daveynin's thing

My Personal Best Photos of 2008

2008-12-29T15:15:06Z

This is my 7th annual top 25 personal choice images in year 2008, I dumped twenty-five photos into my Flickr set.

Also, don't miss checking out my annually top 25 images between 2002 and 2007.

LittleBigPlanet Deaf Community Level

2008-11-13T19:16:36Z

I have been kicking out high myself playing LittleBigPlanet (short word for LBP) Sony PlayStation 3 video game system. LBP is a puzzle platformer (aka Mario & Sonic for basic jump 'n run) and user generated content video game.

The game includes online and offline story mode (single player or cooperative players), share community levels to play the creator's game levels in the game network across the globe.

My friend, Sam C. discovered the community level includes the sign post of American Sign Language fingerspelling of alphabet, A to I. This level is published by lennylightspeed, PSN (PlayStation Network) username.

We are delighted that the gamer spent a ton of their time on this community level dedicate to the Deaf community. Click to view the three-minute level in the video below.

My day, Halloween Day

2008-11-08T17:05:05Z

Inspired by Flickr Group Pool: My Day, Yesterday, I created the day-long video of my routine single day on October 31, 2008 - Halloween Day holiday. Excluding the day before the video recorded, I was extremely busy around with my time and do not have enough time to edit the video a day after. Finally, I posted this on site a week later.

I posted the 3-minute video into my Facebook for friends-only to view the video. Lastly, I uploaded the same video into YouTube for public viewing.

I went back to re-edit the video, cut down to 90 seconds (that's 1 minute, 30 sec) per Flickr length-time video policy, for your pleasure quality viewing.

Hitler Downfall Copyright

2008-09-12T18:44:29Z

I posted this video clip, "Hitler Ultimate Downfall: Sign Language" on my YouTube and posted in my blog entry in March 2008. Sometime in ~~May~~ July 2008, I discovered that YouTube quietly removed this video clip due to a copyright claim by Constantin Film Produktion. Constantin Film Produktion is movie production company in Germany.

According to YouTomb, There are several dozen lists of 'Downfall' parody video clips removed in YouTube, requested by Constantin Film Produktion. It's no good chance for me to post another same videoclip in my YouTube account, and am afraid that my account could be suspend because of copyright infringement.

I decided to move same video clip on different video sharing site, blip.tv and hopefully it will not happen again.

Fast forward to today, The users are coming back for Hitler's parody video clips can be found in YouTube search results page. I couldn't find any blogs and news sites related to this YouTube removed I kept wondering why my first video clip still banned in my YouTube account.

Enjoy my "Hitler Ultimate Downfall: Sign Language" video clip I posted in Blip.TV:

Things I Love Today: Yearbook Yourself

2008-09-01T23:18:29Z

I have seen several of my friends in Facebook pose themselves in profile page, shared the best laughter of medicine. So I decided to try myself something little creative to share your giggles. Bottom of the photo which is me, the truly original image.

Those picture generated from Yearbook Yourself.

My Mobile Uploads: Facebook vs Flickr

2008-08-08T01:44:57Z

This picture above is me and Charles the StarKist Tuna were taken in my Blackberry Curve 8330 camera. I decided to upload this image directly into my Facebook and my Flickr from my Blackberry Curve. Until I visited both sites, I noticed the differences of quality in the picture.... check on your own time to click the image above to see the full picture.

It is obviously that Facebook image is jiggy. Could this be a blame from Facebook BB apps for uploading the mobile image? Judge yourself!

Pittsburgh's Best Restroom

2008-07-28T01:46:00Z

I caught my attention the Pittsburgh hard-core sport blog post about the unique and bizarre restroom in Pittsburgh, PA. It's not far from here, and it made me very curiously to visit the men's restroom in Jerome Bettis' Grille 36 restaurant located in North Shore between Heinz Field and PNC Park. Been there, done that, and if you haven't see the video playing, please check this out the dim video above, as you see the marble sink, toilet booths and... urinals above the one-way mirror hanging the wall.

As far I know this is amazing, and it's nominated in top 10 list of American's Best Restroom of 2008, casting their votes here till the votes closes on July 31, 2008.

"The lighting is dim, so I guess it's a comfortable atmosphere for your restroom needs," said manager Candy Mann.
"You can see most of the TVs on the back wall, and all of your friends and relatives," said entertainment engineer Jake Karan. "You can check on your girlfriend, too."

DPHH.com Social Club launches

2008-07-09T10:51:14Z

Deaf Professional Happy Hour, acronym for DPHH, their official website launched nationally today (as of Wednesday, July 9th, 2008). The site is sponsored by Viable, INC. This site provides the list of upcoming DPHH schedule events in selected hosted cities, if you're happen to be in luck to live nearby. After DPHH social event is over, the picture album arrives DPHH.com to fill up the spotlight of memories and of course, our Deaf nation is reading this.

I hail from Pittsburgh and was second generation of DPHH Pittsburgh committee back in 2004-2005. DPHH Pittsburgh been through three generations of committees in decade of 2000s. Pittsburgh also have deaf social club, Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf, which is somewhat similar to DPHH, debated each of their advantages and disadvantages about two organizations for Deaf socials in same city.

DPHH Pittsburgh is currently alive and kickin' in 2008, and it is hard to believe for everyone to know if website has lived up, hardly to seen in *cough* MySpace site *cough* (should I say unprofessional site?), and make announcements through Yahoo Groups - Pittsburgh Deaf Events for notification about DPHH future events in Pittsburgh.

Since DPHH.com of 2008 just launched today with limited cities, let's see if DPHH Pittsburgh could join the network list, and I think it will be great opportunity to share our hosted city in DPHH.com official site.

I have few couple question in my mind about DPHH.com and its future: How long are Viable sponsoring this? Who and what will be responsible carrying the official website of DPHH.com legacy? Will DPHH.com continue to strength and organize? Only the time will tell.

Old Advertisments showing TDD?

2008-07-07T14:19:03Z

Everyone in Deaf culture would imagine this old advertisement magazine page display the machine: TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf), and I hardly press myself this machine is not really TDD because it doesn't say anything about Deaf-related. I am going to pass this on humor of the day.

Via technospot.net

Background Desktop

2008-06-01T20:40:53Z

Today I went White Oak Park [map] during perfect weather with 73 F degrees, sunny, little wind and partly cloudy. I walked across the path and saw the landscape spot which I have seen similar image:

This is 'Bliss' default desktop background screen for Windows XP.

"The 'Bliss' image was actually taken outside Napa, Calif.," said Microsoft's Brian Peterson. "It was chosen because it illustrates the experiences Microsoft strives to provide customers (freedom, possibility, calmness, warmth, etc.)."

When I saw the 'Bliss' desktop background image after took the photo, it doesn't look like close call.

Source: Wikipedia

Apple iPhone and Blackberry Curve 8330

2008-05-16T14:06:37Z

I am T-Mobile Sidekick II user since October 2004, my productivity with pager has become weaken, lose my motivation caused by problems on carrier signal and email outrage. It is time for me to get new pager which fit my needs. I have been keeping an eye of narrow choices for two devices: Apple iPhone [specs] and Blackberry Curve 8330 [specs]. Those two are one of most critical decision for my time in one month before. I am digging out the information about two devices making the right choice to pick one out of two devices:

Price (As of May 2008)
Curve 8330: $599.99 MSRP
Apple iPhone: $399 for 8 GB, $499 for 16 GB

iPhone and Curve includes two-year activation agreement, plus activation fee, appx $40. If you order Curve 8330 through www.sprintrelay.com, you could get mail-in rebate to save $499.99 (final pay: $100). Rumors flying around here that AT&T might provide $200 after rebate for iPhone, still unofficial.

Monthly Data-Only (As of May 2008)
Curve 8330: $29.99
Apple iPhone: $40.00 (for TAP disability only)

Curve 8330 cost annually $359.88, compare to iPhone's $480 for TAP customers with disabilities only. That's $120.12 huge difference. For iPhone, you need to get $40 TAP data plan instead $60, you need to check with doctor for a note to prove that you're deaf customer.

Reference via: deafmac.org

Display
Curve 8330: 2.2 inches 320-by-240 pixel resolution, 65K Color
Apple iPhone: 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen, 480-by-320-pixel resolution at 163 ppi

iPhone is eye-candy big screen and slick interface perspective over Curve 8330, make me drooling. The reason why I like Apple.

Internal & Expandable Capacity
Curve 8330: 96 MB Flash memory, microSD card
Apple iPhone: 8GB or 16GB flash drive, no exandable

For Curve, you need to purchase microSD or microSDHC flash card for addition of applications and data storage, available in capacities from 64MB to 8GB. The cost? $59.99 is the highest point for microSDHC 8GB flash card, according pricewatch.com (May 16, 2008)

Data Input / Navigation
Curve 8330: Trackball, QWERTY keyboard, several buttons
Apple iPhone: one button, touch-screen display few buttons

My simple favor: I want a keypad that's easier and faster. The troubling part: QWERTY keypad interface on iPhone touch-screen display, you are required to have a visual on keypad display to type due communication needs for Deaf to type on touch-screen. I believe inputting the physical keypad on Curve is more productive and speedier WPM than iPhone. Using physical keypad for communications such as Instant Messaging and email, handles like a champ. I must admit that I drive and text a lot, but could lead to higher risk to involved into automobile accident.

Media Output
Curve 8330: 2MP camera with flash, Video Recording
Apple iPhone: 2MP Camera, Possible Video Recording

Apple iPhone is more likely to include video recording, if they provided by third-party applications or firmware updates in future. I expect both devices for stand-still image have much less quality than my current line of Canon digital cameras.

Reference via: Engadget

Notification
Curve 8330: Vibrate mode, LED indicator, MP3 & Polyphonic/MIDI ringtones
Apple iPhone: Vibrate mode, ringtones

Curve has more vibration options/customizable for different applications like ring tones over iPhone, however iPhone lacks the limited options. Notification is my top priority to receive new message coming in.

Reference via: deafmac.org

Wireless Networking/Data
Curve 8330: Dual-band 800/1900 Mhz CDMA2000 1X Ev-DO networks, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS
Apple iPhone: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), EDGE, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR

Curve 8330 model does not support Wi-Fi. 3G, it lacks the downloading timing content in web browser in Curve. I believe next-generation of iPhone will include 3G and GPS. Signal over my local area is the extreme important for me to keep me busy. The browser is awfully slow loading on both devices.

Application Software
iPhone and Curve 8330 have dozens list of applications included, also can download 1st-party and 3rd-party applications to boost my productivity. My favorite sync application, Google Calendar and 'Remember the Milk' supports both and could be very productive my organize tasks.

Conclusion
I spend most of time playing around with iPhone demonstration at Apple store local area and gotten word-of-mouth from my deaf friends about Curve 8330. As I know there will be an announcement for next generation of iPhone at Apple conference on June 9th 2008, and Blackberry Bold 9000 coming out in summer by first AT&T provider.

Also I have read the reviewers opinions (1) and (2) about Curve 8330 vs iPhone. I have no choice to wait - I decide to purse deaf-friendly, finance reason after getting rid of my suffering T-Mobile Sidekick II. I'm leaning toward the Blackberry Curve 8330.

Also I am in luck here - my good deaf friend in our local area will purchase second generation of iPhone, I could get more taste on this to learn its advantages and disadvantages. Also when my two-year contract expires in 2010 for Curve, I could come back to check out improving future generations of iPhone. Speaking of technology life cycle.

Next Generation Complete Collection

2008-05-02T16:00:09Z

It's about time to move on with my life. I decide to get rid of my collection which filled my storage space at my home.

I am selling 48 pounds of eighty-four issues Next Generation magazine, a complete set of my collection. You might find those in eBay. That's a real deal. My risk: I set up the starting bid: $20 (shipping: $30 dollars) to open auction in ten days, which started on Thursday, May 1st.

What's more? I dumped candy-eye every issue scanned front cover in my Flickr set and don't miss to check this out if you're gaming person back in late decade of 1990s.

Next Generation or NextGen, one of the publications, is no doubt in mind, my favorite and best magazine that was approach the older audience, that bucked that trend and featured intelligent, well thought out articles, and extremely fair reviews. The physical magazine itself is high-quality material, stiff matte cover stock.

It's sad to let those go, and I'm glad that I scanned all of them to fill my memories in my lifetime. My auction last day is Sunday, May 11th.

Referred links:
Today in Joystiq: May 1, 2008 - Next Generation
gameSniped: Next Generation Magazine Complete Run

UPDATE (5/11/2008)Winning buyer bid was $280.20, excluding the shipping. Not bad. I analyzed how much I spent for this magazines from newsstands and subscribers, I spend appx 180 dollars.

Living with new SD890 IS

2008-04-17T00:00:07Z

I lived with Canon PowerShot S2 IS since November 2005, and I am happy with this result. My only expectation: this camera is too bigger, badder and fatter (not always) for me to carry all the times, giving me more work and also cannot fit in my pocket.

My dream is to own pocket sized, dwarf digial camera that I can live everyday. Today, my dream is now reality. Canon PowerShot SD890 IS, my third-generation digital camera, played around with few new features on SD890 IS: time lapse, bigger space (SDHC can hold up to 32 GB, compare to limit 2 GB SD card), widescreen, improved macro mode, longer recording clips, and.. and what can I say more? Click right after break to see my Flickr gallery taken by my SD890 IS.

Flickr launched video service

2008-04-09T02:15:48Z

Flickr finally launched the video feature, and I began playing around with this; take a comparison between Flickr Video and YouTube:

Flickr video

YouTube:

This video is original 320x240 video resolution with 30 frame per second, What do you think the quality of video?

If you're member of Flickr account, you're in the luck to have a upload videos with limit of 150 MB or 90 seconds. It is just beginning...

CSD acquires DeafRead

2008-04-01T10:17:14Z

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! DeafRead is moving! I broke the news and posted immediately in my blog before Communication Service f/t Deaf (CSD) are preparing to make a press release indicates that CSD is going to buy DeafRead web site next day on April 2nd:

Sioux Falls, SD. - April 2nd, 2008 - CSD also known as Communication Service for the Deaf announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Taylerinfomedia, a web development company for an undisclosed sum.

The deal has been in the works for several weeks, according to CSD spokesman, who noted that, "Taylerinfomedia is a pioneer in web sites for Deaf such as DeafRead, DeafVIDEO.TV, and Fomdi, the revolutionary way of discovering what is important to a new generation of technology-friendly for Deaf customer. The Deaf community is our natural base and this acquisition is a great opportunity to connect with them. We are anxious to engage them through this new channel."

Yep, I got the answer from newest Google search function, gDay™ with MATE™, (Machine Automated Temporal Extrapolation) a machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques allow to construct elements of the future. I can see what is going on next day! It works like magic, believe me in my mother's grave!

Happy April Fool's Prank!