guys

The 404 188: Where Jeff's jawbone hurts

Poor, poor Jeff. He attended last night's PEPCOM event, a showcase of this holiday season's tech goodies, and left without snagging a free Jawbone headset. Not to rub it in, but I, Dan the Mantern, will be testing mine out this evening. It was a slow news week for The 404, but today's show gets a pick-me-up from B-Sox and Morning Moose, rock jocks for Lazer 103.3 FM in Des Moines, Iowa.

B-Sox and Moose, we love you guys, you're multitalented and witty, but you blew whatever shreds of decency were left at the 404. We know it felt great to be free from all those censorship rules and regulations on a "licensed" broadcast station (they can't even say "goddamn") but, come on, think of the children. All jokes aside, it was a hilarious show, the guys "went there," and we all had a good laugh. Have a great weekend. See you on Monday, if we're not canceled...

EPISODE 188 Download today's podcast … Read more

Alltel debuts new ad with 'sales guys' babies

We all love Chad, don't we? You know Chad: the good-looking, unassuming guy who's taller than his rivals, but not too tall as to intimidate shorter guys, with the square jaw and fauxhawk (are those still in play?), who's so nice and just sincerely wants everyone to be able to share their wireless plans? As long as the plan is from Alltel Wireless Network, that is.

Well, haven't you always wondered what it would be like if we saw those guys as kids? No? Me neither. That's not stopping Alltel from releasing a new spot … Read more

Gadgettes 99: The Shoes Episode

Ever stepped through a grate on the street with your high heels? Yeah, neither have I...but the ladies have. Obviously they are much more qualified to talk about these awesome shoes than I am. Listen now: Download today's podcast EPISODE 99

‘High Heeler’ helps prevent klutzy moments http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9995864-1.html

High heels turn more comfy–in a snap http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9995767-1.html

Are your shoes ringing, or is it just your feet barking? http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9977342-1.html

Super-light Nike Flywire shoes to make Olympic debut http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9998061-1.html … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 756: Dicker caught dickering

You know how sometimes the punishment fits the crime? In this case the criminal fits the crime. GoDaddy's VP of domain auctions, appropriately named Dicker, was caught bidding (dickering?) on domains on his own auction site. D'oh! Also, Sony starts offering some creative incentives to get you to buy their TVs: their movies. Hmm. Listen now: Download today's podcast Episode 756

Save Windows XP http://weblog.infoworld.com/save-xp/archives/2008/06/editors_blog_sa.html http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/30/BUDG11GE33.DTL

Google taps ‘Family Guy’ guy for Web series … Read more

Google goes after video, forgets about YouTube

In an important announcement that could have a major impact on Google's future in video, the New York Times is reporting that Seth MacFarlane, the creator of "Family Guy," will start "Seth MacFarlane's Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy", which Google will syndicate (using AdSense) to thousands of Web sites that fit with MacFarlane's target audience. Instead of a static ad, Google will place the video clip on the site.

Interesting, huh? Not only has the company found a way to bring video to the Web and finally make some money on it, but it has nothing to do with YouTube.

Am I missing something here?

Did Google just happen to forget that YouTube is still hanging around with no prospects for revenue and no advertising platform? I commend Google on forming this deal with the world's most popular cartoonist, but why wouldn't it try to do something on the YouTube front?

Ostensibly, Google believes this idea will yield better revenue, but it still doesn't solve the one problem it can't figure out: YouTube is becoming the company's albatross. And if you ask me, this "Cavalcade" would be best served on YouTube.… Read more

The 404 131: Where the files are in the computer

Mark, the artist formerly known as The Intern, fills in for a busy Wilson today, and where we finally get a hold of our favorite Zoolander sound clip and abuse it all over the show. We also talk about the late PS3 firmware upgrade coming Wednesday, encourage people to be "adult" about "movies," make fun of the French military, and analyze this weekend's box office stats. Finally, take a look these stickers made by 404 listener "Tales"--We do it DIY on the 404, thanks for your support!

EPISODE 131 Download today's podcast … Read more

The 404 114: Where all we drink is SPACE BEER

Cheers to the Space Beer Guy, who makes another appearance on the show today to help us debut our new Analog Pants video. We also talk about TBS's intrusive ad placement, Joy Division's upcoming Zune, naked multimedia messages, and why PS3 owners are quickly destroying our planet. EPISODE 114 Download today's podcast

Where we're biting off a little more than we can actually chew

Today Dave Karp from Tumblr.com tells us why we should all be tumblelogging. Plus we'll get a movie review from Justin and Dave about--brace yourself--Teeth. All this and the new Cleveland show, Indiana Jones 4, and Uwe Boll's craptastic Postal movie. EPISODE 102 Download today's podcast

Who is The VAR Guy?

I will admit it: I've long admired The VAR Guy's blog. It's one of the first (and last) open-source resources I read each day. It's insightful and opinionated, and generally quite smart. He was the next incarnation of the Fake Steve Jobs (minus the bilious attitude :-).

Today I got to meet him in person, along with his beautiful wife ("The VAR Lady"?). It turns out that The VAR Guy is an entrepreneur as well as a great blogger/journalist.

The VAR Guy (I can't bear to use his real name - it'… Read more