I mean sure, reading text is fine and all - and certainly still the dominant way content is delivered online.

But if you’re a “regular” here, then you may have noticed by now…I love me some online video.  In terms of engagement, I’ll take audio and (especially) video any day of the week when possible.

But…

…I’ll also be the first to admit video’s not always the most efficient way to go through something.

So personally I’m often frustrated by how much video content I want to go through, but just can’t get around to for lack of time in the day.

Then MySpeed Walked Into My Life…

…and frankly, had me at “Hello”.

MySpeed is a crazy-awesome, time saving tool that’ll let you speed-up almost any online video - at will.

With as much online video as I tend to consume, this thing’s probably saved me dozens of hours over the last couple of weeks since I first discovered it.

So here’s a short video I made for you about it.  Watch it.  Trust me.  You’ll thank me.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ironically, if you had MySpeed, you’d have been able to watch my video above in half the time or better!

A few quick thoughts on this…

The Positives:

• It’s free ($0)
• It’s quick and easy to go from 1/2 speed to 3X speed (or anywhere in between)
• Huge, daily time saver for me (probably saved dozens of hours in the last few weeks)
• Works on almost any online video or audio (if it’s flash)
• Doesn’t sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks

The Negatives:

• Only works in Windows (sorry Mac heads)
• Occasionally video and audio won’t be quite synced up (but I can live with that)
• Sometimes I can’t turn it “off” without shutting down my browser first for some reason.

My Recommendation:

Get it, and use it whenever you want to be more efficient, and zip through things like…

• Webinar/teleseminar replays
• Product/course/seminar promotions
• Online video training, courses, etc.
• Virtual tours and/or video walk-throughs of a property
• Anything else on YouTube, Google videos, etc.

Personally I can almost always watch at about 2x and still comprehend everything just fine.  If it’s particularly “heady” I’ll go at about 1.5x.  But that’s just me, and you can set whatever speed your little heart desires.

Where to get it:

You can download it free here.  Easy peasy.

Thoughts? Comments?  Love to hear them below…

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Awesome New Tool Speeds Up Online Videos (Free)

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It’s someone’s brilliant retooling of a flick about Hitler…but re-imagined as a real estate market speculator facing the reality of today’s market.

I gotta say, I’m impressed at the thought someone put into this.  I’d love to hear your thoughts as well…

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Adolph Hitler’s Take On The Housing Crash

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…it’s a candid, covert video I caught on the flip-cam recently at a hush-hush, underground, on the “down low”, private guru mastermind recently.

In this particular clip you’ll recognize:

• Tim “our little immigrant friend” Mai
• Preston “mr. flagrant” Ely, and
• Cory “please lemme do your short sale…please” Boatright.

And I gotta say, these guys are typically known for being characters. But I’ll betcha they’d never want to be caught DEAD like this…

Any comments?  Let’s hear ‘em…

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Halloween Treat: 3 Dead Gurus

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“Man…how dang cool is this?  I mean, what an incredible marketing resource for real estate investors to have access to?”

So then I got this idea to put together an article sharing some of the top, most important non-guru websites that every real estate investor should know about and probably be using.

And believe me, Postlets is right at the top of the list.  Right there with Google Maps and Craigslist.

But suddenly I got to thinking that you guys have probably discovered and are privy to a good number of great online resources that I’m not even privy to…

Then it hit me — BLAMO! — Crowdsourcing Blitz!

Crowdsourcing can mean a couple of different things.  But in this case it’s a fancy word for having others in a community (i.e. you) help create valuable content to share with everyone else.

So let’s “crowdsource” our efforts and put together a killer list of top REI websites!

So here’s the deal…

• All you need to do is leave a comment (below) with the best, most useful websites you’re aware of online. And specifically I mean useful to in your real estate investing endeavors.  Whether it’s a research tool, lead source, social networking or bookmarking device or whatever.
  .
• Tell us the full URL / website address, plus a few words about why you think it’s so great that others should be aware of it.  In other words, what’s the practical use of it?
  .
• Even if you see someone else has already left your top pick, go ahead and chime in with it anyway.  That way we can tell which one’s are really the most popular picks.
  .
• And again, please remember we’re not looking for guru-websites this go around. Yes, some of them are great resources.  But please let’s save that for a separate list and a post of it’s own, OK?

So that’s it.  Go at it!  Let’s see what you got!  Chime in below.

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Top Non-Guru Websites Every Real Estate Investor Should Know About (And Probably Be Using)

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• No related posts.

From weird viral videos to personal home movies to controversial politics…you can find it all and more.

While perusing some clips related to our current financial , I came across some clips from Senator Ron Paul that grabbed me by the eyelids and wouldn’t let go.  Watch below…and be challenged to think a little outside the box that most talking heads live inside.

Personal Disclaimer: Now I’m not really trying to make a big political statement here by posting this.

…except maybe that most of our political leaders seem to have blatantly ignored and laughed at more than a few urgent warnings that could have and should have been heeded before now.

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with him in other areas of policy, regardless of your other political views, you simply can’t deny this guy hit the nail squarely on the head where today’s economy’s concerned months or even years ago.  And his prophetic cries have been both loud and unfortunately largely ignored by most of his peers and the talking-head “opinion makers” in our society.

Anyway, check out these clips in light of what we’re facing today.  And then I’d love to hear your own thoughts in response below…

Ron Paul *OUR EMPIRE IS COMING DOWN!*

Added: March 12, 2008.  The first couple of minutes of this are NY Democrat Carolyn Maloney.  But after she turned the rest of her time over to Ron Paul…hang on to your hat.

And understand that, while I’m unsure of the original broadcast date, this clip was uploaded to You Tube on 3/12/08 — a good while before we jumped headfirst into bailout swamp.  Which makes Ron Paul’s prophetic warning all the more ominous.

Ron Paul: “The Fed Caused the Bubble” (MSNBC)

Added:  March 20, 2008.  An incredibly fascinating (and brief) talking head debate between Congresman Ron Paul and the Research Director for the “Center for American Progress” (whatever that is).

Is the Fed an illegal, immoral entity?  Should it be abolished?  Should we return to a gold standard?  Could it really be possible?

Ron Paul’s Question Makes Ben Bernake’s Voice Quiver (CNBC)

Added to YouTube:  December 08, 2007.  Congressman Ron asks the right questions and won’t let them be skirted.  And his nemesis…er…the fed chairman seems flustered to the point of tears.

Ron Paul Grills Bernanke Again, Traders Respond With Cheers (CNBC)

Again Congresman Ron asks Ben Bernanke a series of aptly charged questions during FED chairman’s testimony on 2/27/08.

The Q&A is worth hearing to be sure.  But also don’t miss the end as CNBC anchor Rick Santelli talks about reaction of traders in Chicago market during Ron Paul questions.  Telling?

So what do you think?  Let’s hear it…

Technorati: Ron Paul, Economic Crisis

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Ron Paul: Fight the Future! (Controversial)

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But I just ran across something that literally moved me to tears — a short video about an 8 year old kid named Adam.

Adam plays one of the toughest positions on the little league field…and he does it with only one leg.  (Because of cancer, he had his left leg amputated when he was only one).

Honestly, I was so overwhelmed after watching this, I felt like I’d been punched in the stomach by an 8 year old reality check.

And then, frankly, I just felt overwhelmingly impressed to stop right in the middle of my very busy day and share it with anyone who’s willing to take it in.

I’m a believer in providence and Almighty sovereignty.  So I’m betting there’s probably someone else out there reading this right now, who frankly needs to see this (and get punched in the stomach by it) just as much as I did.

So here’s the video (below).  Please take a quick moment to watch it.  Then read my comments below it, if you dare…

Ok, so literally tears welled up as I watched this…

…and was hit in the gut by the reality that I’ve made every pathetic excuse in the book at one point or another (and believed them) about what’s been holding me back from achieving a number of things that are high on my important list.

Things like:

• Spending more/better time with my girls
• Having a more consistent quiet time with God
• Exercising & eating healthier
• Getting my cholesterol under control
• Making better decisions with my time
• Getting things done, ON TIME
• Not procrastinating anymore
• And the list goes on.

So what are your pathetic excuses?

What is it that you want so darn badly, but let yourself believe you’re being externally held back from reaching?

Said another way, who or what are you blaming (instead of yourself) for not overcoming the obstacles in front of you?

Stop making excuses.  Excuses are for losers! 

Look at Adam.  Adam’s not a loser.  Not by a long shot.  And if he can do this, then you can do far more than you allow yourself believe, don’t you think?

Stop making excuses.  Stop it!  Now!

P.S. If you have any thoughts of your own, I’d love to hear them in the comments below. And thanks for a moment of your valuable time.  I can’t tell you how much I love doing this blog.

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One Legged Punch in the Stomach (Unreal Video)

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So here we are with the family ramping up for an afternoon of flipping houses steaks on the back porch.

But before I head that way, I thought I’d pass along a bit of industry wit to anyone who might be in front of their computer today.

Disclaimer: These were passed along to me.  As far as I know they’re authentic.   And I’d love to hear which is your favorite with a comment at the bottom of the post…

Targeted marketing (for cats) …

———————————————————-

Transparency in advertising?

———————————————————-

Market timing can be everything sometimes…

———————————————————-

You know, there are times when you should
REALLY consider changing your name…

———————————————————-

And ditto the above…

———————————————————-

Wow…really?  I mean…REALLY?

———————————————————

Wat moor can I say?

———————————————————-

So, are these “rooms” intended for “people”?

———————————————————-

Wow. Your guess is as good as mine…

———————————————————-

So if the shoe fits…

———————————————————-

Uh…is it contagious?

———————————————————-

Bart Simpson’s hand in this…?

———————————————————-

So let me get this straight…you’re selling…WHAT?

Hope you enjoyed a chuckle or two.

If you have a second, tell me what you think!  Leave a comment below…

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Outlandish Real Estate Signs (Hard to Believe)

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But ya know, as much as I love the REI game, my life’s big enough for a whole lot more — and I bet yours is too.

So here’s something off-topic, but worth a moment if you have it to spare.  Over 29 million folks have viewed it so far.

So let’s add a handful more to that number, shall we?

Oh, and…

1) I dare you not to smile.
2) I’d love to hear your comments below afterward — whatever they might be.

Hope your weekend was awesome, and that this week’s even better!

Ps…Thanks to Cory Boatright for reminding me of this video’s existence. 

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Free Hugs

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So I’m just about to head out to Shaun McCloskey’s bootcamp thingy in St. Louis in the a.m.

And speaking of ”The Shaun” I thought you might want to see something.  Perfect for a Friday IMHO.

Question: Ever wonder what happens when two goofy, hammy real estate dudes ride a roller coaster together at Busch Gardens?

Answer: 1 min, 50 sec of future blackmail material. 

Hope you enjoyed!

Ps…Leave a comment below and tell us just what you think of our tom foolery shenanigans…

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Tom Foolery on a Roller Coaster

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Apparently the video was shot on a lark in Will Ferrell’s guesthouse during a break in the third birthday party for his son Magnus.

So just in case you haven’t seen “The Landlord” you owe it to yourself to spend the next 1m:39s in the experience.

One word of caution: There’s a little “potty mouth” to contend with.  But Adam assures the world that Pearle hasn’t repeated any of those words since shooting.

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The Landlord

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