551.5 Weather iMovie: Another Adventure with My MAC

I had an opportunity to work with iMovie and have some expert help around while I doing it. I used an idea from D#1 as inspiration for the project. It isn't the best example, but did allow me to start understanding the process. Although it is more intense than PhotoStory, it helped that I had experience with the Microsoft product.

I was able to import a series of images from several sources and add sound effects and music from iTunes to fill out the project. Nope, no voice over yet...time ran out. Yes, I know I have said I don't like to record, but this time I really was going to do some, but the unit will be over if I take anymore time with this...and I have another much more important project to create. So voice-over will have to come later.

I did save the project several ways so that it could be played in on a MAC or PC or directly from my channel on YouTube. Again for practice. Also the reason for adding it to my blog...practice, practice, practice!

One thing I did notice...when saving images, save them at the largest file possible. I usually save Flickr CC images at medium size or around 500 psi, but I noticed some of these images were blurry when I viewed it in full screen. So I will check that out on the next one I do.

Enjoy!

P.S. If you have suggestions for better productions, please share.

UPDATE: I took the YouTube version down becasue too much was cut off on the right side...and this version, an mp4 upload makes it hard to read some text...o, well...I'll do better next time!

004.165 MacBook Pro: Grab That Screen Shot

Slowly, but surely, I am getting more comfortable with MY fabulous MacBook Pro...I have spent one session at the Genius Bar (needless to say I was NOT the genius in the conversation) and got to spend two days with a Mac trainer trying to absorb as much as possible and remember as much as I could on how the Mac acts differently from the PC.

I have trouble with the smallest, most insignificant things with technology quite often and I continue to be flummoxed by the smallest details of  the Mac as well. Thought I would go out of my mind trying to easily copy URLs...duh, 1, 2, 3 clicks, command-copy!

Ok, now to the main purpose of this post. You know HOW much I love to use screen shots and how fun I think it is that on a Mac, you actually get to hear the camera "click!" In case you are missing the screen shot key from the PC keyboard, on the Mac it is command-control-3.

BUT if you really intend to use the screen shot, that is a whole 

other story! After piling up a bunch of junk on my pretty, clean desktop that were totally useless (on several occasions), I FINALLY clicked Help tonight and read about GRAB...an application that allows you to select the portion of the screen you want before clicking and allows you to save your shot in the format of your choice in iPhoto.

So ridiculously E-A-S-Y! Why do I insist on making things difficult? Help is on a computer for a reason!

GRAB is now is now a permanent resident of my Dock.

004.165 Shouting from the Rooftops: I Have a MAC!!

Yippy skippy! Good things DO come to those who wait...can't help it...I have a brand new sleek, slick, shiny new MacBook Pro with ( yes, screen envy made me do it)... a S-E-V-E-N-T-E-E-N INCH screen!

Just look at how beautiful this desktop is. One reason is it is clean...new computers are just so clean aren't they?  And second reason...the picture is gorgeous...many in my circle will understand the significance of the view! 

I will admit I do miss the adobe/little blue window/chili pepper desktop of my old PC, but not all the PC drama! It has been a long, often painful wait to come back to Mac. 

Can't help it, it's cool. My NECC adventure last summer...when virtually all the cool people people doing the coolest things were ALL doing them on Macs...it sealed the deal...and dropping my PC during my post-IKE move last September didn't hurt...hummmm, did you say subconscious "accident"...just now thought of that. No, I really did just now think about that!

The trash can is in the lower right corner where all good trash cans should be...and it is a cute little silver mesh one...and when you throw something away...you hear the crumbling of the paper. But the best...screen shots...yup, you hear the little camera click!!

and look at the cute little stickies

Yes, I know simple pleasures...

but I don't care...it's mine and I get to play with it all I want! And I intend to have a lot of fun!