Visit our Geekistry Store to order.

© June Sixth Productions for Geekistry: It's all geek to us, 2011. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Google, you wish you were in my circles

Send some feedback and say what you think a geek is. Write a comment here, send an email to feedback@geekistry.com, or send a voice mail to the Geekistry Skype line, ID: geekistry.

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Post tags: geek, what is a geek

And, don’t worry… if you don’t play WoW or you’d like to choose an alternate gift we’ll donate $5 to your favorite charity and send you $5 to spend on Amazon.com. So, want to know how to win?

To enter, leave a comment below answering the following question:

“What keeps you playing your favorite MMORPG?”

For example, I collect achievements, non-combat pets, and (currently) faction rep – but, maybe you keep playing for the rush of raid adrenaline or because your friends are in-game. Do you stick with your game to see how many PvP kills you can get or how many feats of strength you can pull-off? Does the loot tempt you to keep logging in?

Whatever the reason, tell us why you keep playing and you’ll be entered! Want one extra entry? Simply make a public blog post or send a Tweet answering the question and include the link “http://bit.ly/winloot” and the hashtag #winloot or #geekistry and your name will go into the hat twice.

We’ll announce the first winner (chosen at random) on December 6th and the second on December 13th – just in time for some holiday fun with your new puppy Moonkin Hatchling.* Be sure you leave a current/valid email address so we can let you know if you’ve won.

Thanks for geeking out with us and happy holidays, everyone!

———-

*All entries added by 11:59pm EST on December 5th are eligible to win the first round. Entries from midnight December 6th through 11:59pm December 12th and first-round non-winning entries will be included in the second drawing. First-round winner not eligible for the second drawing. Only one comment entry per person (more than one comment by the same author is encouraged for the sake of the discussion, but only one will count as a giveaway entry) and one additional entry for a public blog post or Tweet that includes the URL and hashtag above. Please direct comments and questions about the giveaway here.

© June Sixth Productions for Geekistry: It's all geek to us, 2010. | Permalink | 7 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Blizzard Entertainment, Blizzard Store, contest, geekistry, giveaway, lil ragnaros, Make a Wish, MMORPG, moonkin, Moonkin Hatchling, non-combat pet, win, World of Warcraft, WoW

We’ve both attended the last two SXSWi conferences, most notably launching Geekistry at the 2010 event with blog and podcast perspectives and fresh interviews with attendees Tom Merritt, Veronica Belmont, and Eileen Rivera. Now that we’re season “veterans” of the ultimate interactive geek conference we’d love to present a panel to other attendees and share some of the things we’ve learned while working on the many creative projects we have.

How are panels chosen? After the submission of a panel presentation application, the SXSW Advisory Board, a group of industry professionals from across the US and around the world, and the SXSW staff choose which panels to add to the “Panel Picker,” and then that’s where YOU come in. Because SXSW is a community-driven event YOUR VOTE COUNTS for 30% of the decision-making because SXSW wants you to see what you’re most interested in.

Of course you’re interested in us, right? Want to know more about what we’re going to discuss?

Our presentation is simple and straight-forward and we think you’ll enjoy it because it’s a part of the bigger story of how Geekistry (and our other sites) came to be.

Creative Project Collaboration from > 1,000 miles (and < $200)

Great ideas don’t always choose the most convenient places to be hatched, nor do they often find inspired, like-minded individuals eager to create them as close as the next cube. Ideas worthy of passionate creativeness can become overwhelming when two people (or two hundred) have the hurdle of thousands of miles between them. With the right tools and the right attitude, working together from any distance is not only possible, but easier now than ever. The internet allows us to communicate across great distances while working on successful projects without the need to ever meet in person or spend a lot of money connecting. Technology like web cams, desktop-sharing programs, virtual meeting spots, and even camera-phone pics of ideas scrawled on napkins helped co-founders of “Geekistry – What geeks do.” Michael Gaines and Krissi Bates-Billings create several websites and podcasts from more than 1,000 miles away. With with real-life responsibilities of families, jobs, bills, and other obligations, this two-person team found a successful way to reach their creative goals without spending very much time together in person and without breaking their bank accounts.

Questions Answered:

1. How do you find the person/people to work with?
2. What kind of commitment is expected when working with someone online?
3. Should working online be treated differently than working in the same room?
4. How much equipment will be needed and how much will it cost?
5. Can people be successful and never meet at all?

Level: Intermediate
Category: Community / Online Community
Tags: collaboration, coworking, long distance
Type: Dual
Event: Interactive 2011

Here’s what a few of you have already said about Geekistry (thank you!)

Carl Coddington: “I have been listening to podcasts from Michael Gaines for many years. He is a great speaker, really cares about people, and is a master of his craft.“

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Post tags: 2011, collaboration, community, coworking, creativity, geekistry, interactive, long distance, online community, panel, panel picker, presentation, starman, SXSW, sxsw 2011, sxswi, sxswi 2011, vote, vote for us

The forums will encompass World Of Warcast, Geekistry, Film Raiders, Geekiversary, and other projects that we haven’t announced yet.

We wanted to start a community, have direct, public feedback, and read your suggestions. Personally, I love conversing with listeners in a space where everyone can read the responses, and we hope that everyone uses them in good health.

Click here to go to the forums!

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Post tags: forums, geekistry

Here’s some information about IRC and our chat channel. Please contact us if you have questions or need help (or want to offer a “how to” write-up on a specific IRC client not listed below).

What is IRC?

In essence, IRC, which stands for “Internet Relay Chat,” was the first instant messaging service on the internet. IRC is an open protocol that uses TCP and TLS and was originally a plain text protocol. You can read more about IRC history here.

Why did you choose IRC instead of an AIM or Yahoo chat room?

IRC is free, universally accessible, and provides a group chat space capable of interaction between two, to hundreds of individuals at one time in one “channel”. IRC doesn’t require you to enter any personally identifiable information, not even an email address, to join the #geekistry conversation.

Who hosts is Geekistry’s IRC channel?

We use irc.GeekShed.net and can be found in the registered chat channel #geekistry. GeekShed.net is “a free to use and family-friendly Internet Relay Chat network, capable of hosting chat rooms for a variety of purposes.” Once logged in, you can register your nickname with a password to avoid other people using it – in fact, you might already have a registered nickname, already! Popular websites, videocasts, and podcasts like CNET / Buzz Out Loud and Chris Pirillo use GeekShed’s IRC network for their live chat during broadcasting.

Where can I find more information about how to use IRC and it’s commands?

IRC is very easy to use, so don’t panic if you’ve never used it or aren’t familiar with it. You can log in and chat just like any other group chat-channel or you can learn a few of the basic or more advanced commands by visiting GeekShed.net’s user commands FAQ. Also, after you login if you want to register your nickname check out GeekShed’s NicServ FAQ.

How can I geek-out with you on IRC?

Hey, glad you asked! Follow the instructions below to add #geekistry to your IM client…

PC/Windows IRC client set-up

• Pidgin (Free) – Pidgin is an open-source and ad-free chat program which lets you log in to accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously… Pidgin is compatible with AIM, ICQ, Google Talk, Jabber/XMPP, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, IRC, Novell GroupWise Messenger, QQ, Lotus Sametime, SILC, SIMPLE, MXit, MySpaceIM, and Zephyr. It can support many more with plugins.

1. Accounts>Manage Accounts>Add
2. Basic Tab
   1. Protocol: IRC
   2. Username: Your nickname
   3. Server: irc.geekshed.net
   4. Password: Leave blank unless your nick is already registered
   5. Local alias: IRC Geekistry
3. Advanced Tab
   1. Username: Your nickname
   2. Real Name: Enter your real name or nickname
   3. Leave the other options set to default
4. Proxy Tab
   1. Leave the options set to default
5. Click “save” and you will be automatically logged into the IRC server.
6. Join/add the #geekistry channel to your favorites:
   1. Buddies>Add Chat
   2. Account: Select irc.geekshed.net
   3. Channel: #geekistry
   4. Group: Chats
   5. Select “Autojoin when account connects”
   6. Click “Add”

Mac IRC client set-up

• Adium Beta (Free) – Adium is a free instant messaging application for Mac OS X that can connect to AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, and more. Currently, the beta version is the only release that supports IRC. However I consider it very stable and have been using it on my Macbook for a year.

1. File>Add Account>IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
2. Account Tab
   1. Nickname: Your nickname
   2. Host name: irc.geekshed.net
   3. Password: Leave blank unless your nick is already registered
   4. Check “connect when Adium opens”
3. Personal Tab
   1. Icon: Use your global icon or choose a different one to use.
   2. Realname: Your real name or nickname
   3. Username (Ident): Your nickname
4. The other two tabs do not need to be changed, but can be configured depending on your personal preference.
5. File>Join Group Chat
   1. Account: Select irc.geekshed.net
   2. Channel: #geekistry (make sure you include the ‘#’)
   3. After the channel opens, click on the tab and select “add to bookmarks”. The chat window will now appear under your “bookmarks” in your contact list.

Additional PC / Windows IRC clients

• XChat (Windows/Linux) – XChat is an IRC chat program for both Linux and Windows. It allows you to join multiple IRC channels (chat rooms) at the same time, talk publicly, private one-on-one conversations etc. Even file transfers are possible.

• Trillian (Free and paid versions) – Since 2000, Trillian has been a powerful part of the effort to bring interoperability to IM. Trillian lets you connect to multiple IM and social networks at the same time, managing contacts and real time status feeds efficiently.

• mIRC (Free 30-day trial / $20 license) – mIRC is a full featured IRC client for Windows and has been in development for over a decade. Downloading it gives you a free 30-day trial and costs $20 to register after the trial period expires.

Additional Mac IRC clients

• Colloquy (Free) – Traditionally, chat clients on the Mac have been anything but glamorous. Colloquy is an advanced IRC, SILC & ICB client which aims to fill this void. By adhering to Mac OS X interface conventions, Colloquy has the look and feel of a quality Mac application.

• Trillian for Mac Alpha (Free) – While Trillian for Windows has been around a long time, Trillian for Mac alpha is not feature complete and should not be relied upon. However, if you’re the type who likes testing the latest releases for new services please let us know your thoughts about this product.

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Post tags: chat, chat with Michael, chat with us, contact, featured, geek, geekshed.net, IM, internet relay chat, IRC, IRC how to, IRC Mac, IRC PC

• Chat with us on USTREAM while we’re recording
• Chat with us (and your fellow geeks) 24/7 on irc.geekshed.net channel #geekistry (IRC help here)
• Follow @Geekistry on Twitter
• Like us on Facebook
• Send us topic ideas or suggest other ways we can encourage audience participation
• Leave us feedback on iTunes

See you soon!

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Post tags: chat, contact, email, Facebook, feedback, geekistry, IRC, iTunes, live, Podcast, Twitter, ustream

Grats, Kriseb! Thanks for being our #1 Fan!

Contest Entries show how YOU consider yourself a ‘unique geek’

• candrie: What is @geekistry ?? Well literally it is what geeks do…. But really - it is Awesome sauce! Check it out http://bit.ly/geekistryftw

• DeeGee13: I am geeky & create a budget sheet each month which includes “Entertainment” aka Dark Horse Comics purchases http://bit.ly/geekftw #delOmni

• jaminbee: I’m a totally geeky for anything history, especially egyptian and roman http://bit.ly/geekistryftw
• jaminbee: (Twitter RT): From the @delOmni blog: Win $25 iTunes, $10 Starbucks + 1 yr of WIRED in our Epic Name Change contest! http://bit.ly/geekftw (Plz RT)
• jaminbee:Last call people, Mike and Krissi are giving this stuff away tonight http://bit.ly/geekistryftw
• jaminbee:in my attempts to get in late entries, all geeky for my little pink haird gnome warlock! http://bit.ly/geekistryftw
• jaminbee: I’m all geeky for glee… or rather i’m a gleek… so confused… http://bit.ly/geekftw

• joerbailey (Twitter RT): RT @geekistry: Psst! This is delOmni’s new name! We’re LIVE now @ http://bit.ly/geekistry-live

• Kriseb_Krunkle: Im kinda geeky about friendships (via GoogleBuzz)
• Kriseb_Krunkle: Im a Phillies geek (via GoogleBuzz)
• Kriseb_Krunkle: Geekistry contest. Win $25 iTunes gift card, $10 Starbucks card, 1 year to Wired. http://bit.ly/geekistryftw
• Kriseb_Krunkle: I really like the number nine. (via GoogleBuzz)
• Kriseb_Krunkle: Im geeky about tv themes, and video game music. I dont really follow bands but particular songs I like. http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Kriseb_Krunkle: Im geeky about the number 9. When numbers are involved, I try to get 9. It was the first time my father helped me, http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Kriseb_Krunkle: I use to write and draw my own comic books. I had 50 some issues before I didnt have time. Will continue again soon. http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Kriseb_Krunkle: Im kinda geeky about cats. I own a cat, I have a hero character named The Cat ©. Plus most cats take a liking to me. http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Kriseb_Krunkle: Epic Name Change Giveaway (FTW!) DelOmni is changing its name, all happening tomorrow! Don’t miss out! #DelOmni http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Kriseb_Krunkle: Geekistry contest. Win $25 iTunes gift card, $10 Starbucks card, 1 year to Wired. http://bit.ly/geekistryftw
• Kriseb_Krunkle: Geekistry, what geeks do. Join Michael Gaines and Krissi B Sun,Tues,Thu, nights. If you’re a geek, you’ll enjoy. http://bit.ly/geekistryftw
• Kriseb_Krunkle (Twitter RT) Jun 7, 2010 09:54 PM: RT @geekistry: Psst! This is delOmni’s new name! We’re LIVE now @ http://bit.ly/geekistry-live

• Learn2Fly (blog comment)

• MrsLilreader: Crocheting another cthulu while watching Star Trek Voyager. Can’t get much geekier! http://bit.ly/geekistryftw

• Rishal_BP: I’m really geeky when it comes to anime. My friends and I used to style ourselves as characters from the shows. http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Rishal_BP: Music turns me into a major geek. I love knowing the artist and song title so I’m prepared to talk about it later. http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Rishal_BP: So, I just realized, I’m becoming rather geeky about my writing blog. Not sure how I feel about this yet.
• Rishal_BP: I don’t normally geek out about television shows. But Dr. Who brings out my geek flag hardcore. http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Rishal_BP: In the ongoing saga of all things that make me go geek, we find ourselves coming to Farscape. Aliens and romance? Yes. http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Rishal_BP: You know, this may seem just a bit odd, but I’m geeky about Origami. There’s just something so relaxing about it. http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Rishal_BP: I’m not normally a sports fan, but I’m having a geek out about #Blackhawks. One game from winning the Stanley Cup! http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Rishal_BP: @jaminbee I think it’s probably a MILD understatement to say I’m geeky about history. Ancient history is win. http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Rishal_BP: I’m also quite geeky about mythology. I love learning about the myths and gods of ancient religions. http://bit.ly/geekftw
• Rishal_BP: Geekistry dot com, the home for geeks. They’re running a contest, win sweet prizes! $25 iTunes, $10SB, 1yr WIRED. http://bit.ly/geekftw

• strumpet101: Like @Jaminbee I am all geeky about my pink-haired gnome! http://bit.ly/geekistryftw

• ZokaHuntress: What is @geekistry ?? Well literally it is what geeks do…. But really – it is Awesome sauce! Check it out http://bit.ly/geekistryftw

© June Sixth Productions for Geekistry: It's all geek to us, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: contest, epic name change, geek, geekftw, geekistry, geekistryftw, Kriseb_Krunkle

Up for grabs are some essentials that Krissi and Michael feel every geek should keep close at hand for good geekistry

$25 iTunes Gift Card autographed by us

$10 Starbucks Card

1 Year Subscription to WIRED Magazine

Here’s how to win!

1. Write a blog post, send a Tweet, or post a Facebook note about something you enjoy that you consider to be ‘geeky’. Please include the link-back to this post using the shortened URL “http://bit.ly/geekistryftw” – invite your readers to visit us, too!
2. After you’ve shown some geek love, leave a comment here on this post (be sure to use your real email* so we can contact you) with the link you’ve added to your blog, Twitter, or Facebook (hey, we like to re-Tweet/post you, too) and you’ll be entered into the to Epic Name Change Giveaway. You’ll also be added to our newsletter list that you’ll be seeing in your in-box, soon.
3. Want more than one chance to win? Every time you write a new blog post, send a Tweet or update on Facebook that links to this post (leave a comment or ping-back each time) you’ll get an extra entry.
4. We will announce the winner on the second podcast using our new name (effectively podcast episode #23).

Winners will be chosen by random drawing using the Random.org tool.

Good luck and let the best luckiest geek grab the goods!

———-

*You can trust us! Like you, we don’t like spam and we promise not to give your email to anyone else. By the way, if for some reason you decide you’d rather not receive any correspondence from us, request the removal of your email from our list and a real, actual human being will delete it ASAP.

———-

2010/06/08 @ 8:00pm EDT – Comments and entries are officially closed. Thanks for all who participated; the winner will be announced tonight on the live recording of podcast episode 23 http://bit.ly/geekistry-live

© June Sixth Productions for Geekistry: It's all geek to us, 2010. | Permalink | 13 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: blog, contest, delomni, Facebook, iTunes, starbucks, starman, wired

• Send us topic ideas
• Suggest other ways we can encourage audience participation
• Answer our current poll (we’ll be talking about the topic on an upcoming show)
• Chat with us on USTREAM while we’re recording
• Follow @Geekistry on Twitter
• Leave us feedback on iTunes

See you soon!

© June Sixth Productions for Geekistry: It's all geek to us, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: delomni, Entertainment, live stream, Podcast, record, starman, ustream