bioneural.net » review

PhotoLinker evolves geotagging on Mac

Bruce — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:32:35 +0000

From http://www.bioneural.net doi:tSglPpAB7a8nfM :

PhotoLinker 2.0 ($US50, 30 day trial) is described by its developer as a 'pro geotagging and annotation tool'. Geotaggers who were familiar with GPSPhotoLinker will recognize the family resemblance, but will also appreciate the magnitude of changes this new app brings. It's no longer dependent upon use of a GPS track logger for a start, as integrated mapping now supports a manual geotagging mode (hence the dropping of 'GPS' from the name). There are improvements to workflow, a map viewer, a facility for track and waypoint management, and the pièce de résistance—EXIF metadata annotation. And yet it retains the incredible flexibility and the same precise control over automatic geotagging parameters that I appreciated in my review of GPSPhotoLonker. This post takes you on a visual walkthrough of the many new and refined features. Disclosure: A single user license for PhotoLinker was provided by Early Innovations for the purposes of this evaluation (v2.0.1). I have a personal interest in the success of the Geotag Icon. Offset When you first click on the Geotagging Console button a HUD prompts you for the time zone your camera was using when the photographs to be geotagged were taken. As a general rule this is easier if your camera is always set to UTC (GMT) which is what your track logger will also be recording. The HUD helpfully prompts you to use a date and time-shifting tool if the images and tracks you load don't appear to match. Adding tracks and photos You can add GPX tracks, single or multiple, ...

HoudahGeo take two best for geotaggers

Bruce — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:28:13 +0000

From http://www.bioneural.net doi:tSglPpAB7a8nfM :

HoudahGeo was at version 1.4.2 when I last looked at it in a Mac geotagging software showdown. A license costs $US30 (50% less for students; also TrailPay option) although this is a free upgrade for those with a 1.x license. The following is a largely visual tour of HoudahGeo 2.1, illustrating its ability to perform both automatic and manual geotagging via an outstanding 3-step interface, and to share geotagged images with users of Google Earth, Flickr, and Locr—or any service/ software than can read EXIF metadata or CSV/ GPX files. Disclosure: A single user license for HoudahGeo was provided by Houdah Software for the purposes of this evaluation. You should be geotagging Geotagging—surely you've heard the term? The geotagging 'ABC' post here on bioneural.net is rather popular, and since the software showdown post was published geotagging in general, and on the Mac in particular, has seen a number of exciting developments. CDFinder has been updated with significant geotagging functionality (e.g. export of variable-size images to KMZ). GraphicConverter can edit geotags and create them using Google Earth. Geotag is a cross-platform tool seeing active development. An update to Nikon ViewNX brings free manual geotagging functionality. Even Apple have got in on the act with the release of iPhoto '09, which supports manual geotagging and sharing of geotagged images to Flickr Map (there are options for older iPhoto versions too). Of course the iPhone can geotag images taken with that device's camera, and track logging apps are available via the App Store. The range of Mac-compatible data ...

Dropbox and iPhone sitting in a tree

Bruce — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:00:40 +0000

From http://www.bioneural.net doi:tSglPpAB7a8nfM :

It's amazing how easy it is to fill an 8GB iPhone. While apps like FileMagnet (using a proprietary protocol & desktop companion app) and Air Sharing (WebDAV via your desktop or web browser) provide "documents to go" functionality, this only works if your phone is on the same WiFi network as your desktop—and providing you've enough space left after syncing that episode of Battlestar Galactica! Since the iPhone does not offer expandable storage there are two alternatives. The first is to stream media content to the device (e.g. via BBC iPlayer, Internet radio, or DRM-free iTunes tracks). Alternatively, you could temporarily cache and view a limited range of file types via mobile Safari, or download and store various documents retrieved from your FTP server (e.g. via FTP On The Go, MobileStudio)—or make use of the cloud (e.g. via Dropbox or Box). Getting your files into the cloud Dropbox software is available for Mac, PC, and Linux. When installed it creates a local folder on your desktop machine that is automatically synced to an online filestore. You can connect multiple computers to your Dropbox account so that any edits made on one machine are automatically reflected in the local folder on all linked computers: In addition to using the client software, you can access the contents of your Dropbox from any computer or mobile device with a decent web browser. The web interface is very clean and supports uploading of any file type from your desktop: The web interface for uploaded files in a ...

Get your GPS fix with RouteBuddy 2.2

Bruce — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:11:27 +0000

From http://www.bioneural.net doi:tSglPpAB7a8nfM :

RouteBuddy is an application for Mac marketed as "iTunes for your GPS" in reflection of some interface similarities. It works with most GPS receivers to plot your live position on high-quality street maps, but can also import and export saved data to/ from some devices, applications, and online services. With full-featured and highly portable personal navigation devices increasingly affordable (e.g. TomTom, Garmin) and free tools available for direction-finding and location-sharing (e.g. Google Maps, Google Earth), you may be forgiven for wondering what gap in the market RouteBuddy aims to fill. This question set the brief for my review as I determined to assess its strengths and weakness against the tools you may use already. Disclosure: A single user license for RouteBuddy 2.1.1–2.2 with UK & Ireland maps was provided by RouteBuddy Ltd. for the purposes of this review. Tested using a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo MacBook with 2GB RAM. Skip to: Prelude The RouteBuddy interface in brief RouteBuddy and GPS device compatibility Have software, need map Tracking Planning Navigating Importing Exporting Sharing Analyzing Plotting Managing Finding Summary and conclusion Prelude I gave up on Route 66 (now defunct route-planning software) with the arrival of Google Maps, but still largely relied on a spiral-bound paper road atlas—until I hired a car with "sat nav". After a false start with Navman, I migrated to the more Mac-friendly TomTom platform, which led me to discover the sport of geocaching. Then it was back to Navman, and then TomTom again, by which time I had caught up with photo geotagging—and that has become something of a preoccupation. Why am I boring you with ...

Geotagging with the Mac-friendly GlobalSat BT-335

Bruce — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:37:06 +0000

From http://www.bioneural.net doi:tSglPpAB7a8nfM :

GlobalSat's BT-335 functions as both a Bluetooth-equiped GPS receiver (compatible with most NMEA-compliant mapping/ navigation software on Bluetooth SPP-compliant PDAs, smartphones, and computers) and as a stand-alone data logger. It can perform both functions simultaneously, saving coordinates, time stamps, altitude, and speed to a log which can be wirelessly downloaded for use in geotagging photos or in other location-related applications. This review compares the BT-335 to my previously purchased and evaluated Holux M-241, focussing on Mac compatibility and geotagging utility. Disclosure: A sample BT-335 unit was provided by USGlobalSat, Inc. for the purposes of this review. Those unfamiliar with the basic concepts of geotagging may wish to read this introduction first. What's in the box? BT-335 packaging and accessories BT-335 unit; CD-ROM (with PDF manual, Windows-only software); Set-up/ quick start card; 12V DC car charger; US-style 110/ 240V AC wall charger; US-to-Euro wall adapter. The BT-335 ($US120) is a compact 75g matchbox-style unit in silver plastic that includes anti-slip strips for horizontal placement (e.g. on a dashboard). Unlike the cylindrical M-241 (which has to be kept vertical) the BT-335 doesn't come with a lanyard, although use of one was obviously a consideration—the unit has a lanyard attachment. I do find myself using the lanyard with the M-241 around my neck, mainly so I can keep a close check on battery status. One of the LEDs on the BT-335 lights red when the battery needs charging, but with a claimed 25 hour capacity the unit could easily be turned on and "forgotten" in a pocket (e.g. jacket, camera bag). As well as ...

Mac geotagging software showdown

Bruce — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:38:21 +0000

From http://www.bioneural.net doi:tSglPpAB7a8nfM :

You're in Prague for 6 days with your camera (shooting in raw format), packing your data logger for geotagging, and your MacBook. At the end of each day you plan to download your images and track logs to geotag them before processing via Adobe Bridge. Given this scenario how do GPSPhotoLinker and PhotoGPSEditor—two free Mac apps—stack up against two commercial alternatives, Geophoto and HoudahGeo? What features are important? Below are the main characteristics I would look for in geotagging software, bearing in mind the above scenario. My interest here is purely the "business end" of geotagging i.e. writing the data from my logger to my images. As such my ratings reflect fitness for this purpose and do not necessarily cover the full feature set of the individual applications. Load multiple GPX track logs simultaneously: If your logger is as energetically challenged as the Holux M-241 you won't be leaving it in your bag and forgetting about it until the end of your 9 hour sojourn through the Old Town. You'll want to switch off logging during meal breaks, or inside galleries when you won't be using your camera (for example). Thus each daily download of photos could be associated with several distinct track logs, each potentially covering different activities. While you may be able to download a combined log (as you can with the Holux and BT747) you might wish to retain the individual logs, a useful option if you intend to archive the log/ KML export directly with the relevant images (e.g. ...

CDFinder in the Mac geotagging workflow

Bruce — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:22:38 +0000

From http://www.bioneural.net doi:tSglPpAB7a8nfM :

Like many Mac users I archive my pictures in iPhoto, largely because I enjoy the tight integration this affords with Apple and third-party apps that might want to use them. Having entered the world of geotagging I was disappointed to discover that iPhoto can fail to show coordinates in EXIF (and when shown, oddly lists them under Exposure), does not recognise location data in IPTC headers, and does not provide any "show on map" facility (even Preview does this). Norbert Doerner of West-Forest-Systems then pointed out that I'd completely neglected archive and retrieval of geotagged images in my "ABC" article. This Mac software critique goes some way to redress that omission by considering the role of CDFinder in a Mac user's geotagging workflow. CDFinder is essentially an asset manager that catalogues any file on any volume (CD-ROM, DVD, USB drive, etc). But media metadata are its speciality, and this indexing powerhouse has recently been extended to handle geotags and provide related functionality. Disclosure: A single user license for CDFinder 5.1 was provided by West-Forest-Systems for the purposes of this review. I have a personal interest in the success of the Geotag Icon. Important update on geotagging functionality here. Critique context The review machine was an Intel Mac mini running Mac OS X 10.5.2 (Leopard) with iLife '08. I shoot in NEF format (Nikon raw) with a D70 and JPEG with an Olympus C-70Z. My current media organization is I expect fairly typical: Most of my music is in iTunes; Most of my photos are in iPhoto; ...

Kawhia tides, Taranaki pathways (review)

Bruce — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:30:06 +0000

From http://www.bioneural.net doi:tSglPpAB7a8nfM :

Tides of Kawhia and Pathways of Taranaki are novels by New Zealand author Tom O'Conner. According to the author's profile, these two books form part of a trilogy. Although nominally about "the life and times of Te Rauparaha", this historical Ngati Toa leader is not the focus. The third-person narrative is more concerned with the fictional contemporary character of Te Rou Rou, the slave who becomes a warrior (the antithesis of Maximus in Ridley's Gladiator). The first book, Tides of Kawhia (Reed 2004, ISBN 0-7900-0978-1, 356 pages), starts before Te Rou Rou (or just "Rou") is born as the result of a fleeting encounter between his slave mother and a visiting warrior (who is subsequently slain). Tribal agreement ensures that Rou is trained in the art of war to avenge his father given a background of constant inter-tribal bickering. It is well into the book before Rou begins to play a role, by which time the reader has been presented with a grim picture of life in pre-European Maori society. Rou is born into a world where, if you buy into the story, life is a cocktail of violence; class struggle; hardship from being tapu; cannibalism; rape; hunger; and petty vengeance. I found the writing too repetitive at times, getting the impression that when there was nothing else to write about another fight was called for. But it did leave me with the kind of insight you don't get from reading history books. For example, how would it feel to live ...

Blogging with ecto: big on features

Bruce — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 20:16:24 +0000

From http://www.bioneural.net doi:tSglPpAB7a8nfM :

This blog is published using the iBlog client, an easy-to-use OS X application that makes uploading static pages to the .Mac server simple. iBlog version 1.x has been around for a few years now and despite a number of updates its basic feature set has remained relatively static. However, version 2.x is now in development and promises to add some of the features requested by users in the small but friendly community Forum. Mac fans can now choose from an increasing range of blogging software, and here I take a quick look at ecto, a seemingly popular and well-regarded client. This article refers to iBlog (version 1.x), a Mac blogging client that was formerly used to publish this site. It may refer to design elements and other features that have since been replaced. Ecto is described as: a feature-rich desktop blogging client for MacOSX and Windows, supporting a wide range of weblog systems, such as Blogger, Blojsom, Drupal, MovableType, Nucleus, TypePad, WordPress, and more. This software is far from a gooy mess (as in ectoplasm... sorry) but not perfect, and in some ways overly complex. I was unable to get iPhoto or iTunes integration working (I tried version 2.4.1 with a Blogger account). I want to highlight some of the things that work well from the point-of-view of an iBlog user with a "version 2.x wish list" in mind! Do you prefer plain or RTF? iBlog 1.x uses and RTF editor which is responsible for introducing spurious code that has thus far prevented this blog from ...