iTunes Apps Store Bargains!

With most Apps at 99 cents, every application at the Apps store is really a bargain! But, by checking out a number of websites and special apps, new, free, and discounted apps can be easily found.

I like and use:

http://appshopper.com/
http://www.appstoreapps.com/
AppMiner
PandoraBox

Anyone else have some suggestions?

Ron K

RSS Readers for the iPhone/iTouch

Looking for a RSS Reader for your iPhone/iTouch?

At least 4 Readers [Free & Pay] can be found on the iTunes App Store.

In February 2009, GearDiary did a review on the RSS Reader Google Sync

To find the different readers open up iTunes, scroll down and click on the Apps Store and then in the Search iTunes Store field at the upper right corner of the iTunes window enter RSS Reader and press the Enter/Return key. You will then have several applications you can review and try many free and many pay. If you are a heavy RSS Reader you might want to consider the paid apps as they are likely to be more robust and give you a better viewing experience. However, before you buy anything be sure to read the reviews.

If Google is your primary RSS Reader Account on your desk/laptop you might want to look at Ebisu Soft’s RSS Flash g application. Released June 15, 2009, this iPhone/iTouch RSS Reader allows you to pick up, on your portable device, where you left off reading on your computer. It will allow you to read offline as well. All you iTouch owners will be able to read those RSS feeds you've already downloaded offline when you don’t have a WiFi connection. RSS Flash g normally sells for $4.99, but is on sale for $2.99 on the App Store until June 30, 2009.

--Ben Romney

The iPod Touch as a Vibration Sensor

I've been experimenting with my noisy window air conditioner, trying to reduce vibration by adding supports and accoustic insulation.  I was looking for a better way to pinpoint from where on the chassis the vibrations were coming. PACS Windows SIG

Well... "There's an App for that!"

I knew my iPod Touch was a really neat gadget, but I never thought I'd be using it as a vibration monitor! 

If you have a Touch or an iPhone, check out the Apps Store for "iSeismometer" (Free) or, if you need more intricate data analysis, try iSeismograph ($.99).

Ron K

Have you ever gotten lost????

Take me to your car app will solve your problem.

Don't get frustrated when you can't find your car.
So many times we park and run whether it is to a movie, ballgame, or shopping.
This app will make your life easier. You just have to click the app after you park your car. Upon returning to the car, you click the app and it will guide you to the car.

June 20th meeting

June 20 th
Summer Wrap Up and
Things to Investigate over the Summer

(There will be tips & tricks, Q&A, HD follow-up,

iPhone/Touch info and apps, and things to look for over the Summer.

Come spend the morning with
Meeting: 9am-11:45
Every computer user welcome
Come and enjoy.......

Steve Zalot @ Macs@Pacs

Saturday May 16th 2009
Come to listen and learn with
Steve Zalot
Senior Apple Systems Engineer

From Macs@Pacs on the Web

Time: 9am to 11:45 am
Come early because seating may be limited.
New Location:
All meetings, unless otherwise noted are held at:

Community Center 2nd floor
Super Giant Food Store
315 York Road
Willow Grove PA. 19090

http://pacsnet.org/directions.php

Digital TV Myths Exposed

Digital TV Myths Exposed
with Dale Fletcher

The HDTV Myth (US only)
Is there such a thing and will we ever see it?
Will the Real HDTV please show up
HDTV, the good, The Bad, and the Really Bad�

image from Flick's Creative Commons Pool/ *USB*

Terry White @ Macs@Pacs

The iPhone Book by Scott Kelby and Terry White.
10-10:30 Live with Terry White from Adobe
He will talk about his iPhone book and share tips and tricks.


On his blog he presents an iPhone app of the week.
His url: http://terrywhite.com/techblog/

Terry has some favorite accessories check them out:
Terry's Fav iPhone Accessories
http://terrywhite.com/techblog/?page_id=928

Dave Marra presents at macs@pacs Feb 21st

February 21st
Dave Marra from Apple

Meeting will start promptly at 9am and end promptly at 11:45
Come see iLife'09 and iWork'09 Apple's newest tips, tools, and applications
Some really cool new ways to work with photographs and movies, etc.
A must see to believe!!!!
Come and enjoy
and
Have your wish list enlarged....... �

Amazing Cityscape Art Made from Unusual Objects

See San Francisco constructed out of Jello or cookware, Shanghai out of poker chips and dice, made-up cities created with bottles and food packaging, discarded circuit boards, machine parts, etc.
Oddly beautiful stuff.

http://www.neatorama.com/2009/01/06/amazing-cityscape-art-made-from-unusual-objects/

SamZ...Touch This

A contributor to our newsletter points out some interesting iPhone apps.

WiFinder
This app is very useful because it finds all near wifi signals. It finds a way other than going through the menus to find the wifi section, and it is a lot easier. You can also connect to the wifi signal right through this app. The only downside to it is that you can not refresh immediately. You have to wait for it to check all the signals and say if they are good or bad.

I like it, and its helpful plus its free!

SamZ...Touch This

A contributor to our newsletter points out some interesting iPhone apps.

Virtual Zippo Lighter
This is just a little app for when you are bored. You can customize the Zippo in various ways like changing the color of the Zippo, or adding one of the various designs. You can also write on a couple of the patterns. This app uses the accelerometer in your iPod/iPhone to flip open and close the Zippo. Overall I love this app since it is so much fun. And the best thing about, it is it's FREE!

Acronyms can be fun and frustrating when you don't know them...

Acronym Interaction, Expansion and Extrapolation Engine
by Lore Sjöberg http://www.brunching.com/acronymer.html

Tired of practicing your blank stares for when someone says they need a TCP/IP-based LAN set up and a USB-to-SCSI adapter ASAP? Do you wish you could throw around acronyms with that same casual attitude that pisses you off so much? Here's your chance. With this tool, you can enter any combination of letters you like (from 2 to 6) and we'll expand them into a handy, technical-sounding, completely made-up phrase that borders on the plausible.

So invent your own. Go to: http://www.brunching.com/acronymer.html

Acronyms can be fun...

Print 3D Buildings from Google Earth

SketchUp and 3D Printing the Disney Concert Hall - Sweet Onion Creations

Another company has come out with a solution for making 3D prints from Google Earth. This time the solution is actually based on SketchUp 3D models. The company is called Sweet Onion Creations, and they describe how to click on a 3D model seen in Google Earth (or any found in the Google 3D Warehouse) and using their "3D printing" service get back an actual physical model. Here's a video they've made showing how it works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLiReajlXrg

SlideShare...a great tools for user groups

SlideShare is a great tool for user group members to make slide presentations available to others. There is now a plug-in for Keynote as well as powerpoint.
Here is a video that shows how to upload a keynote presentation.

Upload Keynote to SlideShare

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: keynote slideshare)

MacGourmet Deluxe

Recipe & Wine management application from Mariner Software
http://www.marinersoftware.com/sitepage.php?page=130

Awaken your taste buds!!!!
Fine tune your dining experiences
with MacGourmet Deluxe

In today’s world, there are a vast number, and variety of restaurants to avail yourself of when deciding to dine out or dine in. However, if you choose to dine in then someone must decide what to cook? Do I have the ingredients? And most importantly, do I have enough time to prepare it?

Luckily, a solution is at hand with the application MacGourmet Deluxe. It is very easy to install and begin to include recipes from your collection as well as from other sources. New users will find a collection of recipes ready for them to use with the recipe manager (mac users think of it as your IT support for the kitchen). For those who must read a manual first (definitely not long time mac users) MacGourmet Deluxe comes with a manual on cd and a downloadable .pdf online. However, the user interface is so intuitive that most users will leave the manual to rest in peace. It is so enticing that I found myself inputing recipes before I even looked over the application. I might add that my family didn’t get a good meal that night because I couldn’t get my nose out of the computer. I also plan to take advantage of the fact that you can import from other programs such as MasterCook, MasterChef, and others. The application provides a recipe exchange forum where there is a wealth of information and additional services. In no time at all I found the recipes from a favorite mystery writer (Joanne Fluke) who includes some yummy recipes in each story. I’ve never had the time to type them out; but, I downloaded them from the forum and imported them in minutes. Every time I use it I find something new and inviting.

MacGourmet is versatile in appearances. The default view is MyRecipes; however, there are many other choices such as category, ingredients, meals, wine lists, and the left side column on the screen that works like an iTunes playlist. My favorite aspect of the program is that I can go into the menus and plan a meal with what I have available in the refrigerator or pantry. This comes in handy when you are late, tired and can’t think straight. It is so nice to have a helper think for you.

See the full review at:

http://pacsnet.org/groupsatpacs/mac/Reviews/macgourmet.html

My Clipmarks

My Clipmarks http://clipmarks.com/
What are you finding on the web?
On Clipmarks.com, you can see clips of text, images or video about all sorts of topics that other people find while surfing the web.
The idea is that through each other, we can learn more, know more and enjoy more than we could possibly do alone. As you find people who post clips that interest you, make them a Guide. Think of your Guides as a team of web editors you choose to consistently deliver you clips of things they find on the web.
Clipmarks anywhere!
You can easily syndicate your clips to FriendFeed, Twitter, Facebook, Delicious, and more. You can also read, pop, and comment on clips from your iPhone (m.clipmarks.com), iGoogle, or Netvibes homepage.

BEANIECHAIR-TEAL

Lugtravel BEANIECHAIR-TEAL Beanie Chair for Cellphone Ocean Teal

Your cellphone is your constant and faithful companion yet you toss it on the counter like so much junk mail. Not anymore. Give your phone the perch it deserves, a comfy beanbag cell phone chair. You'll always know where your phone is and it'll be ready to go next time you head out the door.

iphone ocarina: go blow (into your iphone)

http://technabob.com/blog/2008/11/07/iphone-ocarina-wind-instrument/
I’ve seen all sorts of musical instruments running on the iPhone, but this is the first one I’ve come across that might involve getting a little spit on your screen.
Smule’s new iPhone app, Ocarina turns your iPhone into a fully-functional musical wind instrument. This amazing little application works very much like the real deal, combining touch, tilt, gestures and human breath to create ethereal sounds which bring out your inner Zelda.
Just place your fingers over four virtual “holes” on the multi-touch screen, and blow into your iPhone’s microphone. What’s really cool about the software is that none of the sounds are pre-generated, rather they’re built in real-time based on your exact gestures and movements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhCJq7EAJJA