In an effort to simplify audio visualization experiments with ActionScript 3.0, I’ve developed a SoundData class. The class’s main attraction is centered around the flash.media.SoundMixer.computeSpectrum() method, but it also provides additional control over playback, including startSound(), stopSound() and toggle() methods. The class also allows manipulation over volume and panning.

Read the rest of this entry »

Working late at night on a project, all alone, your cubicle can seem so much larger and more lonely. I suggest filling it with little paper friends from ReadyMech. They have many designs, catering to all sorts of tastes. All you need is a printer, scissors, and some tape to whip up a companion.

If you are skilled with the scissors, and have some time on your hands, I suggest making them all. Take a picture and send it to me; I will reward you with my personal kudos and a hearty round of applause.

Here is my new friend:

Net neutrality, the concept of treating all Internet traffic the same, has been a hot topic of late. Even our esteemed statesmen in Washington have mulled over the subject. Traditional ISPs have stayed out of the debate, letting other players squabble over the politics of packets and pipes.

But now a major ISP is taking matters into their own hands, and causing headaches for many of its users. The ISP is Comcast, and the users are music enthusiasts (illegal file traders). Specifically, Comcast is disrupting the popular Bittorrent file sharing protocol by mangling its data packets.

Unfortunately the problems don’t stop with Bittorrent. Other applications, like Lotus Notes, are also experiencing strange behavior when connecting through Comcast. This is a very scary situation.

When ISPs decide what customers can and can’t do with the bandwidth they pay for we all lose, and lose big. So much for net neutrality.

A new format war is upon us. I speak of course of the HD video war. In one corner is the storage heavyweight Blue-ray, and in the other the slightly familiar HD-DVD. To the naked eye both look identical, shiny and round, just like a regular DVD. But beneath the surface of each lie different technologies, and a whole lot of politics.

Before consumers were in this mess it was DVD Vs DIVX. We all know how that panned out. Even before the optical disc wars Betamax and VHS were slugging it out over which format would dominate tape. However, this time it’s different. This time there is a third contender, and it’s not a format at all, it’s a delivery method.

With the advent of affordable high speed Internet, content can be delivered right to the consumer, cutting out the need for optical discs entirely. Apple, Amazon, TiVo, and others have launched services where users can purchase and download content online. No trips to the store, no discs to get scratched, no problem.

I believe when the dust settles on this war neither Blue-ray or HD-DVD will be standing. Hopefully, when a victor does emerge, there will be something decent to watch.

Do you have a Mac? Do you use iTunes? Does it frustrate you that Apple has chosen to make it a dumbed down music manager that lacks some truly useful features? Me too!

Check out Doug’s AppleScripts for iTunes. Doug has collected a truly great collection of script that are free to download, easy to install, and add new features to iTunes. More iTunes tips after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »