiz show was February 20th, 2006.) Thanks to our wonderful Patreon supporters we're now going into year 15. If it wasn't for our supporters the Giz Wiz Show would be gone. If you'd like to support OMGchad & DickDe in our independent venture (we pay for everything ourselves, including travel) just click the Patreon link at the top of our show web page: www.gizwiz.tv.  

    We Find Unique New Gadgets At Another Showstoppers Virtual Press Event.

     

    At this Virtual Showstoppers Event I learned about Cricut Joy, the company's smallest, newest machine. I saw it in action and it's pretty neat for folks who love making their own cards, signs, labels, etc. Here's what the company says about it. Turn your inspiration board intentions into action with a little help from your DIY best friend, Cricut Joy. Ridiculously easy to set up and use, this smart little cutting and writing machine helps you make more in less time, so you'll find yourself personalizing, organizing, and customizing every single day. Cut vinyl decals for custom water bottles or wall decor. Quickly make kitchen or office labels. Bust out a birthday banner or a just-because card. It also works with Cricut Smart Materials for super-easy, super-long cuts without a cutting mat. Just load & go. With a plethora of projects that take just 15 minutes, Cricut Joy makes it fast and easy to make something unique for you – or anyone – at a moment's notice. MSRP: $179.99.

     

    Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FULA2FAsan Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

     

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1797 

    Friday
    Sep182020

    The iTech Surprise Box of Tech! Not $99.99 - Just $19.99. What did I get?

    I Buy A Mystery Box of Tech! Hmmm.... Did I get lots of awesome tech gadgets to make me happy and my friends jealous? Or did I just get screwed? Watch the video and make up your own mind!

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/EubCNRCjH0E  

     

    Here are the items I could find on Amazon & ebay & their prices as of 9/17/20

     

    Ijoy Wireless Light Switch https://amzn.to/35JAIzI  12/$38.99 or about $3.25 each. 

    As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

    Ebay listing says 'fast charging' – photo shows it charges at 5V 1A, which is very slow. It's $8, free shipping.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Caseable-Fast-Charging-Super-Thin-Wireless-Phone-Charger-PWC12-for-Android-/192869093298 

     

    Free Rein 2 Amazon: https://amzn.to/3msRrNP. Under $20, but not good reviews. As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more, but you can do better than buying this.

     

    GEMS Cord Wrap - https://www.ebay.com/itm/GEMS-Cord-Wraps-3-pack-Brand-New-/264234837055 3 pack, which is 6 of them: $2.84 plus free shipping

     

    Scosche 3' flat audo cable: https://amzn.to/3mthm7P $6.35 As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

     

    3' HDMI cable – $7 to $8 (No brand, not in a box.)

     

    So, if you bought each of those items separately you'd pay more than $20. But looking at the photo and the $99.99 price crossed out, you'd expect a lot more. At least I did. Actually, there isn't anything in that box of tech that I really want or can use. If it sounds too good to be true, you know the rest!

     

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1797  

    Friday
    Sep182020

    Woods Energy Saving Power Strip w/Surge Protection 

    From the company: The WOODS 041707 Electronics 7-Outlet Surge Protector saves energy and money! Energy Saving strips help eliminate wasted energy known as phantom power by automatically turning off peripheral devices when not in use. Reducing phantom power can save you as much as 15% on your energy bills. It features 2700-joules of surge protection, (4) ENERGY SAVING outlets to automatically turn off peripheral devices such as a DVD player or printer, (2) NON-CONTROLLED outlets for devices you always want powered on such as a satellite receiver or cordless phone and (1) MASTER outlet for the main controlling device such as a television or computer. The red surge protection LED indicator illuminates to show the unit is working properly and that your connected equipment is surge protected. Their are (7) grounded 4-pronged outlets and a 6-foot power cord. Comes with a 100,000-dollar connected equipment warranty that provides the peace of mind knowing your valuable electronics are covered. (Box says $150,000 Warantee Protection.)

     

    And from the Giz Wiz: It indeed saves power because it lets nothing turn on! Actually, it did power the two devices plugged into 'always on' taps. But it didn't power anything else. I guess I should have known better since it only got 3 out of 5 stars and was reviewed by only 3 people. It's under $15.00 on Amazon, but at The PC Connect Store it was $48.99!

     

    NOTE: The chatroom suggested it didn't work properly because I had an LED gadget plugged into the 'master outlet' and it didn't draw enough power for the device to work. That could be, but it's not going to work for what I need it. I have other Woods Products that do work fine.

     

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/AorPkdmsSZg

     

    Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mvmAQz As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more, but I wouldn't recommend buying this.

     

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1797

    Friday
    Sep182020

    Crappy Corner and his third gadget for his Cheap Gadget Theme for September: Mimic Gadgets.

    Chad polled our loyal Patreons and for his September theme they picked: Mimic Gadgets OR: “Things that look like one thing, but do another.” Chad's pick this week was very tricky to guess. It looks exactly a toy version of a Volkswagen Van. But what it is is a very sophisticated record player. It's the Record Runner Portable Record Player V 2.0 Soundwagon. Updated V.2 Also billed as the “World's Smallest Portable Record Player”. It has a built in speaker on the roof, and on the bottom, there's the Ultra Fine Pitch Adjustment Knob. I read on line that the Stylus and Cartridge system is powered by Audio Technica and yes, it has a replaceable needle. It's also said to be an Officially licensed VW (Volkswagen) Product. MSRP $79.99.

    And Chad's take? Well, the music it played sounded a little wonky, but then again it was music from Mindcraft. The player can only play 33.3 records. You'll hear Chad explain how much technology this little player has to be able to follow the grooves on an LP and vary its speed as it gets closer to the end of the record. Amazingly, it even stops on its own at the end of the playing the LP! You'll have to watch this episode to see Chad's Road Runner Player in action.

     

    I found it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33GBlHH As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

     

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1797