I don't know if it's new from Microsoft but I've been offered reward points for using Bing search engine from Microsoft.
It is actually more than using Bing. You can get points for buying stuff in the Microsoft App Store, renting movies, etc... They say that you'll get 1 point for each 1$ spent. Using Bing, you be awarded 30 points per day, per search if you meet some prerequisites.
What's the catch? There seems to be none or at least it it the same as Google's reward program where you answer some questionnaires in exchange for credits on the Google Play Store.
With Microsoft, you can exchange points for credits on your Xbox Live account, Skype account or send them to the Special Olympics, Care, First, or other helping associations.
You can even enter some contests to win an Xbox One S or a Surface Pro.
I have discovered another apps for social networking on iOS and Android called Oppa. It's an Instagram like social network with a twist: People can leave you a tip and not just like your photo or video.
You can download Oppa for free on your AppStore or Google Play (Search for Oppa). Once installed, you have to connect to your Facebook account to login into the app and create your user.
As I am writing this, you'll need an invitation to join the group from an existing user.
The interface is nice and you can post photos and videos (up to 60 seconds). There is not a lot of people right know but enough to keep you busy once in a while. If you like some post, you can like it, shared 0.10$ with the owner and even offer a virtual gift ranging from 1$ to 99$. It's a micro-blogging social network where fans can show their appreciation with real money.
I've been testing Oppa for the last week and I received up 6$ from others for some pics and videos I posted.
If you want to try it, you can use my account as a referrer: PBALLEUX Let me know in the comments what you think about Oppa.
There is one thing missing on the web: A Java App Library (or App Store).
As I am testing the next release of WRoom, I want to create an app library built for WRoom. The task seemed easy until I realized that googling for Java apps and games is not that easy.
Results returned by Google are about tests, demos and game libraries. I did found a few gems here and there. So I decided to ask the web to send me links to great apps and games built in Java/JavaFX.
What I need:
Name of the app/game
A brief description (1 or 2 lines)
An image/logo link
Others images, screen captures, links to YouTube videos of your apps, tips, other links related
A main virtual room will be created to list the apps and a smaller room will be available, dedicated at your app/game.
Here's a short demo that I am currently working on:
Wanna help with WRoom? Talk about it and build your own virtual space. See the main website for downloads and documentation
You can view the map directly in your browser as it is a simple text file. WRoom is still in early development stage, so expect a few changes with each release.
If you create your own WRoom on the web, share the link in the comments or tag me on Twitter so I can also link your WRoom in one of my own.
If you did not know, I have been working on a new open source project called WRoom in the last few months. It's a big technical experiment but it has a lot of potential at the same time.
Basically, WRoom is a new web browser where you navigate virtual rooms create using a simple text file. It's easier than HTML/Javascript and you can create maps all over the web, linked together with Teleporters.
I have released a new version today: 0.0.10 ALPHA. In this new version, I have integrated Texture videos and a bunch of new stuff. Currently, the Windows version works pretty well and it kind-of work on Linux, at least on my Ubuntu Mate laptop.
Here's a demo of the latest version:
The main features of WRoom:
3D Browsing à la Doom FPS game
Supports textures (PNG, JPG)
New Video Textures using FFMPEG
Embedded chat room, (Simple avatars are showing other visitors)
Triggered actions: Teleport, play sound, open door
Animated textures using multiple image files
Easy to create your own using a simple text editor
Free as in Open Source
WRoom is a new twist on creating communities online without having to learn HTML and Javascript. A map editor is on the way to make things easier. Maps are hosted on any web hosting plan such as Mochahost or your own web server.
Here's a simple map example:
# Set the title for the room title=Planet Mars
# irc server chatroom=#wroommars server=irc.freenode.net port=6667
# Load the textures texture=wall03.png texture=wall01.jpg texture=wall03.png floor=floor.png ceiling=ceiling.jpg
# Define the actions # Actions are: teleport, sound, message, download # After the action command, enter the location of the action x,y # Then the parameter # action=teleport,x,y,URL # action=sound,x,y,sound.wav # action=message,x,y,Message string... # Actions are triggered by pressing the action key: space bar... action=teleport,43,29,http://wroom.crombz.com/,Congrats! Back to homebase
# Load text to display on walls # TEXT=x,y,HTML text entry... text=1,3,<div style='border:solid red 3px;background-color:#441111;color:#FF0000;font-size:12px;text-align:center;'>Welcome to Mars!<br>Can you find your wayback to WRoom homebase?<br>Good luck!</div>
As usual, I have installed the beta version of the next iOS version on my iPhone 7.
As I was controlling my Apple TV 4 with my phone, using the shortcut in the Control Center, I had to enter a code ID for buying a movie on the iTunes Store.
All was going well, as usual, until the iTunes Store asked me to enter my 3 digit number from my credit card to confirm the transaction. So I left to get my credit card and it took a few minutes. Meanwhile, my iPhone 7 went into sleep mode as it was waiting for the keyboard input for the Apple TV...
When I came back, I unlocked my iPhone, as usual but the screen was all blurry and nothing was reacting to the touch events. I pressed the Sleep button and it was the end.
The iPhone was completely unresponsive. I tried to reboot it, call it with another phone, pressed several times on the button but nothing was happening and the screen stayed black,
Ultimately, I used the VoluneDown+Sleep buttons, pressed for a good 10 seconds and the device finally rebooted.
If you're stuck on your iPhone 7, the VolumeDown+Sleep buttons will save the day!
I've been quiet for a while as this is summer time and I have also been working on a new idea: a 3D web browser.
This idea is not quite new as I've been thinking about this for a few years. In the last few weeks, I did some testing and finally found a way to do it. The main goal was to make it easy to create a virtual space without having to learn HTML and advance Javascripting. Then I had an epiphany: Forget about using Chrome, Edge or Firefox and just create something completely new.
WRoom was born, late at night, on a cheap Windows 10 tablet. It's a big experiment, but it's fun to learn new stuff while making it.
Currently, only binaries are available at http://crombz.com/wroom for testing the concept online. You can test WRoom on your computer by downloading the WebRoom.jar file. Java 8 Runtime must be installed as you guessed it, it's a Java+JavaFX application.
Download the JAR and execute it (double-click on the file). You'll be presented a basic browser interface with the default URL already entered. At the time of writing this post, the only room that is available is at http://crombz.com/wroom... ;)
Current features supported:
- 3D virtual room rendering Doom-Style
- Overlays on the walls (Text, HTML, images)
- Custom textures of 256x256 (images are resized automatically)
- Web links (to display external websites)
- Embeded videos
- Background sound playback
- Actions: sound, doors, messages
- Teleporting point to other WRooms
Everything has been developped with Netbeans under Windows 10.
Ubuntu is able to run WRooms, but video playback do not seems to work, even with the JRE from Oracle... This is a JavaFX issue and my be resolved in a near future.
After watching Freedom Penguin with Matt Harltey, about Ubuntu moving to Gnome 3 and leaving out in the dust the good old Unity, it got me thinking...
Why would Matt choose this thumbnail for his video... And then... What is missing in Ubuntu or any other distros...
The keyword: Integration!
Ubuntu is great at one thing: Operate your computer. It's easy to use, it's free, it's secure. No arguing about that. But there is one thing missing in Ubuntu (or any other distros): There is not integration between the softwares (Apps!), no integration of devices such as your webcam.
Take for example your webcam. It is surely supported by Ubuntu. The default application for it is Cheese, which let's you record video in OGG format... and that's it... A few video effects are available but nothing more.
To flourish in this global integration of the the Internet of Things, Ubuntu should propose a webcam app that would let your record and stream, add a few videos effects and cool overlays. Social network would be integrated "out-of-the-box" to you could share your videos easily with your friends.
Of course, you can install OBS (Or ScreenStudio...) for streaming, OpenShot for video editing but you have to know about these specialised applications.
Current desktops are outdated by todays standards. Everything is connected, everything can be shared...
What I would like to see in a new distro would be something like this:
Better integration with social networks
A webcam recorder, mixed with a video editor and better ways to share the videos
Better support for mobile devices, e-readers, music players..
It's own social network, driver by the users
A music/audio editor for musicians
A photo editor, installed by default, fully integrated, supporting filters and overlays...
A sync system between computers (or devices) running the distro.
The ability to share the desktop over the TV (using the Apple TV, Chrome, Roku...)
A remote access easy to use when helping out over the phone
Document templates ready to use, easy to find...
Integration of smart devices such a Hue light bulbs, smart watches, external drives, etc...
Plugins, widgets, News feed, etc...
And the list can go on and on and on...
After installing a brand new Ubuntu on a computer, the only thing it can do is launch app. Nothing more. Maybe Canonical was trying to do that with Unity8, but it did not work.
And you, what would be the feature you would like to see on a distro?
As I am testing different recording scenarios with ScreenStudio, I often try stuff that I cannot share on the web as it is illegal.
Tonight, I was able to record some Netflix movies using my Ubuntu computer and ScreenStudio.
WARNING: DO NOT RIP NETFLIX MOVIES! It's illegal. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!
Now that we have settled the legality issue, here's how I did it...
Install the Chrome browser if not already done. You'll need it to access Netflix and play it's content.
Start ScreenStudio and add your desktop to the sources
Select the "Option" tab to select the proper audio system source, often you'll have only one to select.
Adjust the audio volume using "pavucontrol" or the default audio settings
Adjust quality and video format to your liking in the first tab
Start playing the movie in full screen in Chrome.
Press: CTRL-SHIFT-R to start ScreenStudio's recording
Wait until the end of the movie...
Press again CTRL-SHIFT-R to stop the recording
And that's it. You can even recording a smaller version by resizing the capture area of the desktop (double-click on the desktop source to set the area...)
The faster the computer, the better the quality as playing Netflix inside Chrome does use a lot of CPU on less powerful computer.
WARNING: This was only for testing purpose and curiosity. Do not rip movies. It's illegal and I do not endorse any issues you may encounter if you do so. You've been warned.
The scenario will also work with Skype if you want to record a video session. Basically, ScreenStudio will record whatever is on your display and audio playing on your speakers.
Have fun and remember, do not engage in illegal activies!
The latest version of ScreenStudio 3.2.0 has been released with a few awesome features!
So many features have been added that it's time to review them one by one.
Recording
ScreenStudio can record your display into many video file formats. The currently supported formats are:
TS: MPEG2 encoded stream
FLV: Has a great compatibility with YouTube or other online video services
MOV: Great for post-editing your videos
MP4: Compatible with mobile devices
GIF: Perfect format when posting on Twitter or G+
HTTP: For streaming directly to your website using an FTP access
You can set the output format by selecting the width and height and the frame rate. Remember that a larger size and a higher frame rate will require more CPU power from your computer.
When selecting a video format, you also can set a few advanced features.
The video and audio bitrate will set the output quality. The higher is better. On the other hand, the video preset will also have an impact on your video quality where the slower is better at the expense of your CPU. "ultrafast" with use less CPU but you will need a higher bitrate to get a great quality.
Streaming
You can also stream to online services using the RTMP protocol. Any server can be used but some have already been pre-configured for you convenience:
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook
Hitbox
UStream
VaughnLive
Generic: Any other server...
When available, select your preferred server and enter your secret key into the "RTMP Secret Key" field.
If you are using the RTMP setting, no server is available and you need to enter the full RTMP URL into the Secret Key field.
To start recording or streaming, you can use the Menu "Layout" and "Record". Some shortcuts are available:
CTRL-R inside ScreenStudio
CTRL-SHIFT-R from the whole system
Double-click on Tray Icon
To stop the recording or streaming, simply hit the "Record" again or use the same keyboard shortcut.
Sources
ScreenStudio can integrate many video sources into it's recording by using the Sources menu:
Webcams
Desktop
Images
Labels
If you have more than one display, they will be listed as well from the menu "Desktops". A final one will be added to capture into a single Desktop your whole screens.
Images do support all popular format. Gifs Animation will be rendered also.
Labels are texts that you want to display in your recording. Once added, double-click on the Label source from the top list to edit the content, color, font and background color.
Labels do have some special tags that you can use to display the current time/date, the elapsed time since the start of the recording and a few other ones.
One tag that is useful is the @ONELINER that is used to display one line at a time your text.
Any video source can be customised to fit your need.
The X,Y,Width,Height will set the location and size of your source
Alpha will set the transparency of your source (0.0 to one 1.0)
Start and End will indicate when the source will be displayed. A value of 0 (zero) just means that it will always be displayed...
Trans In and Trans Out will set the transition to apply when the source is displayed or hidden. They can be set by right-clicking on your source...
The order in the list is important as sources at the start of the list will be rendered above the lower sources in the list.
When selected from the list, the source can also be dragged on your output display for easier setup.
You can preview your setup by using the "Preview" button. Remember to stop the Preview before starting the recording...
Audio and other stuff
In the last tab, you can select the audio source to use.
You can also set the recording folder where you want to keep your recordings.
A few options are available such as using a background music, using the Tray Icon and the default behavior when recording with ScreenStudio.
Remote Control
ScreenStudio supports a basic remote access that you can use with any other devices, even smartphones. Open your browser an enter the URL shown by ScreenStudio at the bottom right.
On an iPhone, you can save that WebApp on your home screen and it will behave almost like a native app...
A few notes...
When streaming over HTTP, you can enter a full FTP URL into the video folder setting so that your video files will be uploaded automatically
When stopping the recording or streaming, there is a 2 seconds delay to allow transitions to be rendered (For example applying a Fate Out)
You can adjust he audio delay to ensure the proper sync with your webcam.
