Day: September 21, 2011

3D… well, meh. But longer than 15 minute video for “in good standing members = good!”

YouTube Now Converting 2D Videos To 3D, Removes 15 Minute Limit For Verified Users

“I hate 3D videos. Chances are, you hate 3D videos too. And yet, the electronics-making world insists on shoving 3D display technology into everything from TVs to smartphones, regardless of the fact that there’s still next to no worthwhile 3D content out there. Besides Avatar — but seriously, I could barely make it through that movie without nodding off the first time.

But wherever video trends go, Youtube will follow. YouTube has been playing around with 3D video support for some time now, with the biggest holdback being that only a very, very small chunk of the population owns a camera capable of capturing that extra dimension. Looking to get more 3D content onto their site, YouTube is today rolling out a Beta of a 2D to 3D conversion system. They also removed the 15 minute video limit for all verified users.

As opposed to traditional 3D video capturing setups which requires two simultaneously captured videos to be merged with fancy software trickery, Youtube’s new conversion tool measures the motion and color of a single video to simulate depth and hobble together a hacky, 3D-ish video. Youtube admits that it’s not on par with shooting 3D video the proper way — but hey, it’s a Beta. You’ll still need 3D glasses (or at least a glasses-free 3D display) to watch the videos properly.

YouTube also made another rather notable announcement, though they more so just mentioned it in passing: they’re removing the 15 minute video length limit for anyone who is in good standing (read: anyone who hasn’t uploaded porn or bootlegs) and has been ‘verified’ (read: anyone willing to cough up their phone number). Finally, the hour-long Director’s Cut of your Chip & Dales Rescue Ranger fan music video can have a home online!”

In a sly move, perhaps to destroy Linux once and for all, Microsoft’s new Windows 8 will have a secured boot process tied to the BIOS itself. So, if a vendor creates a machine that complies with Windows Secure boot, it will not be able (without hacking the BIOS) to dual boot Windows and Linux.

The key is the new UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) secure boot, with includes a registered operating system signed by a trusted Certificate Authority. This has some upsides: for instance, Windows 8’s fast booting is due in part to this, and malware won’t be able to hijack your OS. But, M$ being M$, they consider Linux as malware, in effect, so you are doomed. Well, OK, an exaggeration, but you see what I mean.

Linux could incorporate UEFI Secure Boot, but there are roadblocks to doing it. Not the least of which is the requirement that the signed OS certs must be proprietary. But, the Linux developers will probably figure something out… so, I am not too worried. However, if you have a “home-grown” distro, you may really be shut out. Also, M$ has promised to support older BIOS systems as well, for backward compatibility.

I guess I do… I have WAY too many. But, it is a way to secure your “name” so that folks don’t misrepresent you.

——–

So, you know I blog here at:

https://www.DrBill.CC

(For Computer Curmudgeon)

And, my Video Show is at:

https://www.DrBill.TV

But, do you know about:

https://www.drbillbailey.biz/

Same as my “main site” which is the .net, because I was/am a web host (for a few select sites), and, now, a network of shows.

https://www.drbillbailey.com/

Same as my “main site” which is the .net, because I was/am a web host (for a few select sites), and, now, a network of shows.

https://www.drbillbailey.info/

Same as my “main site” which is the .net, because I was/am a web host (for a few select sites), and, now, a network of shows.

https://www.drbillbailey.net/

The “Official Main Site!”

https://www.drbillbailey.org/

Same as my ministry site, Word of Faith Ministries, which is:

https://www.wofm.org/

And, of course:

https://www.drbillbailey.tv/

Same as my Dr. Bill.TV site! Wow! Do I collect sites, or what? Sigh. Oh! And, I almost forgot about the .US site, which is:

https://www.drbillbailey.us/

Again, same as the .net site. US being the United States based site, of course… oh well.

Be sure to watch the video! It is actually kinda cool.

Introducing Engadget Distro!

“Say hello to Engadget Distro. At its most molecular level, it’s nothing more than a series of ones and zeros, cobbled together in a compiler and made to look like words and images on Apple’s iPad. But in reality, it’s something far greater — something that the entire Engadget staff couldn’t be more proud to have their names on. Distro is the week in technology news, distilled down and reformatted into a beautiful, offline view that can be enjoyed anywhere. You know, like one of those regional jets still awaiting their rightful Gogo injection. We’ve got a team of designers and editors toiling around the clock to assemble our best long-form feature content and reviews, re-wrapping it in a fashion that takes full advantage of a little thing called ‘multitouch.’

As of now, we’ve got plans to launch Distro on the iPad soon (as in, super soon!), but you can bet we’re already hammering away on versions for the other major tablet platforms. Rest assured, we’re as eager to finish them as anyone, and yes, they’ll all be absolutely free of charge. For those who find themselves a touch overwhelmed with the sheer torrent of news that occurs in this space each and every day, Distro offers a relaxing, peaceful alternative. Sort of like morphine, but available sans a prescription. We’ll be showing off a sneak peek during tonight’s live Engadget Show (tune in here!), and we’ll be sure to keep you abreast of our launch date as it draws closer.”

Plus, I kinda like the name… my Linux background showing!

Wow! You knew they had to start somewhere!

29 years ago, a smiley was born :-)

At 11:44 a.m. on September 19, 1982, a man named Scott Fahlman posted a message to an electronic computer-science department bulletin board at Carnegie Mellon University. And with that simple action he did something wonderful: He became the individual who would later be credited as the inventor of :-), an ASCII-based emoticon.

Thanks to the efforts of Microsoft Director of Identity Partnerships Mike B. Jones — who worked at Carnegie Mellon University when the original post was made — and a small team of dedicated individuals, we know that the following is the message Fahlman sent:

19-Sep-82 11:44 Scott E Fahlman :-)
From: Scott E Fahlman

I propose that the following character sequence for joke markers:

:-)

Read it sideways. Actually, it is probably more economical to mark
things that are NOT jokes, given current trends. For this, use

:-(

If you’re curious about the exact context of the message, then you can actually read through the full “joke” message thread in which it was posted or Fahlman’s “Smiley Lore :-)” post which explains the thoughts that led to the use of the emoticon.”