Friday, 30 August 2013

What I'm running on my Android, take 2

I previously blogged about this when I got my first Android back in 2010, the HTC Desire, which was the first Android smartphone. Best phone I'd ever had... until I got my current one! I've been meaning to update this for a while because a few friends have gone Android, so here goes.

The current list isn't much different from the old one. Most changes are either because newer apps came out that did the job better, or the new phone/new Android version includes those things by default so I don't need to install them any more. I won't link them all but if you search Google Play you'll be able to find them pretty easily:
  • The very first thing you absolutely should get is Swype. Trust me, it will change your life. :) Instead of poking/tapping away at that tiny little keyboard - Swype. Awesome. If you have a Samsung it may already be installed on your phone but you might need to set it as the default keyboard. If it's not installed, try searching for the trial version first but honestly... it will be the best 99c you spend today.
  • All the default "social" apps such as Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Flickr, Instagram, Blogger, Pinterest, etc.
  • TweetCaster for Twitter - I find this much better than the default Twitter app.
  • ColorNote Notepad Notes for quick on-the-spot notes (still can't find anything to sync with Outlook Notes though)
  • Dropbox (share files betwen PC and phone)
  • Springpad - I moved all my Outlook Tasks & Notes here after I gave up trying to find a way to sync them from Outlook to Android. Microsoft and Google just flat-out refuse to play ball. (You may prefer Evernote which is the most popular app in this area, but I wanted something I could access without a data connection and Evernote makes you pay for that privilege). I go by the idea that Dropbox is for file sharing, Springpad is for notes/list sharing. My husband and I have a couple of shared folders which is really useful.
  • ES File Explorer (I used to use OI File Manager which is also good but this one includes Dropbox etc.)
  • KeePassDroid (also install KeePass on PC, data file in Dropbox - always up-to-date password manager *wheee* geek-heaven!)
  • Key Ring (let's you store all those store cards)
  • Moon+ Reader - the best ebook reader I've found, it reads just about every file format.
  • QuickPic - I like this better than the standard Android Gallery, it's faster.
  • Silent Time Lite - lets you configure the phone to automatically go to Silent mode at certain times - I have a "Night" event which makes it all go silent at 9pm each night.There are a bunch of different ways to achieve this functionality now but I've had this one since 2010 so.. why change? :/
  • SMS Backup+ - love this, and you can't do this on an iPhone. Sends a copy of every SMS you send/receive to your email.
  • Weather Australia and Aussie Weather Radar - useful when at the footy to see if rain is coming!
  • A bunch of system apps including Advanced Task Killer, Clean Master, Juice Defender (helps manage battery life, although Android Jelly Bean includes this functionality), MyBackupPro (worth paying for, especially if you've rooted your phone, it backs up EVERYTHING - still backs up a lot if you haven't rooted).
  • Chrome and Firefox, still not sure which one I prefer, syncing bookmarks from my desktop PC isn't seamless in either.
  • Multimedia-style apps such as Shazam (must-have), HoytsAU, Foxtel Guide (handy if you have IQ and want to record something when you're out), etc..
  • Footy-related apps - AFL, Hawthorn, footytips.
  • Travel-related apps - Train Trapper (for Melbourne trains) - I personally think it's better than the official Metlink app,TripCase - my husband and I both use this for travel itineraries, an app called Airport to look up flight times, etc.
  • Google Translate - very useful on my recent South American trip.
  • TunnelBear (also have this on my PC) - free VPN, 500Mb data per month, you can pay for more.
  • eBay, Gumtree, Amazon AppStore (for the things you can't get in Google Play), a bunch of games and a bunch of other stuff I won't bother listing because it's not that interesting. :)
What apps are your must-haves? I'm always looking for new ideas :)

Edit 17-Sep-2013:
  • iSyncr - syncs your music, playlists, etc. from iTunes onto your Android device. I'm watching my favourite iTunes playlists sync via WiFi as I type! There's a trial version which lasts for 14 days and lets you sync up to 100 songs per playlist, and then it's US$3.99 to buy a full version. "Awesome" doesn't even start to cover this!

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Thursday, 29 August 2013

MMC140 Digital Imaging with Photoshop - Week 1

Time to dive back into study, which is a little daunting given the last unit I completed was NET205 in SP2 2012. I had a choice between a 3rd year core subject or my first elective so I thought it was wiser to ease back in with something completely different to the last (failed) attempt. Hence - MMC140 Digital Imaging with Photoshop.

The first paragraph of the Unit Guide states:

This Unit is not about learning PhotoShop – it’s about learning to use it effectively.
The software is just a tool. Although this Unit will teach you a range of very effective software skills and techniques, this in itself is not enough to use the Photoshop effectively.
You will not find an ‘Idea’ button anywhere in PhotoShop. People do ideas – not computers. Photoshop will not make suggestions on how you compose an image or choose colours etc. It only provides the tools that allow you to do it.
To use PhotoShop effectively requires the development of a range of noncomputer skills. You need to understand how images work within cultural and aesthetic contexts. You will learn to construct your own imagery more effectively via the research and analysis component of your projects. This will lead you to conceptual and stylistic insights that, in conjunction with advanced software techniques, will advance your visual art and design practices.


I'm actually a bit hyped about all this as I'm a self-taught Photoshopper - I know what I like but I don't have any real technical reasons why it should be that way, so I'm hoping this will fill in some gaps for me.

Week 1 is usually fairly low-key, introducing yourself and getting started. Our task this week was to create some unique images using the Photoshop techniques demonstrated in the tutorial. Here's what I came up with:

My first attempt looked a little alien-like - clearly been watching too much sci-fi lately!:
For attempt #2 I decided to try for an abstract butterfly... which unfortunately ended up looking a lot like Rice Bubbles!
I liked the background so I kept that and re-did my butterfly, changed the colours up a bit and I'm a lot happier with this version:


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Friday, 23 August 2013

Today is Daffodil Day..

Today is Daffodil Day. A day of reflection for me, remembering my Dad and Opa. You can help Cancer Council grow hope for a cancer-free future by donating online http://daffodilday.com.au/ or buying our wonderful merchandise being sold at sites across Australia.
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Thursday, 22 August 2013

Thursday, 8 August 2013

My 9yo's "Young Impressionist" effort

My daughter's effort for the Grade 3/4 Young Impressionists art exhibit. Impressive, yes? :)
Grade 3/4 Young Impressionists art exhibit #school
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