Davinci Resolve 16 Free Version

Funny, how lately I've been using and learning Davinci Resolve 16 for my admittedly small video projects, and now the adds on this Blogger page (for me) are all from Blackmagicdesign (the creators of Davinci Resolve). It is a great video & Audio editing program and anyone can download the free version and go way beyond basic editing.  Easily replaces the Adobe program I was using and actually takes advantage of my GPU during editing and encoding the output. The Adobe program I was using never took advantage of my GPU.

Case for my Nexus 10

Found this cover for my Nexus 10 back in January and it has performed great!  it sill looks as good as new and still holds my tablet firmly. I'd buy it again. It was incredibly inexpensive and with Amazon Prime it shipped fast for free!

YouTube on Roku!? Not anymore.

I guess I missed this somewhere along the way but apparently if you own a Roku and have an existing install of the Private / unofficial YouTube channel then your still able to access YouTube on the device, but if you haven't installed the channel then new installs will not work. Apparently the developer of the channel used a video stream option that leaves out the adds. I was hoping I could add the Google Play movie channel to my Roku and rent movies from Google just like I do from Amazon. If Google prevents this then they are hampering the uptake of their movie streaming service.

Cyanogenmod 7.2 - Android 2.3.7

Last weekend I upgraded the software on my phone to Android 2.3.7 (Gingerbread) via Cyanogenmod 7.2.0 RC1. Thanks to the developers over at XDA-developers.com who keep cranking out updates for my old HTC Eris. I didn't plan on doing any more upgrades but after dropping my phone and having some issues with the photo gallery I decided it needed a refresh and that was an opportunity to try a newer build.

Iridium Flares, Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station

Check out Heavens Above and their Android app very cool! There's an Iridium Flare close by tonight. The ISS and Space Shuttle final mission STS-135 will be passing over head in just a few days. Should be visable with just a pair of binoculars!

Critter Cam

Recently I posted this link to a webcam pointed at a spot in our Backyard where we've seen evidence of a critter. We originally thought it was a skunk. Last night we found footprints around our pool that look more like Racoon.

I've had the camera pointed at a corner of the yard where the critter was doing it's business. Since I knew this was a place it had been.  Now I've found muddy footprints around the edge of the pool so I'm going to move the camera to see more of the pool and deck area.  Maybe I'll finally capture it on camera with this new position.

P.S. camera password was sent to a few friends via email and posted on facebook for friends and family.  If you  are a friend on facebook you can find the camera password there.


Update: Caught the critter.  It was a raccoon! Here are the shots.


Now that we know what it is I've taken the public webcam down.

Gingerbread

Just installed the latest XDA Developers Android build 2.3.3 Gingerbread on my phone. Smooth sailing so far!

Found this great new camera on Amazon

I found the Nikon Coolpix S8100 on Amazon while looking for a replacement camera for my Nikon Coolpix S50. Which has been repaired once after being dropped and may be in need of repair again.  After the first repair I've decided it's isn't cost effective to repair these point and shoot digital cameras.  Especially the ones that are in the $200 - $250 or less price range.

So, this new S8100 is great with a much improved image sensor, 1080p video, 12.1 Mega-pixel CMOS, 10x optical zoom, 3in LCD, HDMI out port for direct connection to a TV, and really good low light ability.It charges via USB cable, though the mini jack for the camera is still the Nikon specific shape. It's going for only $220 with Tax & shipping! It feels solid and is very near an SLR in feel!

I can't wait for our next coastal vacation, where I'm sure I'll get plenty of use from this new camera!

AT&T Bandwidth Usage Caps Comming

Usage caps for DSL & U-Verse Customers coming in May
AT&T will cap DSL and U-Verse internet, impose overage fees (update) -- Engadget
This sounds like a way around Net Neutrality for AT&T.  While they won't be prioritizing their video packets over others. They are essentially charging more for others to stream video and giving them selfs a pass.  With the higher bandwidth caps for people who pay more to subscribe to their U-Verse service and saying their U-Verse TV service doesn't count against the bandwidth cap.  So, since I'm using Netflix and Amazon on demand for my source of video, they are effectively squeezing out the competition with this move.  I don't know what my current bandwidth usage is per month, but if I have to pay extra for U-Verse just so I can not use their service and continue watching video via other services...  Then This seems a bit unfair.  They are both charging more for the higher bandwidth cap and not counting their own video service against that cap.  This is the anti-competitive techniques of AT&T of old. Straight out of the book I just finished The Master Switch by Tim Wu. If I pay more for U-Verse to get the higher bandwidth cap I'm still under a more restrictive cap than people using AT&T's video service to get their entertainment.

Update: I've found AT&T's page describing the new policy and their link http://www.myusage.att.com/ to see my actual current bandwidth usage. Now that I have that usage meter, I see that Jan - Feb I used 55GB and Feb - Mar I used 48GB. So, even with watching Netflix movies and shows and Amazon on Demand movies we are still way under the 150GB cap! This fact doesn't change my opinion that their policy seems unfair for competition though.  AT&T has chosen a good number for their bandwidth caps and the $10 for each 50GB over doesn't sound too bad either. However, they are still saying that their video packets are free and anyone else's cost money.

Update: Well, AT&T started officially metering bandwidth usage yesterday. According to the page they provide that lets me see my usage, my peak usage was last month with less than half of the 150 GB I'm allowed. So, for now the caps don't seem to affect me with my usage patterns. Netflix will survive!

Trying out Barefoot Running

 Just picked up a pair of Vibram Fivefingers Komodo Sport barefoot running shoes. I just took my regular budget for new running shoes and went a different direction than usual. I've been reading up on barefoot running for a couple years and thinking about trying a pair of Vibram Fivefingers ever since I read the book Born to Run. When I first started looking into this new foot wear there was only one store in town that carried them and the selection was small.  They hadn't developed their KSO's yet either.  This year the Komodo, the Bikila, and Bikila LS are all new. These models looked like they might be a better fit with a nicer upper. So, I went to REI ( one of the many local stores that now carry Fivefingers) and tried on a pair.  This time around I liked the fit and feel and just had to try them. My wife thinks they are too strange to be seen in. I noticed on the way out, another brand of shoe that uses the Vibram made soles but is a more traditional looking shoe. ie: no individual toes.

Today I found Christopher McDougall, the Author of Born to Run has spoken at Google Talks and TEDx events, which can be found on YouTube.

2011/02/27 Update: I  went for a 6mi run in my regular running shoes. Then, based on Vibrams recommendations, I then put on the Komodo's and did a short run that was  about 10% of my usual distance. They say to take a few weeks to get used to running nearly barefoot, strengthening the muscles in your feet and lower legs. Then build back up to your usual mileage taking care not to over do it. Well after my short run, less than 1/2 mile, I can see their point.  I could feel my calves working much harder and after one time around the block I considered calling that enough. However, I did go for another lap around the block, opening up to a sprint for part of the lap. I'm looking forward to my next run in them!

2011/03/09 Update: I've been walking around when at home w/o shoes and trying some of the exercises, I found in this post and this video. That should help me transition to barefoot running. This morning I went for a short run to the park and ran on the grass then headed home and changed onto my standard running shoes and added a bit more distance.  Trying to ease into this.

2011/03/19 Update: I went to the trail and ran first in the fivefingers shoes then returned to the car and switched shoes and added some more distance again.  It was pretty wet and the Watt Ave. Parking area & trail was flooded. They must be letting water out from the dam since we haven't seen that much rain.

2011/06/17 Update: Well I haven't been updating this post much recently. However I have continued to improve and I now prefer running in my Vibram Fivefingers over my Merrell Trail Gloves. The  Merrell shoes look more normal but are just a tiny bit stiffer.  I can finally run at a quick pace for a few miles comfortably in the Vibrams.

NASA Space Shuttle Launch on Roku

Today at 4:50pm eastern time NASA is launching the final mission for the space shuttle Discovery. Watch it live on Roku in HD or on the web at www.nasa.gov under Multimedia is their NASA TV link.

3 Great Ways to Watch the Last Space Shuttle Missions

Rooted and Flashed

I finally went for it and rooted my HTC Eris and Flashed a new ROM  / Updated OS onto it last night! It turned out to be easier than expected.  I just downloaded the 1-click root app and installed it on my phone. Then downloaded the ROM I was interested in / had been following for a while.  Then copied the zip file to my phone, powered it off and rebooted it while holding the up volume and power button at the same time.  This gives you a menu for making backups, wiping the internal storage, & flashing a new ROM from the SD card.  After making a backup I wiped the internal storage, and flashed the new Android 2.2.1 Tazz Froyo build to the phone.  Now I'm wishing I had done this sooner!  The phone runs faster, is more responsive, and I have all the new features in 2.2 that I didn't have in 2.1.  Mainly voice commands, vastly improved battery life, moving apps to the SD card form the limited internal memory, Tethering, and improved features in many apps that weren't available in 2.1.  Since my phone is out of warranty and wasn't going to get any new OS updates from Verizon, this was my only option to get the new features until my contract runs out.

Now I can wait for the end of my contract and not be missing out on the new OS features.  I see 2.3 Gingerbread is already out and developers are making new builds.  In a few months I might try the new version!

Body Browser by Google Labs

Check out this great demo of WebGL & HTML5. The technology is less interesting than the usefulness for study of the human body and it's various systems! Zoom in and turn on the labels. Click on muscles and organs to isolate them...

Body Browser - Google Labs

My new Roku!

Check out the Roku player for Streaming video from the web, Netflix, Amazon on Demand, YouTube, Podcasts, and many more.

Upgrade Your Life

 Check out this great productivity book.  You can read the first chapter for free at Amazon via their web based version of the Kindle reader or go to the books website to see the updated "Life Hacks".  Updated because computers and the internet are in a constant rapid state of change.

Thinking about rooting my HTC Eris and installing Android 2.2

Reading recent posts on a Facebook fan page for the HTC Droid Eris.  A few people have rooted their phones and installed Android 2.2.  They claim better performance because they can over clock the processor and better batter life?  Of course these two things seem to be mutually exclusive.  So, I'm waiting to read more on others experiences.  I'm not having any issues with my phone so I guess I'm not as motivated as some of these other people.

I'll bet if the few that are claiming slow performance reset their phones to the factory settings and selectively reinstall some of the apps they use their problems would go away.

Amazon's Kindle App for Android Has Arrived!

Woo! Hoo! It just arrived Monday. I've been slowly progressing through a book that is on my laptop in digital "Kindle" form, wishing I had the Kindle reader on my phone. Now I do, so I expect to get much more reading done on this book. I love they automatic syncing between my laptop and the phone. When I open the book it is always where I left off which ever device I was last reading on. Plus the software for the PC and Phone is free! So, I didn't spend any money on the Kindle reader device!

Amazon's Kindle App for Android Comes at Crucial Time

Battery Drain of my Android 2.1 Phone

The other night I went to bed as usual and put my phone on silent mode and left it by my night stand.  Usually in the morning I just switch it back to normal mode and the battery level is only slightly lower than when I went to bed.  Not much battery drain when the phone is not in use other than stand by mode.  This particular morning I got up and the phone was dead.  I plugged it in and was able to turn it on only to find the batter was completely drained!  This was a bit disturbing.  Especially since I use task killer and never leave background tasks running. I continued to experiment during the day with charging to see what was going on.  I couldn't get it to charge more than 1/3 the way.  So, I went to the Verizon store at lunch and asked them about it.  Their response was, "Oh, with those phones you have to take out the battery, wait a moment then re-insert the battery to "re-register" the battery with the phone."  While this sounded like bogus hokus pokus, I decided to give it a try.  The after noon went much the same.  The phone still would not charge.  After work I went back and they decided to give me a new battery.  Well that didn't seem to make much difference.  So, I searched for similar issues and found nothing that really matched this problem.  Finally I decided it was a software "glitch" and recorded all the apps I had installed and my screen layouts then went for the "Hard reset" option.  This resets the phone to the factory settings.  Then I had to reactivate the phone but that was automated OTA (over the air).  So I was able to re-download my apps and put back all my screen icons.  Once I logged back in to Google all my contacts, email, calendar, etc. came right back.  This step of Settings, Privacy, Factory data reset fixed my problem. By the way, HTC's site says the Factory data reset is under Settings, Security.  I'm sure this refers to Android 1.5 that was originally on the phone.

Facebook Security Settings

Here is a sight reclaimprivacy that was featured in Wired Magazine and on Lifehacker.  They made a simple browser bookmark that will scan your security settings in Facebook and tell you where you may want to make some changes.

Boogie Board

Recently I found a neat new writing tablet that is thin & light and easy to use.  It uses very little power (one watch battery will last it for years).  It only uses power when you erase what you have written.  It's was only about $30 with shipping.  Anna is having fun using it too.  Check it out Boogie Board LCD Writing Tablet.  I found out about it before it was available so I got a bit of a deal when I did a pre-order. It's made by iMPROV Electronics, and they have their own ideas for target markets.  They are pushing the "green" angle with the idea that you'll use less paper once you start using this device.