GeekSugar

Michelle Obama Vs. Oprah: Who Has the Bigger Effect?

Emily Co — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 06:00:36 PDT

Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey are definitely forces to be reckoned with. Companies see huge returns when one of them endorses their product. An analysis by the Harvard Business Review showed that stock prices of a clothing company would soar whenever the first lady wears its products. The author of the findings, professor David Yermack, estimated a $14 million value for an appearance by Michelle wearing the retailer's outfit.

On the other hand, Oprah's influence is so large that it even has a name: the Oprah Effect. Countless studies and documentary have been done on Oprah's wide-reaching influence, and we've seen plenty of unknowns skyrocket into fame. She creates primetime TV personalities (Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz to start with), sends books straight to best-seller lists, and gives firms a 1,000 short-term percent growth whenever they receive a mere shout-out from her.

Forbes recently ranked Michelle as the most powerful woman in the world and ranked Oprah as third. I'm wondering if you agree with the Forbes list, and I want to know who you think makes the bigger impact - Oprah or Michelle?

An Author, a Spice Girl, and the Queen Are UK's Most Influential

Annie Scudder — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:30:23 PDT

Michelle Obama might be the most powerful woman in the world according to Forbes, but in the UK she has to compete with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. To celebrate its 100th birthday, the National Magazine company revealed its list of most influential women in the UK. The queen came in at number three, dethroned by Rowling (number one) and former Spice Girl and current style icon Victoria Beckham (number two).

So how does the UK-specific list stack up to Forbes's recent ranking? In the UK, stylish people like Posh, Vivienne Westwood, and Kate Moss fill out the top 10. On the Forbes list, Beyonce Knowles is the only credited "fashion designer" to crack the first 10. On the UK list, first lady Samantha Cameron comes in at ninth place, so apparently having the ear of the country's leader doesn't make you as influential in England as it does in the US. And while author Rowling tops the list in the UK, the most influential female author according to Forbes is Chelsea Handler, who placed number 33 overall.

Which list do you think comes closest to defining influence?

Website of the Day: Computer Power Test

GeekSugar — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:47:54 PDT

There are helpful websites whose sole purpose in life is to check and see if a specific website is down for everyone (or if it's just you), and there are equally handy sites to tell you how fast your Internet connection is. Want to know how fast you type? There's a website for that, too. But what if - and this is tricky - you can't tell if your computer is on or not? Thankfully, there is a site out there that offers up an easy way to make that determination. Called Computer Power Test, it simply tells you if your computer is on or off. Go ahead - you know you want to check your computer now!

Do you have a cool website you want to share? Post it to our Website of the Day group - It may end up being featured on GeekSugar! Just log in with your PopSugar Network account and get to blogging. Need some help getting started? Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Power Strip Concept Puts a Limit to Your Electricity Use

GeekSugar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:00:51 PST

We've talked a lot about vampire power - gadgets and appliances that are turned "off" but suck down electricity just because they're plugged in - and there's one electrical outlet that helps combat wattage use while you're out for the day. But what if you have several gadgets you want to control? Here's an idea - make a power strip with timers in the sockets so you can keep track of how long you actually use an appliance, and save money at the same time. The Wind Up Socket does just that - lets you count down the minutes (like a kitchen egg timer) until your electrical socket switches off.

Hear more about the Wind Up Socket when you

read more. Let's say you need to charge up your phone overnight, but you know it only takes an hour of charge to get you through the day. Don't leave it plugged in and wasting juice - schedule your socket timer to shut off in an hour, and not only get a full charge, but save a whole lot of money over the course of the year for banishing power vampires. This would work great for computer chargers, TVs, and kitchen appliances that don't need to be left active after you've heated up your breakfast. Right now the Wind Up Socket is in the concept phase, but I would totally buy one if it was on the shelves today!

Daily Tech: This All-in-One Outlet Is the Best Thing Ever

GeekSugar — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:15:54 PST

TruePower Outlet charges via USB . . . and it's only $20 - Dvice
Lucky Arizona students get free WiFi on school bus, are now more productive - Oh Gizmo!
Hazzah: Plants vs. Zombies hits the iPhone - Crave
Genius behind ChatRoulette is only 17 years old - Switched
Is James Cameron working on Avatar prequel? - io9
Apple gets serious and starts banning iPhone hackers - Gizmodo

Dear Poll: Are You a Control Freak?

DearSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:00:00 PDT

For me, the feeling of being out of control is one of the worst feelings in the world. I wouldn't call myself a control freak per se; I just don't like surprises! Unfortunately, some people view control freaks in a negative light- calling them power trippers and know-it-alls - but I don't consider it a personality flaw in the slightest. Control freaks get the job done, and they are perfectionists who always have their Ts crossed and their Is dotted - what's so bad about that? So ladies, where do you fall in the control department? Would you consider yourself a control freak?

Source

Dear Quiz: Who Wears the Pants in Your Relationship?

DearSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:00:00 PST

I'd like to think that all relationships are created equal, that each person has equal power, but let's be honest, that's just not realistic. Sure, the power can change from day to day or month to month, but someone seems to always have the upper hand. So where do you fall? Who wears the pants in your relationship? Take this quiz and find out.

Source

Who decides what you eat for dinner?

Since I do the grocery shopping, I decide what's for dinner.

We usually just talk about what sounds good and we make the decision together.

I always ask him what he feels like and go from there.

Who's in charge of household responsibilities?

I'm in charge of all household bills and all the important mail is addressed to me.

Our household chores are pretty evenly distributed.

He is in charge of almost everything and I like it like that.

Who makes plans for you as a couple?

We always check with each other before committing to anything.

I'm in charge of our social calendar. He's clueless without me.

He tends to make our social plans.

Who initiates sex?

I'd say it's pretty balanced.

He always initiates sex.

I tend to initiate sex more than he does.

What TV shows do you watch together?

Project Runway

Celebrity Apprentice

The Wire

Wind-Up Cell Phone Charger

GeekSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:30:51 PST

Whether or not this Wind-Up Charger actually works is beyond me. I don't doubt that it does, I just can't help but wonder if it's anything like the wind-up radios of yesteryear. With the wind-up, cell-phone charger, you can charge up your phone when there isn't an electrical outlet in sight. Just turn the handle vigorously for a few minutes and your phone will get enough power for approximately 25–30 minutes. Featured on Zedomax, it also comes with a built-in flashlight so you have some back-up in power outages. Priced at $12 each.

The APC Mobile Power Pack

GeekSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 10:00:51 PDT

When FabSugar returned from fashion week, she not only shared runway stories but gadgetry goodies as well! Perfect for traveling and event-filled days, this UPB10 Mobile Power Pack by APC is lightweight, sleek and can charge up all your gadgets when you're on the go. With lithium polymer battery cells, you get a higher power density than traditional lithium ion cells for extra power output. This device can charge up gadgets by standard USB and by mini-USB, which I used for my pearl in the pic below. It's fashionable for Fab and functional for Geek, therefore I can't help but give it two thumbs up. Priced at $60 each.

iGo Juice 70 Notebook Powerbook Adapter

GeekSugar — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 10:00:15 PDT

Whenever I travel, I'm usually on the look-out for Wi-Fi and power outlets. As important as the internet is, I've realized that if you don't have power, Wi-Fi is basically useless! It's ironic that I just happened to spot this laptop power adapter because I was just saying last week that I wish I could get power while in the car. The iGo powerbook adapter will juice up your laptop in any location-even in the car! You can plug it into the lighter socket in your car, the in-flight outlets on planes and standard wall outlets in homes and offices. With the iGo you can also purchase additional tips so you can charge-up your phone, mp3 player, camera, etc. Priced at $120 each.

In the meantime, I think airports should work on installing more electrical outlets. I regularly find myself sharing an outlet with a stranger five gates away from where my flight takes off!