What the heck is Fring?

Well, I'm glad you asked. Fring is an app for iPhone and Android that allows you to make phone calls, video calls, and text message. Um ok? I already have Skype, right? What's the deal? There is a new feature with Fring that supports group video chats! So now you and three friends can all video chat at the same time. Check out this Youtube promo video (sorry the song is a little annoying).

3D Images on the iPhone

We discovered (actually it was featured on Make:Blog and CNN) a really fun and groundbreaking app today for the iPhone. It is called Trimensional and it allows you to make a low quality 3d image using just the camera on your iPhone or iPad. This file can then be emailed as an actual 3d model file (which you could then print on a 3d printer) or as an animated gif. These are examples of images we took in the lab.

Here is a link to the app in the iTunes store and a video from the creator if you'd like some more details about the app. Feel free to try out the app on our iPad2 in the lab.

Firefox 4 Released Today!

Mozilla Firefox 4 was released today. Check out the details and new features at http://www.tomsguide.com/us/mozilla-firefox-firefox-4,news-10563.html

Mozilla likely will start prompting Firefox 3.x users to update following the first major update, currently scheduled for some time in April.

Refreshing

We're in the process of refreshing all of the software on the lab workstations. This means we'll be wiping them clean and then reinstalling a fresh copy of everything. We'll be upgrading some software (Welcome to Microsoft Office 2011!), and we're also hoping that this will fix the occasional quirkiness we've experienced on certain machines in the lab.

If you want to get a head start on the new version of the machines, Ask the lab consultant to put you on workstation 4A or 5A, which have already gone through the process. Let us know of any questions you have or problems you encounter.

Exciting Software Updates: CS4, iLife 09, iWork 09

Big news! We're finally upgrading to the Adobe CS4 software suite, along with iLife 09 and iWork 09. The software affected includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash, iMovie, iPhoto, GarageBand, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. We expect to have the new software installed sometime in the coming week or so!

Backward Compatibility

Hi guys. Now that Adobe's CS4 software is out, we're starting to see people show up with files created on the newer versions that don't open up properly in the CS3 version that we have here in the lab. Especially InDesign.

To the best of my knowledge, most of the labs on campus (including the Libraries, the School of Design, and the School of Arts and Sciences) are not upgrading to CS4 until at least this summer. In the meantime, if you create files in any of the CS4 software on your own computer, and you plan to work on it in a campus computer lab, you might want to save a copy in the older file format as well to avoid any problems.

iWeb Demo Today

Today from noon - 1pm, we will be holding a free workshop on how to use Apple's iWeb software, which is available in the Digital Media Lab, and comes free with every Macintosh computer.

iWeb makes it easy to create a website that’s stunningly beautiful — and totally you. Start with an Apple-designed theme, then customize it with your own text, photos, movies, and podcasts until it’s exactly what you want. And switch themes with a click anytime.

Apple's own Mike Wolk will be teaching the workshop in the Seminar Room in the Weigle Information Commons. See you there!

CS4 Trial Downloads Available

Exciting news! Adobe has finally made the free 30-day trial versions of their CS4 software (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) available on their website for you to download onto your laptop or home computer. If you don't already have one, you'll need to register for a free Adobe account, but that's a small price to pay for a fully functioning copy of Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended!

You can download the trial versions at http://www.adobe.com/downloads/

Indesign CS3 has arrived!

InDesign CS3 is finally up and running on the machines in the Digital Media Lab! Our licenses arrived today, and we got it installed this afternoon. Sorry again for the delay, but we're glad it's finally available for everyone who needs it.

I Want My InDesign!

Apologies to InDesign users. We've been working since the beginning of the school year to have ID up and running for you, but there's an issue with licensing that's slowed things down. I don't understand the intricacies of the situation, but part of the problem is that we're in the middle of Adobe's transition to their new CS4 software suite, which has apparently made the version we've been using (CS3) harder to come by. Who knows--maybe that means we'll end up with InDesign CS4 instead. In the meantime, we'll keep you updated if we hear anything new.

How to Do Everything with Second Life

Today's featured book is How to do Everything with Second Life, by Richard Mansfield. It's available for you to read in the Digital Media Lab; just ask the lab consultant on duty. You can even sit and use Second Life right here in the lab while you peruse the book.

Synopsis

Filled with hundreds of hands-on tutorials, tips, and techniques, this is the thorough, in-depth reference that every Second Life resident needs. Learn how to create a unique avatar and then explore, build, socialize--and even earn real money. Inside, you'll find exclusive coverage of all the menus, features, and utilities. Whether you're a newbie or an old hand, this book will help you get the most out of Second Life.

• Understand all the user interface features
• Build hidden rooms, custom teleporters, secret sliding panels, and more
• Shop for cool stuff and find the best values
• Master the Maps, Inventory, Appearance, and Search dialogs
• Start scripting with help from step-by-step tutorials
• Control lag and find lost items using Preferences and the hidden Client menu
• Visit exotic lands, travel in time, and enjoy roleplay
• Create beautiful objects using expert texturing techniques
• Earn money in ways that best suit your talents
• Find land bargains, a bit of privacy, a great house, and lasting friendships

Second Life workshop today at noon

Hey guys. There's still lots of room in today's Second Life workshop. It's a hands-on tour for beginners. Sign up (or not, whatever) at http://wic.library.upenn.edu/workshops/#SL

Adobe Photoshop CS4

By now you've probably heard the news that Adobe has announced the next iteration of its Creative Suite software, CS4. We're very excited about it, but since we seldom switch to a new major version of software in the middle of a school year, we don't expect to have it installed on the machines in the Information Commons or in the lab until Summer or Fall of 2009 at the earliest.

We'll keep you posted on new developments as we hear about them. In the meantime, Layers magazine has a page up with video demos of some of the new features in the CS4 suite, from Photoshop to Flash. Check it out at http://www.layersmagazine.com/cs4

Learn to use Garage Band!

GarageBand allows you to record multiple voices, add music tracks, add still images, and create podcasts with chapters. You don't even need any musical talent to create some fantastic songs. Apple Systems Engineer Michael Wolk will be presenting on this powerful but simple piece of software this Friday, March 21, from 12noon-1pm in the WIC Seminar Room, just down the hall from the Digital Media Lab. Feel free to bring your lunch.

The Ultimate Steal

This was just too good a deal not to let y'all know about. Microsoft is making MS Office 2007 Ultimate Edition available to any and all university students for $60. That's sixty, not six hundred. Even the educational price for this package is usually over $200. You just need a .edu email address andyou have to be enrolled in at least 0.5 credits worth of college classes.

Office 2007 Ultimate includes:

• Access™ 2007
• Accounting Express 2007
• Excel® 2007
• InfoPath® 2007
• Groove 2007
• OneNote® 2007
• Outlook® 2007 with Business Contact Manager*(see Obtaining Software below)
• PowerPoint® 2007
• Publisher 2007
• Word 2007

I don't even know what half of those programs do, but they still sound pretty cool. More info at http://www.theultimatesteal.com (yes, this is an official Microsoft website, despite the funky url)

Also, they say "Office 2007," not "Office 2008," which probably means it's a Windows-only thang, at least for now. Definitely check it out if you've been wanting to get office, but you haven't wanted to shell out the $239 it would otherwise cost you as a student.

Thanks to Neal at the Computer Connection for the hot tip! (also, thanks to Neal for showing me the new Macbook Air. Day-am! That thing is thin! Go check it out if you haven't seen it yet.)

Reimaging the Lab

We've started the process of reimaging the workstations in the Digital Media Lab. Basically, this means we wipe everything off the hard drive and replace it with a fresh, updated copy of the software. This means you need to be especially careful right now not to leave your files on the local computer. If you need us to store them for you on our server, be sure to tell the lab consultant on duty so we can make sure they don't get deleted.

One of the most exciting changes that the reimaging process will bring to the lab is that we'll have the Adobe CS3 software. This includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Bridge, Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks, and Contribute. We will continue to have the CS2 versions of InDesign and GoLive.

As I write this, only one machine has been updated (4B), but we'll be updating the rest in the coming week or so.

Final Cut upgrade to version 5.1

[update, 1/18/2007: we've erased everything on the computers and installed fresh copies of all the software, including the FCP upgrade to version 5.1. We expect this to solve all of the problems users were encountering, but please let us know if you're still having trouble!]

We've heard concerns from students this semester that they'd created a Final Cut Pro project elsewhere using version 5.1, but that it wasn't 100% compatible with version 5.0.4, which is what we've been running in the lab. To solve this problem, we've purchased version 5.1 and we'll be installing it over winter break, so it should be available by the first day of classes in January.