I recently updated my Yahoo Messenger on my MacBook. It's now Version 3.0 Beta 4 (156957).
Changes? Well, I changed my font color, and noticed that when I opened a new chat window, the colors are automatically on. Today, when I signed in, the colors are still there so that's definitely a good change!
However, my avatar's gone when I signed in. Even when I tried to change it, it's still blank.
DSL
My DSL is up and running fine now, thanks to my brother's insistence in having a technician come over to get it fixed. I hope this will stick, because I'm really sick of dealing with a very bad quality service.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Ready to go!
In the past year, Drew and I have discussed the possibility of creating our own podcast. It took a while for us to even try to go on Skype for a test call, to the point that we managed to drag several of our friends to join in the fun. We found that we could all carry a decent and clear conversation, it's the recording part that's another story.
I've been unofficially given the job of being the technician, in charge of recording and cleaning up the files before sharing it with the world. So far, I had been unsuccessful in finding methods in recording the calls clearly and cheaply (read: free).
My searches choked up tons of software on Windows, both free and not. With Mac, it was a bit more tough, but there were workarounds. Often it involved using more than one software, which was daunting at first.
The first how-to that I found was courtesy of The Clever Sheep. I downloaded the required apps, configured them the same way and tried calling my sister (who was sitting across from me that time). It worked, or so I thought. When I tried recording a call with Drew, it didn't work... and I couldn't make it work.
I did a few more searches, most of which required me to buy a software. One offered using Garage Band with Line-In and Soundflower, but I don't know how to use GB, so that failed as well.
Finally, last night, I stumbled across a page from Make magazine (Issue 2, published by O'Reily) on how to make your own podcast. Their list of software were what I already have, which was great. I copied the instructions to my index card pad, configured the settings for each program, called Drew and... it worked.
I still don't get how it works, technically, but since it does, I don't even bother to try figure it out so long as it keeps working. I am just surprised that I can actually hear myself through my headset, whereas normally, when I talk I just hear the other person. The effect of this set-up is much like that of an actual radio recording, where you can hear yourself as the audience (will) hear you, allowing you to moderate your voice if needed.
Here are my settings:
Skype
Line In
Don't forget to click "Pass Thru". This is the feature that will allow you to hear your own voice from your headset, and will make the mic seem extra-sensitive in picking up sound.
Audacity
For Soundflower, choose "Built-in Output" for the channel you are using. I left the sound preferences of my Mac on default (and besides, I couldn't seem to change it).
According to the guide, if it doesn't work, change the channel to 16ch instead of 2ch. Also, you may want to vary the order of programs you open. Lastly, try another recording program.
So far, this set-up works when I call Echo123 (Skype's test service) and that one call with my friend Drew. Hopefully, it'll continue to work.
I've been unofficially given the job of being the technician, in charge of recording and cleaning up the files before sharing it with the world. So far, I had been unsuccessful in finding methods in recording the calls clearly and cheaply (read: free).
My searches choked up tons of software on Windows, both free and not. With Mac, it was a bit more tough, but there were workarounds. Often it involved using more than one software, which was daunting at first.
The first how-to that I found was courtesy of The Clever Sheep. I downloaded the required apps, configured them the same way and tried calling my sister (who was sitting across from me that time). It worked, or so I thought. When I tried recording a call with Drew, it didn't work... and I couldn't make it work.
I did a few more searches, most of which required me to buy a software. One offered using Garage Band with Line-In and Soundflower, but I don't know how to use GB, so that failed as well.
Finally, last night, I stumbled across a page from Make magazine (Issue 2, published by O'Reily) on how to make your own podcast. Their list of software were what I already have, which was great. I copied the instructions to my index card pad, configured the settings for each program, called Drew and... it worked.
I still don't get how it works, technically, but since it does, I don't even bother to try figure it out so long as it keeps working. I am just surprised that I can actually hear myself through my headset, whereas normally, when I talk I just hear the other person. The effect of this set-up is much like that of an actual radio recording, where you can hear yourself as the audience (will) hear you, allowing you to moderate your voice if needed.
Here are my settings:
Skype
Line In
Don't forget to click "Pass Thru". This is the feature that will allow you to hear your own voice from your headset, and will make the mic seem extra-sensitive in picking up sound.
Audacity
For Soundflower, choose "Built-in Output" for the channel you are using. I left the sound preferences of my Mac on default (and besides, I couldn't seem to change it).
According to the guide, if it doesn't work, change the channel to 16ch instead of 2ch. Also, you may want to vary the order of programs you open. Lastly, try another recording program.
So far, this set-up works when I call Echo123 (Skype's test service) and that one call with my friend Drew. Hopefully, it'll continue to work.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Paper vs. Electronic books
Lev Grossman of Time Magazine writes about "Books Gone Wild: The Digital Age Reshapes Literature"
My weekly book meme, Booking Through Thursday, is discussing this topic on the blog itself rather than asking participants to post their discussions in their blogs. Mine's a bit lengthy, but it's fun.
What's your take on the status of the publishing industry?
Here's a literary parable for the 21st century. Lisa Genova, 38, was a health-care-industry consultant in Belmont, Mass., who wanted to be a novelist, but she couldn't get her book published for love or money. She had a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Harvard, but she couldn't get an agent. "I did what you're supposed to do," she says. "I queried literary agents. I went to writers' conferences and tried to network. I e-mailed editors. Nobody wanted it." So Genova paid $450 to a company called iUniverse and published her book, Still Alice, herself.
That was in 2007. By 2008 people were reading Still Alice. Not a lot of people, but a few, and those few were liking it. Genova wound up getting an agent after all--and an offer from Simon & Schuster of just over half a million dollars. Borders and Target chose it for their book clubs. Barnes & Noble made it a Discover pick. On Jan. 25, Still Alice will make its debut on the New York Times best-seller list at No. 5. "So this is extreme to extreme, right?" Genova says. "This time last year, I was selling the book out of the trunk of my car.
Continue reading
My weekly book meme, Booking Through Thursday, is discussing this topic on the blog itself rather than asking participants to post their discussions in their blogs. Mine's a bit lengthy, but it's fun.
What's your take on the status of the publishing industry?
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Mca vs. PC Christmas
Well, it's been a while. In the spirit of Christmas (and with me being a Mac convert), let me share with you this Mac vs. PC Christmas ad. Enjoy! You can check out YouTube for more of them. Warning: It can take up a lot of your time :)
Vacation starts in two days. I can't wait.
Vacation starts in two days. I can't wait.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)