In a bid to revive interest in Flickr,
Yahoo has redesigned its photo community website and increased the
amount of free storage available to Flickr users to 1 terabyte.
That amounts to more than 500,000 photos taken at 6.5 megapixels, which
is about the size generated by current smartphone cameras.
It's enough space to attract the interest of
developers who see Flickr as a resource for storing any file, not just
image files. The reason is simple: A free terabyte of storage is a
pretty good deal, particularly when you consider that Flickr is charging
$499 a year for 2 terabytes.
The problem with using Flickr for general storage is that it's only
designed for images. To get around that, developer Ryan LeFevre has
posted Ruby code to Github called flickr-store that lets users encode data as a .PNG image file, so it can be stored using Flickr.
LeFevre, in an email, said that another developer, Ricardo Tomasi, implemented a similar project at about the same time he published flickr-store.
LeFevre said he would not advise anyone to use his code to store
critical files. "The ability to store files on Flickr by encoding them
as PNGs was more of an academic exercise than anything," he said. "That
said, there have been some similar successful projects in the past, such
as GmailFS, so it's
possible that the project could mature into a somewhat useful tool.
Encoding/decoding data from PNG files is also, unfortunately, a bit
slow. There is a lot of room for improvement."
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
XBox One
Eight years after releasing the Xbox 360, Microsoft has unveiled the
next generation of its gaming console, and the company seems to be
making up for lost time.
The new gaming system, which it plans to release before the end of the year, is chock full of new features that go way beyond new hardware, including Skype connectivity, television integration and new ways of controlling the system with your voice and body.
"We have an ambitious vision to become the all-in-one system for every living room," Microsoft president of Interactive Entertainment Business Don Mattrick said at the Xbox event in Redmond, Wash., this afternoon. Highlighting that the Xbox is not just a gaming system anymore, Mattrick added: "We're thrilled to unveil the ultimate all-in-one entertainment system: the Xbox One."
One of the standout hardware features might be the microphone on the box. Yes, a microphone. Microsoft has included new advanced voice control and commands. Say "Xbox, Go Home" aloud and it will return to the homescreen of the system. You can also say "Snap Internet Explorer" and you can bring up the browser and place it next to a game, similar to how you can snap windows next to each other in Windows 8.
Beyond using a tablet to navigate, the Xbox One is an extension of the tablet. In addition to bringing over some Windows 8-like functionality, it has integrated Skype right into Xbox, complete with video calling. There is also new app functionality. For instance, an ESPN app will alert you to your fantasy player stats while playing a game.
But beyond all that, the Xbox is very much trying to be the new TV platform.
"Until now, the TV viewing experience has been a one-way viewing experience for the viewer," Nancy Tellem, Microsoft's president of Entertainment & Digital Media, said on stage. "Now that is about to change."
The One will connect to your cable box, bring in your TV listings, and provide personalized suggestions. Microsoft says it will also overlay a social experience with that TV content as well, allowing the Xbox to become the "next watercooler."
*** [6/19/13]
Microsoft has sensationally abandoned its controversial plans to restrict the sharing of Xbox One games, and has also removed daily online authentication requirements for its forthcoming console.
In a statement released on the Xbox website on Wednesday, Don Mattrick, the president of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, wrote that the company had listened to "candid feedback" from gamers. Before listing the changes, his explanation reads, "You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world."
When the new console is released this November, there will be no need to authenticate the system online every 24 hours – a requirement thought to have been introduced as a digital rights management measure. According to the statement, "After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again."
Furthermore, plans to restrict the sales of pre-owned titles, as well as the sharing of games among friends, have also been cancelled. There will now be no limits on gifting, re-selling, sharing or renting Xbox One game titles. In addition to these reversals, Microsoft is also removing regional locks on Xbox One games, which means titles bought in one global territory will work in all others.
The announcement follows a huge backlash against Microsoft which began when the company first revealed the Xbox One console at a press conference in May. Company representatives explained to journalists that all Xbox One games would need to be fully installed onto systems before play and that each copy would then be watermarked to its owner. Attempts to then sell on or give away the boxed copy of the game would be controlled by Microsoft; although the details have always been ambiguous,
The new gaming system, which it plans to release before the end of the year, is chock full of new features that go way beyond new hardware, including Skype connectivity, television integration and new ways of controlling the system with your voice and body.
"We have an ambitious vision to become the all-in-one system for every living room," Microsoft president of Interactive Entertainment Business Don Mattrick said at the Xbox event in Redmond, Wash., this afternoon. Highlighting that the Xbox is not just a gaming system anymore, Mattrick added: "We're thrilled to unveil the ultimate all-in-one entertainment system: the Xbox One."
One of the standout hardware features might be the microphone on the box. Yes, a microphone. Microsoft has included new advanced voice control and commands. Say "Xbox, Go Home" aloud and it will return to the homescreen of the system. You can also say "Snap Internet Explorer" and you can bring up the browser and place it next to a game, similar to how you can snap windows next to each other in Windows 8.
Beyond using a tablet to navigate, the Xbox One is an extension of the tablet. In addition to bringing over some Windows 8-like functionality, it has integrated Skype right into Xbox, complete with video calling. There is also new app functionality. For instance, an ESPN app will alert you to your fantasy player stats while playing a game.
But beyond all that, the Xbox is very much trying to be the new TV platform.
"Until now, the TV viewing experience has been a one-way viewing experience for the viewer," Nancy Tellem, Microsoft's president of Entertainment & Digital Media, said on stage. "Now that is about to change."
The One will connect to your cable box, bring in your TV listings, and provide personalized suggestions. Microsoft says it will also overlay a social experience with that TV content as well, allowing the Xbox to become the "next watercooler."
*** [6/19/13]
Microsoft has sensationally abandoned its controversial plans to restrict the sharing of Xbox One games, and has also removed daily online authentication requirements for its forthcoming console.
In a statement released on the Xbox website on Wednesday, Don Mattrick, the president of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, wrote that the company had listened to "candid feedback" from gamers. Before listing the changes, his explanation reads, "You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world."
When the new console is released this November, there will be no need to authenticate the system online every 24 hours – a requirement thought to have been introduced as a digital rights management measure. According to the statement, "After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again."
Furthermore, plans to restrict the sales of pre-owned titles, as well as the sharing of games among friends, have also been cancelled. There will now be no limits on gifting, re-selling, sharing or renting Xbox One game titles. In addition to these reversals, Microsoft is also removing regional locks on Xbox One games, which means titles bought in one global territory will work in all others.
The announcement follows a huge backlash against Microsoft which began when the company first revealed the Xbox One console at a press conference in May. Company representatives explained to journalists that all Xbox One games would need to be fully installed onto systems before play and that each copy would then be watermarked to its owner. Attempts to then sell on or give away the boxed copy of the game would be controlled by Microsoft; although the details have always been ambiguous,
Tuesday, May 07, 2013
black screen on freecell, etc.
I started up Spider Solitaire and got a black screen. The sound was still working. The menu was still working. But the main game display was black.
No big deal, I can live without playing Spider Solitaire.
But then I tried FreeCell. Same thing.
The problems seems to be limited to the native Vista games. I played the freecell that I had imported from Windows XP and that worked. Yep, Hearts don't work either. Chess Titans. Mahjong Titans. Minesweeper. Regular Solitaire. Purble Place (whatever that is).
Inkball is the only one that works.
Hadn't played the XP version for a while. I notice the difference that in the Vista version you can drag the cards. While in the XP version, you click them. The other difference is that the Vista version you have unlimited undo. And if you restart again and lose, it counts as another loss (whereas the XP version just counts one loss no matter how many times you restart the game).
I think I had this problem before, but I don't remember what I did to fix it. I'm thinking now that I just rebooted and the problem cleared up.
reboot.
yay, it worked. I changed the background of freecell, so now I have to change it back.
[I was going to write this reply on my ipad mini, but got a blank screen when I tried. Another ipad incompatiblity.]
No big deal, I can live without playing Spider Solitaire.
But then I tried FreeCell. Same thing.
The problems seems to be limited to the native Vista games. I played the freecell that I had imported from Windows XP and that worked. Yep, Hearts don't work either. Chess Titans. Mahjong Titans. Minesweeper. Regular Solitaire. Purble Place (whatever that is).
Inkball is the only one that works.
Hadn't played the XP version for a while. I notice the difference that in the Vista version you can drag the cards. While in the XP version, you click them. The other difference is that the Vista version you have unlimited undo. And if you restart again and lose, it counts as another loss (whereas the XP version just counts one loss no matter how many times you restart the game).
I think I had this problem before, but I don't remember what I did to fix it. I'm thinking now that I just rebooted and the problem cleared up.
reboot.
yay, it worked. I changed the background of freecell, so now I have to change it back.
[I was going to write this reply on my ipad mini, but got a blank screen when I tried. Another ipad incompatiblity.]
playing with the iPad mini
Well finally got the iPad Mini at WalMart on Saturday and opened it up last night.
[First I watched some iPad Mini videos on youtube.]
Went through some of the built-in apps. Like Safari, mail, photos. Figured out how to get some pictures into the photos camera roll (simply save the photo from email).
Looked through
Still want to try messaging and Facetime. Just to see if it works. And take some photos.
Next step is to install some apps. But first I have to sign up for iTunes (and I suppose install iTunes on my computer so I can transfer files/photos).
Some of the apps I'm eyeing off the top of my head.
A browser so I can view hulu. Maybe Puffin.
ESPN3
CNBC
StarAdvertiser, MidWeek, KHON, etc.
And of course games (Paper Toss looks interesting). And I guess Angry Birds.
***
[later that night] OK, got iTunes installed and installed a few apps. Like CNBC, WatchESPN, Angry Birds. It took a little while to figure out, but finally was able to xfer some photos from my computer to the iPad. A bit unintuitive though.
One thing odd though, before I installed iTunes I plugged the iPad into the computer as the battery hit 5%. It said it was charging. But then after I installed iTunes, I noticed the iPad said "not charging". Don't know if it was coincidence or what happened.
[First I watched some iPad Mini videos on youtube.]
Went through some of the built-in apps. Like Safari, mail, photos. Figured out how to get some pictures into the photos camera roll (simply save the photo from email).
Looked through
Still want to try messaging and Facetime. Just to see if it works. And take some photos.
Next step is to install some apps. But first I have to sign up for iTunes (and I suppose install iTunes on my computer so I can transfer files/photos).
Some of the apps I'm eyeing off the top of my head.
A browser so I can view hulu. Maybe Puffin.
ESPN3
CNBC
StarAdvertiser, MidWeek, KHON, etc.
And of course games (Paper Toss looks interesting). And I guess Angry Birds.
***
[later that night] OK, got iTunes installed and installed a few apps. Like CNBC, WatchESPN, Angry Birds. It took a little while to figure out, but finally was able to xfer some photos from my computer to the iPad. A bit unintuitive though.
One thing odd though, before I installed iTunes I plugged the iPad into the computer as the battery hit 5%. It said it was charging. But then after I installed iTunes, I noticed the iPad said "not charging". Don't know if it was coincidence or what happened.
Monday, May 06, 2013
who's piggybacking you?
I got the idea for today’s tip while
troubleshooting my parent’s slow internet connection this weekend (they
hadn’t given their Wi-Fi a password, and the neighbors were using it).
The first thing you need to do is login to your router's administrative
console by typing its IP address directly into the browser address bar
-- typically 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 depending on which router you
have. If you don't know your router's default address go to the command
prompt (Start > Run/Search for cmd) and enter ipconfig. The address
you need should be next to Default Gateway under your Local Area
Connection.
Once inside your router's administrative console look for a section related to connected devices or wireless status. It will be different for everyone, sometimes it’s available under Status > Wireless but can also find it as "Attached Devices", under or "Device List".
This should provide a table with the IP, MAC address and other details of every device currently connected to the router. Check that list against your gear to find any intruders. You can find out the MAC/IP address of your computers by going to the Command Prompt again and entering 'ipconfig /all'. The MAC address will be shown as the physical address.
***
Too bad. I don't know the router password to my hawaiiantel.net modem/router combo. On the other hand, since it has a password, I doubt anybody is piggybacking it.
Right now, only my Roku is connected to my wireless. But soon to be added is my new iPad mini. Other than that, i'll just be my relative's iPad or iPhone. Plus any laptops I'm troubleshooting.
Once inside your router's administrative console look for a section related to connected devices or wireless status. It will be different for everyone, sometimes it’s available under Status > Wireless but can also find it as "Attached Devices", under or "Device List".
This should provide a table with the IP, MAC address and other details of every device currently connected to the router. Check that list against your gear to find any intruders. You can find out the MAC/IP address of your computers by going to the Command Prompt again and entering 'ipconfig /all'. The MAC address will be shown as the physical address.
***
Too bad. I don't know the router password to my hawaiiantel.net modem/router combo. On the other hand, since it has a password, I doubt anybody is piggybacking it.
Right now, only my Roku is connected to my wireless. But soon to be added is my new iPad mini. Other than that, i'll just be my relative's iPad or iPhone. Plus any laptops I'm troubleshooting.
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