The 404 podcast

The 404 212: Where we make Dan smell-lel-lel-lel what the 404 is cooking

Are Justin and Wilson offended by the title of the new Guns 'N' Roses album? What kind of music does Wilson like? (HINT: It starts with "mmmm" and ends with "usical theater.") Can Chinese people really nap anywhere? How many poo-poo jokes can we make in one episode? Find the answers on today's show, and also learn how you can win a copy of Baja and Far Cry 2 for Xbox 360!

NOTICE: Tomorrow's live show will start early at 10:45 a.m. Eastern. Be there or Jeff will open the floodgates of haterade!

Dan the Mantern here, and it's contest time. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to Photoshop CNET's very own Internet celebrity Dan Ackerman into a completely inappropriate picture. Make Dan into the new Client Number 9, put his head on Princess Zelda's body or, even more ridiculous, give him his own network TV show! Make us laugh and you'll win a copy of Baja or Far Cry 2 for Xbox 360 and Tales Out of Night School, Ackerman's newest CD. We're even throwing in a few promotional jimmy hats from BeenVerified.com. Trust us, if you combine Dan's CD, alcohol and a significant other, you'll need em!

EPISODE 212 Download today's podcast … Read more

The 404 211: Where Wilson wears a BeenVerified condom all day

Our reservoir of embarrassing stories about Jeff is bottoming out, so we're happy to welcome his old chums from BeenVerified.com to refill the glass. Josh, Ross, and Jay are ushering in a new generation of background checks for employers and job seekers, but today they're not afraid to use their powers for evil to dish the dirt on our fellow co-host. They also help us weigh in on virtual larceny, the problem with young whippersnappers, how to answer a professional call of doodie, and Josh spouts praise for his favorite luxury gadget: the $5,000 toilet.

We spend the first half of the show talking to the guys about their brand-new company, BeenVerified. They're no strangers to starting innovative sites, and this one is no different. In an age where employers are starting to perform pseudo background checks through social networking sites like FaceBook and MySpace, BeenVerified takes it a step forward and offers a background checking service for employers and job seekers alike. After talking to Josh, Ross, and Jay, we're afraid to see how many skeletons in our respective closets, but here's the beauty of the site: users must approve the release of their information to the public before anyone can see it, so if don't want to be exposed, just say no! Of course, seekers will benefit from being an open book in general, so let that freak flag fly. Best of all, you can apply it to other transactions in your personal life, for example, screening Craigslist meetups, online daters, and nannies. Listen to today's knee-slappin' show and check out the animated short below for more about BeenVerified.

Episode 211 Download today's podcast … Read more

The 404 210: Where who's that chick who just moved in across the hall?

MTI saves the day on a show where Wilson is MIA in northeastern America. Mark chats us about how a new e-card service will tell the one you've loved that they need to get checked out. Also, we read up on who's being a dick according to dickipedia.org (Jeff), and how the PSP firmware 5.0 was hacked in record time.

A big thanks to Clayton Morris today for supplying us with today's most bizarre story. Of course it deals with automobile-related cleaning equipment and human anatomy, but what else would you expect from the co-host of Fox News' Fox and Friends?

Another huge thanks goes out to 404 long-time listener Jamey from Tennessee. He graced us with his new 404 intro theme that we absolutely love and begin the show with today for the first time.

It's just a good-old fashioned Tuesday on the 404; plenty of laughs to help you get through the day.

EPISODE 210 Download today's podcast … Read more

The 404 209: Where Dan Ackerman plugs everything under the sun

Since Wilson can't be here today (or tomorrow), we invite Dan Ackerman into the studios to give us his expert opinion on the new Apple laptops and the latest video games. Unfortunately, he ignores all of our pressing questions in lieu of his own shameless promotions. Dan is a man of many talents, and his many creative projects give us a glimpse into his kooky world. Listen in for hilarious banter from Mr. Ackerman and even a brief look into the sad state of existence that is affectionately dubbed the Ackergoad household!

What more can be said about a man who literally has his hand in everyone else's cookie jar? Dan Ackerman, Senior Editor for Laptops at CNET, simply can't be pinned down or pigeonholed into one creative arena. No way! Mixed media is his art of choice, and on today's episode he invades the waves with several of his own personal projects including a unique take on the classic podcast and even his DIY amalgam music group! We play a clip on second half of the show after a bit of technical troubles (typical) and I have to admit that although Jeff and I were poised and ready to give Dan hell, the music is great and we actually find ourselves grooving uncontrollably to the penny licks and rolling bass lines. Buy a copy here and prepare yourself for a night of aural love making. And if you can't get enough of Dan's awesome radio voice, be sure to catch his new CNET podcast Digital City, available every Monday on CNET.com.

Episode 209 Download today's podcast … Read more

The 404 208: Where you make us feel less than men

Just another Friday here at CNET, which apparently means we talk about drugs and porn. Justin recounts his tales of chivalrous battle with house mice (TIP: He used peanut butter not cheese). Also, Playboy pulls out of the DVD business, changing the face of the adult film industry forever and those anti-drug ads don't actually work. Stick around for a special guest caller in the show's second half.

Dan the Mantern here. One of today's stories is about preparations for Halloween safety in Annapolis, Maryland, which apparently has an inordinate number of child molesters. In order to protect Trick or Treaters, signs were mailed out to the homes of sex offenders that say: "No candy at this house." They will be required to post it on their front doors. I understand the message being sent out here, but look at the sign. It's a Jack-0-Lantern... Kind of sending a mixed message here. Kids see carved pumpkin and think Halloween, costumes, and candy corn, not "KEEP OUT." Epic fail, Annapolis Police Department, epic fail.

Tune in on Monday to catch Internet celeb Dan Ackerman talking about his new album and how many hours he's already spent with an advanced copy FALLOUT 3!

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The 404 207: Where Justin has eaten Phil Ryan's cookies

Former CNET Photo expert and current PopPhoto.com editor Phil Ryan sneaks by security to join the show. We talk cameras, the rules for conjugal visits, iPhone apps that make prank calling easier, and, of course, plenty of poo-poo jokes.

Dan the Mantern here. My favorite story of the day has to do with Chinese food, a staple cuisine enjoyed by everyone but especially by Jews on Christmas everywhere. Excerpted from a book entitled: Chinese Restaurant Food: Wok Carefully, a title which surprisingly offended Justin, this article lists the seven most unhealthy choices on a typical takeout menu. The experts decry the old standbys: General Tso's chicken, BBQ spare ribs, fried rice, and lo mein. Is anyone really surprised that the $4.95 lunch combination special does not consist of quality food? Even after finding out that a plate of General Tso's contains 1,300 calories, that concoction of oil, tiny baby corn on the cob, bok choy and pork can still make my mouth water. Sure, I might regret it later, but for now, pass the Umami.

Episode 207 Download today's podcast … Read more

The 404 206: Where we only like you as a friend

It's true that we only think of you as a close friend, but that doesn't mean we don't appreciate your support! On today's show, we attempt to sell off Jeff's old busted G4 Powerbook, make fun of Don Cheadle's awful British accent, fan out over the new Avengers movie, and do our impression of some of the most popular video game quotes. If nothing else, listen to this show for Jeff's spot on Mario!

So after yesterday's Apple announcement, Jeff and I have finally agreed to shed our ancient G4 Powerbooks for one of the new Macbooks. The question that I'm sure other people are asking right now is which one should we get? We both want to spend less than $2,ooo, so it's a toss-up between the $1,600 Macbook and the $1,999 Macbook Pro. Is the slightly larger screen and dual-video cards worth the $4,000 price difference? We've both gotten so comfortable using a 15 inch screen that it seems difficult to adjust to a 13 incher. And what about that giant one-piece track pad? There are so many questions to answer about the design, but we'll be getting both models into the office tomorrow, so that's when the deliberation will begin. Is anyone else in this boat with us, trying to decide between the two? For me, it's less a question about performance and more a deliberation about screen size. I don't travel much and don't do image or video editing (I don't even have Photoshop!), so maybe all those extra features aren't worth it for my purposes. Help!!

EPISODE 206 Download today's podcast … Read more

The 404 205: Where Russ Frushtick threepeats

We welcome Russ Frushtick back on the show for his third appearance, and to make up for our humiliating fumble on his last appearance, we make this an extra video gamey show. We go over some of the holiday's most anticipated titles, speculate on the livelihood of the industry, and even get to a few kooky stories from the Internet. Don't worry about the threepeating, Russ, a little creme will clear that up in a few weeks.

Although it's true that I don't get the same fuzzy feeling in my loins that Jeff does for video games, I'm glad that Russ is here today to help lay it all out for me. "Little Big Planet," "Dead Space," "Rhythm Heaven," and my personal favorite, "Call of Doodie." Wait, that doesn't sound right. Anyway, to update you on the PS Yu foundation, I'm still working on God of War for the original PlayStation console, and, man, that game is hard! I might have to use UGO's newest site Game Cheats to help me get through the last few levels, and look! They have it! "God Mode?" This game is about to get a lot less frustrating. Next, I'd like to try my hand at some more skateboarding games. So who was it that offered me Tony Hawk a few months ago? Back to the basics!

EPISODE 205 Download today's podcast … Read more

The 404 204: Where we want to know what love is

Justin was late, again, and the boys recap Friday's 200th episode meet up. You'll never get ahead in life if you're always tardy Mr. Yu! Graciously, The 404's worst student offers a scathing recap of Michael Cera's performance in the worst movie ever. He, surprisingly, portrays a nebbish teenager who doesn't know how to talk to girls, yet scores with them anyway. We also gear up for new Apple laptops, send SMS messages to elephants, and prepare for Larry Flynt's latest.

Psst...check out the photos from our 200th episode celebration last Friday! A bunch of our buddies came out to Gstaad Bar to party with us, so big thanks to YOU if you came. If you didn't, we'll be having more 404 meet ups in the near future, we might even be breaking out of NY, who knows?! Anyway, check out our Flickr set for photos from the night. Mike, you owe me two drinks! -Justin

Dan the Mantern here. Sooo, it's official, Larry Flynt has confirmed the rumors that an adult film chronicling Sarah Palin's life is in the works. In it, pornstar Lisa Ann, as Palin, "will be nailing the Russians who come knocking on her backdoor." One thing's for sure, Justin is superexcited. He's not sure whether to laugh, cry, or lock himself in a dark room with a box of tissues. Like the Wall Street bailout plan, the film has been fast tracked, it will be pushed through before the elections. Swing voters, you might want to wait for this little doozy before making a decision. I'm sure that at least 10 seconds of the film will include some factual information about the veep candidate!

EPISODE 204 Download today's podcast … Read more