http://www.macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/microsofts_windows_7_launch_parties_prove_to_be_complete_and_utter_failures/
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Surviving Mac disasters
Great article some of them I have had to use
http://www.maclife.com/article/feature/how_survive_17_worst_mac_disasters
http://www.maclife.com/article/feature/how_survive_17_worst_mac_disasters
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Book review: A digital Photographer’s Guide to Model Releases
A digital Photographer’s Guide to Model Releases
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
Author: Dan Heller
Publisher: Wiley Publishing , Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NY 0703 Released: March 31, 2008
Pages: 288
$30 USA
$ 33 Canada
ISBN-10: 0470228563
ISBN-13: 978-0470228562
Strengths: Comprehensive information about model releases. Full color and additional hints abound through the book. Excellent model photographs highlight nice examples. Vertical tabs at the side of each page highlight main part of the section. Nice yellow like sticky notes are strategically placed throughout the book and the pages, to portray tips and highlight specific concerns or ideas that are relevant to the chapter/ pages or text.
Weaknesses: None
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
Rating: 5/5
Introduction
Taking photos of people, places and many types of visuals, for publication, is commonplace. However in many lines of work, the necessity and use of model release forms is misunderstood, to say the least. Sometimes the nuances are not quite understood or well defined in many cases, by photographers or the places of business themselves. The book Model Releases: A digital Photographer’s Guide, helps to clarify the meaning of much of the process and update advanced in print media and more in recent years.
The author has been a freelance photographer and photo industry analyst. His works have been featured in publicaiotns from news and business media to fine arts books. This book is the result of over five years of his research to model releases. He is well versed in the changing trends that have transformed books, the press, music and much more, in recent years. His knowledge is transmitted to this book in a very readable and understandable way.
The seven part book covers a wide range of important topics within its 288 pages. The titles of the parts of the book highlight the necessity of model releases. These are : Everyone’s doing it ; So what’s wrong; What’s a model release ; Understanding “use”; Analyzing the need for a model release; Dealing with photos of property; The business of Licensing. The book makes it much easier to clarify when releases are needed and not needed. What buyers need in the way of model releases, and those who don't need releases are summarized. Also included is information for marketing and licensing all your photos, whether they have been released or not. Also the author does the best he can in accumulating years of information and distilling helpful information in one book.
The book is relevant to those in the United States and abroad. The author helps to define in clear terms, what should be initiated and followed through, under many situations and circumstances. He is clear and concise so that misinformation does not occur and clarity of the releases are understood. The well illustrated text is a very comprehensive book available on the subject, covering everything you would to know about model releases. The releases pertain to people, places and additional circumstances. Much has changes in light of a photographer's role in the creation of photographs that may be uses on or in conjunction with the internet, with digital photography. newspapers, books and magazines.
Conclusions
This important book is both insightful and a pleasure to read and understand. The book is useful for everyone from professional photographers whose work involves photography to those amateur photographers who take vacation pictures on vacation, take photos of at their children' s teams/games, schools or more. This book also includes information about models themselves and what they can learn about their rights concerning how they can protect themselves and when that is not possible.
The importance of this book is highlighted by the fact that a well known GPS technology firm “stole” (or should we say “did not secure properly”), music from my daughter’s business/ firm. Whether it was on purpose or not, she had to set them straight and went through the proper channels. This was an interesting event and it served to highlight what should and needs to be done in the way of copyrighting materials. In addition, a firm in Africa wanted to use one of my photographs for their greeting cards. To make a long story short, I had to find that person and that firm, after they used my photographs, as the individual did not forward my payment. If I would have had the information from this book beforehand, I would have know the proper course of action to take to protect myself with the transaction. This book would have let me know, in advance, the proper procedures so that the situation would have not occurred. Now I am better prepared. And you will be too if you read this well prepared book.
Whether you are in business, work with photographs whether your home, business or personal use or involved in possible interactions with businesses, this book is well worth reading. There is something to be said for knowing and understanding your rights, as well as the rights of clients and businesses. That way you can make the best decision about your photos that possible will end up in businesses, books or other forms.
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
Author: Dan Heller
Publisher: Wiley Publishing , Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NY 0703 Released: March 31, 2008
Pages: 288
$30 USA
$ 33 Canada
ISBN-10: 0470228563
ISBN-13: 978-0470228562
Strengths: Comprehensive information about model releases. Full color and additional hints abound through the book. Excellent model photographs highlight nice examples. Vertical tabs at the side of each page highlight main part of the section. Nice yellow like sticky notes are strategically placed throughout the book and the pages, to portray tips and highlight specific concerns or ideas that are relevant to the chapter/ pages or text.
Weaknesses: None
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
Rating: 5/5
Introduction
Taking photos of people, places and many types of visuals, for publication, is commonplace. However in many lines of work, the necessity and use of model release forms is misunderstood, to say the least. Sometimes the nuances are not quite understood or well defined in many cases, by photographers or the places of business themselves. The book Model Releases: A digital Photographer’s Guide, helps to clarify the meaning of much of the process and update advanced in print media and more in recent years.
The author has been a freelance photographer and photo industry analyst. His works have been featured in publicaiotns from news and business media to fine arts books. This book is the result of over five years of his research to model releases. He is well versed in the changing trends that have transformed books, the press, music and much more, in recent years. His knowledge is transmitted to this book in a very readable and understandable way.
The seven part book covers a wide range of important topics within its 288 pages. The titles of the parts of the book highlight the necessity of model releases. These are : Everyone’s doing it ; So what’s wrong; What’s a model release ; Understanding “use”; Analyzing the need for a model release; Dealing with photos of property; The business of Licensing. The book makes it much easier to clarify when releases are needed and not needed. What buyers need in the way of model releases, and those who don't need releases are summarized. Also included is information for marketing and licensing all your photos, whether they have been released or not. Also the author does the best he can in accumulating years of information and distilling helpful information in one book.
The book is relevant to those in the United States and abroad. The author helps to define in clear terms, what should be initiated and followed through, under many situations and circumstances. He is clear and concise so that misinformation does not occur and clarity of the releases are understood. The well illustrated text is a very comprehensive book available on the subject, covering everything you would to know about model releases. The releases pertain to people, places and additional circumstances. Much has changes in light of a photographer's role in the creation of photographs that may be uses on or in conjunction with the internet, with digital photography. newspapers, books and magazines.
Conclusions
This important book is both insightful and a pleasure to read and understand. The book is useful for everyone from professional photographers whose work involves photography to those amateur photographers who take vacation pictures on vacation, take photos of at their children' s teams/games, schools or more. This book also includes information about models themselves and what they can learn about their rights concerning how they can protect themselves and when that is not possible.
The importance of this book is highlighted by the fact that a well known GPS technology firm “stole” (or should we say “did not secure properly”), music from my daughter’s business/ firm. Whether it was on purpose or not, she had to set them straight and went through the proper channels. This was an interesting event and it served to highlight what should and needs to be done in the way of copyrighting materials. In addition, a firm in Africa wanted to use one of my photographs for their greeting cards. To make a long story short, I had to find that person and that firm, after they used my photographs, as the individual did not forward my payment. If I would have had the information from this book beforehand, I would have know the proper course of action to take to protect myself with the transaction. This book would have let me know, in advance, the proper procedures so that the situation would have not occurred. Now I am better prepared. And you will be too if you read this well prepared book.
Whether you are in business, work with photographs whether your home, business or personal use or involved in possible interactions with businesses, this book is well worth reading. There is something to be said for knowing and understanding your rights, as well as the rights of clients and businesses. That way you can make the best decision about your photos that possible will end up in businesses, books or other forms.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
iPod Saves Girl from Lightning Bolt Strike
(June 19) -- Sophie Frost was lucky to receive an ipod from her grandmother, not just for enjoying tunes on the go but for saving her life several days later when she was struck by a powerful bolt of lightning.
The 14-year-old British girl was hit by a 300,000-volt bolt while she and her boyfriend were standing underneath a tree. Although the impact knocked them both out and left them with minor burns, the electricity was diverted away from her vital organs, the Daily Mail reported.
http://www.gnn.com%2Farticle%2Fipod-saves-lightning-strike-victim%2F534805
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/19/ipod_lightning_strike/
The 14-year-old British girl was hit by a 300,000-volt bolt while she and her boyfriend were standing underneath a tree. Although the impact knocked them both out and left them with minor burns, the electricity was diverted away from her vital organs, the Daily Mail reported.
http://www.gnn.com%2Farticle%2Fipod-saves-lightning-strike-victim%2F534805
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/19/ipod_lightning_strike/
Monday, June 15, 2009
More on Snow Leopard
* More on Snow Leopard
After last week's Worldwide Developers' Conference, we now know
that Snow Leopard will cost Leopard users $29 ($49 for the family
pack) when it ships in September. But what do you get for your
$29? Are there more features than what Apple had previously
announced since first confirming Snow Leopard a year ago?
If you followed any of the WWDC keynote coverage, you know the
answer to that question is yes. In addition to Snow Leopard's
already-known features, Apple revealed some very interesting
things about the next major OS X release. I detail them all at
Macworld.com.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141038/2009/06/106features.html
- Rob Griffiths
=====================================================================
* Our Top Story
iPhone 3G S: What you need to know
We answer frequently-asked questions about Apple's new iPhone
http://www.macworld.com/article/141143/2009/06/iphone3gs_faq.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbintro
* Mac News and Reviews
The Macalope Weekly: WWDC fallout
As Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference draws to a close, the
Macalope examines the radioactive remains of this week's
announcements and predictions.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141121/2009/06/macalope_fallout.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
Reassessing the 'Apple Tax'
PC World's Michael Scalisi is rethinking the so-called Apple tax
after Monday's changes to the Mac laptop lineup.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141085/2009/06/appletax.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
What's new in iPhone 3.0
Apple showed off a number of the new features coming in iPhone
3.0 at Monday's WWDC keynote. While we saw many of them demoed
earlier this year, there were a few new surprises.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141069/2009/06/iphone3_new_features.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
The MacBook turns Pro
On Monday, Apple overhauled its entire laptop line. Dan Frakes
thinks the result is great for Mac laptop buyers, who can now pay
for performance rather than having to trade features for lower
price.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141046/2009/06/macbookgoespro.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
Canon PowerShot A480
If youre a tripod-shooter, a steady-handed photographer, or just
want a bargain-bin camera with good image quality, the PowerShot
A480 is worth a look.
http://www.macworld.com/article/140798/2009/06/powershot_a480.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
WWDC keynote in review
The star of the Monday's WWDC keynote may very well have been the
brand-new iPhone 3G Sboasting higher speeds and added features
such as voice control, video capture and a compass. But several
other products had their moment in the spotlight as well.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141050/2009/06/mwvodcast112.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
iPhone 3G S and the 'Uh Oh' moment
Sure, Monday's iPhone 3GS announcement may have unsettled some
phone manufacturers, but there may be broader implications for
gadget companies.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141039/2009/06/iphone3gs_and_gadgets.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
E3: iPhone Games Worth a Gander
E3 is over, but here's Chris Barylick's roundup of iPhone games
worth looking at -- titles that have either come out or will be
coming out soon.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141023/2009/06/iphoneroundup.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
Troubleshoot your Internet connection
Is your Net connection feeling poky? Are downloads taking
forever? The problem could lie anywhere along the line from your
Mac to your ISP. Glenn Fleishman explains how to get things back
up to speed.
http://www.macworld.com/article/140747/2009/06/troubleshootnetconnection.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
Image-placing shortcuts in Adobe InDesign
Adobe's InDesing page-layout application usually offers more than
one way to take care of a task. That's certainly the case for
placing images in a document. Join James Dempsey as he shows off
some ways to improve your productivity with a few handy keyboard
shortcuts.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141112/2009/06/indesign_imageshortcuts.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
MacBook Pro SD slot not just for digital camera cards
Apple's newest MacBook Pros feature built-in readers for Secure
Digital flash cards. But it turns out they can do more than just
help you offload your camera files.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141091/2009/06/sdcard_mbp.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
The Button as last resort
When a device has given up the ghost, the press of a couple of
key buttons could put things right.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141072/2009/06/the_button.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
=========================|advertisement|=============================
Try GoToMeeting FREE
Tired of traveling to meetings? Hold an online meeting. Try
GoToMeeting FREE.
http://www.pcworld.com/go/citrixmw.htm
=====================================================================
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(c)2009 Mac Publishing, L.L.C. All rights reserved. Reproduction in
whole or in part in any form or medium without express written
permission of Mac Publishing, is prohibited.
Macworld is a registered trademark of International Data Group,
Inc. All other trademarks used on Macworld, Macworld.com, and
MacCentral.com are the property of their respective owners.
Mac Publishing, L.L.C., 501 Second Street, San Francisco, CA
94107
After last week's Worldwide Developers' Conference, we now know
that Snow Leopard will cost Leopard users $29 ($49 for the family
pack) when it ships in September. But what do you get for your
$29? Are there more features than what Apple had previously
announced since first confirming Snow Leopard a year ago?
If you followed any of the WWDC keynote coverage, you know the
answer to that question is yes. In addition to Snow Leopard's
already-known features, Apple revealed some very interesting
things about the next major OS X release. I detail them all at
Macworld.com.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141038/2009/06/106features.html
- Rob Griffiths
=====================================================================
* Our Top Story
iPhone 3G S: What you need to know
We answer frequently-asked questions about Apple's new iPhone
http://www.macworld.com/article/141143/2009/06/iphone3gs_faq.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbintro
* Mac News and Reviews
The Macalope Weekly: WWDC fallout
As Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference draws to a close, the
Macalope examines the radioactive remains of this week's
announcements and predictions.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141121/2009/06/macalope_fallout.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
Reassessing the 'Apple Tax'
PC World's Michael Scalisi is rethinking the so-called Apple tax
after Monday's changes to the Mac laptop lineup.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141085/2009/06/appletax.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
What's new in iPhone 3.0
Apple showed off a number of the new features coming in iPhone
3.0 at Monday's WWDC keynote. While we saw many of them demoed
earlier this year, there were a few new surprises.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141069/2009/06/iphone3_new_features.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
The MacBook turns Pro
On Monday, Apple overhauled its entire laptop line. Dan Frakes
thinks the result is great for Mac laptop buyers, who can now pay
for performance rather than having to trade features for lower
price.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141046/2009/06/macbookgoespro.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
Canon PowerShot A480
If youre a tripod-shooter, a steady-handed photographer, or just
want a bargain-bin camera with good image quality, the PowerShot
A480 is worth a look.
http://www.macworld.com/article/140798/2009/06/powershot_a480.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
WWDC keynote in review
The star of the Monday's WWDC keynote may very well have been the
brand-new iPhone 3G Sboasting higher speeds and added features
such as voice control, video capture and a compass. But several
other products had their moment in the spotlight as well.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141050/2009/06/mwvodcast112.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
iPhone 3G S and the 'Uh Oh' moment
Sure, Monday's iPhone 3GS announcement may have unsettled some
phone manufacturers, but there may be broader implications for
gadget companies.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141039/2009/06/iphone3gs_and_gadgets.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
E3: iPhone Games Worth a Gander
E3 is over, but here's Chris Barylick's roundup of iPhone games
worth looking at -- titles that have either come out or will be
coming out soon.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141023/2009/06/iphoneroundup.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
Troubleshoot your Internet connection
Is your Net connection feeling poky? Are downloads taking
forever? The problem could lie anywhere along the line from your
Mac to your ISP. Glenn Fleishman explains how to get things back
up to speed.
http://www.macworld.com/article/140747/2009/06/troubleshootnetconnection.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
Image-placing shortcuts in Adobe InDesign
Adobe's InDesing page-layout application usually offers more than
one way to take care of a task. That's certainly the case for
placing images in a document. Join James Dempsey as he shows off
some ways to improve your productivity with a few handy keyboard
shortcuts.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141112/2009/06/indesign_imageshortcuts.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
MacBook Pro SD slot not just for digital camera cards
Apple's newest MacBook Pros feature built-in readers for Secure
Digital flash cards. But it turns out they can do more than just
help you offload your camera files.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141091/2009/06/sdcard_mbp.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
The Button as last resort
When a device has given up the ghost, the press of a couple of
key buttons could put things right.
http://www.macworld.com/article/141072/2009/06/the_button.html?lsrc=nl_mwweek_t_cbstories
=========================|advertisement|=============================
Try GoToMeeting FREE
Tired of traveling to meetings? Hold an online meeting. Try
GoToMeeting FREE.
http://www.pcworld.com/go/citrixmw.htm
=====================================================================
* Newsletter Subscription Resources
If you cannot click on the links in this newsletter, please try
copying the complete URL and pasting it into your browser's address
field.
Macworld newsletters subscription changes or cancellation:
http://www.macworld.com/newsletters/changesubs
To change the e-mail address on your newsletter subscription:
http://www.macworld.com/newsletters/changeemail
For newsletters questions or problems, please send an e-mail
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Subscribe to Macworld magazine: http://subscribe.macworld.com/
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Macworld Privacy Policy:
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For information about how to whitelist newsletters to insure that
you receive them, please consult our "How to Whitelist" page:
http://www.macworld.com/info/whitelist/index.php
(c)2009 Mac Publishing, L.L.C. All rights reserved. Reproduction in
whole or in part in any form or medium without express written
permission of Mac Publishing, is prohibited.
Macworld is a registered trademark of International Data Group,
Inc. All other trademarks used on Macworld, Macworld.com, and
MacCentral.com are the property of their respective owners.
Mac Publishing, L.L.C., 501 Second Street, San Francisco, CA
94107
Friday, June 5, 2009
Steve Jobs is coming back yeahhhh!!!
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is on track to return from medical leave this month, and
there is even speculation that he may be present at the company's annual
software developers' conference next week at San Francisco, The Wall Street
Journal reported Friday, quoting people familiar with the matter.
http://cwflyris.computerworld.com/t/5205501/1394971/195498/0/
there is even speculation that he may be present at the company's annual
software developers' conference next week at San Francisco, The Wall Street
Journal reported Friday, quoting people familiar with the matter.
http://cwflyris.computerworld.com/t/5205501/1394971/195498/0/
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Universe is not fair- humor cartoon
Now people are beginning to complain about Facebook and Twitter. See what computer they are using?
http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/1243.html
http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/1243.html
Thursday, April 9, 2009
MIcrosoft loses one battle- is Apple next?
If Apple does not win on a violation of touch screen technology, they will owe a lot of money. How much your guess is as good as mine. The question really is did Apple know that it knowingly was impinging upon copyrighted technology?
by Stevie Smith - Apr 9 2009, 15:30
http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200915/3417/Apple-accused-of-violating-touch-screen-technology-patents
Microsoft loses Uniloc patent case and $388 million
by Stevie Smith - Apr 9 2009, 16:00
http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200915/3419/Microsoft-loses-Uniloc-patent-case-and-388-million
by Stevie Smith - Apr 9 2009, 15:30
http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200915/3417/Apple-accused-of-violating-touch-screen-technology-patents
Microsoft loses Uniloc patent case and $388 million
by Stevie Smith - Apr 9 2009, 16:00
http://www.thetechherald.com/article.php/200915/3419/Microsoft-loses-Uniloc-patent-case-and-388-million
Thursday, April 2, 2009
10 Great Things about the Mac OSX
The MacOSX just keeps getting better and better. Here is Macworlds opinion on it's 10 best.
http://www.macworld.com/article/139598/2009/03/osxturns8.html?lsrc=mwweek
http://www.macworld.com/article/139598/2009/03/osxturns8.html?lsrc=mwweek
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Keeping your Mac in Shape and Surviving Mac Disasters
Bakcups are very important but there is more that you can do as well
http://www.maclife.com/article/feature/how_survive_17_worst_mac_disasters
http://www.maclife.com/article/feature/how_survive_17_worst_mac_disasters
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Snow Leopard operating system update
One great thing about about usin Macintosh is the great operating system. It is always being updated and tweaked and there is rumor that June 8 is the date for Snow Leopard. More here
http://www.macuser.co.uk/news/249273
http://www.macuser.co.uk/news/249273
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
iPod & iTunes for Dummies(6th Edition)
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
Authors: Tony Bove
Publisher: Wiley (Wiley.com), 10475 Crosspoint Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46256
Released: 2008
Pages: 418
$ 22 USA
$ 24 Canada
14 Europe
ISBN: 978-0-470-39062-7
Strengths: Covers iPod, iPhone and Apple TV models available the latest version of iTunes. It’s a good guide to begin with anywhere and find information in that section. There is a helpful front tear (cheat) sheet has information about shortcuts, visual icons target additional information, tips and techniques. Good breadth and depth of information. Last section is most useful for intermediate to advanced users but possibly before chapter 16 as well. There are also companion sites for bonus chapters. Five helpful bonus chapters are located at an alternate dummies website. Comes with 90 minutes step-by-step DVD with instructions concerning how to make the most of your iPod and iTunes. Music Match, PC iPod users may find the information about this application useful.
Weaknesses: Black and white, text and screenshots did not “brighten up the instruction”. Too many words in places that don’t show/ define the helpful information more easily ( some of these are nested inside the long paragraphs, in and around, Tips and Remember extra notes). Hierarchical shortcut methods would have been easier to notice and read if they were in bold face.
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
by Dr. Eric Flescher (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
Rating: 4.5/5
Itunes and iPods have single handily changed and continue to change our thinking about music. This book is a guide to allow music lovers to “get up to speed “ about hardware and software development Like many, I have used iTunes since it first came out. I am mainly interested in finding out helpful information about current development with the iTunes and other music developments that I did not know about.
The book includes 22 chapters which span a full range of ideas and information about iPod, iTunes and more. The author, a composer and touring musician, has written books related to computing, desktop publishing and multimedia including for Garageband and more. The main intent was to see if I could learn and more “ pearls of wisdom”.
There is a nice introduction ( interesting historical information about the first iTunes). Part 1 deals with setting up and working with media content while Part 2 focus is on managing your media content. Part 3 keys on the iPod but also now included the iPhone while while including Wifi information which continues to be be important to me and others. Part 4 includes iPod and Iphone and using these devices on the road. Part 5 outlines additional ways to work with your iPod while includes, “The part of Tens” ( information on problems, solutions and tips )about iPods, IPhones, Apple TV and web resources. The index includes Musicmatch Jukebox, managing the library while the bonus chapter 3, includes advanced Music match techniques.
Conclusions
This book is easy to read and provides much that is useful to beginners and intermediate users. The basics are well covered with helpful hints. But I did not see anything really enlightening in my case.
But the best part I6 found that might be most useful, were the chapters beyond 16: updating your iPod, iphone and Apple TV ; resetting an iPod touch or iphone; synchronizing personal info with your ipod and iPhone.
I’d recommend this book for someone who wants to update their knowledge about their home and multimedia, with iTunes and some of the other equipment. However much of this book looks like previous versions for the most part. If you don't’ have an iPhone or iTouch, you won’t use those two chapters near the end.
Loads of good information about wireless information, sound and music ideas including nice section about utilizing the equalizer, encoding audio, enhancing your music library, mobile iPod on the move and more. Ten iPod problems and solutions is well done. If you use the PC version of iPod and use Music Match to work with your iPod music library, this book also me helpful for you. If you have a PC, iPod and iTunes this may be most helpful.
All in all, this book is a good resource library for most who are starting with iPod and iTunes on a Mac or PC. But it just did not have enough new information for my particular needs. Most will find this version of this book helpful if they are first time readers of this guide. However if you are like me and don’t have an iPod, iTouch or Apple TV player just the iTunes, you already may know most of the information. The bonus DVD did not give me more information that I already knew. Sometime extra multimedia can be over kill. But like I said, if you are still looking for added insights, especially if you are a new comer or have limited use of iTunes or just purchasing iPhone, iTouch, you may find the book and DVD more helpful then I did. It just did not have enough new information for me “even with the fluff”.
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
Authors: Tony Bove
Publisher: Wiley (Wiley.com), 10475 Crosspoint Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46256
Released: 2008
Pages: 418
$ 22 USA
$ 24 Canada
14 Europe
ISBN: 978-0-470-39062-7
Strengths: Covers iPod, iPhone and Apple TV models available the latest version of iTunes. It’s a good guide to begin with anywhere and find information in that section. There is a helpful front tear (cheat) sheet has information about shortcuts, visual icons target additional information, tips and techniques. Good breadth and depth of information. Last section is most useful for intermediate to advanced users but possibly before chapter 16 as well. There are also companion sites for bonus chapters. Five helpful bonus chapters are located at an alternate dummies website. Comes with 90 minutes step-by-step DVD with instructions concerning how to make the most of your iPod and iTunes. Music Match, PC iPod users may find the information about this application useful.
Weaknesses: Black and white, text and screenshots did not “brighten up the instruction”. Too many words in places that don’t show/ define the helpful information more easily ( some of these are nested inside the long paragraphs, in and around, Tips and Remember extra notes). Hierarchical shortcut methods would have been easier to notice and read if they were in bold face.
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
by Dr. Eric Flescher (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
Rating: 4.5/5
Itunes and iPods have single handily changed and continue to change our thinking about music. This book is a guide to allow music lovers to “get up to speed “ about hardware and software development Like many, I have used iTunes since it first came out. I am mainly interested in finding out helpful information about current development with the iTunes and other music developments that I did not know about.
The book includes 22 chapters which span a full range of ideas and information about iPod, iTunes and more. The author, a composer and touring musician, has written books related to computing, desktop publishing and multimedia including for Garageband and more. The main intent was to see if I could learn and more “ pearls of wisdom”.
There is a nice introduction ( interesting historical information about the first iTunes). Part 1 deals with setting up and working with media content while Part 2 focus is on managing your media content. Part 3 keys on the iPod but also now included the iPhone while while including Wifi information which continues to be be important to me and others. Part 4 includes iPod and Iphone and using these devices on the road. Part 5 outlines additional ways to work with your iPod while includes, “The part of Tens” ( information on problems, solutions and tips )about iPods, IPhones, Apple TV and web resources. The index includes Musicmatch Jukebox, managing the library while the bonus chapter 3, includes advanced Music match techniques.
Conclusions
This book is easy to read and provides much that is useful to beginners and intermediate users. The basics are well covered with helpful hints. But I did not see anything really enlightening in my case.
But the best part I6 found that might be most useful, were the chapters beyond 16: updating your iPod, iphone and Apple TV ; resetting an iPod touch or iphone; synchronizing personal info with your ipod and iPhone.
I’d recommend this book for someone who wants to update their knowledge about their home and multimedia, with iTunes and some of the other equipment. However much of this book looks like previous versions for the most part. If you don't’ have an iPhone or iTouch, you won’t use those two chapters near the end.
Loads of good information about wireless information, sound and music ideas including nice section about utilizing the equalizer, encoding audio, enhancing your music library, mobile iPod on the move and more. Ten iPod problems and solutions is well done. If you use the PC version of iPod and use Music Match to work with your iPod music library, this book also me helpful for you. If you have a PC, iPod and iTunes this may be most helpful.
All in all, this book is a good resource library for most who are starting with iPod and iTunes on a Mac or PC. But it just did not have enough new information for my particular needs. Most will find this version of this book helpful if they are first time readers of this guide. However if you are like me and don’t have an iPod, iTouch or Apple TV player just the iTunes, you already may know most of the information. The bonus DVD did not give me more information that I already knew. Sometime extra multimedia can be over kill. But like I said, if you are still looking for added insights, especially if you are a new comer or have limited use of iTunes or just purchasing iPhone, iTouch, you may find the book and DVD more helpful then I did. It just did not have enough new information for me “even with the fluff”.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Dreamweaver CS4: The Missing Manual review
Dreamweaver CS4: The Missing Manual
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
Author: David Sawyer McFarland
Publisher: Oreilly Media, , Inc. ,1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Released: 2009
Pages: 1066
$45 USA
$45 Canada
ISBN: 978-0-596-522926-6
Strengths: This massive book is well designed and is packed with helpful information. The index is well written. This book includes a very nice set of introductory based guides and information so that novice Dreamweaver users or those who have switched over, can learn how to use the software. There is a “CD” on a website for additional information. Intuitively written book with lots of helpful ideas, information and tutorials. There are tutorials and a program that can be downloaded for free, that allows importation of Go Live files/websites, so that users don’t have to start completely all over. Uses can work with Dreamweaver and your favorite files almost immediately. Excellent guidance section is integrated and goes along now with Dreamweaver CS4. Dreamweaver CS4 now is much more user friendly because it is now integrated with Adobe related interface features.
Weaknesses: The book has only black/white text / color.
Novice/ Intermediate/ Advanced
Rating: 5/5
insert dream1.jpg
Introduction
Dreamweaver has been, for most part , recognized as a web developers’ “tour de force”, for website design. It has remained as the choice for designing websites for many years due to its lofty reputation and being the “standard” for website design. Mostly this reputation has come about due to its complex and feature laden design in one package. Dreamweaver has been a real nightmare for me however. My disdain for Dreamweaver has been a long one. Unwieldy, hard to figure out, even with the guidance of tutorials, it was highly non-intuitive and very not user friendly. In 2000, after dropping my use of Dreamweaver, I was able to produce good websites, within a week, with its new found nemesis, GoLive. Since that time, I have watched with interest the battle between Golive and Dreamweaver, year in and year out. They have always been “neck and neck” with Dreamweaver having a few more innovations. But overall, Golive was more intuitive and a better visual tool. Still, like it or not, Dreamweaver was the “main weapon” in website building, even as both Golive and Dreamweaver became more powerful.
When Adobe took over Dreamweaver, the “writing was on the wall”. Golive would soon be left for dead. My feeling was that Adobe bought Dreamweaver to use the best of Golive, meld it into Dreamweaver and gradually improve other parts of it. My feelings now are borne out by working through Dreamweaver CS4: The Missing Manual. My intention was to delve into its guiding principals and see if I could finally quell my disdain for Dreamweaver.
The Missing Manual book series is written by David Pogue, the New York Times Technology columnist, who continues to be the author at the helm of this series. The words on the front cover of the book say it is “the book that should have been in the box”. For the most part, you can call this the main theme of this series of books. The series books are self help guidebooks for learning how to use software and hardware that usually and only comes with the meager original documentation or manuals.
This book, authored by David Sawyer McFarland, is a media and website developer since 1995. He has produced a massive but thoughtfully written guide. The fact that this author is also a writer, trainer and instructor and has taught many classes involving Dreamweaver, is borne out and is also self evident in the ways that he has thoughtfully crafted this book.
This book is more a guide then a “textbook”. That is the main intent for the The Missing Manual series books, as well as in this book. There are a short hand system of arrows that replaces the use of “much more text laden information” . These guide the user through the learning process in a much more efficient manner. Illustrations and additional visual aids are in black and white. This is a drawback but screenshots are, for the most part, of ample size and very readable. Throughout the book, there are helpful tips, help boxes, notes along with some very nice tables (conversions for different formats. Throughout the book, there are helpful ideas in the way of tips, (called: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) , Power Users Clinic, Work around Workshop, and more), sprinkled throughout the seven parts of the 1065 page massive book. The author helps the user cover “a lot of ground” but admirably, one can start from the beginning.
insert dream2tutsoverview.jpg
In this book, there is guidance within its 26 chapters. These are: Building web pages; Building better web pages; Bringing your pages to Life; Building a web site; Dreamweaver CS4Power; Dynamic Dreamweaver. The complexity grows with some chapters but at least there is a guidance as you progress from which ever place you start. Adobe has built a good user friendly area to learn about many facets of the Dreamweaver. This new area makes learning with this book even better and supplements the assistance of this book.
The Appendix A has an assistance help section with more information on-line which in the long run can help speed up finding more ideas and information. That combined with this book made for a much more pleasurable learning experience then when I first started with Dreamweaver. Appendix B has menu by menu descriptions for Dreamweaver CS4. Unfortunately there is just text here and no visuals and screenshots are available in this section. Finally, the huge index is well done and was very helpful.
Conclusions:
I am not happy that GoLive will slowly go the way of the “Dodo bird”. But I could see the “ writing on the wall” when Adobe acquired Dreamweaver. My only wish was that Dreamweaver would some how become a better program and be more user friendly for me as well as others, (should they choose to work with Dreamweaver). This wish has been fulfilled to a great extent. This book includes down to earth, basic, easy to understand tutorials. My main thought was, I “wish I had this book “ when I was first starting out with Dreamweaver.
What I also like about this book are the “little things”, that make reading and understanding, a more pleasurable experience. Codes, application terminology and more are outlined and explained. There is a better understanding and guidance of the information. Tutorials are well outlined in all parts of the book. By explaining, what is needed and why, applications etc are necessary, one appreciates also and learns better from this book. There are informative answers and examples which make for even greater understanding. You learn because you understand, not because “someone is teaching you and wants your to understand it”. Step by step guides also provide substantial assistance, whether you use Macintosh or PC/ Windows. In fact, I found that even though this software version is made for Macintosh G5 with lots of ram, I was able to workaround many aspects of Dreamweaver with my current ancient old flat panel Imac with 900 mgz! ( You can download Dreamweaver for a free trial by the way).
Finally if you are a Golive or Dreamweaver user, novice to advanced, take a look at this book. While it doesn’t wipe away my frustration with Dreamweaver over the years, this book and the author’s way of writin this book, has given me a new outlook on this application nemesis. Hopefully one day, I can call Dreamweaver a true “friend “ for website building. At least my journey has begun. Time will tell but at least with this book, I as well as others can have a good start or begin to improve and learn website building . Check it out to see if this book can meet your needs with Dreamweaver.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Don't get an Epson printer
It has taken more then a year for me to get my Epson 220 printer to work. I tried the CD, looked in forums for ideas but never could get the printer to work and print successfully. Epson was no help at all and does not have a help center.
Epson has not done a very good job of pointing out the way for Mac users to use their printers. They say they support Macs but regarding my experiences, there have been little help by Epson. Finally I found some drivers on the Apple site that worked.
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supAdvice.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes¬eoid=17764
I found this finally
Q:What is EPSON doing to make more OS X support available?
A: EPSON is "fully committed " to supporting the Mac OS X operating system. Our engineers are working aggressively with Apple to optimize print quality and other image features within the OS X operating system so that EPSON products will continue to provide the best image quality, as they do with other operating systems.
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?oid=60202&prodoid=58654761&infoType=Downloads&platform=Macintosh
Macintosh OS X Feature Update
If you just purchased your printer, the printer software CD-ROM in the box contains
additional Macintosh OS X features that were not covered in the rest of your printer
documentation.
If you downloaded this software, please note that it contains additional Macintosh
OSX features that were not covered in the rest of your printer documentation.
? Your printer can now use the following features in Mac® OS X 10.1.3 or higher:
? Borderless printing
? Roll paper printing (and automatic cutting on certain printers)
? Minimized margin printing
Follow the instructions below to add and use these printing features.
? If your printer includes a memory card slot for transferring pictures from a digital
camera storage card, your software now includes the necessary storage drivers for
use with Mac OS X 10.2.x. Follow the instructions in your printer
documentation to use storage cards with your printer.
Adding Printer Features on OS X
Make sure you’ve installed your printer software and added your printer as described
in your printer documentation. Then make sure that your printer is turned on and
connected to your Macintosh. Follow these steps:
1. Open your OS X Applications folder, then open the Utilities folder and select
Print Center. You see the Printer List shown on page2.
If your printer is shown in the list, go to step 2.
If your printer isn’t listed, make sure it is turned on and connected to your
Macintosh. Click Add or Add Printer, then go to step 4.
2. Click the printer name.
Epson has not done a very good job of pointing out the way for Mac users to use their printers. They say they support Macs but regarding my experiences, there have been little help by Epson. Finally I found some drivers on the Apple site that worked.
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supAdvice.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes¬eoid=17764
I found this finally
Q:What is EPSON doing to make more OS X support available?
A: EPSON is "fully committed " to supporting the Mac OS X operating system. Our engineers are working aggressively with Apple to optimize print quality and other image features within the OS X operating system so that EPSON products will continue to provide the best image quality, as they do with other operating systems.
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?oid=60202&prodoid=58654761&infoType=Downloads&platform=Macintosh
Macintosh OS X Feature Update
If you just purchased your printer, the printer software CD-ROM in the box contains
additional Macintosh OS X features that were not covered in the rest of your printer
documentation.
If you downloaded this software, please note that it contains additional Macintosh
OSX features that were not covered in the rest of your printer documentation.
? Your printer can now use the following features in Mac® OS X 10.1.3 or higher:
? Borderless printing
? Roll paper printing (and automatic cutting on certain printers)
? Minimized margin printing
Follow the instructions below to add and use these printing features.
? If your printer includes a memory card slot for transferring pictures from a digital
camera storage card, your software now includes the necessary storage drivers for
use with Mac OS X 10.2.x. Follow the instructions in your printer
documentation to use storage cards with your printer.
Adding Printer Features on OS X
Make sure you’ve installed your printer software and added your printer as described
in your printer documentation. Then make sure that your printer is turned on and
connected to your Macintosh. Follow these steps:
1. Open your OS X Applications folder, then open the Utilities folder and select
Print Center. You see the Printer List shown on page2.
If your printer is shown in the list, go to step 2.
If your printer isn’t listed, make sure it is turned on and connected to your
Macintosh. Click Add or Add Printer, then go to step 4.
2. Click the printer name.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
iFrogz Earpollution earphones my review
BLASTmedia
11313 USA Parkway, Suite B-302, Fishers, IN 46037
P 317.806.1900 x 115
F 317.806.1422
http://ifrogz.com/earpollution/
http://ifrogz.com/proddetail.php?prod=EPToxix
Strengths: They come in a variety of colors. Great prices. Extremely fashionable. Stylish and good looking. High fidelity sound at a ood price. Over the ear models are very light and comfortable. Earbuds and other styles as well.
Weakenesses: Not as clear on the vocalization part (based on my iTune setting) but pretty good though.
Ratings:5/5
Reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS(dreric1kansas@aol.com)
I have had all types of earphones over the years. While I don’t own an iPod, I’ve used earphones extensively fwith my iMac computer and iTunes, on my laptop and on jets.I am not an “earbud person” but prefer the” on the ear fit because for me, these feel more comfortable. When I look for a good earphone, I look for ones that are comfortable, light weight, have good fidelity and are good the price. Well I am happy to say that all these factors are in the excellent category.
I heard about these new iFrogz Earpollution line of earphones which launched in November 2008 ( Before then, iFrogz only offered the D-33 earbuds, but no other earbuds/headphones). . Based in Logan, Utah, it is a leading developer of accessories for iPod™ and other consumer electronics with the expressed intent to individualize the look of music lovers iPods and additional music related devices. EarPollution is the name for the new features which include three different types of headphones : eardbuds, on-the-ear and DJ-style. These are currently available online and in retail stores and there are different types to choose from to meet your needs. These affordable earphones come in a variety of fashionable colors (silver, gold etc). Each type of headphone in the new EarPollution line features three or more different styles that vary in function as well as look. All of the new headphone styles give crisp, clean stereo sound.
Providing unique styles have been a trade mark of this company’s designs of accessories. There are a three types of Earbuds: D33 – Noise isolating with a snug, secure fit and rich, deep sound. Each package includes three ear fits and a convenient travel case; Plugz – Noise isolating headphones that provide a crisp sound and the comfort of direct-to-ear delivery. Each pair includes three ear fit pieces ; Metal Drumz – Noise isolation with a sleek metal direct-to-ear delivery. Each set features clean stereo 20 sound and dynamic bass. I am not an earbud fan and so I let my wife test those out. (She liked the fit ).
insert ifrogzearpollution.jpg
There are several option/ characteristics for the earphones that make them highly desirable for use with iPods, MP3 players, for music, listening and other activities.
insert ifrogsearthphonetypes.jpg
Earbud style earphones includes the following:
D33 ($19.95) are noise isolating with a comfortable, secure fit and give a rich, deep sound. Each package includes three ear fits and a convenient travel case.
Plugz ($14.95) are noise isolating headphones that provide a crisp sound and the comfort of direct-to-ear delivery. Each pair includes three ear fit pieces.
Metal Drumz include noise isolation within a sleek metal direct-to-ear delivery. Each set features clean stereo sound and dynamic bass. The speaker is wrapped with a chrome accent and each 3.5mm jack is encased in a stylish metal sleeve.
On-the-ear has these features.
Toxix ($19.99)– Stereo headphones offering a stylish and comfortable fit. I particularly like the way they are adjustable to fit your ears and the way I wanted them to fit around the padded phones. I liked the simple grey fashion color.
ThrowBax ($29.95) – Offer a little more options and are stylish, retro design and comfortable with a fit which yield a deep bass and smooth stereo. Metallic coated speaker cups easily adjust for a perfect fit along the metal side rails. Each pair also features padded ear cups for extra comfort and noise isolation.
Nerve Pipes – Feature chrome multihued accents and contrasting color. Comfort cushion ear cups, a foldable headband and rotational hinges adjust for the perfect fit. Each pair offers deep rich bass and smooth stereo sound.
Fallout – A traditional fit offering smooth tones and dynamic bass. Each pair features comfortable cushion ear cups for extra noise isolation, chrome accents and contrasting color.
insert EqualizeriTunesAcousticsetting.jpg
I don’t have the expensive top of the line Bose acoustic ear canceling headphones headphone, which is supposed to be (one of ) the best so I can’t provide a direct comparisons. However I did a lot of research and bought the popular Sony noise canceling headphones MDR-NC6 ( which at that time were a little more then 2 times the price of these). These have a slight thin padding over the ear cups while the earpollution ones don’t have a pad over the top. I would compare these to the Toxix earphones with the a nice inner reservoir which contrasted with the Sony’s fit of a padding over the reservoir. The Sony also uses a battery that can turn off/on the noise canceling. This is on the right side of the headphone while t he ear jack connects to the left side. The Toxix also has this configuration with the ear jack on the left (seeing which one is left/right is a little more difficult to see but is evident after l looked more closely.
Insert my19songstesting.jpg
I am not a musician by any means. I only can do a little dabbling with piano and that’s it. My children are much more musically inclined and know more then I do about music. They know and hear the subtle parts of music, instruments and harmony when they play their instruments and listen to their music on their iPods. I enjoy music and the musical scores that are my favorites. So I have to go with my what I hear. I also have to admit that I wear hearing aids because I have lost some of the” high end noise” capabilities. I use hearing aids mostly when working with students in the classrooms and in public. When I listen to music, it is 90% of the time with headphones on my Imac. I can hear the subtle sounds and basically am focusing on the music now and what pleases my ears and the sounds I expect to hear when I listen to my music. I don’t use the hearing aids when I listen to the music with the earphones. I am hearing what comes to me through the headphones.
I had to set up a way to test the earphones while playing my music on my Imac and my iTunes. I chose 19 of my songs and put them on a playlist and then whittled the list down to one song to compare for this review. That one that I selected for the final decision was Arrowsmith’s Armegedon because of the musical score, voice accentuation and the full range of instruments employed
Basically to test the fidelity, I made the following settings on my iTunes by first setting my iTunes to the following:
iTunes > Windows (setting) > Equalizer > Acoustics.
I put the earphones to the test by listening to my favorite (no snickers please) music that I enjoy and felt would highlight the different instruments, music and voices to compare and contrast. I listened to a range of ones that I liked for this testing playlisting. I then compared these to my other earphones.
I finally narrowed it down to one song to test Arrowsmith’s Armegedon. This song has the drumming in the background and with the music flashing back and forth between the different sides of the headphones. Full range of orchestra instruments to listen to and “zone in on”. I wanted to see whether the earphones would transmit certain sounds that I expect to t hear. The tingling of the triangle instrument in the background near the end, the vocalization, the violins and more. Then I rated the song by listening through the earphones alternating each pair and then trying to decipher and write down the differences if any. I did this 10 times for each headphone for this Armegedon song.
Conclusions:
This was tough as they are both good models. I basically was evaluating the earphones on three characteristics that I selected as I felt these are what and most people look for when they order/buy headphones.
(1) Style and comfort : Toxix 10/10 (exceptional) with Sony 9/10 (good).
For style, the iFrogz are more stylish and have more colors.These headphones are light, smart looking and are versatile. The ear buds have different parts to them which create even more comfort. Each pair also features comfort cushion ear cups. They both were adjustable although the Sony’s were a little easier to adjust as the track was not as “sticky”. Comparing I give the Topix 10/10 to the Sony functional not splashy but nice 8/10. The Toxix are little lighter but I really like the padding with the Sony. While that makes them slightly heavier they are very comfortable and I love them too. Hard to decide but the edge goes to Topix.
(2) Fidelity : Toxix 9/10 (exceptional) with Sony 10/10 (good).
Sony I could hear that the piano was a little cleaner. I noticed with the drums blending in really clearly. With the Sony, I could hear the subtle low piano sounds in the background in the beginning and then followed later with the drums over it with the choral instruments. There is a tingling instrumental in the background as the words flow along. I could hear the tingling trailing off in the end.The violin with a little clearer. More music was coming out of the left ear. Lots of the tingling in the background which was very clear and distinct. Not as much base. I felt that the sound resonating from the reservoir made it more melodic. There seemed to be less bass sound and much more of the subtle instruments in the background and I could hear the bugle like instruments clearly. The tingling triangle was there at times throughout. There was a lot of resonance back and forth with the two sides of my headphone. The violins were really melodic and stretched and you could hear the violins going all the way until they lowered and died out. It took many trials but I noticed that the vocalization was very clean. It melded with the symphonic sounds well.
I felt that the Topix had more base sounds in the beginning. The piano was really evident in the beginning and was a little cleaner with the drums and the violin in the beginning. Some of the sounds were a little shrill. There was a lot of blending of the instruments. Horns were in the background. I could hear the tingling and could hear the violins in the background. The piano sounds were clear. I seem to notice the bugle type instruments better. I could hear the "tingling triangle sounds" but it was a little muted. Had a little more base throughout. I liked the stereophonic blending between and back and forth both sides. The instruments in the background were not as evident. In the end the music trailed off with the triangle blending. I finally targeted that the vocalization was definitely not as clean.
This was really tough. The headphones are both tremendous and sounded great. It took 10 trials to find out which had a edge. The edge in fidelity goes to Sony because the vocalization was much cleaner. The lead singer had a much clearer tone even when it seemed like he was “screaming”. It sounded less “hoarse”.
(3) Price (for performance): Toxix 10/10 (exceptional) with Sony 8/10 (good).
So the final tally is Toxix (29/30) to Sony (27/30). But your tally might depend on your musical needs and more.
There are many reasons to buy one headphone over another. I chose my three top preferences. What I like is that both these earphones provide the music that is very engaged and easy for listening. They are both comfortable with little differences between the two. With the Toxix, being lighter, I almost forget I am wearing them. In fact, if they have a model someday that is not tethered to the device, these might be ideal. The Sony is a little cleaner sounding with the vocalization. If I would fly on a jet as I will do soon, I will take the Sony because of the noise cancellation capabilities to test those and possibly compare to these at that time. But that’s in the future.
Lastly, both earphones are great sounding but the edge may go with you if you prefer different colors and styles. Check out the Toxix earphones are great buy for the price, acoustics and their styles. They would go well with any music device, many iPod/ MP3 player colors . If I were you, I would run out, find them, try them out and/or buy them. I think you will be as glad as I am. Plus I did not have to “break my bank” to hear some cool, soothing music!
11313 USA Parkway, Suite B-302, Fishers, IN 46037
P 317.806.1900 x 115
F 317.806.1422
http://ifrogz.com/earpollution/
http://ifrogz.com/proddetail.php?prod=EPToxix
Strengths: They come in a variety of colors. Great prices. Extremely fashionable. Stylish and good looking. High fidelity sound at a ood price. Over the ear models are very light and comfortable. Earbuds and other styles as well.
Weakenesses: Not as clear on the vocalization part (based on my iTune setting) but pretty good though.
Ratings:5/5
Reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS(dreric1kansas@aol.com)
I have had all types of earphones over the years. While I don’t own an iPod, I’ve used earphones extensively fwith my iMac computer and iTunes, on my laptop and on jets.I am not an “earbud person” but prefer the” on the ear fit because for me, these feel more comfortable. When I look for a good earphone, I look for ones that are comfortable, light weight, have good fidelity and are good the price. Well I am happy to say that all these factors are in the excellent category.
I heard about these new iFrogz Earpollution line of earphones which launched in November 2008 ( Before then, iFrogz only offered the D-33 earbuds, but no other earbuds/headphones). . Based in Logan, Utah, it is a leading developer of accessories for iPod™ and other consumer electronics with the expressed intent to individualize the look of music lovers iPods and additional music related devices. EarPollution is the name for the new features which include three different types of headphones : eardbuds, on-the-ear and DJ-style. These are currently available online and in retail stores and there are different types to choose from to meet your needs. These affordable earphones come in a variety of fashionable colors (silver, gold etc). Each type of headphone in the new EarPollution line features three or more different styles that vary in function as well as look. All of the new headphone styles give crisp, clean stereo sound.
Providing unique styles have been a trade mark of this company’s designs of accessories. There are a three types of Earbuds: D33 – Noise isolating with a snug, secure fit and rich, deep sound. Each package includes three ear fits and a convenient travel case; Plugz – Noise isolating headphones that provide a crisp sound and the comfort of direct-to-ear delivery. Each pair includes three ear fit pieces ; Metal Drumz – Noise isolation with a sleek metal direct-to-ear delivery. Each set features clean stereo 20 sound and dynamic bass. I am not an earbud fan and so I let my wife test those out. (She liked the fit ).
insert ifrogzearpollution.jpg
There are several option/ characteristics for the earphones that make them highly desirable for use with iPods, MP3 players, for music, listening and other activities.
insert ifrogsearthphonetypes.jpg
Earbud style earphones includes the following:
D33 ($19.95) are noise isolating with a comfortable, secure fit and give a rich, deep sound. Each package includes three ear fits and a convenient travel case.
Plugz ($14.95) are noise isolating headphones that provide a crisp sound and the comfort of direct-to-ear delivery. Each pair includes three ear fit pieces.
Metal Drumz include noise isolation within a sleek metal direct-to-ear delivery. Each set features clean stereo sound and dynamic bass. The speaker is wrapped with a chrome accent and each 3.5mm jack is encased in a stylish metal sleeve.
On-the-ear has these features.
Toxix ($19.99)– Stereo headphones offering a stylish and comfortable fit. I particularly like the way they are adjustable to fit your ears and the way I wanted them to fit around the padded phones. I liked the simple grey fashion color.
ThrowBax ($29.95) – Offer a little more options and are stylish, retro design and comfortable with a fit which yield a deep bass and smooth stereo. Metallic coated speaker cups easily adjust for a perfect fit along the metal side rails. Each pair also features padded ear cups for extra comfort and noise isolation.
Nerve Pipes – Feature chrome multihued accents and contrasting color. Comfort cushion ear cups, a foldable headband and rotational hinges adjust for the perfect fit. Each pair offers deep rich bass and smooth stereo sound.
Fallout – A traditional fit offering smooth tones and dynamic bass. Each pair features comfortable cushion ear cups for extra noise isolation, chrome accents and contrasting color.
insert EqualizeriTunesAcousticsetting.jpg
I don’t have the expensive top of the line Bose acoustic ear canceling headphones headphone, which is supposed to be (one of ) the best so I can’t provide a direct comparisons. However I did a lot of research and bought the popular Sony noise canceling headphones MDR-NC6 ( which at that time were a little more then 2 times the price of these). These have a slight thin padding over the ear cups while the earpollution ones don’t have a pad over the top. I would compare these to the Toxix earphones with the a nice inner reservoir which contrasted with the Sony’s fit of a padding over the reservoir. The Sony also uses a battery that can turn off/on the noise canceling. This is on the right side of the headphone while t he ear jack connects to the left side. The Toxix also has this configuration with the ear jack on the left (seeing which one is left/right is a little more difficult to see but is evident after l looked more closely.
Insert my19songstesting.jpg
I am not a musician by any means. I only can do a little dabbling with piano and that’s it. My children are much more musically inclined and know more then I do about music. They know and hear the subtle parts of music, instruments and harmony when they play their instruments and listen to their music on their iPods. I enjoy music and the musical scores that are my favorites. So I have to go with my what I hear. I also have to admit that I wear hearing aids because I have lost some of the” high end noise” capabilities. I use hearing aids mostly when working with students in the classrooms and in public. When I listen to music, it is 90% of the time with headphones on my Imac. I can hear the subtle sounds and basically am focusing on the music now and what pleases my ears and the sounds I expect to hear when I listen to my music. I don’t use the hearing aids when I listen to the music with the earphones. I am hearing what comes to me through the headphones.
I had to set up a way to test the earphones while playing my music on my Imac and my iTunes. I chose 19 of my songs and put them on a playlist and then whittled the list down to one song to compare for this review. That one that I selected for the final decision was Arrowsmith’s Armegedon because of the musical score, voice accentuation and the full range of instruments employed
Basically to test the fidelity, I made the following settings on my iTunes by first setting my iTunes to the following:
iTunes > Windows (setting) > Equalizer > Acoustics.
I put the earphones to the test by listening to my favorite (no snickers please) music that I enjoy and felt would highlight the different instruments, music and voices to compare and contrast. I listened to a range of ones that I liked for this testing playlisting. I then compared these to my other earphones.
I finally narrowed it down to one song to test Arrowsmith’s Armegedon. This song has the drumming in the background and with the music flashing back and forth between the different sides of the headphones. Full range of orchestra instruments to listen to and “zone in on”. I wanted to see whether the earphones would transmit certain sounds that I expect to t hear. The tingling of the triangle instrument in the background near the end, the vocalization, the violins and more. Then I rated the song by listening through the earphones alternating each pair and then trying to decipher and write down the differences if any. I did this 10 times for each headphone for this Armegedon song.
Conclusions:
This was tough as they are both good models. I basically was evaluating the earphones on three characteristics that I selected as I felt these are what and most people look for when they order/buy headphones.
(1) Style and comfort : Toxix 10/10 (exceptional) with Sony 9/10 (good).
For style, the iFrogz are more stylish and have more colors.These headphones are light, smart looking and are versatile. The ear buds have different parts to them which create even more comfort. Each pair also features comfort cushion ear cups. They both were adjustable although the Sony’s were a little easier to adjust as the track was not as “sticky”. Comparing I give the Topix 10/10 to the Sony functional not splashy but nice 8/10. The Toxix are little lighter but I really like the padding with the Sony. While that makes them slightly heavier they are very comfortable and I love them too. Hard to decide but the edge goes to Topix.
(2) Fidelity : Toxix 9/10 (exceptional) with Sony 10/10 (good).
Sony I could hear that the piano was a little cleaner. I noticed with the drums blending in really clearly. With the Sony, I could hear the subtle low piano sounds in the background in the beginning and then followed later with the drums over it with the choral instruments. There is a tingling instrumental in the background as the words flow along. I could hear the tingling trailing off in the end.The violin with a little clearer. More music was coming out of the left ear. Lots of the tingling in the background which was very clear and distinct. Not as much base. I felt that the sound resonating from the reservoir made it more melodic. There seemed to be less bass sound and much more of the subtle instruments in the background and I could hear the bugle like instruments clearly. The tingling triangle was there at times throughout. There was a lot of resonance back and forth with the two sides of my headphone. The violins were really melodic and stretched and you could hear the violins going all the way until they lowered and died out. It took many trials but I noticed that the vocalization was very clean. It melded with the symphonic sounds well.
I felt that the Topix had more base sounds in the beginning. The piano was really evident in the beginning and was a little cleaner with the drums and the violin in the beginning. Some of the sounds were a little shrill. There was a lot of blending of the instruments. Horns were in the background. I could hear the tingling and could hear the violins in the background. The piano sounds were clear. I seem to notice the bugle type instruments better. I could hear the "tingling triangle sounds" but it was a little muted. Had a little more base throughout. I liked the stereophonic blending between and back and forth both sides. The instruments in the background were not as evident. In the end the music trailed off with the triangle blending. I finally targeted that the vocalization was definitely not as clean.
This was really tough. The headphones are both tremendous and sounded great. It took 10 trials to find out which had a edge. The edge in fidelity goes to Sony because the vocalization was much cleaner. The lead singer had a much clearer tone even when it seemed like he was “screaming”. It sounded less “hoarse”.
(3) Price (for performance): Toxix 10/10 (exceptional) with Sony 8/10 (good).
So the final tally is Toxix (29/30) to Sony (27/30). But your tally might depend on your musical needs and more.
There are many reasons to buy one headphone over another. I chose my three top preferences. What I like is that both these earphones provide the music that is very engaged and easy for listening. They are both comfortable with little differences between the two. With the Toxix, being lighter, I almost forget I am wearing them. In fact, if they have a model someday that is not tethered to the device, these might be ideal. The Sony is a little cleaner sounding with the vocalization. If I would fly on a jet as I will do soon, I will take the Sony because of the noise cancellation capabilities to test those and possibly compare to these at that time. But that’s in the future.
Lastly, both earphones are great sounding but the edge may go with you if you prefer different colors and styles. Check out the Toxix earphones are great buy for the price, acoustics and their styles. They would go well with any music device, many iPod/ MP3 player colors . If I were you, I would run out, find them, try them out and/or buy them. I think you will be as glad as I am. Plus I did not have to “break my bank” to hear some cool, soothing music!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Model Releases: A Digital Photographer’s Guide to
Model Releases: A Digital Photographer’s Guide to
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
Author: Dan Heller
Publisher: Wiley Publishing , Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NY 0703 Released: March 31, 2008
Pages: 288
$30 USA
$ 33 Canada
ISBN-10: 0470228563
ISBN-13: 978-0470228562
Strengths: Comprehensive information about model releases. Full color and additional hints abound through the book. Excellent model photographs highlight nice examples. Vertical tabs at the side of each page highlight main part of the section. Nice yellow like sticky notes are strategically placed throughout the book and the pages, to portray tips and highlight specific concerns or ideas that are relevant to the chapter/ pages or text.
Weaknesses: None
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
Rating: 5/5
Introduction
Taking photos of people, places and many types of visuals, for publication, is commonplace. However in many lines of work, the necessity and use of model release forms is misunderstood, to say the least. Sometimes the nuances are not quite understood or well defined in many cases, by photographers or the places of business themselves. The book Model Releases: A digital Photographer’s Guide, helps to clarify the meaning of much of the process and update advanced in print media and more in recent years.
The author has been a freelance photographer and photo industry analyst. His works have been featured in publications from news and business media to fine arts books. This book is the result of over five years of his research to model releases. He is well versed in the changing trends that have transformed books, the press, music and much more, in recent years. His knowledge is transmitted to this book in a very readable and understandable way.
The seven part book covers a wide range of important topics within its 288 pages. The titles of the parts of the book highlight the necessity of model releases. These are : Everyone’s doing it ; So what’s wrong; What’s a model release ; Understanding “use”; Analyzing the need for a model release; Dealing with photos of property; The business of Licensing. The book makes it much easier to clarify when releases are needed and not needed. What buyers need in the way of model releases, and those who don't need releases are summarized. Also included is information for marketing and licensing all your photos, whether they have been released or not. Also the author does the best he can in accumulating years of information and distilling helpful information in one book.
The book is relevant to those in the United States and abroad. The author helps to define in clear terms, what should be initiated and followed through, under many situations and circumstances. He is clear and concise so that misinformation does not occur and clarity of the releases are understood. The well illustrated text is a very comprehensive book available on the subject, covering everything you would to know about model releases. The releases pertain to people, places and additional circumstances. Much has changes in light of a photographer's role in the creation of photographs that may be uses on or in conjunction with the internet, with digital photography. newspapers, books and magazines.
Conclusions
This important book is both insightful and a pleasure to read and understand. The book is useful for everyone from professional photographers whose work involves photography to those amateur photographers who take vacation pictures on vacation, take photos of at their children' s teams/games, schools or more. This book also includes information about models themselves and what they can learn about their rights concerning how they can protect themselves and when that is not possible.
The importance of this book is highlighted by the fact that a well known technology firm “stole” (or should we say “did not secure properly”), music from my daughter’s business/ firm. Whether it was on purpose or not, she had to set them straight and went through the proper channels. This was an interesting event and it served to highlight what should and needs to be done. In addition, a firm in Africa wanted to use one of my photographs for their greeting cards. To make a long story short, I had to find that person and that firm, after they used my photographs, as the individual did not forward my payment. If I would have the information from this book, I would have know the proper course of action to protect the transaction. This book would have let me know, in advance, the proper procedures so that the situation would have not occurred. Now I am better prepared. And you will be too if you read this well prepared book.
Whether you are in business, work with photographs at your home, business or use photos for personal use or involved in possible interactions with businesses, schools or more, this book is well worth reading. There is something to be said for knowing and understanding your rights, as well as the rights of clients and businesses and anything that relates with and dealing with photography and photorgaphs. That way you can make the best decision about your photographs that possibly will end up in businesses, books or elsewhere.
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
Author: Dan Heller
Publisher: Wiley Publishing , Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NY 0703 Released: March 31, 2008
Pages: 288
$30 USA
$ 33 Canada
ISBN-10: 0470228563
ISBN-13: 978-0470228562
Strengths: Comprehensive information about model releases. Full color and additional hints abound through the book. Excellent model photographs highlight nice examples. Vertical tabs at the side of each page highlight main part of the section. Nice yellow like sticky notes are strategically placed throughout the book and the pages, to portray tips and highlight specific concerns or ideas that are relevant to the chapter/ pages or text.
Weaknesses: None
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
Rating: 5/5
Introduction
Taking photos of people, places and many types of visuals, for publication, is commonplace. However in many lines of work, the necessity and use of model release forms is misunderstood, to say the least. Sometimes the nuances are not quite understood or well defined in many cases, by photographers or the places of business themselves. The book Model Releases: A digital Photographer’s Guide, helps to clarify the meaning of much of the process and update advanced in print media and more in recent years.
The author has been a freelance photographer and photo industry analyst. His works have been featured in publications from news and business media to fine arts books. This book is the result of over five years of his research to model releases. He is well versed in the changing trends that have transformed books, the press, music and much more, in recent years. His knowledge is transmitted to this book in a very readable and understandable way.
The seven part book covers a wide range of important topics within its 288 pages. The titles of the parts of the book highlight the necessity of model releases. These are : Everyone’s doing it ; So what’s wrong; What’s a model release ; Understanding “use”; Analyzing the need for a model release; Dealing with photos of property; The business of Licensing. The book makes it much easier to clarify when releases are needed and not needed. What buyers need in the way of model releases, and those who don't need releases are summarized. Also included is information for marketing and licensing all your photos, whether they have been released or not. Also the author does the best he can in accumulating years of information and distilling helpful information in one book.
The book is relevant to those in the United States and abroad. The author helps to define in clear terms, what should be initiated and followed through, under many situations and circumstances. He is clear and concise so that misinformation does not occur and clarity of the releases are understood. The well illustrated text is a very comprehensive book available on the subject, covering everything you would to know about model releases. The releases pertain to people, places and additional circumstances. Much has changes in light of a photographer's role in the creation of photographs that may be uses on or in conjunction with the internet, with digital photography. newspapers, books and magazines.
Conclusions
This important book is both insightful and a pleasure to read and understand. The book is useful for everyone from professional photographers whose work involves photography to those amateur photographers who take vacation pictures on vacation, take photos of at their children' s teams/games, schools or more. This book also includes information about models themselves and what they can learn about their rights concerning how they can protect themselves and when that is not possible.
The importance of this book is highlighted by the fact that a well known technology firm “stole” (or should we say “did not secure properly”), music from my daughter’s business/ firm. Whether it was on purpose or not, she had to set them straight and went through the proper channels. This was an interesting event and it served to highlight what should and needs to be done. In addition, a firm in Africa wanted to use one of my photographs for their greeting cards. To make a long story short, I had to find that person and that firm, after they used my photographs, as the individual did not forward my payment. If I would have the information from this book, I would have know the proper course of action to protect the transaction. This book would have let me know, in advance, the proper procedures so that the situation would have not occurred. Now I am better prepared. And you will be too if you read this well prepared book.
Whether you are in business, work with photographs at your home, business or use photos for personal use or involved in possible interactions with businesses, schools or more, this book is well worth reading. There is something to be said for knowing and understanding your rights, as well as the rights of clients and businesses and anything that relates with and dealing with photography and photorgaphs. That way you can make the best decision about your photographs that possibly will end up in businesses, books or elsewhere.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Goodbye Golive
I am not a fan of Dreamweaver. This program is probably in my top 5 worst application computer software related programs. It was infuriating to decipher and figure out and make it work, even with a books, which did not help. I think that in many ways it is the software. But now I am vindicated but Dreamweaver being the standard will thrive while the one I like and have used Golive, will soon be "dead". Read on
golive stuff
www.macuser.co.uk/reviews/120423/golive-9.htm
golive stuff
www.macuser.co.uk/reviews/120423/golive-9.htm
Adobe Creative Suite 3 Bible
Adobe Creative Suite 3 Bible
reviewed by Dr. Eric Flescher, Olathe, KS: (dreric1kansas@aol.com)
Authors: Ted Padova and Kelly L. Murdock
Publisher: Wiley Publishing , Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NY 07030
Released: October 1, 2007
Pages: 1296
$45 USA
$54 Canada
ISBN-10: 0470130679
ISBN-13: 978-0470130674
Strengths: Enormous in-depth guide. Screenshots are fairly readable. Introduction to the new application interfaces (except Dreamweaver which did not change) has a good set of toolbox windows. Understanding Version Cue and Adobe Bridge is included.
Weaknesses: Black and white instead of color. Hard to read. Special notes are all rectangular and don’t stand out. Does not talk about MacIntosh users. Mostly text laden. The look of the text is very drab and is some of poorest I have ever seen. The guide structure could use more numbers or something to break up the plethora of text. The Parts of the books (sections) focus on using the Creative Suite tools instead of focusing on the applications.
Novice/Intermediate/Advanced
Rating: 3/5
Web creation and publishing has evolved over the years since HTML was once the only way to publish on the internet. Now there are many new programs, applications, software, and other tools that can help web publishers, novice to advanced. In addition new versions of the software are arriving yearly which can make keeping up with web publishing efforts more difficult. Assistance might be needed to start, develop or advance web building skills, especially to speed up your efforts. If so, Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies, may be a book to answer your learning needs.
Ted Padova, has written Adobe related books while Kelly Murdock has also authored books and worked with web design, graphics and multimedia. They have pooled their efforts to develop a comprehensive huge guide book for computer users who wish to develop graphics and web design while using the six application Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, InDesgn, and Acrobat.
This massive 882 page book includes an introduction, a series of tutorials that span seven sections and a big index. This Black and White tutorials covers nine parts that guide you through 38 chapters. The readings and tutorials are meant for helping to create dynamic websites. Utilizing the latest web design tools, these authors outline a series of tutorials to complete necessary steps to start, develop and finish websites. Along the way, this guide utilizes the six applications, to “ walk “ the web user through the six different applications which most web professionals use on a daily basis. However learning about these applications are scattered throughout the Sections.
Each section of the book is a book in itself. The authors attempt to create an user friendly guide that offers in-depth instruction. But there is much that keeps this from happening for me and possibly others, depending on how you like to learn.
The sections of the book (called Part) are: Getting to know the Creative Suite 3, Getting Started with Design, workflows , working with objects and images, workin with type, Using creative Suite and Microsoft Office, Working in Creative desiggn workflows, Document repurposing, Creative Suite documen delivery workflows and Printing and digital prepress. This method focus is applying skills instead of focusing on the applications themselves. And for the most part, I would applaud this approach but it seems that the way the book is written, make this approach less learnable.
The book is written with a PC computer in mind and includes Microsoft Office. While I use Macintosh that did not bother me. It is the fact that the authors did not include any information about Macintosh users was a little baffling. Screenshots are employed and they are PC oriented. This is fine but there is little or no information by the authors to define how Macintosh users or the PC user who has switched to a Macintosh, can use the book.
Most of the book is text laid out in the paragraphs. Screenshots are readable for the most part with “ Line pointers” used within the screenshots. These help the reader “see” more precisely what the tutorials are targeting during the instruction. But these don’t appear in many sections of the book. This makes the tutorials more difficult to understand, as the reader has to sometimes “fish around”, to find and try to connect between, what the authors are saying and the reader is perceiving. It would have been better if more of the text or information were laid out in Tables and Illustrations form, numbered or something else to cut down all the text.
Conclusions:
While I am sure the authors are very competent, they have created a book that “falls farshort” in many ways. I have designed and created websites for several years. I am always trying to improve my efforts, but when a book makes the job more difficult, instead of assisting how to use the application, there is trouble. When starting out, I found that Dreamweaver was and still is, a very finicky program to understand. In many cases, no matter how much I tried, with the program and using books, I still could not understand and get the job done. It was a combination of the book and the application and perhaps my learning style. Starting out as a novice, at that time, I needed less text, in some cases, better targeted screenshots and better layout of the instruction.
I thought that this book had potential. But the text and how it “looks”, is some of the poorest I have ever seen, for an instructional book. It basically looks, feels and reads like a college textbook instead of a user friendly guide, for website and software application users. Whether you are a PC or MacIntosh user, I feel that you should look elsewhere to find help with the learning and using Creative Suite 3 and its applications.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Macs are back with Jack, Cloey in 24
Cloey is working on Mac laptop while trying to orchestrate Jack's way out of the building with Tony. Cloey is using 9 different screens on the Mac to watch what is going on in all the rooms, corridors etc.
Converting resumes and other files to pdf etc.
\
It is that time of the year when resumes are being created, printed and readied for jobs and employment. Many employers today want/need your resume, references, applications, letters of support, transcripts and other papers, your resume(s) uploaded to the place of work or institution, usually in either word or pdf format. You could go to duplication business or place but why not do it on your computer. I found several ways.
(1) You can use a scanner to convert your files.
(2) To find some free converter, use google and type in free pdf converters. I found this one.
http://www.freepdfconvert.com/It worked well but if you have big files, the pdf file has to be loaded to the desktop through the downloading of zip file. For some reason also, one has to wait 30 minutes to do it again. So I looked for another source in Appleworks and OSX (Leopard or before) .
(3) For OSX, find your document in Word, text, format. Click on it and then under FILE> PRINT check the PDF format (see above to the left). Save the file to the desktop or your hard drive etc.
(4) Another way is to first open your document in Textedit by clicking and then hit click Open Apple-O. The document will expand in Textedit for format and a window opens up.
(5) Appleworks - open your document, then instead of saving, click on print. Click on pdf format and save where you want in pdf format.
Either way then upload your files. One of these ways might save you some time and money. Happy job hunting and finding!
It is that time of the year when resumes are being created, printed and readied for jobs and employment. Many employers today want/need your resume, references, applications, letters of support, transcripts and other papers, your resume(s) uploaded to the place of work or institution, usually in either word or pdf format. You could go to duplication business or place but why not do it on your computer. I found several ways.
(1) You can use a scanner to convert your files.
(2) To find some free converter, use google and type in free pdf converters. I found this one.
http://www.freepdfconvert.com/It worked well but if you have big files, the pdf file has to be loaded to the desktop through the downloading of zip file. For some reason also, one has to wait 30 minutes to do it again. So I looked for another source in Appleworks and OSX (Leopard or before) .
(3) For OSX, find your document in Word, text, format. Click on it and then under FILE> PRINT check the PDF format (see above to the left). Save the file to the desktop or your hard drive etc.
(4) Another way is to first open your document in Textedit by clicking and then hit click Open Apple-O. The document will expand in Textedit for format and a window opens up.
(5) Appleworks - open your document, then instead of saving, click on print. Click on pdf format and save where you want in pdf format.
Either way then upload your files. One of these ways might save you some time and money. Happy job hunting and finding!
and expensive iPhone
And I thought the iPhones were expensive. This one really is
http://www.buymeaniphone.com/2009/01/11/most-expensive-phone-ever-made/
http://www.buymeaniphone.com/2009/01/11/most-expensive-phone-ever-made/
Planetarium on your iPhone or Mac
I have been using Starry Night software for quite a number of years to help me track and photograph comets and much more. Now the company has a cool free dashboard widget which you can upload to you iPhone or Mac. With it you can view the sky that night and more.
Download it and try it.
Dreaded spinning beach ball slowing you down- here's w
Your Macintosh is operating but all of a suddenly the dreaded Spinning Beachball appears. Waiting, waiting and waiting is maddening and wastes a lot of your time. Want to see what is going on?
(1) Go into the activity monitor (follow this hierachy)
HD>Applications>Utilities>activity monitor
(2) You will see this view of the activity monitor (left)
(3) Look at all the applications etc that feed on your ram, CPU power and morecheck out the real memory
(4) what is cool is that if you have the activity monitor in an open window, you can actually see how the numbers % are changing.
(5) find the one that has the highest percentage and either turn it off if needed or delete and do that for others.
(6) For example, if you have too many widgets (HD>Applications>Utilities>Dashboard) you might be using to much memory at certain times which slows down your Macintosh. I found that when the Clock's Widget that I had installed on my computer's Dasboard would display run quite often to update the time, it robbed my cpu of a good % power. And since it updates very often, it would rob power, unbeknowst to me, frequently. (I turned it off by taking it out of the Widget display area, thus saving memory and cutting down on the dreaded beach ball time. This is what I did.
(7) Open the Widgets display on the Desktop, inside the Dashboard Widget area.
(8) Click on the "+" on the bottom Left hand corner. There is a row of the Widgets on the bottom.
(9) There is a little "x" on the top corner of each Widget. Clicking on the "X" , the Widget will disappear from the desktop. Turned "off", the CPU won't rob power all the time or frequently from the CPU.
(10) You can always import, delete and find more Widgets. But for now speed up your CPU by not robbing it of memory so that the spinning dreaded beachball will go away or at least not hang around so long.
Comments, suggestions, ideas welcome
Friday, January 9, 2009
Macintosh in Telescope/ Observatory
I opened up my MacLife issue 2/2009 and found a nice article P.50-52) "In a galaxy far, far away" by Leslie Ayers. It's about David Illig of Maryland and his very nice observatory and telescope system. His four macintosh computers, Canon 50D, two telescopes help his digital imaging and deep sky endeavors. He used Equinox software (never heard of this one) and Starry Night Pro (which I love). Very in depth and nicely written with photos.
I can't find the article online but you can take a look at it in bookstores with the MacLife magazine
Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@aol.com), Olathe, KS: Lat 38.834, Lon -94.778
I can't find the article online but you can take a look at it in bookstores with the MacLife magazine
Dr. Eric Flescher (kcstarguy@aol.com), Olathe, KS: Lat 38.834, Lon -94.778
Is Vista finished?
First there are TV commercials from ordinary people (apparently people who have never seen a panorama, graphic or color) who extoll how Vista is so great. Now the latest report is the Windows 7 is coming out in beta and you can get a download and test it out.
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