Inside CNET Labs (MP3)

Inside CNET Labs Podcast 73: Will that erase my drive if I push it?!

insidecnetlabs@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:59:00 PST

Never push the red button!

(Credit: Nickelodeon)

Dong's back and he's on the attack! Unfortunately, he returns from Vietnam with swine flu or something, so if I sound like I'm mumbling during the show, it's because I'm trying to keep my mouth covered from his germy germs.

Dong lived on a boat for one whole day in Vietnam, swam in the bay, and tries to convince me to do the same. That conversation somehow leads to a discussion about the Seven Wonders of the World, which apparently now include the Internet. Pretty lame if you ask me.

Also, Dong attempts to uncover the real story concerning Facebook in Vietnam and its "technical problems."

Having trouble deciding on what presents to get loved ones for the holidays? Dong has a simple solution. It's all Dong, all the time!

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Inside CNET Labs Podcast 72: Depressed, and/or tired.

insidecnetlabs@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:00:00 PST

For the record, I think most cats are just lazy, not depressed.

We talk games. Yay! My favorite subject! Dong and I (well mostly me) talk about the games we've been playing and our impressions. We also discuss that whole Modern Warfare 2 controversy from a couple weeks back. I know, I know, we're late to the party, but at least we brought a huge case of beer!

Also, Dong continues his tales from Azeroth. He joins a new guild that sounds more like a cult, does horrible DPS, and realizes he has no tanking or healing skills. This was my interpretation at least.

Finally, what we're watching, what we can't watch, and we'd like to be watching. Yeah, we had very little to talk about this week, but that actually worked in our favor...I think, you be the judge.

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Inside CNET Labs Podcast 71: 'Very' good at counting!

insidecnetlabs@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:45:00 PST

Of course I'm good at counting. I learned from the best.

(Credit: Sesame Workshop)

We return to the current Facebook debacle in Vietnam. Allegedly, accounts are being closed or locked thanks to a lone Vietnamese princess and her inability to secure her password--or so says Dong, of course.

Then Dong talks at length about the very expensive Imation wireless USB hard drive as I remain unconvinced of its worth.

Finally, we delve into a discussion about the audio-Nazi, aka iTunes. iTunes obviously doesn't want Dong to workout in a timely manner and it's communicating this quite effectively.

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Inside CNET Labs Podcast 70: Or I'll kick you in the face

insidecnetlabs@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:30:00 PST

A typical ICL recording session (my foot).

Dong finally watches "The Wire" and not surprisingly sings its praises. I've been telling him it's the best show I've seen for years now and he finally takes the hint. Although, he has a bit of trouble understanding what a re-up is. Noob.

We then move to the communist empire that is Vietnam. Dong thinks that it is attempting to block Facebook from users in Vietnam, but has no real proof of this. I mean how can a government block Facebook for fear of their citizens getting "Americanized," yet continually revere KFC?

Then, via the backdrop of Linux, we ask why people like to spend their money and actually don't want things for free.

Lastly, we take the second half the episode to answer just two e-mails.

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ViewSonic's VP2365wb fails to see the light

insidecnetlabs@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:44:00 PST

Hey! A black ViewSonic monitor!

(Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET)

We get in a lot of 16:9 monitors, but this is the first we've gotten that didn't have a TN-based panel. The 23-inch wide-screen ViewSonic VP2365wb monitor has an Enhanced In-Plane Switching panel (E-IPS).

E-IPS panels usually have improved viewing angles over TNs, especially from the lower angle. The VP2365wb does, indeed, have the type of viewing angle you'd expect from an IPS model, but its brightness leaves a bit to be desired.

Check out the full review. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the monitor product door for new monitor reviews every week.

Originally posted at Crave

Inside CNET Labs Podcast 69: 69, dudes!

insidecnetlabs@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:30:00 PST

Whoah...

(Credit: MGM)

Dong tells another one of his foreigner (not the band) stories in a tale that attempts to explain his excitement and maybe even obsession with the number 69. As with most of his stories, it involves much pointing and laughing. Mostly by me.

Then, prompted by a listener voice mail, we discuss our experiences playing Warcraft--as in the World of Warcraft, not sure if you've heard of this game--with women. Not just any women, though, but our women. We'll probably be in the doghouse for a few weeks after this...which is fine, as long as there's access to a computer with an online connection. :)

Finally, we answer the burning question: "What happens when you buy a new, top-of-the-line monitor and you still have a POS computer?" Not really a burning question, but we answer it regardless.

To subscribe to this podcast, visit us at our main page and click the podcast link on the right. Don't forget to leave us voice mail at 1-800-947-6399 or e-mail us at insidecnetlabs@cnet.com.

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Inside CNET Labs Podcast 68: He's a PC

insidecnetlabs@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:20:00 PST

Dong Ngo is a PC and will mess you up if you look at him wrong. This isn't actually a pic of Dong as he's much more friendly-looking than the gentleman pictured here.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Welcome back peoples. We get started right off the bat today and discuss the current state of telephone customer service. Calling a local number these days can actually have you whisked away to some far-off land. How exciting!

Dragon Age: Origins. It's here! I've gotten nothing done in the last week thanks to it, but I'm 100 percent OK with this. We talk about marrying up, incest, if-then scenarios, and moral choices. And then, we discuss Dragon Age! LOL, I kid.

Then there's some tech stuff discussing two new Apple hardware refreshes, the Dell U2410, and a couple of listener e-mails, including one that mistakes Dong for another Asian dude.

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Inside CNET Labs Podcast 67: Kimbo Slice stinks

insidecnetlabs@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:45:00 PST

Don't tell him I said that please.

(Credit: Touchgloves)

Happy belated Halloween! I know, I know. Halloween is so last week! Still, Dong and I discuss our experiences of the most popular holiday that you don't actually get to stay home from work for.

Then, we move to the toilet. Or more specifically, toilet technology. Even more specifically, we talk about motion detection technology used in the toilet. And by toilet, I don't mean in the toilet, just, you know, in the washroom. Also, clam-shell packaging? Who needs it?

Then we get down to serious business with Dong detailing the WD TV Live and the first 6GBps SATA controller card. I think you can actually hear me snoring during this segment. For my part, I point you directly in the direction of the Monitor Buying Guide.

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Inside CNET Labs Podcast 66: No one wants to raid with that guy!

insidecnetlabs@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:30:00 PDT

No one wants to be Zaboo'd...or do they?

(Credit: The Guild)

What effects do Facebook, other social networking sites, and today's media on have on young people? We have no idea. Neither of us have been young for a very long time. I think we think we know and like always, we're not afraid to discuss it.

Dong goes in for a job interview. Did I say job interview? I meant guild interview. Dong is evaluated and dehumanized in his attempt to join a new World of Warcraft guild.

Dong and I talk more about Windows 7. Dong spouts his first impressions--kinda weird, seeing as he's been using it for months. I don't know. We ~~attempt to~~ make it interesting.

Also, before I forget, contest! Listen to the episode to find out about the rules. Listen quick though!

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Inside CNET Labs Podcast 65: It hertz so good

insidecnetlabs@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:30:00 PDT

Heinrich Hertz. If not for him, we'd have no title for this week's episode.

This week marks Dong's 10th anniversary in the U.S. Really! To celebrate, Dong recounts what inspired him to get into radio in Vietnam. Not surprisingly, laziness was a key factor.

Then, we talk hertz. Specifically, 60Hz vs. 120Hz. More specifically, 60Hz vs. 120Hz on TVs. We discuss it in our usual way, but if you want some real info, check out this article.

Dong delves into the relative performance of Window 7 and Snow Leopard. From boot up to shutdown. From Cinebench to CoD4.

To subscribe to this podcast, visit us at our main page and click the podcast link on the right. Don't forget to leave us voice mail at 1-800-947-6399 or e-mail us at insidecnetlabs@cnet.com.

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