Archive for the ‘Technology (General)’ Category

All posts in Technology (General) category.

Oct
12
2011

iTunes Screensaver in Mac OS X

Posted by: Jen | No Comments »

Categorized: Apple, HOWTOs

I generally use the Cosmos screensaver but I recently decided to check out some of the other options. I really thought the iTunes screensaver looked cool – as it shows all your cover art. I then accidentally hovered over one of the album covers and noticed I could actually click on it and switch the current iTunes song. Super cool and a nice touch Apple. I just wish I would have stumbled onto this earlier.

PS – how did I take a screenshot of a screensaver? I opened my System Preferences, clicked on “Desktop and Screensaver”, held down command and shift, clicked in “Test” under screensaver and hit the number 3 to take a full screenshot.

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Sep
22
2011

New Mac Mini

Posted by: Jen | No Comments »

Categorized: Apple

Say hello to the latest Mac in my family: the 2011 Mac Mini.

And now for the interview with myself:

Why the Mac Mini and not the Mac Pro?
The Mac Pro is overkill for what I do. I spend half my day working with web browsers and the other half working with a simple text editor. Not to mention – the Mac Mini – for the price can be replaced just about every year for 1-2 years vs. buying a new Mac Pro every 3-4 years. I also love the size of the Mac Mini.

Why not an iMac?
I have two great working displays – that I do not just want to then sit around.

Codename is?
I name all my computers after their initial code name while being developed. This new one is “Brick”. “Brick” will be replacing “Kaleidoscope”.

Anything of interest to note?
This is the first “standard issue” Mac I have purchased in 10 years. I simply had enough of the slowness of my current Mac Mini and decided to just go to the Apple Store and buy something that minute. This is also the first Mac I have owned that does not have an optical drive (big step that I am happy to see!). Eight minutes left for the data transfer (thanks Time Machine). There is a dialog box in the photo above – yeah…I am on a computer without Photoshop and also feeling like I would rather spend time with the new computer than adjusting.

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May
16
2011

Sample Video Files

Posted by: Jen | No Comments »

Categorized: Apple, Hints

There usually comes a time when working on a project where I need to show the client how a particular video plugin works. I sometimes will do a quick Google search to find a sample video file to put in – but today when searching for a “sample MP4 video” – I found something extremely helpful: QuickTime: Sample files. There are sample files in the following format to use:

  • H.264 (for iPod models with video capability)
  • Animation
  • MPEG-4
  • 3GPP
  • 3GPP2
  • MPEG 2
  • Sorenson

Thanks Apple for making these available. My search for sample video content just got a lot easier!

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Mar
28
2011

Looking For Inspiration for Over 12 Years: Apple.com

Posted by: Jen | No Comments »

Categorized: Apple, Jappler Recommends

Over the past 12 years (I remember starting to look to Apple for great web design back in 1999) – I have often looked to Apple’s web site for best practices in navigation (top/tabbed), general layout, and usage of imagery when thinking about designing web sites for myself or my clients. I have to admit – in the last year or so I have not gone to Apple’s web site to really spend time looking at what they have done new, until this morning. Look for some proof of this time spent in my next WordPress premium theme.

It did not take long to realize Apple still does web design right. Everything is extremely clean, easy to navigate, the imagery is beautiful, and even the text looks amazing. Apple does a great job of spacing everything, adding in just enough cool javascript (sliders/slideshows, etc) to make everything extremely clean and perfectly executed.

Next time you are thinking about creating a design – take a few minutes and zip around the Apple web site. You cannot help but to be inspired. They have put in an amazing amount of time to piece together something that is truly amazing and I am sure will continue to do so in the years to come.

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Jun
04
2010

No One Knows Me Like TiVo…

Posted by: Jen | No Comments »

Categorized: Technology (General), This and That

I recently upgraded to a TiVo Premiere a few weeks ago and since the hardrive is significantly bigger than my previous Series 2 TiVo – I decided to let TiVo make suggestions of what to record with TiVo suggestions and was pleasantly surprised. I have gotten back into the original Batman series (Adam West, Gilligan’s Island, and even some Little House on the Prairie – all some of my favorite shows from my childhood).

TiVo Suggestions also recoded some great movies, documentaries, and other great TV shows so I am now able to watch pretty much whatever I want whenever I have a few minutes to relax – even if I did not purposely record it. At this point – I do not know what I like better – watching shows it records for me or seeing what new shows it thinks I would like each day.

I love TiVo!

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Apr
05
2010

My iPad

Posted by: Jen | No Comments »

Categorized: Apple, Technology (General)

My iPad…do I love it? Yes.
Is it everything I imagined? Yes.
Is it better than expected? Yes.
Is the keyboard easy to use? Yes.
Do I love it? Oh my yes.
Am I using it now for this post? Yes!

Beautiful work Apple. I best describe this as “the future”.

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Jan
29
2010

Ahh, the iPad

Posted by: Jen | 3 Comments »

Categorized: Apple

Well – I have been holding my breath since the death of the Newton (10+ years ago) for something like the iPad and the day is finally here.

Will I get one? For sure!

Even the first version? Yes!
(Even though Ben usually gets screwed with version 1 of Apple products – my favorite all time Apple products have been version 1 (my beloved Blue & White, iPhone, Mac Mini, and the Bondi blue iMac)

Will I stand in line for it? Possibly – depends on the weather.

What do I love about it?

  1. I have been thinking about getting a new laptop for the kitchen or the livingroom – just something to have around to check email and look things up on the web. Now I can get something cool and cheap!
  2. I travel a lot…and with a 3 year old. My iPhone has been great for him (photos, games, videos) – this will be better.
  3. I can easily watch my favorite episodes of Modern Family now anywhere, any time – very easily – on a great display.
  4. The price. How amazing was that – to be completely shocked with the low price (usually Apple shocks you the other way)
  5. Ken will have some crappy complaint(s) about it and I will laugh and laugh as I enjoy mine and watch him get one a few years later ;)

I think Apple did a great job with the initial release and look forward to buying one soon! I really think this is exactly what my grandparents need as well (and my parents if they had high speed or wifi).

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Nov
06
2009

The Only Apple x Killer is Apple

Posted by: Jen | 2 Comments »

Categorized: Apple

All these crazy commercials and talk about the new Droid phone makes me smile. I think back about all the proposed “Apple x killers (x = Mac, Newton, iPod, iPhone) and what makes me smile is there is no third party Apple product killer and I do not see any in the foreseeable future.

The only real threat that these products have/had is actually Apple itself. Either Apple will kill it internally (Newton) or will create something bigger and better that will replace it’s own product.

So even though I enjoyed the Droid commercials – it all sounded a bit familiar (recently with the “iPod killer” Zune) – which come on, who knows someone that has one and has got you so excited you had to have one?

Companies may try and copy, add new functionality that people want…but when it comes down to it, there is just something about those Apple products…

Have a great weekend!

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Sep
14
2009

Media Mondays: Chipolte Chipotle Ordering iPhone App

Posted by: Jen | No Comments »

Categorized: Food/Drink, Phone/PDA

Last week I did some browsing and found something really awesome (for the Chipotle fans out there) – an iPhone app that will find the nearest Chipotle(s) then allow you to place an order using the iPhone app.

The application is call Chipotle Ordering and is a free download. No more waiting in line or carrying a paper filled with Amy’s weird requests. I am super excited with this look forward to quick and easy Chipotle visits.

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Aug
31
2009

Media Mondays: The Price is Right iPhone App

Posted by: Jen | No Comments »

Categorized: Phone/PDA, This and That, TV

One of my favorite games

One of my favorite games

I have been a Price is Right fan since I can remember. I watched it every day I was home sick from school, in the summers, at Penn State while eating lunch at the Hub, and now any chance I get either online or while Amy religiously watches it during the summers. When I saw there was a Price is Right game for the iPhone – I downloaded it and have been enjoying it ever since.

The graphics are pretty good, and the actual game is spot on to the actual game. I enjoy every aspect of the game, and Evan is a professional wheel spinner. The only downfall to this game is that it drains my battery pretty fast, but it is something worth while when you are looking for a nice break away from work.

If you are a Price is Right fan – check this out for sure. It is worth the $2.99 you will pay for it!

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