Bruce’s Journal

October 1, 2008

Twitter: What’s it Good For? What will YOU use it for?

Filed under: Life, Love, Technology — Bruce @ 4:47 pm

In general terms, I would describe Twitter as a….

Stream of Thought Microblogging

… tool.

It allows you (or anyone) to post little one-liner messages (up to 140 characters)… and for others (anyone, and as many as want to) to receive them…. any way they want to… via SMS text message on their cellphone, being the most popular way… or via email, or web site, or in any of a dozen other ways…. all for absolutely FREE.

As with any new technology….

It can be fun… interesting… amusing… maybe even mildly entertaining…

But, in the end, everyone always ends up asking themselves,

“Yeah…. But what practical use could I possibly put it to?”

The reality is….

The Collective Consciousness of Humanity will figure out its Highest and Best Uses

Twitter — when you describe it to people — sounds like a high-tech toy….

Something for teenagers who have more time on their hands, than sense… A sort of mobile chat room for people who are bored out of their minds…. to assist them in boring other people out of their minds too…

HOWEVER….

Upon closer inspection by the masses… and the Collective Consciousness….

Thousands of new uses are developing for it…. DAILY!

The massive earthquake in Mexico City was reported on Twitter a full 8 minutes BEFORE any news agency in the world got the story…

Kevin Rose, the host of the most popular internet television show in the world, Diggnation, now has 65,527 people “following” him on Twitter… at this very moment. Wait. Let me check again…. No, now it’s 65,529 people. The point is: Every time Kevin Rose has a thought, he “tweets” about it…. and….

65,529 people on the planet get Kevin’s thought instantly — as soon as he thinks it.

Whether it comes in as a text message on their cellphone, in their email, or on the web site…. That’s a LOT of people.

In other words, famous people (and companies) are using it as a Broadcasting Tool.

And that’s only the beginning…

There are now search tools…. allowing you to search the Twitter Public Timeline (all tweets are public, by the way)…

This means that, if Jason and deMarco want to know what “people are saying about them”… They can simply use a tool to search for and find EVERY tweet containing the phrase, “Jason and deMarco”….

Hmmm…. Think about THAT for a second.

You can get — ANYONE can get — an instantaneous “finger on the pulse” of “what people are thinking and saying about”……… you name it!

THAT is powerful information.

With tools like…

twittervision.com
twittermap.com/maps
twittersearch.com/search
tweetbeep.com
google.com/alerts
flickrvision.com
spinvision.tv
kiva.org/kivavision

.. and dozens and dozens of other such tools…. the list goes on.

With these new technologies, used in all sorts of combinations… the possibilities are limited only to…

The Imagination of the Collective Consciousness of Humanity

wow!

What uses does twitter have BEYOND the obvious…?

I invite you to…. Really think it through….

What will YOU use it for?

June 4, 2008

‘One Laptop per Child’ to Switch from Linux to Windows?

As posted to our Ubuntu users Meetup forum, by Jay:

One Laptop Per Child may eventually switch from GNU/Linux to Windows

http://truthhappens.redhatmagazine.com/2008/04/23/sigh/

It seems like locking kids minds into proprietary frames still remains a priority for the educators.

So here is…  My email correspondence with OLPC just now…

____

To: press@racepointgroup.com

Is it true that OLPC will be switching from a Linux OS to a Windows OS?

If so, you guys are pathetic, and I need to know so I can withdrawal all my support for the OLPC project as soon as possible.

Bruce Wagner

____

From: press@racepointgroup.com

This is not true.  OLPC will support both Linux and Windows.  Governments have been asking for both.

____

To: press@racepointgroup.com

That is NOT ok.

See http://linux.meetup.com/392/messages/boards/thread/4635205

And http://truthhappens.redhatmagazine.com/2008/04/23/sigh/

It it self-defeating to go down a proprietary closed corporate path like Windows.   It is also self-defeating to split your resources in half between two separate development paths.   Windows has no future in a program such as OLPC.  Your role is EDUCATION, not backing down to special interests and corporate greed.

Don’t cave in to anyone.   Stick to FREEDOM — open source free software, not corporate interests — if you hope or expect to get any support from the global community.

Bruce Wagner

____

(also posted in the Ubuntu Forums, here: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=818407 )

~

Free yourself from the closed proprietary ‘Big Brother’ of Microsoft, Apple, etc. Choose Open Source Free Software.

Are you using Ubuntu Linux on your home computer yet?  Do you use Google?  Did you know that the Google search engine you use every day operates 100% on Linux?  Check out  Windows vs Ubuntu’s Best Applications and  getgnulinux.org and  ubuntu.com and  wubi-installer.org and  Google: Open Source Free Software

~

What’s so dangerous about the Cult of  Scientology?  And why You should Care.  Click here to find out.

~

Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

May 28, 2008

Free Yourself from the Proprietary Corporate Greed of ‘Big Brother’: Microsoft, Apple, etc.

Always choose the superior Open Source Free Software.

Now, there is an equivalent or superior Free Open Source version of all the best software that exists.

Do you use Ubuntu Linux on your PC and laptop yet?

Google does.  Did you know that Google’s search engines are all running 100% on Linux?  Not Windows.  Not Mac.  Only Linux.  Does Google know something you don’t know?

You can even install Ubuntu Linux on a Windows computer without changing a thing — all for free.  It takes about 2.5 minutes, and is as easy as three clicks, using Wubi — the Windows Ubuntu Installer.  Try it here!

Check out each of these links carefully:

A. http://tinyurl.com/552×66 |  B. http://tinyurl.com/67hjz5 |  C. http://getgnulinux.org |  D. http://ubuntu.com |  E. http://wubi-installer.org |  F. http://ubuntuforums.org

(Add the above lines to your email program’s signature too; Help us spread the word!)

______________________

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Free yourself from the closed proprietary ‘Big Brother’ of Microsoft, Apple, etc. Choose Open Source Free Software.

Are you using Ubuntu Linux on your home computer yet?  Do you use Google?  Did you know that the Google search engine you use every day operates 100% on Linux?  Check out  Windows vs Ubuntu’s Best Applications and  getgnulinux.org and  ubuntu.com and  wubi-installer.org and  Google: Open Source Free Software

~

What’s so dangerous about the Cult of  Scientology?  And why You should Care.  Click here to find out.

~

Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

May 27, 2008

Feel Like a Movie Tonight?

It’s the best way to find an awesome movie to watch…

I’ve always believed in the Viewers’ Ratings of movies on Yahoo Movies.  That’s how I decide if a movie is going to be any good or not.

I don’t even want to know what it’s about.  If the VIEWERS rating is high, it will be great.

Warning:  Totally ignore the CRITICS Rating.  They are almost always Wrong!

Here is…

How to Have an Awesome Movie to Watch Tonight:

  1. THIS is an AWESOME Link:  Go to  Top Rated Movies of All Time (by VIEWERS):     (Bookmark this link!)
  2. Note:  If you have Windows, you must have already installed the utorrent program once.  If you haven’t yet, just go to utorrent.com and click on Download to install it.  It is free, and tiny.  This is a one-time thing.  (Of course, if you have the superior Ubuntu instead of Windows or Mac, you don’t need to install anything.  It’s all built-in.  And if you have a Mac, go here to get a bittorrent client instead.)
  3. Go to mininova.org and enter the name of the movie you want.  Be sure to check that it is in the proper format that your computer or player can play (or burn to DVD, then play).  Click on Download Torrent.  As you download the torrent file, select:  “Open With: uTorrent”
  4. Buy some popcorn and you’re ready!

That’s it!

You’re done.

See also, my Hot List list called…

Must See Movies and Videos

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Free yourself from the closed proprietary ‘Big Brother’ of Microsoft, Apple, etc. Choose Open Source Free Software.

Are you using Ubuntu Linux on your home computer yet?  Do you use Google?  Did you know that the Google search engine you use every day operates 100% on Linux?  Check out  Windows vs Ubuntu’s Best Applications and  getgnulinux.org and  ubuntu.com and  wubi-installer.org and  Google: Open Source Free Software

~

What’s so dangerous about the Cult of  Scientology?  And why You should Care.  Click here to find out.

~

Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

May 22, 2008

Yet Another Reason to NOT buy Vista

…as if we needed one.

Microsoft’s Media Center Does Not Record Television Shows from NBC

Microsoft has come out with an astounding admission, courtesy of Greg Sandoval at CNet News:

“Microsoft included technologies in Windows, based on rules set forth by the (Federal Communications Commission),” a Microsoft spokeswoman wrote in an e-mail to CNET News.com. “As part of these regulations, Windows Media Center fully adheres to the flags used by broadcasters and content owners to determine how their content is distributed and consumed.”

(full story)

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Free yourself from the closed proprietary ‘Big Brother’ of Microsoft, Apple, etc. Choose Open Source Free Software.

Are you using Ubuntu Linux on your home computer yet?  Do you use Google?  Did you know that the Google search engine you use every day operates 100% on Linux?  Check out  Windows vs Ubuntu’s Best Applications and  getgnulinux.org and  ubuntu.com and  wubi-installer.org and  Google: Open Source Free Software

~

Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

May 21, 2008

What’s 7 Inches Long and Rocking the World?

Filed under: Asus, Eee PC, Life, Technology — Bruce @ 12:18 pm

eeepc

I have to say…

It looks amazing.

They have finally made a tiny form facter — applicance PC — combined with all the wonderfulness of Ubuntu and the entire open source universe…

It’s awesome!

.

Click here for a cool interactive demo.

.

The Asus Eee PC

Well, my itsy bitsy teeny weenie seven inch Asus Eee PC finally arrived with the relatives visiting for fiesta season. I had bought it in the US six months ago, but it was back-ordered and not delivered on time. So my grandson Luke has been using it in the meanwhile.

I bought this one at Amazon…selling for $360 or so.

This is the one with only a five gig flash drive and a seven inch screen. It also uses Ubuntu, not windows. No problem. I use Ubuntu on my laptop too, and unless you are into gaming, it’s easy to use.

Newer models by ASUS have Windows XP, a larger drive, and even larger screens.

So what are the advantages?

One: It’s small and light. (32 oz–about one kg) Will fit into my purse.

Two: sort of a super palm-pocket: enough room to store a diary, information, email, etc. But it also plays music and lets you talk to your friends using the webcam.

When you turn it on, it boots quickly. Opening page is internet icons. One is to connect to the Internet, and I just programmed that to automatic, and it found the right numbers.

But once you do that, it signs on automatically. Or you can hit the “wireless” icon and it will connect to any nearby signal.

Other icons are fast links to the internet: Google, mail programs, Skype, Wikipedia, Internet Radio, and Google Documents. One click and you’re there.

The Wireless connection doesn’t pick up the signal as well as my laptop: If I surf the net from my bedroom, the signal is only 30% from the router in my son’s office. I can pick that weak signal up on my laptop, but the ASUS won’t. But it works fine sitting outside in the garden.

For web surfing, it uses Firefox, which is as easy as Microsoft explorer and I used it routinely with our Windows computers.

Then if you want to work on the computer, there are lots of nice tabs at the top of the page.

Number two tab says “WORK”.

It includes “Open Office” for word processing, spread sheets, and presentations. It includes a pdf reader, note pad, and a mail program,”accessories” and a dictionary.
I used to use the Microsoft mail program with Outlook at work, but could never figure out how to use it on my laptop, so I can’t tell you about that one. The “accessories” includes a “Personal Information manager” which essentially is the same as Outlook: It has mail, calendar, diary, to do list, etc.

The next tab is “learn”: Except for the periodic table, not something I care about.

Tab 4 is “PLAY”.

There is a mp3 etc. player, a media player, a web cam and a sound recorder. One of these days I’ll play with these, but my grandson Luke said they were neat…

Since there isn’t much disc space for music, one might ask why a media player a movie player? Well, I downloaded an AVI movie to my thumb drive and watched it. Tiny, but it did play.

One can attach a thumb drive (MP3 or flash drive) via the USB port, or one can place a memory card in another slot for more storage. Alas, my palmpocket memory card doesn’t fit.

Finally, it has a nice battery (Worked for three hours). And the case is hard plastic, so it’s rugged for traveling.

So what don’t I like?

I am a sixty word a minute touch typist. The tiny keyboard drives me nuts.

The speakers are too weak to hear in noisy environments.

And the print is small.

But if you travel, want to take a tiny computer that does most basic things, and don’t have a lot of money, it’s something to look into.

For a little more money you can get Windows XP, a larger screen and a larger flash disk. I’d do that if it were my only computer and if I had more money. But as a spare backup computer to travel with, I’m pleased.

Addendum: When my granddaughter saw that ASUS was now selling in the Philippines she wants one…

(source)

~

Free yourself from the closed proprietary ‘Big Brother’ of Microsoft, Apple, etc. Choose  Open Source Free Software.

Are you using Ubuntu Linux on your home computer yet?  Do you use Google?  Did you know that the Google search engine you use every day operates 100% on Linux?  There’s no Windows or Mac running the Google company or any of its services.  Check out  Windows vs Ubuntu’s Best Applications and  getgnulinux.org and  ubuntu.com and  wubi-installer.org and  Google: Open Source Free Software

~

Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

Fleet Week NYC 2008: May 21- 28, 2008

Filed under: Gay, Life — Bruce @ 11:55 am

Thousands of Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships will be in town for Fleet Week New York.

Hosted nearly every year since 1984, Fleet Week New York is the City’s celebration of the sea services. This annual event also provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness first hand the latest capabilities of today’s Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Team.

Fleet Week includes dozens of military demonstrations and displays throughout the week, as well as public visitation of many of the participating ships.

Please check the Schedule of Events for more information on events occurring throughout the week, including ship tour hours.

And if you wanna know where to meet the sailors, try the craigslist personals.   ;)

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Free yourself from the closed proprietary ‘Big Brother’ of Microsoft, Apple, etc. Choose  Open Source Free Software.

Are you using Ubuntu Linux on your home computer yet?  Do you use Google?  Did you know that the Google search engine you use every day operates 100% on Linux?  Check out  Windows vs Ubuntu’s Best Applications and  getgnulinux.org and  ubuntu.com and  wubi-installer.org and  Google: Open Source Free Software

~

Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

May 5, 2008

How to be an Instant Expert on the Topic of your Choice

Filed under: Life, Technology — Bruce @ 11:02 am

Two Very Cool Ways to Stay Informed

First, if you’re really interested in a certain topic, you can receive email updates of the latest YouTube videos related to your topic of interest. There is a really cool free service called RSSFWD.com that will let you subscribe to any RSS feed via email.  (You can later unsubscribe any time you like, with a single click.)  That, combined with YouTube’s RSS Feed for a single “tag”, makes a powerful combination.

Here’s how:

Think of the one word that best describes your topic of interest.  As an example, if you’re really interested in “iPhone”, or “Oprah”, or “Ubuntu”, or “Obama”, or “juggling”.  It doesn’t matter what it is.

Simply replace the word “ubuntu” in the following web address, and go to that address.

For example, if you’re really interested in “Ubuntu”, simply click on this link:

http://rssfwd.com/rssfwd/preview?email=&pre=true&return_to=http%3A%2F%2Frssfwd.com%2F&submit+url=Submit&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Frss%2Ftag%2Fubuntu.rss

If you’re interested in “juggling”, change the word “ubuntu” in the link like this:

http://rssfwd.com/rssfwd/preview?email=&pre=true&return_to=http%3A%2F%2Frssfwd.com%2F&submit+url=Submit&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Frss%2Ftag%2Fjuggling.rss

Do you see the word “juggling” toward the end of that link?  Yeah.  That’s the word you change to your own topic of interest.

You get the idea.

Now, on the resulting page, just enter your email address.  It’s that simple.

Every email update you get will also have a link at the bottom to instantly unsubscribe, if you later change your mind.

The Second tool is not new, but it’s extremely powerful…  and often overlooked.

It’s called Google Alerts.

Simply go to http://www.google.com/alerts and enter the word, or words, that describe your topics of most interest.

It’s amazingly powerful.

And addictive.

Enjoy.

~

Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

May 4, 2008

Kiva — Small Loans Alleviate Poverty Worldwide

Filed under: Life, Love, Microlending, Money — Bruce @ 3:44 am

Loans that Change Lives

I just made a loan to someone in the developing world using a revolutionary new website called Kiva.org.

Kiva lets you loan very small amounts of money to the poorest of the working poor all over the planet.  Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty worldwide.

You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business – like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks.  Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent – and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back – and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Norah Huanca in Bolivia.  They still need another $1,750.00 to complete their loan request of $4,950.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!).  Help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Norah Huanca too:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=46289

It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty – using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they’re using it for.  And most of all, I know that I’m helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

One of the best parts is:   Once that loan is paid back — with interest — I can simply loan it out again to another entrepreneur.  That way my money gets put to great use over and over and over again!  Imagine what would happen if we ALL did this.  There would be no more poverty!

Join me in changing the world – one loan at a time.

Thanks!

_______________________________________

What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:

‘Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.’
– BBC

‘If you’ve got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you’ve now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.’
– CNN Money

‘Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.’
– The Wall Street Journal

‘An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity…All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.’
– Entrepreneur Magazine

~

Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

May 2, 2008

What’s the Difference between Real Life and The Internet?

Filed under: Comedy, Internet Freedom, Life, Technology — Bruce @ 4:28 pm

Dimensions of the One Machine

Today it contains approximately 1.2 billion personal computers,  2.7 billion cell phones, 1.3 billion land phones, 27 million data servers, and 80 million wireless PDAs. The processor chips of all these parts are feeding the computation of the internet/web/telecommunications system.  (the technium)

How did we go from — January 1982, when we created…  The very first version of the Internet was nothing more than an experimental “TCP/IP Test Network”.  (wiki)  Here is the map of of that first original “test network” we now call The Internet…

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And now, our entire lives have transformed…

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Or click here.

And more…

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Or click here.

In many ways our lives seem to have BECOME the internet…   As demonstrated in the following video, which is based on a true story.

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Or click here.

UPDATE: As you can see, YouTube removed this video “due to a copyright claim by Viacom International Inc.”  Viacom is really stupid and short-sighted for doing that.  The viral spreading of that short video clip would only have resulted in MILLIONS more people watching that episode of South Park when it finally does air.  Anyway…

This clip, called “No Internet“, WILL become available again VERY SOON.  You can count on it.  Someone will upload it again.  And as as soon as it is available, you will find it here:

  1. Google Video Search, or
  2. with commercials at the South Park Studios Official Site

~

The Internet has all but completely replaced our old-fashioned customs of social interchange.  With the invention of so-called “Social Networking” sites, we no longer need to go to cocktail parties or singles clubs to meet people.  We are automatically introduced to friends of our real-life friends, as well as being able to browse through virtual catalogs of complete strangers who have things in common with us — or at least appear to be physically attractive to us.

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Or click here.

As The Internet quickly becomes the world’s number one entertainment media network, it was bound to happen.  We have a whole new breed of “stars”.  Video Stars who have become globally famous overnight.  And are forgotten almost as fast — without ever earning a cent from their fame.

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Or click here.

However, as the following video humorously illustrates, the number one use of the Internet is…

Well, let me put it this way.

Try doing a Google search for: US Virgin Islands

What do you get?

Results 110 of about 218,000,000 for porn

“Pornographer!   Pornographer!   How can you call me that?!?   I don’t even own a pornograph!”

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~

Or click here.

In the future…   Imagine what it will be like…  when all these little kids, who wear born and grew up in an Internet world, are the adults designing the future…

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Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

A Smarter Way to Work and Live

Filed under: GTD, Life — Bruce @ 7:54 am

David Allen is the author of Getting Things Done (GTD)

This is Awesome stuff…

You can download David Allen’s entire GTD coursework free on mininova.com

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Or, to watch it fullscreen, just click here.

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Or, to watch it fullscreen, just click here.

~

You can download David Allen’s entire GTD coursework free on mininova.com

~

Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

May 1, 2008

Merlin Mann on Time and Attention

Filed under: GTD, Life — Bruce @ 7:35 pm

April 30, 2008

Project Runway

Filed under: Life — Bruce @ 8:20 pm

just too too funny!

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Or, to watch it fullscreen, just click here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upVwAqCM7fg

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If you liked this one, check out Today’s Top Stories — the most popular stories here. They’re listed in the right-hand column, just below the Subscribe buttons.

Also be sure to see… Other Topic Categories and Bruce’s Hot List

Or you can also… continue reading… Related Items on this Topic

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com

The Best Way to Find Travel Deals

Filed under: Life, Money — Bruce @ 10:07 am

Save hundreds of dollars by spending five minutes using the best tools on the internet to save money on travel.

Bookmark this page because it is always updated as the internet travel deal situation changes.

Currently, here’s the scoop on the best travel deals on the net…

Flights

This is how I fly to Fort Lauderdale for $150 round-trip, for example.

See my notes about “Flexible Dates” and “Nearby Airports” below.

Hotels

I’ve paid as little as $35 a night at the Hyatt at O-Hare in Chicago.

Yes, this works for international hotels too.  We’ve used priceline to get great deals on hotel rooms in London, Paris, and Barcelona, as well as all over the United States.

Car Rental

I’m so spoiled, I don’t want to pay more than the $13 a day I’ve often been able to get in Florida.

See my important notes about “Checking Directly with the Car Rental Company Sites” below.

Cruises

At about $50 a day total, including all port fees, taxes, etc., we can’t afford to stay home!  That’s less than a Motel 6 and a Burger King lunch!

  • skyauction.com (set your alarm clock and don’t begin bidding until 30 minutes before the auction closes, and be sure to add up all the charges to see what the total cost is going to be before bidding!)

Other Important Tips

Don’t Use Priceline for Flights

I do NOT recommend priceline for flights because you have little or no control over what time your flight will depart/arrive.  That’s why I recommend priceline for hotels and car rental only — not flights.

Updates Worth Signing up For

Sign up for the “Last Minute Airfares” newsletter at smartertravel.com

Use Flexible Dates Search

When looking for air fares, always Search the screen for the words “Flexible Dates”.  If they have a “Flexible Dates” Search feature, you’re often able to enter a custom date range that would work for you, and you can save a bundle FAST — without spending hours searching every possible date/flight possibility manually!  Some of the sites that currently offer a “Flexible Dates” Search feature include:  Hotwire, Yahoo Travel, Travelocity, Delta, American, Orbitz, etc.

Check Nearby Airports on Both Ends

Each site is a bit different in how it works, but figure out how to check for other nearby airports on both your departure, and your arrival cities.  Some sites allow you to select all nearby airports on both ends by checkboxes on the left window pane (i.e. sidestep.com), others allow you to re-try your search by selecting another nearby airport from drop-down lists on the left pane — trying them one by one — changing the departure airport one at a time, then changing the arrival airport one at a time (i.e. expedia.com).  In any case, you may well find that you can cut your fare in half by simply going to a different airport.  And sometimes it might even be CLOSER to where you’re headed anyway!

Check Directly with Companies’ Own Web Sites

Occasionally, you can get about the same deal directly from one of the major car rental company’s web sites as you can on priceline, so sometimes I’ll elect to do that instead for one reason:  If you do that, you have a reservation, but you don’t have to pay for it until you arrive.  This means that in case your plans change, you’re not locked in…  You haven’t paid in advance for a non-refundable deal.

Also, in the case of airfare, if you find the same price directly from the airline, booking it through the airline’s web site directly often allows you to earn frequent flier mileage points (something you cannot do through most other sites).

Plus, call me crazy…  But I think they treat you better.  Often they have some way of SEEING that you purchased your flight, or hotel, through priceline…  And I think they SOMETIMES treat you better if you purchased it directly through them.  They somehow consider you a “real” customer.  And sometimes, that translates into putting you onto another airline when weather has caused delays and such.   Sometimes the “priceline customer” may get no such little perks, or gets the lowest class of service, or the room next to the elevator…  (This could all just be my imagination, but I don’t think so.)

Check Frommers Destinations for the Best and Coolest

Frommers Travel Guides are travel books that review all the best, coolest, hotels, restaurants, and other attractions, in cities all over the planet.  One thing they do NOT do is list the major chains.  You never see a review of a Hyatt or a TGIFridays in Frommers.  They review and list ONLY small independently owned places — those places that are so so cool, but you’d probably never hear about them otherwise.

One of the coolest things about Frommers is that you don’t even have to go to the bookstore and buy their books.  (Although, I certainly recommend that you do, of course.)   They seem to publish all the same information on their free web site.  Just go to Frommers.com and click on Destinations tab.  You’ll discover loads of awesome restaurants, unique cool hotels, and tons of sights and things to see and do.

Awesomeness You Never Knew was In your Own Backyard

And here’s a really cool tip:  Check Frommers.com for the city you live in!  Go to Destinations, then search for your own city (for example, this is the page for Nashville).  Print out the page of local restaurants — which you can easily sort by Price, or by Neighborhood, and keep it in the car or your purse.  You’ll discover some awesome new favorite places in your own backyard that you had no idea were there.

And be sure to also print out the Attractions list and use it as a checklist.  Most people neglect to see the best of their own home town.  Only tourists get to see the best things to see.  Why is that?  Well, even if you don’t use it as your own personal checklist of things you’ve got to see…  At least you’ll have a list of places to take your friends when they come to town!

Updates and Corrections

Please email me with updates or corrections to this information, or add your comments below.

~

Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

April 29, 2008

GTD and your Email Inbox

Filed under: GTD, Life, Technology — Bruce @ 10:08 pm

My solution to an email inbox that’s filled with reading material — newsletters, announcements, articles, etc…  is…

I call it my READING email account.

I NEVER allow subscriptions to newsletters to enter my normal email — only PERSONALLY composed messages from one person, to me.

All newsletter subscriptions, Google News Alerts, and RSS Feeds (courtesy of the magic of the free rssfwd.com), go to my READING EMAIL ACCOUNT.

My normal MESSAGING email account is bruce@my_own_name.com

My READING materials are sent to reading@my_own_name.com

That way,

(1)  If I don’t get a chance to look at the newsletter, it doesn’t really matter.  It’s still there if I need it.
(2)  If I’m in the mood to do some reading, it’s all in one place — and nothing else is there but reading.  And,
(3)  My normal email Inbox contains NOTHING but personal messages I need to deal with — no reading.

PS – I also have another email address, called todo@my_own_name.com

I forward all ToDo tasks to myself at that address.  Then, I have all of them in one place, so I can copy them all to my GTD lists en mass.

~

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Bruce Wagner
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bruce@brucewagner.com

“Time Management” by Randy Pausch

Filed under: Life — Bruce @ 2:40 pm

ANOTHER MUST SEE VIDEO!

~

~

Or, to watch it fullscreen, just click here:  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5784740380335567758&hl=en

~

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__________________
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April 28, 2008

Pray the Devil Back to Hell, Oprah

Filed under: Life, Love — Bruce @ 10:40 am

Yes!  I had a very happy birthday yesterday… Thanks!  It was great.  After Unity, we went to a nice restaurant.  We had a nice ritzy brunch at our favorite great Italian place on Restaurant Row, in the Broadway Theater District…  Becco.

Then after, we went to the Robert De Niro-owned fabulous Tribeca Grill Restaurant…  But, unfortunately we had already eaten!   We went to see a movie in the Tribeca Film Center Screening Room (movie theater) upstairs.  Of course, as you know…  It’s Tribeca Film Festival time.

The film was awesome.

I’m calling Oprah about it today…

I’m not kidding.

And, you know who else…  Marianne Williamson too…

This film has Oprah written all over it…   And Marianne Williamson is the one who’s been so active in trying to create a Department of Peace…  It’s right up her alley as well.

It’s called “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”  (see praythedevilbacktohell.com )

They JUST finished creating the film….. just in time for the Tribeca Film Festival.

It’s already been voted #2 Best Film at Tribeca.

It’s such an inspirational TRUE story….  You’re gonna love it.

After watching the film, we personally met the Producer, Gini Reticker…  the Director, Abigail Disney…  and, really…  who I would consider one of the STARS of the film…   Leymah Gbowee…  the person the film was all about…   well, one of them.

Click the link and you’ll see a short trailer.

On Wednesday, the President of Liberia will be here at the screening of it…   Wow!   Wanna meet the President of Liberia…?   President Sirleaf…  is…   Well, one hint without giving away the entire movie…  female.

This film is going to change the world in big ways.

I do happen to have a personal connection to Oprah.  One of her top staffers is a friend of mine.  But that’s no guarantee.  So…

You should email Oprah and tell her about it too.  Tell her she MUST see this film!  Include the link http://praythedevilbacktohell.com The more of us she hears from, the faster it will be brought to her attention.

I also have an inside connection to Marianne Williamson…  So I’ll be calling him today too.

And, as one of Oprah’s “friends”…  (as in Oprah & Friends…)  Marianne Williamson most certainly has Oprah’s number too.  She can probably send her a text message on her Blackberry over the weekend.

Anyway, this is a MUST SEE film…   But, besides that…   This film will change the perspective of women all over the world…  (and men too!)   Women are so much more powerful than they know.   They are seen as nurturers, and mothers, and as weak.   They are to be protected…  Or, in some cultures, owned.   But no matter how bad the circumstances may be…  They still have POWER.   Especially when they come together…  en mass.

Just as when a good idea comes together and is shared by the masses…   When women, all sharing a good idea…  come together en mass…   They can change the entire WORLD for the better.

Thank God also for Gini Reticker and Abigail Disney for recognizing the profound importance of this story, and feeling compelled to make it their mission to deliver this story to the entire world.

The world will benefit from the courage, undying determination, and hard work of all the women — both in this film, and who created this film.

Now, it’s up to YOU to help spread the word.  Help spread the message of this film.

Please do this now.

Five minutes of your time, and $0.00, will help change the world.

Write a quick email to Oprah and while you’re at it, copy & paste to Send a quick email to Marianne Williamson too, telling them how important it is.  Be sure to give them the name of this film.  It’s called “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”, and tell them to go to praythedevilbacktohell.com

In fact, you can tell both of them that they should already have a copy of this film on their desk.  According to the Producer, this is already true for Oprah.  And I’ll make sure that it will be true for Marianne as well, by the time you’re reading this.

Also, go to praythedevilbacktohell.com and sign up on their mailing list.  Email them and ask them what else YOU can do to help promote this film.

Here’s a short synopsis of the film from Emanuel Levy

“Pray the Devil Back to Hell” is a powerful but little-known story of a small band of Liberian women who came together to end their nation’s civil war in 2003. Armed with white T-shirts and the courage of their convictions, a coalition of Christian and Muslim women took on Charles Taylor and the warlords and brought peace to their shattered country.

This socially relevant documentary will receive
its world premiere at the 2008 Tribeca Film Fest, in April.

As the rebel noose tightened upon Monrovia and the peace talks faced collapse, the women of Liberia–Christian and Muslims united–formed a thin but unshakable white line between the opposing forces, and successfully demanded an end to the fighting. Their demonstrations culminated in the exile of Charles Taylor and the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female head of state–and mark the vanguard of a new wave of women taking control of their political destiny around the world.

But ignored by the press and obscured by the women’s own modesty, this remarkable accomplishment was on its way to being lost to historical memory forever. Pray the Devil Back to Hell reconstructs the moment through interviews, archival footage and striking images of contemporary Liberia. It is compelling testimony to the potential of women worldwide to alter the history of nations.

- Bruce Wagner

~

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__________________
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bruce@brucewagner.com

April 19, 2008

Call Someone’s Voicemail Directly Without Ringing their Phone

Filed under: Life, Technology — Bruce @ 10:36 am

THIS is hot!

Call….      1-267-SLY-DIAL

Or…     267-759-3425

And See  slydial.com

If you have long lists of calls to return, you just might get through them in HALF the time!

And don’t miss all the other amazing fun little things this company is also offering….  See mobile-sphere.com

Like joopz.com, for example….  which allows you to carry on multiple SMS text messaging chats with people from your computer.  It’s a web page and allows you to chat as if you were using Instant Messaging… with people who are using SMS text messaging on their cell phone…  Very slick!

You heard it here first….

– Bruce

~

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Bruce Wagner
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April 12, 2008

The Biggest Event of the Year

Filed under: Life — Bruce @ 4:43 pm

for the 50 Largest Metro Areas in the US

Please help me compile this list.

~

Metro Area biggest event of the year dates this coming year

New York
Boston Boston Marathon Apr 21, 2008
Providence RI

Bridgeport/Stamford CT
Hartford CT
Springfield MA
Philadelphia
Washington
Baltimore
Virginia Beach VA
Richmond VA
Allentown PA
Detroit
Cleveland
Pittsburgh
Cincinnati
Indianapolis IN
Columbus OH All American Quarter Horse Congress Oct 4-26, 2008
Louisville KY Kentucky Derby May 3, 2008
Dayton OH
Atlanta
Memphis TN
Charlotte NC
Nashville TN
Birmingham AL
Miami
Tampa
Orlando FL
Jacksonville FL
Fort Lauderdale
Dallas
Houston

San Antonio TX

Austin TX
Oklahoma City
Los Angeles
San Diego
Riverside CA
Las Vegas CES Consumer Electronics Show Jan 8-11, 2009
Palm Springs CA
Chicago
Milwaukee WI
Madison WI
San Francisco
San Jose CA
Sacramento
Seattle
Portland OR
Kansas City MO
Omaha NE
Buffalo NY
Rochester NY
Phoenix
Tucson AZ
Minneapolis
Saint Louis
Denver

New Orleans LA
Salt Lake City
El Paso TX
Albuquerque NM
Honolulu HI

~

Do YOU know what is the biggest convention, or event, of the year each year… that comes to YOUR area?

What is it?

When is it?

This might help

This is A List of All the Convention Centers in All 50 States

It might help to contact each convention center, and ask them….  What is the largest event of the year in your city?

Let me know, and I’ll add it to this list and continue compiling and improving this list. Email the city, event, and dates for the upcoming year, to me at bruce@brucewagner.com

~

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__________________
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bruce@brucewagner.com

March 25, 2008

Downloading Oprah and Eckhart Tolle — Author of “A New Earth”

Filed under: Life, Spirit — Bruce @ 11:02 am

oprah_winfrey.jpg eckhart_tolle_125x163.jpg

Well, as you all probably are very aware by now, Oprah has been doing an entire series of online classes, in the form of LIVE webcasts, with Eckhart Tolle. You can get all the details at Oprah.com, of course.

Also, you can download all the previous ones you’ve missed, here.

Also See:

Downloading Oprah and The Secret, plus Eckert Tolle’s A New Earth, and Marianne Williamson

~

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__________________
Bruce Wagner
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http://brucewagner.com/blog
bruce@brucewagner.com

February 13, 2008

Companies we Boycott and Why

boycott.gif

Sometimes — against huge multi-national global corporations, and governments, and world banker elites — you may feel powerless. But… We’re NOT powerless. Use you hard earned dollars, as well as your vote, to make the world a better place for us all.

Here it is! The current list of companies’ products and services that… We Boycott !

Click each company’s name to learn more about the reasons why we boycott that company…

Print out the long list of brand names for some of these enormous conglomerates and take that list every time you go to the grocery store.

whatcanido.jpg

~

do NOT use… instead try…
.
comcast_logo.jpg Comcast – censoring the internet for political reasons
any other ISP or cable television provider
.do NOT use… instead try…
.
Exxon — ExxonEssoMobil — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths public transportation — subway, commuter rail, bus
.
do NOT use… instead try…
paypal_boycott.gif paypal_screwpaypal_logo.gif Paypal — (owned by eBay, Skype) Can PayPal hold my money with no explanation? The answer is YES. Can PayPal freeze my account for no reason? The answer is YES. Can PayPal take money out of my account without my knowledge? The answer is YES. And they do it OFTEN!
moneybookers_logo.gif Moneybookers – far better, far easier to set up, and much much cheaper than PayPal. And they don’t censor what items you buy or sell. And they don’t steal your money. And they don’t extort exorbitant fees for doing absolutely nothing. Low transaction fees (as low as 1%, capped at EUR 0.50).
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
krap.jpg Kraft Foods — Altria Group (Philip Morris, Kraft Foods, Nabisco) (see complete list of brands to boycott: Philip Morris brands, and Kraft Foods brands, and Nabisco brands) — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths more unprocessed natural foods
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
microsoft_tentacles.jpg Microsoft — Big Brother’s Computer Company has always used anti-competitive practices, intentional security vulnerabilities, and creating a product that spys on it’s owner, collects all sorts of personal data, and reports it all back to Big Brother. ubuntu-1280x1024_cropped_tight1.png Ubuntu …or… Free Open Source Software
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
Coca-Cola / Coke / Diet Coke — Coca-Cola Company (see complete list of Coke brands to boycott) — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths more water
mcdonalds_boycott.jpg McDonald’s — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths energy_kitchen.jpg Energy Kitchen
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
Amazon any other book retailer …or… The PB Top 100 Books
.
do NOT use…. instead try…
.
Mobil — ExxonEssoMobil — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths public transportation — subway, commuter rail, bus
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
ebay_boycott.gif eBay — (owns Paypal, Skype) – Can PayPal hold my money with no explanation? The answer is YES. Can PayPal freeze my account for no reason? The answer is YES. Can PayPal take money out of my account without my knowledge? The answer is YES. And they do it OFTEN! craigslist_2.jpg Craigslist which is FREE, and Other Auction Sites
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
Pepsi — PepsiCo Inc (see complete list of Pepsi brands to boycott) — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths more water
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
gmail_boycott.jpg Gmail – Listed as THE worst offender of Privacy Rights,, Google, who owns Gmail, is also accused of working directly with evil communist dictatorships to aid them in their computer technology development. (see videos about this) evolution_screenshots.png Evolution is a free open-source program equivalent to, and compatible with, Microsoft Outlook — but free and open source. It is available for Windows, and is pre-installed by default in Ubuntu. Use Evolution, in conjunction with an email provider (like GoDaddy), instead of using Gmail. That way Google cannot collect personal information about you. Never log in to any Google or Yahoo or MSN web site or account. If you do, they can collect and store all sorts of personal information about you.
.
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
boycott_google_logo.jpg google_yahoo_msn_boycott.gif Google, Yahoo, and MSN – internet censorship to promote communist dictatorships (see videos about this) scroogle.gif Among the worst offenders of Privacy Rights, these three search engines are now accused of working directly with evil communist dictatorships to aid them in their computer technology development.Scroogle is what is known as a “scraper”. It actually uses Google to perform internet searches for you, but it acts as the middle-man in order to maintain your total anonynimity — so that Google cannot collect personal information about you.Never log in to any Google or Yahoo or MSN web site or account. If you do, they can collect and store all sorts of personal information about you.
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
.
.
.
do NOT use…
Nabisco — Altria Group (Philip Morris, Kraft Foods, Nabisco) (see complete list of brands to boycott: Philip Morris brands, and Kraft Foods brands, and Nabisco brands) — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths more unprocessed natural foods
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
boycott_war_2.gif Boycott War If you want to don’t want corporations or governments to use your money to finance war then don’t let them.You can choose to boycott countries or companies who profit from conflict, conquest, and suffering. If you do so, you certainly won’t be alone. Boycotts against the war are a fast-growing global movement.Learn about boycotting the war profiteers.
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
Gatorade — PepsiCo Inc (see complete list of Pepsi brands to boycott) — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths more water
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
Fanta — Coca-Cola Company — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths more water
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
Texaco — ChevronTexaco — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths public transportation — subway, commuter rail, bus
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
Marlboro — Altria Group (Philip Morris, Kraft Foods, Nabisco) (see complete list of brands to boycott: Philip Morris brands, and Kraft Foods brands, and Nabisco brands) — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths more unprocessed natural foods
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
trendmicro_logo.gif Trend Micro — using patent infringement lawsuits to attack the free open source software movement
ubuntu-690x90.jpg Ubuntu
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
Esso — ExxonEssoMobil — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths public transportation — subway, commuter rail, bus
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
boycott_the_war.gif Phillip Morris — Altria Group (Philip Morris, Kraft Foods, Nabisco) (see complete list of brands to boycott: Philip Morris brands, and Kraft Foods brands, and Nabisco brands) — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
Chevron — ChevronTexaco — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths public transportation — subway, commuter rail, bus
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
Sprite — Coca-Cola Company (see complete list of Coke brands to boycott) — promoting Iraq war, blamed for 600,000 deaths more water
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
skype_ebay_merged_logos.jpg Skype — (owned by eBay, Paypal) – Can PayPal hold my money with no explanation? The answer is YES. Can PayPal freeze my account for no reason? The answer is YES. Can PayPal take money out of my account without my knowledge? The answer is YES. And they do it OFTEN! ekiga_icon.png ekiga_dialpad.pngeiga_in_a_call.png Ekiga (in conjunction with a free real telephone number from IPKall )(click images to see a larger view)
.
do NOT use… instead try…
.
sony_boycott.png Sony (see also) – the world’s second-biggest record label has been caught in an abusive and likely illegal copy-restriction practice – making CDs that leave computers vulnerable to security breaches pirate_bay_sharing_is_caring.png Top 100 Movies, TV, Music, Audiobooks, Books, and Other Cool Stuff
.
.
More Companies to Boycott and Why


~

If you have any ideas for items that should be included on my list of Companies we Boycott, or comments about any on this list, please email me. Thanks.

att00006.jpeg

.
TOP 6 Bush Donors
.1. Altria (ex-Philip Morris, Kraft Food)
2. Exxon-Mobil (Esso)
3. Chevron-Texaco
4. PepsiCo
5. Coca Cola
6. McDonalds.
Oct. 04; Source: opensecrets.org
911.jpg

~

What’s so dangerous about the Cult of  Scientology?  And why You should Care.  Click here to find out.

~

Free yourself from the closed proprietary ‘Big Brother’ corporate greed of Microsoft, Apple, etc. Choose  Open Source Free Software.

Are you using Ubuntu Linux on your home computer yet?  Do you use Google?  Did you know that the Google search engine you use every day operates 100% on Linux?  There’s no Windows or Mac running the Google company or any of its services.  Check out  Windows vs Ubuntu’s Best Applications and  getgnulinux.org and  ubuntu.com and  wubi-installer.org and  Google: Open Source Free Software

~

Also, be sure to check out…

Watch our shows…

And don’t forget to…

__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
bruce@brucewagner.com

February 12, 2008

Comcast Admits to Censoring the Internet

Filed under: Internet Freedom, Life, One World Government, Technology — Bruce @ 11:50 am

comcast_logo.jpg

Stories of Comcast Censoring Political Content and other Internet Data are Flourishing

See:

The Solution:

  1. Let the FCC Know you are Opposed
  2. Email the link for this page to all your friends… and most important of all…
  3. Boycott Comcast

~

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__________________
Bruce Wagner
http://brucewagner.com
http://brucewagner.com/blog
bruce@brucewagner.com
646-275-2195

February 9, 2008

The Power Plant In Your Pants

Filed under: Life, Technology — Bruce @ 8:58 am

Scientists have developed a knee brace that captures energy from a moving knee, much like regenerative braking charges a battery in a Toyota Prius.

The device, jointly (hah!) developed by scientists at three universities, uses kinetic energy to generate electricity.

When the leg extends, energy spins gears on the device, which in turn power a built-in generator. Software determines at which point in each stride the generator should engage, and resistance from the engaged generator aids the wearer in slowing down the leg. See video of the knee in action.

Data on metabolic power supplied by the University of Michigan highlight the device’s efficiency:

Subjects required less than one watt of extra metabolic power for each watt of electricity they generated. A typical hand-crank generator, for comparison, takes an average of 6.4 watts of metabolic power to generate one watt of electricity because of inefficiencies of muscles and generators.

Scientists at the University of Michigan claim that walking can generate “enough electricity to operate a portable GPS locator, a cell phone, a motorized prosthetic joint or an implanted neurotransmitter.” They are working on trimming it down from its prototype weight of 3.5 pounds — the current size works as a proof-of-concept, but isn’t practical.

The Michigan team and colleagues at Simon Fraser University in Canada and the University of Pittsburgh also will need to work on the name of the device. If they want this thing to sell, they’ll have to come up with something snappier than “biomechanical energy harvester.” I like “The In-Your-Pants Power Plant” as a tagline — it’s memorable.

Next they should manufacture it in several colors, and make the housing washable. Knees get sweaty, after all. Finally, they should market the device to athletes, hikers/hunters/backpackers, and the military (make sure it comes in camo).

this from informationweek

~

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__________________
Bruce Wagner
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http://brucewagner.com/blog
bruce@brucewagner.com
646-275-2195

February 8, 2008

Bruce’s Favorite Things

Filed under: Consumer Issues, Life, Technology — Bruce @ 2:56 am

THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS — currently being edited

maldives_hotel_001p.jpg

Here it is! The ever-evolving list of products, services, and stuff… that Bruce just loves — Bruce’s Favorite Things

Each one is brilliant in its own way. Check them out. You’ll be so glad you did…

(please be patient… as this list is currently being edited)

    item description
       
    costco.jpg
    Costco
    Costco refuses to mark up any item more than 14%, in contrast to supermarkets and department stores, which often carry markups of 25% and 50%, respectively. They also tend to carry more higher-end quality items.
       
    craigslist_2.jpg
    Craigslist
     

     
    ubuntu-1280x1024_cropped_tight.png
    Ubuntu
    The awesome free replacement for Windows and Mac — far superior to both in every way. Ubuntu is the most popular version of Linux by far. All software is free, and there’s no such thing as a virus or spyware on Ubuntu because it’s a secure operating system– unlike Windows and Mac.
     
    the-secret_seal_on_dark.jpg
    The Secret
    The Secret reveals the most powerful law in the universe. The knowledge of this law has run like a golden thread through the lives and the teachings of all the prophets, seers, sages and saviors in the world’s history, and through the lives of all truly great men and women.watch now or download free

     
    torrentz_logo.jpg
    Torrentz
    With close to a million unique visitors a day, Torrentz.com is by far the most popular BitTorrent meta search engine. Its unique way of indexing torrents from other popular BitTorrent sites makes it the personal favorite of many BitTorrent fans, and one of the most valuable BitTorrent resources on the Internet.
       
    free.gif
    Free (as in freedom and as in free beer) Software
    The Essential List of Best-of-Breed Free Software. Whether you’re running Windows, Vista, Mac, or Ubuntu Linux — this list is the best software in each category — and most importantly, it’s all free!(Of course, if you’re running Ubuntu, you’re already head and shoulders above the rest of the uninformed masses!)
       

     
    firefoxad.jpg
    Firefox
     
       

     
    Duracell AA Charger  
    iPhone (only 50% sold on it — only for it’s touch & scroll user interface and web browsing)  

     

     
       
    A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle  
    Downey Wrinkle Releaser  
       
    movies_3.jpg
    Must See Movies
     
    x  
    x  
    x
     
    micro_center.jpg
    MicroCenter
    Simply the best computer store in the world, in my opinion.
    xx  
    GnuCash
     
    Enchanted  
    The Secret Audiobook unabridged  
    A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle  
    pirate_bay_logo.jpg
    The Guys at Pirate Bay
    These guys are heroes! These four men in Sweden not only run the world’s larger bittorrent tracker site — The Pirate Bay — but they stand for a fairness and sanity, internet freedom and privacy rights, in the internet age. And not only that… They have BIG basketball.png football.jpgs… Big enough, in fact, to stand up to the most powerful… governments, big rich corporate interests, and all of their lawyers, police, etc… to stand for, and defend, what is fair and right.These pages are the coolest: This one for The Top 100 Movies, and The Top 100 TV Series, and The Top 100 Music, and The Top 100 Audiobooks, and The Top 100 Books and Other.(If you don’t already have a bittorrent program installed, go to uTorrent and download that little free program, and you’ll have everything you need to access all the downloads you want — for free — if you have a Windows computer. If you have a Mac, get Transmission. Of course, if you have Ubuntu, you don’t need anything. You already know that bittorrent is a built-in feature of Ubuntu. Transmission is also the client of choice on Ubuntu.)
       
    Gimp
     
    sucupolafeature.jpg
    1-800-NOW-PRAY
    Nothing more powerful! Silent Unity is available to pray with you over the telephone, free and anonymously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — prayer that is affirmative, based on positive prayers and affirmations that have universal, interfaith appeal — prayer support whenever you want it. Call 1-800-NOW-PRAY (669-7729)
    Transmission  
    Best Audiobooks
     
    HopStop  
       
    SkyAuction (for cruises and vacations)  
    xxxxxxxx
     
    xxxxxxx  
    xxxxxxxxx
     
    xxxxxxxx
     
    bittorrent_visualized.jpg
    BitTorrent
     
    Ekiga (with an IPKall number)  
    Evolution  
    Transmission  
    OpenOffice  
    Pidgin  
       
    1-800-GOOG-411  
       
     
    oprah_winfrey.jpg
    Oprah
    My She-ro!
       

     
    SkyBus  
    Priceline (for hotels and car rental only)  

     
    questions_and_answers.jpg
    The Magic “Answer to Every Question” Machine
    I know… You THINK you know all about this one. But it might surprise you to learn that, NO, you DON’T! That’s because they don’t understand the basics of how it works.People use Google to search the internet every day. However, most people have no idea of the POWER it offers… and how they can REALLY benefit from it. That’s because they don’t understand the basics of how Google works.The most important thing you must really understand is this:Google ranks everything in the entire world — by how important and relevant it is as of this very moment TODAYThe second thing they don’t realize is:Google can be used to quickly answer ALMOST ANY QUESTION instantly — with the best answer available in the worldHere’s how to use it properly:Every day, many questions pop in to your mind. Questions like:”Should I buy a 720p, a 1080i, or a 1080p HD TV set? What’s the difference anyway? And what’s the price difference?”Everyone under-utilizes Google. Every time you wonder about something… like…”I wonder if they ever came out with The Secret in Spanish yet?” Google: the secret en espanol” Google often. Google every question you find yourself asking… Google knows the answer. Google knows everything.
       
       

     
    hushmail.gif
    Hushmail
    Hushmail provides private, secure free email accounts. Email is encrypted, scanned for viruses and filtered for spam, automatically.My Husmail address is brucewagner@hush.com

     

     
    Google Alerts  
    Wikipedia  
    Grand Central the new way to use your phones  
       
    Perricone Prescription  
    bayimg_logo.gif
    BayIMG
    free unlimited and uncensored image hosting
    Del.icio.us  
       
    Google Trends  
       
    Feedburner  
    .  
    StumbleUpon  
       
    Google Product Search  
       
    Kiva loans that change lives  
       
    Deals of America  
       
    Giordano’s Pizza of Chicago (also order online for worldwide delivery)  
       
    tagoo.jpg
    Tagoo.ru
    From Russia with Love — what more can I say?Just click and be prepared for music to your ears…
       
    An Inconvenient Truth  
       
    George Foreman Grill  
       
    boleo_hold_your_water.jpg
    Boleo Hold Your Water
    wear your water bottle hands-free on your belt loop — stay healthy, drink more water
    wordpress-logo.pngWordPress.com For blogging… Nothing is simpler and better. Period. (And a Google PageRank of 9 doesn’t hurt either.Oh, and it’s free.
    HopStop  
    Deluge  
    GnuCash  
    Gimp  
    Windows and Ubuntu’s Best Software  
    pia_logo.gif
    Plug in America
    Plug In America advocates the use of plug-in cars, trucks and SUVs powered by cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment.
    new york city things  
    Fresh Direct  
    Who Killed the Electric Car  
    Sushi at Lobster Place at Chelsea Market (also order online for worldwide delivery)  
    What the Bleep do We Know  
    Delivery.com  
    Fat Witch brownies  
    Room Service Thai Restaurant  
    Billy’s Bakery  
    Zeitgeist  
    Fleet Week NYC  
    The New York International Gift Fair  
    torrentfreedom.jpg
    TorrentFreedom
    TorrentFreedom offers 100% anonymous and unrestricted internet access and BitTorrent — the way it should be.
       
    LifeHacker  
    Engadget  
    Electronic Frontier Foundation EFF is the leading civil liberties group defending your rights in the digital world. From the Internet to the iPod, technologies are transforming our society and empowering us as speakers, citizens, creators, and consumers. When our freedoms in the networked world come under attack, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is the first line of defense.
    Uggs  
       

    If you have any ideas for items that should be included on my list of Favorite Things, or comments about any item on this list, please email me. Thanks.

    ~

    If you liked this one, check out Today’s Top Stories — the most popular stories here. They’re listed in the right-hand column, just below the Subscribe buttons.

    Also be sure to see… Other Topic Categories and Bruce’s Hot List

    Or you can also… continue reading… Related Items on this Topic

    __________________
    Bruce Wagner
    http://brucewagner.com
    http://brucewagner.com/blog
    bruce@brucewagner.com
    646-275-2195

    Must See Movies and Videos

    movies_3.jpg

    Cozy up with a Cuddle Buddy and a Bowl of Popcorn… These Movies You Must Not Miss!

    These are movies you can watch online that I consider “Must See” for everyone…

    Just click any of the “watch now” links below to begin watching the movie, or click on any of the “download free” links below to download the movie to your computer:

    NOTE: Check the listed running time of each video. If it’s less than one hour, it’s probably only a preview trailer, or not a complete copy.

    ALSO: To download movies and such, if you are on Windows, you’ll need to download and install uTorrent. first. If you’re on Ubuntu or Mac, you’ll need to install Transmission.

    See also: How to Download Everything you Want for Free

    And also see my article called…

    Feel Like a Great Movie Tonight?

    Let us know what you think of them in the Comments section of this item…

    If any of them really strike a cord with you, please be sure to email the link to them (or the link to this page) to everyone you know. That’s the best way to spread the word, by far.

    Also, if you find any of the links above are broken or incorrect, please email me. Thanks!

    While You’re At It

    Be sure to check out these two awesome pages:

    The Top 100 Page of movies, videos, audiobooks, music, etc. on the entire internet to Download Free, and…

    The Most Popular Movies on the entire internet you can Watch Online Now from Google Video

    Notes:

    Remember, if you download an ISO file you will need to use a free program like IMGBurn to burn a CD or DVD from it. But you will end up with an exact copy — including the full menus, extra bonus features, etc — of the original… not just the movie.

    If you download an AVI file, be sure to check whether it is in English, or in Spanish — whichever you prefer. Also, you might need to get the “Divx” plug-in in order to watch it. You can download it free at Divx.com

    If you download an audiobook it will probably be in MP3 format, for convenient listening on your computer… Or on your iPod.

    If you download a ZIP file, it’s easy to un-zip it once the download is complete. In Windows, just right-click on the ZIP file and click “Extract All…”

    If you have any problems, or questions, following these instructions, please email me to let me know.

    ~

    What’s so dangerous about the Cult of  Scientology?  And why You should Care.  Click here to find out.

    ~

    Free yourself from the closed proprietary ‘Big Brother’ corporate greed of Microsoft, Apple, etc. Choose  Open Source Free Software.

    Are you using Ubuntu Linux on your home computer yet?  Do you use Google?  Did you know that the Google search engine you use every day operates 100% on Linux?  There’s no Windows or Mac running the Google company or any of its services.  Check out  Windows vs Ubuntu’s Best Applications and  getgnulinux.org and  ubuntu.com and  wubi-installer.org and  Google: Open Source Free Software

    ~

    Also, be sure to check out…

    Watch our shows…

    And don’t forget to…

    __________________
    Bruce Wagner
    http://brucewagner.com
    bruce@brucewagner.com

    February 7, 2008

    No More Emptying your Laptop Case for Airport Security

    Filed under: Life, Technology — Bruce @ 1:00 pm

    laptop_case_at_security.jpg

    TSA Finally does Something Right

    The TSA just announced that it has put to end their practice of requiring travelers to remove their laptops from their laptop bags.

    This is something I’ve always said is a ridiculous policy. It’s also one of the biggest hassles for anyone going through airport security.

    If the x-ray machine cannot ’see’ through my plastic faux leather laptop bag, then I think there is little hope of it identifying anything… inside of anything at all…

    airport_security.gif

    This, from the ars technica blog…

    When the TSA launched its Evolution of Security blog last month in an effort to engage in open communication with travelers, my colleague Jon Stokes expressed skepticism and characterized as laughable the prospect of TSA acting on feedback from the public. Having written about the ineptitude of TSA in the past myself, I was emphatically inclined to agree with Jon. It looks like we might have passed judgment prematurely, because it only took TSA one week to start making broad policy changes in response to feedback received through the blog.

    In an entry posted at Evolution of Security yesterday, TSA reveals that it has put a permanent end to the highly invasive practice of requiring travelers to remove all electronics from carry-on bags—a security measure that recently inconvenienced many travelers, including several Ars staffers who were flying out of San Francisco International Airport. “After some calls to our airports, we learned that this exercise was set up by local TSA offices and was not part of any grand plan across the country,” the blog entry says. “These practices were stopped on Monday afternoon and Blackberrys, cords and iPods began to flow through checkpoints like the booze was flowing on Bourbon Street Tuesday night. (Fat Tuesday of course).”

    Could this be a real trend… Listening to the public, and to common sense…?

    Don’t hold your breath. I predict otherwise. I say it’s a publicity stunt… to garner positive publicity. God knows, they need all the positive publicity they can get.

    Pretty much everyone human on the planet knows that aiport security in the US is a joke, and always has been. The only thing they do effectively is cause the public great hassle, stress, anxiety, and grief. Oh, yeah… That, and… cause them to miss their flights too.

    ~

    If you liked this one, check out Today’s Top Stories — the most popular stories here. They’re listed in the right-hand column, just below the Subscribe buttons.

    Also be sure to see… Other Topic Categories and Bruce’s Hot List

    Or you can also… continue reading… Related Items on this Topic

    __________________
    Bruce Wagner
    http://brucewagner.com
    http://brucewagner.com/blog
    bruce@brucewagner.com
    646-275-2195

    February 2, 2008

    Google’s New Internet Television Network

    Filed under: Internet Freedom, Life, One World Government, Technology — Bruce @ 2:01 pm

    google_logo_video.jpg

    This really is the new Media

    And the bastion of what’s left of Free Speech, and real democracy… As I always say, Thank God for the Internet! Often, it’s the only place you’ll hear the real truth about what’s going on in the world.

    Everyone knows that Google ranks the most important web sites on the entire internet. But did you know that Google also ranks the most important movies, documentaries, and other videos on the internet…?

    This is the page I currently have set, within my browser, as my Start Page (my Home Page): http://video.google.com

    It’s So Cool

    That page shows you THE most popular videos, and full-length movies, and video documentaries… on the entire internet.

    If you click the “Most Viewed” button… Then click on “Browse by Month“, you’ll see what’s hottest on the entire internet now.

    It is very telling of what’s going on in the REAL world — the internet world of free speech. As opposed to the war-time propaganda machine of the 5 guys who control 100% of the Media in the USA — including ALL of the mainstream local and national, newspapers, radio stations, television stations, radio networks, television networks, etc. (see media consolidation)

    You will Notice, that…

    • 5 of the top 5 videos
    • 8 of the top 10 videos ~and~
    • 13 of the top 20 videos

    …on the entire internet

    …are documentaries about many of the topics and issues I talk about most… here on my blog.

    movies_3.jpg

    Be sure to watch theses videos especially:

    • Zeitgeist
    • America: Freedom to Fascism
    • Loose Change
    • End Game
    • Panorama
    • Money as Debt
    • Who Killed the Electric Car
    • The Money Masters
    • Rockefeller Admitted Elite Goal Of Microchipped Population
    • OUTFOXED : Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism
    • FIAT EMPIRE – Why the Federal Reserve Violates the U.S. Constitution
    • Benjamin Fulford interviews David Rockefeller about Illuminati
    • The Century of the Self
    • The Secret

    Let us know what you think of them in the comments section of this item…

    If any of them really strike a cord with you, please be sure to email the link to them (or the link to this blog item) to everyone you know. That’s the best way to spread the word, by far.

    ~

    If you liked this one, check out Today’s Top Stories — the most popular stories here. They’re listed in the right-hand column, just below the Subscribe buttons.

    Also be sure to see… Other Topic Categories and Bruce’s Hot List

    Or you can also… continue reading… Related Items on this Topic

    __________________
    Bruce Wagner
    http://brucewagner.com
    http://brucewagner.com/blog
    bruce@brucewagner.com
    646-275-2195

    September 25, 2007

    A Great Little Video about What GTD is…

    Filed under: GTD, Life — Bruce @ 12:27 pm

    From the “What’s the Next Action” blog, this 5 minute video is a very nice lecture / introduction to GTD by the author of GTD himself, David Allen.

    Watch this: A Very Nice Lecture from David Allen

    You can also download The entire Getting Things Done Fast audiobook (MP3), and accompanying workbook (PDF).

    (You’ll need to first download the free uTorrent program.)

    August 9, 2007

    Learning a Language and Attending Harvard, all for Free, while Commuting to work on a Bicycle

    Filed under: Consumer Issues, Health, Life, Love, Money, Technology — Bruce @ 12:47 pm

    This is Unifying the Planet

    …fast!

    That’s right.

    All any human being needs is… an iPod (or a cheap iPod knock-off from China, or any other cheap MP3 player, or a computer) and an occasional internet connection.

    A 16-year-old boy could be riding a bicycle in Bangladesh… and…

    a middle-aged construction laborer could be sitting in the back of a Baht bus in Bangkok… at the same time, while…

    …taking a course at Harvard,

    …learning Spanish or Czech or German or French, or

    …watching the world’s best video and audio tutorials, movies, and documentaries

    All for free.

    Don’t shoot me…

    I’m just tellin it like it is…

    This technology IS ALREADY changing the education of the masses on this planet.

    I said above, that any person could be doing these things…

    However, the truth is… THEY ALREADY ARE!

    Right now — at this very moment — a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Kolkata, India

    and a grandmother in Yangon, Myanmar

    are getting an education by listening to, and watching, downloaded media… for free.

    ~

    baht-bus.jpg

    listening to the course lectures of the best USA university professors for free while riding on a typical 20-cent Baht Bus in Pattaya, Thailand

    ~

    Do YOU even know how to use uTorrent? (See brucewagner.com/free )

    You install the free program, then you go to a site like mininova.org or thepiratebay.org

    All for free, from all over the globe — not hundreds of millions — but BILLIONS — of human beings, are downloading anything they want — educational CDs, DVDs, movies, books — you name it…

    Then, they are watching and/or listening to ALL of the best video and audio material ever created…. for free…. while they are walking, waiting, working, relaxing, commuting, etc… on their iPod, or MP3 player, or cellphone or PDA… or now, even on their iPhone…

    Agree with it or not…. The world IS changing at lightning speed, as a result.

    To give you an idea of what’s out there….

    Here are some of the Pimsleur Language Courses available for free, which you can download via bittorrent…

    See http://www.mininova.org/search/pimsleur/seeds

    Here are some of the The Teaching Company (TTC) University Courses available for free, which you can download via bittorrent…

    See http://www.mininova.org/search/TTC/seeds

    Here are some of the videos and audiobooks related the the worldwide phenomenon called, The Secret – The Law of Attraction available for free, which you can download via bittorrent…

    http://www.mininova.org/search/the+secret+law+of+attraction/seeds

    http://www.mininova.org/search/the+secret+audiobook/seeds

    and en Espanol,

    http://www.mininova.org/search/el+secreto+ley+atraccion/seeds

    Make no mistake about it…

    In some countries it is illegal to download copyrighted material.

    We certainly recommend that you abide by the law always.

    And…

    These programs are usually copyright protected, and may cost anywhere from $200 for one language course, to thousands of dollars for one single university course…

    But…

    The Masses — literally billions of people — are downloading them for free… from all over the planet… 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    BitTorrent + iPod = Universal Global Education

    Whether you choose to join them or not… You should be aware of how this IS changing the world you live in.

    ~

    Continue reading… Related Items on this Topic …Or see… Other Topic Categories

    __________________
    Bruce Wagner
    http://brucewagner.com
    http://brucewagner.com/blog
    bruce@brucewagner.com
    646-275-2195

    May 30, 2007

    El Secreto: La Ley de Atracción (en Español)

    Filed under: El Show de Edward Gel, Health, Life, Love, Money — Bruce @ 5:00 am

    The Secret — with Spanish Subtitles

    It’s now available here: http://brucewagner.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/must-see-movies/

    Después de escribir varias entradas con respecto a la película “El Secreto”, muchos de los lectores están pidiendo la versión española de esta película. Les mande un email a los productores, para conseguir más Información con respecto a un lanzamiento de una versión en español o con subtítulo en español, de la película.

    En el proceso yo he descubierto una versión en español no oficial subtitulado de la película: http://brucewagner.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/must-see-movies/

    See also: http://edwardgel.com/blog and http://edwardgel.com/thesecret

    ~

    What’s so dangerous about the Cult of  Scientology?  And why You should Care.  Click here to find out.

    ~

    Free yourself from the closed proprietary ‘Big Brother’ corporate greed of Microsoft, Apple, etc. Choose  Open Source Free Software.

    Are you using Ubuntu Linux on your home computer yet?  Do you use Google?  Did you know that the Google search engine you use every day operates 100% on Linux?  There’s no Windows or Mac running the Google company or any of its services.  Check out  Windows vs Ubuntu’s Best Applications and  getgnulinux.org and  ubuntu.com and  wubi-installer.org and  Google: Open Source Free Software

    ~

    Also, be sure to check out…

    Watch our shows…

    And don’t forget to…

    __________________
    Bruce Wagner
    http://brucewagner.com
    bruce@brucewagner.com

    April 20, 2007

    What’s so Important about a Daily Routine?

    Filed under: Life — Bruce @ 1:25 am

    Although I’m not really into astrology… Just for fun, a friend lent me a book called, “Your Personal Horoscope 2007″.

    Ed and I had fun reading about each other. And we’re always shocked at how seemingly accurate it can be.

    But one passage really did me in… I had never read this about the Taurus before…

    It said,

    Taureans love routine. A routine, if it is good, has many virtues. It is a fixed — and, ideally, perfect — way of taking care of things. Mistakes can happen when spontaneity comes into the equation, and mistakes cause discomfort and uneasiness — something almost unacceptable to a Taurus. Meddling with Taureans’ comfort and security is a sure way to irritate and anger them.

    Woah!

    As you might have guessed by now, I am a Taurus.

    And, anyone who knows me well, knows… that I have been obsessing about my little thing, which I call my “Daily Routine”, for years! Literally. Seriously. ;)

    I have it all typed up in a nice table format as a Word document. I print it out, and I revise it by making little handwritten notes on it, then later I type in the revisions, and print it out again. I carry it everywhere I go. And I have been doing this for YEARS! No. I am not kidding!

    (Those close to me are laughing right now. Not “with” me… but “at” me. ;) )

    The only thing that I do NOT do with it is…

    Follow it.

    Yeah.

    Stick to it.

    That’s the part I don’t do.

    If I didn’t know better myself, it would seem like some sort of a compulsive disorder. But, no. I’ve always understood it better than that. I have a great explanation for it. Several, in fact…

    So, think whatever you may… NOW, I know why I do it.

    I am a Taurus.

    I feel so validated.

    Annnnnnyyywayyyy….

    My Daily Routine is perfect. It has been tweaked endlessly… to perfection.

    It allocates the most time to the few things that are most important to me — for me to get done. And it specifies blocks of time for every thing that I care about most.

    It even has things ordered in the best possible sequence based on how effective I am at doing that thing — i.e. better first thing in the morning? last thing at night? early in the day? just after lunch? etc.

    It gives me 8 hours to sleep, 2 hours in the gym 1 hour of meditating/visioning/planning, 6 hours working on the shows, 2 hours writing the 3 books I’m writing, 1/2 hour on finances, 1/2 hour on general ‘to do’ items, 1/2 hour on personal calls/correspondence… with little time slots for every minor detail… like returning calls, checking email (only once a day), sending ‘thank you’ cards, reading, etc.

    It is a divine work.

    NOW, if only I would stick to it.

    Can I?

    Of course I can…

    Will I?

    THAT is the question. It’s not about “DO I want it?”… Like so many things… for so many people… It’s about, “How MUCH do I want it?”

    I feel like I have something Very Big to do here… in this life time. I have a calling that is waiting for me urgently. Waiting for me to “show up”…

    To, as they say, “show up in excellence”, in fact.

    So it’s time I do that.

    Now it’s time to turn my ADD OCD whatever-you-wanna-call-it obsession on to ONE THING:

    Sticking to my Daily Routine.

    ~

    Bruce Wagner
    Click here to watch: The Bruce Wagner Show

    ~

    Click here to return to the home page of Bruce’s Journal »

    February 17, 2007

    Downloading Oprah and The Secret, plus Eckert Tolle’s A New Earth, and Marianne Williamson

    Filed under: Health, Internet Freedom, Life, Love, Money — Bruce @ 11:59 am

    the-secret_seal_on_dark.jpg

    I have been getting a lot of requests for information about how to download a copy of the various Oprah shows about The Secret: Law of Attraction.

    Oprah has now done TWO shows about The Secret, in only two weeks!

    oprah_winfrey.jpgrhonda_byrne_300x3730.jpg

    Of course, she has also done two Oprah After the Show’s, on The Secret, on the Oxygen network…

    UPDATE (May 4, 2008):  Oprah has a special Download Page for Oprah and author Eckhart Tolle teaching an exclusive online webcast class about his best-selling book A New Earth, click here.

    UPDATE (Feb 8, 2008): By now, Oprah has now done MANY more shows about The Secret — including a new one yesterday. On that show, she also discussed another of my favorites: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. This book is available as an audiobook you can download for free, as well as many of his other works. And another of Oprah’s (any my) favorite authors and friends, is Marianne Williamson. Many of Marianne’s works are also available to download free.

    ~

    To Download The Secret — and the Oprah Shows about The Secret

    Follow these simple steps:

    (more…)

    February 5, 2007

    Oprah Date Confirmed FEB 8 for THE SECRET

    Filed under: Health, Life, Love, Money — Bruce @ 11:13 pm

    This movie will CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

    We just saw The Secret the other day.

    It’s the best movie we’ve EVER seen…….

    I am immediately getting my hands on 100 copies of it.

    If you cannot afford to buy a copy, email me and I will send you one.

    For information about it, and to watch the trailer…. See http://thesecret.tv

    And now Oprah is talking about it on her show on Thursday…
    The Secret — the movie.

    You’re going to be hearing A LOT about this film.

    You heard it here first.

    ; )

    Oprah Alert
    IT’S OFFICIAL! OPRAH REVEALS SECRET SHOW DATE!!

    We are pleased to announce that Oprah has scheduled her show focusing on The Secret for this Thursday, February 8th. The show will air nationwide, and will feature Rhonda Byrne in her first national media appearance, along with Michael Bernard Beckwith, Jack Canfield, Lisa Nichols, and James Ray.

    The Secret

    Thank you to the Detroit News for the four star review of The Secret and for helping others find this powerful gift. If you would like to see the full article, click on this link.
    And, finally, we thank you for continuing to spread the word about The Secret to your friends, family, and customers. The book has hit best-seller lists nationwide, and we expect to see it as a #1 nationwide best seller soon. One of our Declared Values at Beyond Words Publishing is that “unlimited thinking is fundamental.” Over the past six months we have seen what unlimited really means. And our minds are open to the divine power of the Universe. We are awed and inspired by this power and we thank you for sharing this with us. We hope you enjoy the show!

    *Watch for Rhonda Byrne in People Magazine in the near future.

    Beyond Words continues to bring you inspired and resourceful books. If you would like to order copies of The Secret book, dvd, or audio book, click here.

    You can always contact us directly at:
    www.beyondword.com
    info@beyondword.com

    You can also contact us by phone at 503-531-8700

    Beyond Words Publishing
    Inspire to Integrity
    20827 NW Cornell Road, Suite 500

     

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    UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

    See http://thesecret.tv

    ~

    See also: How to Download Oprah and the movie – “The Secret”

    ~

    And see: How to Download “Building a Dream – The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy” TV Special

    ~

    The Secret Updates: All my Latest Updates about The Secret

    ~

    Oprah Updates: All my Latest Updates about Oprah

    ~

    Click here to return to the home page of Bruce’s Journal »

    January 22, 2007

    “An Inconvenient Truth”, the Movie

    Filed under: Environment, Health, Life — Bruce @ 12:18 am

    Have you seen the film, “An Inconvenient Truth“, yet?

    If not… You MUST.

    Watch this quick trailer…  Click here.

    In fact, if you have not seen it, and you would like to… But you cannot afford to go out and buy the DVD… Send me an email and let me know… I will mail you a copy of the DVD… (free, as my gift to you…) Email me at bruce@brucewagner.com

    If you have seen it, go out and buy a copy of the DVD and give it to a friend who has not yet seen it.

    And…

    Tell me… What changes have you made in your life, as a result of seeing this film?

    ~

    Click here to return to the home page of Bruce’s Journal »

    January 4, 2007

    Sex, Lies, and Videotape: Men, Women, and Rape

    Filed under: Life, Love — Bruce @ 6:34 pm

    A post I wrote last month, called How to Avoid Becoming a Rapist, has spawned a bit of a conversation

    Following is my most recent reply to feedback from a person who calls herself, “Thinking Girl”…

    ~~~

    Thinking Girl,

    I agree with much of what you previously said (in response to “Future Rapist”…) But not all of it.

    Yes, One CAN clearly see evidence of a woman’s intentions, or desires, by what she is wearing or how she is acting.

    “Social pressures on women to act and dress provocatively exist.”

    Yes… However, women are TOTALLY 100% responsible for their own actions. If women choose to cave in to those so-called “pressures” to become sexual temptresses… And PLAY with the sex drives of men… Then they are playing with FIRE.

    sex_drive.jpg

    When I said, that “most women have ABSOLUTELY NO CONCEPT of the POWER that sexual attraction has on a man.” What I MEANT was: (1) Every woman knows about the power that sexual attraction has on a man – that’s why so many dress as sexually provocative as they can… HOWEVER, (2) Most women have absolutely no concept of exactly HOW powerful that sexual attraction can be… on a man. .. They have no concept of the MAGNITUDE of the power… (because they are not men).

    In other words, they all know it explodes… They just don’t know they are playing with an atom bomb

    They think they are playing with matches, when in reality, they are playing with an atom bomb.

    Yes, “…women who dress provocatively are intentionally enticing male sexuality, and they DO share responsibility for the consequences – to some extent.”

    They are NOT totally to blame.

    But they are NOT totally innocent and blame-free either.

    Yes, “…by dressing provocatively, some women are complicit in their own rapes.” As I said, they don’t know the power of the fire they choose to play with… Then, when the bomb explodes, they blame the bomb 100%.

    “Asking for it? Desiring it, even?”

    No. Just plain ignorant about it… and careless about it… and sometimes, playing games with it…

    Don’t play drinking games with an alcoholic. You will lose.

    YES, ALL “…women should know that men simply can’t control the wild animal that sleeps inside their pants.”

    YES, Absolutely! As a MAN, I can explain it to you.

    Men are NOT like women. And women are NOT like men.

    If you don’t believe me, you tread at your own risk.

    “Your argument hinges on an essentialized view of men – namely, that men’s biological sexual urges control them to the point that they are powerless to resist… even as you affirm that men do have responsibility for their behaviour.”

    Yes! The best way to explain it is with an analogy: Men = crackheads. Women = crack.

    The urges control them to the point that they are almost completely powerless to resist, yes! Even so, they are ultimately responsible for their own behavior. Therein lies the paradox. But that’s the way life is.

    “In our society, we don’t consider it acceptable to hold someone responsible for something that is out of their control – for example, people with mental illnesses are exempted from criminal punishment and instead treated psychiatrically.”

    Oh, but we DO… Hense, the crackhead example… Crackheads are still heald accountable for their actions.

    “So, which is it? Are men helpless, or are they responsible?”

    Both.

    “Are men really as helpless as crack addicts in terms of controlling themselves around women who are dressed provocatively? Considering that not all men rape women who are dressed provocatively, I think we have our answer.”

    (Ha ha! I used my analogy of the crackhead, above, BEFORE reading yours. Honest! How funny!)

    Yes, men really ARE as helpless as crack addicts around crack. THAT is what women just do NOT understand… The more crack you show them, the more helpless they become…. Normal men… ALL men…

    “Are women purposely tempting men, or are they clueless?”

    Both.

    They are purposely tempting men…. Often “playing” them… But they are clueless as to HOW MUCH power their crack holds over the head of the crackhead (all normal men)….

    “Or, perhaps, women are intentionally trying to entice men only to a certain point, but then they don’t realize when they have crossed some…line beyond which men cannot control themselves?”

    THAT is what I mean by… “Playing with Men”. They play with men the way one might tease a dog. Show him the bone. Let him smell the bone. Let him bite on the bone. Then jerk it out of his mouth… They tease and taunt intentionally….. as would be forbidden with the animals at any zoo!

    Women know every little thing they can use to become more sexually attractive. What they DON’T know… is HOW MUCH power they are toying with. And many, frankly, don’t care… They look at the men as animals which are just fun to tease…

    “Your view of “what men are like” and “what women are like” is seriously flawed. Not all men are driven by “sex first, feelings second” – and not all women are driven by “feelings first, sex second.” There are lots of men out there who are more interested in a loving relationship than with sex. And there are plenty of women out there who are far more interested in sex than they are in a relationship.”

    No, my view is not flawed. It is the norm. It is 99.9% typical, in reality — across all cultures and times. However, many people are in denial… and many people lie a lot.

    “Rape is not about sex; it is about power.”

    Yadda yadda yadda. Some WOMAN wrote that. That is the standard feminist mantra. The only problem with it: It’s not true.

    Rape is about sex.

    Guns are about power. Rape is about sex.

    To say that rape is not about sex… is like… that famous quote, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.”

    Rape is forced sex. By definition.

    If it were only about power, there would be no sex involved.

    Ever wonder why it is that all the so-called “experts” on the subject of rape, are women…? And all of the rapists are men…? Does that make any sense to you?

    Any man could explain rape to you better than the most acclaimed, female, so-called expert… If he wanted to.

    Most men are terrified of telling women the truth about such things though… Because women will never understand. Men probably believe that they are incapable of ever understanding…

    I think most men believe that…

    Women could never feel the same way about a bone… as their dog does. For they are not a dog. And…

    Women could never feel the same way about sex… as men do. For they are not a man.

    “Of course some women dress provocatively on purpose, to attract male attention.”

    Yes. Playing with Fire.

    Please Don’t Feed or Tease the Males.

    If you dress provocatively, you have increased the risk factor.

    If you dress provocatively, then you walk through the worst neighborhood in town… you have again increased the risk factor.

    If you do all of this at 4:00AM in the morning, you have again increased the risk factor.

    Just like waiting until you find a parking space in South Beach BEFORE you decide to stow all of your valuables into the trunk… in broad daylight… in front of everyone…

    Everyone would agree. It’s just not smart.

    It’s very obvious. And it’s common sense.

    If you knowingly increase the risk factor, you can claim innocent all day long… But YOU will end up being the victim.

    Does it really make you feel better to claim that you are 100% blame-free?

    It would make me feel better to not have become a victim at all, in the first place.

    Ladies: Don’t play drinking games in front of recovering alcoholics. Don’t waive crack around in front of crackheads. Don’t feed or tease the animals at the zoo. And most importantly, don’t play teasing games with the males of the species.

    ~

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    December 21, 2006

    I LOVE my Treo…

    Filed under: Life, Technology — Bruce @ 11:00 am

    What more can I say?

    treo.gif

    Click it:  onTreo.com

    December 20, 2006

    83% of Videos Downloaded from Illegal P2P Sites

    Filed under: Consumer Issues, Life, Technology — Bruce @ 2:38 pm

    moving_picture.jpg

    Five out of six videos downloaded from the Internet come from illegal peer-to-peer web sites, an ominous sign for an entertainment industry spending big on video download technology.

    See full article from today’s New York Post.

    To see how everyone is doing it, check out How to Download Everything You Want for Free.

    ~

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    December 18, 2006

    Getting Serious in a Relationship

    Filed under: Life — Bruce @ 12:36 pm

    Warning: Mature Content

    The one question couples always forget to ask each other… when they begin to get serious in a relationship…

    Watch this video Alone – PRIVATELY!

    As a Bonus… The soundtrack is a very catchy tune… You’ll be humming it all day long…

    If you liked that video, there are more here.

    If you didn’t like that video, please send complaint emails here.

    ~

    Click here to return to the home page of Bruce’s Journal »

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