Monday, May 29, 2006

Show 38 Streaming

Show 38 -

Show 38

Show 38

(Run Time: 37:01)

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Direct Audio Download: Show 38

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Feedback is welcomed and appreciated!

We can be reached at: rayandhollye@gmail.com

We will no longer be posting show note bookmarks at http://del.icio.us/thetechteachers. If you use this to access show notes, please let us know, and we will continue to post bookmarks with del.icio.us.

Show Notes for Podcast #38:

*Meebo—All-in-one Chat Client

*Movie Review Websites: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/ and http://www.metacritic.com/

*Look up the processes running on your PC. Hit Control+Alt+Delete. Then, click on the tab that says Processes in your Task Manager. Use one of the following websites to look up the processes running on your PC:

To_topHigherLowerTo_bottomhttp://www.processid.com/processes.html

http://www.techspot.com/guides-os.shtml

http://www.blackviper.com/ (currently under construction)

*Geocaching

*Swapping media online:

http://barterbee.com/

http://lala.com/

*Skype out is now free to landline phones anywhere in Canada and the U.S.

*Cranky Geeks Vidcast

*Kagan’s Learning Strategies

*Conferences

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Woops - No more streaming video or audio for a while.

I received a $20 bill from audioblog - I will not be using their service. This means streaming video will be put on hold until I can do it the old fashion way, thanks!

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Our holiday special - now in a streaming format.




Download File

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Show 37 streaming audio

Show 37




MP3 File

Show 37

(Run Time: 57:20)

If you have a podcast client, you can point it to the following:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/thetechteachers

Direct Audio Download: Show 37


Subscribe to The Tech Teachers Podcast in iTunes.

Subscribe to The Tech Teachers Vidcast in iTunes.

Join our Frappr Map!!!: http://www.frappr.com/techteachers

Feedback is welcomed and appreciated!

We can be reached at: rayandhollye@gmail.com

Below, you will find the show notes for Show #37:

(You can also find the show note bookmarks at:

http://del.icio.us/thetechteachers/show37)


Show Notes for Podcast #37:

Hipcast—audio and video podcasting service

Meebo—All-in-one Chat Client

Trillian—All-in-one Chat Client

Ourmedia: Grassroots media

Windows Media Player 11 Beta

Make magazine

*Conferences

PC Building Special

Testing Streaming Video

Show 36

Streaming Audio test

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Pure Digital Camcorder Review


Pure Digital Camcorder Review -
(availabe at Target.com - price - $100)



The Good - The price, tiny - fits in a shirt pocket, records to memory on the device (512 MB), runs on 2 AA batteries, starts up fast, ease of use, decent video, and you can preview/delete clips.

The Bad - Video quality isn't up to minidv standards, no optical zoom, no lens cover, no way to connect to a tripod, and no manual controls.

The Ugly - This technology and prices will surely improve quickly over the next couple years. Price on this model has already dropped $30 if you buy online. Also, it's only available from Target, who has a horrible camcorder return policy; there is a 15 percent restocking fee if you are not happy with the camera. My next cell phone could have similar functionality built in, sans the USB plug.

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Overall I have been pleasingly shocked by this little camcorder. For the price, I haven't found anything that even compares.

The key is usability and portability. The camcroder is simple to use - it includes software on the device to copy the video clips off the device (yes you can also drag the clips over contrary to Patrick Norton's claim). Recording is literally a one button affair - a well placed record button that you push once to start recording and once again to stop. It's simple enough my Mom can use it without any help. This is a point and shoot video camera that brings back the fun that you first had with digital still cameras!

This camera is tiny - it's small enough to fit in my shirt pocket. I like manual controls on my cameras, but at this size I am willing to give them up. Also, I like the fact that it is easy and intuitive to use. I can toss (yes toss - no moving parts) this camera to a buddy and I don't need to explain how to record something - beyond telling them to "push the big red button".

Video quality is acceptable... to me. Everyone has a different take on video quality, but this seems to look better then what my old VHS camcorder put out. And it is a huge step up from any video I have seen taken by someone's cell phone. In other words - good enough for daily and vacation use - but not your kid's first birthday, graduation, or wedding.

Battery life is reported at 4-6 hours, but I have not verified this yet. In reality I don't see it as an issue, since 2 AA batteries are cheap and can be found anywhere. In fact, this is a plus! As a long time user of digital devices, I have come to the conclusion that, for cameras, AA batteries are the way to go, with one caveat - they need to last through at least one day of shooting. The best, of course, would be to have both, or have an external rechargable battery as backup. But on a device this small, AA batteries are perfect. I don't want their cheap battery that dies after a year anyway(it is a $100 device after all)! So all in all, they made a good choice on the battery - it keeps the cost of the device down and the usability goes way up, a good call for a company that started with disposable cameras.

This is a great device for the price. I will use it for storm chasing when I am worried about damage to my expensive minidv cam. I will use it for fun daily clips of friends and family (which I never use my other camcorder for). I will use it to record interesting science stuff I see in everyday life to show to my classes. I will use it...

I will use it - something that rarely happens with my minidv camcorder - making this product worth the small price tag.

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If you have this product please add to the comments! I was unable to find a good review anywhere on the web, which is why I wrote one. Feedback is welcome - what do you think?

Show 36

(Run Time: 18:16)

If you have a podcast client, you can point it to the following:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/thetechteachers

Direct Audio Download: Show 36

Subscribe to The Tech Teachers Podcast in iTunes.

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Feedback is welcomed and appreciated!

We can be reached at: rayandhollye@gmail.com

Below, you will find the show notes for Show #36:

(You can also find the show note bookmarks at:

http://del.icio.us/thetechteachers/show36)

Show Notes for Podcast #36:

*Conferences

*E3 Video Game Conference-- http://www.e3expo.com/

*Play Station 3

*Nintendo Wii

*Pure Digital Point and Shoot Video Camcorder 225
--Built-in memory and USB; instant playback.
Below, you will find a review of the Pure Digital Camcorder.