Category Archives: Geeking around

Why I Own an Android Phone, But Still Love Apple

Posted on March 18, 2025 by ricbret

OK, stick with me, this starts off weird. I’m a big fan of the Pebble watch. It’s been gone for years, but recently announced a comeback. Pebble was a Kickstarter for a cool phone-connected watch that would last a week … Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2025 – The Dreamers and I

Posted on March 13, 2025 by ricbret

This documentary is praised for its unique storytelling, focusing on young entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley’s “hacker house” environment. Filmmaker Kenji Yamamoto captures their pursuit of the American dream, revealing their optimism amidst high failure rates. The film also intertwines personal struggles, offering an inspiring narrative worth viewing for aspiring developers. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2025 – Time Travel is Dangerous

Posted on March 6, 2025 by ricbret

Best friends Ruth and Megan discover a time machine and travel to the past to collect vintage items for their North London shop. Their adventures avoid changing history, filled with comedic elements reminiscent of Monty Python. The film, shot in a documentary style, delivers an inventive take on time travel. Continue reading →

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The 2025 Saturn Awards for Science Fiction

Posted on February 3, 2025 by ricbret

My review of the Saturn Awards show along with a list of award winners. Continue reading →

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Review: Korak at the Earth’s Core

Posted on March 20, 2024 by ricbret

Korak at the Earths Core is a welcome addition and continues the evolution of the world of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2023 – Star Wars Kid

Posted on August 11, 2023 by ricbret

If you were using the internet in the early 2000’s you probably had a first-hand experience in viewing the “Star Wars Kid.” The video portrayed a young teen boy going through vigorous motions with a rod, reproducing a lightsaber battle. … Continue reading →

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Review: Carson of Venus: The Edge of All Worlds

Posted on April 20, 2020 by ricbret

Can I tell you about a unique book experience? I’m going to work hard to spoil none of the book’s surprises, while telling you why this is a book you should enjoy. Consider a prolific writer, now long passed, whose … Continue reading →

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The Digital Dissolve…

Posted on July 1, 2019 by ricbret

Put another one on the list, and this time it’s significant. I’m talking about e-books. Particularly your rights and ownership of “your copy.” That’s confusing, I know, but bear with me. The short of it is that Microsoft will be … Continue reading →

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Sometimes, Always, AppleCare

Posted on June 20, 2019 by ricbret

I’m not typically one for extended warranties. AppleCare is the one exception. I always buy AppleCare. Continue reading →

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Cinequest 2018: How to Cinequest!

Posted on February 28, 2018 by ricbret

As regular listeners to the Fanboy Planet Podcast know, San Jose’s award-winning Cinequest film festival opened last night.  Opening night at Cinequest typically features an independent film that has or is expected to shortly gain general distribution, and last night’s … Continue reading →

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How Many PowerPoints in the World?

Posted on August 9, 2017 by ricbret

“How much PowerPoint is there in the world?” Does it matter? Should be bother trying to figure it out? And who does it help in the end? Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Geeking around, Graphics, Media, Organizations, Personal, PowerPoint, Presentations, Presenting, Random thoughts, Software, Technology, Thoughts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Dark Tower – Defending the Rose

Posted on August 6, 2017 by ricbret

The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.
Probably the best opening line in literature. Yeah, better than Call me Ishmael.
(Seriously Ishmael, I was just asking you for a name to write on your coffee cup!) Continue reading →

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Pointer Points for PowerPoint (And Keynote, and Excel, and…)

Posted on April 21, 2017 by ricbret

Innovating on a number of levels, Logitech brings us Spotlight Presentation Remote, packing some previously unseen pointer tricks. But is that a good thing? Continue reading →

Posted in Audience, Design, Geeking around, PowerPoint, Presentations, Presenting, Review, Software, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

PowerPoint Tip: Stacking Artistic Effects

Posted on January 11, 2016 by ricbret

Normally your photos can only have one Artistic Effect at a time, but with this very simple process, you can combine them to create whole new effects in your PowerPoint presentations. Continue reading →

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What does Bill Gates read?

Posted on December 7, 2015 by ricbret

I find Bill Gates fascinating because he’s always surprising me with some new way to think about something we all think we already know. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Geeking around, Health and wellness, History, Media, PowerPoint, Presentations, Presenting, Technology, Thoughts, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Star Wars VII trailer: Storytelling & the invisible structure

Posted on September 25, 2015 by ricbret

Storytelling and structure from Presentation Zen master Garr Reynolds by way of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and a priest named Father Roderick… Continue reading →

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Pebble Time Unboxing

Posted on June 3, 2015 by ricbret

I love the unboxing experience, even when it’s simply unzipping a package and unfolding the cover… Continue reading →

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Coca-Cola Life

Posted on March 10, 2015 by ricbret

8oz of cane sugar-sweetened Coke weighing in at 60 calories.
Fine print: also contains Stevia sweetener. Oh no, not again. Continue reading →

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They Called Me Spock

Posted on February 27, 2015 by ricbret

I admired Nimoy for this, and followed his career unflinchingly through everything from Mission Impossible to Fringe. And of course I enjoyed all his characters, as well as whatever speaking engagements I was able to attend, and his writing. But it they never spoke to me like Spock. Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Film, Geeking around, History, Home and Family, Media, Movies, Personal, Random thoughts, SciFi Fantasy, Thoughts | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Design vs. Fashion vs. User

Posted on October 24, 2014 by ricbret

I found myself rereading parts of Richard Saul Wurman’s Information Anxiety this afternoon. Last week at Presentation Summit I gave a talk on the Pecha Kucha format. Pecha Kucha is a form of presentation using exactly 20 slides, with each slide advancing automatically after 20 … Continue reading →

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