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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
    Aug142020

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

    Dick's Gadget Warehouse.

    Our viewer video this week is from Lori Apthorp who has a gadget I've never seen or used be

     

    Hi Dick and Chad

    I love your show, and have seen them all. Thanks for doing such a great job! I find it very comforting to have your show during these stressful times. You guys are always fun and up-lifting.
    Here is my little home video for the Food Cycler. I am a patreon member, so you know I am a dedicated viewer.

    https://youtu.be/qtlPlfo-5ls   

    Lori Apthorp Los Angeles, CA

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1792  

     

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    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: Subject: What - a Second Solar Cap?

    From: Pekka Korhonen

    Dear Gizwiz,

    I got very worried for your memory when you showed almost similar Solar Cap so soon after the first one. Of course, the young guy (Chad) could not know. ( I'm pretty sure that I found about mine (see attachment) from your show around 2007-2008.

    My solar panel was much better than yours while it worked, maybe 3-4 years. Now it is dead but luckily my cap has also AA battery option and that works still fine. And the back of the cap has kind of net structure so it's pretty cool even without the fan.

    I hope that your memory problem is temporary.

    Thanks for all the great gadgets I've found by watching your show.

    Br, Pekka, Finland 

    Friday
    Aug072020

    Giz Wiz Show #1791 August 6, 2020 Independent Show #272

    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: http://www.gizwiz.tv/.  

    Ready, Set, Charge!

     

    The more gadgets you have the more charging gadgets you need. So now there are two more from Anker, a leader in charging device. Meet the Anker PowerPort Strip PD 3 & PD 6. We saw them at CES 2020, and they came into the marketplace a couple of months ago. (And already they're doing well with the Amazon reviewers.) The PD 3 offers 3 Outlets and 3 USB (1 USB C, 2 USB A) ports w/Surge Protector, Ground Indicator and extra space between the AC outlets to accommodate those larger transformer plugs. The smaller PD 3 lets you charge up to 6 devices from a single wall outlet. The High-Speed 30 W PD (Power Delivery) USB Charging port is really fast and Anker says it can charge an iPhone about 2.5 times faster than a regular charger. If 3 isn't enough outlets, there's also the PD 6 which has the same USB charging capacity, but adds an additional 3 outlets for a total of 9 possible charging options. MSRP is $37.99 for the PD 3 and $49.99 for the PD 6.

     

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/6CeUpEx5Uvg  

     

    Amazon PD 3: https://amzn.to/2DCHonp  / Amazon PD 6: https://amzn.to/3a7MAf5

     

    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/1791

    Friday
    Aug072020

    Meet the New Wacky Packages Minis.

    I didn't know about Wacky Packages Minis, but now I do. And if you don't know about them, you will after you watch this week's show. But I can tell you about them now. They're mini, almost MAD-like reproductions of famous products. For example the 3-D packages I opened contained Cracked Jerk (looks like the real Cracker Jacks Box), Milk-Drone (like the Milk Bone Box and Ratz Crackers, (yep, like the Ritz Crackers Box). In this week's video I talk a little bit about the little bit I know about satire and what you might be allowed to do within the law. According to the press release for Wacky Packages Minis, they say people are buying cases of them. I have no idea if that's true or not, but I can see kids wanting to 'collect them all!' They're fun and very much like what MAD has been doing for more than 50 years with our ad satires.

     

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/cfFm07bjnvQ

     

    Amazon: https://amzn.to/3iaLfqs As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

     

    They may be cheaper on Target, so check there too if you're interested.

     

    See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1791

    Friday
    Aug072020

    Light, Camera, Clapboard!

    I've always loved seeing a clapboard in use. It often indicated you were 'backstage' about to record something new and unique. I never thought about owning one until I came across this on Amazon. Here's a bit of what TYCKA says about their Acrylic Film Clapboard 12" x 10" Plastic Film Scene Clapper Board Clapboard with Blackboard Markers, Eraser, Hex Wrench. Used for Film, TV plays, Studio live, Advertisement, Feature Films, Photography Props. The TYCKA film clapboard is made of Acrylic + Solid wood, non-toxic harmless. Built-in magnetic sticks, professional and resonant while being clapped. Clap-strip is made of solid wood and powerful enough to avoid crack. Using blackboard marker which can be erased after writing and can be used repeatedly.

     

    And The Giz Wiz says: So I bought one and it's nicely made and a fun thing to have on the wall, a shelf, or to give as gift to someone who makes a lot of videos. (Even if they don't use it, it probably will be appreciated that you gave them something so “professional”! There are two versions, a black clapboard, and a white one. I bought the black one as you'll see on this week's show/ They are each about $18.00 as of 8/5/20 on Amazon.

     

    Giz Wiz Video: https://youtu.be/YAdH8-WTIQQ

     

    Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3gADee7  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/1791 

    Friday
    Aug072020

    Chad's Crappy Corner & His New August Theme as voted on by our loyal Patreons.

    Chad polled our loyal Patreons and for Chad's August theme they picked “Cheap Gadgets That Have Something To Do With Fire.”

    This could be a hot topic for the hot month of August. Chad first gadget is the TROPRO Electric Arc USB Lighter with Power Indicator, Rechargeable Flameless Portable Windproof Plasma Lighter.Some info from the company: This Rechargeable Candle Lighter gives you treble (what???) protection . Just need to open the Safety lock in the bottom of the lighter and push the button. For the safety of consumer, the igniting spark will auto stop beyond 7 seconds per igniting. With a FCC/CE/ROHS certificate, please buy with confidence! Wind & Splash Proof Design prevents the electric pulse produced from being blown out by strong wind.

    And Chad's take? Chad liked this Arc Lighter. First of all it's charged via USB-C. And of course that means no liquid fuel to spill or hassle with. Chad also liked the 4 LED's that let you know how much battery power is left, but he noted the unit does unit a lot of battery power. He said it would be especially ideal for lighting things like candles that are deeply set inside a jar or holder. Chad paid $16.99 and bought his on Amazon.

     

    Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XF8H7E  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/1791