Latest Episodes for this Channel
Sat November 15 2008
The iPhone has become a life-changer for me. This little device has become such an extension of everything about me -- work, home, whatever -- that I ...
read more
The iPhone has become a life-changer for me. This little device has become such an extension of everything about me -- work, home, whatever -- that I would be absolutely lost with it. That's why I've
been anxious to try several recording applications to see how they fare at helping me create podcasts. As a test, I used an app called FourTrack to do an entire podcast recently. I then decided to
eva...
read more
The iPhone has become a life-changer for me. This little device has become such an extension of everything about me -- work, home, whatever -- that I would be absolutely lost with it. That's why I've
been anxious to try several recording applications to see how they fare at helping me create podcasts. As a test, I used an app called FourTrack to do an entire podcast recently. I then decided to
evaluate several other recording applications by placing test recordings online. The result is this latest podcast. There's actually very little difference among them. The apps tested were: iTalk
from Griffin. FourTrack from Sonoma Wire Works. Recorder from Retronyms. SpeakEasy from Zarboo Software. ChicagoScope feedback line: 312-683-5272. Send e-mail to ChicagoScope@gmail.com.
read less
Wed November 12 2008
At work we have something called the "free table" where anything that comes in over the transom goes that's up for grabs. Today, I found a copy of the...
read more
At work we have something called the "free table" where anything that comes in over the transom goes that's up for grabs. Today, I found a copy of the just-published "Rules of Thumb: A Life Manual."
Author Tom Parker's tome is about the size of one of the Big Little Books and is just the right dimensions to cram into a day pack or purse. The book is described by Workman Publishing as "a mix of
fol...
read more
At work we have something called the "free table" where anything that comes in over the transom goes that's up for grabs. Today, I found a copy of the just-published "Rules of Thumb: A Life Manual."
Author Tom Parker's tome is about the size of one of the Big Little Books and is just the right dimensions to cram into a day pack or purse. The book is described by Workman Publishing as "a mix of
folk wisdom, common sense, shared experience, the advice of experts, and the kind of group think that's made websites like Wikipedia so vital. 'Rules of Thumb' is the impulsive compendium of 1,000
general principles that apply to every facet of life. Collected by Tom Parker for over 25 years, these are rules that are practical, quirky, and as entertaining to read as they are relevant to the
reader." The book is a fun read, whether on your commute or on your commode. My favorite rule of thumb is this one: Two out of every three magazines tossed along the roadside will be pornographic.
That's absolutely true. Back when I was in junior high, I was walking my grandmother back from the Miller's supermarket at JCRS shopping center along Pierce Street in Lakewood, Colorado, when she
noticed a magazine at the curb and picked it up. We stood there speechless for an embarrassingly long moment as we each read this gay publication's title to ourselves: He's Hard, I'm Lucky. (Although
on second thought, it might have been Him Hard, Me Lucky.) Grandma held the magazine carefully between her thumb and forefinger until we reached a dumpster at the next alley. Be sure to have a look
at the "Rules of Thumb" website, and contribute some of your own rules. And for more information on the FourTrack application I used to record this podcast on my iPhone, visit Sonoma Wire Works or
check out this MarketWatch story. ChicagoScope feedback line: 312-683-5272. Send e-mail to ChicagoScope@gmail.com.
read less
Sun November 02 2008
Pop culture guy Brendan Shultz is back -- with a solid suggestion that you check out Science Chicago, a yearlong celebration and promotion of science....
read more
Pop culture guy Brendan Shultz is back -- with a solid suggestion that you check out Science Chicago, a yearlong celebration and promotion of science. As Brendan points out, the United States
graduates nearly 10 times as many lawyers and accountants than scientists and engineers. Is that a problem? Listen to Brendan's assessment and tell us what you think. DOWNLOADS AND WEBSITES Brendan
takes a lo...
read more
Pop culture guy Brendan Shultz is back -- with a solid suggestion that you check out Science Chicago, a yearlong celebration and promotion of science. As Brendan points out, the United States
graduates nearly 10 times as many lawyers and accountants than scientists and engineers. Is that a problem? Listen to Brendan's assessment and tell us what you think. DOWNLOADS AND WEBSITES Brendan
takes a look at Google's new Chrome browser, which promises to give Internet Explorer and Firefox a run for their money. He's especially impressed by Chrome's stability, its "incognito mode" that
hides your browsing tracks and how the application displays recent history within tabs. If you have some time on your hands and are handy with your hands, Brendan says you should take a look at the
blockheaded pop-cultural icons at Cubeecraft. Imperial Stormtroopers, Indiana Jones -- even Mr. Stay Puft can emerge from your printer and grace your work area. Rounding out our list of fun stuff is
Fantastic Contraption, a Flash-based online game that makes players construct devices to deliver a pink ball into a pink square. The devices can become quite complex -- and you can see and learn from
what others have built. One of Brendan's favorites is "Redneck Truck." Warning: The Fantastic Contraption website loads with background music (at least on my Mac, it does), so if you're surfing in
stealth mode at work, you might want to turn off your sound first. ChicagoScope feedback line: 312-683-5272. Send e-mail to ChicagoScope@gmail.com.
read less
Sun September 14 2008
I was anxious to visit Jolane's Cafe & Wine Bar. The place is a side project by the folks behind Abt Electronics & Appliances, which is the in...
read more
I was anxious to visit Jolane's Cafe & Wine Bar. The place is a side project by the folks behind Abt Electronics & Appliances, which is the indisputable king of Chicago-area consumer
electronics retailers. I haven't heard anybody say a bad word about Abt -- ever. (Disclosure: I recently bought a Toshiba HDTV from the store.) Jolane's is located in the Abt "campus" -- translation:
big box s...
read more
I was anxious to visit Jolane's Cafe & Wine Bar. The place is a side project by the folks behind Abt Electronics & Appliances, which is the indisputable king of Chicago-area consumer
electronics retailers. I haven't heard anybody say a bad word about Abt -- ever. (Disclosure: I recently bought a Toshiba HDTV from the store.) Jolane's is located in the Abt "campus" -- translation:
big box shopping center -- out in Glenview. We give it mostly high marks. If you've been there, let us know what you think. Read Leah's published review Other assessments Centerstage Chicago Yelp
Metromix Restaurant contact info Jolane's Cafe & Wine Bar 1100 N. Milwaukee Ave., Glenview, Ill. 60025 847-375-6986 ChicagoScope feedback line: 312-683-5272. Send e-mail to
ChicagoScope@gmail.com.
read less
Mon September 01 2008
Desktop snacking is the scourge of my efforts to diet. This is compounded by the easy availability of a cornucopia of piggy-boy dee-lites at the Walgr...
read more
Desktop snacking is the scourge of my efforts to diet. This is compounded by the easy availability of a cornucopia of piggy-boy dee-lites at the Walgreens across the street. My latest discovery at
the Walgreens is Burger King Ketchup & Fries, which is supposed to taste like french fries smothered in ketchup, I suppose. That's not exactly the taste that comes through, but I found myself
eating ...
read more
Desktop snacking is the scourge of my efforts to diet. This is compounded by the easy availability of a cornucopia of piggy-boy dee-lites at the Walgreens across the street. My latest discovery at
the Walgreens is Burger King Ketchup & Fries, which is supposed to taste like french fries smothered in ketchup, I suppose. That's not exactly the taste that comes through, but I found myself
eating half the bag. So, I guess that means they're good. While searching for other assessments of Burger King Ketchup & Fries, I found a great site devoted to snacks called Taquitos.net. They
really liked this snack. Technical note: I recorded the audio on my iPhone using a killer application called Recorder. What I really like now is that even when I don't have my Marantz recorder or
Canon PowerShot with me, I can still create podcasts on the fly with my iPhone using Recorder for sound and iPhone's camera for the visual. ChicagoScope feedback line: 312-683-5272. Send e-mail to
ChicagoScope@gmail.com.
read less
Taste Of Brooklyn Podcasts
