LaunchBar and ScreenCasts Online

I have to admit, I know there is a small war between LaunchBar and QuickSilver users.

I've always been a LaunchBar user, for 10 years now. That's a long time, going back to their product on the NeXT. The thing is, I've always used it almost exclusively for launching applications. Current version is LaunchBar 5.

Recently, ScreenCasts Online has had two shows on using LaunchBar more completely, and I have to say I'm stunned at what it's capable of. Launching of course, searching, calculator, running Applescripts, navigating the Finder, navigating AddressBook. Loads more. Can't wait to watch the second episode when it comes out this week.

LaunchBar is definitely on of my top 10 apps, and one of the first that gets installed on a new machine. Ironically, my wife hates it. To each their own.

Speaking of ScreenCasts online. This is one of the few shows that got me watching video Podcasts. The production values are excellent. And it covers loads of apps. Some are interesting, some aren't. This is actually useful, because Don's reviews and demos have both encouraged me to buy some applications (for example, 1Password) and discouraged purchasing others that I didn't feel would fill my needs.

I also learned a bunch about the new iMovie from the series. Heck, I already had that, just didn't know what I was doing with it. Bonus.

He does a free show once a month that you can see, to check and see if it's to your liking. I'm about 70% liking the episodes. But well worth the subscription.

And no, neither LaunchBar or ScreenCast Online asked me to pimp them. I just felt like it.

Update: Watched Part 2 of the ScreenCast Online LaunchBar episode tonight. Much more in depth, but there could easily be a 3rd. Nice job Don!

Storage - My Final Choice

I think I've made my final choice.

That being the 1400ish (via Amazon)> 4Big LaCie 8Tb.

Just for giggles, I had added the LaCie 4Big 8Tb unit to my wish list on Amazon just in case there's someone (LaCie??) who really loved Stepwise and wants to make my decision easy and is sitting on a pile of dough. I never expected anyone to actually do it, and I wasn't disappointed when nobody game me one. I would probably have had a heart attack had someone done so.

The solutions were varied

• Promise DAS - excellent box, but populating costs the same to achieve same solution.
• OWC
• an Ubuntu box (which would have cost more to build than a raid half the capacity, not to mention maintenance, etc..
• Drobo (largely by friends messing with me)

One reminder. RAID IS NOT BACKUP. All data still needs a solid backup solution. Fortunately I have a load of individual drives I've been using for storing this data I can use for just that.

Final Update

While I did end up going with LaCie 4big, I bought the 6Tb unit rather than the 8Tb. The price difference was close to $500 (almost 50% of the 6Tb) so it was a better deal. I can always toss an additional 4big into the mix if 4.5Tb (Raid 5) isn't sufficient.

Final, Final, Update

Wouldn't you know it. Three weeks after ordering the unit, and before I even get a system up and running, Amazon dropped the price of the LaCie 8 TB 4big Quadra $200, making it only $200 more than the 6Gb. Guess what I would have bought? Ah well.

Massive Storage Suggestions Needed

I've just purchased two 2Tb drives, one from Staples, one from Smalldog. Both suck because they're USB. The Macintosh tax at Staples was $200 for Firewire 800. Amazon didn't offer reasonable 2Tb drives with non USB interfaces. And I'm staying clear of WD for the moment.

Despite trying to help, SmallDog only had USB drives in 2Tb.

It took 2 days to zero out the sectors on the LaCie, which I did to hopefully find bad sectors, major failures, etc.

It took 20 hours to copy 700Gb from a Firewire drive to the Seagate USB.

It took 2 days to mirror that data to the LaCie USB drive. Unacceptable.

2Tb isn't going to last long. So I need to get something bigger. Raid 5 support. I've been considering the LaCie 4big 8Tb. 8Tb would last for a long time. and I could backup to the pleothora of drives I've got lying around.

Drobo is 100% out of the question. I've heard good and bad stories, and the bad are horror stories. I intend to load the drives once, and so I don't get any advantage. Promise DAS is another option. But about $700 for a 4Tb version. I'd rather spend the money and be done with it.

Any other good, safe, reliable, options? I'm only looking for solutions that attach directly to the machine preferably Firewire 800 or eSATA, no Network Attached Storage.

$1400 is my max budget. That's amazon's price for the 4big 8Tb model. Ideas?

What the hell, I even stuck a LaCie wish list with it on it here just in case there's someone who really loved Stepwise and wants to make my decision easy and is sitting on a pile of dough.

Suggestions for Drobo will be ignored. It simply isn't he solution for me.

Hit me up on twitter at @sanguish to give me your suggestions!

I'd never expect anyone to buy it for me, that'd be nuts. But then again, I know some nutty people via Stepwise.

Thanks for input

iTunes Store adds The Prisoner (Classic)

The iTunes Store has added the classic episodes of The Prisoner. This version should not be confused with the new version that is beginning it's run on American Movie Classics (iTunes link).

"I am not a number. I'm a free man!"

Originally broadcast in 1967, the series is about a british secret agent who is kidnapped after resigning, and is relocated to The Village, an island town that really exists (Portmeirion). He is assigned and referred to only as "Number Six". The plots involve his attempts to find out who "Number One" is and getting off the island.

The transfer appears about the same as the ripped copies of my A&E set. But at least there is a definitive order to these. There has always been an ongoing controversy about the episode order, even amongst the original director and Patrick McGoohan.

The description says restored and digitally remastered, but they didn't look different than the DVDs I have. I wonder if they were as well.

Regardless, excellent series, one of my absolute favorite classic television guilty pleasures. Be seeing you.

Loads of new HD content on AppleTV for purchase

Today a huge load of new HD content appeared on the AppleTV for purchase. Including many of the Pixar movies, in HD!

Many are also available for rent, or have dates coming up for rental in the next few weeks or so.

I purchased the Terminator 2 HD ($12.99, one of the rare films not $19.99) and a couple of other cheaper ones, largely to show that there is a market for slightly cheaper content.

The Terminator 2 HD was updated recently with the iTunes Plus content. That makes it just like a DVD (although no commentary track I don't think). Extra features, a menu, etc. It's an interesting approach. The featurette with James Cameron and John Knoll was especially interesting.

But price is what is holding me back. I'm already having to spend significant amounts of money for storage of all this data. $19.99 seems just at the brink of too high. I know that Apple doesn't set the prices, it's likely the studios. But twice the price of much of the SD content, and for HD that isn't the quality of BluRay, seems high. I think $15 is the sweet spot. $10 is my "I'll buy this DVD without thinking or guilt" level. Seems $15 for HD, that I still need to backup and store would be about right. I've bought BluRay disks on sale, and yet I have no player. (Now, these were things like Stargate, Blade Runner... for $10).

Mind you, everyone always complains about price. Me included it seems. :-)

Update November 13: I think more were added today. The biggest problem. The type is tiny. Apple clearly wants me to buy a new TV. Hear that dear? :-)

AppleTV 3.0.1 Update

I (and I assume other registered AppleTV owners) just got an email that there is an important update to 3.0.1.

If you've installed the Apple TV 3.0 software update, you should immediately update to version 3.0.1. This prevents content from temporarily disappearing until it is resynced.

For more information read the AppleCare article at

Storage Junkie

I'm a storage junkie.

No, my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder doesn't include hoarding. I have been digitizing my video collection. I have almost 1Tb of iTMS content and more ripped content.

The problem is storage. Safe storage. Backed up storage.

I don't have a satisfactory solution, or budget (about 1K)

My friend Andrew as recommended LaCie 4Big Quadra either 6Tb or 8Tb, and I respect his opinion. He's got one and has had success ,plus you can pull drives and not send the entire unit back (I never send back busted drives, I have 15 years of busted drives in a box.

Others have recommended Drobo, but I don't want that solution. I'll populate all at once, and all same size. I don't want 25-40 mystery rebuilds.

Promise DAS is another suggested solution, but I can't get details on the suggested Raid settings, etc.

Honestly, I just want to be able to use drives in a unit as separate drives, and then I'll back them up manually using external drives. I dunno.

I did manage to pick up a 2Tb external Seagate drive that was $179 at Best Buy. Staples (since I don't go to Best Buy) price matched. They were stunned at the difference in price. Would have bought a second for easier backup if they'd had two.

Get home, ready to set it up on the desk (piled high with power bricks and extension cords. No empty slots.

Squarespace iTunes App available

The Squarespace iTunes app is available in the AppStore (free), and let me say. Wow, this is an awesome app.

Go and download the Squarespace iTunes App. Now.

It lets you manage your posts (edit, delete, view) and create posts. Categories and tags are supported, and you can even take and attach pictures.

Perhaps the most important functiontality? Statistics. It tells you view Page Views for the week, Subscribers for the week, Searches and Referrers.

It supports multiple accounts, so you can monitor multiple sites.

Truly amazing. Excellent job, and I say that both as a customer of Squarespace and an iPhone app lover.

Defying Gravity and TV Networks

First let me say, the big TV networks suck.

Defying Gravity was an amazing show on ABC. It was created by the same guy the created Grey's Anatomy (I think). It was part Sci-Fi and drama rolled into one. Way better and it made more sense than either Lost or Heroes.

It had the potential for 7 seasons, if they had visited all the planets they were supposed to.

ABC cancelled it after 8 episodes. A key episode, where we finally were about to see the item they were carrying.

They just killed it right there. 8 weeks in. We'll never know what happens.

The Canadian SciFi channel (unlike that US abomination ScyFy) is still carrying the last of the series (I believe 13 episodes and a making of short). They're available on the Canadian iTMS store. These were great actors. Ron Livingston and Laura Harris, to name just two.

But US residents are screwed. Instead we watch utter dreck like idiotic dancing show,and stupid cake decorating shows. If it wasn't for David Letterman, Craig Ferguson, John Steward, Colbert Report, Mythbusters, and Dirty Jobs, I wouldn't even have anything but my AppleTV.

TV execs are total morons.

The Death of Stepwise

After 14 years+ I have deleted Stepwise.com. While the site had been stale for a while, many articles were still of use. In addition the daily news was updated on a daily basis. That will also stop.

Why?

Stepwise consisted of thousands of files. I didn't feel it was possible to locate and remove the files that were copyright by a single individual. That individual did not ask it to be removed. I simply didn't want it there anymore. So it all goes.

In addition, the Software, graphics, and other directories were deleted. This may have a negative effect on Erik Buck's EMBdirectory. If it does, I'll ensure that content (and that is the only content that I have archived) will be made available to Erik to post on cocoadesignpatterns.

This was not an easy decision. But I could not live with some of that content remaining on the site.

My thanks to those who advertised on Stepwise (although nobody had been billed in about 5 years, they were all just friends).

I'm sorry for the sudden notice. I did not want the site copied and mirrored elsewhere.

Sincerely
Scott Anguish

If you want to comment, @sanguish via Twitter. Or if you know me well enough, feel free to send me an email.

And thanks for all the compliments and well wishes. Write cool software, that's all I ask.

AppleTV 3.0

Apple upgraded the AppleTV today to version 3.0. This is strictly a software update with a whole new look.

Here is the new UI.

It's a considerable change over the existing 2.x user interface. You'll rely much more on search to find movies and TV shows. Podcasts are about the same. YouTube simply takes you to the existing YouTube user interface. And Genius mixes are also supported.

The one significant new feature is support for Internet Radio. I've never been a big fan of this, but I know some are and this will likely satisfy them.

The Web site also talks about iTunes Extras available for certain movies that are "available with select movies, gives you special features that let you go behind the scenes of your favorite films"

The biggest disappointment is that the ability to have multiple audio tracks (for example a commentary track and the normal tracks) on ripped DVDs is still broken.

Twitter Clients: Still EventBox and Tweetie 2 for Me

Just a quick followup to my Twitter client article.

Desktop

It’s been a couple of months, and EventBox is still the application that I depend on for my desktop Twitter needs. It’s changing names to Socialiteapp soon and other changes are in the works.

Feature wise, I especially find the Smart Folder capability handy. In the normal mode I can subscribe to people I’m interested in, but the people that I really want to track I can create a Smart Folder for (one click) and always see their tweets.

I’ve also begun using some of it’s features for other social networks. It works with Flickr, so I am notified when my friends are uploading pics and I can also use it to upload my own pictures.

Still haven’t messed with the Feeds, Google Reader, Digg, Facebook, Identi.ca, Redit and OneRiot capabilities.

iPhone

On the iPhone, there are a huge number of clients and Tweetie (Atebits) is my bird. It works well, the UI is snappy, and I love some of the changes in 2.0. Unlike the millionaire child stars, I don’t think the $2.99 price for 2.0 was unreasonable at all.

I can see a few places where workflow could be simpler (especially with a single account), but overall, I’m happy with it. I would like the dark look back again though.

Review: Stargate SG-1 - Children of the Gods

Tonight I watched the new DVD release “Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods”. I think the point to take away is that this is not entirely new material. That was my original expectation, an unseen pilot. Nope, just a re-cut and edited version of the first episode, but it was worth it.

The transfer seemed excellent, and was widescreen, not full-screen as it was originally broadcast.

What Changed Technically

A “Back to the Beginning” featured is included on the DVD, but not with the AppleTV SD version (sadly). This section covers some of the information in that featurette.

The visual effects have been enhanced (although done in a garish George Lucas fashion.) Most you’ll never notice until you watch the featurette and Brad Wright points them out side by side.

Some of these enhancements to correct damage to the film, scratches and such. That damage had caused the original episode to be edited differently to remove the damage. Modern digital technology allows that damage to be fixed, and the originally scripted interaction to be replaced.

All the event horizon puddles were all redone (apparently the event horizon effects were the majority of the cost in the original special effects budget, done by three different vendors and each looked slightly different). It’s a bit amusing that you can do similar effects now using the Mac that I’m writing this entry on.

Christopher Judge’s (the character Teal’c) performance was re-recorded (apparently he was freezing) Side by side it’s obvious in his performance. The new looping vs the old dialog strengthens the character.

Samantha Carter’s introduction is much stronger. I won’t say more than that, but it’s much better compared to the original insisted by the studio.

Goodies

A commentary track featuring co-creator Richard Wright and actor Richard Dean Anderson (the character Jack O’Neal) are included on the DVD.

Also, the original soundtrack by Joel Goldsmith replaces the original music.

If you buy the series for the first season, buy this as well. then watch it instead of the first episode.

Fortunately, I’m a huge fan of the entire series (and even the new Stargate Universe series). A big enough fan that my youngest is named after the character played by James Spader in the original movie. Buying this disk was a no-brainer for me.

If you’re not a huge Stargate fan, you can probably pass (except for that first season idea). If you’ve never seen the series, but have seen the movie, you might find it worth renting via Netflix or your local video store.

Unfortunately, the AppleTV version (at least in the US) is only available as SD content, for rental or purchase.

You can purchase the DVD through amazon using this link: Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods - DVD

Scripting Bridge and iTunes 9

I've been working sporadically on a project that would allow me to load chunks of metadata into iTunes as I rip my DVDs for viewing on the AppleTV. (This is especially annoying, since I have both the ripped material and the metadata for hundreds of shows).

Last time I looked at the code was at the time of iTunes 8. The major feature I’m missing is the ability to set the rating of the content, to keep the kids from R, MA, Unrated content. Unfortunately, that isn’t in the current version of iTunes 9.

However, running scripting bridge on the current version, does supply a considerably different file

The enum and typedef declarations are defined in a standard more with the current Apple style, for example: (the code is prefixed with my initials because a leading “i” was driving me bonkers.

Old format

enum SATunesEKnd {
SATunesEKndTrackListing = 'kTrk' /* a basic listing of tracks within a playlist */
SATunesEKndAlbumListing = 'kAlb' /* a listing of a playlist grouped by album */
SATunesEKndCdInsert = 'kCDi'     /* a printout of the playlist for jewel case inserts */
} SATunesEKnd;

New Format

enum SATunesEKnd {
SATunesEKndTrackListing = 'kTrk' /* a basic listing of tracks within a playlist*/,
SATunesEKndAlbumListing = 'kAlb' /* a listing of a playlist grouped by album */,
SATunesEKndCdInsert = 'kCDi'     /* a printout of the playlist for jewel case inserts */
};
typedef enum SATunesEKnd SATunesEKnd;

This is much more readable and in line with the way we document these types of enums (so that Quick Help parses the typedef correctly).

A few other constants changed, but nothing major I saw upon a quick look.

The data type for artwork went from id to NSData.

A new field was added releaseDate. So this metadata could be added to files now using the bridge.

The only other change of note was the SATunesFileTrack object property location became readonly (which it probably should have been all along).

So, while progress is there, and I love the new enum format (because the docs are changing to it) I was a bit disappointed with the lack of a parental rating field.

Ah well, maybe next time.

Migrating the Family to Snow Leopard

Over the weekend I had to migrate my teenage son's machine to Snow Leopard. It was generally in a 100% boned state due to disk corruption. So migration isn't the right word, reinstall is.

It's a MacMini, so I'm hesitant to put a new, larger drive in it. But it probably needs it.

Mind you, I'm convinced that nobody in this house keeps their keyboards cleaner than mine. :-)

The ladies' machines (teenage daughter and wife's) machine's will be the tough migrations. They have data, and strong attachments to that data. And they serious lack disk space. Wife's machine is an iMac, so it's not coming apart. Did that once. Thanks anyways.

Both have Time Machine backups, but Tori's is constantly failing. I'm not going to depend on them for updates. SuperDuper, reformat to two partitions, and then work from there.

Boy was only worried about WoW, and it was on BattleNet or whatever the hell that is. So wiping was the easiest.

Daughter has GBs of her own CDs that should be incorporated into the family library, but then I need more disk space. Gah.

Bottom line: Supporting family machines suck. As there are ongoing retributions if you mess it up.

Comments? @sanguish on twitter. I don't need the spam here.