MarsEDIT updated

MarsEdit is my favourite Blog editor for MAC OSX. Its just been updated with some cool new features & bug fixes - check it out at the above link.

irrate about 'Podcasts'?

From my ASCILITE blog - a comment spurred my response:

Comment from: Moggy [Member]

Does a Podcast work on anything other than Apple software/hardware? Why are we calling them Podcasts? - iPod is not a genre, it is a brandname. The marketing guys must be laughing all the way to the bank. Do we soon require of students that they all buy the one brand of MP3 player to be able to view, just as many insitutions require of them Microsoft products? I'm curious because I own an MP3 player that isn't an iPod and I am of the opinion that iPod's are, on the whole, overpriced.

Anyone who has any experience is welcome to comment, I'm not being critical although it might sound I am, just interested in the crossplatformability of our stuff.
16/12/05 @ 15:56

My Reply

Comment from: Thom Cochrane [Member] · http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/mediawiki/index.php/WirelessPalms
A podcast will play on any device that supports the audio codec used when compressing it. The term was coined by a journalist, just over a year ago, in reference to the most popular mobile audio device at the time - the iPod. A Podcast is any pre-recorded audio file that is available for download as an enclosure associated with an RSS feed (So strictly speaking my 'Podcasts' aren't - as they have no RSS feed associated currently.) allowing the listener to subscribe to podcasts as they become available.

My Podcast is compressed using the AAC format, not mp3 (because it creates higher quality results with smaller file sizes - the mp3 format is actually very old). However most modern mobile devices are capable of playing back both mp3 and AAC format files. The AAC podcast and screencast (podcast with video) play back great on my Palm PDA, as well as an iPod, a Mac or a PC.

While I think the iPods are great - I do agree they are over-priced, however you are buying into a great software solution when you go the ipod route as well (for recording, editing and distribution...). I was surprised how easy it was to do this (my first Podcast!), and can see great educational potential.
16/12/05 @ 20:51

PS - the other reason I used AAC format rather than mp3 is to subvert our IT department! - they have packet-shaped mp3 downloads out of our network - to stop students files sharing mp3s, but AAC format files get through fine ;-)
16/12/05 @ 20:55

Podcasts & Screencasts on Palm

The Podcast and Screencast I created as QuickTime movies for ASCILITE play back surprizingly well on the Palm LifeDrive! - I think there is heaps of educational potential in Podcasting/screencasting for mobile devices!

LifeDrive Update 2

Its FINALLY here - the loonnnnnnnnnnnng anticipated LifeDrive update. (Go to Palm support website to download) I had no problems installing the update - though I did need to re-enter the serial number details for a couple of applications, and needed to reinstall Verichat. But - I haven't really noticed any major changes - although I did have my LifeDrive running pretty sweet after several months of bug busting!

ASCILITE Presentation

Presentation PodCast

Download a PodCast (8.9MB, AAC, 20Minutes) of my presentation here. Will play in iTunes on Mac or PC, and iPod.

http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/~thom/QuickTime/ACILITE_Podcast.m4a

Designed to complement my WIKI:
http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/mediawiki/index.php/WirelessPalms

http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page

Also download my ScreenCast demoing several Palm wireless applications:
http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/~thom/movies/PalmLifeDriveScreenCast_final.mov

Here's a screencast outlining the use of several wireless Palm applications - blogging, rss, IM, etc... The screencast is available in two formats:

1. 25MB QuickTime movie

2. 9.5MB video podcast for new video iPod (also a QuickTime movie)
http://ltxserver.unitec.ac.nz/~thom/movies/PalmLifeDriveScreenCast_final.m4v

ASCILITE 2005

ASCILITE 2005

Here's a post from my Palm Lifedrive, using uBlog!

PalmPDF

PalmPDF

Why pay to upgrade to DTGv8 when PalmPDF allows native PDF viewing for FREE!
PalmPDF

WooHoo!

WooHoo!

I've finally got PDAReach remote software for the Palm to work in Virtual PC on my powerbook!! I kept on having USB connection errors, but disabling the Palm transport background task in OSX, and copying a working virtual drive from my G5 to my Powerbook appears to have fixed the problem! As a bonus, i get back 2GB disk space, as my VPC image from my G5 is 2GB smaller than the one I originally had on my Powerbook. PS - I can't wait till next year for the MactEl Powerbooks - when they will be truely DUAL OS - booting systems - that will ROCK!!!

dotMac

I've been experimenting with dotMac recently - I haven't looked at dotMac accounts since you had to pay an annual subscription - it was great when it was free! Anyway, with the addition of group pages, and a boost to 1GB storage, plus the ability of WiFile Pro on a Palm to directly connect to dotMac iDisks, I thought it was time for another look.
So far I can see a lot of potential. dotMac can provide a highly collaborative environment for education, without the limitations of institutional IT infrastructures. Coupled with wireless 3G data access (as long as the price is low)... still experimenting with this idea.

MAudio Podcast Factory released

A bundle including MAudio 2x2 usb audio interface, microphone & stand, and Audacity software! (Audacity is an open-source audio app for Mac, PC, Linux)
Podcast Factory

Documents To Go updated

DTG version 8 released - now includes native PDF support!DTG

Bluetooth to WiFi

Bluetooth to WiFi

Using my cellphone as a modem, with a Bluetooth connection to my Laptop, and then sharing the connection to other WiFi devices via the laptop builtin WiFi works fine! BTW - I love these infrared keyboards for the Palms - they make typing so much easier!!!

3G update

Had another go at configuring the 3G to WiFi router at Unitec (should have 3G coverage on campus). I got better results by using the 3G card directly in the Powerbook and sharing the connection via Airport - managed to get 5 WiFi Palms happily connected that way. Using the 3G router, only certain devices appeared to be able to find & connect to the network. Conclusion - save $1500 and simply buy the 3G data card and share its connection directly from the Powerbook! Boonus is - you don't need a powerpoint to power the Powerbook, but you do for the 3G/WiFi router - hardly a 'mobile' solution! Currently testing download speed by downloading a 90MB HD QuickTime movie via 3G. Downloads in fits and starts. Its hardly moving at the supposed 500 to 700kbps! It took about 40mins to download a 90MB file = 300kbps. Not bad!

3G to WiFi Router

I've had a go setting up a 3G to WiFi router, and shared the with WiFi Palms and Mac Powerbook. Similarly inserted the 3G card directly into the Powerbbook & used 'sharing' to share connection via the Powerbooks WiFi top Palms - similar results! The 3G connection was sloow from home (outside 3G coverage), and similar to dialup speeds within 3G coverage area :-)
Connection was somewhat flakey - kept stalling/dropping. Maybe it was the Telecom end??? Be interested to compare with Vodafone 3G.
Anyway - got much better WiFi by simply plugging an Airport Express into LAN port, and used 'profiles' to switch between setups for home or Unitec networks!

Updtaed Palm Software

Good news! WiFile Pro (v2.08) and NetChaser (v 1.6) (two of my favourite Palm OS applications) have been updated to support the new Palm TX. I've also noticed that the latest beta of Verichat works better on the TX than the 'official' 2.18 release version!

Vodafone Expo

Well - just been to the Vodafone mobile 'expedition' expo! Apart from being a lot of fun (wearing a pith helmut & negotiating a simulated jungle!), I made some good contacts re wireless connectivity.

1. Renaissance (via Craig Bouvaird) sell the Telecom data card, and have written Mac drivers for it! They also resale a 3G to WiFi router. Looking forward to borrowing it & having a play creating mobile workgroups for laptops & Palms!!!

2. Discovered the resller of the Linksys 3G to WiFi router (WRT54G3G) = Ingram Micro, Matt Hoskin, matt.hoskin@ingrammicro.co.nz
Matt mentioned the WRT54G3G will resale for $600NZ including the Vodafone 3G card early next year. He also mentioned Vodafone data cards will go from 384kbps to 1.4Mbps next year - YAY!!!

3. Came across a company (dang - didn't get a card!) that supplies text services for enrolments/advertising etc. Currently used by UCOL & Wintec - lots of possibilities there!

4. Finally, stumbled across the mGovernment initiative (a spin off from the eGovernment initiative) - for qualifying institutions to bulk purchase Vodafone connections! - $30 access fee per month per mobile, zero cent for mobile-to-mobile within your organization. I discussed the idea of a student DATA rate, which I will follow up at a later stage! shane.grove@vodafone.com
mGovt@vodafone.com

All in all - a worthwhile outing!

MacTel

Check out http://osx.portraitofakite.com/ to make your PC look like OSX! - a cool freeware interface kit for WinXP.

ALSO: http://www.avvenu.com/

looks like the future for Palm devices - remotely accessing your PC/Mac. It appears to be a more user-friendly (and less functional) form of VNC.

Vodafone Media Release - 13th September, 2005 - High Speed Connectivity for Teams on the Move: ""

3G to WiFi routers appear to be the next thing in wireless networking solutions! I can imagine the possibilities for education here - mobile laptop workshops/work groups etc.
Coupled with Vodafones new unlimited 3G data connection (although rather expensive at $149/month), presents exciting possibilities for bypass the restrictive IT networks of most institutions!

(Via .)

GarageBand

I've been running a workshop on Digital Audio recording this week. it's the first time I've actually spent much time with Apples garageBand recording application (usually I stick with ProTools and Logic pro), however I've been pleasantly surprized at the power and simplicity of Garageband. Its a great app especially for non techy people who just want to get some musical ideas and inspiration down quick! I think I'll be using it regularly as a quick scratch pad for musical ideas form now on! Its also great that you can import your GarageBand sogs directly into Logic for deeper editing later. Great stuff Apple!

yeah

cool stuff