I am a hobbyist Web developer who likes to watch movies, raise my two crazy boys, and try to keep my wife happy. We all live in a northern Atlanta suburb.

About Windows Freeware

I'm basically a cheapskate. I don't like to pay money for software unless I have to or unless the software is really, really great. A few years back, a buddy of mine shared with me a great free antivirus application called AVG Free. I was skeptical that a free security application could measure up to any of the commercial heavyweights like Norton or McAfee. AVG Free proceeded to knock my socks off, and I started investigating other freeware alternatives. Lo and behold, I found a ton of great Windows freeware. The only problem was that all the freeware Web sites were so painfully loaded with absolutely cr@p software that a sane person would give up before he or she would find gold.

Luckily for you, I'm not sane. I kept looking and keeping my eyes peeled for references to great free sofware. Over the years, the list has gotten bigger than I ever thought it would. Finally, given all the freeware sites stink, I decided to make my own freeware repository and host it here at BurlapMonkey.

About BizGeek

Among other dumb things, I'm a tech enthusiast. However, I studied 6 years of business, too. I also follow politics too closely, watch some professional American football, and try to enjoy my kids. I considered quite a few blog themes, but they all came off as also-rans. So I decided to create my own spin on tech and business, and I came up with BizGeek. And since I'm not short on useless opinions (just ask my wife), I thought I'd share it in a blog. As an added bonus, reading any BizGeek posting should cure even the most persistent bout of insomnia.

About BurlapMonkey

Back in 1998 or 1999, I joined a couple of friends to create a Web site for DVD reviews, and one of them came up with the great name, BurlapMonkey. The site got trumped by DVDPriceSearch and IMDb, so it withered and died. We group of geeks went on to start families, continue working, move, and what have you. Anyway, years later I ran into one of guys in late 2008, and we decided to revive BurlapMonkey to host our hobby Web projects. We even decided to resurrect the old logo (the smiling monkey head).

Unlike the "DVD reviews" theme of yore, we'll just be putting whatever we feel like on the site. We hope you like at least one of the items. If not, thanks for stopping by.

What I Use

I'm no cutting-edge gadget hound, and my wife makes sure I don't become one. That said, there's still a remarkable amount of the things surrounding me at any given time. See the GDGT card to the right.

Smart Phone

I use the iPhone 3G S. I realize that Google's Android platform is quickly catching up to the iPhone, but right now the Apple smart phone eco-system is robust and mature. Android will likely be my next phone. For now, I really like the iPhone and really hate iTunes. See iTips for my favorite tips and apps.

Media Player

I really like my Zune HD. We aslo have a Zune 30 and a Zune 4. These players and their companion desktop software makes for a simple and elegant way to take my music, podcasts, audiobooks, movies, etc., with me. For that purpose, I find that I simply prefer the Zune over anything, but especially iTunes. See below for what I'm listening to.

Hardware & Software

I'm a PC. Right now, we have a pair of HP desktops with Core 2 Quads. Couldn't be happier.

I use Windows 7 Ultimate and Office 2010 because I subscribe to TechNet Plus. Otherwise, I'd use Windows 7 Home Premium and OpenOffice.org.

To create this Web site, I use Visual Studio for coding and Xara Xtreme for the graphic elements.

For more details, see the Wakoopa card at right.

Favorite Links

There are a lot of odd little places on the Web that I really like.

• You Drive Mommy to Write
  If you're a mom or a dad, then you'll be able to relate to this blog.
• Windows Weekly Netcast
  Leo LaPorte and Paul Thurrott yack about more than just Windows.
• Supersite for Windows
  Paul Thurrott's expansive resource covering Windows and gadgets. Be sure to check his blog.
• Monoprice
  There's no need to pay a lot for cables or other items that places like Best Buy bilk you for.
• Bloomberg Energy
  Fuel and home heating oil can cause pain to the wallet. Check to see their values on the markets.
• FileHippo
  Numerous software titles (many of them freeware) are tracked for updates on this great site.
• InterfaceLIFT
  Want a beautiful, tasteful high resolution image for your desktop? Visit this site. Absolutely wonderful stuff.

Expect this list to grow.

Contact Mike

If you have a comment about a blog post, be sure to leave a comment on the post. If you're dying to send me an email, send it to mikerisner@live.com.