2.27.2007

A Simple Method to Save FLV from YouTube & Convert to AVI on Mac OSX

Open up Youtube and find the video you want to download. Don't bother waiting for it to load, just press apple-option-A or go to Window->Activity in the menubar. Click the arrows to collapse the actiivty from any other open tabs. Double click the line highlighted below, the line with get_video in the URL.





Once this file has completed downloading you are free to convert it to whatever type you wish. The best way to do this, though sometimes problematic, is to use FFMpegX.

Simply drop the get_video download onto the source and it will automatically select divx avi as the output. Don't forget to change the file extension and save directory to .avi.

2.26.2007

How-to: Make Mac Icons

This how-to provides a clear, step-by-step process for creating an image to use as an icon and convert it to a format that is useable in OSX. The most important steps regard proper creation in Photoshop as well as the utility to use for making the image an icon.

I've been looking for something this good for quite awhile and points out a flaw in OSX. Out of the box, png with alpha transparency, SVG and almost any image should be supported as an icon. However, if you try and use pngs they won't be displayed properly as icons and most other images simply don't work. Fix it Apple!

In the mean time, check it out and add any new icons you make to Interfacelift.

2.16.2007

Parallels Desktop RC3

In the continuing effort I am making to review and analyze the viability of running Vista in virtualization it is import to keep the virtualization software up-to-date to minimize the negative effects that the software would cause to my opinions on Vista as compared to running Vista directly (or through boot camp). Since this is the case I watch for the frequent release of updated software from Parallels. The new beta is available (as always, each week they release something new) from their beta page.



read more | digg story

2.11.2007

The Best How-to I've Found

This was posted on Digg recently and I consider it the best how-to I've found, thus far. It comes with screen shots of every last step.

http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/02/10/how-to-install-vista-in-os-x-using-parallels-a-complete-walkthrough/

2.08.2007

Fusion, the other Mac Virtualization Software...

Doesn't quite roll off the tongue.

Parallels has been great but, there are a few shortcomings that most people are aware of. For example, Parallels is not able to leverage multi-core processors and, so far, the best drivers aren't available for the graphics card and a few other items. Having read a good number of articles about VMWare's new product, Fusion, I decided to give it a try, in the hopes that it will resolve some of these issues. The beta is available here.

As advertised, Fusion is capable of using multiple cores. This solves one of Parallels shortcomings, at least in theory.

The installation of Vista was not nearly as smooth for me as Parallels Desktop was. This is not to say that it is difficult, no more so than a normal installation of Windows. One glitch I came across was getting Fusion to take control of the "cdrom" so that it could boot from the Vista DVD. It would seem that Fusion takes full control of the drive whereas Parallels appears to share the drive with OS X (the DVD appears to remain mounted while in use in Parallels). Beyond this, the installation was a straightforward install of Vista. Parallels wins in this arena because of it's ability to use existing information or information collected ahead of time (e.g., the product key) and skip through this segment of the Vista install.

After the installation I ran Fusion for an hour or so in which time I was unable to get it to use the correct resolution, 1440x960, that is appropriate for my MBP's LCD. As I found out when shutting down, I was supposed to install the VMWare Fusion tools. This annoyed me because it came around as I was shutting down. So I'll go back now and find out if this is the case.

Not only this but, TUAW is reporting that this video on YouTube confirms 3D acceleration support in the current beta of Fusion. Check it out on TUAW.

I'll post back shortly if this is indeed the case.

2.06.2007

My First HowtoForge Post Published!

Sorry, I'm a little proud of myself for having a howto of mine published on a prominent site such as HowtoForge.

Apache(2) Mod Auth Shadow on Debian and Ubuntu

A similar article was posted below, but the howto is much more complete.

2.02.2007

Issues of Credibility in Online Authoring

I read this article: Sony finally realizes what is needed, a price-cut after seeing it had hit the front page of Digg. Please take note that the information presented in this article's title indicates Sony has actually come to realize their pricing mistake and has released some sort of press stating their intentions or the author is a privileged member of Sony's staff and is, in fact, releasing this information to the press himself.

Anything other than this would be speculation, right? Please take note of the sources cited at the end of the post, it is important.

At the very least the article's title is misleading, intentionally or otherwise. At most, the author is citing sources from other "blogs" or websites that maintain no level of credibility themselves. If you have read through the article it is, in actuality, an opinion piece.

The issue is credibility. I don't care what anyone says, Wikipedia is not a valid source of credible information. It is a great idea and a wonderful place to become familiar with general facts and information. Blogs fall into a category far below Wikipedia.

This brings me back to a scene from Thank You For Smoking!, in which the main character, a tobacco lobbyist, speaks with a class of young students. The scene generally covers the idea that you cannot believe everything people tell you (specifically, parents) unless, your mommy is a scientist, researcher or doctor, in the case of the movie.

If claims such as these are going to be made, most likely for sensationalism, and considering that most readers would simply believe most of what they read without being even remotely critical, then it falls to the authors to provide information to prove their credibility. As users become accustomed to finding valid citations any author that does not provide competent sources, or is a credible source of information themselves, will be discarded. All of the buzz and rumor-mongering surrounding Apple products, most of all, needs to stop. Simply stating that your anonymous source is trustworthy should never be taken seriously. It comes down to a slight variation of the "Boy Who Cried Wolf".

Ironically, I cited a blog myself. However, I am not making a claim about a major corporation's secretive actions.