TechnoGeekery Show#34: Registered Domain Names… What’s THAT All About?

TechnoGeekery with Chassy Cat is brought to you by Aveeno Baby. Check them out!

This one’s a Quickie, y’all.

Stay tuned, though, for the two-part TechnoGeekery vidcast extravaganza ramma lamma bing bang: “Buying Domain Names… What’s the Point?” in which Chassy Cat will explain why you should consider buying a domain name, and then show you what to DO with one once you have it!

Say it with me now… SWEET!

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

Cat, OUT.

TechnoGeekery Show #28: Leopard and XP Secret Tip

TechnoGeekery with Chassy Cat is brought to you by Aveeno Baby. Check them out!

In today’s episode (featuring a reunion of Cat and Paige from the wildly popular television recap podcast, Veronica Mars REWIND), Chassy Cat and buddy Paige (from Mommycast) share a Leopard AND Windows XP secret tip that is sure to help alleviate even the worst mouse clicking fatigue. And, hey! Who knew Leopard and Windows XP had so much in common? BOOYAH!

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and December 8 by Betablokka.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

TechnoGeekery Show #27: Hyperlinks and Hugh Hreffner

TechnoGeekery with Chassy Cat is brought to you by Aveeno Baby. Check them out!

Today Chassy Cat reveals all: learn how to make a hyperlink–a link to another web page, picture, document– in comment sections of blogs and websites using HTML, and become a brand new member of the Secret HTML Club! Which, of course, makes you super cool.

Woo!

Remember, Hugh Hreffner is the KEY…

<a href=“URL”>Hyperlink Text</a>

That’s all she wrote, my TechnoGeek peeps.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and Can’t You See by Ag Silver. A special thank you to goes out to podsafe artist Matthew Ebel for the Mommycast and Friends bumper at the beginning of the show! You can check out Matthew and his music at www.matthewebel.com.

And don’t forget to visit the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel for more family-friendly podcasting!

Cat, OUT.

TechnoGeekery Quickie #6: Attaching Files to Email

We’ve gone over this before! Don’t MAKE me get out my guitar and write a song, yo?

Please note: You can watch the video in a larger player if you click on the button below that says “Watch the Show.”

As usual, music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and You Make Me Feel by Stavia.

TechnoGeekery Show #13: Creating Playlists in iTunes

For more information about creating playlists in iTunes, head on over to the Apple website iTunes tutorials.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and Let it Go by Fauxliage.

TechnoGeekery Quickie #4: iTunes… an Analogy

This is only the first in a series of iTunes tutorials I have in the works. Let’s see, I have All About Playlists and Whatnot for Booklover and I’ve got Moving Your Music From One Computer to Another, Et Cetera for Denise… you know, lots o’ good stuff coming at’cha! For now, however, I thought I’d ease into the whole concept of iTunes with my, I think, brilliant analogy about iTunes that will hopefully clarify the nature of iTunes for any iTunes newbies out there.

As usual, music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab.

For My TechnoGeek Peeps: TechnoGeekery iTunes Request

I’m gathering screen captures for an iTunes tutorial and want to know what topics my TechnoGeek peeps have just gots to know: Organizing playlists? Creating smart playlists? Learning what the heck is a playlist? Finding music files on your computer? Customizing your sync options? Adding games or photos to your iPod? Burning CD’s? What? WHAT?!

Leave a comment telling me which topic you are interested in, or ask a question if I didn’t cover it in the suggestions above. Go on. Do it. Otherwise, I’m just gonna do whatever the heck I WANT to do. Don’t think I’m joking. Because I am NOT.

GOSH.

TechnoGeekery Show #12: Customized Postage Stamps… No, Really!

Please visit the USPS customized postage website for more details about creating your own customized stamps.

During the holiday season, even TechnoGeeks such as myself temporarily abandon the convenience of new media and the world wide web, in order to send holiday cheer to family and friends. You know, we get all traditional and whatnot… with the cards and packages and other assorted goodies that mere email (although it’s super convenient the other eleven months of the year!) can’t– and SHOULDN’T, by golly!– duplicate.

“But… we’re TechnoGeeks!” you cry. “We watch your show and e’rything!” Never fear. There IS a way to stay true to your TechnoGeeky self, while still adhering to traditional holiday mailing etiquette. Oh, yes.

Customized Postage Stamps.

Think of the possibilities! Stocking stuffers, office party favors, that gift for the person who has EVERYTHING. (Like my mother. Woman has everything. Impossible to buy for. But not this year! BOOYAH!)

I know, right? Watch and be amazed.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, Give Me a Second Chance For Christmas by Candy Butchers, and Free Love by Derek James.

TechnoGeekery Show #11: Google Calendar… and SMS Commands

As can sometimes happen, this TechnoGeekery Quickie turned into a… well, Longie.

Oopsy!

For more information about Google Calendar, head on over to the Google Calendar Help Center.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, Brush Against Me by Munk, and Fire Away by Kill the Alarm.

*UPDATED TechnoGeekery Show #10: Scrapbooking… Taking it Techno with Digi-Scrap

CLICK HERE to download iPhone version.

NOTE: Chassy Cat is a Mac Girl all the way, and uses Pages, which is part of Apple’s new iWork ‘08. Video tutorials about how to use Pages ‘08 (a fab beginner program) for digi-scrapping are in the works, so stay tuned!

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Lonely Boy and Remember by Black Lab, and Save the World and Strange Day in Mexico by The Clintons.

List of Top Digital Scrapbooking Software Programs
These include (for beginners): Pixel Magic and Microsoft Digital Suite; (for intermediate): Ulead Photoimpact, Corel Paint Shop Pro, and Adobe Photoshop Elements; and (for expert-types) Adobe Photoshop.

Other digi-scrap program options:

For the PC: Picasa2 (FREE from Google! No cost to you! Yours for nothing! No money changes hands! Freebie!)
For the Mac: Pages ‘08

Brilliant Beginner Digi-Scrap Resources and Stuff:

Digital Scrapbook Place: Digital Scrapbooking 101.
Designer Digitals: Getting Started in Digital Scrapbooking
Scrap Girls: 15 Things You NEED to Know to Become a GREAT Digital Scrapbooker (FREE Starter eBook)
Two Peas in a Bucket: How To Get Started in Digital Scrapbooking (NOTE: need User Account for this one, but it’s FREE to sign up!)

Creative ways to SHARE your digi-scrap pages:

(NOTE: You can visit Shutterfly.com OR Costco Photo Center for prices and more information. Feel free to comment if you know of other good places!)

Prints & Posters
Photo Books
Cards
Calendars
Keepsakes
Apparel & Accessories
DVD

Digital FREEBIES and Stuff:
(Kits, Sketches, Clip Art, Fonts, Word Art, Wallpaper, the WORKS! For FREE! Hence the name “FREEBIE.” See?)

Designer Digitals
Digital Paper Tearing
Digital Scrapbook Place
My Scrap Blog
Scrap Artist
Scrap Girls
Scrap Wow
Scrapbook.com
Scrapbook.com Forums
Shabby Princess
Sketch Lover (sketch links)
Two Peas in a Bucket

TechnoGeekery Quickie #2: Taking [Control] of the ‘Net

Don’t you hate it when you type a word or phrase into Google search (or some other search engine) and you get thousands of results, but when you click on a promising link, there is a lot more… stuff on the page than you bargained for? Stuff you are forced to skim, searching for that word or phrase? So much STUFF! “Oh,” you say to yourself, “if only there were an easy way to weed through all the words words WORDS so I could easily and efficiently locate the word or phrase I typed into Google search in the first place…”

Wait. There IS an easy way!

Honestly. What are the chances?

Click, watch, learn.

You can also watch at the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel at Podango.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab and Outside by Lee Coulter.

TechnoGeekery with Chassy Cat to Partner with Mommycast

TechnoGeekery.com has partnered with Mommycast.com, one of the premier and most popular internet radio shows. At the Podcast and New Media Expo held Friday, September 28, 2007 – Sunday, September 30, 2007, Mommycast announced its launch of the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel at Podango.com. And just guess which vidcast tops their line-up of family-friendly podcasts and vidcasts! C’mon, guess! Okay, I’ll just tell you. TechnoGeekery with Chassy Cat, that’s which video podcast! Hoo!

(Of course, I’m currently the only vidcast available at the Mommycast and Friends Family Channel at Podango.com, but why split hairs?)

That’s right, TechnoGeeks. Chassy Cat’s TechnoGeekery vidcast has become an inaugural member of the MommyCast and Friends Family Channel, a new media network at Podango.com offering podcast and vidcast content to entertain, educate, and uplift.

Come on by and check us out.

Technogeekery Show #8: Subscribe to Vidcasts in iTunes (everybody’s doing it)

In order to use the information contained in this Subscribe in iTunes tutorial, you need to have iTunes downloaded and installed on your computer. If you aren’t using iTunes… why aren’t you?! It’s safe and it’s free. Yes, FREE. So what are you waiting for? Download iTunes today.

Go on. I’ll wait.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, Summertime by Brother Love, and The Jeep Song by Lee Coulter.

So you found a video podcast (or vidcast, if you will) you like, through word of mouth, searching iTunes, or other podcast/vidcast directories. Well, now that you’ve found a vidcast, you need to subscribe to it. Otherwise, how are we podcasters supposed to know if we are popular or not? Huh?

On today’s podcast, I will be walking you through how to subscribe to your favorite podcasts and vidcasts using iTunes. I’ll throw in a few other tips for good measure. Because I’m super cool like that?

Remember, feedback is love. Unless you are going to be mean, in which case SHUT IT. Visit my page at iTunes and say nice things about me! Go on! CLICK. Do it! Do it! Doitdoitdoit! Do it.

Technogeekery Show #7: Breaking Up With Blogger

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and Run by Mike Errico.

This week, the question du jour asks about transferring all of one’s posts from one blog host to another. See for yourself:

Dear Chassy Cat,
How do you move your former blogs (ie - blogs from Blogger) over to WordPress?
New TG SuperFan

Come on, you know how the song goes: They say that breaking up is hard to do…

But it doesn’t have to be like that, TechnoGeeks, and this week’s episode of TechnoGeekery shows you how to break up with Blogger–and move right in with Wordpress.com–in a snap.

Plus, there’s singing! And “Leave Wordpress ALONE” gal! And did I mention the singing?! Super bad singing?! Because there’s that.

FYI: These video podcasts are generated in a 640×480 format, which means if you only click and watch at my website, the tutorial videos are too small to see clearly.

So, to see them full-sized, either download the file (it’s a choice right under the video window),

OR

click on the “Subscribe in iTunes” button in my sidebar, wait a minute while iTunes opens (just ignore any blank browser windows that may open up), and when iTunes opens to my TechnoGeekery page, click on the “Subscribe” button. Badda bing badda boom! You’re all signed up to my iTunes RSS feed. SWEET!

TechnoGeekery Quickie #1: Pimp My Blog POST

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember by Black Lab, and Save the World by The Clintons.

If you’ve ever wondered how to insert an embedded link into your blog posts– and let’s face it, who hasn’t?– then come on doooooooooown! Today is your lucky day. LUCKY!

While this quick tutorial is specific to Wordpress, the information contained herein is, in most cases, the universal Embedding a Link in a Blog Post standard. Just so you know.

Sky rockets in flight… afternoon delight…

Hmm… what?

Technogeekery Show #6: Trump Teens at Technology

A very special thank you goes out to Paige of Mommycast.com, who agreed to be my very own special guest star slash expert person.

Music in this podcast provided by the Podsafe Music Network, with Remember and Mine Again by Black Lab, and Strange Day in Mexico by The Clintons.

This episode answers a question asked by G:

Hi Cat:
Can you suggest ways that parents can trump their kids at the technology thing? How can we keep on top of what they are doing? How do we maintain some control? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Love your show!
–G

Sure thing, G! And mad props on the alliteration!

For more information about trumping your teens at technology, visit:

GetNetWise.org
SafeKids.com
KidsHealth.org
WiredSafety.org
Teens Health: Safe Surfing Tips for Teens
Parental Controls and Online Child Protection (A Survey of Tools and Methods–link to PDF file)

And for an IM Chat to English translator, try:

A Guide to Understanding Online Chat Acronyms and Smiley Faces

Remember, G… you are the parent. If teens do not listen or follow the safety rules you put into place, unplug the computer! You can do it. You’re supposed to do it. And your child hoofing it to the library? Super good workout! Which… BONUS.

(checklist coming soon)

Technogeekery Show #5: Pimp My Blog, Pt. I

Wordpress.com:
Blog Themes
Sidebar Widgets
Post Tags and Categories
Privacy Options
Other Features

Blogger.com:
Getting Started
The Basics
Working With Blogger

Interesting Read:
How Not to Get Fired Because of Your Blog

Technogeekery Show #4: On Facebook it’s always a REUNION

This week’s episode is in response to my very first official Burning Question from Kelli at mycircuslife.blogspot.com.

Maybe you can help me (if not, no problemo) — My MIL is looking for a solution for a 50th reunion site. Something that would allow for password protection, but also let everyone contribute pictures and stories. I haven’t checked into any online sources about this yet. Would you know of any?

Oh, do I ever! Watch!… and learn.

Step 1: Sign up for a Facebook account.

…wait for confirmation email from Facebook…

…click on the link in the confirmation email…

…which takes you back to your new Facebook account!

Notice the list of “Applications” listed in the upper left-hand corner of the page (under the word “Facebook”)? That is where you go will find “Groups.” Which brings you to step 2.

Step 2: Create a Group.

Click on “Groups,” then click on “Create a New Group.”

Now, give your group a name. I think “The Cobras!” would be a super good group name. Oooh! Or, “Death By Chocolate.” But that’s just me. Do whatever you want. I don’t even care. *sigh* I guess we’ll just go with “Circus Kelli’s MIL’s 50th Reunion Site.

This is where you can select your privacy options, too, if you want to be all secretive and exclusive and whatnot.

Once you’ve created your group, you can upload a picture that will be representative of your group. I think the school mascot would be a super idea. Because it’s a REUNION. With school SPIRIT.

(If you are not sure how to upload a picture, Technogeekery Show #3 touches on that briefly. The easiest way to do this is to put the picture file you want to upload on your desktop. Then, when you click browse, you will know exactly where to look to find the photo file, so you can select it and upload it to your knew Facebook site. Easy peasy!)

Step 3: Invite members to your Facebook page. All you need are email addresses!

Once you’ve sent out your invitations, sit back and wait for group members to start pouring in. Booyah! You are now a member of the totally cool Facebook scene.

Feel free to install Super Poke and throw a cow at me.

No need to thank me. It was my pleasure.

(But I do like snickerdoodles. Which are easy to make and ship. Just so you know.)

Technogeekery Show #3: Gravatars. It’s All About Image.

**Music in this podcast provided by Podsafe Music Network.

If you liked Booty Voodoo, visit Lee Coulter’s official website and find out how you can hear more of his awesome music!

Theme music for Technogeekery.com is Remember by Black Lab. Visit Black Lab’s official site for more music.**

In our day-to-day lives we can judge others by what they look like, what clothes they wear, how they talk, oh, all sorts of ways. But blogs and boards are so… anonymous. It’s not as if we can actually see each other, right? So how the heck are we supposed to judge each other?!

Fortunately, that’s where gravatars come in. With gravatars, we can create custom images that represent us. A personal logo, if you will. Gravatars identify us and say something about our personality. Which… ah-ha! Okay, what I meant to say was… ah-ha! Now we have something to work with!

Think about it. What can we infer about a person who creates a gravatar image featuring a fluffy white kitten perched atop a pink pillow? Um, cutesy, much? Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Conversely, what can we assume about a person whose gravatar features an image of Jude and Tommy during that scene on Instant Star when they were totally making out in the rain? Aaaw! Hopeless romantic, that’s what! Eh? Eh?

Take a gander at some random gravatars:

So if you frequently find yourself commenting on blog posts throughout the blogosphere, I strongly suggest you create a gravatar. You know… so people can judge you? Then your gravatar should appear whenever you post a comment to a gravatar-enabled blog—like Technogeekery.com, for instance. Hey, it’s easy and it’s free, that’s all I’m saying. Do what you want. I don’t even care. Much.

So… do you have a gravatar now? Well, what are you waiting for? Show off the darn thing by commenting on this vidcast, for heaven’s Pete sake. Do it, do it, do it!

Do it.

**Gravatars will work on any site that is gravatar-enabled, but it may take a few days for the gravatar to show up anywhere. However, if you’ve commented, the question mark (or default gravatar) will be replaced with your brand-spankin’-new gravatar. It will! Check back! You’ll see!

It has something to do with approval of your gravatar rating. I guess ol’ Tom doesn’t trust you people not to be gross, which… RUDE.**

Technogeekery Show #2: RSS Feeds… What Are They Good For?

**CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE**

Subscribe to RSS feed via Bloglines:

Subscribe to RSS feed via Google Reader:

Subscribe to RSS feed via Live Bookmarks:

Subscribe to RSS feed via email:

Technogeekery Show #1: Blog Basics and Beginnings

Should I, or shouldn’t I start a blog?
Undecided? Check out Top 9 Reasons to Start a Blog at About.com.

If blogging is a go, then keep on reading! If not, off you go then…

1. Pick a HOST.
Find a decent blogging provider which appeals to you.

Chassy Cat’s Favorite FREE Blog Hosts:
Blogger.com *can be used with Google account
Wordpress.com *not to be confused with Wordpress.org, which offers the blog platform for free but requires the purchase of a host service and a registered domain name.
These sites offer pre-made blog templates and push-button publishing and don’t require much Technogeekery at ALL.

(For a more in-depth look at blogging platforms, visit Choosing a Blog Platform)

2. Make Your Blog PRETTY.
When you sign up at Blogger or Wordpress, pick a ready-made blog template from the gallery and get started personalizing it: add photographs, list the books you are reading, music you enjoy, your like/dislikes, whatev. It’s all about you, baby. However… be smart! Don’t give out too much personal information. No one wants a blog stalker. No, seriously.

3. To Be, Or Not to Be… PUBLIC.
Decide whether or not you want your blog to be private or personal. Do you want freaky-deaky Joe Public reading your blog and viewing your pictures, or do you only want your friends and family to be able to read it? Both Blogger and Wordpress offer privacy options, so you are good to go either way. Unless, of course, you are planning on lambasting said friends and family in your blog, in which case you are screwed.

4. TESTING, TESTING… 1,2,3….
After you’ve set up your blog, write a few posts to test it out. Remember, spell check is your friend. Then, refresh your blog every two minutes to see if anyone has commented on your post. Not that I do that.

5. Don’t LURK, Be SOCIABLE.
Visit other blogs! Comment! Leave your blog address! It’s your virtual calling card… which, how very 18th century aristocratic of you, right?!

DARE TO BE YOU.
If you are feeling super daring, you may want register your own domain name and point it at your blog (more on “pointing” in a later podcast! hey! that’s what we in the biz call a TEASER! note it!). Register a catchy yet philosophically deep name for your new blog—such as “dontputyourlipsonit.com” or “ironekillz.com” or “ilovebooks.com” or “grandmasdiary.com” or “tomkatfanatic.com”—and ring up everyone you know to tell them the URL. Remind your less Technogeekery savvy friends and family that “diaryofaslacker” in your blog’s address is spelled “all one word.”

OR, you could jump into the 21st century and EMAIL your blog link to everyone. Yep. That’s always an option.