Switching over to Dreamweaver

info — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:09:21 +0000

Although I'll miss GoLive I've got to stay current. Hello, Dreamweaver!

It’s been a LONG time coming but I’ve finally scrounged together some funds to pick up Dreamweaver CS4. In the coming weeks I’ll be migrating to a new design (version 6) for the website/zine. With any luck I’ll be able to incorporate this blog into the new design home page so readers can go to one place for updates instead of two. Life is full of challenges…
And hey! I managed to get my captions back!

G-drive to return but WD 2TB has taken its place

info — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:33:44 +0000

I just received word that the 1TB G-Drive was shipped back to me as of last week. No word yet on what, if anything, was wrong with it. In the meantime, I purchased a 2TB WD Mybook for backup- which I might add, has performed wonderfully! One thing I have noted however, is that the Asus P6T motherboard setup is a little weird when it comes to firewire; the JVC HDV deck has to be started up first to be recognized before I turn on the computer, but when I need to use the Mybook it works only AFTER the computer is turned on. Is there a conflict with Windows 7? Don’t know yet, but XP was literally plug and play, hot swap etc.
Anyway, I’m anxious to see just what the problem was with the G-Drive. Regardless, I don’t think I’ll trust it on any of my Windows machines again and will save it as a deep storage backup for my Mac.

Story 128 – The Business of Play and Games

info — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:12:42 +0000

In this follow up article to Story 127, I talk to Blockdot and learn about their use of “adver-games” to attract and engage customers for clients, Smeet, a German based firm that uses a facebook/second life 3D interface to create a virtual social marketplace for businesses and finally Robonica, a Beverly MA based company that is championing the “Rise of Robotic Gaming”. Enjoy!

http://www.futureincite.com

Story 127 – The Playtime of Tomorrow

info — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:32:57 +0000

Braving the snow and rain, Future iNCITE! traveled to NYC’s Jacob Javitz Center to check out the Engage Expo and the Toy Fair (Feb 16-17). Far more than an action figure showcase, both shows offered a look into the future of merchandising and Transmedia creation. If you are a content creator, you’ve got to read this article!

http://www.futureincite.com

I hope you find it as interesting as I did. Comments are most welcome!

Got HDCam? How about 3Dcam?

info — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:06:37 +0000

Many of you may have already heard the news that Panasonic is scheduled to announce their new lineup of 3D P2 enabled camcorders at this year’s upcoming NAB. For all the nay-sayers who still think 3D is just a gimmick, keep dreaming. 3D will be here to stay, if only because big business needs it to justify their bloated budgets. Currently, there is a software plug-in for Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere called Cineform NEO 3D which will put you back some $3,000USD. But with it, you will be able to edit your own 3D movie.

G-Drive/Hitachi answers… sort of.

info — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:31:02 +0000

So yesterday I finally received an answer to my query as to why the 1TB G-Drive I purchased for backup wiped out two of my machines. G-Drive offered apologies for the difficulty I have had with the drive and told me to “Stop using your drive immediately and send it in for inspection.”
It’s still under warranty so all I should have to pay for is shipping. So for those of you with similar G-Drive problems I don’t have an actual remedy to offer. It sounds like it’s all in the hands of their tech support.

Half blog! Half pseudo blog! One big mess!

info — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:20:31 +0000

The upgrade to the blog format has been great for administrative reasons but it still isn’t a “true” blog. The real blog gets steady traffic but unfortunately it doesn’t translate to higher numbers for SEO because it isn’t a homepage.
So the question is, do I lose one or the other or combine them both? Using dedicated web authoring programs like GoLive or Dreamweaver has the merit of running and designing locally which allows for more creative control (WYSIWYG). As we’ve seen, using Wordpress templates may save time (and money) but if you are not code savvy, you increasingly run the risk of your blog becoming less than optimal.
And I see we are due for yet another upgrade. The reasons are sound, but what functionality will I lose this time once I get 2.9.2?
So is the answer to run Wordpress locally? I’m not sure…

Waiting for reply from Hitachi

info — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:46:02 +0000

So I finally decided to get some outside help on the Hitachi G-Drive that darn near ruined every computer I own. After the 1TB drive tried to “mind-wipe” both Win XP and Win 7 machines, I tossed it into the untidy heap of my spare parts pile ( a pile because it has already overflowed the box it was in). Hitachi sent me a confirmation email regarding my tech ticket, so now all I have to do is wait until they respond. I am anxious to hear what they have to say…

What gives? No HIN for 2010?

info — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:52:32 +0000

My coverage of last year’s Hot Import Nights event at Raceway Park was so well received, that the managing company invited me back for this years event. We were supposed to touch base in January, to discuss plans for a more detailed article and possibly video, but something is amiss. The HIN website has not been updated since the fall of 09 and my press contact is no longer available. The HIN forums are also abuzz regarding the absence of a tour schedule for 2010. Is the lack of information just a reorganization of the company’s assets or something worse?

Story 126 – Hitting The Mark

info — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:12:40 +0000

Stunt driving is definitely one of the staples of the motion picture industry. Since the days of Buster Keaton and Harold Loyd, stunt drivers have been bashing, crashing and mashing up cars for the silver screen, risking life and limb to bring about the director’s vision. I had the opportunity to interview Mike Burke and Roy Farfel, co-founders and co-owners of Drivers East, NJ’s own professional stunt driving school to see what it takes to “hit the mark.”

http://www.futureincite.com