Technobabble

Finally, a Company That Gets It Run—don’t walk—to buy the new Neuros OSD, an open-source PVR, or personal video recorder. Here is a company making products with the consumer first in mind and not the shareholders—revolutionary. They not only leave the machine open for hacking, they encourage it with cash incentives to those who can improve the functionality of the unit: $1,000 for a YouTube or Google video browser, $600 for a Flickr photo browser, $500 for a WiFi PSP or PDA remote, $700 for a TiVo-like recording function for radio/satellite radio and $500 for getting VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol that allows you to route conversations over the Internet) running on the device. Apparently they are first making the unit available to Linux hackers, who will improve the functionality for those of us who are less code-inclined. Power adapters are not proprietary, so you can buy them at any Radio Shlock-type store. Good on ya, Neuros.

Feelin’ IT And if you are having trouble hacking your new Neuros OSD, this guy should be able to give you a hand. That is, if you live in the Bay Area, are a woman and don’t mind exchanging an “innocent grope” for your repairs. This from Craigslist.org:

I’ll Fix Your Computer if You Let Me Feel Your Boobs—26 (Haight-Ashbury): Cute/nice IT guy/PC specialist will fix your computer in exchange for a gentle feel of your boobs. I’m a totally non-creepy (really) professional who will repair your hard drive, back up files, install software and peripherals, whatever, for an innocent grope. I have a lot of tech knowledge in my life and regrettably no boobs. Serious inquiries only and thanks.

Hey mom, sis, this guy looks legit …

Frak’n Cool I’m going to preface this next entry with the fact that I have not owned a television set in close to 20 years. Very few shows can hold my interest. But Battlestar Galactica , the new one, is different. Zack Exley, of MoveOn.org fame, and other online activists think similarly. They are putting together the world’s largest virtual premiere party for the season-three opener on the Sci Fi Channel, Oct. 6. That only gives you a week to get the four-part miniseries and seasons one and two from Netflix or iTunes. I really recommend it as this intergalactic soap is gripping viewing, with deeply developed characters, but confusing if you come in halfway. Look into it here: frakparty.com.

In Other News Zimbabwe has run out of foreign currency to pay its $700,000-per-month Internet bill, so its “tubes” have been severely restricted. And one of the coolest gadgets—and so simple an idea—that I have seen in some time: The USB AA battery, which charges in any USB port. It may have trouble powering anything requiring more than four batteries because of its low voltage, but man is this cool. Check it out at www.usbcell.com.