Libraries

YOUMedia – How Libraries are Engaging the 21st Century

I came across an article about the new (at least to me) YOUMedia section of various Chicago Public Libraries.

YOUmedia was created to connect young adults, books, media, mentors, and institutions throughout the city of Chicago in one dynamic space designed to inspire collaboration and creativity.

I have been working with the West Lafayette Public Library to bring about similar ideas to capture the attention and patronage of the West Lafayette youth.

I believe we will have success if we offer digital media creation stations/units and a free/open software education curriculum, including a Freedom Toaster-esq station.

You can read more about YOUMedia here:

Applications

Editing Video with Kdenlive

I had to edit some videos from the Internet recently and found that Kdenlive is an amazing tool to get the job done. It is very straight forward, multi-track, non-linear video editor makes projects very easy to accomplish.

I was able to just import FLV files, chop them up, reassemble their order, add transitions, and export the new video as an MP4 among other formats. I assume it is using FFMPEG to get the encoding done, which is a great transcoding program for any platform.

The Kdenlive community is also very strong, providing support via the usual methods of forums, IRC, video tutorialsand even a wikibook.

I had a very positive experience with Kdenlive and will continue to use it on all of my video editing projects. Thank you Kdenlive team and community!

Android

Becoming more of a Machine

In preparation for purchasing an Android based device, I started researching some items I think I will need when I make the switch. My main priority is to find a way to not use Google for every damn function on the phone. I think I have found alternatives to most items and then some:

Software
vCardIO – An free software to import contacts in the vCard 2.1 format
Video showing how to use vCardIO
netcounter – A free software to monitor your bandwidth consumption on an Android device
ancal – An free software PIM software package

Sites
70 Awesome Android Apps
Android Tips.com

Development
my life with android – Blog about various programming experiments with Android
Android Development Tutorial

More to come when I actually make the purchase. Right now I am looking at the HTC Aria since we already use AT&T.

Now I must stew over this and wait to see if I really want to take the plunge.

One person's venture into life.