One side argues for user rights. I like JaredB’s comment in a recent Google Reader/Buzz thread about the topic:

… I (and every other web user) has absolutely no obligation to justify our actions in this regard. When I request some data via an HTTP request and it comes back to my browser for viewing, I have every right to filter and choose to not see / read any portion of that data that I wish…

I and Ken argue that the effects of doing whatever you’d like hurts,

It can result in people losing their jobs, it can result in less content on any given site, and it definitely can affect the quality of content.

So is the internet too young to decide this ethical dilemma? As everyone knows by now the internet is us, People Magazine called us the people of the year ( ha ha ); maybe ”we are to young” to decide what we want.

I thought we all want a free internet, I don’t think you can argue against that ( unless you’re a repressive government ); internet content creators like Ars are feeling the same pinch digital media struggles with now — but it’s a not exactly piracy.

… [content providers are] well aware of the existence of ad blocking technology when they chose that revenue model, so they were (or should have been) well aware of the risks involved. As a matter of observable fact, they were aware, and that’s why they chose to do it anyway, because it’s worth it for them (according to them, since they’re doing it) even taking the blockers into account.

What the solution then? Pay walls.

Even if I didn’t think ad-blockers are ethically wrong, I’d be worried about the revenue model websites would need to adopt if ads cannot. If sites follow in the foot steps of digital media they’d find DRM isn’t an option but a subscription or mixed model would work.

Ars talked about a mixed model, where content is ad free for subscribers but is that really the future?. I can’t image it lasting, in a mixed model the subscribers are donors and the people with the “right” to filter will not all donate subscribe. My worry, as soon as the provider gets this point the walls will be built.

Instigating pay-walls is counter intuitive to a free internet.

You’ll see by the chart below I tend to read a lot in between sessions, I thought it was a good way to spend a break but I’m finding out it often leads to 15-20 minute sucks.

My plan is to check it no more than once a day. Probably in the afternoon because I rather get to my desk and start hacking away at work.

Hoping this trend chart changes in a few weeks.

]]> http://dancameron.org/general/google-reader-detox/feed 7 http://dancameron.org/general/tivo-com-support-tivo-hd-hdmi-issues-and-hdcp http://dancameron.org/general/tivo-com-support-tivo-hd-hdmi-issues-and-hdcp#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:57:40 +0000 dancameron http://dancameron.org/?p=3769 I’ve been having problems with my TiVoHd not working via HDMI since day one. I contacted Tivo.com support and they were not able to help one bit,  the told me  I had to settle for component cables instead of HDMI. At least after a very long period of trying to explain the issue I had a humorous exchange…

…

Chris: If HDMI is not working you will need to disconnect the HDMI cable and use component video cables.

Dan Cameron: I don’t understand, isn’t that a flaw in the TivoHD?

Chris: Please switch to component video cables and tell me if you see TiVo screens.

Dan Cameron: yeah, I get picture and sound ( from optical ) just like I have ( which I explained earlier )

Chris: You can try a different HDMI cable or different input on the TV, but the issue is not the TiVo when it is able to dsiplay video using the component. It’s the same output type. Is there anything else I can help you with today?

Dan Cameron: If you can help me get my time back that would be great.

Dan Cameron: oh well, thanks.

Chris: Unfortunately, I do not have the ability to reverse space or time. I would certainly do that for you if I could. Your reference number for this chat is: xxxx-xxxx. Thank you for contacting TiVo chat support, have a nice day!

Dan Cameron: ha ha. Thanks. I know it’s not your fault, just a lack of good support docs for this type of problem

The Apple touch of simplicity.

Anyone can make a hardware device like this, a lot of manufacturers are trying, but the Apple ease-of-use gives it the ability to be a family device, like the iPhone is already in so many homes. I could imagine having an iPad for everyone in the house to use: my wife could use it as her primary machine, Avery could use it to play on the internet and watch movies and I could use it for reading books and my nightly business email and calendaring on the couch. I strongly believe the iPad will strive as a home/family device not a personal device.

Many had their theories about how the iPad device would fit into the personal computer scheme of things,  it’s apparent the iPad is nothing extraordinary. And with that lack of extraordinary we can forget about “why would someone want the iPad, a laptop and a computer” because it’s going to be used differently than any other device ( clearly ).  A device that’s lying around the house, that immediately connects you to the most important areas of computing: Email, Media, Reading and the Internet; is the missing piece of computing that everyone needs ( which Apple is striving for ).

It will take a for the iPad to be considered a device like the home TV or the PS3/XBOX/Wii. Maybe a price drop to $299 will propel it there.

Update: I’m not forgetting the businesses upsides, like healthcare and education, but the success in those areas are dependent on application developers. The iPad out of the box is a device that fits into the daily life of a modern family.

Aside: see my iPad thoughts/review here.

In 60 – 90 days when more developers get their hands on the SDK and start creating apps specifically for it and when publishers start making interactive versions of their content sales of the device will undoubtedly take off. Many will be sold on the device when they see a subsidized version at $299, I will but…

$299 is highly unlikely, I’m willing to bet the subsidized price will be $499. Apple is already preparing us for a high priced subsidized version by having the 3G version almost $200 more. Maybe we’ll see the 3G version subsidized at $399 or $450 and my hope for a sub $300 device will for not.

Here are some more tidbits of speculation, since nothing is certain right now:

• I already noted I think the subsidized version will be around $499.
• Verizon and other carriers will be allowed to have their own versions eventually, since I don’t see anything about an ATT exclusive.
• No background apps — yet. I think  iPhone OS 4.0 will have background processing and they’ll upstream it to the iPad. I can’t imagine the iPad without background apps and I believe they didn’t announce it today because they’re holding that off for the iPhone 4.0 announcement just before the iPad and new iPhone hardware launches.
• The Apple bluetooth keyboard will work with it at some point. I don’t see a reason why it wouldn’t since it has bluetooth built in and they already have a dock + keyboard accessory.
• A video out accessory should be available too, that way I can connect it to my TV or use it as a machine for a Keynote (powerpoint).
• We’re missing out on the “killer functionality” that Apple has planned. Like an easy iBook SDK for rich media.
• Rich media will be awesome on this thing. I can’t wait to read a programming/technical book with the ability to write and/test along side.

I’ll be following up this post with “Where the iPad will Revolutionize“.

Google’s want for HTML5 video embedding was more about mobile than the desktop.

• Google can drop Android plugins to play YouTube video and run them within the browser.
• Google will not need to worry about phone performance or hardware requirements if Flash ends up pushing a self distracting update. Breaking any reliance on Adobe, that same thing Apple’s trying to do.
• More importantly, it Google doesn’t want to support the iPhone Youtube app. Further pushing all their apps the web, which could be a new rule within Google since they haven’t released a native iPhone app since the Google Voice app debacle.

Google’s choice to push HTML5 the week before an Apple Tablet announcement could be a coincidence but I’d like to believe Google knows something we all don’t. Whether it was collaborative or not, Youtube supporting html5 on day one of the Apple tablet’s release ( & announcement ) will help Apple propel their Canvas hardware ( tablet ) as a rich media device even further.

Here’s our local paper’s website.

Here’s a map of how close it was to us.

I'm guessing the path was pretty close to us. Too bad I missed it.

On Friday I had a simple design idea and with all of the ideas and inspiration that have accumulated over the last 6+ months I was obsessed in getting things cleaned up around here.

Here are some important points and areas of focus:

• Tumblog style – I’m back to pulling in my Google Shared items, this time I wont be quoting the source and trying to get a conversation going on my site. Instead I’ll link to the source directly and the conversation can be continued there or within Google Reader ( dancameron{at}gmail )
• Reviews – I think Dean has done a great job on his site and I’ve been wanting to do the same because I want to bring more reviews back to this site instead of twittering something out, especially with gadgets since I can’t write a good gadget review in 140 characters on twitter.
• Projects – I’m still deciding whether to blog about projects here and Sprout Venture or just post here and link to them on sv.com. Either way I need to find a way to post more about my projects and get prospective clients to read more. For now I’m just pulling in the posts I create over there.
• Simple Design - In the past I’ve fallen victim of trying to create the “super cool” or flashy site. Now, I just want everything to be “simple and clean”, hopefully that is what I accomplished.
• Typekit – Typekit rocks. I’m pretty dumb when it comes to fontstyling but I think I found the right mix.
• CSS - I ended up using a lot of CSS tricks to display stuff how I wanted, no jQuery for templating this time around. I hope you’re looking at the site in Safari or Chrome.

I still have a laundry list of things to do, some of the biggies:

• Market myself more –  like an “about the author” section below posts or in the sidebar.
• Post about a ton of movies, gadgets and music.
• Clean up my archives – pagination doesn’t work yet.
• Whatever you point out in the comments.

The major factor for the experiment’s failure was time. Not only was it because of how busy I have been but how I was forcing myself to spend my time developing and designing. Since my intent was to design and develop in increments, then post about them, I wasn’t able to spend an all nighter or even a few hours implementing an idea. Now that I tried my best to work that way I’ve learned a lesson- I don’t work that way.

I tend to start a project and get into a groove. This time I had a simple design idea and I ended up spending Friday afternoon designing off that idea, then it compounded into an obsession that took my weekend. Of course, I love building off an idea, especially if it’s my own .

And that’s it, the end of the experiment; throughout the weekend I thought about the possibility of posting some tips and I could say that’s what I’ll be doing that over the next couple weeks, instead I’ll say “it’s very unlikely” you’ll see any how-tos about this theme anytime soon.

At least I have some fresh tires on this thing that I can take for a spin.

Most of my 2010 resolutions are centered around my business at Sprout Venture, however, as a “small business” owner I feel my success and dedication effects my family the most. So, while I talk the business talk my family is always first.

• Improve my acquisition process – When I look back at 2009 this is one of the areas with the most return, just improving a little will cause a big impact on my performance. Right now it takes me too long to create a response for an RFP. Goal: Build out an RFP template for prospective clients that need direction and build more automated responses.
• Build out local clientele – I’m finding more and more advantages to working locally vs. virtually. Goal: Build this to 20% of our gross income.
• Expand my specialty – Most of my past experience before starting Sprout Venture was ecommerce and marketing, in 2009 ecommerce only accounted for 15%, marketing was zero. Don’t get me wrong WordPress development has propelled my business to where it’s at but with my experience of multiple $1.5 million + ecommerce projects and $3 million pay-per-click marketing budgets I need to get back into this specialty, especially for local clients and my future. Goal: 20-25% of my overall business.
• Get more done – I need to line up my extend projects a little better in order to rapidly move in and out of them. For example, if I find myself with an hour to burn I need to spend it working on Search Everything or working on completing this blog’s theme. Goal: Unmeasurable unless I start tracking my hours better.
• Learn – I’d love to say 20% of my week should be spend on extend projects and learning but I know that’s not possible. Goal: Learn Sympfony ( or similar ) and …
• Build an iPhone app - I’m not looking for another business model, I’m looking to this as a learning experience with another programming language. Goal: Release at least app X ( for Sara ) and another unknown for Avery or Sawyer to play with .
• Routine work outs – It’s the resolution that almost everyone has…I desperately need to start using my bowflex dumbbells and get into a running routine. Goal: Lift after every run and run 250 miles in the year.
• Play golf more – Not sure if Avery is ready to drive the cart around in the afternoon but since we’re paying for the California weather I might as well enjoy it more. Goal: Break par at a “good” course. Out of all my goals this might be the hardest.
• Grow financially – My three year goal when I started was almost reached this year ( year one ). It’s amazing how blessed we are with business while so many ( even within our family ) are affected by this “economic downturn”. Goal: Gross after business expenses ( sub contracting, ect.. ) xxxk.
• Business reviews – In order to accomplish the majority of these goals I’ll need to do what I do with most of my clients, have a proper review. Goal: 45 day business review.

I’m missing a few but these are my primary focuses for 2010.

A 2009 review should be following this post shortly, I know a little backwards but I have a lot of projects to gather and link.

If you’re not reading this through RSS you can tell the theme has changed and it’s a stripped down version of Carrington Text.

Why Carrington Text?

I made the decision last week to scrap my old theme framework for all Sprout Venture WordPress theme development and build a new framework utilizing Carrington. I’m really digging the core, it may be overkill for many sites ( this included ) but it’s going to be a pleasure to work with.

Well why Text?

I actually built two base theme frameworks for future dev.; one is based on text and the other is based off JAM. I decided to go with Text for this project ( this blog ) because of some of the AJAX capabilities[1] already built in and to test whether having two base frameworks is better than just having one.

Next…

• Probably some posts about how I modified Carrington to fit my needs. Specifically overriding the admin page without modifying the Carrington Core.
• Wireframing which I’ll share.
• Functionality scoping.
• Layout changes for the homepage, with short posts proceeding.

As you can tell, I haven’t really put much thought made any decisions as to what I really want the site to look like. Some concepts would be: Minimal; Boxy; Non-trendy; Dull.

[1] Specifically how thearchives work.

I’ve been called a fanboy too many times…an Apple fanboy. Let me get things straight for all of you anti-apple cool kids, “I’mnot an Apple Fanboy!”.

Possibly the best definition of fanboy is from wikionary:

Someone (normally male) who is utterly devoted to a single subject or hobby, often to the point where it is considered an obsession

By that definition I could call anti-apple trolls “anti-apple fanboys” since it’s their obsession to point out their distrust no matter what the original subject was about.

Anyways…

I do tend to show appreciation for my Apple products, only because they have a positive impact more than any other. And since I’m a “techie”/gadget hobbyist and I make a living from the technology and the internet I’ve spent a lot of time preferring one product over another.

The desktop computer…

The phone…

• No-one knows what the real motivation or calculated business decisions was/were/are made behind rejecting apps or removing applications.

One would take the opportunity to theorize a master planned conspiracy for world domination with that last point; instead I’ll refrain from concluding anything ( except [1] ); but if those unlikely theories do come to pass my continues review of alternatives will lead me to the best user experience and productivity in my digital life/work–regardless of the company.

[1] …except to point out that all media rights owners ( music and video ) and iphone application vendors have a choice to deal with Apple distribution channel and their restrictions.

Comment on the full post.

Possibly the best definition of fanboy is from wikionary:

Someone (normally male) who is utterly devoted to a single subject or hobby, often to the point where it is considered an obsession

By that definition I could call anti-apple trolls “anti-apple fanboys” since it’s their obsession to point out their distrust no matter what the original subject was about.

Anyways…

I do tend to show appreciation for my Apple products, only because they have a positive impact more than any other. And since I’m a “techie”/gadget hobbyist and I make a living from the technology and the internet I’ve spent a lot of time preferring one product over another.

The desktop computer: It’s arguably the most essential piece of technology in our lives and the OS plays the largest roll of providing what we need and how we need it. From experience OS X is hands-down the best operating system out there; Linux at a distant second; Windows at an even further distant 3rd last.

Yes, Windows is the most popular OS but even though Microsoft did something right with Windows in the past to get them into this position it doesn’t mean their doing what’s right with Windows now. The only advantage they have, which is huge, is the ability to install the OS on any computer hardware you want ( if you purchase the correct version out of the four

billion available ). BTW: that’s not “freedom”, that’s a business decision.

With that bit of history out of the way, to hopefully distill and prevent the anti-apple fanboys ms lovers…I’ll continue…

Unlike any other OS: OS X allows me to work 10 hours in front of a computer without frustration, we all know if you useWindows you’re more than likely to get frustrated with it–daily; that’s my overwhelming experience ( I dread the 3-5 hours a week I need to use it ); I used Windows for a long time, too long, every job in my adult life included working at a Windows machine ( except one short stint at a GL where I was able go 80% OSX and 20% Linux as a sys. admin. ).

Another building block of the desktop computer is applications, regardless of what you believe Apple’s developer community is rich. It may not be as large but the quality of these applications are great, largely attributed by the developer tools that Apple provides. Anyone that says functionality defines an app is wrong, it’s the user experience. The iPhone is a great example.

Computer Wrap:

• OS X is not perfect but in relation to any other OS it is the closest we’ve got.
• It’s also constantly improving and innovating.
• Developer community is exceptional
• Negative: while perfection does cost only $29 to upgrade you are required to purchase a quality piece of Apple hardware. Premium cost should be expected from a hardware and digital distribution company.

The phone may be the acclaimed as the number one technology tool it’s a close second for me:

Again, “why would I use an iPhone over a X?”, like OS X the iPhone user experience and functionality doesn’t frustrate me.

There’s only one other phone out there that didn’t frustrate me, it’s the Blackberry. Partly do to the BB stability.

I choose to use the iPhone over any blackberry or any other mobile phone because of it’s superior UE and quality

applications. There should be no doubt the Apple store was/is the best thing to happen to the phone application market, it accomplished something handango couldn’t and it’s something all major handheld venders ( MS, BB, Palm and Android ) are moving to. Even other verticals, like the DSi and PSP have adopted something very similar.

In comparison the difference between these new app stores are/could-be restrictions but no-one really knows. The

current stores ( android ) are rather small but still have their problems of removals and rejected apps.

Phone Wrap:

• The app store has been successful for all parties involved: Apple, the developer and the biggest successor is the consumer. You could also include any future or present alternatives.
• The iPhone hardware is solid, it’s changed minimally over the last few years and it’s only now that some vendors are catching up ( e.g. G2 ) but…
• …like the desktop OS the phone’s OS is critical to UE and the iPhone OS is exceptional compared to the competition. Partly attributed by the application restrictions that also cause a negative downside…
• Negative: Apple is making some really bad decisions for their customers and whether ATT is pulling them or requiring apple to do so shouldn’t matter.

• No-one knows what the real motivation or calculated business decisions was/were/are made behind rejecting apps or removing applications.

One would take the opportunity to theorize a master planned conspiracy for world domination with that last point; instead I’ll refrain from concluding anything ( except [1] ); but and if those unlikely theories do come to pass my continues review of alternatives will lead me to the best user experience and productivity in my digital life/work–regardless of the company.

[1] …except to point out that all media rights owners ( music and video ) and iphone application vendors have a choice to deal with Apple distribution channel and their restrictions.

pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerons/3692474723/ ( I’m the one on the right ), http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerons/3655513075/ and this is me after hitting the big balls http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerons/3524436262/

So I did it, I applied to the Wipeout Casting people. This is what I said:

name: Dan Cameron

address: [removed] Ventura CA 93003

occupation: Freelance Web Developer and Design

contact phone numbers: [removed]

email addresses: [removed]

pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerons/3692474723/ ( I’m the one on the right ), http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerons/3655513075/ and this is me after hitting the big balls http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerons/3524436262/

summary of why you’re the perfect candidate: energetic and I don’t give up; love to prove myself wrong–that I can win on this show; I tend to say really stupid stuff ( which could be clipped for the world’s enjoyment ); occasionally funny; I have a good social network through twitter and my blog to make fun of me when the show is live; and I assume that I live close enough to the set so I could drive out there on early notice.

Well that’s it. Maybe they’ll contact me, maybe not. I’ll probably get my ass kicked if I did try but it sure looks fun.

AGH! There was  another app that I had to fill out, mostly the same stuff but a lot of checkboxes. It’s too much to post here though.

Now that I’m almost ready to re-do this site–it’s time to improve my original idea and do it.

The Plan:

• Activate my base theme, the one I use on 90% of all my custom theme projects at Sprout Venture. That theme doesn’t have any CSS or images but it provides a working WordPress install.
• Get feedback throughout the process.
• Every-time I publish a design change to the site I’ll post about it. The posts will include tutorials, commentary, feedback requests and before-after screen grabs.
• Release the finalized theme ( or slight variation ) for free to the WordPress community.

What to expect:

I’m not sure when I’ll start, probably before the end of July but I expect the process to take a few weeks. Throughout that time this site should drastically change every day. I’ll try to take as many shots throughout the process in case you missed anything .

The Process:

I’m really hoping for feedback through the process–especially when it comes down to functionality and layout. It’s important that feedback will drive the design since I’m releasing the theme, I wont be committed to anything, so we might see three different homepage layouts before it’s ready for design and functionality.

So far…

I only have a few ideas for the homepage and WordPress sections. If you have any ideas comment away, remember that the scope of the project is to re-do this site so don’t expect me to do everything but if it’s a good idea I may include it in the public release.

Updates:

I downloaded the beta for Postbox yesterday and I’m loving it. I should really post about some of the cool features it has but if you’re using Mail.app you need to switch or at least try it out and see for yourself.

One of the issues I noticed right off the bat was my labels/folders were not being checked for new mail. The inbox is always refreshed but with my extensive filtering with gmail (or google apps) not all my email hits the inbox.

The solution is easy though, very easy. You just need to use the Config Editor to look for new email in all folders and show unread counts for all folders.

First Step:

Go to Preferences (command+,) > Advanced Tab > Config Editor > Select the “I’ll be carefull…” button.

You’ll need to find to preference to change. They are mail.check_all_imap_folders_for_new and  pb.accounts.show_unread_for_inbox_only . Both self explanatory.

Restart and that’s it.

It’s official: “social” networks ruin relationships by allowing us to know each other enough to not like each other…

What I wanted to say: I’ve come to the realization before that actively sharing your opinion sifts out the real friends and arguments amplify this. Blogging made this apparent a long time ago, especially in the ‘04 election cycle, but it’s amplified now.

Social networks like Twitter and facebook demand attention–it’s making all of us post about every thought, afterthought or quip–regardless if it’s about us or not. I’m sure there’s some phd thesis on this topic but when I think about how relationships interacted just a few years ago it didn’t happen like this.

There’s a ton of differences but attention is one. It would be impossible to get this attention way back when AIM was cool.

Imagine being at a party with all of your “friends”–all of those on your follower/lists:

How many conversations could you possibly have?
With everyone broadcasting we all get an equal voice ( as long as you post as much as the next person )…

Who would you tend to gravitate too?
…we’re also broadcasting without exclusivity…

What topics would be discussed?
…without exclusivity, the friends we talk to everyday hear as much as our friends we meet a few times a year.

Let me circle back, since I’m clearly processing thoughts as I write this post ( that’s how I roll, sorry ).

Social networks are not bad, nor are they ruining relationships–people are accountable for what they share, how they share and whom they share with…

…get to the point already…

I’m coming to the realization that this new dynamic of friendship ( that being twitter and facebook ) is speeding up the inevitable–someone getting to know you ( and I ) enough to build a respectful friendship regardless of disagreement, or to grow existing relationships, or neither, or worse.

disclaimer: I didn’t have any one person in mind when I wrote this, this is rather a collection of my experiences through blogging and the new “real time” web. But if you’re thinking this post is still about you, you’re probably right and here’s the test; contact me immediately; WAIT…if you were truly about to call or write, you passed the test and rest assured you’re wrong; if you hesitated ask yourself, “do I really care what he really thinks?”; if you answered “yes”, you’re wrong, see you soon; if  you thought “no”, you’re right this post was personally about you –only you– and you should stop following me on Twitter and de-friend me on facebook, it will be best this way, maybe we can be friends in real life though.

Some of my favorites from my recent posts:

Esua’s story up until now…

She’ll tell you that fact over & over again! Her birthday started out on Wednesday evening when she went out for frozen yogurt with grandma & grandpa to Wild Cherry.

@ Wild Cherry

Thursday was her real birthday.

birthday girl

I took cupcakes to school for her to share with her friends.

cupcakes for the Hoppy Helpers

We let her choose where to go for her birthday lunch. She chose BJ’s, where she loves the mac n cheese. They even brought a birthday piezookie, which was her favorite part.

birthday piezookie

That night she went to Awana’s and brought chocolate chip cookies to share with the other Cubbies. Friday was her birthday party. Candyland!! Thankfully that morning she had tap class and thankfully we didn’t have to run around to pick her up- thank Ali! The party was a success; crafts, lunch, presents & cake. Avery was “princess Lolly” from the game. I made her shirt & skirt.

We made candy bracelets.

The kids decorated gingerbread men too.