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The Appeal of Animated GIFs and Short Videos

People love to share. We have shared pictures forever. Are you old enough to remember the home slide shows of people vacations? If not, I'm sure you've passed around printed photos to family and friends. Now we do the majority of that online.

Videos are also popular, both for sharing and watching. According to Google:

  • Over 4 billion hours of video are watched each month on YouTube
  • 72 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute

The problem with videos are that they are time consuming, both to create and watch. This morning I uploaded a video of a piano recital that four of my family members participated in. Apple's iMovie helped make it relatively easy, but I still spent about 15 minutes editing it, including minor audio adjustments. Then it took another 15 minutes create the final video and upload it to YouTube. It took less time than such a project would have 10 years ago but it wasn't quick. That is why most videos posted online are raw/unedited, straight from their smartphone. 

That is where animated GIFs come into play. Just as Twitter introduced succinctness to a wordy email world, these short, animated photos present a story, albeit a short story, in a very small amount of time. It still requires special software and a bit of work to create animated GIFs. Fortunately, the tools (i.e. software) are getting easier and quicker to use.

Tickling - an animated GIF genrated by Google+'s Auto Awesome

Tickling - an animated GIF genrated by Google+'s Auto Awesome

Google recently added an Auto-Awesome feature that automatically generates animated GIFs from similar photos uploaded to your Google+ account. All I had to do to create the Tickle GIF you see in this post, was take about 10 photos and let them auto-upload to my Google+ account. Thanks to Google, I have numerous animated GIFs by simply doing what I normally do: take lots of pictures (usually to get the one good one).

This is also the appeal to Vine. Vines are short, six second, videos that can be recorded in one step or multiple start/stop sessions for an output similar to an animated GIF. The Vine has quickly found a place amongst the creative and big business: Mashable reported that:

The Wolverine director James Mangold is a big tease. On Monday, he shared a six-second Vine, which serves as the teaser for Tuesday's 20-second teaser for the movie's trailer that arrives Wednesday. He's calling the six seconds of looping video a "tweaser."

Unfortunately, to view Vines you need to use the Vine smartphone app (i.e. they are not animated via the web browser). While that may seem like a shortcoming, I'm betting that there's a reason for this limitation: to control access and probably try to monetize it.

There is money to be made in keeping it short and sweet... or as it appeals to me: saving people time, one of the most important, non-replenishable resources of our lives.

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Post-PC Era? No. Just Computer Evolution

Since the introduction of the iPad, the phrase "Post-PC Era" has been discussed and debated. Three years and the topic still has not run its course.

Like many others, I see smartphones and tablets as different form factors for a computer. These handheld devices outperform the supercomputer of the 1990's. 

Is the traditional PC, the desktop and laptop computer, dead? Decline in PC sales over the past year would indicate that they are dying. Leading computer makers Dell and HP are looking for income beyond selling computers. Some  have blamed Microsoft's schizophrenic (or what Chris Pirillo calls a four-ass monkey of an OS) Windows 8 for the decline in computer sales.

I interpret the changes as the next step in the evolution of computing.

  • Computers purchased in the last 3 years have so much processing power that they will suite the needs of the average person for at least another 3 to 6 years.
  • Most people use a computer to do a handful of things such as check email, visit Facebook and other websites, play casual online games and manage photos. The modern day PC can do so much more that the typical user will never need.
  • Mobile devices, especially tablets, do all the basics with the added benefit of being light weight and very portable. It's a convenience thing.

Last decade, people moved from desktop PCs to laptops for the portability and convenience once the cost difference narrow and the performance became similar. It is no surprise to me that tablets are the next stepping stone due to their performance, cost, and most importantly, convenience.

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SurfacePad for iPhone 5 (subtitled: Going from Naked to Covered and Back again)

When I got the iPhone 5 last year I enjoyed the feel of it in my hand that I decided not to get a case for it. That decision forced me to be extremely careful when handling the iPhone so I wouldn't drop it. After four months, I had dropped it four times, three of which were on a carpet.

I wasn't looking for a case when I read about the unique SurfacePad cover. It intrigued me so I ordered on. Unlike other cases, the iPhone does not slip into the SurfacePad but attaches to it with an adhesive which wasn't in the review I read or I missed it. I was hesitant to attach it to my phone but after a few days I decided to go for it.

The first thing I noticed was the the SurfacePad made handling the device a two-handed task at times, whether to flip the cover to the back or just hold it open. After a week, I had adjusted to the occasional two-hand handling and realized something else: I was no longer worried about dropping the iPhone. Due to the soft grip of the cover and the occasional two-hands, it was safer in my hands. In fact, during the last two months it was on my iPhone I did not drop it once.

The cover has a microfiber surface on the side that touches the front of the iPhone. I noticed after a while that the screen was noticeably less smudged. I've had cases with similar "cleaning" surfaces for my iPad, including the Apple Smart Cover, but this is the only one that actually helped reduce (remove?) smudges.

When the SurfacePad's front cover is flipped to the back, it completely covered the iPhone camera. This was a source of annoyance for me, requiring the cover to the off to the side to take photos, often making me hold the iPhone and SurfacePad cover with two hands.

Since I take a lot of iPhone photos, blocking the camera was almost enough reason for me to stop using the SurfacePad but I left it on... until now.

A couple weeks ago the cover of the SurfacePad started to come apart.

I contacted Twelve South who quickly offered a refund or exchange. Since it was not currently in stock, and no timeline for when it will be, plus the problem with taking photos with the cover flipped to the back, the decision of returning it for a refund was made for me.

Now I need to keep my eyes open for a SurfacePad style cover/case that will allow me to takes photos with the cover flipped to the back. Let me know if you seen one.

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THE iPhone

The iPhone 5 is my third iPhone and my sixth or seventh smartphone. The iPhone 3G was a hyper-speed leap in technology for smartphones, leaving the Palm Treo, Samsung Blackjack and all others on Tatooine. It was fast enough but the amazing numbers of things that you could do with it made up for that.

The iPhone 4 was a big improvement in performance and camera. The iPhone became my main camera. It did not compare to my DSLR but the portability and quality images made it my "always on hand" camera.

The iPhone 5 takes all the great features and improved them incrementally for an awesome smartphone. The biggest improvement? iPhone 5's performance coupled with Verizon's LTE speed. I am so happy that I switched from AT&T.

I love the way the iPhone 5 feels in my hand. I never felt that way about the previous iPhones. The iPhone 3G felt nice with the rounded edges but I HAD to have it in a case to keep it from slipping out of my hand. It was impossible to grip. I never liked the feel of the edges of the iPhone 4 against my hand. I bought a bumper for it on day 2, long before antennagate, so I could hold it comfortably. With the iPhone 5, I am struggling. It doesn't need a case. It feels perfect. Yet, I feel I should get a case... to protect it. #conflicted

The unfortunate reality is that in the next 12 to 18 months the iPhone 5 will start to slow down again due to iOS updates and bloating software. In the meantime, I am going to really, really enjoying this pocket sized, handheld computer.

(cue music) iPhone 5 Pre-Ordered. Maybe.

I did not set my alarm to wake up early to pre-order the iPhone 5. I didn't need to. My 2am bladder alarm woke me. Benefits of getting older?

Since I was up, I launched the Apple Store app on my iPhone. Couldn't order the iPhone 5 via the app because I was switching carriers.

The next attempt(s) were via Safari, which I rarely use but figured it appropriate this time.

Went to apple.com and filled out the dozen screens, tripped up by the account number field on the phone number transfer screen, only to end up with a message that I may need to pay a deposit to get a Verizon iPhone so I need to go to a retail store. Attempted to buy the iPhone without porting my number in case that was the real issue. Nope, same problem: need to go to a retail store because I may need to pay a deposit.

Decided to try ordering via the Verizon website, this time using Chrome. Filled out another dozen pages that are nowhere nearly as well organized or visually attractive as Apple's pages, skipping the additional accessories and offers pages, and finally submitted my order which is now in a Pending state. Now I have to wait and hope things go smoothly and quickly through the "new customer red tape."

Carriers make this more difficult than it needs to be. Seemed simpler the last time I bought a car.

It will not surprise me if I do not get the iPhone 5 via this pre-order and that is ok, albeit annoying.

I am looking forward to the benefits of the iPhone 5 as illustrated in this picture:

20 Pounds Lighter - Finally

My Sunday weigh-in shocked me by saying I lost 4 pounds in the last 4 days. That was an unusual amount for me to drop, especially since I had not exercised during that time period. In fact, I refused to believe this new weight, knowing it was going to go up. Last night, 2 days later, my weigh-in showed that I regained 1.5 of those pounds. I was not surprised.

The entire time I overlooked something that occurred to me today.

I realized that even with the extra 1.5 pounds, I have officially lost 20 pounds since April. I am not done, but it was a nice realization.

A Journey Towards Better Health

One hundred and twenty days ago I set out to get in better shape (i.e. not so easily winded) and lose weight. While I didn't meet my weight goal, I don't consider it a failure. I am definitely in better shape. I have to push my workouts to get as tired or winded as i previously did. I've learned a lot in these three months about eating right (80% of weight loss) and exercise (20%) and I've just scratched the surface. This is just the beginning. Here are my results so far.

I've decided to start with a new weight goal and date rather than extending the current one to meet the last weight goal to a new deadline date. It was an easy decision because taking care of my health and weight is not a goal that has a deadline or end date. It's a life long goal... a journey towards better health.

90 Day Weight Chart

It's been 90 days since I started to work on my health and weight. Here's a chart showing my progress.

Weighing in on my weight

In August of 2010 I weighed in at 226 lbs with a BMI of 30.6. I wasn't just fat, I looked pregnant. In the two years before and the months that followed, my weight averaged 220 lbs. It would dip down around 217 and then rebound back up. It was a roller coaster.

My birthday this year opened my eyes to my destructive behavior. On my birthday eve I ate half a pizza (medium double dough YUM!). For lunch on my birthday I finished off the other half. I was stuffed and bloated. I looked at the numbers, the roller coaster, and had enough.

I decided that I was going to get the weight off and keep it off. Another major goal was to improve my overall health and stamina. I was getting winded too easily.

I dusted off the elliptical and started working out. When I started I weighed 221 lbs. Due to my bad knees I which can't handle too many jarring workouts, so I focused on the elliptical. During the workouts I watched some of my favorite comedies (The Big Bang Theory FTW) to help distract me and pass the time. I worked out three days a week, initially doing 30 to 45 minute workouts but quickly settling on 45 minute workouts.

My goal is to get down to 185 lbs with the first milestone of 200 lbs (i.e. lose 21 lbs) by August 1, 2011.

It was an effort, not just the workouts but making myself take the time to workout. I focused on making the workouts a priority while still trying to deal with work and home life.

After a month of these workouts my weight fluctuated between 215 and 219 lbs.

I stepped up the workouts pushing some of them to 60 or 70 minutes. My weight stayed in that same range. I started watching software training videos to double the effectiveness of the workouts which I dubbed #LearnandBurn.

Slowly I started the next phase, trying to change my eating habits. Even though I wasn't eating half a pizza any more, I still ate large portions especially of my favorite foods. Of course, it didn't help that my favorite foods are very unhealthy, fattening foods. I've been avoiding, or severely restricting, my favorite foods. I've been eating smaller portions. If I didn't feel hungry before my next meal I knew I had eaten too much at the previous meal. I tried to weigh myself everyday to see where I was at and to remind myself of the goals and dangers.

When I was able to fit in a fourth workout, I did. It still took (takes) effort because when the stretching and cool down time is factored in, my 60-70 minute workout takes 90-100 minutes.

This past week I finally broke under the 215 barrier. For a full week (weighing in daily) I stayed under 215 lbs, well below it. I still have a way to go to reach my first milestone. I still have a fat belly but the waistbands of my pants confirm the progress.

Today I weighed in at 210 lbs with a BMI of 28.5. I lost 11 lbs in 63 days.

I have 57 days to shed the next 10. It won't be easy but I'm determined to do it.

iPhone 4 - My First 24 hours or The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Here's a summary of my experiences, good and bad, with the iPhone 4 after using it for 24 hours.
Good
  • Fast. A hell of a lot faster than my iPhone 3G
  • Great display. Debates aside, holding it up next to my iPhone 3G the iPhone 4 display is amazing
  • Better camera with good video. First photos: http://post.ly/kY8M
  • Ability to choose the image size/resolution when emailing photos, including full size
  • Folders! I can get to all of my favorite apps from the first home screen
  • Direct access to inboxes. Not the unified inbox option, which I don't want, but a direct way to get to any accounts inbox. The only way I can use the unified inbox is if I can choose which accounts to include instead of including all of them.
  • Backup during syncing to iTunes is a lot faster.
Bad
  • Glass on the front and back means more smudges.
  • Emailing videos compresses them. I need to find a way to easily (over the air) move videos around to my iPad, Macbook Pro and online.
Ugly
  • I cannot get my two A2DP Bluetooth devices (Jabra Stone earpiece and Kensington headset) to be seen by the iPhone 4. Apple, Bluetooth keyboard support is nice but how about getting A2DP working.
  • Reports are coming out that holding the iPhone by it's new antenna, you know... the edge of the phone, causes the signal to drop. IMy tests show that there is an issue with this. I immediately ordered one of those expensive rubber bands (aka Bumpers) which I'm hoping will address the problem. Seems like they should have included a "Bumper" with the phone. [Update:] the problem seems intermittent. I tried showing off the issue to a half dozen different coworkers this morning and the signal was fine. I made sure I had the palm of my left hand overlap the two antennae (the alleged cause of the problem) but the signal never dropped.
Unknown
  • Battery life. I've read reports of people getting good battery life, in one account up to 38 hours under "heavy use." Since I live in an area that has crappy Internet, thus WiFi at home isn't a great option, is out in the boonies, and is surrounded by trees, the phone is constantly going in and out of 3G service. More importantly, the phone is expending battery power to find and connect to the 3G network frequently. During my full day of testing which included shooting videos and trying to email those videos and full size photos over the constantly alternating Edge/3G network, I got 12 hours of battery life. Definitely an improvement over my iPhone 3G and I'd expect it to be better under typical use.
  • Using the provided headset, since my Jabra Stone doesn't work with it yet, Judy said the call quality was a lot better. I haven't tested it with just the phone by itself to see if the second mic really helps with noise reduction.
  • FaceTime. I'm still waiting for someone I know to get the iPhone 4 so I can test FaceTime with them. A local (i.e. Chicagoan) contacted me on Twitter last night to see if I wanted to try FaceTime, but I was on my slow WiFi at home so it wasn't worth trying it.

Facebook is scary - serious privacy concern

I created a brand new account in Facebook, tying it to an email address that was never used in Facebook. The second screen of the registration process (Find Friends) is a filled with a list of people that I have corresponded with from that previously private email address. HOW THE HELL DID IT KNOW I CORRESPOND WITH THESE PEOPLE? HOW DID IT GENERATE THIS LIST OF PRIVATE CONTACTS?  If you don't see me on Facebook after today, don't be surprised.

 

Daniel Say - December 25, 2009

Whoever has the most presents, wins God's birthday.

~ Daniel

Daniel Says are the thoughts expressed by Daniel Degutis. All rights reserved. Copyright 2009

Threatening Spam

A coworker received his disturbing spam email the day before Thanksgiving.

________________________________________ From: w5wade@eastlink.ca [w5wade@eastlink.ca] Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 6:11 AM Subject: Keep very secretxxx

This is Scot, head MZP Squad. I wish to let you know that i have been paid by a client to assasinate you at convenience. I have never met you before, but they gave me the full description of your identity

The reason why they want you dead was never not disclosed to me. My guys are now contantly watching you waiting for my instruction to terminate you at convenience.

THIS IS MY MESSAGE: Listen very well, the Police cannot do much to help you out in this right now because you are being watched,any such attempt is very risky and can push us to terminate your life without any other option.

We DON NOT want any trace whatsoever. So, you are advise to send your reply within 48hrs to: johnsonp46163@msn.com

WARNING: Like you have been told, any attempted attempt to involve third party will be too bad

Bye for now

Obviously, she was disturbed by the message. Who wouldn't be. As best as I can tell, the goal of the message is to solicit an email response to verify that your email address is valid and then the flood gates (of spam) are open. If you receive this email, or something similar, just delete it.

Al

Nintendo Wii Price Drop

Nintendo has dropped the price of the Wii by $50 to $199.99. We've enjoyed playing various games on the Wii. There are games for everyone in the family, from the preschoolers to the grandparents. One of my favorite games to play is the Soccer Practice which comes with the Wii Fit Balance Board (sold separately). I do poorly because I crack up when I get hit in the head with a soccer shoe.

The Nintendo Wii is for the causal gamers, which makes it perfect for family game night.

Buy a Nintendo Wii for the family.