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.

Former lab consultants create iPhone game!

Former lab consultants Michael Highland and Keith McKnight are working on an iPhone game called Hipster City Cycle, to be released later this year.

They were featured this week in the Daily Pennsylvanian ("Alumni's iPhone game explores the Phila. streets") and in Philly tech blog Technically Philly ("Shop Talk: The DIY game-makers of Port127")

Here's a screenshot of the game (I love Keith's pixel art. You may have noticed we have a cover of 34th Street magazine he created hanging on the bulletin board in the lab):


Most importantly (I'm totally burying the lead here, I know), they're having a contest where you can submit your photo and they'll turn you into a pixel person (see below for examples) and you could end up in the game itself! (I already submitted my photo. Wish me luck!) Check out the details at http://www.hipstercitycycle.com/pixelateme/ And most importantly, make sure you buy the game when it comes out. You can be sure we'll announce it here when the game hits the app store in the Fall.

Steve Jobs Makes the Case for Not Supporting Flash on iPhones

As annoying as the lack of Flash support is, he makes a compelling case.

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/

Privacy and Facebook’s New Instant Personalization

Facebook’s New Instant Personalization feature is a powerful new tool that can certainly improve your online experience if you use it wisely, but it presents some major privacy issues which most of us don't even think about. Also, Facebook has decided to activate for everyone by default, meaning you must OPT OUT if you don't want to share your online activities with your friends and "partner sites" (ie. strangers) alike.

What's to be worried about? Here are a couple examples people cite:

"Like" a movie on IMDB, and all of your friends will get updates to that effect. For that matter, every time you look at a movie on IMDB, you will see a list of friends who have "liked" that page. It is a powerful tool, but my bet is most Facebook users will have no idea where, when, or how their Likes will show up on the Web. Or for how long. [via "Facebook: Privacy Enemy Number One?"]

or...

[For] example, if you sign-on to Pandora ... the site could automatically dip into your Facebook account. ... Your co-workers and other professional contacts will soon be privy to your late-night Miley Cyrus jam sessions. [via Facebook privacy warning; Instant Personalization at F8]

For me, the thing to remember is that Facebook is first and foremost a business. Everything they do is aimed at making them more money. And information about their users (ie. you and me) is a valuable commodity. When they implement new "features," they do it in order to increase profit, not to improve your online experience. Just keep that in mind as you use the site.


Some additional interesting links about Facebook and privacy:

Facebook group: MILLIONS AGAINST FACEBOOK's PRIVACY POLICIES AND LAYOUT REDESIGN
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27233634858

Sophos's recommendations for Facebook settings
http://www.sophos.com/security/best-practice/facebook/

Facebook Planning To Give Away Your Data To “Partners”
http://www.allfacebook.com/2010/03/facebook-planning-to-give-away-your-data-to-partners/

10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know
http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/02/facebook-privacy/

Facebook’s Instant Personalization Is the Real Privacy Hairball
http://gigaom.com/2010/04/22/facebooks-instant-personalization-is-the-real-privacy-hairball/

Seltzer Family Digital Media Award Winners 2010

Congratulations to the 5 winners of this year's Seltzer Family Digital Media Awards!

Rose Espinola C'11
Olivia C/W'12Jung
Sascha Murillo C'11
Yuval Orr C'11
Allison Rhodes C'11

You can read more about the Seltzer awards at http://wic.library.upenn.edu/wicideas/seltzeraward.html