Take a look back at the beginnings of open source, and its growth through the 80s and 90s. Meet the people involved, and understand how Red Hat got started, went public, and changed the technology industry along the way.

Experience this story from some of the people that helped craft it, including DeLisa Alexander, Jeremy Allison, Paul Cormier, Alan Cox, John Halamka, Venky Hariharan, Lawrence Lessig, Alex Pinchev, Brian Stevens, Michael Tiemann, Mark Webbink, Jim Whitehurst, Jan Wildeboer, and Bob Young.

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“When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion. When you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing; when you see that money is flowing to those who deal not in goods, but in favors; when you see that men get rich more easily by graft than by work, and your laws no longer protect you against them, but protect them against you… you may know that your society is doomed.”

Quote from Atlas Shrugged

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“A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.“

— Antoine de Saint Exupéry

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Adobe has opened up their Adobe eLearning Professionals group on LinkedIn. Check it out, ask questions and help others!

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Adobe-eLearning-Professionals-Group-2362292

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So this evening I received this “friendly” text reminder from AT&T

“Your data usage has reached 3GB this month. Using more than 3GB in future billing cycles will result in reduced speeds. You can use Wi-Fi to help avoid reduced speeds. Visit www.att.com/datainfo or call 866-344-7584 for more info.”

So I called the 866 number and this lady said that there is nothing she can do and that my speed will pretty much be like dial up.

I’ve had unlimited wireless via AT&T Wireless since my first iPhone 3G. I’ve chosen to keep that for both my (now Android) phone as well as my wife’s. AND I’ve choosen to be grandfathered into it, while paying the premium for it every month. 

I understand that there is a legitimate reason for capping some people, but I’m certainly not a part of their top 5% of abusers. Hell… I do NOT tether. I do NOT stream a ton of YouTube. I primarily use my phone for a ton of business/personal email and social apps like Foursquare. And I recognize that AT&T isn’t completely cutting off my data, but they are pretty much crippling it. Why not just shoot the wounded dog?

My real beef and the purpose of this rant is HOW the AT&T lady went about this. Sure I wasn’t very happy when I called her, but I still was professional. Her telling me there was nothing she can do, after I’ve been a very loyal customer for a number of year paying the premium for their “Unlimited Data” was BS! 

If this is how AT&T wants to treat their loyal customers, I’m sure I can find somewhere else where my business will be appreciated. To all my friends and colleagues that I’ve told I haven’t had any problems with AT&T, I regretfully take that back.

I highly recommend NOT using AT&T Wireless because their policies and customer service SUCK!

Recently, I’ve relocated from Winston-Salem to Raleigh, so I’m assuming that may be a contributing factor. I never had this issue with similar data usage in Winston-Salem. W-S was a much smaller market and I’m sure they didn’t have as much traffic, still that is NOT a good reason for a company to treat their customer like that.

End of rant… Can anyone suggest a solid wireless carrier with top notch support?

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Well, today is my last week at BB&T. Monday morning, I start the next chapter of my professional career at Red Hat! BB&T is a rock solid company, and I only foresee good things in their company’s future. But the time has come for me to make a change of scene, and what better place that one of the leaders of the open source community! I’ll be working for the Red Hat University Share Services as an eLearning Developer.

Can’t wait!

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‎5000x$10 – We are looking for 5000 of our closest friends and family to donate $10 each to help us raise funds for a billboard campaign in North Carolina to get people out to VOTE!

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I typically find myself feeling pretty apathetic when it comes to politics. I’m tired of empty promises, lack of checks and balances, and people who say they know what they are doing, but really don’t have a freaking clue.

We got “Change” in the last election, but it wasn’t necessarily the change we want or needed. In January 2009 when Obama took office, unemployment was at 7.8%, now it is 9.1%. The stimulus didn’t work. It didn’t produce those millions of jobs that the politicians promised. It may have helped things maintain the sucky status quo, but it certainly didn’t help America grow or prosper. 

What type of intelligent business person dumps trillions of dollars into a failing business model? Capital like that will sustain a business for a while, but if you don’t innovate and change the business model, that capital will eventually dry up and you are stuck in the same situation you were before, BUT you are now just in huge debt. This is exactly where we are at as a Nation.

I believe it is time for a businessman with a plan to run our country, not some great civic leader, like an Obama, who makes promises and rallies the people. Cain knows how to turn a failing business (Godfather’s Pizza) around by cutting the waste, and move it back into a successful business.

Out of all the GOP candidates, Cain has a plan that he calls his 999 Plan. Its practical, its common sense and its a solid business plan for getting America back on track. 

Another reason I like Cain, he isn’t a “good ol’ boy” that has been in an congressional office since 1982. Take a look at the man’s successful business career. I personally thinks he is the best candidate for the job.

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http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2391160,00.asp?kc=PCRSS05079TX1K0000992

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Bacon wrapped chicken, shrimp& beef kabobs. And my first attempt at stuffed / clams casino on the grill.

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I LOVE food! I also LOVE cooking! So you can imagine my excitement when I got a beta invitation to Punchfork: The Best New Recipes from Top Food Sites (or as I like to refer to it… Punchfork: The Sexy Recipe Aggregator) today!

The site definitely has a sleek design. I signed up via my Facebook account. It has a robust feature set, including: Favorites, easy to share link, Facebook Like, Twitter Tweet button, etc…

What I like is what appears to be the use of the social media sharing buttons to give the recipe a rating.

Check out the app, blog or their Facebook page!

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Are you having problems syncing your new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 on your precious Mac? So did I! I tried:

• Just connecting my Galaxy Tab via USB. No go.
• Android File Transfer utility. No go.
• I considered Phil Haigh’s (of surfsoftconsulting.com) advice: Galaxy Tab 10.1 USB File Transfer Issues Explained. BUT I didn’t want an app (even if it was free) if I could find the right thing to connect my tablet to me Mac.
• I searched all over Samsung’s forums and eventually stumbled across: Samsung’s Kies Beta

Use Kies Beta it works perfect for transferring image, video & audio. If you want to transfer other files (like PDFs) I’ve come to really like the File Expert app by Geek Software Technology Inc. I’m using their WEB Sharing option.

Let me know if you have any questions. Cheers!

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Learn by Listening… Security+ Audiobook is to help supplement your studies with audio files you can listen to while on the go. Listen to topics from all the chapters of Darril Gibson’s the top selling CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead Study Guide, or focus on the topics you need.

• Learn while driving or commuting
• Learn while exercising
• Learn any time

Audio files read directly from the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead Study Guide by a professional voice actor, but this is NOT the complete book being read.

Listen on your Android device!

Audio files include:

• All of the Remember blocks from each chapter
• Listen to key exam information as many times as you like
• All of the questions, answers, and explanations from each of the chapters
• Reinforce why the correct answers are correct and why in the incorrect answers are incorrect.

Over 3 1/4 hours of Security+ material (21 streaming files).

• 10 separate Remember files
• One for each chapter
• 10 separate question and answer files
• One for each chapter

Get Ahead with CertApps!

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If you have at least a little interest in Google’s Android platform, you MUST watch these!

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Pintley 2 for Android & iPhone

Pintley mobile app, this

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time for both Android and iPhone!

In addition to opening up Pintley to Android users, this version of the app brings dozens of updates, including:

• Drink Tracking and Checkins
• Points System and Monthly Prize Giveaways
• Integration with Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare
• News Feeds, Friends, and Messages

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We made a delicious pizza on homemade dough!

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Certification prep apps are an important learning tool. A friend of mine, Darril Gibson has released Security+ Free app that is now available in the Android Market.

He is working on a number of apps that will help those who are interested in the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-201) certification. For those of you who don’t know Darril, he is a well-known IT trainer and author of several certification books including, CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead (Printed Version & Kindle Version).

Security+ Free is coming soon to the Amazon App Store, as well as the Apple App Store. This is just a sample of certification prep apps he will be releasing in the future.

To keep up-to-date with the release of the apps, you can follow CertApps in a number of ways: Blog, Twitter or Facebook.

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I’ve dabble with NoSQL technology and I’ve found CouchDB as a very intrguing place to start. Since I mostly code in Flash I wanted to figure out a way to get Flash to communication with CouchDB.

I was Googling and came across Todd Anderson‘s (blog) project on GitHub called, “as3couchdb“. My only problem is that I prefer to do almost everything exclusively in Flash. I noticed Todd had an AS3 version in his example projects, but that it requires Flex because of the custom metadata at the time of compiling. So you would get an error like this,

“Error: The CouchModel instance [com.custardbelly.couchdb.example.model::ContactDatabase] must be annotated with [DocumentService] metadata tag.”

I found a hack-around, so anyone else wanting to use CouchDB and within the Flash IDE can do so (assuming you have CouchDB running locally already – if not, download Couchbase Server here)…

1. Simply create a new Flash project
2. Download Todd’s as3couchdb and call the example BasicActionScriptExample Class under the Properties Panel -> Publish -> Class in the Flash IDE
3. Go to your Publish Settings, and check the SWC box under Publish
4. The compile your project… the example should publish and work!

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment. I’m using Flash CS5 and Couchbase Server (CouchDB v 1.0.2) on a Mac.

For those interested in how I found this hack-around:

• Adobe: Flash Professional Ideas – Keep Custom Metadata
  • Robotlegs: Flash CS4 custom metadata now possible? So far yes!
    • Patrick Mowrer: Compiling custom AS3 metadata in Flash Professional

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Today Amazon announced it has launched its own Android App Store! This is very interesting and exciting for all of those who have Android devices. I still think Googlezon is just right around the corner. For those unfamiliar with Googlezon, watch this 8 minutes video, EPIC 2015.

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Mel said she wanted a TV stand, so our weekend project was to build one from scratch. What started as 5 pieces of woods turned into this. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

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Tonight I cooked corned beef and cabbage with a (green colored) mustard sauce, a green ale, and topped off the evening with a pistachio pudding. The latter wasn’t very Irish, but I was exhausted. BTW… this was the first time I ever cooked with a pressure cooker. YUM!

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Lemon pepper salmon with fresh asparagus and carrots in a wine sauce and artichoke on the side. YUM!!!

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With the evolution of mobile technology, the next step of education is naturally bringing eLearning to mobiles. The main four mobile operating systems are: iOS, Android, RIM & Symbian. As we know, the final product of the majority of eLearning projects is Flash. As of today, Symbian supports Flash Lite, and  Google (with Adobe’s help) has done a wonderful job of making a full version of Flash work on Android devices. That leaves Apple’s iOS and BlackBerry’s RIM as the only platform not to support Flash, with the exception of BlackBerry’s tablet, called the PlayBook. You can take the time to write custom apps work like your eLearning, but that costs too much in both time and money.

So what other solutions does that leave us with. As many know, I’ve been very skeptical of HTML5 technology, mainly because so many are saying its the silver bullet solution to compatibility issues. Well, I’m still not sold on that, but I do think it is a great tool to have at your disposal, especially in the eLearning world.

Last week I was given a demo of a new eLearning tool, Rapid Intake’s mLearning Studio, that produces both a Flash based course for desktop and laptop computers, as well as an HTML5 version that works on iOS, Android and soon RIM. The beauty is that you don’t have to write two versions of the same course.

Here is a live link (http://rapidintake.com/mobilebeta/sample_beta1/player.html) to a course they produced. Go ahead, take a look at the Flash version on your computer, then pull out your iPhone, iPad or Android (2.2+) device and take a gander at the HTML5 version. The technology is still in the development stages, so if you have any trouble accessing it from your Android, try this link (http://rapidintake.com/mobilebeta/sample_beta1/indexMobile.html) instead.

Here is a link (http://www.rapidintake.com/products/mobile/mobile-learning-studio/) to their product page. Take a look, and feel free to contact them with your questions!

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Me & Duke enjoying the Virginia Tech & Stanford Orange Bowl

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Upstart: The Daily Guide for Entrepreneurs has LAUNCHED!

I’m nowhere near as smart (or successful… yet) as guys like Fred Wilson, Chris Brogan or Guy Kawasaki, but I do read their blogs (along with many, many more) daily. I usually can find some nugget of information, but then my issue becomes time and remembering all of these great tidbits of wisdom. I prefer the word “Upstart” to the word “Startup“. Startup has the connotation of just starting up, whereas, if you move the “up” to the prefix of the word it gives the ideal of someone who is successful.

So I’ve started project called, Upstart: The Daily Guide for Entrepreneurs.

I’m using Upstart as a central location for curate content about startups & technology. It is a place where entrepreneurs, startup employees and students can go to find out what’s hot in the industry without having to sift through 1000′s of articles and blog posts.

I built Upstart.mobi using WordPress, StudioPress Genesis WordPress Theme, Google Reader, Instapaper, Clicky, MediaTemple server, etc… I’ll get more into the technology side another day.

There is even an Android App, so you can take Upstart with you whereever you go! Special thanks to the fine ladies and gents over at AppMakr for allowing me to be a part of their Android Alpha testing of AppMakr. An iPhone App has been developed and submitted to Apple, I’m are just waiting for it to be approved.

Upstart Android App Screenshots:

Upstart iPhone App Screenshots (Preview):

More to come soon…

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Well the time is finally right and I have a feeling that Notion Ink’s Adam will be the first Android Tablet that will rival Apple’s iPad.

Take a look a the picture gallery below from Notion Ink’s Blog. There is also mention of the Notion Ink Eve which will have NFC (Near Field Communication) component.

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Copied from: http://www.google.com/nexus/#!/tech-specs

Availability

After December 16, Nexus S will be sold unlocked and carrier-independent initially through Best Buy stores in the U.S. and after December 20 at Carphone Warehouse stores in the UK.

Connectivity

• Quad-band GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
• Tri-band HSPA: 900, 2100, 1700
• HSPA type: HSDPA (7.2Mbps) HSUPA (5.76Mbps)

• Wi-Fi 802.11 n/b/g
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
• Near Field Communication (NFC)
• Assisted GPS (A-GPS)
• microUSB 2.0

Display

• 4.0″ WVGA (480×800)
• Contour Display with curved glass screen
• Super AMOLED
• 235 ppi
• Capacitive touch sensor
• Anti-fingerprint display coating

Size and weight

• 63mm x 123.9mm x 10.88mm
• 129g

Hardware

• Haptic feedback vibration
• Three-axis gyroscope
• Accelerometer
• Digital compass
• Proximity sensor
• Light sensor

 

Processor and memory

• 1GHz Cortex A8 (Hummingbird) processor
• 16GB iNAND flash memory

Cameras and multimedia

• Back-facing: 5 megapixels (2560×1920)
• 720 x 480 video resolution
• H.264, H.263 MPEG4 video recording
• Auto focus
• Flash
• Front-facing: VGA (640×480)

• 3.5mm, 4-conductor headset jack
  (stereo audio plus microphone)
• Earpiece and microphone
• Software noise-cancellation

Battery

• Talk time up to 6.7 hours on 3G
  (14 hours on 2G)
• Standby time up to 17.8 days on 3G
  (29.7 days on 2G)
• 1500 mAH Lithum Ion

Software

• Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Android Market
• Calendar
• Gmail
• Google Earth
• Google Maps with Navigation
• Google Search
• Google Talk
• Google Voice
• Voice Actions
• YouTube

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Sent from my Google Nexus One

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Sent from my Google Nexus One

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Sent from my Google Nexus One

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I just saw that the Edison2 (which is headquartered here in Lynchburg, VA) has been featured in Time has been choosen as one of “The 50 Best Inventions of 2010“

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via feedproxy.google.com

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Don’t forget to vote today!

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What is wrong with these companies? First the Samsung Galaxy Tab is $600 & now the HP Slate is $800. The prices are heading in the wrong direction! Apple was first to market with a sweet tablet, and now everyone who is trying to get on the bandwagon is jumping on at a higher price point. What is wrong with that picture? Apple’s iPad will continue to dominate the tablet world, unless someone comes in with an equal (both from a user experience standpoint and hardware quality) and a more affordable price point.

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TweetDeck is now available for Android! Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet! You can GET IT HERE or use the QR code:

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Synapse Phones is now taking pre-orders for completely customizable hardware for your next Android OS phone (Synapse One)!

For the list of customizable options CLICK HERE! You can also stay up-to-date via their Posterous Blog!

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Well it appears Steve Jobs’ comments about Android during Apple’s 3rd quarter earnings calls were a bit off base…

Here is Iain Dodsworth’s responses (CEO of TweetDeck):

RESPONSE 1 – Did we at any point say it was a nightmare developing on Android? Errr nope, no we didn’t. It wasn’t.

RESPONSE 2 – We only have 2 guys developing on Android TweetDeck so that shows how small an issue fragmentation is.

I personally like Andy Rubin’s comment:

the definition of open: “mkdir android ; cd android ; repo init -u git://android.git.kernel.org/platform/manifest.git ; repo sync ; make”

The Fred Wilson makes a post in regards showing he thinks Android is becoming a good option, then it seems that a bunch of Apple fanboy haters didn’t really share his sediments about the Android OS.

So what gives? Why all of the drama?

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Imaging building an application that runs on any computer, the iPhone, iPad, Android mobiles and tablets, AND on the TV!

Well Adobe is doing that! Using their AIR framework, a developer can write an app that runs on one platform, and then be able to repurpose most of that code, so it can run on all of the other platforms.

Click here to view the sneak peak at AIR for TV!

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Notion Ink is having a logo contest where the winner gets $1000 cash & the very first Notion Ink ADAM Android tablet. Here are my submissions…

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I’ve been a part of the Adobe AIR for Android pre-release program for a few months now. For those aren’t familiar with it, it allows Flashdevelopers to build native Android apps using ActionScript 3.0. From experience, it is really ease to re-purpose your desktop AIR applications into mobile Android apps!

Check out these great resources to get started:

• Getting started with Adobe AIR for Android (Adobe.com)
• AIR for Android FAQs (Adobe.com)
• AIR for Android – Part 1 (Video Tutorial by Lee Brimelow – gotoAndLearn.com)
• AIR for Android – Part 2 (Video Tutorial by Lee Brimelow – gotoAndLearn.com)
• AIR On Android Overview (Inside RIA)
• Getting Started to develop Android apps with Adobe AIR (FFDMAG)

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Get the most recent edition of Flash & Flex Developer Magazine HERE!

A Look Inside…

• s Apple Getting The Big Picture?

  As Adobe developers we may not like Steve Jobs but we should respect him. Seeing the turnaround of Apple Computer upon his return and the stellar growth of companies such as Pixar Animation Studios should lead any of us to deduce he is a man with a plan. Just a few short years ago we had never heard of i-devices and now none of us can sit and enjoy our latte without seeing at least one.

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Image courtesy for Braden3 for all of the UNC Haters out there…

Well, now that things are calming down a bit and I have a little free time on my hands, I’ve decided it is time to get back into the gym. I want to lose a few pounds and get back into shape before the corporate basketball league starts. So today is Day #1. Hitting the gym first thing after work…

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This is the second post I’ve guest authors for Mindflash. You can view the first post here… 37signals’ Idealogy Meets Online Training (Part 1): Meetings are Toxic

Excerpt from this most recent post:

 

“Instead of trying to outspend, outsell, or outsponsor competitors, try to out-teach them.”

Think about it this way: There will always be a competitor with more money for advertising, marketing, and expensive client dinners. But if your competitor is in that mindset, what are the chances they are thinking about building their clients by educating them on how to do their jobs better, how to be more organized, or how to save $100 per month by using this special type of light bulb over that one?

In the book Rework, the gents from 37signals give the example of Gary Vaynerchuk. Gary took his small, family-run wine business online and made it a huge success by educating people via Wine Library TV. It was a simple idea: teaching people why this wine goes well with that dish or how this wine is different because the grapes are from Italy. I’m sure Gary never thought that this approach could be so beneficial, but he took his mom-and-pop wine shop from a decent business to a multi-million dollar operation by “out-teaching his competition”. (Check out a few of these videos of Gary!)

 

You can read the rest of the post here…

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I’ve been married for a little over a week and it has been a wonderful beginning mostly due to the caring of close friends, love shown by family members, and even kind words from a complete stranger. That is the good news.

An exciting update, since Apple has decided to allow iPhone/iPad Apps developed with Flash CS5 an update for TheProducer (Lite Edition) has been pushed to those who downloaded the App, AND TheProducer (Full Version) has been released and is ready for purchase in the iTunes Store.

It is with literal tears in my eyes I write this next paragraph. I’ve decided it is time for me to leave my startup: TRImagination. It has been an very exciting and insightful journey over the last three years. I wish my business partners, the bests. You are amazing people and good friends. I will stay on until I complete the development of the TheProducer (Desktop Edition) and TheProducer Spanish (Desktop Edition). Who knows what is in store after that, but I know that I want to simplify my life, spend more time with my new wife, and who knows what will come next…

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I recently tied the knot to my wonderful love and best friend on September 4, 2010 (wrote it here so I don’t forget) and I’m by no means an expert at marriage or relationships, but just a simple thought for the day… “Relationships are Like Fireplaces”

Simplified list of tasks typically used to keep a fireplace going:

1. Find logs
2. Split logs into small pieces
3. Stack logs
4. When needed retrieve logs
5. Insert wood into fireplace

Some of the tasks above aren’t fun. In fact, many are hard and can be very time consuming. Yet, each is essential in keeping that fire burning strong and steady. Relationships are the same exact way.

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This is a blog mini-series that I’m writing for Mindflash about applying 37signals’ principles to online training. Check out this clip from the first post:

Part 1: Meetings are toxic

“The worst interruptions of all are meetings.”

Why are meetings toxic? Here are just a few reasons:

• Meetings tend to drift off subject
• Meetings usually have vague agendas
• Meetings interrupt productivity
• People call meeting because they like to hear themselves speak
• One meeting tends to spawn another meeting, which tends to lead into several other follow-up meetings.

If you’ve ever called a meeting to discuss the status of Course X or met with your team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) you can probably relate to a few of the issues mentioned above. Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame. They want to deliver the PowerPoint they spent way too much time designing. Most of all, they want to show their peers how smart and productive they are. The real problem with meetings is people!

Read the full post here…

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Get the next free edition of Flash & Flex Developer Magazine: AIR for AppUp

Here is a sampling of what is inside…

• Intel Atom Developer Program: Million Dollar Development Fund

  Intel recently released a new App Store specifically for Netbook Apps: Intel AppUp (http://www.appup.com/). Included in this program is a partnership with Adobe (Melrose SDK … NOW in Public Beta!), a Million Dollar Developer Program Accelerator, and the Intel Developer Challenge 2010.

  ---

  - Lee Graham

• NET FRUGALITY

  We Flash and Flex developers and for that matter, anyone developing Web 2.0 content have enjoyed a free ride on the bandwidth bandwagon. While fiber optic vendors have scurried to lay the last mile of our super highway, none of us have paid much attention to the weight of our applications. But that is all soon to change. Resolution be damned, we are all being ushered into the wireless era, and like it or not, the game is changing.

  ---

  - JOHN MARX

• Introducing Amethyst

  A Visual Studio user who wants to create a rich internet application (RIA) has, up to now, had only one real choice: Microsoft Silverlight. With the launch of Amethyst, that’s all changed. Amethyst puts a powerful suite of Flash Platform design and coding tools right inside Visual Studio.

  ---

  - Huw Collingbourne

• Onyx-VJ development

  Onyx-VJ is an open source video performance tool based on ActionScript 3 language. The project was started by Daniel HAI back in 2003.

  ---

  - Bruce Lane

• Engineering Business Focused Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter Apps

  The avenues for delivering innovative products and services to vast groups of clients are unlimited as internet media platforms evolve, become widely used, and are made more accessible.

  ---

  - Princeton Brooke

• Monetizing Your Web Game Part 2

  Currently there are many choices when it comes to monetizing a web game. It can be daunting to decide which model is best for a developer.

  ---

  - Chris Hughes

• Simple Class Generator for ActionScript 3.0

  Flex 4 containers are not close relatives of Flex 3 Containers. If you want to avoid family feuds, you need to take care of the children. In this article, we’ll find out how.

  ---

  - Emmanuel Ulloa

• Communicating with the browser

  Sometimes Flash just isn’t enough to get the job done. Often times you might need to communicate with code outside the Flash Player, such as JavaScript in an HTML page.

  ---

  - Ryan D’Agostino

• Flex and PHP Mobile

  Mobile is big. The web is big. Services are big. It is no secret that in the past several years the API has become king. Simply accessing a web site is not sufficient any more.

  ---

  - KEVIN SCHROEDER, RYAN STEWART

• Amethyst Puts Flash In Visual Studio But can it compete with Silverlight?

   
  

  ---

  
  

• Adobe Flex 4: Training from the Source Volume 1

   
  

  ---

  - Ali Raza

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IMAGE SOURCE: Wired.com: The Web Is Dead. Long Live the Internet

I have to disagree with Chris Anderson and Michael Wolff. While Apps are the popular thing right now, there is too much fragmentation between Operating Systems. iPhone/iPad support this 3D HTML5, Android supports Flash, Blackberry does this, Symbian does that… yada, yada, yada…

Then on top of OS fragmentations, you have fragmentations between different versions of the OS. For example, the iPhone 4 & iPhone 3GS is running the 4th version (iOS 4) of the iPhone OS and can do multi-tasking with apps, while the iPhone 3G can run the iPhone iOS 4, but it can’t do multi-tasking with apps. Then the iPads aren’t getting the iOS 4 until Q4 of this year, so whoever has an iPad you won’t be able to do multi-tasking until then. Yes, fragmentation will always exist because of better technology, but obviously less fragmentation is better than more fragmentation.

A solution to fragmentation is web apps! All browser support HTML. I’m still not touting HTML5 as the savior from fragmentation completely, but I am saying that is can help.

From a developer’s or product manager’s standpoint it would be easier and much more cost effective to develop multiple web views with HTML, than to have specialized teams developing an app for the iPhone, the iPad, the Desktops, Android, Blackberry, Symbian, etc… Right there you are up to 6 various apps platforms, 6 completely different operating systems (iOS, Windows, Mac OS X, Android OS, RIM & Symbian), and at least 2 different programming languages (Java & Objective-C). Developing apps is a hassle, time consuming and most developers only specialize in one or two languages.

I think apps are a great tool for the here and now, but in the coming years I’m betting mobile web will end up as the king.

Resources:

• The Web Is Dead. Long Live the Internet – Wired.com
• Location 2012: Death Of The Information Silos – TechCrunch.com
• Is The Web Dead? – Fred Wilson

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Sent from my iPhone Replacement (Google Nexus One)

Posted via email from L33.me is the Digital Home of Lee Graham

Sent from my iPhone Replacement (Google Nexus One)

Posted via email from L33.me is the Digital Home of Lee Graham

Posted via email from L33.me is the Digital Home of Lee Graham

I thought I would take a minute to explain how my view on Apple has changed over the years:

• Prior to college I had no experience with Apple and do to my immaturity I thought they sucked.
• In college I started working for an eLearning company and was introducted to my first Mac and Final Cut Pro. I found it fabulous… no blue screen of death and it just worked. A start to a beautiful relationship… I’m completely sold that everyone should have a Mac over Windows.
• Got my first iPhone right before the iPhone 3GS came out. Feel in love all over again.
• Started developing iPhone apps using Flash CS5 Packager for iPhone, get one, TheProducer (Lite Edition) approved and in the iTunes App Store.
• I developed a full version of TheProducer and submit it to the iTunes App Store.
• Apple then announces the iPad. I pre-order an iPad. Meanwhile, I’m starting to build an iPad version of TheProducer using Flash CS5.
• I get my iPad and even get TheProducer working on it and within days Apple block Flash (and AIR apps) on the iPhone and iPad.
• 6 email inquiries later, the full version of TheProducer is still “In Review” at Apple and has been since March 15, 2010.
• I lost my temper with Apple: 
  • Apple’s CEO Entered an Insanity Plea as the Reason for Banning Flash on the iPhone
  • The Flash on iPhone War: Flash & Flex Developer Magazine (April 2010)
  • Adobe Fights to Set the Record Straight about Flash
  • A Letter to Steve Jobs
• I swap to the Google Nexus One and Android 2.2. If I may add, runs Flash and AIR apps really nicely!
• Future outlook… I still think Windows is an inferior product in comparison to Mac OS X, but I don’t think I’ll be buying an iPhone 4 anytime soon.

BTW… I’m selling my iPad! Can’t wait to get my hands on Notion Ink’s ADAM!!!

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I rarely ever recommend people and if I do, I would have to have worked with that person for a good period of time before I ever made a recommendation. Today is one of those rare days and the first time I’ve ever done so in on my blog! If you are looking for a voice over professional for an eLearning course, eBook, commercial or a documentary… you should use Bob Souer.

I was first introduced to Bob when I worked at Global Learning Systems (GLS) / KeyStone Learning Systems (KLS) when I was doing media production. We had hired Bob to do voice over work for an eLearning project for us. I was absolutely impressed not only by the quality of the work Bob did, but his turn-around time was amazing! We sent him the storyboard with our naming convention and when he returned the files to us they were edited, EQ-ed, normalized & exported to each individual file per the storyboard. At that point, I didn’t have to do any audio editing at all, they were ready to be put into the project.

Since leaving GLS/KLS about three years ago and coming to Harris Corporation’s PSPC group (then Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems), we needed reliable voice over talent as we started the eLearning development. I couldn’t think of anyone else that I wanted to work with than Bob Souer. We’ve contracted Bob for well over 20 eLearning course over the last 3 years and every single time he delivers that same quality voice overs.

This would would be a much better place if there were more professionals like Bob Souer. If you are in need of voice over work, Bob comes with my highest recommendations for his consistent quality voice over work, amazing turn-around time, and most of all his professional integrity.  If you have the privilege to work with Bob, I can guarantee you will enjoy the experience.

Bob Souer’s Voice Demos:

  
Download now or listen on posterous

bob-souer-news-talk-imaging.mp3 (2313 KB)

  
Download now or listen on posterous

bob-souer-narration.mp3 (1226 KB)

  
Download now or listen on posterous

bob-souer-promo-trailer.mp3 (3291 KB)

  
Download now or listen on posterous

bob-souer-commercial.mp3 (1088 KB)

  
Download now or listen on posterous

bob-souer-documentary.mp3 (1186 KB)

  
Download now or listen on posterous

bob-souer-smooth-jazz-imaging.mp3 (2457 KB)

  
Download now or listen on posterous

bob-souer-audiobook.mp3 (1994 KB)

Bob Souer’s Blog

Bob Souer’s Clients

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1. Posterous is faster than Tumblr
2. Posterous is simple than Tumblr

For us, we use the blog as a communication tool and we don't have a bunch of extra time to fiddle around with this feature or wait for a page to load. I've been using Posterous for my personal blog (L33.me) since October 2009 and have just been blown away by how Posterous just works.

Cheers to the ladies and gents at Posterous for making an amazing tool!

-Lee

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Image via Creative Common License thanks to: ittybittiesforyou

I’ve only had two critiques of Android so far: 1) OS Fragmentation & 2) some tweaks to the UI/UX would be nice.

As Google has a solid history of doing, they are stepping up their game with the next release of Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Google is said to be “laser-focused” on improving the UI so carriers don’t need custom skins such as: Motoblur, Ninjablur, SenseUI, etc…

Two possible, positive benefits if this pans out: 1) the end of these custom UI’s from carriers that slow down the devices and cause so much pain while waiting patiently for them to upgrade, and 2) a better user experience is really welcomed!

The best part, it is rumored that Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) will be coming Q4 of this year, and then after that it will move over to a year;y iteration/release process.

Interesting overall fact about Android I didn’t know,

“If this news is true, it means that Google Android has had five variants that has a code name taken from the cake, such as Android 5.1 as ‘Cupcake’, Android 1.6 ‘Donut’, Android 1.2 ‘Enclair’, Android 2.2 ‘Froyo’ (Fozen Yogurt) and Android 3.2 ‘Gingerbread ‘. If the note all the names that have the prefix letter alphabet C, D, E, F and G. An intelligent approach than Google, while the use of a snack/cakes makes this platform so impressed more “sweet” and sound friendly for the user.” – via Oki Rosgani

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I think this is FREAKING AWESOME! Can’t wait to get my hands on one of these!!!

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The following is a letter I’ve sent to Mr. Jobs concerning Flash & AIR on the iPhone & iPad:

Image from: TechShowNetwork

Dear Steve,

I agree with you… apps and content need to run well on mobiles, and they need to be developed with quality and performance in mind. With that said, I think you are possibly misplacing your blame. Tools aren’t the problem, developers are! I don’t have a problem with Apple curating the App Store, but by forcing developers to use only one set of tools, I must respectfully disagree. This should be the developer’s choice.

I think you are missing a huge opportunity here to increase your company’s revenue. This little demo proves Flash content can run really well on mobiles devices that are comparable to your iPhone & iPad if done properly.

I believe the real issue that you aren’t taking into consideration is that whether an app is built with Flash, Java or even Objective-C; they can still crash. I’ve seen it with my own eyes with apps on my iPhone and iPad. The quality of the app is up to the developers to ensure that their app is optimized and bug-free. It is not right to blame the tools when the developer built a bloated, buggy app that crashes. That blame should fall solely on that developer for not having a mastery of his tools. Plus, there are still a large number of iPhone apps built with Adobe’s AIR iPhone Packager currently in the iTunes Store, of which that majority of them function just as well as Objective-C coded iPhone apps.

BTW… I still have one app, TheProducer, that has been locked eternally “In Review” since March 15, would you at least either approve or deny it. We would like to move forward building apps for the iPhone and iPad with Flash CS5, so that we can educate people of all ages, around the world on how they can create quality media with tools such as the iPhone 4.

I ask that you at least reconsider Apple’s stand on this. You could increase your enterprise and gaming developer community significantly by accepting ActionScript developers.

Warmest Regards,
Lee Graham

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Smokescreen – iPad demo #1 from Chris @ RevShockAds on Vimeo.

While there are NO facts, NOR rumors… yet… of this happening I think Adobe really should buy these guys out! Or at the very least, fund them and help them out. If you haven’t heard, Smokescreen is a JavaScript render engine for Flash content. Basically, it will allow Flash content to run on Apple devices (iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch) without the 3rd party Flash Player plugin. 

While the feature set is fairly primitive for now and the performance is OK, this is the largest middle finger Adobe could flip to Apple. If Adobe was to put some resources to aid these gents with Smokescreen (like they’ve done with the Zend Framework), it really could go further to promoting their Open Screen Project!

Just my $0.02

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Well I don’t think Apple’s announcements today were anything groundbreaking, but there were two features I found absolutely impressive:

1. iMovie for the iPhone – Shoot 720p, edit, add images & titles, then export. This will be very handy for news reporters and tech bloggers.
2. iChat for the iPhone – This is freaking amazing, but currently only available on Wi-Fi due to carrier limitations. Way to go AT&T Wireless!

Images via: http://www.macworld.com/article/151730/2010/06/liveupdate.html

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Which group do you fall into?

Watch this video and find out:

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I noticed a link to Apple’s HTML5 Showcase and I thought it would be interesting to see what they are demoing, so I took a look… Nice page and initially looks like a good variety of demos…

I quick learned that I couldn’t access demos within Google Chrome, Internet Explorer or even Firefox. I had to use Safari… WTF!?!?!?!?

Déjà vu! For a second there I had flashbacks to a few years back, using a Firefox browser and trying to access a site that requires ActiveX and would only run in Internet Explorer. Scary! Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand HTML5 is still in development and browser companies are still building HTML5 features as they are established and change, BUT ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME… I have to use frickin’ Safari?

Sean Michael Kerner of InternetNews.com said, “…if HTML5 is truly about creating an open web standard for all, shouldn’t an HTML5 demo page highlight standard features that work across all HTML5 compliant browsers?“

Correct if I am wrong, but I thought HTML5 was about any content, any device, any where! 

I did try it on Safari just to see the demos. Overall, sure it was pretty cool. Overall there is still a bit of lag with the processing of the JavaScript from time to time. Everything was nice until I got to the HTML5 VR Demo. It said this demo not only required Safari, but it also required me to be on an Apple maching!!! 

Again, correct if I am wrong, but I thought HTML5 was about any content, any device, any where! 

Apple’s HTML5 Showcase on the Google Nexus One… I went ahead and tried it on my Nexus One, just for fun.

• HTML5 Video Demo – Got this message, “This demo contains H.264 video. Windows users can download QuickTime to enable support fro this industry-standard format.” – This is a frickin’ riot here! Apple bashes Adobe for needing a proprietary plugin to view content and Apple requires the same thing here. Its a freaking double standard here!
• HTML5 Typography Demo – This demo actually worked, BUT definitely not optimized for mobile consumption on the Nexus One. Tried it on my iPhone and it worked well.
• HTML5 Gallery Demo – This actually worked very nice, with the exception that I was not able to select the drop down to change Gallery demo styles.
• HTML5 Transitions Demo – Worked very nicely.
• HTML5 Audio Demo – Worked well.
• HTML5 360 Degree Demo – Kind of worked. Really, really choppy.
• HTML5 VR Demo – Same response as attempting to view in Safari on my PC… I need a Mac product to view.

Apple’s HTML5 Showcase = FAIL

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AT&T again proves to be less than innovative.

I swapped to AT&T when I wanted to jump into the iPhone craze and at the time they were a much better option than Verizon Wireless in my area. AT&T just announced they are getting rid of the unlimited data option for mobiles. This is a step backwards in my humble opinion. Give people freedom (or unlimited data) and then say, “Ha… just kidding. No unlimited data for you.”

I’m not terribly upset by the data limit considering I’m going to be paying $5 less per month for 2 GB of data. Especially since I usually use between 500-1000MB per month.

What really irks me, is that they are charging an additional $20 per month for tether option! This is absurd! Its the same bandwidth no matter how you split it and they want to make me spend an additional $20 per month for it. I would really like to be able to take my iPad or netbook anywhere and be able to connect via the Nexus One or iPhone. This is really a sign of a company who is less than innovative!

Just my $0.02

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Photo Credit: LiuToa

I really wasn’t keeping track of the D8 conference until I saw @Jason (Jason Calacanis) wrote,

“Steve Jobs just gave mad shout out to yelp and apps. Says apps are future, and that requires mobile ads–not banners. #d8.“

MY PREDICTION… The App Model won’t exist in 3 years!!! Yes, I’m saying that the brilliant creator of the iPhone is wrong. Count it… one… two… three years. This isn’t a stab at Apple’s iTunes (as I previous have… see: Apple’s CEO Entered an Insanity Plea as the Reason for Banning Flash on the iPhone), its not a shot at Google’s Android Market… I simply think that mobile web applications are the future, not these platform dependent apps, the nasty ego contests, especially the one with fascist curating habits from certain company that is named after a red fruit.

Please don’t be confused. I’m not jumping on the HTML5 bandwagon. HTML5 is not the Holy Grail, as so many buzzword-loving tech reporters are saying it will be! As a matter of fact, its not even complete yet and won’t be for another couple of years. It is still my belief that HTML5 will have its place for a few unique uses, but it can’t and won’t replace full RIA frameworks such as Flash, Flex, Silverlight, VB, PHP, etc…

I think the future lies within mobile web applications that run extremely fast, that contains high interactive, media-rich content that looks sexy on whatever screen size, and it will built on highly optimized JavaScript, CSS, HTML & your server-side language of choice (mine just happens to be PHP).

If you are considering an Native App (iPhone or Android) project, go for it! Now its a very hot trend, just don’t be shocked if you see a shift coming in the near future.

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Fresh off the digital press (or PDF)… download your copy of Flash & Flex Developer Magazine for FREE!!! Also, check out my Special Report section introducing Adobe’s AIR for Android!

Don’t forget, the AIR for Android beta is now OPEN to developers.

Download here

Download here

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Just stumbled across this on Mashable: Flash Enthusiast Sends a Hidden Message To Steve Jobs

Mat Bisher came up with this clever way to send his message and as a Flash Platform Developer myself, I find this absolutely hysterical!

Keep up the good work Mat!

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Day 1, the big news was the Chrome Web App Store.

Day 2, it was all about the little green dude… Android! The Android OS seems to have finally matured past the point of playing catch up with Apple’s iPhone and now seems to be setting its own agenda.

Android 2.2 (FroYo) Developer’s Note:

1. Speed – faster VM & JIT compiler 2x-5x faster apps
2. Enterprise – 20 new features including Exchange support
3. Data Backup API
4. Cloud-to-Device Messaging API
5. Tethering and wireless hotspot
6. A better Browser:
   • V8 video. 
   • The Android browsers dusted the iPad browser hands down in decoding JavaScript. 
   • Eventually web apps will be able to access the device hardware such as the camera & accelerometer. 
   • Flash Player 10.1 support within the Browser. 
7. Android Market – Search can search within apps and removable storage. 
8. Apps on SD. 
9. Application can be set to auto-update. 
10. A stack trace reporting feature for developers to better help with debugging. 
11. Android Market account tied to devices. 
12. Devices will be able to download application OTA (Over-The-Air) directly from your computer. 
13. Music is now purchasable on the Android Market!
14. Non-DRMed music purchased on iTunes will be able to play on your Android device.
15. AdSense for Mobile Ads – Google’s counter Apple’s iAds I’m sure. Expandable ad formats within apps which can use maps and the click-to-call feature.

CNET’s Stephen Shankland: “Basically, Google is working to reproduce iTunes abilities with just a browser, no iTunes.“ 

Google TV: TV meets web. Web meets TV.

Imagine your computer, mobile phone and TV viewing experiences all being blurred together. This is exactly what Google is doing! Its a fact a large quantity of people spend hours of time watching YouTube on their computers and mobiles, now imagine watching that on your 1080p HD TV. Lets take it one step further, how about watching that YouTube clip and then sharing it with your buddy from your TV. Its no longer a dream, its coming later this year (Fall 2010) to a BestBuy near you. 

What you need to know about Google TV:

• Running the Android OS + Chrome Browser
• Will be integrated with with Sony TVs that are coming out.
• Will be available as a standalone box (thanks to Logitech) and will work with your current TV. Will require a keyboard & pointing device. 
• Better searchability of the program you like. 
• More interactivity with your favorite programs. 
• Allows your to record future episodes of your favorite shows and ties directly to Amazon Video so you can purchase previous episodes. 
• Access to Android Apps! You will be able to login to your Android Market account, buy an app on your phone or computer & have it automatically downloaded to your Google TV.
• You can watch YouTube directly on your Google TV.
• Will be able to interact with Facebook, Pandora, Flickr, etc…
• NOTE: your Android phone can be used as a remote control.
• You will be able to login to your Android Market account, buy an app & have it automatically to your Google TV.
  
• Watch & listen to your podcasts directly on you Google TV. Podcast via Google Listen (http://listen.googlelabs.com/). 
  
• Notably: the NBA.com has create a Google TV site that allows for more interactivity while you consume sport. This is the future!
  

Google TV Developer’s Note:

• Developers will be able to build both Android apps as well as Web apps and access them on Google TV.
• Google TV currently runs on Android 2.1 & has the Google Chrome browser & Flash Player 10.1.
• The SDK will be released early 2011.
• Best part… its all OPEN SOURCE! This will happen late 2011.

Adobe AIR for Android Developer’s Note: its nice having a little green guy and Google as friends! 

1. You can develop Android apps using AIR for Android which is now in beta (developer access only). SIGN UP HERE!
2. As a Flash Developer, you can develop Flash Apps and content (720p & 1080p videos) for Google TV. READ MORE HERE…
3. AIR for Android will work on Google TV eventually. Top priority is optimizing AIR for Android on mobiles.
4. General tips for designing websites to work on Google TV

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Cube Grenade: Lemonade

I’m  sure if this is not what Hugh intended, but it sure it applicable to traditional newspaper and media companies as well.

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Today, Adobe has launched an advertising campaign, “We HEART Choice” to counter Steve Jobs’ missive, “Thoughts on Flash”.

Lets first take a look at “The Truth about Flash“…

Adobe really did a nice, concise job with this counter in the way they addressed all of the issues: touch, video, performance, security, & openness.

Read the entire article “The Truth about Flash“…

The Co-Founders of Adobe wrote a nice letter about the internet and openness…

They really have a fabulous point…

“If the web fragments into closed systems, if companies put content and applications behind walls, some indeed may thrive — but their success will come at the expense of the very creativity and innovation that has made the Internet a revolutionary force.”

Read the entire letter “Our thoughts on open markets“…

Future of Flash…

Flash is not only available on the computer, but shortly it will available on Android mobiles & tablets and TVs as well. I’m a part of both beta testing for AIR for Android and Flash Player 10.1 for Android and its really exciting to see a mobile device handle Flash & Adobe AIR apps so well!

Check out a few exciting videos about FP 10.1 & AIR for Android:

• Adobe demonstrates Flash and Air on Android tablet
• Great AIR for Android Example – Easy and Speedy
• A breath of fresh AIR: AIR on Android
• Flash Works On Touch-Based Devices (Video)
• Android Apps developers are starting to create with Flash CS5 & Adobe AIR for Android

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There is no unified way to update the Android OS & users are getting frustrated with these carrier-customized Android Operation Systems. Version 2.1 was released officially January 12, 2010 and Sprint still doesn’t have their act together. I know Verizon had similar issues when they were trying to update the Droid.

http://phandroid.com/2010/05/07/sprint-hoped-youd-get-your-2-1-update-by-now-but-youll-have-to-wait-longer/

With Android OS v2.2 (Froyo) more than likely being released this summer, there may be a number of Android users may have just received the v2.1 updates or not at all. If this does in fact happen, this will generate a good deal of negative buzz about this new, kickass alternative to the iPhone.

I think this is probably going to be the largest issue with people adopting to Android when they compare it to iPhone. Granted I’m sure Google will do these updates in a timely fashion for my Google Nexus One, but Sprint & Verizon are falling way behind.

This is where Apple does have the upper hand and its a serious selling point. 

Don’t get me wrong. I’m really digging Android. I took my SIM out of my iPhone and I’m using the Nexus One daily. Its kickass! I stated everything above as just a heads up into possible future issues.

QUESTION: Should Google intervene? If so, what are their options?

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http://DebGraham.com

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I was just surprised to see when I was downloading the latest edition of Flash & Flex Developer Magazine, that the Special Report I wrote became the title of this month’s edition: The Flash on iPhone War

Click here to download the April 2010 edition for FREE

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Today, Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, publically entered a plea of insanity on Apple.com as to why Apple is banning Flash from the iPhone.

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I found this quite hysterical!

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The emotions have been running high among 3rd party iPhone/iPad developers since Apple has introduced this new clause (3.3.1) into their iPhone OS 4.0 beta Agreement. Basically, it reads that you can only use Objective-C, C & C++ to build iPhone Apps. If this sticks that would block many of the 3rd party developers tools (Unity3D, Appcelerator Titanium, Flash CS5 iPhone Packager and many, many others) from building iPhone Apps.

I can say that this has been pretty disheartening to read and see the fallout in the developer communities. I’ve been on the Flash CS5 beta team since the beginning of the year, have even developed 2 iPhone Apps (one live in the iTunes App Store and the other is “In Review”). I even ported one to work on my iPad at full resolution.

Adobe’s CTO, Kevin Lynch, has stated in this blog post, that they intend to keep the Flash CS5 iPhone Packager in the CS5 bundle launching tomorrow.

Greg Slepak is said to have email Steve Jobs and here is the correspondence on Greg’s Blog.

Steve is said to have written, “We’ve been there before, and intermediate layers between the platform and the developer ultimately produces sub-standard apps and hinders the progress of the platform.” in reference to how well Firefox works across multiple platforms.

MY QUESTION… How are apps created with Flash CS5 or Unity3D hindering the progress? These companies that are developing these 3rd party tools have teams of engineers constantly updating their tools based on whatever Apple updates in their SDK. As I have developed an iPhone App and iPad App using Flash CS5 I can say that there are no performance issues. Heck, go check out the South Park App or any of these other apps created with Flash. No issues at all. Quality isn’t the issue. Look at how many Fart Apps are in the iTunes App Store.

It appears Apple is becoming the IBM of the 1980′s. As they gain more market share, more power, they are becoming less open, less transparent and are turning their developer-friendly platform into an elitist club. If you don’t know the special handshake, you don’t get it.

THIS SUCKS! Instead of reaching out and building their developer community, they are alienating a good chunk of us. That doesn’t make any sense to me. Why wouldn’t a company want more developers, especially when Apple gets 30% of every sale.

This is still a beta agreement, but it doesn’t appear that Mr. Jobs cares to even reconsider changing his mind, no matter the fallout!

THERE IS STILL HOPE… If this goes through, there will be a huge community of developers wanting to put their apps on mobile phones and tablets and I think this is where Google and Android come into the picture. Google has always been so good about being transparent and cultivating a strong, open developer community. Android’s app store is growing at an incredible pace and they are selling a huge number of devices… including a huge wave of tablets slated to hit the market this year.

If Google wants to be my hero… I’m here waiting to be save from the closed-mindedness of Apple.

March 2010

http://ffdmag.com/download-2-2010

I just find it ironic that the Kindle iPad App is everything we REALLY wanted & thought an eBook Reader should be:

1. Brilliant color display
2. Gesture navigation, not these freaking buttons everywhere
3. Access to gorgeous video and audio
4. Unlimited interactive possibilities

Just my $0.02

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To all of you iPhone App and iPad App developers this is an opportunity to get your apps in front of Bloggers and tech journalist!!!

Gift them a copy of our app.

I couldn't wait, plus now that I'm developing iPhone Apps, the next clear jump is to make my iPhone App into iPad Apps.

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I couldn't wait, plus now that I'm developing iPhone Apps, the next clear jump is to make my iPhone App into iPad Apps.

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Yesterday, my bride to be asked me to go with her to a Bridal Expo. We’ve pretty much got everything covered for the big day (venue, wedding planner, minister, etc…).

An overly-zealous wedding planner stopped us and some how we got on the topic of venues that have multiple weddings on the same day and how that could sucks. She said, “I can totally relate with you there. When I was marrying my second husband in a little chapel on the strip in Vegas we had the same problem.”

Sure makes me thankful that we have the wedding planner that we have. She is awesome!

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By Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson

Yesterday I received my copy of Rework written by the gents at 37signals. So far the book is fabulous!

If you recall they wrote other books like: Getting Real: The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application (Paperback, eBook & FREE online version) & Defensive Design for the Web: How to improve error messages, help, forms, and other crisis points

Rework is a series of essays, experiences and things learned by Jason and David over the last 10 years that they built 37signals into a very profitable business.

I really like how they opened the book in the second paragraph, “This book isn’t based academic theories. It’s based on our experience. We’ve been in business for ten years. Along the way, we’ve seen two recessions, one burst bubble, business-model shifts, and doom-and-gloom predictions come and go-and we’ve remained profitable through it all.”

Defensive Design for the Web: How to improve error messages, help, forms, and other crisis points

If you aren’t familiar with 37signals and their products here is a quick list:

• Basecamp (Project Management App)



• Highrise (CRM App)





Getting Real: The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application

• Backpack (Small Biz Organizer App)



• Ruby on Rails (Last, but certainly not least… amazing and FREE web framework)

The Student’s Manifesto

Dear Professor, as a student, I place my trust in you. I’m trusting you to teach me relevant concepts, tools and ideas that will help me to achieve my future goals and crazy ambitions. I realize I don’t know everything, hence why I’m here at university.

I do have a voice and I will no longer be silent. I deserve to receive a relevant education in every area I study. I’m not just another student in your classroom. I’m a paying customer. I’m a sponge that desires to soak up knowledge and be mentored. I’m not some little pea-brained student looking for a dictator to tell me that I know nothing and I can’t bring my laptop into your class. I’m looking for a mentor. Someone to guide me as I start to develop and refine the skills that will help me make a living in a few short years. To be brutally honest, you are not doing your job, if you are teaching me a textbook that I could read on my own time. At that point you are a facilitator, not a teacher.

You are not doing me any service either, if you haven’t worked professionally in the area you are teaching me. Let’s face it… how can you effectively teach me something that you don’t have experience in? If you don’t have the professional experience, you don’t have much credibility in my book. If you do have the experience, I love to hear your war stories! In fact, that is one of the most fascinating ways for me to learn about the real world. But let’s not forget technology and techniques have changed since the 1970′s, 1980′s, or 1990′s. Please be sure you are teaching me relevant information that will help me get that job once I leave here.

I’m trusting that you know what you are teaching, that you have lived it, you have breathed it, you’ve made a living from doing it, and that you are constantly learning about the new advancements in that area as well. Professor, whether you realize it or not, I’m trusting you with my future. Please teach me what I need to know to get my start once I leave here. I don’t want to be average, I want to stand out and be challenged. Please be my mentor, not my dictator.

This is just my $0.02! While at university I had absolutely amazing professors and some really terrible ones.

The professors that really made an impact on me had these things in common:

• Real life experience
• A mentorship attitude towards their students.
• Taught us relevant information

How would your student manifesto read?

If you get this error and spend hours searching for an answer, its not really out there on Google, StackOverflow, etc…

My word of advice:

1. Save a copy of your project, close your original and work with the copy.
2. Start deleting Movie Clips & Buttons one at a time and then compile until you no longer receive the error.

That was the only freaking way I found an fix for this issue.

Hope this helps!

Posted via web from Lee Graham’s posterous

Posted via web from Lee Graham’s posterous

Basically, Senator Orrin Hatch (Utah-R) has decided to ask the Obama Administration to review how the BCS Championship is played and to turn it into a playoff system. Sen. Hatch is asking for a anti-trust Review. My two questions to Mr. Hatch are: 1) Why do you think you can use abuse your position of power to change something that you have not power over. 2) Doen’t you have better things to do for the people you serve? Something like help fixing this economy?

If you think this is as ridiculous as I do, you can email the good Senator here.

Read the full story here

Posted via email from Lee Graham’s posterous

Posted via email from Lee Graham’s posterous

Articles & Tutorials in this edition:

• Free Issue to download 01/2010
• Flash and Mobile devices, apps, and iPhone and iPod Touch
• Web Form Builder
• Wowza Media Server 2: Unified Streaming Beyond Flash
• Wanna play here? Get Corona!
• A Journey into Adobe Flex Charting Components [Part 3]
• Gate2Shop Overview
• Creating Flash Websites using Flash Catalyst
• A Flash in the Cloud
• Flex and The Cloud: Is this really just Client/Server 2.0?
• Workflows with Flash Catalyst and Flash Builder
• Online ADS: Same as it Never was
• Simple AS3 Bar Equalizer Tutorial
• Creating Augmented Reality w/ Adobe Flash CS4
• Learn to create arcade games in Flash
• Flash, the iPhone, and Amazon EC2
• Developing SWF Applications for the PlayStation Portable
• Flexunit 4 with Test Driven Development
• Using Custom Base Classes in Flash
• Getting Tweets into Flash from Twitter
• Text Layout Framework

Posted via web from Lee Graham’s posterous

DOWNLOAD NOW... FREE!

Download (no need to signup) the latest edition of FFDMAG: http://ffdmag.com/download-1-2010

Articles & Tutorials in this edition:

• Free Issue to download 01/2010
• Flash and Mobile devices, apps, and iPhone and iPod Touch
• Web Form Builder
• Wowza Media Server 2: Unified Streaming Beyond Flash
• Wanna play here? Get Corona!
• A Journey into Adobe Flex Charting Components [Part 3]
• Gate2Shop Overview
• Creating Flash Websites using Flash Catalyst
• A Flash in the Cloud
• Flex and The Cloud: Is this really just Client/Server 2.0?
• Workflows with Flash Catalyst and Flash Builder
• Online ADS: Same as it Never was
• Simple AS3 Bar Equalizer Tutorial
• Creating Augmented Reality w/ Adobe Flash CS4
• Learn to create arcade games in Flash
• Flash, the iPhone, and Amazon EC2
• Developing SWF Applications for the PlayStation Portable
• Flexunit 4 with Test Driven Development
• Using Custom Base Classes in Flash
• Getting Tweets into Flash from Twitter
• Text Layout Framework

Happy New Years!

Posted via web from Lee Graham’s posterous

• Keeping It Real In Live Chat
• 10 Web Tech Innovations That Have Improved Our Lives