2008-06-23

2008-06-23

Posted: Sep 4, 2009 1:52 PM
Updated: Sep 4, 2009 1:52 PM

The Geek Weekly: Blog

From the Editors of The Geek Weekly

Podcast listenership takes off

A new study from Edison Media Research found that the number of Internet users who downloaded and listened to an audio podcast grew from 13 percent to 18 percent in the last year. The report finds this six percent increase in the number of podcast listeners a "tremendous" growth. In 2006, only 11 percent of those polled said they listen to downloaded podcasts. This study was based on a random, national sample of the U.S. population, culled from 1,857 telephone interviews conducted this past January.

The report, available at the Edison Media Research Web site, says those who conducted the interviews made it clear podcasts were downloadable audio programs you can listen to anytime you choose, even on portable media devices, and not streaming audio content from a website. Video podcasts also showed impressive growth, rising from 11 percent of people who watched a video podcast in 2007 to 16 percent in 2008.

It’s not just that more of us are listening to podcasts. Many of us have certain podcasts we simply can’t live without. So, what's your favorite podcast you can't live without?

Kingston 4GB SDHC mobility kit a bargain

You could spend $149 on a new 4GB iPod Nano, or if you already own a music phone, you can pick up a 4GB SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) memory card for $44. It's capable of storing just as many songs, photos or videos as the iPod -- and also includes three accessories to help you get media on or off the teeny Flash card.

Specifically, I've been playing around with the Kingston Mobility Kit, which includes a fingernail-sized 4GB SDHC card, ideal for use with my BlackBerry Curve, as well as two adapters (miniSD and a full-size SD) and a black USB reader to snap into a PC, printer or compatible car stereo. A small plastic carrying case is also included.

A 4GB card can store about 2,380 5-megapixel JPEG photos, 760 MP3/AAC songs, 408 audiobooks or 272 minutes of video. Compatible with Windows and Macs, Kingston's microSDHC cards use the Class 4 speeds, guaranteeing a minimum data transfer rate of 4MB per second when used with devices that support microSDHC. The 4GB card includes a lifetime guarantee, while the adaptors and USB card reader come with a two-year warranty.

Excel tip: Enter same info for multiple cells

Are you a slave to spreadsheets? PC users who rely on Microsoft Excel for work (or, er, for fun) might need to enter the same information on multiple cells. But the most common way to handle this is to type the data into one cell and then copy and paste it elsewhere in the worksheet. Sound familiar?

There's a simpler way to do this, actually. To enter the same data into multiple cells in Excel -- even non-adjacent cells -- simply hold down the Ctrl key and use the mouse to click on the desired cells on the row or column. Now type in the data you want in every selected cell, such as "500" or “Employee,” but don't hit the Enter key. Instead, all you need to do now is click Ctrl + Enter, and voilà, you'll see that data appear in every selected cell.

Now go treat yourself to a latte with that extra time you’ve saved.