GOD Blesses through, Chess

Hands Helping Hands

I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a team building exercise where we built a prosthetic hand for someone needing a hand. This helped me realize the world is bigger than me, not bigger than us helping each other. If you would like to find out more about this organization here is the website is http://odysseyteams.com/team-building/helping-hands.

J Dilla "Life"

Hip Hop Music is Jazz Music. Listen. Enjoy.

Young Artists

The Matrix

Ours is not a physical battle, but a spiritual battle. Remember JESUS rebuked the Devil with the WORD (Scriptures from the Holy Bible).

A new Film entitled "Red" produced by Neil Williams

Fund San Diego Films!

My Hackathon Movie Pre-Trailer

ONE LAST SPIN…ONE LAST SPIN…ONE LAST SPIN

VIDEO GRAFFITI my hip-hop video jockey passion for the last seven years comes to an end. Most of you have never seen my hip-hop videos mixes, and some never will (since I took most of them offline).  I had a blast making them. All of them were produced live in time, except for the ones that were edited. I made over 500 mixes, and put about 50 online on our youtube channel. The thing I loved most is having a place to showcase my work that began back in the early 90’s. As a kid I would stay up late at night and watch Night Flight on USA Network (mid 80’s). They showcased all types of weird videos from around the world. I was hooked. When I began djing, I always had trouble visualizing the beat, or even hearing the break, but when I was able to put the visual music up on two platters I instantly got it.  I loved the application virtual dj, this opened up worlds to me. Before I got down with virtual DJ, I was mixing videos live with two vcrs, and a remote control. I would record the video one-day, then wait for the next day, and remix and record over the break in the songs.  Ah, those were the days.

            I am not giving up my vj passion, just switching lanes. Now I will capture my own videos, and mix them with stock footage and beats I produce, or over my favorite beats by other producers. I have to admit; I am still very salty about youtube banning me way back in 06-07 era. Back then they were catching a lot of slack from time warner over copyright infringement, so I got the boot for remixing videos. I am the reason till this day, that you cannot register the name ‘ksmoothe’ on youtube. But the real reason I am salty is because less than a year later they introduced a platform to encourage people to mix videos from different channels on youtube (mashups, anybody?) Oh, well. I am going the European route and getting my set ready for trance clubs, and the like. Hey, I like to travel and make money, udig. But the artist in me will always make weird videos, and statements just like I admired while watching Night Flight all those years ago.  So check into the Video Graffiti channel on youtube, to catch the new magic. Thanks.

Rap Business, why lyrics matter!

Marc Andreessen – Why Andreessen Horowitz Is Investing in Rap Genius Lyrics

Filmmakers: Is A Theatrical Release Still Essential, Or Will VOD/Digital Distribution Suffice? | Shadow and Act

Filmmakers: Is A Theatrical Release Still Essential, Or Will VOD/Digital Distribution Suffice? | Shadow and Act

CNN Announces CNN Films; First Documentary Features Streep, Hathaway (Video)

CNN Announces CNN Films; First Documentary Features Streep, Hathaway (Video)

Baldies Rule!

A wall Street Journal Article says Men with balds heads are perceived as better leaders. Just saying... Watch Video below

I want Brains..but remember to floss!

Nice giveaway promotion before Halloween. Follow the link for more.

http://www.stopzombiemouth.com/

Lights, Camera...Hey where's the slate?

Okay, here's a film maker's app that I think is very cool. Sync Slate - basically a smartphone/tablet slate for in the field movie shooting. I like the functions of this app. Not recommending this app, but I think the slate apps are very cool. The  major thing I would change in the app is a louder clapper/sync sound noise. I haven't used Sync Slate in the field yet, but I plan to this weekend. I will post a video to let you see how this works. Go to Google Play, or Apple's App store to check out other movie apps.

Sync Slate

Jazz is Hip Hop; Hip Hop is Jazz

Black Super Heroes Documentary

LeSean Thomas TED Talk

Wyclef book; CNN Radio interview

Excuse Me Did You Say Something - Pitch

San Diego Filmmaker and Pitch Fest KPBS Video

San Diego Filmmakers Mixer and Pitchfest

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/sep/21/san-diego-filmmakers-hold-pitch-fest-and-mixer/

Beauty and The Beatbox

Slow Down

Slow Down
December 19, 2011

This post is really about tablets, and smart phones. I recently bought a Dell Streak 5 supersmartphonetablet (it deserves one word, okay). Mind you the, I bought the phone used in pristine condition (thanks, Gazelle) and have been a fan ever since. I read all the articles, for and against the Dell Streak 5. It’s too big for a phone, too small for a tablet, but just right for me. I’m an IT Analyst. I connect the dots. When I began to investigate the Dell Streak 5 I realized it fit my main criteria for technology devices that I recommend for corporations, universities, and personal use- it can do three separate things independently. I rarely buy any type of technology that can do only one thing, and that’s because intend to use things for at least five years to recoup my investment. Back to the Dell Streak 5. Presently the de facto screen size for most touchscreen smart phones is between 4 inches and 4. 5 inches, but the screen has five inches of screen real estate, nice. Now back to my point, the phone is over a year old and Dell has already discontinued it and its big brother the Dell Streak 7. The phone was clearly ahead of its time, but now other manufacturers are making supersmartphonetablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Note (5.3 inch screen). And the public? Well the smart phone market is really dominated by high spending geeks, and not mass consumers. So why does this matter? It matters because since the VCR ( most people still do not know how to program a VCR) people have never really caught up with technology, and there comes a time and point where they cross axis points and technology begins to control people and instead of the other way around. I know this sounds far fetched, but if the masses of people do not know how to operate technology and the technology is doing all the work, well you figure it out. To me the really first  US Smartphone was the Palm Treo (RIP Palm). It was a handheld computer that made phone calls with Windows Mobile 5.0 and 6.0. it totally operated as a handheld computer, I loved mine ( bought used of course). People are too quick to jump at the newest technology, buying in too quickly. Take a step back. Products are now being made that people will never see, because as soon as it is made, the next “new” one is made. These companies are actually shooting themselves in the foot, because at this pace, they will have to make more models in less quantity. Their engineers will be burnt out, and some items will be recycled before or if they are ever used. My advice, slow down.

VCR

VCR
December 19, 2011

12:00, blink, blink. I wish they still made new VCR, and you will too once they stop making dvd players, and stop installing dvd players burners into computers. I know, I know you have Tivo and a digital DVR. But soon there will be restrictions on all transmitted media from big media companies. And this is coming soon. What do you think SOPA is about? Media control. Look at the SOPA lobbyist. And as soon as they get there hands firmly on the internet, it’s a wrap. Oh, you are moving to the cloud in the sky? Go ahead, that’s what they want you to do. You are going to move your media to their servers, for your convenience? Explain that to me again, I don’t get it. Okay let me break it down, to you since it is broke.

1. take away free internet publishing/media distribution control
2. secure all media owned by public (cloud)
3. remove duplication ability
   4. make internet access free

I said this in an earlier post, the VCR was really an advanced piece of technology. I know a big analog tape recorder, but it worked. The VCR was capable of recording 6 hours on one tape in low quality ( low mpeg 4 anybody?), a dvd is capable of recording two hours. Have you noticed that some major computer manufacturers are making new desktop/laptops/tablets without dvd players? I know most tablets have an HDMI port -out, but not in. Some tablets have a DVR function, but most don’t. In the near future you will have to pay for all media you consume, thanks Sean Parker (napster revolution started all of this). I don’t have any beef with Mr. Parker, the man’s a genius, its the media. Basically in a nutshell, it’s the Empire Strikes Back and believe me the DeathStar (SOPA) is fully operational. 12:00 blink, blink.

Apps Vs. Applications

Apps Vs. Applications
June 2, 2011

As an Education Technologist, I am for anything that makes learning easier, except in the case where learning does not take place. Apps vs. Applications is a good staring point. I remember when the first iPhone came out way back in 2007 (lol) I was an early tester getting my hands on one a week before it hit the market place. I fell in love with the device immediately. It was a game changer. Nothing else like it existed in terms of design and functionality. Fast forward three short years, and now the market is flooded with similair devices running on Symbian, Android, and Windows. Each device and device maker wanting desparately to emulate the user experience of the iPhone, took two steps forward to take one giant step back. Now, first of all, I have to admit I am a techie so I am biased. Not all smartphone users are techies, and not all computer users are techies either. That’s why companies like Apple,  and Google are brilliant. They recognize the need for devices and software that runs on those devices, need to be “USER FRIENDLY” and not “TECHIE FRIENDLY”. The “USER” wants to do things (quickly), the “TECHIE” wants to do things, take things apart, and figure out how to make it do something else (hacking) and tell you about it (blogs). At first, I was all over Android and the marketplace, seeing what “apps” I can download to my tablet/smartphone. At first I could not understand why so many people felt there was a need to have so many “apps” on one device, then it hit me like a snowball to my noggin while day dreaming on Venice Beach.  Each App only has one function. What?! One function?! I am from the old school where you actually had to sit down in front of a computer for hours to learn a few functions of a Software “Application”. Think Photoshop, or After Effects. These Applications literally take years to learn, and probably very few people know how to do 90% of what either (don’t even try to think about it, you’ll get a headache) Application can do. I purposely avoided Photoshop for this very reason. I needed to use that time learning Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack Pro, shooting and lightning techniques. I gladly pay for Photoshop services, by the way I don’t change my own oil either, but I am very handy with a hammer, nails, paintbrush, and lawnmower, i digress. My point is this, the very notion of apps taking the place of various functionalities of certain application seems like a great idea on the surface. I know a few developers who love cashing those micro and macro checks monthly, but what about the people. What about the children. So see, one thing I noticed while working at Duke University with instructors and students is that everyone was pressed for time. Everyone is overbooked with activities, classwork, and ambitions. I would often go into a class to teach an application, only to have to go back three weeks later and teach it again. Why? Not because the students weren’t paying attention, but not because they were not interested or apathic. Nope. They weren’t paying attention because they couldn’t afford to invest that much time learning something that they could not use right now to do something that is due a month from now. They were overbooked, and needed to learn something to help them with the work that was due yesterday. That’s why I would go back three weeks later, and do it all over again, in some cases. The learning needed to be taught closer to the time they were going to do their project if they were going to invest time learning something new. And even in those cases, they just wanted to know the basics to get their project done. I can empahtize. Back to Apps. No learning curve, it does what it does, right here, right now. No bells no whistles (maybe a few beeps) but what you see (app title) is what you get. Now this is great right? Nope. Where is the learning? I mean using an app is like using a microwave oven. But when you use an Application you are learning a skill. If we produce a generation of young people who are App heavy and Application light, their collective synapes will collasece into instant brain potatoes ( just add water for brain to raise). Yeah, everyone is happy, but ignorance isn’t bliss. And now computer compaines are actually calling for the demise of the PC, personal computer, because of the way people now use computer apps. That’s a little scary to me. I want my airplane pilot to know how to fly a plane, and not operate some apps to get me off the ground and back down again. What happens when the Apps fail? What happens when the apps fail? Will students, teachers, and the everyday user now how to correct the problem (creative problem solving is the heart and function of most application learning), or will they just call the help desk and ask for the App for that? That’s the problem. Apps are creeping into our everyday life. To put this into prespective. There once was a time in America when EVERYONE knew how to do something: build a house, sew clothes, make candles, grow food, shoe a horse, raise livestock, teach, etc, etc. Now if you know someone who has any of those latter skills, its called a hobby, and not what it used to be...a trade. Get my drift. Mass production, lead to mass retail, lead to mass consumption. We have the things we used to have...except the individual skills to make things.  So are Apps the impending doom to our world? Of course not. I don’t know the future, but I’m sure someone will invent am app for that.