Ajazz Tech

Patience & Editing

9/24/10 6:00 AM

By: Alex Z.

Sorry about the sudden slowdown in blog posts folks, but I've been hard at work editing various video projects.

I recently completed editing Ajazz Encrypted Epidsode 37: Violent But Deadly. It was a challenging episode that required extra patience; it took four days!

Most of that time was spent organizing footage, gathering images, and animating special effects. Promoting the episode took time as well. I decided to experiment with a teaser trailer to help promote the show. It was well received and I hope to make more.

Here's a little insider information--we are planning a huge show! To celebrate Halloween, we will be hosting a week long (hopefully) event. It will be filled with a few short, spooky films, and much more. I won't give too much a way now, but I can tell you that we have one short film under our belt with only a little bit of tweaking left to endure.

Stay tuned...

Simple Security For Windows

9/15/10 6:00 AM

By: Alex Z.

I’ve had very good luck avoiding spyware and viruses since I’ve owned a computer. Not everyone can say the same. There are simple steps that should be taken to avoid infection and different software that must be run. We live in a digital age where digital content is as precious to us as material possessions. It’s very important to protect our digital content.

To put it simply, there are free and costly ways to protect our data. I prefer the free ways (I’m sure you do too) and they work very well, but it’s ultimately up to you to safely tread across the web. For example, it’s wise to avoid opening email attachments. It’s still possible for an attacker to hijack your friend or colleague's email account and send a malicious attachment.

While there are many different pieces of antivirus and antispyware software available, I will be highlighting two (at minimum) that I recommend running.

In the meantime, here are some solid choices for antivirus and antispyware software.

Free antivirus:

Microsoft Security Essentials

AVG Free

avast!

ClamWin Free Antivirus

Comodo Antivirus

Avira AntiVir Personal

Panda Cloud Antivirus

Immunet Protect FREE

digital-defender Antivirus

PC Tools AntiVirus Free

Free antispyware:

Spybot - Search & Destroy

Ad-Aware

CWShredder – CoolWebSearch Trojan Remover

Windows Defender

Paid:

NOD32

Norton Antivirus

MacAfee

Trend Micro

I currently use a combination of Microsoft Security Essentials and Spybot Search & Destroy. I also make sure that Windows Firewall is enabled as well as my router’s firewall. I’ve had very good luck with this combination.

Microsoft Security Essentials leaves a small memory footprint and is easy to use.  It updates automatically and doesn’t annoy you with popup windows in the taskbar.

 

   

The interface is very clean and isn’t cluttered with too many buttons.

I generally don’t scan my system weekly, but I would recommend it. I don’t like having my system slow down as I am working, but that's old logic that I used to have when I ran the ever-so-system-resource-hungry Norton Antivirus. I rarely see any kind of performance issues when preforming a full scan.

The same can’t be said for Spybot Search & Destroy, as it tends to always find a few goodies.

Spybot Search & Destroy takes a few minutes to maintain but that’s a good price to pay for extra protection. After you install it, the first thing you need to do is allow Spybot to be run as an administrator.

Go to Start, find Spybot Search & Destroy’s shortcut, right-click and select properties, tab over to Compatibility, and at the bottom, select Run this program as an administrator.

Make sure to manually update at least once or more a week.

1.   

2. 

3.

The selected default servers are fine. Also, make sure that all of the updates are checked.

After updating it is important to immunize your system.

Before immunizing, close any open web browsers and simply click immunize. It can take a few minutes if you are using the program for the first time, so be patient.

Enabling your firewall is also very important.

If you have Windows Vista or 7, open your control panel and search for Windows Firewall. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key and type “firewall.”

Make sure it’s enabled.

That’s it. You’re done! If you’ve followed these steps you’ve given yourself essential protection for your Windows PC. If you don’t feel like going through all this hassle the answer is simple: get a Mac.

Windows Live Sync

 

9/14/10 8:00 AM

By: Alex Z.

There are many different services that you can use to sync your documents to the cloud (Dropbox, Carbonite, Mozy, GoAruna, Box, SugarSync). I’ve tried them all. But there is one in particular that I find most useful.

I used Windows Live Mesh throughout college to backup my critical documents and sync them to multiple computers. It was useful to have access to a big paper whether I was on my Mac, PC, or in the computer lab. My live desktop (the online interface) stopped working after a few months of using the service for reasons unknown, so I was stuck using only the syncing service and remote desktop.

Months and months later (6/24/10), Windows Live Sync beta was introduced and I’ve only recently started using it. It’s almost as easy to use as Live Mesh.

It doesn’t include Windows Explorer integration which was really convenient for on-the-fly additions. The new interface is clean but can be slightly annoying to use when it comes to adding folders--it makes you select a location to store the files before adding it to Sync. Why can’t it just sync to the cloud and allow me to choose which device to sync to separately? Also, there isn’t an interface when you right click on the taskbar icon. I liked being able to have a quick visual update about the status of my files to make sure they were being backed up.

The service has also been reduced from 5GB to 2GB in order to keep the service free. Why can’t I allocate space across my Windows SkyDrive--it is part of my Windows Live ID isn’t it?

It seems that there are too many divisions people working on too many different services in the Windows Live environment. They need to start focusing their energy into one golden thread: Windows SkyDrive. If they can already afford to give everyone 25GB of storage (along with unlimited storage for Hotmail) they can design that space to securely store, backup, and sync data across multiple machines, which can also be accessed from the web.

It’s sad that Live Mesh morphed into Live Sync. I know that the service is still in beta but there is no excuse for not taking what they already had, implementing a new look, and building upon the service to make it simply, better.

My Thoughts On Froyo

9/13/10 7:02 PM

By: Alex Z.

Google's Android operating system has had quite the buzz these days and lately cellphone manufacturers have been dishing out some Froyo to some of the most popular phones in the market.

As soon as Android 2.2 (dubbed Froyo) was announced in May 2010, Android users couldn't wait to get their hands on it. It was the most highly anticipated version of Android to date. Froyo touted speed and performance increases, new API's and services (specifically cloud to device messaging), App to SD/internal storage transfer, portable hotspot capabilities, V8 Javascript Engine (2x-3x faster browser performance), auto updating on the Android Market, app crash reporting, and much more.

I won't deny the tasty Froyo goodness. There is nothing quite like hearing the metallic voice say "Droid" when I start up my phone.

However, there are a few things both good and bad about the 2.2 update that I'd like to highlight. Specifically I'm going to be reviewing the HTC Incredible's implementation of 2.2 (Froyo).

HTC Incredible

Major Improvments:

720p Video-Yeah, I like having an HD capable device in my pocket but that doesn't mean that I'm going to shoot an entire film or an episode of Ajazz Encrypted. The small lens doesn't allow for optimal low light performance, making some of the video grainy, but you can now use the two powerful LEDs as a lamp if you dare.  Although, if one is shooting outdoors on a sunny day or in a well lit indoor environment, the video quality is passable. The bottom line is, if you are used to editing with an HD workflow, having a 720p capable device in your pocket isn't all that bad.

Flash Player 10.1-It's really nice having full access to the web in my pocket. Having Flash means I can see the entire web right? Maybe. Flash wasn't designed for a touch based interface. It doesn't work well on some pages. It's also CPU intensive which can drain your battery. For example, if I go to Newgrounds to watch a flash movie or play a game, certain ones will work while others don't. Some games require a keyboard and others require a mouse.

802.11n Enabled-It should have been there in the first place. I did notice a few sub-options (Wi-Fi sleep policy set to 'never' by default) that were altered to increase battery life.

Wi-Fi Hotspot-For $20 extra per month you can use your phone as a hotspot. I'll let you in on a little secret.

Minor Improvements:

Messaging-Much better. When you accumulate over 400+ text messages for a single contact, it doesn't take forever to open the message. That saves on battery life. I did notice a few glitches. Opening a message via the notification shade sometimes takes you to the top of the message thread. It's really annoying having to back out and reopen the message. That usually fixes it.

Flashlight App-This is an improvement because it utilizes hardware that otherwise is just sitting there. It's like having a quad-core processor and utilizing only one core.

Amazon MP3 Store-Marketplace, check. Browser, check. Music store...yep. It's a little late to the party but by having a standard music store they are giving users a richer experience, one that iPhone users have had for a long time. There is the possibility that some users aren't savvy enough to download Rhapsody or another service from the Android Market. It's nice to include one.

Conclusion:

These are solid features for a phone that was already incredible. I am really glad to have 720p capabilities and I use the flashlight app almost everyday. I can only hope they address some of the minor bugs in the messaging app and design a new way to interact with flash (your move adobe).

My Computer Is Dead, My iPod Is Homeless...iSwipe To The Rescue

9/10/10 10:00 AM

By: Alex Z. 

My theory is that Apple rules the world...in their own way.

Come on. We all know that Steve Jobs' singular goal is to invade our homes and infiltrate our minds via beautifully designed aluminum devices that plug into our ears and suck electricity from our wall sockets.

I gave in to Apple's sexiness years ago and right now as my fingers dance across a glass IPS display, backlit by LEDs, and powered by two behemoth batteries that give me 10 hours of fun and games, I ask you this:

Why can't our iPods do something as simple as sync with another computer?

Scenario: My computer PC crashes and I just lost all of my purchased music, apps, and personal save data.  I realize there are many ways to transfer my music with programs such as SharePod and Sentui. That's half the battle. The other half is getting all of my saved game data (all those long hours on Peggle and N.O.V.A. are now lost), application data (so long to my notes on how to make a hops pillow), and photos of my family. Now what? I suck it up and start fresh.

I don't want to start fresh. I want a fresh way to be able to stay with the device that I've come know. My personal data that doesn't exist in the cloud is very important to me.

My proposal: I propose that our iPods/iPads (any mobile Apple device) be strongly linked to our Apple ID.

I understand Apple's reasoning for preventing this in the first place--piracy prevention--but given one shiny Apple ID and one measly iTunes authorization per-device, I believe that we can turn sad faces into happy ones.

Users should be able to authorize one device per computer. If your computer crashes, you can login to your account via Apple ID, deauthorize an old computer, and authorize a new computer to pair with your device.

Here is a link to how Apple does exactly this with its digital content downloaded via iTunes.

Okay Apple, now it's your job to give this new feature a name. Call it iPod Swipe or iSwipe or something along those lines and do it soon please.

HDR Video...Mmmm

9/9/10 7:54 PM

By: Alex Z.

Here's a lil' diddy for you photobugs and video mavens.

Apparently Canon's 5D Mark II has made it's way out of the rubble on the set of House M.D. and onto the rooftops overlooking what appears to be a more realistic view of life.

By using two 5D's and a beam splitter the brains over at sovietmontage.com have achieved HDR video and boy does it look gorgeous!

Each 5D captures footage that is slightly underexposed and overexposed, and undergoes different HDR processing techniques to achieve the stunning results. 

What is HDR you may ask?

HDR images are created by exposing an image (in this case a video) at multiple exposures to allow darker and lighter areas of intensity to appear more accurately.

 

I must say, never have I seen a more beautiful cityscape in motion and never have I seen such a weird looking human being.

Google results in an "Instant"

 

9/9/10 2:21 AM

By: Alex Z. 

Who would've thought that Google could make search even faster and easier?

At a press event on 9/8/10, Google introduced new functionality to its search engine dubbed Google Instant.

Google Instant 'instantly' provides a user with immediate search results. It even predicts what you type before you finish typing.

Predicted results are displayed immediately below the search bar in a scrollable list and as complete results. This will come in handy if you don't exactly know what you are searching for.

For example, if you type [laser p], Google may suggest [pen or pointer] and display pen before you finish typing [laster pointer].

Buckshot Games releases VEXIS Trailer

9/8/10

By: Alex Z. 

It's really nice to hear about friends' accomplishments, especially when they make their way right into your living room. 

My buddy Ryan has finally nested into my Xbox 360 as game designer and programmer on VEXIS, a tricky puzzler by Buckshot Games. I had a chance to play it thanks to Ryan via a very gracious DM on Twitter.

Without diving into a review, I need to say that the music rocks. Interestingly it was another acquaintance who powered the sick beats. Amazing stuff guys and congrats to both of you.

Welcome!

9/7/10

By: Alex Z. 

Welcome to Ajazz Tech: the tech blog where technology is one with its user, and that user is me and you. 

Our daily lives require gizmos to produce content and gadgets to keep in touch and stay organized. Our awareness of new and important technologies is vital in today's world and I'll do my best to post important breakthroughs in science, media, computers, the web, gizmos, gadgets, and on and on and on...