Nezza

Trails

2008-11-09T22:09:00.000Z

Trails is my favourite practical application so far. Trails is a GPS tracker that creates a lot every few seconds with GPS co-ordinates. This can then be e-mailed to yourself in the GPX format.

This is a great little app for me, as I like to geotag my images. I have a dedicated GPS tracker that I use for the purpose. But Trails means that I will be able to create a log at those times I don't have the tracker.

A map showing just how high the hill my house is on is.

Photoswap

2008-11-09T22:02:00.000Z

Incredibly simple this one. Take a photo with your iPhone, press send and receive one back in return. Thats all it does and it becomes a little addicting to see what people are doing all over the world.

The only way of communicating of through the pictures. Its possible to reply to a message, and I've had 'conversations' of sharing pictures of pets, TV's or even writing notes and photographing them. There is the option to send your location with the image, so you can check out where an image was taken. You can also report anything inappropriate.

All in all a cool little app.

Receive random pictures and send your own.

Real Football 2009

2008-11-09T21:53:00.000Z

Real Football 2009 is, as you'd imagine a football game.

Graphically impressive, I was even more surprised to find that it has proper licenses and so a great many of the teams and players are called by their proper name. Gameplay is no FIFA killer, but thats only to be expected. Controls are well thought out, but the game does suffer due to lack of tactile feedback. Of course this a limitation of the iPhone and the game does well to handle as it does.

A good way to kill 5 minutes.

Trism

2008-11-09T21:45:00.000Z

Trism is a blocks game much in the style of Bejeweled. You have to mach a blocks of colour in threes in order to clear the board. The twist is that the accelerometer is used to determine the direction the pieces will fall to fill the empty spaces.

This is one of the most addicting puzzlers I have ever played. I've lost ages playing with this trying to get as many 'chains' as possible. If you have any interest in puzzlers, do yourself a favour and pick it up.

An-Quest

2008-11-09T21:28:00.000Z

I have somewhat of a love-hate relationship with An-Quest.

At its heart it is a simple app that allows you to ask a question and have the community answer it. Or, you can simply stick to answering questions yourself. Replies to questions are anonymous, and it is this which I feel leads to An-Quests biggest problem. The amount of racist or sexist questions is staggering. There are also a great deal of questions of a sexual nature, the kind that you would expect to be asked by a 14 year old boy, who has just had the underwear section of the Kays catalogue discovered under his bed. For an example of what I talking about, simply enter any Xbox Live Halo match before bedtime on a school night.

I love that you can use this as a quick straw poll, or canvasing opinions or ideas. I hate the rampant immaturity of it, and I do wonder if things would improve if there was a reporting mechanism, or some form of moderation.

The app does have a couple of other serious issues. Its one of the buggiest apps I've found, and it has a nasty habit of scrambling text on the 'your questions' page. I'm willing to stick with it though as it can be a highly amusing little waste of time.

Ask a question.

Get an answer.

Some questions are weird. Others just racist or nasty.

Oh c'mon. Everyone knows its 'Empire'!

Bloom

2008-11-09T15:17:00.000Z

So the iPhone finally became available in Guernsey and I picked one up. I have to say so far I'm loving it. I had an iPod touch and of course that could run applications like the iPhones. But the apps that interested me were based around the GPS and camera - which the iPod Touch doesn't have.

In the next couple of posts, I'm going to give a little overview of a couple of my favourite apps - starting with Bloom

Bloom is a 'generative music' creator, developed in part by Brian Eno. The idea is simple, you select a predefined 'mood' which provides an ambient background harmonic. You then tap on the iPods screen to play a note which repeats and eventually fades. The positioning of your tap (along with the mood) determines the pitch of the note. Bloom recognises multi-touch and so you can play multiple notes at once. High notes at the top of the screen, and the lows at the bottom. In many respects it reminds me of the Tenori-On. But give that cost nearly £600 and Bloom comes in at £2.99 the comparison ends there.

It can produce so nice atmospheric tunes, and I actually intend to use Bloom to do the background music for some of my videos. Since music is not my strong point by any means, I love this little app for allowing even someone as musically talentless as me to knock up a tune.

New Toy

2008-10-16T22:02:00.000+01:00

I bought a new new today. I look forward to trying it out.

watching me, watching me.

2008-10-01T20:52:00.001+01:00

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

A few photographs

2008-06-26T00:08:00.000+01:00

I've added a few photographs into the galleries. First up a couple of photos from Stu's birthday bash. Only a couple as A) I took mainly video and B) I didn't want to ruin my camera in the rain!

Secondly, I've added some additional candid portraits to the portrait gallery, including this one of Justin which I love.

Looks like I've been hacked!

2008-06-20T21:03:00.000+01:00

I have a not-so-secret double life.

By day, I'm a mild manned wage slave; but some nights I like to dress up in my robe and wizards hat and join a few million other players in Azeroth.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I play World of Warcraft.

But Neil, I hear you cry, 'what could someone like you possibly enjoy about such a geeky game?' Well apart from the obvious, I actually enjoy playing it. I get bored with the grinding, same as everyone else, but otherwise I really like the majority of the quest. The game displays a healthy sense of humor, doesn't take itself too seriously (unlike some MMO's I could mention) and best of all - theres a Mac native client so I don't need a Windows box to play. I'm also lucky in that a number of my 'real life' friends play as well, and between us we've got a pretty well balanced party.

Jeff is a Mage, Ed is a Warlock. Jim is a Rouge (what a shocker), and Glenn is a Warrior - our tank.

This is me, Altamiranna.

I play a Blood-Elf Priest, and its pretty much my job to keep the other guys alive. Well when I'm not out of mana that is! Of course, I can always do a bit of soloing as well.

So, I've been happly playing on and off for a few years now. Until tonight that is.

Oh bugger!

Double bugger!

It would appear that my account has been hijacked. I'm guessing that it happened this afternoon, as Jeff told me that he'd seen my online but not responding to any messages. Hmm, I wonder why that was.
Unfortunately, Blizzards customer support line only seems to operate between 08:00-17:00 - Monday to Friday ie, when everyone is work and not able to get to their gaming machines. I've had to report the problem via their web-form, which rather ominously states that it may take some time to resolve the issue.

Since I'm unable to even access my account management, I'm rather concerned that the little runt that has changed both my password and my e-mail address (so that I cannot re-set the password) now has access to my payment options and may be able to get my bank details. Whilst I'm not going to give Blizzard too much stick for only manning the phones during office hours. I do think the lack of weekend coverage when peoples bank details are exposed is an unacceptable risk.

So for the next few days, I'm going to blog the responses from Blizzard and document the damage that has been wrought on my account. I fully expect to log back in to find a naked blood-elf, penniless, weaponless and mountless.

If I'm lucky, Blizzard may be able to restore poor Altamiranna to her former glory.

Stay tuned for the next installment of 'looks like I've been hacked'.

Stag Photos

2008-06-10T12:25:00.003+01:00

I've uploaded the photos from the stag do in Bournemouth. They can be viewed here. I have to say I had one of the most enjoyable weekends in ages, and would much rather still be there then back here. I shot loads of video over the weekend, and I'll be putting together a video over the next view days. But for now heres a one that I have prepared of the hydro-zorbing.

Stag do

2008-06-06T21:19:00.001+01:00

Slug and lettuce, england

Seriously, wtf

2008-05-15T15:17:00.001+01:00

They've just handed one of these to everyone. Question is - why?

Screen Sharing

2008-05-14T12:24:00.000+01:00

Now I've got he 3G modem, I've finally been able to test out screen sharing on my Mac's. In fact this entry is actually being written on my imac, from my MBA whilst I'm at work. Pretty cool, and could turn out to be pretty useful.

Macbook Air and the Wireless Modem

2008-05-11T18:34:00.004+01:00

It's been a gloriously hot sunny day here in Guernsey. The kind of day where you don't want to be stuck indoors as its a waste of a good day. Of course the last two sunny days have come along just as I received GTA IV and a fair few hours have been sunk into that this weekend. But right now I'm taking a little time out to enjoy the rest of the sun and give a few thoughts on the Macbook Air as I've now had it for a couple of months. Right now I'm lying on the grass in the park. My Macbook Air is on top of my laptop bag in front of me, and I've just done a little browsing on the net. It is just the latest example of the biggest difference the MBA has made - portability. I've found that since I got the MBA, I've began to take it places that I've never taken a laptop before. Previously I owned a 12" iBook. Hardly the largest laptop in the world, yet throw it in a bag and you know that you're carrying a laptop with you. With the MBA, its just another item in a bag, like carrying a book, or a couple of magazines. A lot has been written about the Air, but I have found that the biggest truism is that once you have one, you take it everywhere. Power. Compared to my home iMac, (and especially compared to the latest Apple offerings) the Air looks completely underpowered. To an extent it is. That is the price you pay for that increased portability. However, in day to day usage, what has this really meant? Well to me, not a great deal. I've surfed the net, I've made spreadsheets and databases. I've even made a few videos in iMovie during my lunch and the Air has not even blinked. The real noticeable difference has come when encoding either video or audio. That is when you do see the limitations of the processor compared the other Mac siblings. Battery life has proved to be adequate. I see around 3 and a half hours generally. That will increase to four or more with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off. I've just bought a HSDPA modem, and it will be interesting to see what effect this has on battery life. Either way, it should not interrupt a lunchtimes worth of browsing at work. One thing I will give special mention to is the screen. A few years ago I bought the G5 iMac, when it was first released. Next to it my iBooks screen looked awful. The same happened with that iMac when I replaced it with my current 24" iMac. I could not believe how bright and clear the screen was. As had as it was for me to believe, placed side by side with the iMac, the Airs screen is noticeably brighter. As I sit now in the park, I have the screen on half brightness. I can see when enough to type without difficulty and if I turn the brightness up completly, then it is no different from working indoors. The glossy finish has still not won me over. It's fine indoors, but I can see my reflection clearly whilst I'm outdoors. Of course, the Air is not going to be for everyone. It is rather expensive when compared to a Macbook, and other PC's such as the Asus Eee PC are even more portable. However I'm delighted with it, and hope to keep it for a good long time. I mentioned that I've just got a HSDPA modem. It's the Vodafone USB model on Airtel-Vodafone here in Guernsey. I've had mixed first impressions. First being good - it's small, Mac compatible, and simple to use. However, the connection so far has been, interesting. It seems to alternate between 56K modem speeds and around 70kps. I'd hate to play an FPS, as I bet the latency is terrible. But it is a new service, and I expect it will improve. Like with the Air, I'll give a fuller report once I've really had a chance to test it.

New Watch

2008-04-12T14:56:00.000+01:00

I bought myself a new watch yesterday. A Tissot PRC200, and I have to say I rather like it.

Sony Mini HD Camera

2008-04-07T21:39:00.000+01:00

It's not often I say this about a Sony product, but I really want this. - http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/digital_imaging/camcorders/high_definition/release/34661.html

This diminutive camcorder weighs in at only ten ounces. It has an ultra-portable body measuring just 1.3-inches wide by 4.7-inches tall by 2.5-inches deep.

It is a full-featured camcorder that can record 1920 x 1080 HD video and 4-megapixel digital photos directly to Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo™ or PRO Duo Mark2 media cards. Its size and full recording capability makes it the world's smallest full HD camcorder."

It sounds like it beats the hell out of my little Sanyo, but I get the feeling it will be rather more expensive as well. Still brushed aluminum would look good next to my macbook Air.

Snow! Guernsey! Rat!

2008-04-06T15:16:00.000+01:00

We had a really warm day on Friday, so it was a bit of a shock when it started snowing this afternoon.

Snow in Guernsey is a pretty rare event, so of course I grabbed the camera to record the event.

What do I find in the garden? A big fat rat nibbling away at the seed we leave out for the birds. He didn't seem to mind the cold and the snow!

Mr Rat tucks into his grub.

This winters been very strange. We've just had the warmest day of the year, followed by the coldest a couple of days later.

Mac the Rabbit

2008-04-04T19:08:00.000+01:00

I haven't added any new video in a while, so heres a quick little video of Mac the Rabbit (known aliases: Macintosh, Macster, Macallister, Little Dude & stop clawing my carpet).

Just a little Flock test

2008-04-01T00:11:00.001+01:00

Embedded Video

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Flock

2008-03-31T20:48:00.001+01:00

So I'm giving Flock a try on my Macbook Air. First impressions are rather favourable. I like the tight integration with sites such as Flickr and Facebook. Definitely missing Omniwebs image based tabs, not to mention my all time favourite feature - any link that leads to a new site opening in a new tab. I love that feature and I really don't know why no other browser (that I am aware of) that has implemented it. I go insane without it on other computers, and it could be the decisive factor on whether I use Flock full time or not. The media features seem very cool, but are they really going to be useful to me? I use the Flickr exporter plug-in for Lightroom, so anything I publish will be done through my photo editor. Youtube get published through iMovie, so don't need to go to the website to do that. The built in blog updater is cool (thats what I'm testing right now), but I also have the option of updating through Rapidweaver. Seeing as the only time I'm liable to update through Blogger is when I'm not at my own computer, it does again seem redundant. What wil be interesting to see, is whether the convenience of receiving updates without having to visit the relevant site is a big enough incentive to keep it. Mind you, I do think I know one man for whom this browser could be custom made.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Ouchy

2008-03-22T20:34:00.003Z

So I've been on a right downer for the last couple of days. On Thursday I managed to completely bugger up my right shoulder, or separated it to be more exact. Luckily it isn't too serious and will sort itself out with time and rest, but for now in the first couple of days since doing it, it is nothing but annoying. I haven't slept comfortably in three days now. The first night I didn't sleep at all, and the next two haven't been a whole lot better. Strangely enough the shoulder hurts most when I'm lying down. If I'm not lying directly on my back then it is just agony, if I move or roll to either side, then thats agony to. A readjustment in the way I'm lying, yep - floods of pain. The worst is when I go to get back out of bed, as its like self-inflicted torture. As a consequence, this Bank Holiday weekend hasn't been the most relaxing. Ironically I've been out of bed earlier then usual as the second I wake, I'm out of bed. Thursday morning was the worst. The alarm woke me and I instinctively reached out to turn it off. To call the guttural noise that escaped my lips a howl would be a fair reflection. Since seeing the doctor, I've been on some painkillers that are pretty effective. A few days on and the shoulder does seem to be getting better. I don't have as many involuntary grunts of pain when I twinge it, but I'm not overly sure how much this progression is through healing, and how much is through the painkillers masking the problem. I was just so annoyed that I had to miss the fancy dress do on Thursday. I'd been really looking forward to it, and it was also a farewell party to someone that is now off around the world. You can't help but feel a bit of a wanker when your giving your goodbyes via e-mail, rather then in person. The week had started so promisingly as well, with the MBA arriving on Monday, the party on Thursday and of course it being the Easter weekend. Now its Saturday night, and I'm killing the hour before MOTD starts, having effectively wasted the two days off we've already had.

A mini rant

2008-03-18T19:02:00.001Z

Why exactly do they call them the 'Civil Service'? In my experience they are neither civil, and they do anything but help you.

Macbook Air

2008-03-17T18:05:00.002Z

So after nearly five years I'm saying goodbye to my venerable old iBook. It was my first Mac, a G4 800Mhz and its been all over the place with me. Unfortunately time has caught up with the dear old thing and it is now out of its depth when it comes to editing photos on the road as the 10.2MP RAW files are a little too much for it to handle. My new laptop is one that's been generating more then a little press recently, and seems to have split the Mac community right down the middle as well - the Macbook Air. I've plumped for the 1.6 80GB version (mainly because that's what I could afford). i will admit to having a hard time justifying the additional cost over the Macbook, but then I decided to really treat myself. Yes for a few quid more I could have got a Macbook Pro, but all I really wanted was something that I can put in my camera bag and take with me. The weight of this thing makes up for the relative lack of power. At the moment I'm installing a couple of gigabytes of updates. But initial impressions are favourable, and I'll write more once I'm had a real chance to play.

2008-03-16T14:29:00.001Z

http://nezzi.myminicity.com