Cross-Platform Collaboration With OpenHuddle.com
The problem with many modern-day collaboration applications is that they tend to centre their functionality around their home operating system. Instant messaging clients may let you chat and share files with groups of other users, but what happens if the messaging client that your Windows friends use doesn’t get along with the client your Mac and Linux friends favour? With the explosion of web-based applications popping up these days, it’s no surprise that a solution to this little problem has recently appeared in the form of OpenHuddle.com
Screenflick: The New Screencast
These days there are so many Screencasts for Mac. There are also a ton of tools to do Screencasts for Mac. Today I am going to be talking about a very popular one called Screenflick. A while back, our own Daniel Greg did a review of Screencast. Since then, they have changed the name to Screenflick, and added many new features.
The Complete List of iTunes Controllers
If you’re using Apple’s latest keyboard, released in August, or if you’re fortunate enough to have a MacBook Air, you’re already enjoying the benefits of dedicated iTunes keyboard buttons.
However, not everyone is so lucky, which is probably why iTunes controller applications are so popular and plentiful.
An iTunes controller is a companion to Apple’s jukebox that allows you to play, pause, skip between tracks and adjust volume using either keyboard shortcuts or buttons in the menu bar. As more people listen to music while surfing the web, with a recent survey by Olswang finding about one in five computer users listen to music on their computers daily, there’s a big market for these apps.
ProfCast: Record and Publish Lectures as Podcasts
As businesses and schools move more and more into the digital age, presentations and lectures are more commonly being recorded and stored electronically for future use.
I personally attend many presentations at work where someone is at the back of the room with a video camera running to capture the presenter, his/her presentation on the overhead and the delivery that goes with it.
While this adds immense value for reuse of the presentation, the quality is often poor, and in many cases, the presentation itself is illegible. ProfCast, from Humble Daisy, is a great application for capturing live presentation content and audio in a format that can be easily published and distributed via a number of open channels.
ProfCast is able to record either PowerPoint or Keynote presentations in-time with the presenters audio.
iShowU: Review and Giveaway
As rich media on the internet continues to evolve, text becomes a more mundane way of expressing yourself. This is where iShowU shines. iShowU is the easiest, and quickest way to record your screen, and share it with anyone around the world.
Video capturing applications have always been few and far between, because video is so much more complicated to deal with than still pictures. However, iShowU is able to overcome this difficulty, and provides a seamless experience for the user.
Screencast: Yet Another Screencasting App?
Screencasting is a growing phenomenon, with popular podcasts such as ScreenCastsOnline, and tutorial services like TeachMac being at its forefront. Due to their simplicity to put together and ease of how they convey information, many developers are now creating screencasts to show off their new applications.
Like so many other areas, screencasting is dominated by one or two apps (namely, iShowU and SnapZPro). I was therefore thrilled to see an announcement by the Araelium Group saying that they had developed an application to compete in this growing market.
Leopard Coverage: OS X Server in Brief
The all-new big cat is in the wild, but it has a rarer Big-Brother that hasn’t received so much publicity. This is the new Leopard Server.
So what’s new? Well, quite a lot really. There are some special features; however, they are installed alongside some tools to make it an extremely easy server to setup.
Apple is calling it ‘The World’s Easiest Server‘ and claiming that no IT department is required. This could be a huge selling point, as most day to day tasks can be done from within one window: Server Preferences. Just like System Preferences in Desktop OS X, you can change users, setup and configure services available on the network, as well as see different information about what the server is doing.
WireTap Studio: Interview With Andrew Welch of Ambrosia SW
WireTap Studio is being released to the world next week and I was lucky enough to speak with Andrew Welch to find out about all the new features in WireTap Studio and how Ambrosia went about incorporating them into the app. We also learn how Ambrosia Software began developing audio software and of some new features in Ambrosia’s upcoming programs. Don’t nod off because at the end of the interview Andrew leaves a surprise gift for one lucky MacApper reader.
First off, thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with us.
SRS iWow: Indulge your Ears
While Apple laptops have better speakers than most laptops, they could still use some help. Even most external powered speakers could use some improvement. The SRS iWow plugin for iTunes from SRS Labs can make your built-in speakers sound good or your good speakers sound great. The plugin uses SRS Labs’ technology to “provide amazing audio immersion and maximum thump for a personalized audio experience.”
SRS iWow is a plugin for iTunes and is powered by Rouge Amoeba’s iTunes Enhancer technology. After installing the SRS iWow plugin, its window opens up when you open iTunes. You have the option of keeping it open or closing it (which reduces its already low processor load).
SoundSource: Simplify Your Audio Interface
If you’ve ever tried your hand at podcasting, you’ve undoubtedly been through your share of frustration with microphones, sound settings, recording applications, and Skype dropped calls. Well I can’t solve all your problems right here, but I think I can help with one.
SoundSource is a freeware app from the great developers at Rogue Amoeba. Quite simply, SoundSource sits on your toolbar at the top right of your screen, and allows you to switch between different audio input and output devices. It may seem unnecessary, but after trying to dig through numerous system preference menus just to switch between your built in mic and usb headset, SoundSource is a welcome simplification of the process. SoundSource is available from Rogue Amoeba for free.
