The mouse turns 40! See the first one used from 1968

Doug Engelbart gives what is called the "mother of all Demos" which led the way for the technology we all use. Included in this 75 minute is the world's first mouse made of wood and including only one button. Check out just the mouse portion below or look after that to watch the entire presentation direct from Google Video or download it in divx format.



Click out the entire video in embedded video below or right click here to dowload in divx format

Is surfing the Internet altering your brain?

ZDNet: The Internet is not just changing the way people live but altering the way our brains work with a neuroscientist arguing this is an evolutionary change which will put the tech-savvy at the top of the new social order.

Click here to read the entire article form ZDnet.com


Cyberpunk 0 by *fuchsiart on deviantART

Twilight Zone's Rod Serling with "It has begun"

Google Video: Rod Serling from The Twilight Zone made this documentary explaining the probable existence of UFOs and extra-terrestrials.

Click here to download in MP4 direct from Google Video
Runs Approx 90 minutes

It's only on DVD as part of a two pack along with "UFO Syndrome" as part of "When UFO's Attack" that you can check at Amazon.com by clicking here.

Fucking Commander Data: Robot ethics in the 21 century

I'm sure you all remember that episode of Star Trek: TNG where Lt. Tasha Yar did the bed bounce with Commander Data...well it turns out they weren't that far ahead of the times according to Hugo award winning sci-fi author Robert Sawyer who claims the advancements of robots and robotics coming out of Japan will spark a debate or the ethics of using robots as the new slave labour class in society (hey...that was a couple episodes of Star Trek: TNG if I recall correctly).

He also claims that we'll be doing the robot nasty with them by 2020 and discusses all this on Canada's largest educational broadcaster TVO with one of Canada's most respected journalists Steve Paikin (seriously!).

Click here to play in MP3 or right click to download
or
Click here to play in MP4 (the MP3 for video) or right click to download

and click here to check out the book "Love and Sex with Robots: The Evolution of Human-Robot Relationships" they reference over at Amazon.com

Simpsons cast member Hank Azaria: Back on Broadway

AP.org: Hank Azaria returns to Broadway as RCA president David Sarnoff in Aaron Sorkin's new play, 'The Farnsworth Invention.' Jane Waldman spoke with the actor about his latest stage role, as well as the characters he voices on 'The Simpsons.'

Click here to play, right click to download in MP3, direct from AP.org

and, if you're in or visiting the NYC area, click here to read reviews and order tickets direct from The New York Times

"The Farnsworth Invention tells the story of Philo Farnsworth, a boy genius from Rigby, Idaho who, at 22, invented television only to become involved in an all or nothing battle with David Sarnoff, the young president of RCA and America's first communications mogul."

- New Line Cinema's press release on the optioning of the play to be an upcoming major motion picture

David Lynch hates the iPhone

Classic! Absolutely classic!

Top 10 things to ask yourself before having sex with a robot

Bill Cosby likes Texas Instruments

and he's here with a word from our non-sponsor

History Bites: The Gutenberg Press

Click here to download in MP4 and Divx direct from Guba.com
Runs: 23 minutes

History Bites is a unique Canadian comedy series from comedian Rick Green that focuses on history but the twist is it's based on the premise that television existed throughout the history of humankind and our collective history is based on the popular tv culture of that time (or more precisely our time with parodies of popular television programs). Look for parodies of Larry King, Martha Stewart and Seinfeld among others.

In this episode Green and his stable of comics looks at the invention of the the Gutenberg Press by Johann Gutenberg and the resulting events. Trust me - comedy ensures.

The Demise of Authority and Truth

Canada's largest educational public broadcaster, TVO, and one of Canada's most respected journalists, Steve Paikin, takes a closer look at what the Internet has done to older notions of truth, knowledge and authority.

Click here to play, right click to download in MP3, direct from TVO.org

John Cleese doesn't like Compaq computers

and he's here with a word from our non-sponsor

Computer repair blues

Click to play in streaming Windows Media direct from The CBC
Runs: 26:38

and click here to visit the Market Place website to watch a bevy of clips on how companies screw us over
(even if you're not Canadian there's a bevy of useful info there)

Ever wonder how calling up one of those "Geek Squad" computer repair services would work out? Well The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Markatplace program did an undercover investigation on how on site computer repair sevices like Nerds on Site and Best Buy's Geek Squad perform. The results are astounding; so much so it prompted other computer repair professionals to remark that if things keep going like this their profession will be thought of no better than used car salesmen (yikes!)

If it wasn't so sad....it'd be funny.

Deal: 10% off at Target including the new Ipods

Target.com - 10% off, code: TGTAFLAF
Code gives 10% off of most items on their site.

If you're looking for for the new Ipod line up then this coupon code brings us the best deal around.

iPod prices (Shipping scheduled for mid-late October):
3rd Generation Apple iPod Nano 4GB, Silver for $135 after coupon with free shipping.
3rd Generation Apple iPod Nano 8GB for $180 after coupon with free shipping.
6th Generation 80GB iPod Classic for $225 after coupon with free shipping.
6th Generation 160GB iPod Classic for $315 after coupon with free shipping.
Apple iPod Touch 8GB for $270 after coupon with free shipping.
Apple iPod Touch 16GB for $360 after coupon with free shipping.

The CBC wants to know if you've ever had any errors on your CDN cellphone bill

Has Bell, Telus or Rogers ever issued reoccurring errors on your cellphone bill that wouldn't disappear even after you've contacted then to have it corrected?

If so contact Stephanie Kampf at stephanie_kampf@cbc.ca to have your story possibly featured on an upcoming episode of The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Marketplace program.

Vixy.net; Online video converter and downloader

If you've ever wanted to download a video from an embedded video site like Youtube you may want to check out Vixy.net which will let you convert and download the video online with no software to install.

You'll be able to select a variety of output options including Divx (avi video and MP3 audio), Mov (MPEG4 video and MP3 audio) for Macs, MP4 for Ipod (MPEG4 video and AAC audio), 3GP for cellphones (MPEG4 video and AAC audio) and Mp3 audio only.

From my tests you can also download videos directly from devices like PDA's that have active wi-fi connections as long as your browser supports Javascript.

Unlike other more complicated services like Zamzar.com which requires you to provide your e-mail address to receive a link to find the completed video or keepvid.com that only downloads the embedded .flv video to your PC requiring you to convert it to a more common format like .avi or .mp4 with a program installed on your computer Vixy.net has proved to be a simple solution to grab all those obscure videos floating around online video sharing sites.

Just insert the video url in the field highlighted below, choose your download format and then click start for the site to convert your video. After a minute or two of conversion, depending on video size, a download window for your browser will pop up and enable you to save the video to your PC in a format that will play in most of todays common computer devices.



For it's ease of use and quality of output file Vixy.net is The Naked Gord Program's link of the week.

Bill Murray on technology (up to 1982)

Youtube: From 1982. Bill Murray does multiple takes of a promo for a show called "Wired In." He rants about technology: "People have hands...Watches should have hands."

Canadian Broadcasting Corp: The End of...

View Part one " The End of Radio" | View Part two " The End of TV" | View Part three " The End of Print"
22:22 minutes each
From The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation comes Jian Ghomeshi with a look at how technology is changing and perhaps eliminating traditional media.Marshall Mcluhan fans rejoice. This is right up your alley.

CBC.ca The experts have spoken. Mass media is reported to be on its last legs. A handful of new media entities with remarkably silly names: Blogs, Vlogs, YouTube, Podcasts, and Yahoo! are leading the charge, leaving traditional forms of communications to play catch-up or get left behind.

The CBC's pop culture specialist Jian Ghomeshi ponders the fate of mass media and asks whether we are nearing a world without television, radio or print in THE END, a three-part series airing on CBC Newsworld.

With new trends in media emerging on what seems to be a daily basis, many have been predicting the fall of traditional communications for some time. There are always new trends, toys and gadgets, but which of them will survive and emerge victorious? And what will our increasingly wired, (or is that wireless), world look like in this age of instant information gratification?

Is this really the end of TV and radio as we know it?

Jian Ghomeshi is the host of THE END. David Giddens is series producer of THE END. Heaton Dyer is the Director of Programming for CBC Newsworld.

Chris Elliott's Mac vs. PC #7 and #8

Mac vs. PC vs. Hasselfhoff?



Mac rats PC out

Chris Elliott's Mac vs. PC #5 and #6

Chris Elliott's IPhone



Where does Mac fit all of his high-tech components?

Robin Williams: License To Wed

Comedian Robin Williams chats with Hannah Storm about his new film "License To Wed," while he begs Apple store employees for a new iPhone. (CBSNews.com)