Category Archives: Geekery

Entertainment, Geekery

Barry & Joe – Bromancing the multiverse to save us from ourselves

A few years ago I met Adam Reid, he’s a director, illustrator, storyteller, producer, brand jedi extraordinaire from Maplewood, New Jersey. He co-founded the production company and agency Bodega Studios.

From the moment my family met him we thought he was very cool, and not just because he was shooting a Mazda commercial in our house with Minnie Driver. (She is also very cool).

And now… his coolness meter has reached grand new heights! Because Adam is working on an animated sci-fi sitcom starring two of my most favorite people in the whole world Former President Barack Obama and Former Vice President Joe Biden. Adam, like myself, misses these two and their “bromance” but it goes beyond the wit, humor and classic aviator sunglasses. This is about two bold, charming men who are going to be given the chance to go back in time (with their current knowledge) and save the world! Their only guide on this journey is Neil deGrasse Tyson! *squeal* I am so excited!

Adam writes, “If you’re like me, you’re more than a bit concerned lately about the fate of our country, our planet, and humanity itself.

And while we need new heroes to step in and stand up for what is right, I can’t help but intensely miss Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

I dream about how the world might be different if we could go back in time and make better choices understanding what we know now. If only there was some way to set things right.”

Currently, this whole concept is in a Kickstarter phase. Your help is needed! The perks for backing this series are pretty stellar if I do say so myself.  Pledge $75 and get a “Barry and Joe” coloring book! Pledge $100 for the “Hoodie of Resistance.” And for those of you with let’s say $10,000 extra laying around to invest in something super awesome, you will have an opportunity to get producer credit, A SPEAKING ROLE IN THE SERIES, a hoodie AND a poster! WHAT!?

But even a pledge of $5 can get you a digital pack of Barry & Joe themed artwork which is amazing!

barry and joe
Created by Adam Reid / Illustration by Lance Laspina

Please, please share this with your friends and family and people you meet in elevators that go up 15 floors and you’re not sure what to say. Print out the image, tell them about the Kickstarter and get them on board!

Kickstarter Link –https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597035573/barry-and-joe-the-animated-series-pilot

Geekery

Why Facebook Messenger is NOT evil

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The most annoying thing in our very digitally based world is when people complain about social media ON social media. I mean COME ON! What a double standard, right?

The things I am seeing most often right now are all about Facebook Messenger.

Let me explain, from a developer stand point, why y’all need to back up.

fb-messenger-360Facebook Messenger has added recording elements to their new Messenger and they have “forced” everyone to download the new application.

Here is something you probably won’t think about unless you are a developer or someone who needs specially made devices due to a disability.  Therefore Facebook provides built-in features and technologies that help people with disabilities get the most out of Facebook.

Speech-to-text via audio recording on devices is for more than just people who want to hear themselves, it’s for people who require that tool because they are visually impaired. This is about being accessible to all audiences, or at least as many as possible. Not have an accessible program, software, or device opens you up to accessibility laws. Yes, it can become a legal issue in the long run. Facebook has to think about a diverse population of users.

Web standards are constantly being updated. You’ve heard of Web 2.0 well there’s all kind of variations in standards for the web. This is moving into mobile apps and mobile devices because they are so prevalent around the world.

Did you know there are even site specific standards? For instance, I use Flickr, Flickr is a Yahoo image storage application. There are standards placed on Flickr for how often the site “flickers” when viewing photos and albums. “Pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than 55 Hz.” I’m not making this up, it’s a real rule they need to be compliant with as they continue making their site functional, understandable and accessible.

If you are concerned about your privacy then learn about the settings available to you. If you don’t like them then don’t use the FREE application they are offering to you.  You can turn off syncing. You can restrict who is allowed to message you. You can hide yourself so that you don’t appear online. But most people don’t do these things, they leave all the defaults enabled. Like location tracking. If you don’t want people to know where you are, TURN OFF YOUR LOCATION TRACKING. Otherwise complete strangers can find out your life story and daily routine by scrolling through your Instagram…but that is a whole separate issue.

Just like you can turn on or turn off closed captioning on your TV shows. You can turn on and turn off features in Facebook Messenger. OR and this is a shocker, don’t use it. There are many message platforms out there you can use outside of Facebook. You can just use the Messenger from your computer, too. Or open Facebook in your mobile browser instead of as an application. If you want to use the FREE Facebook Messenger application than read the Terms of Service, understand why they are doing what they are doing and STOP COMPLAINING.

And now I’ll be quiet.

 

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Geekery

Earth to Echo and National Teacher’s Day #EarthToEcho

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EchoOn behalf of Relativity Media, we are pleased to announce the celebration of National Teacher’s Day in partnership with the July release of EARTH TO ECHO by giving schools the opportunity to win $100,000. We encourage people to participate by voting in the fan favorite poster contest, which begins on May 5th.  To vote and for the chance to win for your school log onto www.echopostercontest.com. Each voter will be able to credit their vote to their school and the school that has the most votes will win the $100,000 prize.
For more information, please find an official press release attached.  Also, be sure to spread the word to friends and family and don’t forget to use your Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages to get the word out about the contest! The winner will be announced on June 2nd.
Feel free to share this exciting collaboration between National Teacher’s Day and EARTH TO ECHO with your readers.
Show your school spirit, celebrate your teachers and prepare for an epic sci-fi adventure with your friends and family when EARTH TO ECHO opens in theaters nationwide on July 2nd, 2014!
EARTH TO ECHO
———————-
Release: July 2, 2014
Director: Dave Green
Screenplay by: Henry Gayden
Based on a story by: Henry Gayden & Andrew Panay
Cast: Teo Halm, Brian “Astro” Bradley, Reese Hartwig and Ella Linnea Wahlestedt
Producers: Andrew Panay, Ryan Kavanaugh
Executive Producers: Tucker Tooley, Ron Burkle, Jason Colbeck, Mark B. Johnson
Synopsis:
Tuck, Munch and Alex are a closely bonded trio of inseparable friends, but their time together is coming to an end. Their neighborhood is being destroyed by a highway construction project that is forcing their families to move away. But just two days before they must part ways, the boys find a cryptic signal has infected their phones. Convinced something bigger is going on and looking for one final adventure together, they set off to trace the messages to their source and discover something beyond their wildest imaginations: hiding in the darkness is a mysterious being, stranded on Earth, and wanted by the government. This launches the boys on an epic journey full of danger and wonder, one that will test the limits of their friendship and change all of their lives forever.
Geekery

Kellogg’s cash in on new Spider-Man 2 with game app

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spider-man2Celebrating the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man 2 movie, Kellogg Company is releasing a new Web-Slinging game App that provides superhero fans with an exclusive, interactive gaming experience and a way to become Spider-Man, themselves! If that’s not enough, consumers can enter a giveaway and a new Kellogg sweepstakes with Sony for a chance to win more than 1,000 prizes, including a free trip for two to New York City.

“Spider-Man fans are gearing up for the film and we’re casting a web of fun that everyone can enjoy,” says Melissa Pawlowicz, senior director of Integrated Promotions at Kellogg Company.

After downloading Kellogg’s Spider-Man 2 game App, players can unlock game scenes on their phone by snapping a picture of the phone icon on specially marked Kellogg’s packages.  Each Kellogg’s brand unlocks one of three different gaming scenes. Kellogg’s snack products, for example, show a battle between Spider-Man and the villain Electro in Times Square. Cereals and Pop-Tarts® will unlock a cityscape scene, and Pringles® products reveal a battle at Oscorp Industries. Once all three scenes have been unlocked, a Spider-Man photo overlay will appear and consumers can take photos in the Spider-Man suit.

In addition to the new game app, consumers can earn prizes when collecting Kellogg’s Family Rewards (KFR) codes from specially marked packages of Pop-Tarts® and Kellogg’s cereals such as Krave®, Frosted Mini-Wheats®, Frosted Flakes®, Apple Jacks® and Froot Loops®. Consumers can redeem three codes for concession cash or six codes for free movie tickets valued at $12 each. Plus, each time consumers enter a code, they will earn points toward other KFR rewards.

The accompanying sweepstakes offers superhero fans more than 1,000 prizes, including a grand prize trip for two to New York City. To enter, consumers can collect and redeem KFR codes from an array of specially marked Kellogg’s snack products, including Cheez-It®, Keebler® and Rice Krispies Treats®. Additional prizes include 10 Sony LED HDTVs, 100 Sony Xperia® Tablets and 100 Activision® The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Video Game. One thousand movie fans also will win free Movie Tickets.

For more information about The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Web-Slinging game App, a list of specially marked products included in the Kellogg promotions, and official rules, visit www.Kelloggs.com/spiderman.

 

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Geekery

For those looking to move into the city, DitchTheSpace can help

There has not been a time in which I have needed to rent a place to someone, but my neighbor rents out her townhouse. She would have greatly benefited from the concept of a new site called DitchTheSpace where Their Ditch Is Your Gain when she first started trying to rent out the townhouse. She moved to Florida shortly after she bought and since we currently live in an area pretty much underwater (financially) she decided to rent. I remember her asking us if we knew anyone that would be interested. She especially sought our opinion after her first tenant was less than stellar.

photo Untitled1_zpsd152e50f.pngSo I just came across this website called DitchTheSpace.com (Ditch The Space’s Blog) and thought to myself how useful it would have been for her, however right now it is only for New York. It makes sense that the site is just for New York considering there are MANY renters in the city. It’s helpful for city dwellers because sometimes you rent and lease apartments or brownstones for less than a typical time period and this type of a website makes it easier to do.

photo Untitled4_zpsacfa8a63.pngMy younger brother has been talking about moving to the city for years now. He would definitely use this site and so I perused to see if I could find a space that would be good for him. He’s incredibly picky. I liked that you were able to see photos and see how long the unit is available for all in one place. Often with renting you can’t really get all the information you need in one spot.

photo Untitled3_zps4f25c669.pngSo I picked out a spot in the Financial District. There were twelve photos to look through, one of which was the floor plan which I appreciated. I like how it shows you exactly when the person’s lease ends. This particular place has everything he would want and need in a one bedroom apartment including a gym in the building.

photo Untitled2_zps61646a53.pngFor those of you looking to rent in the city and try out a neighborhood I highly recommend you check out DitchTheSpace.com. But it’s not just for the people looking to rent, it is also a Premium Service for brokers and property managers.
Visit Sponsor's SiteThis post brought to you by Ditch The Space. All opinions are 100% mine.

Geekery

Addicted to Facebook Chat Stickers

stickersIt’s time I confess something to all of you. It’s pretty weird.

I am obsessed with Facebook stickers.

frozenSeriously, I really like them. Whomever is busy crafting these cute, sometimes gross (like the vomit face my husband just sent me), always very clever…well I applaud you because I think they are fantastic. I wish I could send them in posts and  not just in the private messages because I would. I would so do that all the time and people would be like “Where are you getting all those cool images?” And I would say, “Oh they are Facebook stickers and they are adorbs!”

The new Lego Mini Figures are animated and very fun. They have a new set of Disney Frozen stickers, too. Love them!

So there you have it, Facebook Sticker Lover right here.

Don’t judge!

Geekery

HP Family Bundle Giveaway – Chromebook & Printer value of $430

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It will be so exciting to find out who wins this awesome giveaway from HP. A Chromebook and an all-in-one printer! Lucky, lucky! So come on scrink.com readers get to entering now so you can win!

HP Chromebook ENVY 5530 Printer

Welcome to the #HPFamilyTime Giveaway hosted by Viva Veltoro and Blogging Mamas and generously sponsored by HP!

Recently, Ruth fromViva Viva Veltoro had the fantastic opportunity to receive an HP Holiday Bundle to help bring creativity and joy to the hectic holiday season. Ruth received an HP ENVY17 Special Edition Notebook, an HP ENVY 5530 e-All-in-One Printer, ink, and a Snapfish Gift Card and soon started creating cheerful holiday greetings and fun crafts with her new HP products. That’s just the beginning of this crafty adventure though! With the launch of the new Blogging Mamas website, be on the look out for even more DIYs, tutorials, and crafts, sure to delight the whole family all year round!

HP wants to spread holiday cheer to our readers too! They’re giving away another HP Holiday Bundle, including an HP Chromebook 14 AND an HP ENVY 5530 e-All-in-One to one lucky person! Here is a little more information about these great products from HP:

The HP Chromebook 14 is an ultra-responsive value notebook optimized for web browsing and Google Chrome apps. It’s powered by the newest Intel® Core™ i processors. The HP Chromebook features a 14-inch diagonal HD display for sharper images, a thin and light design, built-in 3G, and up to 100GB of Google Cloud Storage. It’s available in vibrant colors such as: Ocean Turquoise, Coral Peach, and Snow White (color for giveaway based on availability). The HP Chromebook 14 also includes exclusive HP Innovations such as:

  • HP True Vision HD Webcam
  • HP Imagepad: Precise multifinger and gesture navigation
  • HP Care Pack with Accidental Damage Protection: Enjoy 24/7 assistance from an HP technician
  • HP SmartFriend Complete: Live two-way conversation with our specially trained HP technicians, available 24/7.

HPHolidayBundle

The HP ENVY 5530 e-All-in-One is a home-use printer built for creative hobbies such as scrapbooking and arts and crafts projects. The unit is also great for families with its ability to print lab-quality photos. With the HP ENVY 5530 e-All-in-One you can scan photos and documents directly to a mobile device for sharing or storing, as well as view photos and print quickly from the 2.65-inch color touchscreen on the front of the unit and memory card slots. You can also print wirelessly from virtually anywhere you roam directly from your smartphone, tablet, and internet-connected PC. This printer is also full of value – you can print more for less with optional high-capacity cartridges, or enroll in HP Instant Ink (their new ink replacement service that can save you up to 50%).

Isn’t this a fantastic prize package?!

How would you use your HP Bundle to connect with your family during the holidays?

To enter to win an HP Holiday Bundle, including an HP Chromebook 14 and HP ENVY 5530 e-All-in-One Printer, use the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway is open to US residents, ages 18 and up. Ends on 1/5/14 at 11:59 PM EST.

 

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for hosting this giveaway and am not responsible for prize fulfillment. Ruth from Viva Veltoro received an HP laptop, printer, ink, and a Snapfish gift card for participating in the #HPFamilyTime program. Please email vivaveltoro{at}gmail.com with any questions.