Did I sign that check I just put in the envelope and sealed?

Friday, September 17^th, 2010 Netcast 1180 

This is what the new version looks like. If you had X-Ray Spray you could easily find out. Of if you sealed the envelope and forgot the amount you wrote on the check just hit it with a shot of X-Ray Spray and it will turn opaque paper temporarily translucent. It allows the user to view the contents of an envelope without ever opening it. You have about 30 seconds after the application for a quick peek. Then the envelope returns to its original state, leaving absolutely no markings, discoloration, or other indications of use. I tried this product when it first came out and it really worked. It turns out a similar product is still available. Now it’s called Envelop X-Ray Spray. Probably because X-Ray spray sounded like it was a medical product. Like it was more than 20 years ago when the product first came out, it’s expensive. A single can costs anywhere from $19.99 to $39.99. Each can treats several hundred square inches. (My can of X-Ray Spray evaporated over the years it sat in Dick's Gadget Warehouse.) And heed the warning on the can and at most websites where you can buy the product. WARNING: Not to be used on U.S. Mail, except by, or with the express permission of, the addressee. Not shippable by Air. The new product is said to be: Non-flammable, non-conductive, and non-photo chemically reactive. It’s also: Environmentally friendly (contains no Freon or ozone-depleting compounds). I haven’t bought anything at this website, they have the lowest price I saw on my search $19.99, plus S & H.

http://www.homespy.com/xray_envelope_spray.htm

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1180

Now here’s a place that really sells cables cheap!

Thursday, September 16^th, 2010, Netcast 1179

My next purchase: Hook & Loop Fastening Cable Ties 6", 6 Pack 39 cents!Here’s how I found out about www.monoprice.com. It started when I complained on Twitter that when it comes to buying cables, longer is way cheaper! At Meritline.com I saw a 3' Ethernet cable for $13, but a 25' cable was just $9.50. My guess was that they sell a ton more of the long ones. Then I got a return Tweet from TripTucker @thegizwiz try monoprice.com for short cat 6 Ethernet cables. Very handy. When I thanked Trip Tucker, I got this reply: TripTucker    @thegizwiz I heard about monoprice.com from @Patrick norton and @Robert heron. Been a happy customer for years. Cheap hdmi too.

When I mentioned this on The Daily Giz Wiz it turns out Leo had passed that Monoprice website info on to Patrick. But Leo quickly added that he had someone pass it on to him. The outcome? I was able to buy 3’ Cat6 cables for 86 cents each and 1’ Cat6 cables for 61 cents each!! They work fine. I’ve been buying a lot of other stuff there too. Check them out!

www.monoprice.com

Hear or SEE this Netcast:  www.twit.tv/dgw1179 

Two people can share the same music on headphones, but at different volume levels.

Wednesday, September 15^th, 2010, Netcast 1178 

I now have guests at Gizneyland Studio to watch us record The Daily Giz Wiz every Saturday. But to avoid feedback as we record, everyone in the studio needs to be on headsets. I’ve asked people to bring their own headsets and we’re all hooked up to the same audio feed via splitters. But it’s created a problem. Everyone’s volume is determined by my volume. I wondered if there were splitters with individual volume controls. And they are! (Thank you Google.)  It’s from Griffin Technology and it’s called SmartShare.  SmartShare splits the audio from your device into 2 separate outputs, so each listener can enjoy their own set of headphones. It goes into any standard headphone jacks so it works with any iPod, or other headphone-capable devices. Each output jacks has it own slider volume control. If you use this device on powered headphones, the volume change is tiny, but on non powered headphones it goes from loud to almost off. They sell for about $15, but do a web search. I found one place charging a ridiculous $40.95. The list price is only $20!! They are two versions. You’ll need the Griffin SmartShare + Adapter for iPhones with the deep headphone jack. Otherwise the ordinary SmartShare works fine. Checking the Griffin site I see this product is now listed as “discontinued”, but it’s available all over the Internet. 

Here’s a place on Amazon that sells it for under $10. (I haven’t shopped here.) 

http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-SmartShare-Headphone-Splitter-Individual/dp/B000EHCYBC 

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1178

Leo “ties” one on for this Turn The Table Tuesday.

TTTT, Tuesday, September 14^th, 2010, Netcast 1177 

For this Turn The Table Tuesday Leo doesn’t bring out the 2 X 4 he threatens to use some week. But his pick is pretty close. No batteries, no LED’s, no USB cable and nothing to download. Leo's pick are neckties! Well, not just any old neckties, these are Game Ties for nerds & geeks mainly. They're ties that should bring back fond memories of favorite video games from the past. As one ad says: You can keep your video game close to your heart, and around your neck. These neckties are perfect for anyone who spent most of their teenage years glued to a Space Invaders machine, or played Tetris endlessly. Other ties include Pong, Asteroids, Crosswords, Hockey, Football, etc. There's even an 8-Bit tie. Each 100% silk game tie is sold separately at $18.95 each, plus S & H. They're sure to be a conversation starter, especially if you go to a party with other souls who lived in the video arcades when they were younger! 

http://www.ties.com/v/a/game-tie-falling-tetrominoes-black-tie

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1177

The Spork gets company!

Daily Giz Wiz, Monday, September 13^th, 2010, Netcast 1176

It’s called the Eat'N Tool and it's from the folks at Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT). To quote their website: “We're inspired by great design. Our I.D. Works products are not tools you will find anywhere else. They are organic and ergonomic shapes, sometimes whimsical, always useful. Our new Eat'N Tool is the brainchild of New York City designer Liong Mah. At first glance it looks like the familiar spoon/fork "spork" combination, but Liong has used his ingenuity and computer-aided design skills to create a lightweight, high-tech outdoor tool.” Although this gizmo doesn’t have a cutting edge, it has a lot of other features. There is an ergonomic spoon, and a short-tuned fork. In addition, there's a handy bottle opener on one side. The right side of the handle is ground to provide an emergency screwdriver blade, which will also work as a pry for opening canisters. A large hole in the center is not only designed for finger gripping, but also keeps the Eat'N Tool weight down. But wait, there’s more! There are thrree metric (10 mm, 8 mm, 6 mm) wrench openings, useful for emergency repairs, provided you need metric. The tool weight is just 1.5 ounces. It comes with a snap-on carry on D-ring. The Eat'N Tool is available in a bead-last finish (9100C), or with a food grade black non-stick coating (9100KC).  Do a web search and you’ll find it as low as $4. 

www.crkt.com 

Hear or SEE this Netcast: www.twit.tv/dgw1176