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Hi. My name is Kevin Rose. Here I share my thoughts, ideas, and random things I find online.  For work, I'm the founder and site architect of Digg, and a co-founder at Revision3 and Pownce (acquired by SixApart).  When the internet is off, I climb rocks, drink tea/wine, read books, and explore San Francisco. Thanks for visiting.

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Thursday
04Dec

My Top 10 Gifts For Geeks

Comment30 Comments

It's that time of year, all of us are looking for great gift ideas.  Here are my top ten gifts for geeks - happy holidays!

#1. iTunes Gift Certificate Amazon Music (DRM free) Gift Certificate (via skoles) $15-$100
#2. Tiny 8GB Washer/Dryer Safe USB Drive $12
#3. Roku Streaming Netflix Player $99 (for Netflix geeks that don't have an XBOX 360)
#4. Arduino $34 (great for geeks getting into electronics)
#5. FlipMinoHD $149-$229 (Flip cameras are easy, fun, and great for shooting internet video)
#6. Zuca Pro Luggage $285 (for geeks that travel)
#7. Epson Artisan 800 $230 (the ultimate wireless home office machine)
#8. Drobo $349-$999 (backup/storage for media geeks)
#9. 19-in-1 Micro Tool $12
#10. Casio EX-F1 Slow Motion Camera $964 (Amazon)

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Reader Comments (30)

Nice list! I am getting the FlipMinoHD and I'm going to love it! The tiny 8GB looks useful and like something i need and only $12!

Dec 4, 2008 | Registered CommenterEvan Doyle

Yeah that tiny washer-safe drive is brilliant - everything needs to be washer-safe, in my hands.

Dec 4, 2008 | Registered CommenterNik X

That netflix player would be perfect for my parents. One gift idea down!

Dec 4, 2008 | Registered CommenterAdam Chlan

Mahalo, Kevin. Awesome list. I really hope my wife gets me the FlipMino HD!

Also, think my Personalized 'IRL' Twitter Shirts make great gifts. :)

Dec 4, 2008 | Registered CommenterValentino Valdez

Pretty good list. #2 is probably a must for me.

Dec 4, 2008 | Registered CommenterT-Rave

Dude, you forgot the BlackBookBerry, where low tech meets high expectations. It's the perfect gadget for the aspiring geek.

Dec 4, 2008 | Registered CommenterAnthony Plaster

I love how #2 can be used as earrings!! the List is pretty good Kevin but i would include a telescope in there also, i know thats definitely on my Christmas list!!

Dec 4, 2008 | Registered CommenterRuthie Morillo

Thanks for sharing. There are some sweet, inexpensive gifts here.

#7. Epson Artisan 800 $230 (the ultimate wireless home office machine)

So it does everything but does it make waffles?
AND does it Scan & Email a photo attachment?

Dec 4, 2008 | Registered CommenterJames Owens

Great list, must also show twitter love with "ru following me" twitter inspired gear from www.twitterfunny.com
Thx!
@tfunny

Dec 4, 2008 | Registered CommenterDave Rich

I usually tell people who are looking to get a geek a present but don't have any clue to go to Think Geek. There are so many unique and awesome gifts for geeks and others alike. The best part is, most of it is pretty cheap.

Dec 4, 2008 | Registered CommenterMichael Mercer

I'm disappointed that one of your top ideas is the iTunes gift card. All that iTunes music is DRM'ed... I hope I don't need to explain to Internet Extraordinaire Keven Rose why that's so bad! http://www.defectivebydesign.org/

Ironically, one of the top stories on digg (it was on the front page yesterday) is an anti-DRM story entitled "35 Days Against DRM -- #7: Prince--friends without benefits."

Dec 5, 2008 | Registered CommenterCraig

+1 on the Arduino, but you had better get your orders in. My birthday was at the end of November and I ran into backorder situations. My order from Sparkfun.com still hasn't shipped.

I'm not saying you can't find them at all, but you usually want to order other parts (LEDs, LCDs, accelerometers, etc.) and you don't want to pay multiple shipping charges. That is what limits you.

The Washer & Dryer proof thumb drive is cool too. I carry an SD+USB as a thumb drive because it is smaller, and can be used in my camera too.

Dec 5, 2008 | Registered CommenterRichard Bronosky

Hey Kevin, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on the iTunes gift Cert. I think it would be a much better gift to give a DRM free gift. Such as Amazon MP3 gift cert (or even Walmart MP3 store)

Dec 5, 2008 | Registered CommenterEli White

Like the list, that dryer proof flash drive is superb. As a tea fan I think you should do a tea list as well. My fav at the moment is this Ying Zhen White Tea I got from www.teatreetea.com delicious.

Dec 5, 2008 | Registered CommenterTom Britton

The Zi6 has much better video quality. look up Scott McNulty's side-by-side comparison.

Dec 5, 2008 | Registered CommenterTony Bowman

Hey @Eli White and @Kevin Rose

iTunes !== DRM, not implicitly. Let's be clear, not unreasoned.
iTunes does offer a lot of DRM-free tracks and would offer more if not for the record companies.

I'd say offer an iTunes Gift Card with a caveat -- only buy non-DRM stuff.

FWIW -- is anyone selling non-DRM video? Don't think so. And Audible content is all DRM laden IIRC.

I love the rest of the list.

Dec 5, 2008 | Registered CommenterRobert Denton

I'm finally going to ask for one of those Flip Mino's now that they have the HD model. Thanks for the ideas. fR

Dec 5, 2008 | Registered CommenterFrank Rodriguez

Does anyone know how to hack the apple tv to allow it to see external storage such as DROBO instead of its internal storage? I would love to have Drobo with 4tb and Apple Tv with watch movies, podcasts, etc... I am looking for maybe a video tutorial. I heard Leo Laporte had one on MacbreakWeekly podcast or something like that
Thanks,

Will

Dec 5, 2008 | Registered CommenterWill Zau

@Will
take a look at boxee.tv
They have tutorials to hack apple tv. Actually it was super easy, you just need a USB thumb drive. Plus your apple tv now hooks up with Hulu.

Dec 5, 2008 | Registered CommenterSamir Satam

Broke are we Kevin? Why the Amazon links? I guess Digg sucks for revenue since nobody will touch it with a 20ft pole.

Dec 5, 2008 | Registered CommenterCarter L
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