Moving Across
I still like my blog page here for nostalgic reasons, but by now I have pretty much moved most things over here to Google Plus.
Cloud file storage and syncing
I never thought I would actually get enthusiastic about online cloud file syncing. I always thought that something like Dropbox with a simple shared folder is all there is. But SugarSync is really so much more. You can remote-access files and folders on different computers and devices (this can but doesn't have to be synced to other computers), there's an unsynced web drive for backup purposes, syncing can exclude subfolders which can be useful for e.g. programming projects with a build folder, etc. Files are versioned, you have a trash folder, good mobile apps and syncing, and also a good web interface, music streaming, easy sharing of folders and files, syncing happens over a secure connection and close to real-time and is only delayed by your connection speed. The free version is limited to 5GB (plus extra space for completing some tasks) but has all features enabled. More space is available with one of the pricing plans. After a week or so of using the free version I got an offer for half-price subscriptions, plus the first month of a paid plan is free. Overall, SugarSync wins hands down over Dropbox and most other services. From my research just SpiderOak seems another good alternative to me. I suspect that this and pricing models may change should Google actually release its long rumoured GDrive, we will see.
Anyway, for now I'm happy with SugarSync. I currently need some reliable cloud storage and sync system to work on a cross-platform project and to keep my backups.
If that's what you're looking for as well, then sign up to SugarSync using this link and get an extra 500MB on a free, or an extra 10GB on a paid account (yes, yes, I'll get the same extra space - that's a win-win, right?).
Cloud picture via explodingdog.com
Scribbler Too
(click here to see the large image)
Scribbler Too is quite an addictive online drawing tool. It does not draw straight lines; instead strokes connect to existing lines if they are in their influence area. Try it and you will see what I mean.
Interestingly this tool creates a new drawing experience. Instead of focusing on individual lines I drew my attention to the entire image and the relation of the lines. I was amazed at the results considering that I only used a mouse to draw (which with other drawing programs creates pretty bad scrawly images).
The influence of the lines on the brush behaviour is an interesting effect that really only works in a digital environment. Below are some more drawings that I made today.
Dipl-O-Matic
Just live: Dipl-O-Matic
This website records the progress of my Master of Art & Design Project at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand.
The website attempts to demonstrate the entire development of the project through notes, theoretical and practice-based means, contextual, theoretical and methodological research procedures, visual experiments, etc, up until the final practice result and exegesis.
The navigation is set up in form of a timeline that visually represents the progress of the project in different areas. Tags and categories allow deeper cross-linking and context-based structuring of the content.
For more information and a more detailed description please visit Dipl-O-Matic. The site will be updated frequently.
Zotero
I came across a really useful software today: Zotero.
It helps to collect, manage, cite, and share your research sources. Basically it's a Firefox browser addon that can store sources and make it easy to organise them. If you are looking for a book resource you can simply go and find it on e.g. Google Books, Amazon or many other pages and save the source with a single click. You can then easily cite and Zotero creates the bibliography with your desired bibliography style. It's as simple as drag and drop and it works across many different applications.
There are also Zotero plugins for Word and Open Office.
The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello
A fantastic silhouette-style steampunk animation by Antony Lucas. In terms of the visual style of the animation I really like the fusion of 2d and 'unobtrusive' 3d style. It reflects the theme of the futuristic yet nostalgic and mechanical world of Jasper Morello in an ideal way.
It's quite an inspiration for my Postgraduate studies (towards a Master of Art & Design) that I started last week. Actually the mechanical ideas blend in well with my current story idea that I've been carrying around with me since end of 2008 (and which due to an incredible lack of time is still far from complete).
Lucas' animation was nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA award in 2006.
I luckily discovered it through ARDEN, the Postgraduate Research Community of the School of Art & Design, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
Yet Moving
Actually I did find the time and updated this website to the latest stable version of Silverstripe which was smoother than expected.
Moving
I've moved this and a few other sites to a new server. It's probably about time to also update the content management system (CMS). This site runs on Silverstripe which is still an amazing CMS, but more up-to-date versions are much better on the resources (especially on memory) and have many other improvements. Plus I'm much more familiar with the system now. So if I find the time...
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