At the moment, one of the hottest topics in the online world is education.  People want to learn, but don’t want to pay university prices. Well you’re in luck because we’ve compiled the best online edu resources.  Most are free and all seem more entertaining than your run of the mill algebra lecture.  Learn skills like programming and foreign languages or keep up with the latest trends in business and entrepreneurship. Here we go:

1. Codecademy- This brilliant new social web application teaches you how to write code! Programming used to be a fairly inaccessible skill to learn. Codeacademy aims to change that.  Over 1 million users have joined in on their trendy “Code Year” program where users are sent a lesson every week of 2012.  The free lessons are interactive and students can engage with their friends.

2. Itunes U- Apple has recently redone their iTunes U program.  It now carries the slogan, “Learn anything, anywhere, anytime”.  Sounds great to us! Courses from top universities have a mix of audio, video, and slides, but no homework!  This new educational platform was created for teachers and students, but even if you’re done with school, you might want to take a look at some of the courses available.  Learn how to make an iPhone app or brush up on your Chinese.

3. Tedtalks App- With the Ted talks app, you can gain a little knowledge on the go! Their free app allows you to download talks to watch offline.  TED speakers share their knowledge on a huge variety of topics, from medicine to social networks.  Learn about the latest advancements in technology and business from the couch or on your commute!

4. RSAnimate- These videos come from the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts.  Ya, Royal.  These videos are a personal favorite.  Similar to TED Talks in content, these videos take short lectures from brilliant minds and animate them as they progress.  Great for visual learners, these can cover topics like how the mind works or historical events.  Also in app form so you can watch when you’re on the move.

5. Khan Academy- This non-profit org was started by one guy who made more than 2000 free videos on a variety of subjects. Salman Khannow is now backed by Gates Foundation in his endeavor to bring education to the masses.  Videos cover topics like physics, finance, history, and everything in between, and there are practice exercises to go along with some of them.  You can create a free account so that you can track your progress in your profile.

6. Visual.ly- This resource is a little different than the rest.  Visual.ly shares info graphics and data visualizations. Designers create the infographics and showcase their work to the world.  Visitors can browse the 10,000+ results that share stories and information.  We were able to learn everything from “The History of Twitter”, to “The Purchasing Power of Women”.  Learn something new, or share your info with the rest of us!

7. Vimeo film school- If the Oscar buzz has you inspired, you might want to check out this resource from Vimeo.  They’ve compiled over 1,500 videos with various tips and tricks from filmmakers.  Learn everything, from the basics to special effects, the steadycan, lighting, and cranes.  Check it out to better channel your inner Spielberg for your next project.

8. Udemy- This platform allows anyone to create online courses with on-demand and live classes.  Videos are a mix of free and paid, and they cover a huge range of topics.  Our favorite free ones are called “Foundations of Business Strategy, and “Ideas Come from Everywhere”.  Each class contains multiple lectures, so you’ll have to tune in multiple times, but students really do learn a lot.

9. Floating University- The Floating University has the slogan “Per ampliora ad altiora”.  We’ll admit it; we had to look that up.  It means something like “Through breadth to depth”.  This new educational media venture produces video lectures and material from leading scholars.  The inaugural course is called “Great Big Ideas”.  An assortment of top professors each teach one of 12 lessons.  This class isn’t quite free ($199), but every lesson looks fascinating.

10. Openculture.com- This site is a guide to free educational media.  There are thousands of online courses, audio books, textbooks, and films.  The collection of classic movies is what makes this site unique.  There are hundreds of links to older noir, westerns, indies, and award winners.  This is definitely something to check out if you need to boost your cultural literacy.

Ready to learn yet? At ABCey, we’re pretty excited about getting a little smarter this weekend.  Which resource will you use? Are there any that we missed? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

I’m sure you’ve all stocked up on your provisions for your big Super Bowl Party. We’ve researched 5 apps that you shouldn’t be without this coming this Super Bowl Sunday XLVI.

1.  NFL Mobile: This is the first time that we’ll be able to watch a live stream of the game legally on mobile phones. NFL Mobile is the place to be and Verizon is the network to be on if you want a live stream of the Super Bowl. You will need to download NFL Mobile Premium, which includes the live video part of the app (games, NFL RedZone during the season and 24/7 NFL Network). The app includes live audio, current drive chart, real-time scores and lets you easily post comments to Facebook and other social networking sites.

2.  Adbowl: Many of us think the ads are the best part of the game, so get this app and link to Youtube videos of the commercial spots and allows you to rank them on a five-star scale. Results from the voting are posted later on AdBowl.com. The biggest night in football is also the biggest night in advertising.  While two teams battle it out on the field, major brands will be battling for the coveted top position! Will Jack feast upon roasted gecko? Will Flo go medieval on the Kia gerbils? Which will be the last ad standing after the Adpocalypse?

3. Football Discussion Free: Which player has been a dud? Who deserves the MVP? All football-related subjects are up for grabs at this mobile discussion forum, where you can speak your mind on anything from the NFL to college bowl games to your local fantasy league. It’s free for all platforms!

4. Seamless Food Delivery: Bring in something more substantial with this culinary app, which allows you to place orders for delivery and takeout with more than 7,500 restaurants in 35-plus cities

5. Party Whistle: He missed the call! Just blow into your iPhone’s microphone and enjoy the realistic sounds and animations of a party whistle. Party Whistle is filled with fun surprises that can transform the dull party you’re at into a… more annoying one?!

Which apps will you be using to watch the Pats take down the Giants? Leave us a comment here, or find us on Twitter.

Do you need a running partner? How about the world famous ultra-marathon man, Dean Karnazes? Zozi’s new program makes that possible. This San Francisco-based startup recently launched Guru Experiences, where celebrity experts conduct unique adventures for small groups.  National Geographic Explorer Mireya Mayor and world record kayaker, Tao Berman, are among the ranks of professionals that zozi found to kick off their service.

Since their launch in 2009, providing new experiences has been the goal of the company.  Now serving most major cities in the U.S., their daily deal service includes a broad range of activities for people looking to get out of their comfort zone.  Dance classes, cooking courses, and exclusive tours have been the norm for zozi, but the Guru program takes it to a new level.

For the Dean Karnazes experience, guests will run all morning in Big Sur along the California coast.  Dean will share inspiring experiences, advice, and insight. Afterwards, a healthy lunch is served overlooking the Pacific. Sounds great to us, but we might need to hit the treadmill a bit to prep for that one.

Here are the other current Guru Experiences: Snowcat or Squaw Valley Skiing with Jonny Moseley, Sunset Safari with Mireya Mayor, Find Your Stride with Eric Orton, Whitewater Skills with Tao Berman, and coming soon…Chris Lieto-Ironman Champion, and Maya Gabeira-Big Wave Surf Champion.

These exclusive experiences come with a nice price tag, but their rarity makes them hard to pass up. There are set dates for each of the opportunities, so check out the zozi website and register for your own one-of-a-kind Guru Experience.

Here at ABCey, we’ve found that adventure can be just clicks away! Zozi is great for the brave, Sōsh finds all the hot spots, and Wanderfly gives guidance when you’re on the road. How do you find things to do? Which zozi Guru Experience would you like to try out? Let us know in the comments or say hello on Twitter!

TV Tuesday is a weekly series where we post our favorite clips or videos from around the web. Whether it be a favorite product, startup, or cool new technology, you can find it here!

An Army of protesters will descend upon UN headquarters in New York on February 2nd in an effort to end bullying worldwide. Here’s the catch: The Protestors are online cartoons. We just had to post about this revolutionary and high tech event that is sure to have no arrests! Richard Piggin, deputy CEO of theU.K. not-for-profit Beatbullying, tells us how they plan to force change with the cutest protest ever. We read about this in the latest issue of Fast Company, but the full article can also be read online here.

They are expecting 2 million supporters, all who will create digital avatars and antibullying banners. They will march together, across the Internet, to the UN. They are partnering with nearly 100 websites, including Facebook, and anyone visiting those sites will see the avatars walk across the page from left to right, whether that person is participating in the march or not. Can you say Awesome?! It looks like something similar was done in 2010, but not at this level. Check out this video and let us know your thoughts in the comment box, or find us on Twitter!

Welcome to Startup Monday.  Our new weekly post will feature the hottest ideas from the tech and events industry.  If you have a startup that we should look into, let us know on Twitter!

We know the feeling, you want to get your special someone something this Valentine’s Day, but as it’s fast approaching the supermarkets seem to be jam packed with cheesy V-day gifts that speak little from the heart. To help you tug on your loved ones heart strings, we have researched four delightful websites that will assist you in buying unique gifts or creating something on your own for your significant other this Valentines Day.

1. Uncommon Goods has accumulated quite an assortment of unique products.  You can find everything from mushroom kits to eco picnic baskets. Maybe your girlfriend is a strange health nut;) You’re sure to find something for any type of person.  This site is dedicated to gifts, so you can search by holiday, gender, and category. This would be a great place to look for those difficult to shoo shop for and who don’t have this amazing footed bowl.

We also like the Wooden iPhone Case for $44

2. Etsy is a super sweet website that most of you know which specializes in selling all things handmade and vintage. If you don’t have the time to create but still want something unique, then we recommend Etsy for quick and easy Valentines Day shopping. There is a whole tab dedicated to the holiday, including handpicked items that are sure to charm.

Pick up this Walnut Wooden iPad Stand for only $20! Great for those that have aquired iPads over the holidays.

3. Best Friends For Frosting is a lovely little website that features hundreds of adorable homemade recipes from the best baking blogs around the world. We know techies have a soft spot for sugar, so treat yours to something homemade. Recipes are conveniently categorized under tabs like Holidays, Desserts,Themes and DIY, so you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for in a matter of moments. A number of recipes also consider those who are vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free, making it easier for everyone to enjoy your homemade sweet treats.

Try whipping up a batch of these Conversation Heart Valentine Sugar Cookies.

Still haven’t found the right gift? This next one should help you out…

4. Svpply We aren’t quite sure how to say it yet either, but that’s a “v” not a “u”. It’s kinda like a Pinterest, but for shopping only.  You can follow your favorite people and stores, save stuff that you want to buy later, and find great online products.  Back to the point of this post; Valentines Day- you can set search specifications to find exactly what you want to find for that special someone!

Our favorite find was this geeky Unlock Doormat from blessthisstuff for $59:

5. Rent the Runway is your go to online resource for your V-day attire this season. I’m sure many of you have heard by now, but you can rent a top-tier designer dress for a fraction of the retail price. Since formal dresses rarely get much wear anyway, this is a great way to wow your man on less-than-royal budget for just a night.

We hope these ideas inspire you to find that perfect gift this Valentines Day! If you know of any great websites or V-day inspired recipes feel free to share here or find ABCey on Twitter.

Looking to travel this spring? Hunting through different travel sites for convenient hotels and cheap flights can give you a headache. Event planners are on the move, whether it’s for conventions, galas, or fun. This is why we tried Wanderfly, a travel recommendation engine that goes beyond flights and hotels.  Users tailor the settings to fit their budgets and interests, and the site uses your social networks and other travel search engines to give suggestions.

ABCey is planning an event in Washington, D.C. this spring for a company attending the International Trademark Association’s Annual Meeting, so we decided to let Wanderfly help with our travel itinerary.

We set the specifications for San Francisco to Washington DC, $600 per person, early May, and for 4 days. The coolest part of this site is that you can add your interests.  For this trip we decided that our interests were: landmarks (can’t miss those in DC), food (event planners have to eat), and outdoors (May is lovely).  When we hit the “Get Going” button, we were transported to the front steps of the White House…well, not really, but it gave us everything that we needed to get there.

The first thing we did is check out the flight and hotel options.  Wanderfly uses content from travel sites such as Orbitz, Hotels.com, Facebook, Foursquare, Yelp, and Mashable.  We found flight options and hotels with reviews and tips right on the page. The activities suggestions are really what makes the service unique.  For us, it recommended highly reviewed restuarants, hiking trails, and all of the important monuments. If you log into Facebook through the site, it accesses your network’s knowledge and allows you to post a question asking for advice.  

Interested yet? Even if you don’t know where you want to go on vacation, Wanderfly will make recomendations for you based on your interests and budget.  We suggest that you try them out! It is free and easy to plan vacations, even if they’re imaginary. Have you ever used Wanderfly? What travel services do you generally use? Let us know in the comments or find us on Twitter!

TV Tuesday is a weekly series where we post our favorite clips or videos from around the web. Whether it be a favorite product, startup, or cool new technology, you can find it here!

Starting out as a small business is tough. Sometimes all you need is a little extra guidance and support. Que the Startup America Partnership. For those of you that haven’t heard about it, we thought we’d share some info on this great organization. We wish this was around when we began ABCey Events nearly 5 years ago. Bravo to The White House, Corporate America, Private foundations, Think Tanks and NGO’s, Entrepreneurs and VC’s!

This is a White House initiative to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation. This mission to promote entrepreneurship is a core component of President Obama’s national innovation strategy for achieving sustainable growth and quality jobs.The three main goals of Startup America are to provide valuable resources and connections to you and your company enabling it to grow and develop, support regional startup ecosystems across the United States, and thirdly to recognize start-ups as the key to furthering our economy supporting development and progression.

The Startup America website features a wealth of resources for small businesses including tabs to determine which stage of business you are in, applications for a business growth kit, and a resource directory full of helpful partners including Microsoft, Intel, Ernst & Young and Linkedin, just to name a few. The Startup America Partnership is sponsored by a number of companies allowing for the Partnership to maximize the success of independent businesses and entrepreneurs across the country.

It’s been a great year for the Startup America Partnership, and it looks like they are making some major headway. Stay tuned for the Master Challenge, where the focus is on recruiting startups and for their big plans at SXSW in March!

Let us know if you have used this resource to strengthen your business. Please leave us a comment here with your thoughts or find us on Twitter.

What do long lines and slow check-ins have in common? Angry clients! Never fear; help is here. No more standing at the door, flipping through ten pages of names. New iPad and iPhone apps offer efficiency and professionalism for guest check-in. We’ve taken a good look at the latest options and reviewed them for you. From basic spreadsheet uploads to full-on social media integration, these apps are at the front of the line. Each of these applications caters to slightly different needs and they vary in cost, but they all look like they’re worth a try!

  1. My Guest List is the world’s first app allowing event managers to sync guestlists and function enquires from your website, Facebook, or spreadsheets to an ipad ready for hosts or door staff to use at the beginning of your event. This clever app is great for guest management- tap guests off as they arrive and track arrival times, VIPs, and walk-ins. All of the night’s data is translated to reporting and statistics- logging the total number of people who attended your event and the performance of your promoter. Finally, the most important feature, social media integration- allowing your database to have both Facebook and the iPad working in sync. This enables complete guest profiling, including how often they frequent a venue, what they like to drink and how much social influence they have.  The service starts at $25 dollars a month.

2. CheckInEasy is a great iPad/iPhone app which was recently used for the Google holiday party to check in over 2500 guests! This app is great because guests can either be looked up by name or using boarding pass style barcodes.  Also, if you want to be notified when a special guest arrives, you can choose to receive a text message or email. CheckInEasy has really emphasized their attention to data security so that customers can feel confident about protecting their guests’ information. The app is only $1.99 and the starter package, up to 500 check-ins, is $99.00.

3. Eventbrite is a leading ticketing service that has created an app called Entry Manager. This app allows you to log into your Eventbrite account and pull up guestlists from all of the events that you are planning. Attendees can be checked in by name, or by scanning invitation barcodes that guests can print out or pull up right on their iPhones.  The list automatically syncs with other devices being used to check people in.   All of your attendance data will be stored on the server and accessible in your Eventbrite account for further analysis. An Eventbrite account is necessary, and the app is free!

 4. Event Farm has a mobile guest check-in app for the iPad and iPhone. It is sleek, stylish and full of features. It allows you to customize the background of the app to promote your brand and to keep up with the real time analytics for the event.  Also, guests can leave tickets behind for the rest of their party if they happen to arrive separately.  Use it in conjunction with the fully-featured web-based Event Farm Ticketing System, or create your own list by downloading their Excel guest list template.  The cost starts at $0.50 per guest that you upload, with no extra fee for the app.

5. Venue Driver Mobile Check-In is a web based venue management system. This software is ideal for nightclubs and bars that hold events regularly which require guest check-in, VIP table reservations, or ticket distribution. The software can be used on an iPad/iPhone, and the data can be viewed online. It is a great solution for both the venue and the guests, since guests can sign up for events on their mobile devices, and managers can easily keep track of the consumer database, making it easier to plan for future events. The management system requires a subscription, but the app comes at no extra cost.

6. MyBanquet is a great iPad app for events that require seating assignments.  It was created for weddings, awards banquets, and gala dinners.  Guests can be uploaded from facebook, a text document, or manually.  Then, you can design the layout of your event, organize table assignments, and easily email reports to important people every step of the way. You can add notes to people’s table assignments if special arrangements need to be made for their dinner or accessibility.  RSVP’s can be handled manually or by connecting to facebook.   It is only $3.99 in the App Store and doesn’t require a subscription.

 7. Guest List Manager is an app developed by Hilton Worldwide, ensuring event managers have the ability to coordinate guest lists with room bookings. This app is great for managing the small details of your event through key features like viewing the current guest list and reservation status regardless of how the guest’s reservation was booked, viewing the group’s room count, and searching for attendee cancellations. This application is extremely effective and makes booking the Hilton as your next event venue so worthwhile! Guest List Manager is convienently available on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.     

We completely snoozed over here and just noticed that the Crunchies and after party are sold-out. Whaaaaa??! The tables have turned as it’s usually people wanting to come to my super parties.

TechCrunch will kick off 2012 with The Crunchies along with partners GigaOm and VentureBeat on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The tech party to start the year will move to Davies Symphony Hall this year for both the awards ceremony and the famous after party. After calculating more than 300,000 nominations across 20 categories, they have announced the finalists for this year’s awards. Award categories recognize the top accomplishments in a variety of fields and roles, including Best Tech Achievement, Best Mobile, Best Location, Best Cloud Services and Biggest Social Impact.

Google+ is up against Facebook Timeline, Instagram, Path 2.0 and New New Twitter for Best Social Application of 2011. Foursquare is going up against Airbnb, RunKeeper, Grindr and Uber for Best Location Application. Big players such as Dropbox, Instagram, Square, Gilt Groupe, Spotify and Tumblr are all finalists. Kickstarter and Charity Water vie for biggest social impact Who will take the win for Best Overall Startup of 2011?

Voting begins today and winners will be announced on January 31, live at the Crunchies at Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall (201 Van Ness Ave.) in San Francisco, beginning at 7:30 p.m. PST. More information, including how to buy tickets, is available at http://crunchies2011.techcrunch.com/. Except for the fact, as already mentioned- they are sold out! Time to Crunchie Crash!

The full list of finalists includes:

About TechCrunch

TechCrunch ( www.techcrunch.com ) is a leading technology media network dedicated to obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies. Founded by Michael Arrington in 2005, TechCrunch and its network of websites reach millions of unique visitors each month. TechCrunch was acquired by AOL in 2011 and operates a global network of websites including dedicated properties in Europe and Japan. TechCrunch’s CrunchBase is an open database about startup companies, people, and investors. In addition to TechCrunch Disrupt, TechCrunch hosts a number of other recognized conferences and events, including the Crunchies Awards ( http://crunchies2010.techcrunch.com ) and various meet-ups worldwide, serving as community platforms for industry conversation and collaboration.