Software: MonkeyJam – freeware lets you create cool stop-motion animation for fun and profit

My son, Joe, is a Lego fan and is always wanting to duplicate the stop-action animations he finds on YouTube. These can be quite complex and without software designed for the process is can be quite hard to do. Enter this piece of Windows software, MonkeyJam. MonkeyJam allows you to create stop-animation sequences easily using your still camera, video camera or web cam.

The most important feature for any stop-animation program is "onion skinning". This is the digital version of what hand animators used to do -- drawing in pencil on onion skin or tracing paper and then comparing that to the next drawing by flipping back and forth between the two. This feature helps to insure that you are moving your characters in small enough increments that your animation will play as a movie and not just a series of still frames.

If you have a budding animator in your house, download and try out MonkeyJam.

I first heard about MonkeyJam in the post below...

MonkeyJam – freeware lets you create cool stop-motion animation for fun and profit: "

MonkeyJam is a neat little freeware prog which lets you create those really fun, cool stop-motion animations you see around. You [...]"

Here is a short video created by the author of this blog post.

DIY: Inexpensive Wiimote-based Smart boards

My son's school has been lucky enough to be able to afford Smartboards for each of its classrooms so that teachers can use them in a number of amazing ways. Students can interact with web pages, flash games, and software using "electronic chalk". Material, both digital and physical, is easily presented to the entire class. The boards open up a wide range of activities never before possible in the classroom, limited only by the imagination.

That said, smartboards can be exceedingly expensive. Second only to the capabilities of smart boards themselves is the inventiveness of hackers, DIY'ers and Makers who set out to use the relatively inexpensive Wiimote game controller to create an less expensive, home brew version of the Smartboard. Even better, building the system can be made part of the educational process for everyone involved .

This article from MAKE: Blog ( Make your own Wii smartboard) details how to create and use this inexpensive system in your own school or group. The video below offers a quick view of the amazing things you can accomplish with such a system.

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Lego iPhone app turns pictures into Lego mosaics

I have many friends, and also a son, who are Lego maniacs. Some belong to Lego railroad clubs, others want to build the Taj Mahal or the Death Star.

The most interesting part, though, is how they surround themselves with Lego. They have keychains and screensavers and cards and magazine and pens and more.

This new iPhone app is sure to reach deep into the heart of any Lego Maniac. It doesn't do much, but it does it pretty well. Simply take a photo with your iPhone, or use one from your Camera Roll, and it will turn it into a Lego mosaic i.e. made up of multi-colored Lego bricks. Tapping the pictures cycles through a variety of color schemes and another tap saves the Lego picture back to your Camera Roll, ready to be downloaded to your computer, emailed or printed.

The Lego app is free, so there is nothing to stop you from downloading it and giving it a try. Below is a picture snapped by my son and then turned into Lego.

Download the Lego App from the Apple iTunes App Store or directly to your iPhone

Top 10 Posts from TechnologyIQ for 2009

Here is a list of the top 10 TechnologyIQ posts of 2009.

1. Dilbert gets too close to the truth about tech support
   
2. Game: Hedgehog Launch - Addictive
   
3. Online Collaborative Whiteboard - Skrbl.com
   
4. Video: Flip Ultra vs. Flip Comparison
   
5. LA Street Traffic in Google Maps
   
6. Fill out PDF files online with PDF Filler
   
7. Elsewhere Online: Google Earth Integrates Street View
   
8. Audio: State of the Music Industry Panel Discussion – Feb 9, 2009
   
9. New Wells Fargo Envelope-Free ATMs confuse users
   
10. DIY iPHone Dock and Moleskine Stand
    

Installing Microsoft Security Essentials on client's computers

I recently noticed the article below in my reading and it reinforced my recent change in what software I install on my friend's, family and client's Windows PCs.

I was installing a combination of ClamAV and Windows Defender, but upon the release of this new software, Microsoft Security Essentials, I saw an opportunity to stream line things and give the users less to concern themselves with as far as updates and new versions.

Twitter friend and follower @MadMarv saw my original Twitter post when I shared the item below and repied "yeah, I'm starying to roll out MS. Sec. Essentials around the office. Seems less obtrusive than any other AV right now."

Every Windows PC needs an antivirus and anti-malware program to protect it and Microsoft Security Essentials combines both into one, easy-to-install package. If you don't currently have protection installed, or it is out of date, head over to Microsoft's Web Site and download and install Microsoft Security Essentials as a base line of protection.

While it has been true for years that you needn't spend a lot of money (or any money) on you PC protection products, Microsoft Security Essentials simply reinforces that fact.

Microsoft Security Essentials Ranks as Best-Performing Free Antivirus [Antivirus]
from Lifehacker by The How-To Geek

Anti-malware testing group AV-Comparatives.org not only gave Microsoft Security Essentials a top rating for malware removal, but now they've given it their best ranking in their performance test as well.

AV-Comparatives.org ran a series of real-world tests running through common scenarios like downloading, extracting, copying, and encoding files, installing and launching applications, and they also ran through an automated testing suite as well. Once the dust had settled, it became clear that not only is MSE one of only three products that both blocks and removes malware well, but it's also very light on system resources.

Read the entire article

Audio: Live Reading of "A Christmas Carol" - 4th Annual

Yesterday, we held our 4th Annual LIVE Reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and the audio is now available for your holiday pleasure.

I think this would be great listening while steaming your Christmas pudding, cooking your Christmas goose or enjoying that refreshing "bowl of steaming bishop!"

Listen to the 4th Annual LIVE Reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" from DouglasEWelch.com

You can also watch the video captured live on uStream.tv.

Watch the 4th Annual Reading of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

I hope you enjoy it!

Friends in Tech present A Geek Christmas Story

Happy Holidays from everyone here at TechnologyIQ and WelchWrite.com. I hope you enjoy this year's holiday presentation from Friends in Tech. -- Douglas

Listen to A Geek Christmas Story




“Mattie Stevens, a young boy of the early 80’s, dreams of owning a Commodore 64. He sets out to convince everyone this is the perfect gift. But, along the way runs into opposition from his parents and everyone around him including old Santa Claus”

Written By:
Kreg Steppe and Douglas E. Welch

Produced By:
George Starcher – Typical Mac User Podcast
Victor Cajiao – Typical Mac User Podcast - – Typical Shutterbug Podcast
Steve Holden – Tech News Radio - Jersey Boys Podcast – AztecMedia.net

Cast of Players:

Narrator: Kreg Steppe – Technorama

Harvey Stevens: Dad – Kevin Devin

Mandy Stevens: Mom – Susie Murph – How to Grow your Geek Podcast

Mattie Stevens: Son – Daniel Devin

Sandy Stevens: Little Brother – Spencer Holden

Curtz Eisenberg: Friend to Mattie – Harrison Steppe

General Beringer: General – Douglas E. Welch

Lieutenant: Steve Holden – Tech News Radio

Mrs. Little: Katie Floyd – Mac Power Users Podcast

Santa’s Helper: Chuck Tomasi – Chuckchat.com

Santa: Larry Pesce – Pauldotcom.com Podcast

Judge: Victor Cajiao – Typical Mac User Podcast – Typical Shutterbug Podcast

Andrew Carnagie: Andy Helsby – Absoblogginlutely!

J.P. Morgan: Grant Bichocco – Mr.Grant.com

UPS Guy: Paul Asadoorian- Pauldotcom.com Podcast

Skipper: Rylie Starcher

Tip of the Hat to the old Christmas Commodore 64 Demo


Previous FiT Holiday Specials:

• Halloween – Server Room of Horrors – 2005


• Christmas – A Geek Christmas Carol – 2005


• Halloween – Server Room of Horrors – 2006


• Christmas – Lucky the Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Geeks – 2006


• Halloween – It’s the Great Server Chuck and Kreg! – 2007

This has been a Friends in Tech Production.

Wordpress 2.9 upgrade fails on GoDaddy shared server(s)

(Update 12/19/2009 - 1341 PST - Received links on how to export and import database into new 5.0 version of the database. Working with some knowledgeable others to help me do the process.)

(Update 12/19/2009 - 1024 PST - Looks as if my main database is still in mySQL 4.0 format although GoDaddy support 5.0. Probably never had need to upgrade DB since I moved there. Support email sent in on how to upgrade database)

Hmmm. Upgrading your Wordpress installations is typically a part of good system management, but when trying to install the latest version of Wordpress 2.9 this morning I received the following error.

Upgrade WordPress
Downloading update from http://wordpress.org/wordpress-2.9.zip.

Unpacking the update.

The update cannot be installed because WordPress 2.9 requires MySQL version 4.1.2 or higher. You are running version 4.0.27.

Installation Failed

I am not sure if this effects all of GoDaddy's shared servers or just mine, but it could effect a lot of people if their default install of mySQL is this version.

What are you experiencing with Wordpress 2.9 installs on shared servers?

Free Disney "The Princess and the Frog" Music in today's LA Times

Today's LA Times contains an advertising wrapper pointing people to free music downloads form Disney's new movie, The Princess and the Frog.

Visit this web site: https://www.amplified.com/disneylatimes/ and enter the code RK4F3TM. Four songs from the movie will download as a compressed ZIP file and then decompress into the four individual tracks.

Look to the The Welchwrite Bookstore and more this Christmas

Looking for gifts for the special people in your life?

Start your search in The WelchWrite Bookstore and more, in association with Amazon.com.

I have highlighted books, software, podcasting equipment and more in my store, or you can shop for anything the Amazon.com provides.

The WelchWrite Bookstore and more

Outgoing Email, Roadrunner and the iPhone

I have had this question twice now over the last month, so I decided to take the time to write it up in case anyone else might need it.

The Problem

While you can easily set up your Roadrunner.com email address in your iPhone, sending email is more problematical. You can send email if you are connected via WiFi, but sending mail when using the cellular data network fails. It seems your iPhone cannot connect to the outgoing email server.

The Solution

When researching this problem for the first client to ask, I came across this tech note from Apple.com

iPhone: What to do if you can't send or receive Mail

This tech note gives you the steps necessary to select an outgoing email server provided by AT&T specifically for iPhone users. This outgoing mail server should work regardless of your connection to the Internet.

Elsewhere Online: Cool cable storage and management trick

I came across this hint on Lifehacker.com

Tying up your computer cable mess with a daisy chain from Wellington Grey on Vimeo.

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Windows 7 - Should you upgrade?

Microsoft released Windows 7 this week. While early reviews are calling it a big improvement on Windows Vista and even the venerable Windows XP, I am going to issue my usual guidelines for upgrading.

* If it ain't broke, don't fix it

If you machine is working fine, then you probably don't need to upgrade unless there is a feature that Windows 7 provides that you simply MUST have

For Windows XP users, an "upgrade" to Windows 7 requires a complete data backup, hard drive re-format and re-install of all your applications. This might be enough to dissuade most XP Users. Also, if you are still using Windows XP, there might be some parts of your computer that are unsupported in Windows 7.

* Get Windows 7 with a machine designed to run it

The best way to have a smooth transition to Windows 7 is to buy a machine that was designed for it. This would include machines available today with Windows 7 pre-installed, as well as recently purchased machines that came with a free upgrade to Windows 7.

If you are using Windows 7 already, or planning on upgrading your existing computer, I would love to hear and share your experiences with other TechnologyIQ readers. Leave them as comments here or send them to techiq@welchwrite.com.

Recently "Noted" Items from my reading

Remember Your Home WiFi Password

One call I get quite frequently from my clients is for help in remembering and/or discovering their WiFi passwords. Typically, they have a guest coming to town who wants to connect to their network, but since the password is stored in their computer, they don't remember it. I call this "speed dial syndrome", where you don't remember phone numbers anymore, because you always just select them from your address book.

So, as a way of addressing this problem, I have taken to carrying around my P-Touch labeler and putting the password right on the router. This seems to be an obvious place to look for password when someone asks. You could be a bit more discrete than my photo above and put the label on the bottom or back of the router, but you also need to be able to remember where it is. I have one client who put it in her rolodex, but doesn't typically remember that it is there.

Routers from the 2WIRE company help to solve this problem by labeling every router with its password. On the underside of the router you should see a 10 digit sequence in square brackets i.e. [1234567890] This is the default wireless password for your specific router.

Additionally, you should also place a sticker for the password for the router itself. This password is required to change the settings of your router. The password should be changed from its default when it is installed, as there are a few exploits which can take advantage of routers with default passwords. Of course, since you use this password so infrequently, most people have no idea what it is.

There is one final fallback you can use, too. If you can't remember your password at all, most routers allow you to reset them back to their factory settings, including default passwords so that you can login and modify the settings back to the way you wish.

Do you have questions about your network, your router, your software? Leave them as comments here on the blog or send them along to techiq@welchwrite.com. I'll be glad to answer them.

Wii now available at reduced price

We really enjoy our Wii game system, especially the Lego series of games including Lego Batman, Lego Star Wars and Lego Indiana Jones. The Wii has recently dropped in price to $199, from its typical $250, which makes it even more inticing.

You can find links to all these games and more in the Welchwrite Bookstore.

Coffee-related iPhone Wallpapers from Rohde Design

Latte (320x480 Wallpaper)
Originally uploaded by Mike Rohde

I went looking for some new wallpapers for my iPhone and came across this collection by artist and online friend, Mike Rohde. Most of you know I am really into coffee, so I love this collection highlighting all the different styles of coffee in Mike's Unique style. These images were originally part of the 2008 Sketchtoon Coffee Calendar.

Mike is also getting a lot of buzz over his "Sketchtoon" note- taking at a variety of conferences including SXSW. He recently released an iPhone app containing his Sketchtoons for SXSW in an easy-to-use "stack of images. Free Download from iTunes App Store

Mac Users: Please, please, please set up Time Machine!

I ran into the librarian at my son's school yesterday and saw that she had a new Mac. Her old one had died unceremoniously, but the administration had the budget to replace it quickly. One thing I noticed, though, is that she had not yet setup Time Machine on the new iMac.

Mac users, there is no reason NOT to set up Time Machine on your Macintosh. This feature, added with Mac OS 10.5 backs up your entire Mac -- data, applications, settings -- and then updates any changed files on an hourly basis. All it takes a an external hard drive (I usually recommend on about 250GB in size). Theses drives are on sale all the time for prices around $50. This is a great investment to give you substantial peace of mind about your Mac.

While Apple touts the ability to easily restore deleted or damaged files using Time Machine, my use of the software has almost always been to restore a Mac that has crashed or build a new Mac that looks exactly like and old Mac -- including email, settings, desktop pattern, printer, everything!

I had a client who happened to get a lemon iMac. The unit died after 2 weeks, but we had set up time Machine from the very beginning. It had taken several hours to move data from her Windows machine and set the Mac up the way she wanted it and all that would have been lost if we didn't have a Time Machine backup. Instead, we were able to plug her backup drive into the new Mac, select "Restore from Time Machine Backup" during the setup and about 15 minutes later she was working again -- with all her original settings.

I recently had to replace my Time Machine backup drive, as I was using an older, leftover drive I had lying around the office. I found this Seagate FreeAgent Go drive (250GB) on sale at a local retailer. I like it, as it is small, quiet and requires no external power cable. It is powered directly from USb port of the computer.

Mac Users -- if you haven't set up Time Machine on your mac -- DO IT TODAY! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain -- including peace of mind.

Elsewhere Online: $50 Refurbed iPhone 3G 8GB Is Back [Dealzmodo]

Now you can get a refurbished version of my iPhone for 1/4 of price I paid only a year ago. Picking up an iPhone 3G 8GB for $50 certainly lightens the load of the $30 monthly data plan. As the article mentions, this price is cheaper than you would pay for some of the more typical, "dumb" phones on the market.

$50 Refurbed iPhone 3G 8GB Is Back [Dealzmodo]

from Gizmodo by matt buchanan

I guess AT&T found a spare closet filled with refurbished 8GB iPhone 3Gs (that's a little 's'), because they've got a fresh stock they're selling for $50. That's cheaper than a lot of dumbphones. Check the stock here. [AT&T]

Elsewhere Online: Rumor: New, Thinner iMacs Rolling Off Factory Lines, With Mystery Features and Maybe Blu-ray [Rumor]

If you are thinking about buying a new iMac, you may want to wait a couple of weeks. The rumor mills are running and it looks like we might see new units as soon as October.

Rumor: New, Thinner iMacs Rolling Off Factory Lines, With Mystery Features and Maybe Blu-ray [Rumor]: "

New iMacs aren't just coming soon, they've been rolling out for two weeks, according to AppleInsider. They're thinner and look more like the LED Cinema Display, with mystery features that make them the 'most versatile ever.'

Read the entire article

Elsewhere Online: CustomGuide Provides Quick-Reference Sheets for Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe Products [Reference]

Looking for a little extra help with your software? These free quick reference forms, in PDF format, could be great have next to your computer. The PDFs are easy to reference on your computer, or you can print them out and keep them in front of you all the time. I am going to go over several of them to refresh my knowledge on some of those programs I don't use very often.

CustomGuide Provides Quick-Reference Sheets for Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe Products [Reference]: "

Learning a new application? Have a cube-mate that pesters you with questions about an application they're learning? Print off a cheat sheet from CustomGuide.

CustomGuide has guides for popular Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe software. Most entries have both present and past versions of the application in question. The entry for Outlook, for instance, has quick-reference sheets for Outlook 98 through Outlook 2007.

Each guide includes a diagram of the main interface, keyboard shortcuts, summaries of the menus and the tools found in them, and other relevant tips for using the application more efficiently.

Know of a good resource for software guides and cheat sheets? Let's hear about it in the comments. The guides are free and in PDF format.

CustomGuide Quick-Reference Sheets [via MakeUseOf]

Noted: TED Talks iPhone Application

I listen to a lot of the TED Talks as podcasts, so it is great to see an iPhone app to help even more people discover the great information delivered at each TED Conference. I will be downloading this app ASAP -- Douglas

TED Talks iPhone Application: "

The quarter-century old nonprofit TED—Technology, Education and Design—just made their mission of spreading innovative ideas easier with their iPhone application. Aggregating the latest audio and video from the TED talks and conferences, the search function sorts through the hundreds of speakers and a bookmarking feature marks favorites.

The TED app is free, compatible with the iPhone and iPod Touch and available from iTunes.

LA Street Traffic in Google Maps

Update August 25, 2009: According to the Google Maps group, street traffic has been turned on today. I noticed it early this morning, when I brought up Google Maps on my iPhone. While I had seen some information on state routes over the last several months, this update adds a host of larger streets throughout the area, at least here in LA.

Update: It looks like this was only a test on Google's part. I hope they move to launch it as soon as possible, though, as it will be amazingly helpful in navigating around the city

How did I miss this? Has this feature been available for a while?

If you look at this screen grab, you will notice that Google Maps traffic now shows surface street traffic, not just the freeways. I used to have to go to the LA City Traffic Info page to get this amount of detail.

Unfortunately, the iPhone Maps application doesn't show this data yet. This would be so cool and so useful to have in the palm of your hand when driving about the city, like I do.

Noted: Stellarium Turns Your Computer Screen into a Planetarium [Downloads]

Stellarium Turns Your Computer Screen into a Planetarium [Downloads]: "

Windows/Mac/Linux: Whether you're a die-hard astronomy buff or someone who'd just like an idea of what constellations are where, Stellarium is a fantastic tool for viewing the night sky from the comfort of your home.

Google Calendar adds "Lab" features

Google has added some "Labs" features to Google Calendar today. I think one of the neatest features is the "Time to next event". Interesting bit of info to have in front of you all the time. The World Clock is also useful when planning online events.

Introducing Google Calendar Labs (David Marmaros/The Google Apps Blog) from Techmeme

David Marmaros / The Google Apps Blog:
Introducing Google Calendar Labs — It's hard to believe it's been more than three years since we introduced Google Calendar to the world. (It's true, I just checked my calendar.) In that time we've received countless ideas and suggestions, including many from my fellow Googlers …

Audio: Douglas talks Wordpress with Small Business Hosting podcast

SBHosting.com posted an interview I did last week talking about the uses and differences between Wordpress.com's hosted blogs and the Wordpress software available from Wordpress.org.

Listen to the entire interview (30 Mins)

Wordpress.org Vs Wordpress.com With Douglas Welch

On this episode I talk with Douglas Welch about the differences between Wordpress.com and Wordpress.org and when you might want to use WordPress.org vs Wordpress.com. Wordpress.com is hosted and managed by automattic (the company behing wordpress). If you choose WordPress.com you don’t install or control the software. WordPress.org is the home of the open source wordpress software. [...]

Continue reading...

Portable Digital TVs for after the June 20 Digital Television switch-over

Speaking with my friend Michael today, He reminded me that the digital television switch over is going to occur on June 20, 2009 and many older televisions will stop receiving "over-the-air" television signals.

Anyone who is getting their television signals over cable, AT&T uVerse, Satellite and other methods will still be able to watch their shows. It only effects television delivered via an antenna.

I know from my travels that very few of my clients are in danger of losing their television service, but I have always had another concern about this switchover. Throughout the years, we have always been reminded to have a battery operated radio or television in case of weather, or in California, earthquake, emergency.

Unfortunately, all of the small televisions we have around our house will not receive any signal after June 20. I hadn't seen any prominent advertising for newer, portable TVs so I finally decided to go looking for them.

Amazon.com lists a number of portable digital TVs with ATSC tuners that will receive the new digital television signals. The smallest size seems to be 7", but there are 9" and 10" models available, too. Most operate on AC or DC current and some come with car adapters, too. Some offer rechargeable battery packs, although at least one said it could not be recharged through the car charger, so you would eventually have to use your car battery as a primary power source after a few hours.

Here are the features to look for when purchasing a new portable digital TV:

• ATSC digital tuner
• Battery powered (Rechargeable or traditional)
• Runs off 120V house power
• Runs off 12V car power with adapter

Link: Amazon.com: Portable Digital TVs

Related articles by Zemanta

• 30 Days to Digital Television Transition (seattlest.com)
• LivingHD.com answers Digital TV questions (live event) (techburgh.com)
• HD for free, out of thin air (thestar.com)

Gmail now assists in migrating from other email systems

I so wish Google had had this available when I was forced to hand migrate a client's email contacts from AOL to their new Gmail account. It was painful, to say the least, and horribly time consuming. I haven't yet tried this new migration with someone, but I have some candidates I am going to approach so I can use them as a test.

If you are still using AOL, do yourself a favor and check out Gmail. I have moved all my email over to my Gmail address and can now easily access it on my own computers, friends computers, my iPhone and pretty much anywhere I have an Internet connection.

Gmail Makes Email Switching Easier

By Kevin Purdy, 5:30 AM on Thu May 14 2009, 12,921 views

Been looking to move a friend or relative to Gmail, but they complain the move from AOL, Hotmail, or their ISP email would be painful? Let 'em know Gmail now offers an easy switching tool.

Read the entire article

The Fine Art of Troubleshooting Anything from BarCampLA-7

This talk was presented as part of BarCampLA-7 on May 2, 2009

iPod Ready Video