I think you’ll agree that computers are now a part of just about every family’s lifestyle (not to mention our business lives…). It has been fascinating to watch the rapid evolution of computers over the years.  Remember the first computer you bought for your home?  Chances are it was a huge desktop PC with a large CPU, and awkwardly heavy CRT display.  Today that early PC is a digital dinosaur, and, arguably, the idea of a big CPU for a “desktop” PC is perhaps on its way to extinction as well.

Lap It Up…

When laptop PC’s first hit the market we were enamored by their portability, but we wanted them to have the same power and capabilities as our workhorse desktops… and soon they were just as fast and capable, with powerful, yet power friendly microprocessors, great graphic and media capabilities, sharp, wide screens, and hard drives with the same capacity as their desk-trodden counterparts.  Indeed the laptop could be a primary PC, but you might not want to carry it with you everywhere (if you value your shoulder).  For many, that big, bulky (but capable) laptop became our main PC, spending more time on our desks than our laps.

Casting (out) the Net(book)

Recognizing the consumer’s desire for “smaller and lighter,” notebooks evolved from the laptop, and then the netbook evolved from the notebook pc.  Small, light and inexpensive, the netbook was one step forward in portability, but two steps backward in power and function.  The shrunken keyboards could be a challenge, along with the small screens and general lack of “oomph” when it comes to speed and pure processing prowess.  A netbook has its place in a pinch, but it is unlikely to ever become a “main” computer.

Enter The Ultrabook!

The desire for small, light, powerful and portable is now being addressed by the many Ultrabooks hitting the market, driven by an Intel reference design.  As I mentioned in an earlier post in which I unboxed the Asus Zenbook UX31E, Ultrabooks are thin, sleek and light.  Most weigh less than 3 pounds, and the Asus Zenbook that Intel sent me is 9mm thick in the back, sloping down to 3mm in the front.  It is an eye-catching brushed aluminum package… and with “instant on” and solid battery life it is a computer you truly can (and will want to) take with you everywhere.  It is a full featured portable computer that fits into any lifestyle and a laptop that is just as comfortable on your lap on the couch as it is on your desk.  The Asus Zenbook is an impressive example of the Ultrabook category and at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) there are expected to be some exciting Ultrabook announcements from a number of manufacturers. (Stay tuned – I’ll be at CES and look forward to telling you more about the Ultrabooks, gadgets and other geek goodies on display in Las Vegas).

The Ultrabook Dads Geek Out On Video

When Intel sent @HighTechDad and I the Asus Zenbooks to review, we wanted to do something a little different.  Any reviewer can tell you the specs of a device.  We wanted to have some fun and give you a good perspective on the Asus Ultrabook at the same time. While we each made our own video, they are actually closely tied together and I hope you’ll take the time to watch them both for the full UltrabookDads treatment.  And please, let us know what you think!

Can’t see the video? Click this link: http://youtu.be/GqM3l3n-B3I

And here is the companion video from @HighTechDad:

Can’t see the video? Click this link: http://youtu.be/AhP6XdglaVs

Michael and I have enjoyed using and talking about the Ultrabook and having the chance to be “UltrabookDads.”  We held a Google Hangout and a fun live Twitter Chat, and one lucky Twittizen, @BadMofo33, was the random winner of an Ultrabook Intel provided as a giveaway.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this inside look inside Ultrabooks, sponsored by Intel.  Which Ultrabook features are most appealing to you?

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

Disclosure:  In accordance with the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration and/or am being otherwise compensated by Intel in preparing to create this content. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period. My opinions about Intel, Asus, and Ultrabooks are entirely my own and not those of Intel, Asus or any other party.

Here’s a great example from *He’s Just Not That Into You* where the Jennifer Anniston character visits her parents’ home to visit her ailing dad and she sees her sisters’ husbands all watching a football game and then sees her ex-boyfriend (played superbly by Ben Afflack) in the kitchen doing dishes after doing the laundry and some food shopping for her dad.
Kitchen Scene

Here’s the follow up scene where she realizes that her boyfriend was more of a husband than her sisters’ husbands will ever be.
Also the finale of the movie so don’t watch it if you haven’t seen it yet and plan to (I highly recommend it!) *Spoiler Alert!*
Ending of He’s Just Not That Into You

Image via Wikipedia

This is a post I wrote on my own blog a few months back. I thought it would fit nicely here with the dadomatic community. If you have children and you let them play on social media websites, or are wondering what to do because your child is asking for a Facebook/Twitter/Google Plus account, this is my approach/opinion. There is no right or wrong way to approach social media with children. I think teaching them to follow the rules is what is important.

Well, we (my wife and I) decided to let our oldest daughter have a Facebook account. She’s fourteen now. Facebook “rules” state children must be at least thirteen. I have seen many parents circumvent that rule and let their children younger than thirteen have an account. I’m not sure what use it is to a six, seven, ten or even twelve year old. Personally, I think doing that teaches children to disrespect the rules, and authority. It tells children it’s okay to break the rules when it suits you. If you are one of those parents, don’t be surprised when they break YOUR rules. You have set the precedent.

About me: I am a talk show host and entrepreneur. I can host your website and help with your social media strategy (www.cabradio.com). I have been happily married since 1997 and am father to five wonderful children. Here is the original post on my website:

• Are You Old Enough For Facebook? (charlieprofit.com)

Stuffed animals.  

All kinds of stuffed animals. I had forgotten about most of them, but all those memories came flooding back to me of having to buy them, wash them, repair them, hide them, find them, and wash them again. My boys loved those little stuffed animals that they dragged all over the yard, the house, and of course they couldn’t go to sleep without them. I guess when I was in the middle of the madness that is raising little children I never noticed just how many there were until I watched those videos. And how they all ended up in the attic stuffed into every nook and crannie I’ll never know.

The family pet

When I was a kid we had a pet dog named J.D.. As far back as I can remember he was there. I guess I never knew any different growing up that we had a dog, and just about all my friends had family dogs too. But when it came to my own house full of kids, for years I refused to get a dog. It was going to be too much hassle, too much money, too much poop. So for years I refused even though our kids begged for a dog. When we finally gave in we realized just how much our kids wanted to love something like that and how important it was for them.

Even with my own past of having a family pet it just escaped me how important it is to have one. Had I realized it sooner, my kids would have had one sooner.  Sorry guys.  I have come to realize that kids need things to love. That’s why they desire those little stuffed animals and nurture them like they do. And the next natural extension of that is the family pet. We have 2 dogs now, each with their own personality, good sides, and bad sides. They are truly another family member and our kids look at them just like that.

I look at those stuffed animals a little differently now. They taught my kids how to love and take care of something that needs taking care of.  Now, if I could just get the kids to take the dogs out more often, everything would be just about perfect.

Today’s the day.  Another year slips into our memories as the clock ticks forward into 2012.  As parents, nothing should be more cherished than time, for it is a resource that can never be replenished.  A moment past is just that… a moment that has moved from now to then.  A moment that can no longer be lived, but can only be remembered. Memories are wonderful, and valuable, but they are not living.  Father time is a greedy bastard.  He takes far more than he gives… if we let him.

A Momentous Task

Our children provide us with so many moments…  They grow and learn and change so fast that each and every moment we share with them is unique and special and wonderful, because there will never again be another moment exactly like it.  That first smile, word, step, trip on the school bus, trip and fall in the yard, bike ride without training wheels, finger painting, poop on the toilet, poop in the pants, class play, play date, graduation, first crush, first time crushed by love, pimples, dimples, simple questions, questions that can’t be answered, ways they make you question yourself, seeing yourself in them, them seeing themselves in you, you driving them everywhere, them learning to drive, driving you crazy, keeping you driven.    All of these moments we can only remember and never re-live.  As a father of kids who are now in their 20′s, I often reflect upon all of the moments past and passed.  How many of them was I really there for?  How many of them did I let slip by and become a memory without truly recognizing and appreciating the moment itself, at the moment?   The good news is that I did really, truly, enjoy many of the moments with my children, and still do.  The bad news is, I also let way too many moments pass without notice or recognition, and still do.

Seizing the Moments

Without formally calling it a resolution, I am going to work harder in 2012 to seize more of the moments with my children and appreciate them now, while they are happening.  Being a dad is a life’s work, and our kids bring us joy, pride and countless moments to live in together regardless of how old we and they grow.  Father Time can only take our Fatherhood moments if we let him…

How about you?  Are you ready to live in the moments of 2012?  I am going to take this moment to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year!

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes!and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

Photo Credit: © iQoncept – Fotolia.com

You can read the the Official Rules, which you should, but here is a summary of the giveaway -

• Begins December 21, 2011 at 12:00:01 a.m. U.S. Pacific Time (“PST”)
• Ends December 23, 2011 at 11:59:59 p.m U.S. Pacific Time (“PST”)
• U.S. Residents Only
• 18 years and older
• Must have a non-private Twitter account
• You must send a Tweet with the hashtag (#) – “#UltrabookDads”
• Read the rest of the Official Rules

So it’s simple.  Between now and Friday at Midnight PST, just send a Tweet with the hashtag #UltrabookDads and you’ll be part of a random drawing for the Ultrabook.

Now, while all you need to have in your tweet is the #UltrabookDads hashtag, we might as well make it interesting for the folks who will see your tweet, so feel free to add some thoughts about what you find exciting or appealing about the concept of an Ultrabook – a thin, light, highly portable and equally powerful laptop with instant on, long battery life, and some serious sex appeal in the looks department.  How would an Ultrabook impact your computing lifestyle?

To share some of our new-found insights and information about Ultrabooks Michael and I will host a couple of informal online get-togethers, which we promise to be ultra fun and put a geek dad spin on some great new technology.  (For a taste of our style  just check out the Cast of Dads podcast.)

We will be doing both a Hangout on Google+ and a live Twitter Chat.   These are just for fun and information.  You don’t have to participate in either to be eligible for the giveaway, but if you want to get our first impressions of the Asus Zenbook Ultrabook we have been playing with, the hangout and chat will be a great opportunity.

Here is the schedule for the Hangout and Twitter Chat:

Google+ Hangout: Thursday, December 22 at 10pm EST / 7pm PST
Twitter Chat: Friday December 23 at 10pm EST / 7pm PST

We’ll be talking Ultrabooks, etc. for about an hour each night and we hope you can stop by!  In any event, feel free to follow me (@sass) or Michael (@HighTechDad) for updates and don’t forget to send a tweet with #UltrabookDads before Midnight Friday if you want a chance to get your own Ultrabook!

Happy Holidays!

UPDATE:  The winner of the Ultrabook Giveaway was @BadMofo33.  Congrats!

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes!and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

Disclosure:  In accordance with the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration and/or am being otherwise compensated by Intel in preparing to create this content. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period. My opinions about Intel, Asus, and Ultrabooks are entirely my own and not those of Intel, Asus or any other party.

(Note: this is a sponsored post, but the words and opinions are all mine.)

It is fitting that Asus calls their new Ultrabook line “Zenbooks.”  Just one look and you can see that it is a device that exudes a sense of calm and balance, purity and power.   An early entrant in the Intel Ultrabook category, the Zenbook is thin and sleek, capable and fast.  It is the Ying and Yang of portable computing: thin and light enough to take with you everywhere, yet powerful and feature rich enough to function as a primary computer.  Actually, that is the essence of the Intel Ultrabook spec – to pack a full-featured computer in an elegantly thin package, supported by long battery life, best-in-class security, and the convenience of “instant on” (giving the boot to lengthy boot times), all at a reasonable price point.

Intel Inside

As long-time Dadomatic readers know, I have been an Intel Advisor and have written here about interesting technology and insights I have gleaned from attending various events and having the opportunity to peek inside Intel.  Now I am looking forward to bringing you more information about the ultra slick new category of Ultrabooks that Intel is the driving force behind.  Intel has provided me with an ASUS Zenbook, as well as an opportunity for one of you to get an Ultrabook through a Twitter give-away.  I am working hand in hand (or Ultrabook to Ultrabook) with one of my Intel Advisor and Cast of Dads cohorts, Michael Sheehan (also known as HighTechDad.)  If you want to learn more about Ultrabooks (and have a chance to get your hands on one) please follow me (@sass) and Michael (@hightechdad) on Twitter, and keep an eye out for our tweets with the hashtag #UltrabookDads.  Michael and I will also be collaborating on some fun video reviews of the Ultrabook, so please stay tuned.

The Wow Factor

As the geek dad in my family, my kids are always waiting to see what new computing gadget or gizmo I will be bringing home.  It has been fascinating to watch over the years as the “wow factor” of gadgets has shifted to the point where the design, look and feel of a device is almost as important as its function and capabilities.  It wasn’t too long ago when all we cared about was what a computer could do. Now, as we bring our computers with us to meetings, family gatherings, parks, coffee shops and airports, we also care about how our computers look and feel. That’s the world our kids are growing up in.  For them, what their computers look and feel like will be just as important as the “kicks” they wear.  When I look at the Ultrabook as compared to the first laptop I ever had, the advancements, inside and out, are mind boggling.  I can only imagine what ultra amazing computers my kids have to look forward to.  With style, design and performance in mind, Ultrabooks definitely win on the wow factor, and seem to deliver on the promise of taking portable computing into the future.

What’s Next?

I look forward to spending some time with the Asus Zenbook Ultrabook and then sharing my thoughts with you.  Meanwhile, here are a few shots from my “unboxing” of the Asus Zenbook:

Can’t see the video? Click HERE.

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

Disclosure:  In accordance with the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration and/or am being otherwise compensated by Intel in preparing to create this content. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period. My opinions about Intel, Asus, and Ultrabooks are entirely my own and not those of Intel, Asus or any other party.

Photo Credit: © Robert Spriggs – Fotolia.com

Macaroni & Cheese Stuffed Turkey by Chef Zach Sass

The Cast of Dads got together to talk turkey (or in my case, Tofurkey) in the 47th episode of our (almost) weekly gabfest.  As always, we are hard pressed to stay on any one topic for too long, and we run the gamut from Thanksgiving dinners to toddler vandalism to kids pooping in the dryer.  Yes, there is no topic too small or too cheesy for the Cast of Dads to tackle.  Enjoy!

You can CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO CAST OF DADS EPISODE 47.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Tofurky OR Real Turkey
• Mac N’ Cheese stuffed turkey breast
• Hangover burgers and Krispy Kreme burgers
• The garbage plate
• Wonder if The Egg Council will sponsor us
• Jeff’s dog eats a neighbor’s chicken
• Rules in Texas?
• Movember raises a LOT of money
• Stache-tacular
• Michael Shaves Off His Mo
• Norelco Christmas Ad
• Where is Gillette?
• BCS Bowl Season
• NFL coming down to the wire
• Babble’s Top Dad Group Blogs
• Brad’s son goes mad
• Kids turning 13
• The fun of embarrassing our kids
• “Music is a lot like your under wear drawer.”
• Getting ready for the holidays
• A deuce in the dryer?

If you have been enjoying the Cast of Dads podcast, please tell your friends about the show and have them subscribe to either our direct feed or via iTunes. Also, please leave us a review in iTunes!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Cast of Dads is a group of podcasting and blogging dads who gather to gab about fatherhood. The cast of dads includes C.C. Chapman, Jeffrey Sass, Max Kalehoff, Michael Sheehan, and Brad Powell, who collectively represent 13 kids from the youngest of babies to full grown adults. Each of them brings a unique perspective to being a father.

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

The resort gave us three $10 vouchers to double any $10 bet we placed at the roulette or card tables.

With the kids waiting in the lobby, I placed a two-for-one bet and won on red.

I came back to announce I had won $20.

What should we do with the winnings? I asked them: We can walk away now with $20 or we can have Mom place a $10 bet with our winnings, leaving us with $10 in winnings.

“Bet it,” they said, recognizing we were playing with money with didn’t have moments earlier.

We returned quickly and shared the bad news. “Mom lost. We have two $5 chips left.”

“I’ll tell you what,” I challenged. “You can each have $5 of our winnings. You can keep the $5 and we can leave right now or you can join together and have me bet your $10.”

It was interesting and fun watching them debate what to do with their money. First eight-year-old Lucas, who badgered me all week about how gambling was “stupid” once I shared my slanted description of the pastime, decided he would keep his $5. 10-year-old Zachary hemmed and hawed and finally decided to have me bet his $5.

When he learned “if Zachary wins, he will keep all the winnings,” Lucas decided to bet his $5 as well. We let them choose which color to bet on, so they would take full responsibility for the outcome.

Zachary put out two hands and asked Lucas to pick one. Lucas chose Zach’s left hand and Zach announced, “Bet on red!”

So Mom and Dad went back to the roulette table and did as we were instructed.

The kids were jumping out of their seats as we approached them. “Did you win?!?!”

Thumbs down. No, we lost, and you could see them deflate. Now we won nothing and lost nothing. I had four $5 chips left. This was the money Beth and I started with. I pushed the lesson further.

“Would you like me to make another bet for you? This would be with your own money. I will lend you $5 and you will pay me back no matter what happens. If you win, you keep everything.”

This time Lucas would not take the bait. He held $5 and saw it go away. Zach “felt bad” about losing the money and wanted a chance to win it back. He took the bet – and when it paid off – he was deliriously jumping around. “I’m so happy!” he danced about his new fortune.

“I could bet it again and you could make even more money,” I taunted Zach.

“NO! NO! No more bets!”

The Next Day
The next day I asked both what they thought of gambling.

“Not a good idea,” said Lucas, now $5 poorer, “because you can lose your money, all the money that you bet. You can win money, and you do another gamble, and then you lose the amount of dollars that you won.”

Zachary said, “I can see how gambling can be addicting for other people because they see they are winning money but then they forget they are losing money too. They might say, ‘I just won! Maybe I can do it the next time!’ And casinos basically make it impossible for you to do any actually winning unless you win in the beginning and you quickly leave. Very few people win big in the casino.”

He concluded, “It’s hard to predict my future but probably, no, I won’t be addicted to gambling because now I’ve learned younger not to play the ‘Cheese Caper’ slot machines.”

Your kids
How have you broached the subject with your kids? Any wisdom to share here?

:: Joe Hage is chief storyteller for Medical Marcom, a medical devices marketing consultancy helping medical companies become more approachable and engaging. ::

Image via Wikipedia

As I have now watched my three kids grow, evolve, morph and mature from helplessly adorable infants to helpful and independent young adults, I find myself thinking a lot about my own evolving role as a parent.  As much as our kids change, so do we, and so do the strings we have attached to our children.

STRING THEORY

When they are infants, the tie between us and our kids is like a chain – they must be constantly and solidly connected to us, as they rely on their parents for just about everything in their tiny world view.  We provide food, shelter, comfort, learning, even mobility.  If the chain between us breaks, they are relatively helpless.  Until they discover crawling and walking.  Suddenly their world has become much larger, along with their sense of freedom to explore such world.  Suddenly our grip loosens just a bit, and what was once a chain is now a less restrictive rope.  Then they move from the world parents can totally control, to the real world of schools and playgrounds and chaos.  The rope becomes a string, still attached strongly enough for us to easily yank them back under our protective wing, but with each passing year the string gains slack, and our kids gain more and more independence.

TAKING FLIGHT

As they move into their teens, our kids miraculously grow wings and are determined to take flight at every opportunity.  They have an innate desire to test the boundaries of their growing sense of self and independence.  They are seemingly compelled to pull the string between us as taught as possible, challenging its strength and our ability to remain in control.  As their increasing self-confidence drives them to take flight, they become like a kite at the end of our string, pulling hard in the wind, whipping back and forth to find a comfortable path, while we run along below them, tightly grasping the string, fighting to exert as much control and guidance upon the kite’s journey as we can.  Sometimes we enjoy the synchronous calm of a perfect balance… and sometimes it simply seems impossible to keep the damn kite from a nosedive to the ground.

LETTING GO

Finally, our children become young adults, and while they are not really kids anymore, our desire to hold onto that string is as strong as ever.  They will always be our kids, and we will always be their parents.  It is a constant that cannot be broken, perhaps the only one of its kind.  As they go off on their own –  to college, to jobs, to their own homes, to start their own families – they rise aloft, no longer pulling like a kite, but rather soaring boldly and gracefully like a bright and colorful balloon at the end of our string.  And like that balloon, at some point we have to let go of the string and look up, smiling in awe as we watch them soar off magnificently on their own…

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.