I’ve always enjoyed browsing through the techy selection at ThinkGeek, and when I had an excuse to interview a representative there, I jumped on the opportunity.

I e-mailed the general “contact us” e-mail addresses (figured I’d give it a shot) and on the next business day I had a reply sitting in my inbox.

Jennifer Kuropkat and the gang and ThinkGeek did more than set up a phone interview– they are sending me some free stuff (on it’s way I believe, more to come on this when the stuff arrives, i plan to have an “unboxing” post similar to engadget) but ALSO, all SU kids can save some money on their ThinkGeek purchases!

Enter “ORANGE” at checkout to receive $5 off a $25 order or $10 off a $50 order.

That’s pretty money if you ask me.

From my newest article in SU’s Daily Orange:

Most students own the essentials in gadgetry-the iPod, cell phone and computer. To save money and fill that urge for the latest technology, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications grad turned-adjunct professor Eric Hansen suggests add-on components to items students already own.

“A personal recording device was essential to me,” Hansen said. “I even bought an add-on recorder for my iPod called an iMic, just in case.”

Online sellers have started to monopolize on the tech craze by creating Web sites like ThinkGeek.com, a site that offers exclusive and hard-to-find products before they hit the shelves at local stores.

As manager of New Business Development and Marketing for ThinkGeek.com, Jennifer Kuropkat has noticed college students buy USB-powered devices, T-shirts and caffeinated products the most from the site due to their limited budget.

“We’re always working to be the first to market- once a product has reached its peak, we don’t carry it anymore,” Kuropkat said.

read the whole article

Over the next month, I will be writing a 3-part series in Syracuse University’s college paper, The Daily Orange. The series will focus on three part of technology that influence students: Software, Gadgets/Hardware, and User Generated Content (Podcasting/Blogs).

I’m really excited about this series– but also looking for some help. If you have any ideas on what would be helpful for college students (or what you find helpful personally), please write a comment or email me at alana@techyness.com.

Thanks!