30 years ago this week, Commodore 64 was announced at CES. CES is the Consumer Electronics Show, the largest trade show of its kind.
My first computer was a TRS 80, but it was the C64 that changed my life. My friends loved coming over to play games like Tony Hawk’s Skate or Die!, but it was connecting to bulletin board systems (BBS) that excited me.
Bulletin Board Systems
I convinced my Mum to let me use our household’s telephone through the night and early morning as my first BBS. I would lay in my bed in the dark, the glow of the inactive red C64 disk light would be the only source of light in my room.
Suddenly, I would awaken to the sound of the disk dive running. My room would be lit green from the drive operating. Someone, somewhere would be using my computer! I would scurry out of bed, turn on the monitor and go into sysop mode to chat with my mysterious guest.
I can’t believe this was all 30 years ago. Happy birthday Commodore 64. Thanks for introducing me to life online.
Speaking of CES. I’ll be there on Monday. If you’re attending please be sure to let me know. Online communication is incredible, but there’s still nothing better than real life.
I want to take this time to thank you for subscribing and reading this blog.
A special shout out to those of you who have taken the time to leave a comment in the last 12 months.
It’s the comments that remind bloggers that someone is actually reading their stuff. It’s easy (and appreciated) to retweet, like and +1 posts, but it takes that extra step to actually leave some written words. So thanks.
I have some fun ideas for where I want to take this blog in the coming months, I hope you’ll stay subscribed (RSS or EMAIL) and join me as I explore new topics that I think you’ll get a lot from.
We’re just a stones throw away from 2012! Have a safe and happy new year. Keep your chin up and have fun.
The following are 15 of my most popular posts from 2011. Enjoy them.
- A QR code for the men’s room
- Never miss a marketing technology story
- Geek Breakfast VS. Nashcocktail
- What can you challenge yourself to do for 30 days?
- 5 QR code tips
- I have your house keys
- 10 Tips for Disney World
- How to avoid getting locked out of Gmail
- Twitter hacked
- 4 years and 3,000 tweets later
- Stop. You deserve this
- Breakfast is ruined
- The death of the personal blog
- Does your city have a technology ambassador?
- The tangible web
Photo from Flickr by dottieday
Who’s in your inbox, specifically your Gmail inbox?
I wrote back in July that we must be diligent with keeping up with who we’ve given access to our Facebook and Twitter accounts, but what about your email and contacts?
I’m writing this partly as a reminder, but also because I could not find the answer. I ended up posting the question on Google Plus, where Rob Blatt quickly provided the answer. Thanks Rob!
How do you see which sites you’ve given permission to access your Google account? How do you revoke access?
The answer is a single link. Be sure you’re logged in to your Google account first and then visit: https://accounts.google.com/b/0/IssuedAuthSubTokens?hl=en
Take a scroll down the surprisingly long list of connected sites, apps and services. Consider whether you still use them, if you don’t, be sure to choose to revoke access.
A note first. Be sure you know what each service is before removing its permissions. I accidentally revoked access to my iPhone, so that I wasn’t able to send or receive email for a short time.
Also note that most of these services are good, but it’s still best to protect your account. The same applies to your favorite social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Photo from Flickr by: Frank Gruber
Before you read on about a new favorite iPhone app, you need to see how we said goodbye to our Christmas tree…
I’m a big film geek, I absolutely love shooting and editing short films on my iPhone and iPad. However, I am well aware of the shortcomings of using iOS apps to add effects to my videos. Until now.
Bad Robot’s Action Movie FX app is amazing. You simply shoot a short video using the app, then add a blockbuster-sized effect, like the one you just saw here.
The free Action Movie FX app comes loaded with a few great effects. You can then download more for 99 cents. It’s a brilliant revenue model for what has already become an addictive app.
A quick tip on the movie above. I saved my finished Action Movie FX video to my iPhone camera roll. I then used the iMovie app (affiliate link) to add the title, fade in and out, and a little background music.
The app features include:
• 2 FREE Big-Budget FX! MISSILE ATTACK & CAR SMASH!
• Sound Design By Skywalker Sound!
• Fast, Automated Video Tracking!
• Music, Sound FX and Lens Flares!
• Post to Facebook or Email to friends!
Download the app here, but you have to promise to leave a comment with a link to your videos. I’m dying to see what you come up with.
Hat tip to J. for showing me this!
Community enthusiast, digital marketing consultant, husband and dad based in Nashville, TN.
