Albert Holtsclaw

This is a very interesting multimedia proof of concept done with HTML 5.

From the “video,” I noticed at least the use of HTML 5 video, canvas and geo-location features. There may also be some persistence of data. This definitely illustrates some new ways that websites will be engaging visitors in the future, allowing a more personalized multimedia experience.

I was surprised at the smooth integration of elements between technologies and how great the drawn images actually looked.

Google is a big proponent of HTML5, especially for video and rich graphics in the browser. To show off what HTML5 can do, Google Chrome teamed up with the Arcade Fire and director Chris Milk to create a custom interactive video for their song, We Used To Wait. The experience is called The Wilderness Downtown and is best viewed in Chrome

I definitely encourage people to fire up Chrome and take a look.

Source Techcrunch (via Digg)

In a move that defies logic, Microsoft is actually RAISING the price of XBox Live instead of moving toward some ad-driven service.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/30/xbox-live-gold-price-increasing-as-of-november-1-in-us-uk-cana/

The change takes effect in November.

So, I guess if you want in on the cheap, stock up on those existing cards now before the price goes up.

Well, this is sad and unexpected: Microsoft’s Major Nelson just announced that Xbox Live Gold will be getting more expensive in the US, UK, Canada, and Mexico starting November 1. A single month will go from $7.99 to $9.99, three months will go from $19.99 to $24.99, and the yearly sub will now be $59.99, up from $49.99.

According to Wolfram Alpha, today is my 10,000th day alive.

Interestingly, if I reverse the logic, the calculation falls 7 days short.

But, this calculator, also says 10,000 days.

So, I guess I’ve lived “approximately” 10,000 days

This is more of a reminder for myself than anything else, but it may help others.

How To Solve Flickering Background Images

If you’re using CSS sprites as background images for links or buttons, you’ll notice that the image will flicker briefly in Internet Explorer 6. The reason is because IE6 doesn’t properly cache the background image and reloads it every time. You can fix this with a single line of JavaScript that forces IE6 to cache the image.

1. <!–[if lte IE 6]>
2. <link type=”text/css” rel=”stylesheet” href=”css/ie6.css” />
3. <script type=”text/javascript”> document.execCommand(“BackgroundImageCache”,false,true); </script>
4. <![endif]–>

Source: virtuosimedia.com and Adobe.com

PNG-Transparency for Windows IE 5.5 & 6

This is a JQuery script that fixes missing PNG-Transparency support in Windows Internet Explorer 5.5 & 6 without corrupting other functionality.

Source: andreaseberhard.de

Yes, this is a blog post with a cheesy title probably used on a thousand other blogs. But, it is very appropriate.

After being abused by AT&T for over ten years, I finally gathered up the courage to pack up my things and leave. It was an abusive relationship, one that I will not recount fondly.

And, who did I run to on the rebound? Verizon. It shouldn’t take a Jedi Mind Trick to convince you that Verizon is getting some very sexy phones packed with Google’s Android OS. The target of my new-found affection is the Droid X (seen below).

And, apparently I’m not the only person who has my eye on this little number, as my order has been in queue for a while now and it still not scheduled to ship for another week and a half! Holy backorder, Batman. I’m sure I will have something more to say when I finally get my hands on this little black beauty. The suspense is killing me.