The Raging Tech

Download High-Quality YouTube Videos

Did you know that most YouTube videos can be downloaded now as high-quality mp4 (MPEG-4) files? There have been browser and URL hacks to download files previously, and several sites and Firefox extensions would allow you to plug-in an URL to a YouTube video and it would snag the file or give you an URL to download.

Now, you can do the same thing to get the higher-quality videos. Just save the following as a bookmarklet by dragging it up to your bookmarks bar in Firefox or Safari, or right-clicking and making it a Favorite in Internet Explorer:

Download YouTube Video

Clicking on this bookmark creates a new link below the video you are watching that should be to the downloadable video. Instead of left-clicking, you’ll want to right-click and choose “Save As” and name it something with a .mp4 extension.

I ripped-off came upon these instructions from a blog called Google Operating System via a Lifehacker post, and there you can find more information, including a Greasemonkey script for Firefox that takes care of this whole business for you every time you visit YouTube.

Taxes Due Tomorrow & Jack Black on Piracy

Tomorrow is April 15th, the official deadline for us here in the United States of America to file our tax returns. If you haven’t filed them yet, you better get them postmarked by today. Also, don’t forget you can e-file, sometimes for free! Check out irs.gov for more information.

As a member of my state’s State Employee Credit Union, I had my taxes prepared and filed electronically for free because I make less than a certain amount per year - you might want to see if your financial institution provides a similar service. They also told me if I made more money I could always use their free online version of TurboTax in member services on the web site.

While we’re talking about money, I’d like for you to take a moment and watch a very special video presentation from the very conservative Jack Black on piracy. Remember, don’t be a douche.

The Art of the Rick Roll

I want to talk about a new(ish) internet phenomena happening on some message boards, Digg.com, Slashdot.org, and other social sites. It’s called the Rick Roll.

What is the “Rick Roll,” you might ask? It’s taking any given opportunity where there’s a lot of interest in a story or subject, such as an article on Digg, to comment and link to something supposedly interesting or related in your comment. Only, the link you give actually takes the person to a YouTube video of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.” The person doing the trickery then proclaims “Rick Roll’d!”

I’m not sure why that particular song is supposed to be such a cruel prank, other than it’s kinda cheesy and funny to watch. But for some reason I can’t explain, it’s hilarious to do this to people. Or if you’re bored, you could just go look at some pornography.

A Word on Shout-Outs

A “Shout-Out,” according to UrbanDictonary.com, is:

1. A message to friends, family, etc. lodged on a radio station, web site, or other popular medium.
2. An inane activity chowing up airwaves, electricity, and bandwidth.

You’ve heard them before. Some douche bag gets fifteen seconds of fame on the television or radio, and the first thing they ask the host is if they can give a “shout-out” to their “homeys” back home in “Who-Gives-a-Crap-ville.” This is one of the stupidest things to plague modern media.

It’s perfectly fine if you’re important or on a game show and the host says “So, is there anyone back home you’d like to say hello to while you’re on television?” You know, as long as your list isn’t more than two or three people. Do not name everyone from the ghetto you’ve ever met.

That being said, I’d like to give quick “shout-out” to my readers from Littleton. I’ve been watching the site stats lately and, even though I’ve never been there or written anything pertaining to Littleton, I seem to be gathering a small following there. So, rock on, Littleton! I hope getting a “shout-out” here makes your day. Be sure and tell all your friends your town got mentioned today on The Raging Tech!

Sexy Geek Toys: Apple Macbook Air Ad

So, even though I’m only mildly impressed with the specs and it seems more gimmick than gadget, the Macbook Air which Apple announced at MacWorld Expo 2008 last week just looks incredibly sexy (in a geeky sort of way). I didn’t quite have a way to wrap my mind around its thinness before seeing the commercial on TV. I had seen it in pictures and heard them say it’s thin enough to fit inside a manila envelope, but for some reason still didn’t grasp it’s awesomeness.

So here it is, for your viewing perusal, the television ad for the new Macbook Air from Apple:

The Point Blank Critic

My friend just recently decided to start his own review blog called The Point Blank Critic. He’s really into trying new kinds of beer, Apple (Mac) computers and products, music, movies, video games, and technology in general. He also happens to be a pretty good cook, and one of my best friends. These last two interests are not necessarily cause-and-effect, but being a good cook is a nice bonus to have in a friend.

For his first blog post, he’s started what he says will be a regular event: Free Drink Friday - where he hopes to review a different beer weekly. The goal: to save people from horrible, cheap, piss-water beer. He does not claim to be a beer snob; The Point Blank Critic will be reviewing national brands as well as local breweries and microbreweries. From what I know of him, there’s more good reviews in store. Be sure and bookmark The Point Blank Critic at PointBlankCritic.com.

Get Help With Your Home Theater

If you either received or bought for yourself a new home theater system this past Christmas and still haven’t hooked it up, maybe it’s time you got some help. Nowadays, you have DVD, surround sound, speaker wires, video game systems, DVR, satellite or cable boxes, cd-changers, and sometimes phone or internet connections to your television. There are many cables and converters and input/output switches involved, and can get really confusing even for people who know what they’re doing.

I remember helping a friend who just wanted to use his TV and DVD/VCR player with sound coming out to a small stereo he owned. Getting the inputs straight was kind of crazy, but we managed to get it all working. Fast-Tek offers not only IT-related solutions for your home or business, but also can help you with your home theater installation. Give them a call or check out their website today to receive fast, professional, high-quality service on-site at your residence or place of business.