Handy iMovie Trick

After wondering why videos I imported into my iPad via iTunes weren't editable in iMovie (iPad version), I decided to do some research into the matter.

Only video that is encoded as 720p (30 fps) can be edited in iMovie. So a way to ensure that video you import to your iPad will be editable in iMovies, do the following.

First, open iMovie on your Mac.

Next add the video you want to be editable in iMovie on iPad. Then in the "Share" menu, select "Export Movie" and choose "HD 720p" as your export option.

Finally open iPhoto and import your videos in it. After doing a sync in iTunes, open iMovie on your iPad and you'll find the videos you just imported!

Happy editing!

Why I hate Disqus

What I hate about Disqus is that it's very limited on mobile devices, like the iPad. It doesn't let you post using a Twitter or Facebook account, like you can on a regular computer. They want you to use a special Disqus account on mobile devices, and I don't think that's right. The purpose of Disqus commenting on websites is to end the need for multiple accounts, however requiring people to make a Disqus account defeats the purpose of Disqus. I always use my Twitter account when on websit that make use of Disqus commenting, however I am unable to when on a mobile device. One of the benefits of Disqus is that all your activity is logged, so others can see a list of the websites I commented at and how often. However, if I was to make a Disqus account, would it have the comment log my Twitter account (via Disqus) has? I won't make a Disqus account, so I have no way of knowing for sure, but I doubt it. It is beyond me, why Disqus doesn't give you the same options on mobile devices, that they give you on desktop or laptop computers.

Facebook blocking iOS devices from Chat?

As some people are aware of, Facebook doesn't have an official iPad app because Mark Zuckerberg doesn't think it's needed. Which means there are only two solutions, either use the Facebook website via iPad, or use one of the 3rd-party Facebook apps (which in my opinion, all have horrible user interfaces).

The problem with using the Facebook website on your iPad, is that you can't chat!  Pictured below is Facebook via both the default Safari and Atomic Web Browser (99¢ in iTunes App Store).

However, one of the great things about Atomic, is that you can change the User Agent (identify it as a different browser). When I change the UA in Atomic to identify it as a Desktop browser, rather than an iPad browser, you see pictured below that Chat on Facebook does indeed work.

This proves that the lack on Facebook Chat on the iPad is not a limitation of the device, it is Facebook blocking access from the device itself. What is confusing, is that if Mr. Zuckerberg is going to block access, why not make an official iPad app?

Flipboard

Being someone that likes to keep up with what's going on in the world. My first mission after receiving the iPad 2 in the mail, was to replace my iPhone-only news apps with their iPad counterparts; NYTimes, BBC News, CNN, etc. One of the apps I found most useful is Flipboard. Being an iPad-only app, I've never had a chance to experience Flipboard before, despite hearing of it previously.

Besides grabbing tweets from people you follow, Flipboard will also let you follow anything that has an RSS feed. It takes those feeds and puts them together in a magazine-style format for easy reading. I found it especially pleasurable that I could catch up on all the latest news from TreeHugger.com using the simple magazine style of Flipboard.

If you own an iPad, give Flipboard a try. You might just fall in love with it, the way I have.

Considering donating to the Red Cross? Read this first!

Please, if you want to help the victims of Japan, that's great, but don't just blindly send your money to the Red Cross because that seems like the thing to do.

The Red Cross supports animal research; by giving them money you are supporting it too.

If you want to help, there are countless other organizations that you can send money to who are truly compassionate to ALL life and do not fund animal experiments.

You are not helping if you're going to support the senseless murder of one living being to help another.

Please be mindful of your actions and the effect they will have.

Beware of SF Planet

S&F Corporation A.K.A. SF Planet is a merchant on Amazon.com. Last week I purchased a webcam from them, it arrived on Monday. The camera was a knock off from China, not only was it not the name brand I purchased, it didn't even work! It was of flimsy constriction and wasn't detected by my computer.

I was shocked to find out that SF Planet would sell counterfeit products on Amazon, but apparently they do. I have since contacted Amazon, and straightened the mess out. They emailed me a return shipping label, and I returned the package. According to the tracking number they supplied me with, it should arrive to Amazon by tomorrow, at which time they will refund me.

This is a warning to anyone who is considering buying something from SF Planet (S&F Corporation), look elsewhere on Amazon. It's always a gamble when buying from a 3rd party merchant, which is why I prefer to buy directly from Amazon, however sometimes they don't sell what I need. Hopefully this information helps out others that are considering purchase on Amazon.com.