GeekSugar

Download of the Day: fring

GeekSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:00:05 -0700

Fring is an easy to use peer to peer communications program that allows cell phone users to talk for free via WiFi, 3G or GPRS. You can IM and talk via your handset's internet connection to other mobile phones and services like Skype, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, SIP and Twitter - at no extra airtime cost. The main fring screen is a simple contact list that displays your contacts and their status. This list can include your Skype, MSN Messenger, Google Talk contacts, your fringster friends and if you want, people who are stored in your phone's contact list. This service is still fairly new so the audio quality isn't the greatest, but I'm sure this will improve with time. For more info and to download, click here.
Between fring and Eyejot, keeping in touch is becoming ridiculously cheap. To learn how to post your favorite sites to the Download of the Day group, read more

I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Download of the Day group
Click "Create and Share!" on the left hand side
Choose "Blog"
Give your photo a Title
Leave the category as "general"
Change the channel to "technology and gadgets"
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Download of the Day")
Click on the "Add Image" link below the "body" box
A popup window will happen - click on "Browse" to find your image on your computer
Once you have the image chosen, click "Submit"
The popup will show you your image, choose size: "normal" - if you want, you can give it a title (which will show up as a caption)
Click "Insert" and the popup will go away
Your "body" box will now have some text in it. Leave it as is. If you want to add some text before the picture telling me why you love the download, do it before the code that has appeared.
Click Submit

So join the Download of the Day group and share information about all your favorite downloads! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Leonard Nimoy Talks Tech, Star Trek 2, and Fringe

GeekSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:47:12 -0700

If you haven't been watching Fringe, you're missing out on a solid sci-fi thriller that will help fill a void where BSG left off. Sure, there's no space, but there are alternate universes . . . and Leonard Nimoy.

The original Spock made his appearance on the Fox series in last season's cliffhanger finale as William Bell, and will be gracing the screen again in tonight's episode. I can't tell you how excited I was to get an opportunity to talk to Leonard Nimoy himself in a conference call yesterday before his season two debut, but I'm sure you can imagine that I had to take a few deep breaths before dialing the number - come on, he's a geek legend!

Check out what Mr. Nimoy had to say about his sci-fi career, the state of the genre today, and what he's up to now when you read more.

G: Your body of work (even before Star Trek) leans heavily toward sci-fi, so I was wondering if you have always been a fan of the genre yourself?
LN: It's a good thing if you can find your niche as an actor. Back in 1951, I acted in my first science fiction project, which was probably not very well known (but I thought it was going to rocket me to stardom if you pardon my expression), and it was called Zombies of the Stratosphere. I was the third group of zombies that came to earth to take over earth's orbit, and it was a great project. But science fiction has been a fertile ground for the kind of work that I do, the kind of presence that I offer, and I'm grateful for the niche that science fiction has given me.

On if he's a "techie": I use a computer. I don't know if that qualifies me as a techie, but I'm pretty good on a computer!
On how he feels about the current state of the sci-fi genre on TV and film: I'm concerned about the positioning of story in terms of importance. When I see a lot of explosions and a lot of chases, I'm not terribly impressed. I think that there are three important elements that must be given priority position in science fiction (as well as any other kind of drama). The first is story, the second is story, and the third is story. If the story is compelling and interesting, all the other elements will find their place.
On other projects he's working on now: I'm doing a lot of photography work. That's one of my major creative outlets right now. I have an exhibition opening at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art next year that I'm really excited about.
On his relationship with J.J. Abrams and how he came into his role on Fringe: Well I first met him about three years ago when he first contacted me about the possibility of working together and I went to a meeting with him and some other production staff where they told me a very good, strong, and touching story about their feelings about Star TrekStar Trek series. I had a brilliant time working with them, so when they contacted me about working on Fringe - the same people, the same attitude, the same creativity - it was very enticing.
On if he'll be making a cameo in Star Trek 2: Frankly, I doubt that I'll be called upon again. I think I was useful in this last film to help bridge the original characters and the new cast, but with the new cast in place, I'm sure they'll move ahead with that. I don't see at the moment why they would need me, but I wouldn't hesitate if they asked.

Star Trek Finds Its Way Into the Fringe Plot Line

GeekSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:15:48 -0700

Fringe creator J.J. Abrams sure knows how to make a girl totally geek out. I love the show, mostly because it's packed full of sci-fi themes and cool (although sometimes seriously vintage) tech, but also because of Walter Bishop, who never fails to completely steal every scene he's in. Last night's episode was especially entertaining, and I loved the scene that starred Clint Howard (Ron Howard's brother), which took a turn into Trekkie territory.

Is it just me, or is Joshua Jackson's character, Peter Bishop, getting hotter by the day? Maybe it's cause he knows all about Khan . . . or maybe he just knows how to play a hot geek. In any case, are you looking for a connection here? In case you didn't know, J.J. Abrams is not only the creator of Fringe, but is also the mastermind behind the new Star Trek movie, which hits theaters on Friday. Smooth, J.J., real smooth.

J.J. Abrams Brings Possibly the Coolest Issue of Wired Yet

GeekSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:00:34 -0700

This newest issue of Wired Magazine (which I read faithfully), brings together some of my favorite things inside its pages: puzzles, magic, and J.J. Abrams.

Not only is J.J. Abrams responsible for some of the most geek-worthy shows on TV like Lost, Fringe, and Alias, but he produced soon-to-be Spring blockbuster Star Trek (which I have my IMAX tickets for already). So when I heard that he would be helping to whip up the May issue of Wired into something totally fitting of his work, I couldn't wait to get my copy.

Packed with puzzles, mysteries, and science, this issue of Wired should take longer than the average issue to get through - there is something on every page to solve, decode, decipher, and discover. Nothing is an accident.

Check out some behind the scenes footage of J.J. working with the Wired staff, and what you can expect in the next issue when you read more.