We’ve had a bit of downtime recently and the site has been getting a tad sluggish, for which I apologise. This has been partly due to our traffic levels and also the fact some of the custom code was not well optimised (to which I will hold my hand up to).

Anyway we’ve done a bit of clear up, upgraded all software to latest versions and have ordered some extra memory for the server. This should improve the overall performance of the site.

The server will be offline for around 15 minutes later on today while the extra memory is fitted but if you notice any other problems please let us know either via the contact form or you can email me, al at coolest-gadgets.com. Thanks.

This is a very exciting time for CG and I. Today is my final day in the 9-5 rat race and as of 5PM this afternoon I’ll be a fulltime blogger, webmaster and frugal tight wad.

Coincidentally this just happened to happen at the same time as CES (the largest Consumer Electronics Show in the World). So Marc and I will be flying out to Las Vegas tommorow morning to report on all the latest gadgets that are due in 2007. It should be a real eye opener so expect a load of posts over the next week or so. We’ll also be meeting up with some of the guys from Gizmodo, Gizmos for Geeks and Sci Fi Tech so it will be great to put faces to the names. If you’re off to CES and fancy meeting up please leave us a comment.

Now if only Google would give us our search rankings back that magically dissapeared on New Years Eve life would be perfect.

Here’s wishing everybody a very Merry Christmas and I hope you get all the gadgets you deserve and don’t suffer the head I did last year .

Merry Christmas one and all.

I was browsing Book of Joe today and came across this fun little tool, that tells you if you’re an A, B, C or err D list Blogger. It’s all based off Technorati rankings (how many other blogs link to your blog) and some what surprisingly we hit the A list. Although the tool is just a bit of fun (and pink!) I thought this would be a good time to say another thank you (deja vu anyone):).

First off hats to our current bloggers, it’s taken a long time to build our current team, so thanks Mike, Tiago, Edwin and to the new boys Dan and Fred. You’ve made my job of expanding and improving CG a lot easier than it could of been (I’m about to start Christmas shopping for the CG writers so keep it up guys ).

Second lot of thanks go to the blogs that link to us when quoting any stories we report on, so in no particular order and by no means complete, hat tips to:

• GadgetORama
• Jeff and his Wireless Weblog
• ubergizmo
• Phil at Wired Home
• Eglobe1
• Strategic Development
• Luxist
• Spluch
• TechnoSquad
• gadgetell
• Digital Drops
• Naik’s News
• Gizmodo
• Geek Chic
• Sci Fi Tech
• Chiqui World
• Uber Review
• Thrilling Wonder Story

(These are just some of the blogs that linked to us in the last 2 days, which is kind of cool. Thanks guys (and chics), if you’re off to CES in January let me know and I’ll buy you a beer (well not the 100 or so writers at Gizmodo).

Finally thanks to our readers, forum members and the folk who leave comments (especially Paz, Keith, GrimReeper, Lee, Andy, Matt,…) which proves it isn’t just bots that suck our bandwidth .

Cheers Kineda for the pink tool, but why Book of Joe is on the lowly B List (oh the shame) I don’t know.

Congratulations to Hoomamooma who won the $15 Think Geek voucher by leaving the most amusing comment to this post (as voted for in the forums), please let us know what you spend it on.

I’ve now sent out the $1,000 worth of prizes from our forum launch contest, congratulations to everybody who won.

I am still waiting for one physical address to send the Ironman Sleek Triathlon 50 Lap Watch out to, the winning member was vousami. So vousami please PM me your address ASAP so that I can get it shipped to you (if I don’t receive it in 10 days or so I’ll raffle this one out again).

The other good bit of contest news is that I’ve got another $1,000+ worth of gadget prizes so I’ll be announcing a fair few new community contest shortly .

Our $1,000 gadget give away is officially over. Congratulations to Case on winning the first prize. He choose the Wicked Laser which is very cool and I’m happy to report that we have another 3 wicked lasers to give away in future contests .

If you’re an active member of our gadget forums (and if not why not!!) and would like to see if you’ve won any of the other 17 prizes, check out the prize winners thread.

Congratulations once again to all the winners. We will be holding contests on a monthly basis so if you want to take part in the next contest register in the forums and become a part of our friendly but some what geeky community.

Thanks again to Brando, Gizoo, Wicked Lasers, Beer Clip, Gadget Box and Just Buy Online for their generous donations.

Digital Life is described as the ultimate consumer technology, gaming & entertainment event of the year. It’s being held in New York at the Javits Center from October 12 until October 15.

It looks like it will be a very cool event (which unfortunately I can’t attend as I’m still mid house move). Tickets normally cost $12 but I’m pleased to say CG readers can get in for free, simply go to the order tickets page and enter the Source Code “INSIDER”, hey presto free tickets .

We’ve also been given some VIP tickets to give-away, so if you can definitely attend and would like a chance of winning a VIP ticket simply reply to this thread in the CG forum, stating your interest and I’ll add your name to the hat and I’ll draw the winners out this Sunday.

It’s that time again when we’re looking to recruit some new part-time writers.

The sort of people we’re after should have the following characteristics:

• Keen technology and gadget follower
• You find the best and most obscure gadgets before all your friends
• Write in an informative and social manner
• Wicked sense of humour
• Enjoy beer (or coffee if you’re a coder)

If you think you’ve got what it takes please send us a sample of your work and a few sentences explaining why you’d like to join the CG team.

Cash is available for the right people, as well as entry and expenses to various trade show exhibitions if so desired.