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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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« Chad's Crappy Corner and a brand new theme for September, Spy Gadgets. | Main | Giz Wiz Show #1533 August 26th, 2015, our 17th Independently Produced Giz Wiz »
Wednesday
Sep022015

Dick's Gadget Warehouse & How to Submit Your Viewer Video.

You probably know the name QuickCam as a line of webcam video cameras produed by Logitech. But Quickcam had a life before Logitech. The original QuickCam was developed by Connectix in 1994 and it was the first widely marketed webcam-like device. I had two QuickCams by Connectix, the original under $100 black and white model, and then the $250 color Quickcam. My first version connected via a parallel cable. The color version might have been a USB connector, but I'm not quite sure. Here's a bit more about Connectix via our friends at Wikipedia. The Connectix Quickcam initial model was available only for the Apple Macintosh, connecting to it via the serial port. It produced 16 shades of gray at a resolution of 320×240 pixels, and could record video at about 15 frames per second; it cost $100. The software that originally shipped with the camera included QuickMovie for recording motion pictures and QuickPICT for capturing still images. The QuickCam product line was acquired by Logitech in 1998. The company has gradually decreased support for the Macintosh platform, with only one current model officially supporting Mac or including Mac drivers. This could largely be the result of Apple building webcams into their laptop and desktop computers, negating the need for external third party devices. Many recent models implement the USB video device class standard and work under Mac OS without additional drivers. Today, Logitech QuickCam is one of the world's most recognized webcam brands. StevesAntFarm.com is the longest continuously running webcam using a QuickCam. Started in January 1995 and continues to this day. In October 2010, QuickCam was elected to Time Magazine's Top 100 Gadgets of all Time.  

See or hear this show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1534

 

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We’re looking for more Viewer Videos! We’d love to include your video in an upcoming Giz Wiz Show, so 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 of All Time: 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 a tiny amount of fame (hopefully), an autographed MAD magazine and a 35-year-old Alfred E. Neuman picture. So that's one more (so-so) reason to send in your video! IMPORTANT: We'll just shower you with praise for your video if you live outside the US or Canada since we can't afford to send stuff outside of those two places. (Thanks for understanding.)

All show submissions go to mail@gizwiz.tv.

 

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Letter of the week:

 

From: Stephane Duteriez


Subject: usb switch 

 

Watching the show and the problem, I thought about the switch use to connect a keyboard to several PC like this one http://www.delock.de/produkte/F_390_Switch_87634/merkmale.html?setLanguage=en.  I wonder if they work in the other direction with several device link to one PC. You probably would need to converter from type A usb to type B. 

 

Thanks for the show, Stéphane Duteriez from France. 

 

DON'T FORGET THE NYC MEET-UP with Dick De and OMGChad.....   Sunday, October 11, 2015, 2-4 PM.

Boat Basin Cafe. www.boatbasincafe.com.  Games, prizes, and free. If you'd like to come, just drop me an email so we can an idea of how much room we'll need at the Boat Basin Cafe. Just put "Meet Up" in the subject line, or meet-up + (whatever number you'll be bringing.)  Email me at gizwizbiz@aol.com.  

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