iCreate: Blogging

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Joe • 0 Comments

I think it is important to illustrate just how things are getting done on my iPad during my iCreate experiment. Thus, I’ll break down the process I use to complete the various tasks I need to do throughout any given day using the iPad.

Today’s breakdown is the business side of what I do: Blogging. I have been a contract writer for CNET for the last 3+ years, blogging about iPhones and iPads, Macs, and Apple news and rumors. As this is one of my major sources of income, it’s important that I can continue to post without my MacBook Pro.

My process while on my MB Pro was to search the day’s news using Google Reader for anything that my readers might enjoy. I then had to cross-reference those stories with the CNET Budget (the other bloggers) to be sure no one has the story already covered.

Once I get my story okayed through the Budget, I begin writing. CNET uses a custom CMS for blogging (luckily it’s Mobile Safari-compatible). I also have a few coding elements that are required to put in each story saved in Stickies for easy access. Once I get the story written, formatted, tagged, and photo-ed, I send it off to the Copy Desk and wash my hands of it.

Depending on the story, it takes me about an hour or so, from start to finish, to post. So, how does using the iPad compare?

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First, I had to figure out how to find stories. Sure, I could still use Google Reader on Mobile Safari and that would work fine, but the iPad offers a gaggle of great reader apps that have Google Reader compatibility. After looking at a few on the App Store I settled on a reader app that I used to have installed but had since deleted — Flipboard.

As readers go (or any app really), it’s about as elegant of a user experience as you can get. I simply added my Google Reader account information and Flipboard created a magazine-like layout for the sites that I follow. I can even copy/paste quotes when needed or view the article on the original site using Mobile Safari (for linking, etc.)

In anticipation of my trip to San Francisco (and Santa Barbara) I thought it might be prudent to have a “read it later” function in my workflow. Flipboard does not offer this directly, but is connected with other apps that do. I chose Pocket (downloaded the app and created an account) to handle my offline reading capabilities.

Now, as for posting to CNET. As I said, the custom CMS CNET uses works great with Mobile Safari for almost every aspect of my needs. The only thing it cannot do is access my iPad’s Photo Library to upload screenshots for stories.

Thankfully the CMS has the ability to scrape a URL for its photo. Accomplishing this is pretty easy in Mobile Safari for most sites. Simply tap and hold on the image you wish to scrape, then select Open Image in New Tab. This will give you the specific URL of that image and the CMS will be able to load it to CNET. To help ease the search, I’ll be creating my own Web page with many of the images I use for stories, easily accessible using the above steps.

As for my personal blog (a custom WordPress installation on GoDaddy servers), I’m using the WordPress app to update it as the iCreate project persists. This post, in fact, is my first full post using only what the iPad can do.

While all the apps are great for bloggers, the fact that Mobile Safari is so robust makes blogging on the iPad a snap. Honestly, I could probably handle my entire process without leaving the Web browser.

Filed Under: 503Creative, Technology, Writing

iCreate-ing

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Joe • 0 Comments

A drawing, #MadeWithPaper, on my iPad.

And it came to pass…

Or, is about to. Preparations began this week to cut the cord (though not literally) from my MacBook Pro for an extended period of time. The test run to be Mac-free is a 9-day jaunt that includes a flight from Portland to San Francisco, a drive from San Francisco to Santa Barbara for Memorial Day Weekend, and of course, all the work (and fun) that normally originates on my Macbook Pro (and the subsequent return drive and flight, respectively).

To be quite honest, the thought of not having my trusty computer at my side while traveling for so long is sort of frightening. That being said, I am supremely confident in the iPad’s ability to fill in the gaps. Perhaps my worry is more that when I get back, I won’t have as much use for my Macbook Pro as I once did.

In the meantime, to help shake any lingering doubts, I have begun to prep my iPad (a.k.a., get my apps ready and organized) and start using it more as a point of origin for creating things (the irony being that this post has its origins on the MB Pro). To make it happen I’ve had to use a bit of foresight and a tiny bit of workaround-ing, but I think I’ve got every angle covered.

First, my writing for CNET (iPhone Atlas, iPad Atlas) requires that I use a custom CMS. Luckily it functions pretty well on Mobile Safari, save for the ability to upload pictures for stories I write. Because the CMS cannot access my iPad’s Photo Library, I will be creating a custom Web site filled with basic images I might need to use (stock iPhone and iPad product shots, some major news story assets, etc.)

Second, I wanted this trip to be more creative. The thing I love to do most is capture photos and videos with my Nikon D3100. The problem is that I have to carry a bag with all my gear — a task not easily done when I have my Macbook Pro in tow with all the accompanying cables and whatnot. Now, with my iPad taking up less space, I’ll be able to sling my camera bag over my shoulder instead of a heavy computer bag.

The other worry with leaving the computing power of my Intel Core i5 at home is processing those images I’ll be capturing. See, I’ll want to be more active (and more up-to-date) with sharing our trip with friends and family, but without Aperture to organize and edit my photos or Final Cut Pro X to edit video, I must admit, I wonder what I’ll be able to do.

The solution is coming in the form of several apps that will serve to do everything I need. First, iPhoto and iMovie for iPad will be integral. iPhoto allows me to organize my photos and perform all the necessary basic edits (and a few advanced procedures). No, it’s not as powerful as Aperture, but for vacationing photos, it will be great. iMovie for iPad (with an assist to Avid for iPad) will serve to edit any video I shoot into rip-roarin’ fun montaged memories, ready to share on Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, and/or YouTube.

Those are the biggies. After that, my new favorite obsession is a little app called Paper. If you love doodling or are an avid artist, Paper for iPad is a killer app (and buy the complete set of brushes, it’s worth it). I absolutely plan on doodling much of the trip — everything from hair-brained ideas my brothers and I come up with to random artistic vignettes of the trip.

Add Paper to a variety of photo manipulation apps (and Instagram of course), Crosswords (to keep the brain sharp), WordPress (to update this mangey blog), and all the social media apps, and I think I’ve got my 9 days covered. Is this a lot to think about for a week without my computer? Yes. Too much? Maybe. Either way, I’m actually pretty excited to see how this works out. Heck, I might even write about my experience on CNET.

Any suggestions for me? Leave a comment and let me know!

Filed Under: 503Creative, Experiments, Technology, Writing

Video: “Frozen” by Reva DeVito + Roane Namuh

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Joe • 0 Comments

My Credits: Director, Cinematographer, Editor

Filed Under: 503Creative, Filmmaking

A Commitment to iCreate

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Joe • 0 Comments

Whether you like it or not, the digital world is changing. No longer are content creators (writers, musicians, photographers, filmmakers) required to be tethered to a monster computer to complete digital creations. Mobile technology has evolved to the point where meaningful content creation is achievable without the need for a traditional PC (or Mac) to do the heavy lifting.

Of course, the ever-ready punditry would quickly disagree, claiming that even the iPad can’t do anything more than watch a movie or monkey around the Internet (Flash-only sites excluded). So it’s with that in mind that I am making a commitment — not just to myself, but to anyone that believes mobile devices can be used to create things.

It’s time to iCreate.

Using my trusty iPhone 4 and iPad 2, my goal will be to simply create… anything. On tap will be video projects, photography experiments, a business plan, marketing materials, and of course, blog posts.

To do so, there are a great many apps that can be used — iMovie and Avid Studio for video, iPhoto and a variety of photo apps for photography, Pages for the business plan and marketing materials, and the WordPress app for blogging. And that’s just to start. Every day brings new apps to the App Store, any number of which can be used to create interesting elements for any project.

The end game is to let go of my MacBook Pro, replacing it with an iMac for bigger projects (and entertainment) at home, while maintaining my ability to be productive on the go using the iPad and iPhone.

Filed Under: 503Creative, Business, Consulting, Experiments, Filmmaking, Graphic Art, Photography, Technology, Writing

About Apple Malware and the Mac Flashback Trojan Incident

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Joe • 0 Comments

Gatekeeper on Mac OS X Mountain Lion will help prevent attacks like the Flashback Trojan

Of all the events to happen to Apple over the last several years, the Flashback Trojan incident has to be one of the strangest.

On the one hand, the outbreak that claimed an estimated 600,000 Macs worldwide could be considered by some numbers to be the worst malware infection on any platform. Ever.

Though the Flashback Trojan has been around for quite a few months now, it only recently gained serious attention after several security firms found out that it was able to insert itself on systems without requiring a user-entered password — a first for Mac malware. From there, pundits raised hell about the idiot Apple fanboys that have so carelessly let their computers run wild, thinking Macs are immune to cyber-harm.

Add to that the security firms all looking to sell their software updates by promising Flashback checks and removal tools and the world of Macs has been chaotic for a couple weeks.

On the other hand, what has this malware actually achieved? Has any harm come from the infection? From everything I’ve been reading, the answer is a resounding ‘no’. Now, security research firm Symantec is reporting that the Flashback Trojan is at less than half it’s initial strength, only infecting an estimated 270,00 machines — a number that continues to drop day by day.

Symantec illustrates the drop in Flashback-infected Macs

And that is happening without an official patch from Apple (one it is currently working on).

Moving forward, many reports around the Internet will be quick to say something to the effect of, “the end of Mac immunity online is now.” That, or some other nonsense trying to equate the security issues on a Mac with those on PCs. Those same reports will clamor about getting anti-virus software on your computer as soon as possible.

I’m not saying that security isn’t a bigger issue now than it was even just a year ago, but there is no way I’m adding anti-virus software to my Mac. I say this for two main reasons. First, anti-virus software slows my workflow to a screeching halt. Every time I plug in my hard drive? Checking for viruses…

Second, I trust Apple. Security breeches in software will happen. It’s the nature of the beast in this day and age. But, what Apple is (and will be) bringing to the table in terms of secure OSes (Mac OS X, iOS) is far beyond any other platform available. As I said, despite the initial traction of the Flashback Trojan, nothing has actually happened because of it. Apple is actively working with ISPs worldwide to track the source of the Trojan control and will soon have a removal tool to send out to its user base.

And actually, there’s a third reason I won’t be adding anti-virus software to my Mac. I trust myself. The Flashback Trojan gained ground initially by infecting users who unwittingly installed a bogus version of the Flash Player update. First, never download and install anything from a site that is not the official company website or trusted third party site (like, **shameless plug**, CNET Downloads). I won’t ever do that. Thus, my personal concern for internal security of my machine is greatly reduced.

Security on a Mac really comes down to a single simple rule: Be smart.

Filed Under: 503Creative, Consulting, Writing