writing
Feature in Capilano Courier
In case anyone missed it, I wrote a feature for the Capilano Courier 2 weeks ago and it is now available online.
The article focuses on the current state of the media industry, comparing print and online media, and considering the economic future of media production and consumption.
AirDrop Interface Design Report – Troy Tucker
As a part of the System Diagnostic & Support class we’ve been asked to; Identify UI elements, assess adherence to interface design principles, and gather real-world evidence for one of the new Mac OS X Lion features presented at Apple’s 2011 WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference). My report addresses AirDrop, a new utility for close range file transfers. After writing this report I’ve become an “AirDrop evangelist”. It’s a great way to share files in the classroom!Mac OS X Lion: AirDrop
At the 2011 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple Inc. debuted AirDrop [video], as one of the many features built into the new Mac OS X Lion. AirDrop is a zero-configuration file transfer utility that facilitates close-range wireless sharing between capable* Mac computers. By following their design principles and technology guidelines, Apple has made AirDrop a natural extension to the Mac OS experience.
KinetixMedia and Anastasia part 2
It’s been 4 weeks now? Wow time flies supper fast! I’m learning so much about marketing at Kinetix Media.
This week I have started working on some amazing projects (cant tell you what they are), but can tell you one thing…I am so exited and happy that Kinetix giving me this opportunity!
Speaking about my stated goals, I would say that I am learning more about marketing business then interactive design. However where else would I get this kind of experience.
Loading ...Kinetix Media – Anastasia
Kinetix Media is an advertising agency specializing in integrating marketing campaigns and advertising. Their services include email marketing, social network marketing, SEO marketing, podcasting, mobile marketing, online advertising creative and media planning.
The first two weeks working at Kinetix Media were very exiting. I have learned a lot about the company, what they do and how they doing it! Had an opportunity to work and help with some interesting projects for big companies. I had my hands on email marketing for Toyota for their “red tag” promotion, SPC SpringBoard and Prospera Credit Union.
So far it’s been a great experience and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next.
First day working on E-learning site
Hi
Today I started on my e-learning site and what undertaking it was.
This morning I started to rearrange my little apartment to make it look like a small studio.
First I needed to clear out my living room.
Moving my couch into my kitchen, standing the couch up straight so it wasn’t in the way.
Second I wanted to use my nice desk for the video tutorial.
So all my stuff had to go computer,printer,camera, and all small little bits.
Move my desk into place and move my kitchen table in the place where my desk was.
My kitchen table with my computer and my desk empty for the video.
Collecting all the element that I needed for tutorial and after close 4 hours I was ready for shooting the video.
After a couple of trying I felt a bit more relax behind the camera.
All together it toke me a full day of shooting to get this first part done.
I am a bit scared that this project is way bigger then planted.
I will have a hard time to keep this on budget and on time.
Here what photos of today set up.
JOhan
Loading ...Snapz X Pro Review
INTE 110
Group: Amanda, Howard, Jesse
Software Review:
Snapz X Pro
Screenshot & Screen Recording Tool
Who is the product for?
Snapz X Pro is a tool to create the demo you want easily.
Some examples of those who would find Snapz X Pro useful:
- People who make DIY videos for online channels (like youtube)
- A teaching aid (for professors)
- Conference speakers or presenters
- Small to medium-business will find it a useful when creating in house demonstration videos for other co-workers
- Video gamers
- Product demo for any software
Its possibility of users is endless, but they will all be looking to demonstrate the use of something on the computer. Users will have to be at least intermediate computer users to understand the program.
How does Snapz X Pro benefit the user?
In comparison with the built-in screenshot functions for a Mac OSX, Snap Pro X gives far more control and options to the user. Snapz Pro X can save in a variety of formats, including Photoshop. The program is very robust, allowing for adjustable screen live preview mode, capture sizes, select objects (specific windows) and the entire display. Using Clearscale, Snapz Pro X can also scale images right in the program. Additional options include adjustable watermarking, frame and data rates. Video recordings have the ability to additionally record voice-over in parallel with a built-in mic, plug-in mic or the computers audio.
Snapz Pro X saves quickly in a wide variety of formats.
What is a good substitute for Snapz Pro X
There are plenty of other screen-capture softwares available. In our opinion, two of the top contenders are Jing & ScreenFlow.
With ScreenFlow, your video is captured instantly, so as soon as you stop the capture, you can start editing, without waiting for it to render. You only wait for rendering once you’ve finished editing and you need to export the final movie. This is a positive feature compared to Snapz X Pro, where you’ll wait for rendering after every capture before you can edit.
At Techsmith.com you’ve got some great alternatives to Snapz X Pro. The screenshot below is a grab from their website, and as you can see they’ve got several trial or free products available. Of note was Jing and while the free version lacks some of the more advanced functions of Snapz Pro X, the basics are relatively the same.
Jing is easy to understand and even simpler to use. Designed with Internet functions in mind, Jing allows you to copy images to the clipboard, paste them wherever you want (even if you haven’t saved it!) or upload it to your web server via FTP. Screenshots can be edited with shapes, highlights, arrows and captions – which can all be done before the file is saved. Jing’s video capabilities’, while not as luxuriant, can record in 4:3 aspect-ratio with voice and sound alongside.
UI Design Analysis
In general, the attitude of our group towards the user interface design of Snapz X Pro seems to be more negative than positive. The most basic functions were not obvious to navigate, and the design wasn’t user friendly. It comes with a manual, but people will rarely read a manual for a screen capture program, you expect it to be intuitive.
It is unclear which keys are meant to stop/start the video recording, and if you press the wrong key, the program reacts with a loud “BUZZ” to let you know you’ve done something wrong. Again…not user friendly. The program is constantly running in the background, which you often forget, and you have to close it fully before you have use of any of your hotkeys (you lose function of all Command+Tab shortcuts) whilst Snapz Pro X is running.
Small menu’s with lots of options
Upon starting the program, you are presented with four large buttons within the UI. Simple enough, but here is where it gets irritating. Each function Screen Capture, Objects, Selection, and Movie all have their own unique menu. Each menu is very small and can be moved around independently. When you close the window, Snapz Pro X remembers the last location you closed it. Great if you use them frequently, not so great if you have ten windows open and don’t use it for a long time. You end up having to sift through all your windows to look for your menu
SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats)
Strengths
- Snapz Pro X can export to quicktime movie
- Snapz Pro X allows the user to choose a number of output formats for still image: BMP, GIF, JPG, PDF, PICT, PNG, PSD (Photoshop) or TIFF
- You can give videos watermark or scale still images using Clearscale
- Gives users control and options compared to the built-in option in Mac OS X
- Options to create borders and thumbnails for still images, which are found in “Object”
- Settings for video: it has small file sizes, can record at 16 frames per second, can output to QuickTime movie. You can change frame rates, data rates, speed capture, no stuttering lag
- It has Adjustable screen capture size, capture size can be edited with a border
- “Objects” makes the recording window easy to select, easy point and click
- Audio can be easily be recorded from a built-in mic, a mic plug-in, or the computer’s audio sounds
- Flexible, tutorials on website are helpful
Built in Tools make it easy to quickly put together something
Weaknesses
- Program costs 69$ (with updates for 20$). Expensive compared to similar programs which are FREE
- It is arguably a better static screen capture application rather than a motion screen capture app
- Intrusive and counter-productive for capturing fullscreen application (ie. games)
- Some users have reported that Snapz Pro X has a bug in which the automatic code renewal system fails to work causing the software to not function
- To a new user, over complicated, to many options, overwhelming
- Program will auto shut down/ quit unless you click it to stay in the preferences
- Interface disappears when in use, must memorize hot keys
- Arguably, basic screen shot function not needed anymore…
Opportunities
Offering updates frequently and charging $20 for them can be financially beneficial for the company! Creating loyalty to the product. Ambrosia Software Inc, has a well defined market niche and has several other utility software that have overlapping applications.
Threats
Cheaper & free programs with similar features (of which there are many) are a huge threat to this product.
Conclusion
Whilst Snapz X Pro is a useful program, however our group felt overwhelmingly that it was too expensive for the services provided, not user-intuitive and that there were better alternatives out there which provided a similar service for a better price and a better user interface design.
Time Machine
Time Machine is designed to make backing-up simple and attractive for the average person. It is aimed at the same customer base as the Mac – people who want something aesthetic and functional with a low learning curve. This makes perfect sense for something that comes with the new MacOS.
While it’s functionality is nothing new in the world of backups, the simplicity it offers has been sorely lacking. Many people, maybe even you, avoid doing back ups at all because they view it a hassle and don’t know where to start. Time Machine sets up in a few clicks and you’re done – if you want to be. If you want to set up further options, that interface is also clear and stress-free.
Jump right in!
The Time Machine experience begins the first time a second drive, external or internal is connected to Mac. A standard OS X dialog box will appear asking the current user if (s)he would like use the new drive to backup with Time Machine. There is also a brief description of what Time Machine does. One click on the “Use as Backup Drive” button and time machine will start working and backing up, no further action is required. Easy.
From this point on, further setup adjustments can be made through the time machine preferences panel, which can be accessed within system preferences. Here, a dialog box displays a large time machine logo, with a exaggerated on/off switch, a description of the disk name, available space left and backup specific info. There are also two other buttons, clearly labeled “Select Disk” and “Options”. Select disk is where a user can define what disk is to be used for time machine backups. Within “Options”, one can exclude specific files and folders from backup to cut down on potentially unnecessary backups and configure a couple minor functionality options. Exactly what you need and nothing you don’t. One you are set up, Time Machine automatically backs up once per hour.
Welcome to space!
Just like many other data restore programs, the backup interface of Time Machine makes it possible to “go back in time” and restore lost files and folders. The unique way the interface has been designed around this process, however, is one this programs most exciting and defining features. It all starts by clicking on the Time Machine icon. Once clicked everything on screen but the front finder window drops out of the view, displaying an animated nebula-like object and star field, into which fades a cascade of historic copies of the one remaining finder window. From here a user can go back in time through system backups and view the history on any folder or file contained on the computer, unless otherwise specified. What becomes clear on this page is the entertaining and unconventional use of navigation. Big shiny arrows are used to zoom back and fourth the finder window history cascade. There is also a timeline bar on the right hand side that shows the various backup points. This bar responds similar to the magnification effect on the dock and provides a clear visual indicator to when each backup was performed. In order to prevent the user from getting lost, Apple has placed a indictor in front of the finder window, which displays that window’s specific backup date and time. Whether you’re restoring a folder or file to a previous state or resurrecting deleted items, time machine makes it easy. Once a user has located the version of the file or folder they want, all they have to do is select it and click the Restore button. The cancel button returns the screen back into it’s normal state.
Extra, Extra!
Although Time Machine by default makes a system backup once ever hour, a user can manually chose to backup by control clicking the Time Machine icon in the dock and selecting “Back Up Now”.
If a user wants or needs to move their data and settings from one computer to another then can do so using the backups made from Time Machine in conjunction with Migration Assistant. This combo also allows you to restore a system to exactly how it was once you reinstall your OS if your system were to fail.
Be warned though, when you simplify anything you also give it limitations. Here are some of Time Machines flaws:
Not enough control
Time Machine’s backup schedule is set in stone. In order to customize the backup cycle, one must download third-party software. Filtering capabilities (where you chose the files to be backed up or not) only allow you to chose disks, not files. This is too broad and accounts for too much lost hard disk space. An hourly updated record of file change is unnecessary for many users.
No optical discs or Airport discs
You cannot store Time Machine backups on DVD or CD, only on hard disk. Time Machine will not read any network storage devices other than Time Capsule. Since this is Apple’s very own storage device, this is vertical integration at it’s worst.
No data encryption
There is no option to encrypt data stored on Time Machine, meaning all files have to be encrypted before they are backed up. If not, anyone with access to the backup disk can view the files. That means that anyone can plug your hard drive with the backups into their mac and see everything on your computer.
No file compression
Time Machine stores all files and duplicates in an uncompressed format, forcing the consumer to purchase a hard drive with high storage capacity. The program may be free but all that storage costs money! When set to auto-backup it also runs hourly which takes up system resources while you are trying to work. As mentioned, there is no option to change frequency, so if you want to do something resource-heavy, you have to turn it off and remember to turn it back on. Good thing there aren’t a lot of gamers that use Macs!
No bootable backups
Time Machine saves all the files on your computer, but dosen’t create a bootable disk image – meaning, you have reload your OS in order to recover your work.
So what else is out there?
Shirt Pocket’s Super Duper
(http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper)
Another piece of backup software that has gained much popularity since it’s creation in 2004 is Super Duper! (by Weston, Massachusetts software company, Shirt Pocket). Unlike Time Machine, which only saves the incremental changes made to files and folders, Super Duper! creates fully a bootable, hassle-free drive backup. Utilizing a feature they call “Smart Update”, a user can set Super Duper! to automatically update a cloned drive with the latest system data, making sure everything is safe and secure. While Time Machine offers the same auto update functionality, the data it saves is not bootable, forcing the user to reload reload their OS before any restoration can be done. Another reason one may chose Super Duper! is that, arguably, it uses less disk space than Time Machine to do it’s job. Time Machine keeps generating copies of files that have been altered, to give you the flexibility to go back in time and access previous versions, where Super Duper! creates one backup of everything, then updates accordingly.
Quick facts:
Time machine is more of a file and folder back software program, where Super Duper! was designed more to be a cloning tool.
It is suggested to run both in conjunction with each other, giving you the best of both worlds.
Super Duper! also costs $30 for the full version, where as Time Machine is free with Snow Leopard
The interface of Super Duper! is as easy to use as Time Machine, however, Time Machine’s unconventional “space” look, definitely turns more heads.
Adobe Acrobat Pro Software Review
Adobe Acrobat Pro Software Review
Kevin Bell, Romeo Bui, LLoyd Pan
In the fast paced digital world, the exchange of information is key to success.
Whether it be business related or educational, documents come and go on a daily
basis. Enter the Portable Document Format. We all know what a PDF is, we encounter
them all the time. But what are PDFs, why are they important, and how does Adobe
Acrobat Pro help us with all of this?
PDFs can help us do a number of things. Here are some of the main reasons
why PDFs have been welcomely adopted:
they are easy and fast to create
• they make securing important documents possible through password protection,
watermarking, and even encrypting data!
• they make viewing documents consistent across all systems
• they help compress large files
So how can Adobe Acrobat Pro help us do this and what does it have on the
competition? Letʼs take a look at the what Acrobat Pro has to offer and how well they do
it.
Features
Adobe Acrobat Pro is a complete PDF manipulation package, it does everything
including viewing, creating and editing PDFs. Hereʼs a look at some of the many listed
features for Acrobat Pro:
• viewing PDFs
• creating and manipulating PDFs
• import e-mails, word documents, and even HTML into PDF format
• scan physical documents in to PDFs
• this will even leave the text editable
• exporting PDFs into word documents, excel spread sheets and more
• creating forms, which others are able to fill out
• editing PDFs
• make corrections on documents already exported into PDF format
• editing the text of the documents
• moving elements of the page around
• allows user to import many different types of documents into on file type
• ie. creating a unified document composed of excel, word documents and any other document type
• manage files
• print documents
• add presenting and interactive components
• secure important documents
• password protection
• digital signatures help validate documents
Regardless of how many features a program has, if it doesnʼt present these features in
a user friendly manner, productivity is lost. In a world where time is invaluable, what
separates a good program from a mediocre one is its ability to keep the users working
efficiently. Letʼs break this down for Acrobat Pro
Strengths
Acrobat Pro is one of the most powerful pieces of software out there. It is the complete PDF package.
Adobe were the originators of the PDF format. They understand best how they should be used and what can be done with them.
Most used widgets for the average user are easily located on the menu bar making viewing easy.
Once features are located, most are intuitive to use.
Weaknesses
Too many features cloud and hide away a lot of key features.
There are many features, however, most users donʼt know many of these features. They are hard to come across and locate.
Locating features is difficult. At times users have to resort to outside sources to locate tools.
Many tools are not in the most intuitive locations.
Opportunities
Adobe is the developer. This is definitely a great opportunity to stay on top of manipulating PDFs.
Has a large potential market because it is an all in one package that does everything in the way of PDFs.
Large appeal to the business/ professional market because features included.
Threats
There are programs which do less but are easier to use.
There are many different programs on the market that deal with PDFs.
The cost of Acrobat Pro–you can find many programs which do less but are free. Users may be willing to give up some more complex features to save a few bucks.
Here are some of the programs competing with Acrobat Pro:
Google Docs is a free internet alternative to Acrobat Pro that allows users to create PDF Files with an interface very similar to Microsoft word, as well as view PDF files, but not edit them. Google docs works well with Gmail, as it will automatically open PDF attachments in Google docs. The downside to this program is that it is slow, however you don’t need to install a PDF file viewer onto your computer to use it.
Apple Preview is another free program that comes pre-installed with MacOSX. This programs is lightweight and allows the addition of notes to a PDF file. However you cannot edit PDFs with preview beyond highlighting text and adding annotations. This program is only for Mac. Foxit Reader, is yet another free alternative to Acrobat pro, this program has many features of other PDF viewers. However, if you want to use it to edit PDF files, create PDF files, or merge together PDF files, the program will cost $129 for the pro version. This program is only for Windows.
Conclusion
Adobe Acrobat Pro is the complete package when it comes to PDF manipulation. Although there are many other products on the market that attempt to do that same thing, nothing compares to the arsenal of features Acrobat Pro provides. This however does come with a trade off, with so many features available, some may be difficult to access and hard to find. But once located, they are simple and easy to use. If you are willing to pay the price tag, you really will get your moneys worth. If youʼre looking for full control over your PDF files for both professional and educational purposes, Acrobat Pro is the way to go.
Google Docs Software Review
GOOGLE DOCS
software review
http://docs.google.com
by Geoff Thierman, Parker Busswood, and Can Tastemel
IDEAL USER
Google Docs is a cloud-based online office suite for people who need the functionality of traditional word processors, but don’t use one frequently enough or require the features list to justify a relatively expensive software package like Microsoft Office or Apple’s iWork. It also has functionality that allows multiple users to edit a document simultaneously in real-time, making it useful for collaborative work. It’s also a great suite for someone who travels a lot and may not necessarily have access to their desktop software and files. Files are stored online, so all you need to access your documents is an internet connection. Whether you’re traveling abroad, or simply to and from work, Google Docs makes it easy to access files without having to throw your documents on a USB key or burned DVD.
iChat vs. Skype – The Showdown
Check out our software review of iChat below:
- Kate, Llorin & Michelle
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