Geek Actually Episode 9 - She’s Hot And She Has High Powered Rifles
September 30, 2008
This Week join David McVay, Jacob Oberman and Mirren Lee as they discuss Michael Moore’s new film, “Slacker Uprising”. This leads us old liberals into a deep and meaningful discussion about the US Presdential Campaign and other Michael Moore films. The panel also discuss Microsoft’s continuing ad campaign and David Reviews the film, “Eagle Eye”.
David tells us about the ATV Patchstick from Applecore LLC and Nicholas “The Little Geek” McVay tells us about going to the circus. All this and we find time to farewell Paul Newman.
This show carries an explicit tag for some infrequent bad language.
NOTE: A reminder that there is no show next week we will be back October 15th, 2008.
Listen to it here or download (or subscribe) it on iTunes or Podbean.com
Show Notes:
Slacker Uprising
September 28, 2008
Michael Moore
I just want to start this by saying that I think Michael Moore has done an amazing thing by releasing this for free to the North American’s via the web. However, I don’t think he went far enough. Even if he didn’t want it to be free everywhere in the world, he could have released a paid for copy simultaneously everywhere else. I would have paid for it! The DVD of this film is advertised on the site next to the free download, he could have made it free in North America and then released it on DVD and through iTunes rentals everywhere else at the same time.
Why do I concern myself with this? There are a lot of US citizens (myself included) living in foreign countries and I think the film is important and should be seen by ALL potential voters before this election is stolen by the Republicans again!
Okay, the film. How is it? Well, that is the interesting thing, I didn’t think the film was actually as good as his previous work. It is more of a highlights reel of his tour in 2004 than a documentary, but that was his aim I believe. What I will say about the film is his passion. I don’t think I have ever seen Michael Moore so passionate in his speaking. This is a subject that he feels is very important and he shows it.
The film is worth seeing and makes a nice companion piece to Fahrenheit 9/11. As a film on it’s own it is not quite as successful. It is worth noting that the sequence when they applaud the soldier in the audience reduced my wife to tears and Rosanne Barr’s speech near the end had me roaring with laughter.
We will be discussing this film, other works by Michael Moore and the current state of the US election in this weeks netcast, it should be worth downloading and listening to this. You will be able to Listen to it here or download (and subscribe) it on iTunes or Podbean.com on Tuesday (30th September 2008).
Paul Newman, Dies of Lung Cancer at 83
September 28, 2008
Incredibly sad news today as we mourn the loss of Paul Newman. Newman was 83 when he finally succumbed to lung cancer.
Newman was an excellent actor (I should say Hollywood Legend) and an incredibly generous man, his Newman’s Own food label generating millions of dollars for charity.
Paul Newman leaves behind his wife of fifty years, actress Joanne Woodward (a great actress in her own right) and his three children.
Paul Newman will be sadly missed by this geek. Rest in Peace Mr. Newman.
What is a Geek?
September 26, 2008
In the fourth episode of the netcast I tried working out the definition of geek. Here is the written version of that definition. Listen to episode for for more detail.
Borrowing from various definitions around the web I have cobbled this definition together and this is me, The Geek of Geek, Actually. See if any of this sounds familiar.
A Geek is someone who is generally not athletic, and probably the uncool kid in high school, but secretly you thought was not so bad.
A Geek is usually on good terms with his or her inner child and enjoys playing on their computer (even if they don’t have anything in particular to do), watching movies (genre films like Star Wars, Blade Runner, Lord of the Rings etc. are particular favourites) and genre television (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica are good examples), playing computer games, reading comic books, and being on the internet. A Geek’s internet use isn’t limited to webpages and email though; ftp, bittorrent, IRC and usenet (amongst others) are all common terms to a geek. You don’t know some of these terms? Ask a geek, he or she will tell you all about it and much much more, put aside a couple of hours and grab a notepad 
Geek is commonly used as a term for someone who is obsessed by their computer, and has achieved a high level of expertise in their chosen area. I’ll buy this with the exception of the last part. I think it would be fair to say that geeks acquire high levels of expertise in their chosen area and in whatever other various things that interest them.
Example: Let’s say a geek is a very good web designer, he or she will learn everything there is to learn about that job and then learn everything else around it even if they don’t really need to. They will learn about video encoding, audio production, advanced Photoshop, animation techniques and network engineering. When geeks hook on to a new TV show, they really hook on. They will not only learn everything about what is on screen, they will also learn everything off screen too. Geek fans are the most rabid fans in the world, they become their favourite show. Ever been to a Star Trek Convention? It is way cool and Klingon is such an interesting language to listen to!!!
Commonly, the term “Geek” is short for computer geek and is in reference to an individual with a passion for computers. I choose to expand this and feel we can say “Anything” Geek and is in reference to a an individual with a passion for whatever. And, used in the nice way, it is someone who seems to know everything there is to know about their interest.
Okay, that’s it. Let me know if this rings true with you or not. Got anything to add to this? I am thinking about making it a permanent page so input is welcome.
Geek Actually Episode 8 - Internal Exams and Blue Screens
September 25, 2008
This week I (David McVay) am Joined by Mirren Lee and Jacob Oberman in a discussion about the flip flopping of the Microsoft Campaign, the Emmys and Bluescreens of Death. Mirren and Jacob talk about the hit series Mad Men, which they have very different opinions on. I review Step Brothers and the new HBO series True Blood.
Mirren gives us some trivia and Nicholas (the little geek) McVay tells why he loves his Mac computer.
Spring has sprung and the mood of the show is fairly light and fun.
This episode carries an explicit tag due to infrequent bad language.
Listen to it here or download (or subscribe) it on iTunes or Podbean.com
Episode 8 Delayed a Day
September 25, 2008
Hi, just a quick note to let those waiting know that episode 8 of the netcast is delayed by a day because I lost some audio. I have found the missing track and it is all restored but it delayed the final editing and mastering by a few hours. Look for the new episode around lunchtime on Thursday (25th of September). Remember all times are in Australian Eastern Time (AET).
Apple Genius Bar Does It Again!
September 22, 2008
Wow, I don’t want to sound like an Apple Fanboy (yes I do) and I don’t want to say that Apple customer service is second to none (yes I do) but, my god, the Apple Genius Bar Rocks!!!!!
My second visit to the Genius Bar in the Sydney Apple Store was even more satisfying than the previous visit (which you can read about here).
My iPhone 3G had a slight distortion on the screen and it wasn’t major but it was annoying me. I booked to see a Genius and went to my appointment yesterday (Sunday). I actually didn’t think they would be able to help me because screens are very rarely covered by warranties (they are too easy to break) and I had already had a screen issue with a Nokia N90 a couple of years ago that cost me $200 to fix.
The Genius looked the phone over and within minutes said that it wasn’t a major problem but if it bothered me he would replace the phone! He said customer satisfaction is the most important thing! Oh my god! Customer service in the 21st century, I didn’t think it existed anymore.
He replaced my phone on the spot and I am a very happy customer. Genius Alex at the Sydney Apple Store, I applaud you.
Geek Actually Episode 7 - Who’s Alan Dale?
September 16, 2008
In this weeks episode, I (David McVay) am joined by Mirren Lee and Jacob Oberman. We discuss overclocked computers, the iPhone/iPod Touch 2.1 Upgrade, the second Seinfeld/Gates ad and we review Rob Cohen’s “The Mummy : Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”.
The debate is on! Our main topic of the week is the documentary “Not Quite Hollywood” - this leads us into a very heated debate on the state of the current Australian Film Industry. We finish up with Mirren Lee’s gossip of the week.
Note: You may have noticed by now that the Little Geek’s section is recorded separately. This is because I record him after school. You will notice that we refer to him coming up next a couple of times and then he never comes. This is because he came home from school not feeling well. He will join us next week.
This episode carries an explicit tag due to infrequent bad language.
Listen to it here or download (or subscribe) it on iTunes or Podbean.com
NOTE: You must have the latest Adobe Flash Player installed for the streams to playback correctly. Go to www.adobe.com to get the latest Flash Player.
By the way, Jacob wanted me to post a picture of Australian actress Lynda Stoner. Well here she is.
Australia to Host World’s Biggest Sci-Fi Convention!
September 15, 2008
Hooray, I’m there! Australia has been named to host the world’s biggest and longest running Sci-Fi convention in 2010. The event called Aussiecon 4 will be held in Melbourne, Australia in 2010. There is even a new convention centre being built in Melbourne and it should be finished in time for this super event.
I will absolutely go and if any of the organisers are reading this, I’d love to netcast from the event. Contact me and let’s do lunch!
Industry Minister Theo Theophanous had this to say, “This one is a real beauty. This is big-ship enterprise that has landed one of the biggest conferences in the world.” Spoken like a real geek
He also said, “This science fiction event, Aussiecon 4, has universal appeal and we’re expecting more than 3000 fans to converge on our fantastic new convention centre.” This is sounding very cool indeed.
More details (like bookings etc.) as they come to hand.
Read the source story from news.com.au here.
The Microsoft Campaign Continues - Ad Number 2
September 12, 2008
Okay, number two of the Jerry Seinfeld/Bill Gates Microsoft campaign has hit the airwaves and all I can say is bring back Shoe Circus! This ad is long and pointless. I thought one and a half minutes was too long for an ad and here comes number two clocking in at four and a half minutes!!!
I will discuss this in much more detail on the next netcast (Episode 7 available Tuesday the 27th September) but briefly here is my first impression of the ad:
Jerry and Bill have moved in with some family who don’t really look that happy to have them. The pair’s argument is they have to get back in touch with real people because they have become too rich and famous and they have lost touch with the little people. However by the ads end (if you stay awake that long) they leave the family mad and saying that they didn’t really represent the little people…..I don’t understand what the fuck Microsoft is trying to say with these ads!!!!!!
For all the years that people have been trying to call the Mac ads elitist, well fuck that! Microsoft is creating some kind of weird abstract art ads that make the viewer work far to hard. The message that Microsoft is trying to deliver is lost, I am a tech savvy and smart guy and I don’t get it.
Watch for yourself here and then please comment, let’s see if we can make sense of these ads together.
