Episode 833

Altitude with an Attitude
See the Bladestar in action.

Propeller on a Stick
If you want a full helicopter, Dick has talked about the PicooZ Helicopter before (Episode 204), or you can get the Dragonfly that Leo mentions.  For something simpler, try looking for the retro toy propeller on a stick, or make one yourself - with full instructions on sci-toys.com.

DIY Propeller On A Stick: sci-toys.com

Learning English on Audible
Paul Griswold, who's visited Dick at his office at MAD, has found another use for Audible. Paul has a Japanese wife, who finds listening to Audible books, along with the book itself borrowed from the library, a great way of learning English.

Bat Boy The Musical
Bat Boy was a fictional creature featured in the old tabloid Weekly World News, and made his way into an off-Broadway musical, learning English by watching Masterpiece Theatre (originally hosted by the late Alistair Cooke, now by Laura Linney). There's even a recording on CD of the musical by the original cast.

Episode 832

Power Demo of the Gyroscopes
Rather than listen to Leo explain how the 2 gadgets today work, it's better to watch his demo and show of strength.  Clip taken from odtv.me.

Another Guest Appearance on DGW
Guests on DGW have been rare.  There have been Amber MacArthur (Episode 77) and Henry Laporte (Episode 252).  Dane Golden, after his voice appearance as White Fang in Episode 826, makes his video debut, as himself.  Dane is also thinking where the TWiT Head Office should be, perhaps in Truth Or Consequences in New Mexico.

Thumbs-Up for the Pogoplug
Regular correspondent Toyota Boy is very happy with the Pogoplug (Episode 817), and Leo confirms that the iPhone App designed for it works on 3G as well as Wifi. Pity it doesn't work as a cup warmer too, laments Toyoto Boy.

Episode 831

It's a Brand New Opening Intro
After setting up TWiT's "Home Office" in Pickles Gap, Arkansas (see Episode 830), Leo decides to create a morning mood, with a little help from Dennis Wunderlin and Grieg's Peer Gynt Suites, for the brand new day and the brand new week - and it's a brand new opening intro.  Watch how Dick and Leo prepare for it before the show starts.

A Warning Jingle for Too Many Jingles?
Some people complain that there are too many themes in the show.  Michael Rivers suggests that there should be a jingle to warn them that a jingle is coming.  Personally, Michael thinks that the Daily Giz Wiz is just pure joy.

There have been similar suggestions before for a jingle to forewarn the playing of the Letters Jingle (partly because it used to start rather abruptly when it was on Leo's external hard drive).  See Episode 266 to Episode 278, and Episode 664.

Episode 824

The Early Days of TWiT

Leo explains the origin of the name TWiT.  When the old gang from G4/TechTV, including Leo, Patrick Norton, Kevin Rose, David Prager and Robert Heron, got together for the podcast, they originally called the show Revenge of the Screen Savers.  They soon got a cease and desist letter from G4.  Eventually they asked the listeners to make suggestions for the name, and the winning entrant would get a surprise box of stuff from Patrick's garage - the "box of crap".  Entries included Revenge Of The Green Saviours, SledgeCast, Saved By The Geeks, and This Week In Geek, the last of which was closest to what Leo wanted.  In the end Leo decided on This Week In Tech, shortened to the acronym TWiT which became the name of the site and his podcasting network.

For a summary of the early episodes of TWiT (0 to 9), you can get Episode 81 of TWiT: The Early Years.  It is a collection of tidbits from the podcasts (not a best-of) outlining how the podcast evolved in the early days, badly put together by none other than myself, which I would have called TWiTbits.

Leo's Life Stories

Dick and Leo have often talked about Leo's autobiography and its title, the last time in Episode 812.  Tom Pruett has 3 ideas for Leo's book, all of which lend themselves easily to TV production as well.

The Pod Couple - Leo Laporte has recently lost his job at TechTV.  Despondent, he wanders aimlessly until his friend Dick DeBartolo comes to the rescue and the two do a podcast together.  The trouble is Dick is neat and tidy and Leo is a slob ...

The PodFather - An aging patriarch of an organised podcasting dynasty, Leo Laporte, wants to transfer control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant friend Dick DeBartolo.  A story of power and greed, culminating in the Toothpick Bird and Spork Episodes.

Podman Begins - A retrospective look at the Podman legend and his emergence into a force for good.  A disillusioned tech journalist Leo Laporte travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and to turn fear against those who prey on the fearful.  He comes back as his alter ego Podman, a mass crusader who uses his strength, intelligence and vast podcasting network to fight sinister forces.  Don't forget his butler, Leo adds, Dick TheBartolo.