For those of you who read here occasionally, or that know me, know that I am NEVER without my phone.  That said, I rarely being my 7.1MP camera along… I often wish I did, however, well… I don’t. That said, I ALWAYS have my phone and my recent acquisition of the iPhone 3G has not changed that… in fact, I seem to be carrying the iPhone more that even mt Motorola Q and I can count on one hand the number of times I think I was without that phone.  Now, starting with my Moto Razor, I entered the world of cellular photography… I upgraded to a 2.0MP camera with my MotoQ, and stayed right there with the iPhone.  However, with the MotoQ at least I was able to change some of the lighting, timing, white balance, etc. right in camera. heck it even had an LED flash… All that is gone with the iPhone… basically you get a point and shoot 2.0MP camera (that is often subject to simple human jitters…)

Even with the lighting issues, and the occasional “soft focus” from my unsteady hand, I have taken approximately 1200 pictures since December 23, 2008… Ya think I love my kids? (ok 202 pics are of my livingroom photosynth (future post).

Now one day I was looking for a quick way to crop a photo (on my iPhone) that I wanted to upload to facebook and I stumbled across Photogene.  What a blessing I found.  I honestly bought it for cropping that (and planned future photos) … hey it was $2.99 at the app store. Photogene has become one of my most used apps on the iPhone.  Al right I hear you… why not just upload your pics to  the PC and then do all of your editing there… yes I can, but I am doing less and less on an actual computer now and reallying liking it… so since I take a lot of pictures on the iPhone, I might as well do a bit of touch up work

there too… Photogene handles a ton of work almost effortlessly, and it is pretty gosh darn intiutive as well.

When you first open the app, it asks you whether you want to take a picture and then edit it, or of you wish to edit one from your camera roll, or photos that are stored on your phone.

From there you can choose your photo as I have and then you can adjust color and lighting:

From there you can select a “frame” … I really like the soft rounded edges:

Here is the adjusted photo:

Finally in a touch of the silly, you can even add “bubble thoughts” or captions to your photos…

and then simply save your edited work of art!  Photogene saves the new creation right back into your camera roll.

This is really a great tool for those of us who live a very mobile life.  Now you will have to go back into your PC or camera roll to delete the originals if you would like or keep the duplicates, but what a difference Photogene can make.  Below are a few of my originals and the adjusted versions. As you can see mainly I “auto” adjusted the color and removed the hard photo border.  As a final note, you can accomplish all of what I state above in under 30 seconds… Too cool!

]]> http://vanishingpoint.edublogs.org/2009/01/20/photogene-for-the-iphone/feed/ 0 http://vanishingpoint.edublogs.org/2008/07/14/testing-testing-anyone/ http://vanishingpoint.edublogs.org/2008/07/14/testing-testing-anyone/#comments Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:38:41 +0000 vanishingpoint http://vanishingpoint.edublogs.org/2008/07/14/testing-testing-anyone/ Now, I like to think that I am a high falut’n VIP every now and then … well at least until I get home… family is such a humbling experience… Recently, I must have attracted someone’s attention because I received the following email back in late May:

Hi Scott,

As a quick introduction I’m from the WOM World / Nokia, a  Nokia-sponsored platform that covers what’s being said online about  Nokia devices and services.

In addition to the blog, we also run a trial program in which we send  but Nokia devices for test and review. The N95 8GB North American  version is one of the latest releases and we’re seeing social media  users like you would be interested in having the device for three  weeks to put it through its paces.

It has the same spec as the regular N95 8GB, so; 5MP Carl Zeiss lens  camera with auto-focus, full GPS, MP3 player with integrated player  keys, dual sliding action, WIFI, etc. But this version comes with  updated software and full US 3G network support. In addition to being  on Symbian, which means it?s open to literally thousands of  applications, everything from Google maps to Twitter.

If you?re interested in a three week trial let us know. We cover all 
courier costs back and forth and are available for you to contact 
should you have any questions or queries during your trial period.

You can have a look at the WOM World / Nokia at: http://www.womworld.com/nokia

Please get in touch and let us know if this is of interest to you.

Many thanks

Colin and the WOM World / Nokia team

Since that time, Colin and I have been exchanging email on setting up the trial and getting general information out of the way etc.  I am excited about testing out the N95.  For years, I was a “Nokia” guy, but due to size and features, I moved over to the Motorola line with the Razors, and now, I absolutely love my Motorola Q Global from AT&T.

Let me give you some idea of what I use my “phone” for:

• Browsing the internet, I have 3 browsers on it depending on site compatibility.  Opera 8.65 (Full version standard and default browser), Pocket IE (as a backup, also standard on the MQG), and SkyFire (Currently in their closed beta, but it is nice and wil be a separate blog post).
• Twitter – Via TinyTwitter for Windows Mobile 6 (Java version too) great little app.
• NewsGator Go! – my RSS reader of choice… hey did you know that you can now RSS you NewsGator’s article clippings… This is SWEET! Blog post coming on this shortly…
• PHOTOS!  I take about 200+ pictures and videos (like the one below)each month with my phone… it is a 2 MP (the best I could buy last November).  I send the photos to flickr, and about 8 family members very often.

• GPS – I LOVE that the MQG is fully GPS enabled.  I use Microsoft’s Live Search Mobile, and occasionally Google Mobile Maps, Live is SO much better on the phone… for everything from turn by turn directions, to looking up stores, movies, gas prices, names, businesses, contacts to geocaching.  It’s awesome.  No secondary device needed.
• Reading ebooks… I love to read, and my preference for personal and professional literature is digital.  No need to worry about light, no need to worry about carrying something extra, no need to worry about finishing your book and not having another one to read… it is all there in the palm of your hand.  annotation, searching, enjoyment in a neat little bundle.
• Text messaging and instant messaging – this is a huge use of mine.  Wether it is sending pictures and video to family, finding out where everyone is, or just checking in, I send about 800 texts a month.  Recently, I was buying a new printer and wanted to consult with my wife about color laser jet or just B/W I knew she was working on her laptop so I started an IM session with her.  It saved us about $300 (the difference between the color LJ and a wireless print router, and the B/W I bought that had wireless networking built right in).
• Watching satellite TV via my slingbox… While I have only used my phone this way about 8 times, I have the ability to connect to my Direct TV dish from anywhere I can get a cell signal… It has been great when Joshua (4yoa) and I were waiting for Mommy to finish a marathon shopping session and he was REALLY bored and squirley… a bit of Scooby Doo and he was all good again.
• Portable digital notebook.  On the rare occassion that I do not actually have my laptop with me, I take notes, messages, tips, information right onto my phone.  OneNote Mobile syncs my Microsoft One Note 2007 from my laptop right to my phone.  I can push information both ways when I sync… pretty cool.  Recently, I have been playing with Evernote (which just came out of closed beta)… while not nearly as robust as OneNote Mobile, it has the capability to push information right to the web and pull it back.  Additionally, Evernote, syncs with just about every application on my laptop so I have access to my notes at just about any time I have an Internet connection… which with an unlimited data plan and the capability to tether my phone to my laptop is well… just about always…
• Laptop tethering for Internet use… I started tethering about 6 months ago when I was in a conference and could not get a reliable wireless signal.  While I do not do this often, when I do it still amazes me how well the 3G network handles data networking.
• MP3 – Podcast – I use my MQG to listen to music, both satellite radio and music from Rhapsody sync’d to my data card.  Additionally, I have begun podcasting into the internal voice notes application.  I have also used it to record my son’s voices… I have a great recording of Noah laughing
• Oh yeah… and for phone calls…

 I am looking forward to seeing what the N95 capabilities are.  I really like the fact that there is a 5MP camera with Zeiss lens… I can guarantee that I will stress this unit when I get it even if I can only have it for the 3 weeks.  I will keep you aware of how the trial goes once I receive the … ahem… “phone”.

~Scott

I saw Robin Ellis’ blog post and was moved to continue to build this “Passion Quilt” so here is my contribution. The title I have given this picture is “Admire the Night.” I have chosen this photograph of a fireworks show which I find amazing because both man and nature and competing for the beauty of the night while others are observing the contest. This image reflects my belief of the power and passion that lifetime learning can make on anyone’s life. You have the dichotomy of the power of nature (or natural talent) and creation as well as all of the observers (learners) of both processes. My hope is the inspiration that student creativity builds will be leveraged by others to help them continuously expand their natural talents. With hope anything is possible even challenging nature itself.

Scott

Here are Robin’s rules:

1. Think about what you are passionate about teaching your students.
2. Post a picture from a source like FlickrCC or Flickr Creative Commons or make/take your own that captures what YOU are most passionate about for kids to learn about…and give your picture a short title.
3. Title your blog post “Meme: Passion Quilt” and link back to this blog entry and Robin’s.
4. Include links to 5 folks in your professional learning network or whom you follow on Twitter/Pownce.

Now I will tag the following friends:

Henry Thiele

Michael Bachrodt

Jennifer Jones – a 366 photo perhaps?

Katie Choudhary

Lori Abrahams

Image Source Flickr: Credit: blueforce4116

After the class, I had a number of the class members provide me with email addresses, or ask to be kept up to date on new and interesting things out in the webverse (ok, I made that word up… like it?) As opposed to creating an email with some (what I feel are must have resources) I thought that I would blog about them, and point my classmates here.

Now this by NO means is planned to be a complete list, an expansive list, or even dare I say it the “best of the best” but they are good solid resources that should help to guide folks in a direction. Remember there ARE and will always be alternatives. Additionally, Ryan Bretag had an interesting post yesterday about “streamlining” the amount of resources you use.

Here I was using Diigo, Delicious, Google Notebook, and Zotero for my researching, bookmarking, annotating, and sharing. While all strong tools in their own right, it is pretty clear looking at this list that this is what some would call OVER DOING IT!

I am in complete agreement. I have found that as new tools arise, we often keep adding (overwhelming to maintain) or are reluctant to replace due to the effort it took in getting things you have setup. However, I do recommend settling on a set of tools and growing with them until you really outgrow them. So, to avoid feeling overwhelmed, look to see where you feel you need a tool to help simplify what you do, enhance what you do, and or expand what you offer.

On to my choices.

[side note: while writing this post I came to the conclusion that I need to break out each of these resources into separate posts to provide more information as well as links to possible educational uses to add value to the WHY should you add these types of resources to your arsenal of learning and teaching tools.]

Additionally, I wanted to provide a category for each set of resources so if the one I mention doesn’t meet your needs you can do a quick search to find another. As an overview, I would recommend getting an online resource for: office applications, bookmarking, photo sharing, RSS newsreader, notebook / annotation, tagging, and social networking. If you look hard at this list, it becomes apparent that most (if not all) of these resources can be handled by offline Microsoft products (IE, Outlook, OneNote, Live Photo Gallery).

The main reason I recommend moving these resources online is for the flexibility it provides YOU the user. I’ll come right out and say it… I AM A HUGE FAN OF MICROSOFT, however, that said, I HATE being tethered to one machine (although you will rarely find me without my tablet). With resources floating in the ether you can access them from anywhere there is an internet connection. If you don’t think that this is important ask yourself a couple of questions: Have you ever really needed a link that you know you saved on your home or school computer and now you are somewhere else? Have you had your personal computer crash the day before a huge presentation / project was due? Have you wanted to connect with others about a topic but did not know where to begin? Well… yes you need to begin moving into the “cloud.”

Social Networking:

twitter – By far twitter has become the one tool above all else that all educators should become involved with. A brief description is that twitter is a microblog… your life in 140 characters or less in the moment that it is happening… but it is so much more. It has revolutionized and become a huge piece of my personal learning network. The amount of targeted and useful instructional information I get from my twitter network is staggering. So much so, I have created a folder in my favorites called “Twitter Links to Review” as I cannot get to everything in real-time… feel free to add me to your network my twitter handle is vanishingpoint

Online Office Suites:

Zoho.com is my choice for office productivity in “the cloud.” The folks at Zoho have created a HUGE suite of applications that well… all work! Writing, Spreadsheet, Presentations, wikis, project management, databases, an online NOTEBOOK and much more. The biggest reason that I really am taken with Zoho is both the integration of their tool set as well as their focus on collaboration. Additionally, they are continuously expanding their offerings. Did I mention that all of their apps are FREE!

RSS Aggregator (reader):

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a tremendous way to simplify your processes in searching and gathering information. In short, once a “feed” is setup, information comes to you as opposed to you hunting for it. My choice of RSS Reader is NewsGator. With NewsGator is pull in news stories from around the world as well as educational and instructional blogs. Additionally, most magazine type services (and all search engines) have RSS feeds embeded into their sites that you can tap into. This type is resource allows you to become a “grazer” of information as opposed to a hunter of information. One of my main criteria for an RSS aggregator was that it would function both online and via a mobile device. The majority of time I access NewsGator through my Motorola Q Global via NewsGator Go!. Additionally, NewsGator allows me to “Clip” a post or piece of information that I find valuable and save it permanently. This is huge as it keeps me from having to use an additional service like Furl for that purpose.

Bookmarking:

I have used Del.icio.us for about a year, and have been very happy ALWAYS having access to my bookmarks and important links. Additionally, with del.icio.us’ use of tagging, I don’t really have to remember the exact name for resources … just a “category” or idea that I have “tagged” the site link with, and poof it is there… even better, I can pull ALL the resources I have tagged with a certain word at one time… and I can share them, and receive links from others in my personal network. The idea of social bookmarking is not new (we have all shared bookmarks and links with friends in the paper world… del.icio.us brings speed and efficiency to this process. Lee Lefever has a great video that explains social bookmarking well.

Recently there has been a TON of twitter traffic about Diigo. While I have not used it at all, I am beginning to investigate it and its possible uses. Kristin Hokanson wrote an excellent blog post called Dig-ging… Diigo today about the power and value of Diigo which provides compelling reasons to switch and consolidate a number of resources to Diigo… Here is a link to my new Diigo profile.

Photo Sharing:

I absolutely LOVE Flickr! Flickr like others allows anyone to upload photo and share them with family, friends, and or the world. I use the camera in my Motorola Q Global daily, and mms my photos immediately to flickr (and a number of other folks) through my phone. This way my family around the world can see my kids and the things I am getting involved in well… daily! My flickr account is even linked to my blog… look to the left to see what pictures I took today

NoteBook:

If you have used Microsoft OneNote, or have wished that you could move ANY type of information into a digital notebook that you can annotate, enhance, or share, you really need to look at Zoho Notebook. Think of it as a digital three-ring binder that you can put ANY information, resource, tool (live or static) into. You can then collaborate with other on it, or share the entire notebook, a page, or even an object with anyone! You can even publish it for the world to see. Here are a couple of examples from notes that I took during a conference sessions at IL-TCE 2008. Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 (Example 3 shows quite a bit of the capabilities of Zoho Notebook).

This post has grown exceeding long and I an exceedingly tired… If you have thoughts or comments, I am welcome to all views!

Scott

Photos from Flickr: Dazed81, just Mike is fine and Lady Ying