GoAnimate.com - Animation Made Easy

I'm an animator now. I published my first animated cartoon on the web only a few hours after hearing about GoAnimate.com. It's that easy. But I must warn you: only visit the site if you are prepared to forsake everything else in your life. Feed your kids first, then visit. It's that addictive.

Watch Funny Employee Awards - Worst Idea of the Year

Admittedly I put little thought into my debut into animation. I found an office background, imported a couple of characters, and had them go at it. But it's still pretty cool, right? I'm planning a whole series to promote www.FunnyEmployeeAwards.com

I may also animate some comedy sketches from my CDs like "Ghost in the Trailer," "Escape From Alimony", or "Hip Hop Hoedown". Stay tuned!

Fender Passport Portable Sound System Review

Fender Passport Review: PD-150 v. PD-250

I'm a big fan of the Fender Passport portable sound systems. Several years ago, I purchased a Passport Deluxe PD-250 system (pictured in grey). I recently bought the smaller Passport Deluxe PD-150 system (pictured in black), and have the PD-250 for sale.

Since I own both, I wanted to point out some of the major differences between the two systems (PD-250 v. PD-150):

• Inputs: 6 channels v. 4
• Watts: 250w v. 150w
• Monitor outputs: 2 v. 0
• Weight: 55 lbs. v. 28 lbs.

Beyond those major features, the two systems are virtually identical. Both have a docking connector for Passport wireless receiver, extraordinary feedback rejection, mic / cable storage compartment with latching lid, and Vocal Input Priority (background music level is automatically lowered when someone speaks into the microphone).

For me, the decision to keep the PD-150 came down to one single factor: weight. Let's face it, I'm no Hercules. While I can carry the PD-250 around with one arm, it is difficult to get in and out of my trunk. Plus I hate showing up at a corporate gig straining to carry in my sound system.

Fender also makes an even smaller PD-80. In my opinion, the PD-150 will server you better in a wider variety of situations than the PD-80, and the weight isn't really an issue. Go ahead and get the PD-150 if you can afford it.

My favorite feature of the PD-250 is that all of the cables and mics fit into a built-in storage compartment. So it is truly an all-in-one system. You just stick it in your trunk and go.

Much to my disappointment, everything does not fit into PD-150 storage compartment. You can put some combination of the power cord, two speaker cables, microphone, and microphone cable into the storage compartment - but not all of them. That means I have to remember to carry a separate bag. It's not the end of the World, but the large storage compartment was one of my favorite features of the PD-250.

I'm a little sad to see the PD-250 go, but I'm excited about breaking in the new PD-150. If you are a professional comedian or solo acoustic performer, I highly recommend either of these Fender Passport Portable Sound Systems.

Carrying your own system to gigs ensures that you will have quality sound. It's a small price to pay to guarantee that you will always sound your best!

Dell XPS M1330: Crashing, Freezing, Unstable, Buggy, Tech Support Nightmare

Summary: I purchased a top-of-the-line Dell XPS M1330 with Windows Vista Ultimate and all of the best options available including 3-year support. Within the first 30 days the system’s performance has degenerated to nearly unusable, and Dell’s promised “Premium Support” has been a bad joke.

Windows Reliability and Performance Monitor illustrates my laptop’s quick descent into Hell:

I will try to refrain from commentary, and just present the facts. I have only used the laptop for checking POP3 (Earthlink) email and composing MS Office documents (Excel and Word). I’ve installed two programs since purchase, both listed below:

9/26
Ordered Dell XPS M1330 with Windows Vista Ultimate as a birthday present for myself.

9/29
Laptop ships from Dell.

10/2
Laptop arrives and I boot it up for the first time.

10/12
I install iTunes (with Quicktime). No problems.

10/15
I install LoJack for laptops. No problems.

10/17
Outlook crashes for the first time.

10/20
Windows has a fatal error and crashes for the first time.

10/31
Windows starts displaying winrnr.dll popup error at startup and intermittently during use. They are caused by the pre-installed Dell Support software running constantly in the background.

11/1
Internet research reveals many others with windrnr.dll error. No solution found. I try reverting back to an earlier, error-free System Restore point. After that failed to stop the errors, I send an email to Dell Support.

11/2
30 Days after booting up my laptop, Outlook is crashing daily and I get constant popup winrnr.dll errors The system is nearly unusable.

Dell Support sent curt email telling me to run a "System Repair".

I call Dell Support and they tell me that this issue is not covered, then try to sell me a per-incident software help plan.

I calm down and call Dell Support again. This time the representative tells me the issue is covered and spends an hour looking around my desktop remotely. Finally they give up and tell me to call Microsoft.

I call Microsoft and they tell me that Dell should cover this issue since Windows Vista came pre-installed.

I emailed my Case manager from phone call #2 about my conversation with Microsoft, and someone else replies back that this issue is not covered, and they try to sell me a per-incident software help plan.

11/7
Reluctantly, I elect to try and run Windows System Repair. I get an error message that does not allow me to continue. I email Dell Support with one last impassioned plea for help. Dell responds saying to revert my system back to the Factory Settings. I will lose all of my data and restore my system to its original shipped state.

What to do now?
I’m extremely hesitant to revert my machine back to its original “pristine” condition. Not only will I lose all of my settings, but there is no guarantee I won’t just relive this situation all over again. I mean, I was getting errors right out of the box.

The culprits for most of the errors seem to be Google Desktop (pre-installed software), Google Toolbar (pre-installed software), and Dell Support (pre-installed software). Even though all of this software came pre-installed and I purchased every Dell Support planned purchased, Dell is unable or unwilling to help. Dell says Microsoft is to blame. Microsoft says Dell is to blame. The consumer gets screwed. It’s win-win for everyone!

Got a similar story to tell? Post it in the comments section.

winrnr.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error

Before I even got a chance to post about how much I love my new Dell XPS M1330 laptop with Windows Vista Ultimate, I get my first Windows error:



C:\Windows\System32\winrnr.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support.

I have found similar error stories from others on the Net, and the stories were all the same: "Everything was working fine... Then I started getting this error message for no reason." Same here. Before the error, I hadn't installed any new programs in nine days. In fact, the only programs I have installed since getting the laptop a few weeks ago are iTunes, Quicktime, Lojack for Laptops, and an update to Windows Media Direct. I checked the registry and nothing had been changed. I just started up Windows and got the error message.

I tried doing a System Restore to an earlier, more error-free time, but no luck. I got the error message immediately upon reboot. And it isn't always in reference to "sprtcmd.exe" - sometimes it's referencing "Google Desktop.exe".

I can get it to go away if I hit "OK" for a while, but it always comes back.

So who among you will save us? Will I be forced to call Dell tech support? Or will someone out there - yes you, perhaps - deliver us from this evil error message?

I await your comments...

Discount Postcard Printing - Full Color, Cheap Postcard Printing Services

Lots of people ask where I have my postcards printed. I get ALL of my full color printing services done online through PrintingForLess.com. Previously, I used a local printer and it was a royal pain. Now I upload my files online, approve the proofs via PDF, and PrintingForLess ships the finished product in a few days. It's so much easier and - best of all - a lot cheaper!

Here a just a few of the great postcards they have printed for me:


Once you try them, you will never go anywhere else for your full color postcard printing needs. Tell them I sent you and get $25 off your first order. Simply input ID code RP15QYD5T in the "Promotional Code" field of the order form while completing your order and you will see the $25 discount applied in your email receipt.

Is this some sort of endorsement? Of course it is! I'm a real person, I really use PrintingForLess.com, and so should you.

Head on over and save $25 with coupon code RP15QYD5T (input in "Promotional Code" field) at http://www.printingforless.com

Converting VHS to DVD to YouTube

Throughout the mid-1990's, I toured across America with sketch and improvisational comedy group Selected Hilarity. We became friends largely through Student Television (STV) at the University of North Carolina before forming the group and hitting the road. Between our collective years at STV, our 500+ shows in 35 states, and various behind-the-scenes projects, we amassed a large collections of videotape - specifically VHS tapes. I've started the process of converting the tapes to DVD then on to YouTube. It goes something like this:

• Convert VHS to DVD (real time)
  
• Import DVD into Adobe Premiere (real time)
  
• Convert Premiere clip into MPEG (slow)
  
• Convert MPEG to FLV (surprisingly fast using Riva Flash encoder)
• Post FLV to YouTube (slow)
  

Is there a better way? If so, please post your ideas in the comments section. In the meantime, enjoy the fruits of my labor here: http://www.youtube.com/user/selectedhilarity

Stamps.com Coupon - 3 Reasons to love Stamps.com

I've been using Stamps.com for about two years now and I'm a big fan. Read on to find out how you can get $25 in FREE postage with my stamps.com coupon. Here's why I love the service:

1. Never having to wait in line at the Post Office.
2. Being able to print postage from my PC whenever I need it.
3. Great customer service.

My local post office has consistently long lines and workers with poor attitudes. With Stamps.com I can print postage on envelopes or labels, so I never have to wait in line there again. I can send letters, postcards, packages, even Priority Mail(R) or Express Mail(R). In fact, I mailed all my Christmas packages this year using Stamps.com.

If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend it. Yes, this is a referral plug - but I really do use and endorse the service. Here's your risk-free offer: $25 in FREE postage and a 4 Week No-Risk Trial - just for signing up.

Click on the link below and start using your FREE postage today! During the registration process, remember to enter the promo code listed below in order for me to receive credit. http://www.stamps.com/freepostage Use promo code C-4TN8-TQJ during registration.