It’s been a long time since I’ve done a regular blog post. Most of what ends up here gets auto posted from Posterous.
So, with that in mind, here’s a regular post. I’m writing this using the latest version of the WordPress app on my iPad 2. Since my blog is self-hosted, it’s nice that WP gives away a free editor when they could easily restrict it to only those blogs hosted by WordPress.com. One of the “big” new features of the new app is the formatting toolbar located just above the keyboard which appears when you’re writing a post. In theory this is a good idea—no more typing in HMTL markup directly. And maybe on an iPhone where I type with two thumbs that makes sense. But on the iPad, I’m a landscape-oriented 10-finger touch typist. And, as I’m sure is apparent, touch typing when there’s nothing to actually touch is more an exercise in trust (that autocorrect will work) than pure skill. That’s where the placement of the formatting bar comes in. I’m sure it’s placed near the keyboard for convenience but it is certainly not convenient to invoke a blockquote when I’m going for an “e” or a hyperlink when I’m typing a “w”.
I hate complaining without offering a solution. Here’s my solution: put the formatting bar at the top of the editing pane. Let’s face it, an iPad screen is not so big that this placement would greatly affect usability or convenience. And it would eliminate the possibility of inadvertently invoking formatting commands. At the very least make this a user-selectable option.
written by Ben
\\ tags: iPad, Wordpress
written by Ben
\\ tags: iPhone 4, Posterous, Video, Web
Just trying it out really – seeing what all the fuss is about. Well, not fuss really, just some decent buzz. Time to sleep now – another long day tomorrow!
written by Ben
\\ tags: Blogo, Tech, Web
This was released as a “webisode” supplement to last night’s SNL. It’s funnier than most of what they actually put in the show. Is it because all of the bleeped profanity? It’s bleeped.
written by Ben
\\ tags: Hulu, Obama, SNL, Video, Web
 Yes, I’ve finally decided to actually do an audio podcast as a compliment to my wildly successful video podcast, The Ben Show. It’s called The Switchcast and is essentially a podcast about Apple vs. Microsoft, OS X vs. Windows, iPhone vs. the rest of the phones, etc. I’m serving as the resident Apple evangelist and my cousin Tim Wachowiak is providing the alternative, Microsoft-oriented viewpoint. So far we’ve got one episode up although it’s so far off from what we intend the podcast to eventually become that I haven’t even assigned it a number—it’s just a “feed test.” I’ve included a link below that will allow you to play it inline if you so choose.
Switchcast Feed Test [128 kbps MP3, 11.45 MB, 12:24]
Tim and I had originally settled on a weekly Friday evening recording schedule but we’ve already missed our first Friday so I’m not sure what will happen at this point. Maybe tomorrow we’ll get around to recording Episode 001. The hardest part about a regular show—as I’m sure veteran podcasters can attest to—is finding enough stuff to talk about. I’m trying to come up with a set of “features” that we’ll have every episode. Borrowing from Leo Laporte, I’d like to have a “tip of the week” for both the Mac and Windows listeners. i’d also like to highlight something each of us has found useful in the past week, whether that’s a new app, a web service, or some sort of gadget. I’m entertaining ideas for other segments so if there are any suggestions out there please send them to switchcast@gmail.com.
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written by Ben
\\ tags: Podcasting, Tech, The Switchcast, Web
Wow. Gruber quoting someone from Opera? Makes me feel less guilty that I’m an Opera for Mac user. Speaking of which, did you know that Opera has a new developer blog devoted entirely to the Mac version of the currently-in-beta Opera 9.5?
As for the quote below, while I don’t disagree with what Mr. Altman is saying, I haven’t noticed any serious problems with using Gmail’s IMAP implementation with Apple Mail for Tiger. I’m assuming Apple Mail for Leopard will work similarly well. I haven’t ever tried using IMAP with Opera’s M2 mail client although I did use it in the past as my primary POP e-mail program.
Tim Altman, QA lead for Opera Mail, on Gmail’s IMAP support:
Gmail’s labeling system could integrate marvelously with IMAP clients if only it used IMAP keywords. Instead, IMAP mailboxes are used to represent labels. All messages (sent and received) are always available in the “Gmail/[All Mail]” mailbox, so any time a message is labeled, a duplicate message is added to the label’s IMAP mailbox. IMAP clients then receive several copies of the same message, none of which integrate with the client-side labeling system. If Gmail had instead used IMAP keywords, only one message would be needed and integration would be seamless.
? [From Gmail’s Buggy IMAP Implementation]
written by Ben
\\ tags: Apple, Opera, Reblog, Tech, Web
This popped up in my Rogue Amoeba “Under The Microscope” RSS feed and I think it provides some invaluable information for podcasters so I’ve decided to reblog it here. I’m a paid user of Audio Hijack Pro and absolutely recommend it.
Podcasting has come a long way since it was first mentioned on our blog in 2004. Instead of a separate podcasting app, we’ve worked to improve Audio Hijack Pro, making it the premier tool for recording podcasts. There are now hundreds of podcasts being recorded with help from Audio Hijack Pro and Skype.
Now, Doug Kaye and Paul Figgiani have posted a fantastic tutorial on recording Skype from Audio Hijack Pro.
This tutorial goes into great depth, providing step-by-step instructions for checking your net connection, configuring Skype and setting up Audio Hijack Pro. If you’ve been looking to get into podcasting, or just need to record Skype conversations for any reason, check out this tutorial then grab Audio Hijack Pro to get started.
[From How To: Record Skype Calls With Audio Hijack Pro]
written by Ben
\\ tags: Podcasting, Rogue Amoeba, Skype, Tech, Web
In that totally nerdy, geeky, Twitter-y sort of way.
written by Ben
\\ tags: Twitter, Web
One last post before I leave for Iowa—I promise. Here’s a new video of me “playing rough” with Angel. My Vimeo upload quota for the month is all used up, so I’ve decided to try Viddler which I’d signed up for back in July but never used after I decided the inline comments were more annoying than anything. Although they do have revenue share…. Find the video embed after the jump.
In other news, the most excellent Brett Terpstra is now a blogger on TUAW. Way to go, Brett!
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written by Ben
\\ tags: Apple, TUAW, Video
For those interested in seeing a full episode of Doogie Howser, M.D. (original airdate: September 27, 1989), you can find it embedded after the jump. My Hulu membership affords me a lot of embedding possibilities. Any requests?
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written by Ben
\\ tags: 80s, Hulu, TV
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