Astro Orbiter in Motion

Astro Orbiter in Motion,
originally uploaded by jrandeen.

Disneyland is a very fun place to go and it offers tons of opportunities to shoot.

This is the Astro Orbiter in Motion (Tomorrowland). In 1956, the first rocket-spinner attraction opened at Disneyland and was known as the Astro Jets.

It looks a bit different today.

Orange Grove

Orange Grove,
originally uploaded by jrandeen.

I love this picture of life struggling despite the lack of care. When we first moved to the area we were surrounded by orange groves and now they’ve all but been killed off. This small grove is not going without a fight though.

Apogee introduces Symphony I/O [audio]

Apogee has just introduced a brand new audio interface, of course optimized for Logic but like some earlier Apogee products it actually has support for Pro Tools HD as well.

Actually, if you read the fine print on Apogee’s website you’ll see that Symphony I/O will replace AD-16X, DA-16X and Rosetta 800. Symphony I/O is a much more flexible solution than the previous generation. It has two I/O module slots for holding your analog connections in the form of I/O modules.

While Logic is a mighty fine application, the purpose of this blog isn’t really to talk much about it, instead lets have a look at the Pro Tools HD connectivity. As far as I understand, it interfaces much in the same way the earlier Apogee products did, meaning you could use Apogee conversion over Avid. [read]

Four Facts You Must Know (if you're going to sell anything) [video]

If you know me even a little bit, you know that I’m NOT a supporter of GoDaddy.  I think they are horrible but, these tips are good despite the source they are coming from.

Source: Bob Parsons

How a DSLR, Protractor and Tape Measure Filmed One Man Walking America

Have you seen this incredible Levi’s viral ad? A person walks coast-to-coast across America in stop motion. It’s basically a commercial, but the effect is genuine. A group of guys traveled across the US, grabbing one shot at a time:

Note that the equipment was absurdly simple: a DSLR (Canon EOS 5D Mark II), a protractor, a tripod and a tape measure. It’s humbling to realize that pretty much any of us have the resources to make such a piece. (Heck, most of us even have the 14 days of vacation time to do it.) [read]

The Golden Ratio – move up and away from Rule of Thirds [photography]

Loosely related to the rule of thirds is the Golden Ratio also referenced to the Golden Rectangle. This is, as far as I am able to decipher from a layperson’s perspective, a mathematical look at human aesthetics. Mathematicians seem to love to apply numbers to what seemingly could or should not have numbers applied to them but what do I know, as there are many geniuses out there seeking a single mathematical formula that would explain the nature of the universe and of life itself. Mathematicians have even come up with a formula for the human decision-making process, better known as Game Theory or the Zero Sum Gain. [read]

Cable Drops: Cable Management

I thought these where really cool and if you’re interested here is a link to Amazon:Cabledrop Muted Bluelounge (Computer Accessories)

Fixed behind or on the desktop, even onto a facing wall, anywhere in fact where you wish to have cables temporarily held yet easily removeable or extended. CableDrop gently grasps your power and peripheral cords so they do not fall off your desk every time you unplug your laptop. Cabledrop’s unique design makes cable management fun and can also be used as a general purpose clip in a multitude of creative ways.

The Old Spice Guy Now Making Custom Videos for Fans via Social Media

How do you get bloggers, fans and random Internet folks to make your campaign go viral? Namecheck them in a personalized monologue delivered by a shirtless man, of course! That’s right, everyone’s favorite topless dude, Old Spice Guy Isaiah Mustafa, has been tweeting just-for-you-vids to a bevy of Internet folk all day.The Old Spice Guy is undoubtedly one of the most beloved commercial characters in recent memory — he’s like The Most Interesting Man in the World, but young and apparently unable to stay fully clothed. He burst on the scene back in February and his videos quickly went viral on YouTube. [read]

How The Brain Benefits From Musical Training

Studies show children with musical training have more neural activity in response to changes in pitch during speech than those without such training. An enhanced ability to detect changes in pitch might help musicians better judge emotion in speech or distinguish a statement from a question. Musically trained children have better vocabularies and reading abilities than children who don’t have this musical education.

The musically trained may also fare better when learning a foreign language. Musicians are better able to put together sound patterns into words for a foreign language, the researchers say. [read]

So you have an app. Now what?

So you spent countless hours in internal meetings, fought detractors for budget allocation, and worked tirelessly with a new crop of “everyone-knows-them” vendors on design and development. The fruits of your labor have culminated with your shiny new app. Congratulations, you are now at the starting line!

As the app garnered more attention for the mobile phone than virtually anything since the phone call itself, companies of all sizes have been seduced by its potential. Brands, content publishers, and developers filled the Apple catalog with great enthusiasm. But often overlooked on the speedy path to the consumer’s pocket were necessary overall strategies and marketing plans. [read]