Category Archives: Computing

Sherry Turkle: Connected, but alone?

Posted on March 27, 2013 by macca

As we expect more from technology, do we expect less from each other? Sherry Turkle studies how our devices and online personas are redefining human connection and communication – and asks us to think deeply about the new kinds of … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Computing, Data, Education, Family and Friends, Media, People, Resilience, Social Media, Sustainability, Telecommunications, The web | Comments Off

The chopper and the cat – Layering the detail

Posted on December 8, 2012 by macca

I’ve used three different brush sizes in JixiPix Portrait Painter – and three layers in Photoshop – to achieve my artistic ends with this beautifully customised chopper. Click on the image to view a larger version. The finest brush was … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple Mac, Art, Computing, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photoshop, Special Effects | Comments Off

Using JixiPix Portrait Painter & Adobe Photoshop for portraits

Posted on December 7, 2012 by macca

JixiPix Portrait Painter is a Mac app that converts your photographs into artwork that shares many of the characteristics of painting and illustration. Here I’ve used the program’s controls to render out one image with very high detail and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple Mac, Art, Computing, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photoshop, Special Effects | Comments Off

Slow Burn

Posted on November 15, 2012 by macca

Ramp up the volume, music lovers! This continues my interest in MIDI to MP3 music conversion, right through to MP4 and QuickTime movie production, using GarageBand for the instrument selection and mixing. The visual element is supplied by the Visualizer … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple Mac, Computing, Music | Comments Off

First look: Portrait Painter from Jixipix Software

Posted on November 11, 2012 by macca

Portrait Painter is an application for Mac, iPad and iPhone whose author claims can “turn a picture into a finely painted gallery-style portrait”. At the price of USD$9.99 for Mac and USD$3.99 for iPad and iPhone, it is certainly cheap … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Computing, Graphic Design, Illustration, Special Effects | Comments Off

Gen X & Y: Suffering a Narcissism Epidemic?

Posted on November 4, 2012 by macca

Poor attention span. Lack of concentration. Poor writing skills and dysfunctional spelling. You’ll find these problems – and many more – amongst the kids of Gen X & Y, and that curious planet populated by the “digital natives”. Digital technology … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Comprehension, Computing, Data, Education, Media, Politics, Science, Social Media, Telecommunications, The web | Comments Off

Apple drops CD/DVD drive in new “slim” iMacs

Posted on October 25, 2012 by macca

Most of the desktop publishers, photographers, designers and web designers working on the Mac are not going to be particularly impressed by Apple’s move to drop the CD/DVD drive in the new “slim” iMacs. Personally, I think Apple is starting … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple Mac, Computing, Data, Environment, Pollution, USA | Comments Off

The Julian Assange Show: Noam Chomsky and Tariq Ali

Posted on October 23, 2012 by macca

Julian Assange interviews both Noam Chomsky and Tariq Ali on his short-lived TV Show on Russia Today. Mac laptop journalism from our embassy-bound wayward son; faked fairly badly in sections of the video. My favourite quotes are from Chomsky, commenting … Continue reading →

Posted in Computing, Data, Inequality, Media, Politics, Social Media, USA | Comments Off

Ex-Apple founder Wozniak to become Australian citizen

Posted on September 23, 2012 by macca

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer, was interviewed yesterday on Radio 4BC while purchasing his new iPhone 5 in Brisbane. During the interview he told listeners that he was in the process of applying for Australian citizenship. Have a listen: … Continue reading →

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Spammers flaunt their criminality on ABC TV

Posted on September 21, 2012 by macca

This is a very strange piece from Ticky Fullerton on the ABC’s The Business program. It’s been illegal in Australia to send unsolicited commercial electronic messages to consumers since 2004, yet here are a bunch of people admitting to it, … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Computing, Data, Government, Humour, Media, Politics, Social Media, SPAM, The web | Comments Off

Backing up your files

Posted on September 17, 2012 by macca

ABC Radio Local recently interviewed Mildura computer business owner Gerry Sturre on the issue of backup. As Gerry points out, many people rely upon CDs and DVDs for backup, hoping that what they have stored is safe, when it is … Continue reading →

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Government’s data storage plans to impact all Australians

Posted on September 5, 2012 by macca

From the ABC’s Lateline program: Data-retention plan likened to Gestapo tactics Critics of the Federal Government’s plan to store the internet and phone data of every Australian say it amounts to constant surveillance. Attorney-General Nicola Roxon yesterday announced the controversial … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Computing, Data, Government, Inequality, Law, Politics, The web | Comments Off