Happy Holidays Contest #2
Keeping in-line with last year’s successful Happy Holidays Contest, I introduce to you the second annual Happy Holidays Contest. I got a lot of great suggestions and comments with the last contest. Last year I gave away a year of free Media Temple hosting on their (ss) shared server. However, a lot of things have changed over at Media Temple since last year. They have moved to a new Tier 4 datacenter, began phasing out the (ss) line and replacing it with the powerful (gs) grid-server line as well as launched a corporate blog.
This year the prize is one whole year of Media Temple hosting on a grid-server - a prize valued at $20 * 12 = $240.
How to Enter the Contest
- Subscribe to my RSS feed if you haven’t already.
- Leave a comment with the following, using a valid email address (that’s how I contact you if you win):
- Your favorite post on PaulStamatiou.com this year.
- Link to your favorite tech blog, not including mine.
- Mention what kind of computer you use most of the time.
- What are you hoping to get for the holidays?
I will read all of the comments and select the most informative or interesting one as the winner. Your chances of winning may increase if you blog about this contest and send over a trackback.
The contest ends on Christmas Eve, the 24th, at midnight EST. I will contact the winner by email and instruct them to email Jason McVearry at Media Temple who helped me out with this contest to setup their new (gs) account.
By the way, I did end up visiting the 5th Avenue Apple store. It’s huge!
I like the “Customizing K2″ parts 1 to 5. I learned how to take advantage of my K2 etc. and im still using it, Im also inspired by your top border so ive decided to add one on my blog =]
My Favorite tech blog is Derek Punzalan’s 5thirtyone.com
I use Windows but im too broke to get a mac, but i got my parents an imac for xmas.
This holiday im hoping to see my GF =[
shes in FL and im in MI
anyhoooooooooooo
Happy Holidays!
Ooh, just what I wanted!
I already subscribed. Recently it was Gifts for the Flickr Fanatic. I’m a huuuuugeee flickr fan, it’s basically my myspace :P. Favorite tech blog… probably TUAW or more personal Glenn Wolseys. I use Mac OS X obviously, and a proud user at that. I’m hoping to get an D50 for Christmas, or an XT. I’m partial to the D50 because I know a guy who loves his D80 a lot.
I loved your “Web App Revolution” post. It gave me a dose of reality, and said “hey, maybe the web will take over the desktop some day”. The internet is convenient to use, you don’t have to waist memory and time firing up an application.
My current computer is a PowerMac G5, Dual 2.0 Ghz.
I’d say that my favorite tech blog (seconded to yours, of course) would probably have to be GigaOM.
This christmas, I’m asking my parents for a digital camera and clothes (American Eagle and Hollister ftw).
My favorite post on your website was the post 10 apps every new Mac user should know about. At that time (a year ago) I was a Mac newbie, and those apps really helped me adjust from Windows XP. My favoirte tech blog is Engadget.com. I am still using the Mac I got a year ago and that is a Mac Mini G4 1.42 GHZ with 1GB of memory running OS X 10.4. I also have a cheep 19 inch LCD monitor but it gets the job done… A few things I want for Christmas are : Nintendo Wii, iPod Nano, MacBook, games for the Xbox 360, a 45 inch Sharp Aquos LCD TV.
Happy Holidays to all!
I loved your post, Lurker Roll Call, not becuase it was a lengthy, deltailed article. I loved it because it actually got your “read-only” readers to become more “read/write”, which I know increases the quality of the blog and the 2 way conversation.
I currently own 2 “babies”. My precious (last revision) 12″ Powerbook pumped with 1.25 GB RAM (who’s unfortunately suffering from Intel envy). But I can’t find any real reason to trash it for an Intel laptop.
My favourite blog in the blogosphere is Daring Fireball. John Gruber, more often than not, hits the nail right on the head. His posts, while sometimes lengthy, are sometimes sarcastic and quite hilarious. His site’s design is very minimalistic, something I love very much.
Since I’ve recently replenished my thirst for new technology, my Christmas list isn’t too big this year. I’m hoping for an iLap from Rain Design and a Wireless Mighty Mouse. Oh, and of course, some clothes. I enjoy much more when people open presents I give, and their eyes light up. It’s the best feeling in the world to know that you made someone happy.
Have a very Merry Christmas, Paul. And here’s to 2007.
My favourite post on your blog is “Top 7 Thing’s I’ve learned at Yahoo!” (http://paulstamatiou.com/2006/07/22/top-7-things-ive-learned-at-yahoo/) - being a web developer myself those are some very good tips you shared and it’s something you don’t read on many websites.
I don’t tend to read many tech blogs but after this blog I really enjoy reading Gomeler (http://gomeler.com). I’m currently running a Windows box and also have another Windows laptop which I use all the time; I’m hoping to get a MacBook soon!
Finally, something I’m wanting this holiday is the Media Temple hosting for a new (useful and beneficial) site I’m soon going to launch :)
My favorite post this year has been “5 Ways to Speed Up Your Site”. It was a great read and had a lot of very useful advice. It really came in handy during some recent development.
My favorite tech blog is probably Dan Cederholm’s SimpleBits (http://www.simplebits.com). His mosts are also insightful and cover unique and interesting topics.
Most of the time, I’m using my Sony VAIO Z1 laptop, but I’m looking to create my first HTPC in the next few months. I can’t wait to get started on that. Hopefully I’ll get some of the equipment I need, or a nice Sony XBR3 LCD TV for Christmas.
I wish you the best holiday and a great new year!
I have to say I thoroughly enjoy all of your “How-To:” posts, but the How-To: Make the Most of Black Friday was my favorite this year. There are so many Black Friday sites out there, but you simplified it and put the best resources in plain sight.
All of the Google Blogs are good… http://googleblog.blogspot.com (or does http://slashdot.org count as a blog for this?)
I have a home-built PC (AMD Athlon XP 3200+, 1.5 gigs memory, etc… running Ubuntu and XP occasionally) that I use, but I also have a G3 iMac (talk about retro) that I acquired a little less then a year ago and have been addicted since. Then I have the clunker… an IBM ThinkPad 390E (PII!) running XP… does the job for a bit of mobility.
I’m hoping for a Mac Book or Mac Book Pro, but realistically, I’m think Product Red iPod Nano and refurbed IBM ThinkPad (to be installed with a yet-to-be-decided linux distro).
Thanks for the fantastic blog…keep it up in ‘07 Paul!
@Michael Janofsky: here you go. =)
My favorite post must be “Introducing 281, The Lightning Fast WordPress Theme”. My favorite tech blog has to be Engadget. I am using a windows laptop because I need to play my games :) To be honest I am not a fan of Macs (which is why I won’t win this contest :P )
What I want for Christmas is a Play station 3, nothing like some good old HD gaming :)
Anyways, Great blog!
Thanks
Alex
My favorite post is 5 Steps to a Successful Blog Post,which shows me the basic principle of writing a readable and useful post.
Besides your blog,i also subscribe a China tech blog named 刀枪blue,I’m a China subscriber :D.
I’m running my Gentoo Linux under my home-built PC (AMD Sempron 754 socket 64bit 3000+,512mb DDR memory, 19′ Acer AL1916W LCD widescreen monitor…)
I wish i could get a MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo for the holiday.
I very much enjoyed the “Customizing K2″ series. I was helping two friends with their blogs and it really aided me in creating something unique for them. Through it I learned a lot more about WordPress as well.
My favorite tech blog other than yours definitely has to be Engadget. They pretty much cover anything and everything.
I use a 2.16Ghz Macbook Pro for almost everything. I love it.
I’m hoping to get a nice speaker system with a subwoofer for the holidays. The built in ones don’t cut it anymore.
Happy Holidays and great contest!
It’s hard to decide a favorite post since there are so many that I like, but I must say the most helpful post is the one about Perian, ‘Perian, Bringing VLC-Like Compatiblity to QuickTime‘ since I was about to download separate plugins for Quicktime and it saved me the trouble.
My favorite tech blog other than yours is Techcrunch because it is a useful perceptive from an investor’s point of view. Also, I linked my blog up to Techcrunch and received a hit of 50 comments. Prior to that I had received 2 or 3 responses.
I run off a five year old iMac G4 and for portability I use a G3 iBook that’s in its 3rd generation -I just got it in November. I am hoping to upgrade to a MacBook or MacBook Pro in the coming summer since Leopard should be released.
I don’t celebrate Christmas, but it’s my birthday on the 25th (I know) and I just want to get Mint for my blog.
I’ve been subscribed for weeks! :).
My fav PaulStamatiou.com post: Optimized Firefox 2.0 for Macs (http://paulstamatiou.com/2006/10/26/optimized-firefox-20-for-macs/) because it’s made my browsing experience SO much better.
My favorite tech blog: TechCrunch.com. It’s a good source for news in general, although that Michael guy can be pretty snarky sometimes.
I’m a Mac user and I intend to keep it that way, thanks. I do have Win and Lin installed in Parallels though!
I’m hoping to get a new 2G iPod nano, and one of those cool new Windows Mobile Smartphones… preferably the Samsung BlackJack. :).
Definitely the Customizing K2 series, used it as a base for creating my BlackCell style, which has gotten pretty good feedback.
My favorite tech blog would have to be Guy Kawasaki’s blog. It’s not REALLY tech, but it focuses on the entrepreneurial tech market.
I’m currently on a MacBook, hoping to go pro or get myself a 24″ iMac.
For the holidays I’m hoping to get to spend a lot of time with family and friends, as well as hoping to get some camping gear, because I like to get out and away from my computer sometimes, it clears my mind and it’s always good to get back to nature once in a while.
Paul, I miss you.
Haha dimitry. I’ll see you in CA eventually…
Hey, let me put my hat into the ring, lol!!!!
My favorite post is one you catually wrote at the beginning of the month:
http://paulstamatiou.com/2006/12/03/i-want-to-be-a-celebrity-technology-consultant/
I want to be one too….. :)
My favorite tech blog is:
http://theocacao.com/
This is a blog written a guy named Scott Stevenson…. he’s pretty well known in the Mac Dev circles… I get a lot of useful information and tips from him as I continue on my journey to learn Objective-C/Cocoa.
My day to day computer is:
G4 PowerBook 17″
OS X 10.4.8
768MB RAM
60GB Hard Drive
Superdrive
Wireless Mouse
My dream gift for the Holidays is:
RIM Blackberry Pearl
I could use that MediaTemple package too, :) !!!!
First of all I would like to thank you for a good year with many interesting posts, the thing I enjoy the most about your blog is the post frequency, there’s always something to read here at paulstamatiou.com.
Well, on to the best post of the year. As I mentioned above there have been many good posts this year, if I have to choose one however it would be “5 Steps to a Successful Blog Post” which had some really good points.
My favorite tech-blog would have to be TUAW since I’m quite the apple fanboy. I really is the best place for apple related content.
My main computer is a white MacBook 2.0, 2Gb RAM, 80Gb HDD. Fortunately I haven’t had any troubles with mine, knock on wood, and it’s the best piece of equipment I’ve had so far.
For the holidays I’m hoping to get a couple of good computer books, you can never be fully taught. And I also love learning new technologies.
I’m looking forward to a great year 2007 here at paulstamatiou.com. Finally I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Best regards,
Stefan
Unfortunately the cost you’re mentioning ($20 * 12 = $240) is only for the available 1000 GPUs a user gets every month. For any extra GPU you pay 0.1 USD which can drive costs really high.
My favorite article spans back to 2005, but for good reason. It was your How to on improving blog traffic. While its not from 2006, it essentially made my year by kicking off Devlounge as the very first article.
I don’t read any other tech blogs besides yours, except techcrunch from time to time.
My computer is pretty much an outdated piece of $h!t, Gateway Essential rocking a thrilling 400mhz processor (keeps Photoshop running wonderfully) on Windows XP. Not really asking for much for Christmas, but hopefully with my next client getting myself a new computer.
Happy holidays to you as well Paul!
Paul:
Happy Holidays. I hope your travels are safe…and come graduation (and your pilgrimage to the Silicon Valley), remember that the earlier offer of food and libation still stands…and Bryan V. can bring you over to the house…he’s been here.
As for the contest, donate my winnings to the next worthy contestant — I have (mt) already.
But to answer your questions (because they are good ones):
A. Favorite Post: For me, clearly it is your October 24 post on Macbooks and Google CSE. Yes, the post was useful, but the key for me was Corey’s response to my comment of lamentation…that exchange in comments got me a brand-spanking-new MBP C2D instead of the recently obsolete MBP CD.
B. Favorite Non-Stammy Tech Blog: David Pogue | feed
C. My ‘puter: Aforementioned MBP C2D
D. Holiday Wish: Either world peace or the Alton Brown “Good Eats” 27 Disk DVD set, whichever fits under the tree….
To you, your family and all your readers…Happy Holidays.
– Jerry
Interestingly enough, my favorite post hasn’t been mentioned, though I’m sure I could have easily mentioned quite a few. My favorite is this post on Words for the Wise.
My favorite tech sites other than here would have to be TechCrunch and NeoWin.
Most of the time I use my Dell Inspiron 6000. Sadly, I had to get this before falling in love with the Mac side once I convinced my father to get an iMac. Course, I couldn’t have gotten a Mac to begin with since my need came right between the G4/5 release and the Intel shift. Oh well.
As for the holidays, I’m just asking for some cash so that I can a) survive college and b) buy an iMac for next year as my Dell warranty runs out in the summer.
Favorite post: First Impressions: 24-inch iMac
Favorite Tech Blog: Engadget
Main Rig: Dell Latitude D820 2.0 Ghz Core Duo 2 gigs Ram NVidia Quadro 120 NVS
Hoping to get: iPod Nano 8 Gig (to replace my 4G 20 gig iPod)
Merry Christmas to all!
My entry:
* Subscribe to my RSS feed if you haven’t already. - Done ages ago. This blog is one of my daily must reads. :D
* Leave a comment with the following, using a valid email address (that’s how I contact you if you win) - Done.
* Your favorite post on PaulStamatiou.com this year. - I have a few. I’d have to say as many already have, your customizing K2 posts. Follow-up posts are the great deals you’ve been bringing to our attention during this Christmas (ie. Macheist, Parallels, Flickr Pro, etc).
* Link to your favorite tech blog, not including mine.
http://www.engadget.com
* Mention what kind of computer you use most of the time.
Currently, Dell Inspirion 6400. :(
* What are you hoping to get for the holidays?
A brand new Intel Core Duo 2 Macbook Pro. If Santa fails to deliver, I have a potential buyer lined up for my Dell and then its off to the Apple Store!
Well, I quit my job, and for some reason my NetNewsWire flagged posts didn’t tranfer across, so I can’t really look back too far into all the posts I flagged. I did enjoy the Black Friday post, as well as the post about the Tech Job Boards. I plan on just the Job Boards links once I finish grad school (Info. Science @ UTK).
Since I’m a diehard Mac fan, I’m constantly reading The Unofficial Apple Weblog. TUAW helps me keep up-to-date on all of the new programs and tips for my two Macs (a MacBook and a Mac mini). I’m also a big Lifehacker fan. While it’s not 100% a tech blog, many of the posts I’ve flagged do relate to the tech world in some way.
For Christmas, I hope to get a copy of The Legend of Zelda for Nintendo Wii. I didn’t buy it at launch because I didn’t want to spoil anything my wife was planning to buy for me.
Subscribe to my RSS feed if you haven’t already done more than a year ago. This blog is one of my daily must reads.
My favorite post this year is “5 Ways to Speed Up Your Site”.
My favorite tech blog except Yours is http://www.techcrunch.com
My current computers is duo 2 core processor desktop running windows XP and RHEL 4 WS.
As for the holidays, I want to buy some friends of ed publisher books and enrich my knowledge.
i blog about this contest on blog here is the link for it
paulstamatiou contest
I posted all the desired info on my blog.
http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/12/23/free-website-hosting-contest-from-pstamcom/
It should trackback but just in case ;)
First would just like to wish everyone here a Happy Christmas.
My favourite post, well series of posts if I’m allowed that, has to be the customising K2 series, would love it if you updated those for K2 0.9. I’ve found myself refering to them a lot this year as I tinker around with my blog design etc, very informative and helpful.
My favourite tech blog is The Apple Blog, other than yours it’s about the only tech blog I read. Yes, I’m a bit of an Apple fanboy. Which, yes you guessed it, means I’m on a Mac. I have two. I’m writing this from my 20″iMac Core Duo (if only I could’ve waited 3 weeks I would have a 24″!) and for mobility I have a G4 iBook.
Present wise this year I’m hoping for an A3 printer, a shuffle would be nice, but I know thats not on the cards.
hey paul,happy christmas to you and your family
1. Have been subscribed to your feed about a year now.
2. Best post this year has to be one of the simplest; “How To: Display Date in OS X Menu Bar”, so simple and yet I reap the benefits of it every single day.
3. Best tech blog, (not including yours), is http://www.thebillblog.com/ Presenter of the BBC World Service programme “Digital Planet”, also regular tech columnist on the BBC News site.
4. My lovely new iMac for home and an independent system that runs a specialist program for voiceovers on television.
5. I will be with the family, all looking at one another sullenly eating in silence… ah, the magic of Christmas.
Thanks for entering guys, the contest is now over. I’ll deliberate in the morning and email the winner.
Happy Holidays,
Paul
Already have the feed.
* Your favorite post on PaulStamatiou.com this year.
Well, this one.
* Link to your favorite tech blog, not including mine.
My blog (foronceandforall.com) (To be real : joeanderson.co.uk/blog)
* Mention what kind of computer you use most of the time.
A custom rig, don’t be impressed, mere 512mb ram and 1.8Ghz :(
* What are you hoping to get for the holidays?
(mt) (gs) hehe
Damn I was too late :(
After a very long time deciding, I finally selected Wess as the winner for his in-depth post: http://gatheringinlight.com/2006/12/23/free-website-hosting-contest-from-pstamcom/
Jerry was a very close second place with his great post: http://jerrychacon.com/?p=147
Next year I’ll definitely have to have more than one prize to accommodate for the other note-worthy entries.
Happy Holidays to everyone,
P