The Tech Wizard

Special Announcement - Podsafe for Peace

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Fri, 9 Dec 2005 17:42:00 -0800

While I am preparing my next episode, I wanted to share with you a special project that I'm really excited about. It's called Podsafe for Peace. A group of independant musicians has released this collaborative Christmas anthem. All proceeds from the sale of the song, which is available online at www.podsafeforpeace.org will go directly to UNICEF.

To get the song, go to www.podsafeforpeace.org. To HEAR the song, download the episode here.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Theme Music: Bay Bridge by Sympatico

Episode 7: A Soundseeing Tour of Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Sun, 20 Nov 2005 22:41:00 -0800

I know, I know. Two episodes in two days! It's so out of character for me. Once you get over the shock, download this new episode (by clicking this posting's title) . Better yet subscribe to the feed in iTunes, Odeo or other aggregator. This episode is a sound seeing tour of Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, California. Temperature: about 70 degrees F. I hope you feel like you are there yourself. I suggest you pick up a bowl of clam chowder. You are going to want to when your done listening to it.

Theme Music: Bay Bridge by Sympatico

Episode 6 - Subscribing to Podcasts

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Sat, 19 Nov 2005 23:56:00 -0800

TTWP Episode 6 - 11/19/05
Shownotes

Update: I inadvertently uploaded an episode of the Biddy Cast (Lascivious Biddies) which may contain some language not appropriate for some of my listeners. My apologies to anyone who may have been offended. A corrected episode 6 is now available by clicking the title of this post or clicking here.

Today's podcast is all about podcasting and how to get podcasts. In case you are new to this new media form, consider this your introduction to this new world. I'’ll share some of my favorites with you and share a commentary with some reflective thoughts I had after listening to one of my favorites. So, enjoy the show!
Get iTunes version 6 - Audio and Video Podcasts

Speaking of great podcasts, here are a few of my favorites. Search for them on iTunes

Tech- Geek News Central Podcast, HomeNetworkHelp, Radio Leo, TWIT (from Leo Laporte of TechTV fame), MacCast, One Minute Tip, Diggnation, Typical PC User (another good podcast for new computer users),
Teaching - Connected Learning (David Warlick), One Big Head (Jeff Moore), Teach42 (Steve Dembo), EdTech Musician (just to name a few)
General/Other- 1954 and Counting (SF Giants), Gold Rush (SF 49ers), Adam Curry: Daily Source Code (Language!), Digital Photography Tips from the Top Floor, Mashup of the Week, Podfinder (highlights new and interesting podcasts), The Bitterest Pill, and various old time radio shows (making a comeback and inspired me to do a class at school of OTR), The Word Nerds, BiddyCast

Podcast: Biddycast
9/30/2005 episode:

Interview with Amanda (Guitar) about her musical training and influences. I present some reflections on the importance of arts education.

Stay tuned for our next podcast with more tips and tricks to make your life easier in the digital age.

Feature Music: Betty, Lascivious Biddies
Theme Music: Bay Bridge by Sympatico

There's a wonderful digital world out there. Go live it!

Odeo

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Sun, 2 Oct 2005 21:57:00 -0700

The following link is to set my feed up with Odeo, an online service for obtaining podcasts. Check it out at odeo.com

Episode #5 Link

My Odeo Channel (odeo/59d0405caf79dceb)

Episode 5: Printing Photos without a printer?

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Thu, 7 Jul 2005 16:48:00 -0700

Yes, I'm baaaack! Back and ready for action!! In this episode of TTWP, I take my digital pictures from computer to prints without a photo printer. I cover what's available from two commercially available photo printing do-it-yourself kiosks. Plus, another music track feature by Duarte.

Episode #5 Link
Feature Music: Batucaje by Tom Duarte (from the Diamante album)
Theme Music: Bay Bridge by Sympatico

Error in link for Episode 3

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Tue, 5 Jul 2005 14:06:00 -0700

Well, despite my best efforts (I swear I checked everthing!), the link to the Steve Jobs Keynote address in which Apple's CEO gives us a preview of the podcasting features just fulfilled last week had a typo. Oops! The original post has now been corrected and the information is also repeated below. It's about an hour long, but it's worth a look for the times listed below. Sorry for my slip.

Steve Jobs address to the Apple Worldwide Developer's Conference -- see it here

includes mention of plans for incorporating podcasting into ITunes version 4.9 in 6:50 - 12:25 minutes.

TTWP Episode 4: Digital Camera Buyer's Guide and more!

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Sat, 2 Jul 2005 17:43:00 -0700

Whoa! This one is a long one! 1 hr. long and 13 MB is size! I guess I had a lot to cover and had fun doing it! :) Don't worry, this won't be my typical length. Topics covered include my Digital Camera Buyer's Guide, BIG news from Apple on iTunes 4.9, e-mail feedback and more!

I should have TTWP Episode #5 in 10-14 days. My feature for that podcast will be a discussion of things you can do with the digital pictures in your camera. What do you want to learn? Let me know. I'm your online computer teacher!! Just e-mail me!!

Comments? Questions? Email me at thetechwizard@gmail.com. Enjoy!

Episode #4 Link
Feature Music: Gloria by Tom Duarte (from the Diamante album)
Theme Music: Bay Bridge by Sympatico
Other Links: Audible Faith

ITunes 4.9 with Podcasting is here!

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 10:57:00 -0700

Hello Tech Wizard Podcast listeners,

Yes, it's true. iTunes 4.9 is here! Why should you care? Because now you can download and even subscribe to podcasts within iTunes itself, making more that 8,000 podcasts available to you with the click of your mouse. While the Tech Wizard Podcast is not on this list, it will be soon. If you choose to subscribe, iTunes will check for new podcasts daily and download the podcasts YOU want to hear as new episodes are released. It's truly easy and fun! Go to www.apple.com/itunes and download version 4.9 NOW! And when my podcast becomes available via iTunes, I'll let you know.

There are literally THOUSANDS of podcasts available covering almost any topic that interests you. Download them one at at time and or subscribe (for FREE) and you'll get new episodes automatically.

Check it out and enjoy!

P.S. A new podcast will be released very soon and will include a digital camera buying guide and more! Don't miss it!

P.P.S. Thanks for the tip, Eric!

Missing Link from Episode 3

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Mon, 27 Jun 2005 13:05:00 -0700

Oops! In my show notes for Episode 3, I forgot to include the link for the Yahoo! News article (originally from PCWorld Magazine) entitled Secret TiVo Tips and Tweaks. Here's the link. Sorry.

Episode 3 is here!

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 22:35:00 -0700

Yes, Episode 3 of The TechWizard Podcast is now available. In it, I cover the following...

Updates from Episodes 1 and 2

Email
Logitech Harmony 880 Universal Remote NEW

Words You Should Know: MP3, bits, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes, compression
Product of the Day: Tivo (PVR's)
New email list lets you know when there' s a new episode available
Steve Jobs address to the Apple Worldwide Developer's Conference -- see it here

includes mention of plans for incorporating podcasting into ITunes version 4.9 in minutes 6:50 - 12:25.

Music by Sympatico, Bay Bridge (courtesy Podsafeaudio.com)

Additionally, you will hear the debut of my daughter, Ashley, and my son, Jordan, as they assist me with the podcast.

Just click the link below to download it to your computer. There's no need to subscribe using additional software.
Link

New Email List

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Sat, 4 Jun 2005 00:13:00 -0700

I have created a new e-mail list for the podcast. Simply subscribe using the promotional box at the top to this page and you will be notified of new podcasts as they come available. If you don't want to deal with aggregator software for obtaining your podcasts, let ME tell YOU when the new podcasts are available from thetechwizard.blogspot.com. Then just return to this website and download the new podcast. It's free and it's easy. I hope you find it useful.

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Mon, 30 May 2005 21:53:00 -0700

Memorial Day 2005: Our prayers are with all those families who have lost someone to war. They have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. May God continue to bless this great nation.

How to Subscribe to this podcast

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Mon, 30 May 2005 16:40:00 -0700

If you like the TheWizard Podcast, and I hope you do (they'll get better I promise), you can get additional podcasts in one of two ways.

Return to the website periodically and download the latest episode by clicking the link, or ...
Subscribe (for free) to the podcast and get them downloaded at regularly scheduled intervals to your computer.

Download an aggregator (like iPodder available for Mac and PC) here and run the installer.
Open the aggregator, then drag the little orange XML button (called a chicklet) at the top of this page into the aggregator window. The "feed" will then be added to your list of podcasts to be downloaded and the files will be added to your MP3 library..
Set you aggregator to check and select your desired MP3 software, like iTunes available for free from here.

Enjoy the world of podcasting!

For more information about podcasts, see here.
To download a podcast aggregator (to download podcasts), like iPodder, see here.
Find more podcasts to match your interest, here.

Note: You do not have to have an portable MP3 player (like an iPod) to hear these files. You can, however use iTunes (Mac and PC) to sync them to your player and listen to the podcast on the go.

A more detailed guide may come later. Contact me with questions.

Second "First" Podcast

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Sun, 29 May 2005 09:41:00 -0700

In this first podcast with actual planned content, I introduce myself to my listeners. I offer my tech. Words of the Day and discuss Harmony Internet-connected remote. Finally, I present some ideas for Father's Day (and grads too!). Questions, comments and suggestions welcome. Enjoy and spread the word!

Podcast Ep. 2 (42:42)

Podcast Launched

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Fri, 20 May 2005 21:17:00 -0700

Yes, it's true! I have entered the exciting world of podcasting. In this episode, I discuss California housing costs, people who live in garages and other topics, all while taking a "soundseeing" tour of our neighborhood with my family. Recorded May 18, 2005. Episode 1 is 36:20 minutes. Enjoy. Comments welcome. Better yet, drag the XML chicklet at the top of this page into your favorite aggregator.

Email is Exciting?

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 16:46:00 -0700

I introduced the world of e-mail to my fifth graders this week. The classroom teacher had an e-mail project for the students and I wanted to make it happen. I have young children who do not use e-mail. However, I teach grades K-8, the older of whom seem to know what e-mail and instant messenging is all about. It had not occurred to me that e-mail, which until now I have not covered in my computer classes, would be a foreign concept to fifth graders. Most of my fifth graders knew what e-mail was on some level, but had never used it. When I explained some of the things they could do with e-mail, it was like openning up a whole new exciting world to my students. It was a wonderful teaching moment! It's nice to know there are things that I can teach THEM. I don't know when (or how) kids learn to e-mail, but judging my experience this week, it is AFTER fifth grade. But they were truly empowered and jazzed up about this new world I had just openned to them. It was great!

One of the reasons I haven't formally taught e-mail was my reluctance to open the door to spam and virus threats. I checked out gaggle.net and discovered a SAFE way to use e-mail at school without the immense time and resources I would need to devote to it. I am a computer teacher at a small school with no IT person (besides me, that is). In this way, I have to be careful what I take on. I looked into setting up a linux server but I don't know much about linux yet. Gaggle lets me control student e-mail activity for a small cost. Now THAT'S what schools really need. If you are a teacher, check out gaggle.net. You won't be sorry. Sign up and spread the word!

The Pope's Death

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Wed, 6 Apr 2005 21:05:00 -0700

We are all saddened by the death of Pope John Paul II. He was a great role model who truly loved his flock, especially the youth of the Church. As a non-catholic teacher at a catholic school, I am witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime (OK, maybe twice or thrice), historical event unfold. The process of honoring a passing pope and selecting a new one is one that I have never before experienced. It is a fascinating time and I have learned much about what faith means. Please keep the Catholic Church in your prayers at this time.

At this same time, our second graders are getting ready for a very important spiritual event in their lives - their first communion. To be sure, these two simultaneous events provoke interesting discussion about what is means to be a Catholic in the modern day.

For an interesting look at the Vatican during recent and present events, catch the Catholic Insider Podcast. Catholic Insider is a podcast by father Roderick Vonhögen, catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Utrecht, The Netherlands. He does an excellent job of explaining the Catholic faith, traditions and lifestyle in a simplistic way that even non-catholics can understand. He does a great job!! Check it out

Praise God!

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 10:37:00 -0800

Yesterday was Easter. I played trumpet for the 6:30 AM sunrise service. The choir and the handbells performed for the 8:30 and 10:30 AM services. By the end of it we were exhausted. My wife is our church's music director and we have all been preparing for this day for weeks. The choir did a cantata accompanied by a few instrumentalists. The week leading up to Easter was FILLED with rehearsals and working on final details. It's a lot of work, but when you look out into the congregation and see how the music was affecting people, you can only sum it with one word - inspiring! Some were crying, others were smiling. Music is SO powerful! Our pastor believes that music can convey the message of Easter better than any sermon. Judging from the responses yesterday, he may be right. It is such an awesome feeling to know that music can touch the soul so deaply. While we recieved MANY compliments afterwards about how good the music was, it's not an ego thing. God's spirit was clearly present yesterday. Even I was moved to tears several times, knowing how He was using me/us in such a powerful way. Praise the Lord!

Podcasting: Take radio with you

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Wed, 23 Mar 2005 14:14:00 -0800

Podcasting is awesome! No, you do not have to have an iPod to do it. Any MP3 player will do. In fact, if you just want to listen to internet radio on your computer, an MP3 playback software, like iTunes (Mac and Windows), will work nicely. You can fast-forward, rewind or listen to it over and over. It's like Tivo for audio!

So here's how it works. A Podcast is an MP3 of someone's content (e.g. music, talk radio, whatever) that's posted on the internet using what's called an RSS feed. Don't worry about the technical stuff, it's really quite easy. You can get these MP3 audio files in two seperate ways: 1) go the the website of the podcaster (content provider) and download the file, or 2) get an aggregator program to subscribe (free) to any podcasts you might be interested in and have IT download it for you. You can even schedule your downloads! It's great. For aggregators, visit PodcastAlley.com's software site. My personal favorite is Doppler Radio.

Once you have the software, you can browse the Podcast directory to find podcasts you are interested in and subscribe to them. More podcasts are being added all the time. Doppler Radio even allows you to search by keyword, not just by category!

PodcastAlley has a Top 10 and Top 50 lists and you can vote for your favorites. Here are some of MY favorites:

One Big Head -- Reflections of an educational technologist
In The Trenches - Discussions of an IT specialist
Leo Laporte's KFI show --- A great tech help call-in show
The MacCast -- News and discussion from a "Mac Geek" for "Mac Geeks"
GodCast -- Daily Scripture verse

Go to PodcastAlley and find out all about these podcasts and MANY more. You are sure to find something to your liking. Podcasting has made my commutes to work much more enjoyable (who needs more "news"?). I get to learn something new everyday about stuff I care about! Give it a try!!!!

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (George Somers) — Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:24:00 -0800

Welcome to my new blog. As "The Tech Wizard", I do not claim to be a technology expert. Instead, I like to teach others how technology can enrich their lives. In this way, I see myself as a servant who likes to find creative technological solutions that address people's needs. I aim to use my blog to discuss technologies that really get me jazzed up. I hope you will find something here that turns you on, so to speak.

Yes, it's true, I'm a geek. Like many, I am the goto guy for technology questions for my circle of family and friends. However, some of my friends, are more knowledgable than I on many matters. Still, like Genie from Aladdin, I say, "(Poof!) What do you need?" As long as I can help people, I feel I am serving my purpose in life.

Got a technology question? Email me at gosomers@gmail.com. Enjoy my blog!