MacMeetings

Google StreetView

2008-08-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

Google StreetView has been a peculiar bird since its inception earlier this century. It’s been blamed for voyeurism, the trampling of privacy rights, and other infractions, but then again it’s also been known to capture a few nose pickers or two—so it’s a wash as far as I’m concerned. Today, we received word it has some hot new imagery on its hands, literally. As in, this burning house on Eagle Point Drive in sunny Sherwood, Arkansas.

Gizmodo source article here.

Photomatix and HDR Imaging

2008-07-22T21:34:00.000-07:00

If you've ever photographed a high contrast scene, you know that even the best exposure will typically have blown out highlights and flat shadows. Photomatix is an editing program that offers two ways to solve this problem:

›	Exposure Blending: Merge differently exposed photographs into one image with increased dynamic range.
›	Tone Mapping: Reveal highlight and shadow details in an HDR image created from multiple exposures. The tone mapped image is ready for printing while showing the complete dynamic range captured.

We'll go over High Dynamic Range imaging (HDRi) in detail in our next iPhotography meeting, but give yourself a head start. Check out Photomatix at http://www.hdrsoft.com

Images 1-3 were captured with a technique called Auto Exposure Bracketing, which is important for creating HDR images.

Podcasts

2008-07-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

If your iTunes library only contains music, consider a change of pace. Listening to podcasts can be both fun and informative, and there are literally tens of thousands of them to choose from. Pick a subject you're interested in, and I'm almost positive you'll be able to find a podcast devoted to it. You can subscribe to a podcast from the podcast's homepage online or through iTunes, which is the most popular podcasting client. iTunes will automatically download episodes of podcasts you subscribe to when they are released. Most podcasts air weekly or monthly, and some podcasts are video podcasts.

I listen to podcasts the most when I'm in line at Wal-Mart or stuck in traffic. If you don't have an iPod, consider getting one, because they do more than just play music.

Podcast I recommend for Mac Users:

Want iChat with tabs? Try Chax!

2008-07-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

Chax is a collection of minor modifications and additions that make using Apple's iChat more enjoyable. The tabbed interface allows you to chat with multiple users, minus a clutter of chat windows. Other features allow you to:

Auto-accept file transfers, AV chats, and screen sharing requests
Set font of names, status messages, and group separators
Automatically resize the contact list to fit the number of visible users
Toggle text status visibility of users
Show status changes directly in the message window
Additional unread message notifications in the Dock
Automatically go away when the screensaver activates
...And several others!!

Chax is donationware software with versions capable of running on machines operating Leopard and Tiger.

Much a Do About Podcasts!

2008-05-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

So first and fore most anyone who doesn't know about podcasts is really missing out! Some people may just think podcasts are just bored 14 year old boys video taping themselves acting stupid and telling ninja jokes..... well you half right just joking. Podcasts are actually very diverse an have many different categories. There are podcasts that are just dedicated to debating politics, interviewing new musicians, helping you learn foreign languages, and even tips about money. Don't let the vast categories of podcasts fool you they also have the most important thing to talk about your Mac. Itunes features podcasts that have Mac tips and that speak about new software updates.

2008-05-16T19:59:00.000-07:00

South Louisiana Final Cut Pro User Group is coming to Lafayette.

SLFCPUG.org will be headed to Lafayette May 29th and will be held @

SLCC off of Bertrand. MacMeetings will be teaming up with Ben Balser

to help open up a chapter of his Pro USer Group in town. Admission and

Membership is absolutely free, so tell all your firends

2008-05-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

We're Back... Kinda sorta. We are trying to host the blog away from the actual site, to be able to have everyone edit and add post, it's a work in progress so we'll see what happens