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Entries 50 Total Description

A presentation of links to websites and online resources that I enjoy and have come to rely on for information concerning all aspects of technology and innovation across the digital ecosystem.

Discovering Great Websites

Oct 23, ’12 9:42 PM

For years now I have primarily used four main methods to discover cool new web sites.

1. The first method I call “Rubbing The Magic Lamp” is entering a target phrase or term like a secret word into Google or Bing and then sorting through the found mess to come up with something compelling and worthy.

2. My second method I call “Hunt and Peck” which is simply following links in emails, press releases, hyperlinks etc. to discover their sources which more often than not lead to a whole wealth of additional sites.

3. My third method is “Stumbling” in which I use Stumble Upon to discover interesting sites.

4. The fourth is my most recent practice of following promising links I find in tweets that I follow that look to be from good sources.

I always carry a notepad to jot down a random URL because you never know when or where they pop up. You could be watching TV and BA-ZING a new one.

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Deal Site: No More Rack

Aug 17, ’12 3:25 AM

There are millions of sites that claim to be great deal sites and then there’s the Penny Auction swindles. I found a daily deal site actually worth taking a look ay. Its called No More Rack: http://nomorerack.com.  They have a fair mix of products for the diligent and frugal consumer.

For exam[ple I found a $59 Android tablet that I intend to check out. IU also am looking at picking up a  $12 set of Altec Lansing Bliss Platinum Series Headphones .

Another deal site that has pretty good prices and products and deals is Buy Cheaper at http://www.buycheapr.com.  I found a phone I was hunting a long time for at a low price.  If you know of other lesser known but good deal sites please let me know (but do not spam me!)
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Site: Daily Deals Observer

Jun 7, ’12 8:08 AM

Mergers-and-acquisitions

Last month I wrote and posted an article commenting on the importance of monitoring the current wave of tech industry mergers and acquisitions either to seek out opportunities or to have an idea of where your socially submitted private information may be headed.

At the time I thought one had to hop and skip around the whole web or diligently scan hundreds of sites in order to keep up to date. Since then I have thankfully discovered a great web site that helps us accomplish this task.

That site is the Daily Deals Observer. If you have an RSS feed reader consider subscribing to their feed

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The Coolness Factor Latest Edition available: FREE!

Mar 28, ’12 9:46 AM

Paper.Li is a very compelling vehicle for maintaining you very own timely publication utilizing the posts and tweets of those sources you follow. Some prominent folks such as Guy Kawasaki have turned to Paper.Li to get their work done more effectively. If you have a free moment take that time to check Paper.Li out for yourself!

HAVE A GREAT APRIL

Spring has sprung so get out there and enjoy nature!The Coolness Factor 3.28 Edition

To read the latest edition of the The Coolness Factor FREE CLICK HERE!

 

 

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Your Own Talk Show: Talk Shoe

Jul 28, ’11 10:00 AM

Talk Shoe

There are a great many worthy online services that are far too underutilized by the millions of available online users. Many of these for a variety of reasons disappear and die off before their time. One of better of these carries the witty name of TalkShoe.

TalkShoe fits loosely under the genre of “podcasting” and is really more like Skype for podcasters, being about community calling that enables listeners to join in, or create, and listen to Live Interactive Discussions,

Conversations and Podcasts and Audioblogs

If you’ve ever had a desire to host your own talk show then Talk Shoe is the exact right combination of tools supporting your new ambition.

Hosted Community Calls can be discussions, conversations, talk shows and podcasts. Recorded Community Calls can be listened to, downloaded, or subscribed to. And if your Community Call becomes popular, you might be able to make a little money too with the TalkShoe Cash program.

Talkers & Listeners

Friends and associates, as well as the general Internet surfer can find and join a Live Community Call. Connect with people of common interests, and make new friends. You can choose to talk, text-chat, or just listen along.

Bloggers & Podcasters

Connect with your podcasting and blogging audience. Create, schedule and run a live show. You can do it live with others, or upload existing podcast episodes.

When you’re finished recording, your show is listed on TalkShoe, and can be listed on your blog, iTunes, and other podcast directories.

To start a Community Call

Sign-Up then click the Create button. There, you’ll describe your Community Call, schedule it, and invite anyone you want. You can schedule it in the future, or even right now! When your Community Call goes live (or up to 15 minutes before) you join as the host, and record when you’re ready. What makes a good Community Call? Really anything that interests you and you’re passionate about. You can also upload existing podcast episodes. And you can also download and edit your recorded Community Calls. If you need some assistance, we recommend you watch our video demos

Or just participate or listen in

First, find a live or recorded Community Call viewing our Community Call Directory, where you’ll find all sorts of Community Calls that may interest you. If you want to join a Live Community Call, you can just listen in, or we recommend downloading our TalkShoe Live! Pro software to begin talking and chatting live. And if you don’t find a Community Call you like, why not create your own!

To get started read their HELP link and If you are still unsure of your skills they have free training for prospective hosts: Tuesday June 7th (7pm EST /4pm PST); + other dates/times -

TalkShoe Live! Pro 

The Pro version software provides many unique features and widgets allowing you to easily integrate into your blog, website, Facebook, MySpace page, and more. There’s a single player that lists all of your recorded, upcoming and live shows!

Earn some money

Well, you can build a listening audience and earn some revenue through their TalkShoe Cash program.

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Lifehacker.com’s new Look and Feel

Jul 7, ’11 5:59 PM

Lifehacker

Let me start by saying that I have been a fan of Lifehacker for a long time. I subscribe to, depend on and thoroughly enjoy their excellent RSS feed. Now their website has come up to snuff.

Lifehacker.com has a great new look and User Interface (UI). This website rebuild now allows for much better and effective tunneling into Lifehacker’s posted articles and information.

If you prefer the older blog presentation you can revert to it.

You can also select posts by popularity, timeliness, or see a list of top stories , if none of those get it you can use the search field to hunt for specifics.

I really do like it, maybe not quite as much as I love the GDGT rebuild but definitely much more than many others that I have been subjected to in recent years.

Lifehacker.com

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Tablets Compared: NY Times

Jul 2, ’11 10:22 AM


I just found an interesting N.Y. Times article comparing tablets.

If you are in the market for a new tablet you just might want to check out the article first, and if you can sort out all the specs it might help you make an informed decision or at least keep you from making a costly mistake. If you are anything like me after gathering all the relevant information you just might throw up your hands and go for the leader of the pack. In this case that would be Apple’s iPad, of course. A few of the tablet market competitors are quite compelling but in the area of Apps Apple reins supreme and has them all beat, hands down.

In my case the rumor of a possible new iPad 3 expected sometime around September may cause me to hesitate, but if it has the potential of losing me money and business I’ll bite the bullet sooner.

 

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MoMB: Museum of Modern Betas

Jun 22, ’11 11:57 AM


MoMB is a site dedicated to collecting web based applications on a beta trip. The MoMB recently turned five, and state that they are still in early alpha, needing to figure a few things out.

MoMB has been a favorite of mine for the full five years of its existence. It is how I have discovered many useful tools and Social Media sites, however I feel it is now beginning to deserve the museum designation in its name.
It is high time for a UI upgrade. I’m sure with all the talent out here they can enlist some to plan and execute a interface to this exceptional site. I’m not just hoping for just something pretty but something super-functional enhancing our exploration and discovery of the more than 10,000 sites listed there and surely there are more to come because the wave hasn’t crested.

I make this recommendation out of deep appreciation with respect for the enormous work they have done over the years. I think they were the only ones that can truly say they saw the Social Media wave coming.

If you have suggestions or ideas drop them a note at saurierduval-at-gmail-dot-com.

MoMB

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COOL GADGET SITE: GDGT.COM

Jun 17, ’11 6:12 PM
GDGT.com

GDGT.com

Being a gadget freak with full credentials I am given to being a bit spoiled and yes, jaded. So, when it comes to viewing, using, or reviewing web sites I am given ti finding fault even when there is none. Seldom after the initial scan do I take the time to revisit to see how they may have changed or improved. One site has me rethinking my position and approach. Is GDGT.

GDGT.com, the gadget site was prettty good on first view a year ago. but it really did not impress me much then. Recently I had the occasion to revisit GDGT.com and DAMN, I was blown off my feet. Now, The more I use it, the more it moves into the category of FAVORITE. It takes a lot to put up a site that I think is a big step forward bit GDGT has done exactly that. It is attractive and highly readable. Plus it is Loaded with a horde of new features. I haven’t seen a design revision on the web this well executited. The folks at the design industry magazine HOW should document this revision so that would-be web designers can learn from it. An unqualified success!

My hearty Congratulations to GDGT and the team that did the work. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

According to the site: “GDGT is the place to ask someone who actually knows the answer to your gadget question. Build your product list and we’ll send you the best new reviews of the gadgets you want, and the most helpful questions and answers about the gadgets you have.”

I don’t know exactly what they did but TCF readers do yourself a flavor. check out GDGT and join their community.I congratulate the whole team over at GDGT on their hard work and dedication, it shows.

GDGT.com

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COOL RESOURCE: Smashing Magazine

Jun 17, ’11 5:10 PM
Smashing Magazine

Smashing Magazine

 

Smashing Magazine is  an independent publication Founded in September 2006,

Smashing Magazine delivers useful and innovative information to Web designers and developers. Their aim is to inform readers about the latest trends and techniques in Web development. They try to persuade readers not with the quantity but with the quality of the information they present.

RESOURCES:

  • Templates & Themes
  • Widgets:
  • Code Snipets
  • Shopping Carts
  • Utilities
  • Training
  • Job Listings
  • Feeds
  • Articles
  • Smashing Magazine

Perhaps the most remarkable yet overlooked aspect of the design community is its friendly, enthusiastic spirit. Every day, literally thousands of talented, hard-working folks out there gain new insight from their work, come up with brilliant ideas and then share their experience with fellow designers.

Nourished by the gratitude of its benefactors and powered by the reach of social networking, this community has produced a wide variety of high-quality articles, resources and tools, available to everybody. Every single contribution supports the entire community, and the community supports these contributors with traffic and word-of-mouth advertising: the networking effect at its best.

Who is behind This Smashing Magazine?

Smashing Media GmbH is behind Smashing Magazine.  They state that they are a young and growing company that publishes articles on various online magazines, but are also known for producing both electronic and printed books on Web design, Web development and desktop publishing.

Productivity is a crucial asset of professional Web designers and developers. We regularly look for new resources, tools and services to make the search of these ever-growing techniques easier. Once we have a reasonable number of useful resources, we prepare them in a handy overview for your convenience. In this post we present some of the useful resources and tools for designers and Web developers.

If you are a web designer, you are dependent on your resources and rely on tools and techniques that increase your productivity and expertise. One of most useful resources I have found is Smashing /Magazine. They have deployed a website that is packed with tools, techniques and links to useful resources.

Smashing Magazine

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VERY COOL WEB SERVICE: Talk Shoe

Jun 1, ’11 12:09 PM

Talk Shoe1

Talk Shoe1

 

It is too easy to totally forget to revisit important sites and services you have discovered in your online experiences.Of course you can always bookmark them, but even that is an inexact science because we all know we save them but seldom use them. One site I lost or actually forgot about was TALK SHOE. It helped me get over the painful lost of FireTalk back at the turn of the millenia.

TalkShoe is about community calling enabling folks to join, create, and listen to Live Interactive Discussions, Conversations and Podcasts and Audioblogs.

Hosted Community Calls can be discussions, conversations, talk shows and podcasts. Recorded Community Calls can be listened to, downloaded, or subscribed to. And if your Community Call becomes popular, you might be able to make a little money too with the TalkShoe Cash program.

Talkers & Listeners

Friends and associates, as well as the general Internet surfer can find and join a Live Community Call. Connect with people of common interests, and make new friends. You can choose to talk, text-chat, or just listen along.

Bloggers & Podcasters

Connect with your podcasting and blogging audience. Create, schedule and run a live show. You can do it live with others, or upload existing podcast episodes. We’re flexible.

When you’re finished recording, your show is listed on TalkShoe, and can be listed on your blog, iTunes, and other podcast directories.

The powerful TalkShoe Live! Pro software provides many unique features

TalkShoe Widgets

You can easily integrate into your blog, website, Facebook, MySpace page, and more. There’s even a single player that lists all of your recorded, upcoming and live shows!

To start a Community Call

Sign-Up then click the Create button. There, you’ll describe your Community Call, schedule it, and invite anyone you want. You can schedule it in the future, or even right now! When your Community Call goes live (or up to 15 minutes before) you join as the host, and record when you’re ready. What makes a good Community Call? Really anything that interests you and you’re passionate about. You can also upload existing podcast episodes. And you can also download and edit your recorded Community Calls. If you need some assistance, we recommend you watch our video demos

Or you can just participate or listen

First, find a live or recorded Community Call viewing our Community Call Directory, where you’ll find all sorts of Community Calls that may interest you. If you want to join a Live Community Call, you can just listen in, or we recommend downloading our TalkShoe Live! Pro software to begin talking and chatting live. And if you don’t find a Community Call you like, why not create your own!

To get started read their HELP link and If you are still unsure of your skills they have free training for prospective hosts: Tuesday June 7th (7pm EST /4pm PST); + other dates/times – …

Earn money?

Build a listening audience with the TalkShoe Cash program.

http://www.talkshoe.com/

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CRAYON: CReAte Your OwN newspaper

May 28, ’11 7:16 AM

CRAYON

Back in the days of Portals and Personalization I had a little known favorite. Over time I forgot about it and did not use my account in over what was probably six years. I woke up one morning thinking about it and decided to go online to see if it still existed. To my surprise CRAYON was alive and after a little experimention I was able to pull up my account and there was my personal newspaper.

I congratulate the folks at CRAYON for holding the fort and surviving through all the trends and internet changes.

Dave Maher is also a graduate of Bucknell University, with a BS in Computer Science and Engineering. He lives in Southern Maryland

Jeff Boulter co-founded CRAYON with Dave Maher. He is currently pursuing other opportunities.

They state that there are now 150,000 users which might be what has kept them around, But CRAYON still does not deserve to be a best kept secret.

Visit them here: main CRAYON page

Or: CReAte Your FREE Newspaper

WHAT TO DO? Create and configure your own free main page

  1. Choose a password for your paper
  2. Modify your newspaper
  3. Set up how your paper looks and works
  4. Title your paper
  5. Enter a motto or slogan for your newspaper
  6. Choose a Page Layout
  7. Add news sources section-by-section
  8. Publish your newspaper
  9. Bookmark your paper
  10. Go to the URL to read your paper daily

Take a minute to give it a try. It’s free and useful. You might even want to make it your browser’s start page.

 

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My Favorite Links

May 4, ’11 6:28 PM

Here are pointers to a few of the technology, information and gadget sites I enjoy and rely on the most. This List is not complete but is a work in progress I will add to it as I uncover and discover more. Feel free to advise me of important similar ones.

http://gdgt.com
http://www.netmag.co.uk
http://www.gizmag.com
http://news.cnet.com/crave/?tag=rb_content;overviewHead
http://www.t3.com
http://www.eweek.com
http://www2.webmasterradio.fm
http://arstechnica.com
http://my.alltop.com

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Who The Heck is HTC???

May 4, ’11 10:21 AM

I recently received a request, more in the form of a question. Many thanks to Wikipedia for excellent background info on the company. So here we go…

Who The Heck is HTC Corporation and where did they come from?

HTC Corporation formerly High Tech Computer Corporation was founded in 1997 and is a Taiwan-based manufacturer of smartphones. HTC is led by Cher Wang and Peter Chou.

HTC started out as  a manufacturer of notebook computers. Soon after HTC began making smartphones based on Microsoft‘s Windows Mobile operating system (OS) software, in 2009 HTC shifted much of its focus from Windows Mobile devices to devices based on Googles Android OS Platform. In 2010 HTC included Windows Phone OS.

For T-Mobile HTC’s G1, was the first phone on the market to use the Android mobile device platform.

Since then HTC has designed some of the first and best touch and wireless hand-held devices in 1998.

A long history of litigation began In March 2010, when Apple Inc. filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission claiming infringement of 20 of its patents covering aspects of the iPhone user interface and hardware.[10] HTC disagreed with Apple’s actions and reiterated its commitment to creating innovative smartphones.[11] HTC in response filed a complaint against Apple for infringing on 5 of its patents and sought to ban Apple products imported into the US from manufacturing facilities in Asia.[12][13] Apple expanded its original complaint by adding two more patents.[14]

In June 2010, HTC launched the HTC Evo 4G, the first 4G-capable phone in the United States.

HTC has reached great heights and was named the “Device Manufacturer of the Year” for 2011. HTC is listed as the fastest-growing tech company in BusinessWeek’s Info Tech 100

HTC is committed to innovation and invests heavily in R&D and maintains a software design office in Seattle where it designs its own interface for its phones.[25] In 2011, HTC plans to open a research and development office in Durham, North Carolina.

HTC is a high-flying company and The SAGA Continues…

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COOL U.S. TECH MAGAZINES

May 2, ’11 11:28 AM
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COOL MAGAZINE & WEBSITE: T3

Apr 23, ’11 10:30 AM
T3 Magazine

T3 Magazine

I have a favorite magazine. It has been my favorite since the late 90′s. I used to plunk down the cash and purchase T3 whenever I could find it at the few serious newsstands that imported and carried it. When I couldn’t find the magazine I would tune into their website. Lately I have lapsed due to so many other distractions. I had to revisit their site and quickly realized what I had been missing. I thought I owed it to you my readers to turn you on to this important resource if you are not already hip to it.

For someone who is selective about what I sign up for I have subscribed to the full range of T3 offerings including the T3 RSS feed and newsletter. I have also registered to joined their membership. This gives me complete access to some of the best technology and gadget content on the web, and allows me to fully join their community of gadget lovers. Allowing me to:

  • Comment on the latest technology news
  • Give my opinion on T3 gadget reviews
  • Enter the latest competitions and hopefully win the latest technology
  • and finally to Receive their free T3 newsletter

The T3 website is chock full of the latest Headlines; News; Reviews; Features; Tech Videos; Lists; Charts; Awards and much more. It is truly good reading!

http://www.t3.com

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SPECIAL COVERAGE: Web Secrets

Apr 19, ’11 5:23 PM

shhh!

Next week from April 24th to May 1st The Coolness Factor is presenting a week-long series of exclusive posts uncovering tons of Web Secrets. We will explore the”Hidden Web” and little known and seldom discussed areas of online opportunities.

If this is interesting to you, make sure you take a moment to subscribe to The Coolness Factor’s RSS Feed, you can also have this site bookmarked, or leave yourself a reminder to check back in. Also consider registering on the site beacuse the contents of the “Secrets Special” will eventually be repurposed into an email newsletter for registered site users only.

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COOL SOURCE: Tech meme

Apr 8, ’11 11:30 AM
Tech meme

Tech Meme

The goal for Techmeme is to become your favorite tech news site. A few months back The Coolness Factor did a special in-depth report on the concept of Internet Aggregators. At the time we totally forgot to include one of the leading sources for vital must-read technology stories that are scattered across thousands of news sites and blogs. Story selection is accomplished via computer algorithm and extended with direct human editorial input. The result is that Techmeme does a yeoman’s job of arranging these links into a single, easy-to-read or scan page.

http://www.techmeme.com/

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COOL SITE: Ars Technica

Apr 8, ’11 10:12 AM

Ars Technica

Ars Technica

I have been impressed with how Ars Technica has stepped up and become a comprehensive source of technology news and information about things digital and online.

I appreciate their direct no-frills presentation and easy to navigate user interface. Their in-depth full-length stories reflect interest  and expertise. Their design speaks to restraint.  Instead of throwing in the kitchen sink because they can. They stuck with basic design principals which make their site easy to explore without tunneling into digital-hell.

http://arstechnica.com/

 

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COOL BLOG: Blog Talk Radio

Apr 8, ’11 9:39 AM

 

blogtalkradio

Blog Talk Radio

Blog Talk Radio is a free internet radio network that allows users to create free live call-in talk shows with unlimited participants. Blog Talk Radio claims to be the worlds largest social radio network. Users can create their own internet radio show or listen to thousands of  other internet radio shows. They allow anyone, anywhere the ability to host a live, Internet Talk Radio show, simply by using a telephone and a computer. Their technology andintegration with leading social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Ning, empowers citizen broadcasters to create and share their original content, voices and opinions in a public worldwide forum. As the largest and fastest-growing social radio network on the Internet they are finding their niche with tens of thousands of hosts and millions of listeners tuning in. businesses also utilize the platform as a tool to extend their brands.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com

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