World's Largest Augmented Reality Marker

Ok, this is pretty cool. Many of you are probably already aware of "Augmented Reality," that uses those funny looking square barcodes to augment an actual view of reality with computer generated imagery. The computer can tell which way a barcode is oriented, and even which angle it's tilted at, and then display a correctly-oriented 3D object inside a video--in realitime!

Well, a Brazilian architect firm created a gigantic augmented reality marker to help their clients visualize what their planned skyscraper would look like in its planned setting--and set a world record in the process.

See the video below, and read the full story at http://www.augmentedplanet.com/2010/08/the-worlds-largest-augmented-reality-project/

Happy Friday the 13th!

Detexify

Not that I'm a big LaTex user, but I thought this was a pretty cool tool. Basically, you just draw the symbol you're looking for, and Detexify finds the LaTex code for it. See the example I did below.


Oh, and Detextify relies on HTML5 to do its dirty work, so try to stick with Opera 9.6 / Firefox 3.5 / Safari 4 or better.

Buy a Flash Drive

If you're in the market for a USB key/flash drive, or if you're still using a flash drive with less than 1 GB of space, please buy a new one. And here's a great excuse to do it: a Kingston 4GB USB flash drive for less than $8, with free shipping.

http://www.buy.com/prod/kingston-4gb-datatraveler-generation-3-g3-usb-flash-drive-white-gray/q/loc/101/216776270.html

YouTube to Increase Upload Length to 15 minutes

BoingBoing is reporting that YouTube plans to increase their upload limit from 10 minutes to 15 minutes. Considering how many people we've helped here in the lab who have come up against that 10 minute and been forced to make some tough choices (ie. which parts to cut out of the 12 minute video they worked so long and hard on), this is great news. That doesn't mean you should just start extending your videos by 5 minutes, but it's nice to have the extra time when you really need it.

Reserving a Poster

We've decided to move to a reservation-based approach to printing posters in the Vitale Digital Media Lab. From now on, when you want to print a poster, you just need to reserve one ahead of time online.

To reserve a slot for yourself, follow these instructions:

1. Login with your PennKey at http://checkout.sas.upenn.edu
2. If presented with a choice of locations, choose "Weigle Information Commons"
3. Enter the date and time you wish to print your poster (Maximum 1 poster per day, up to a day in advance), with a duration of 1 hour.
4. Click on "Find Resources" to browse through the equipment available for the dates you entered.
5. Choose "Poster Printing".
6. Add a printing slot to your reservation by clicking on the "Add" button next to an item.
7. Click on "Current Reservation" to see a summary of your reservation.
8. If there are problems with your reservation, you will see them in a red box in the lower left part of your browser. You will need to correct them before confirming your reservation.
9. Click the "Confirm" button. (Please note that you will NOT receive a confirmation email.)
10. Bring your poster file to the Vitale Digital Media Lab on the date and time you requested. Your reservation will be automatically deleted by the system if you don't check in with a lab consultant within 3 hours of your reserved time slot.

• We will do our best to help you print at the time of your arrival, with allowances as needed for handling other patron needs.
• Poster requests arriving on time will receive processing priority over late arrivals.
• It can take up to 30 minutes to prepare your poster for sending to the printer.
• Posters are generally ready for pickup the same day, but we do not guarantee this.

Apple announces details of Free iPhone Case program

Full details at http://www.apple.com/iphone/case-program/

Follow these steps to apply for a Bumper or case.

1. Download the iPhone 4 Case Program app from the App Store.
2. Launch the app on your iPhone 4 and sign in using your iTunes Store account or Apple ID.
3. Select your Bumper or case.

For iPhone 4 purchases made before July 23, 2010, you must apply no later than August 22, 2010; otherwise, you must apply within 30 days of your iPhone 4 purchase. To qualify for this program, you must purchase your iPhone 4 by September 30, 2010.

Oh what the heck.

64GB iPad - Great Price

David Perlman, a member of the nursing faculty here at Penn, is selling his brand new 64GB iPad along with several accessories for a great price. You're saving $200 off the price you'd be paying if you bought it all new. Details, from David, follow. Contact him at perlmand@nursing.upenn.edu if you're interested!:

I purchased a 64 GB iPad in late April. From the moment I bought it, I installed a screen protector and plastic protective case. It is in perfect condition. I am selling it, along with the accessories below, to buy a small laptop instead. Note: this is the WiFi model, not the 3G model.

Accessories included:
1. Screen protector (already installed)
2. Marware soft case with 3-way flip display
3. iLuv plastic iPad protective case
4. VGA cable adapter for video output
5. Charger and USB adapter

Please note: the iPad and plastic protector fit great in the Marware leather case.

All original iPad boxes and containers are included. Total cost of iPad and accessories was: $900.

Only serious inquiries please. Price firm.

Booklet Stapler

Now and then, people make booklets here in the lab, and although Jesse figured out a workaround to the problem, it's hard to staple the spine of a booklet with a standard stapler. So I got us a booklet stapler that has a 12-inch reach on it, so you can staple anything up to 24 inches wide pre-fold. Just ask a lab consultant if you need to use it.

Apple to give away free cases to iPhone 4 users

So, Apple is going to do what everyone has been saying they should do all along: give away free cases for your iPhone 4 (or refund the cost of your existing case). Obviously, the antenna problem has been way overblown, but I'm glad Apple is doing the right thing.

The iPhone 4 Antenna Song

As we wait to hear what Apple's big announcement is today about the iPhone 4 antenna, here's a song to keep you occupied.

Cheap fix for the iPhone 4 Antenna Problem

Engadget has a post today about that nasty iPhone 4 antenna problem which is serious enough to drive me to switch to Android if they don't fix it by year's end) and a cheap and easy way to fix it. No need to spend $30 on those bumpers that Apple sells. Apparently those silicone awareness bracelets that are so popuar are a perfect fit on the new phone. Just a small slit for the speakers and data port, and you're ready to make phone calls again!

Voicemail for the People

Yesterday, Google opened up it's Google Voice service to the unwashed masses (that's you). So now all you need is a regular old Google/Gmail account to get started. Check the video below if you're not familiar with Google Voice, or check out their "about" page, which gives considerably more information on the service. It's a great service, and one that I recommend wholeheartedly. We've done workshops on it in the past, and several lab staff use it as their personal voicemail, so my recommendation comes from experience.

Come Watch the World Cup!

Join us for the World Cup while you work on your digital media project. Right now: Spain vs. Switzerland!

Closed for Gadget Day!

Hey all! We'll be closed from 10am-3pm (basically, that means we'll be opening at 3pm) this Thursday, June 10. We will start printing posters after 3pm, and we may only be able to print 2 or 3 due to the shortened time we'll be open.

For more information on Gadget Day, including links where you can register for each session, see our page at http://wic.library.upenn.edu/wicshops/gadget2010.html

Back to School Computer Sale

The Back-To-School Sale has launched at the Computer Connection. This year the Back-To-School Sale features:

• new Dell Latitude laptops with the latest Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors
• a specially priced Dell E4310 13” notebook that is thin, light (at least a pound less than other Latitudes), while loaded with features
• new Dell OptiPlex desktops, also with the latest Intel processors, and choices of several versions of Windows 7 operating systems
• the latest Apple laptops and desktops with new pricing
• the new Adobe CS5 product family, at special pricing through the Adobe CLP Licensing Program for both departments and individual customers
• several special promotions for individuals purchasing Apple computers.

Details are available on their website at http://www.upenn.edu/computerstore/bts2010.

Just how fast is Chrome?

Cool commercial for Google's Chrome web browser. These speed tests were filmed at actual web page rendering times. If you're interested in the technical details, click on the video to go to the YouTube video page and read the video description.

Try our Chair

We've got a new chair outside the lab. The company left it here so that everyone can give it a test drive. It's the prototype Kimball mesh lounge chair, not yet available to the public. Aren't you special that you get the first crack at this baby. No, it doesn't look like a chair. But yes, it is a chair. If you sit in it, you'll see what I mean. The company is very interested in feedback, so let us know what you think by leaving a comment here on the blog, or emailing us at wic1@pobox.upenn.edu

A Poster Fair with Dynamic Computer Simulation Displays

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
9:30-12:00
Silverstein Forum, Stiteler Hall

Students in Professor Lustick’s seminar, Political Science 418
(crosslisted with PPE) will display and explain the operation of their
computer assisted agent-based models and the result of their research on
a wide range of political problems.

Please come by to view the simulations and posters, talk with the
modelers, and enjoy some coffee and donuts.

Topics include: lawyers vs. Taliban in Pakistan; the effect of special
interests in Washington; primate politics; ethnicity and religion among
Iranian immigrants; collective action on the Golan Heights; building
social capital; enforcement and cooperation; clan vs. Islam in Somalia;
democratic theory and destabilization; dynamics of free trade;
succession in Iran.