bioneural.net » youtube

iBox now at version 2

Bruce — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:02:21 +0000

A customised version of iBox is used extensively on bioneural.net (e.g. the Flickr photocast here) and iBegin have just released version 2. This free JavaScript lets you display automatically scaling images, external documents, or embedded containers in an overlay dialog without needing to reload the page. iBox has gained some weight since v1.2.1 (2006) but remains compact compared to other Lightbox-alike solutions and just as simple to use, now boasting wider browser support and new plug-in capabilities (e.g. for embedding YouTube videos). In most cases it degrades gracefully when JavaScript is disabled (it won't display hidden inline containers; JavaScript is required to play YouTube videos).

Argentine Iguazu

Bruce — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 09:58:15 +0000

From bioneural.net:

As noted, we were recently in Brazil. We also crossed into Argentina for a day, in order to view the Iguazu Falls from their side of the Rio Iguazu. The falls are probably the single most impressive natural phenomenon we've seen. I've uploaded a short video to YouTube here, showing the impressive "Devil's Throat" and views from the Upper Circuit walkway. This YouTube video requires Adobe Flash Player. As you might imagine, filming a waterfall system over 1.5 miles across and cascading 1.3–1.5 million litres of water per second is wet work. Hence the water drops on the lens! The soundtrack is Morricone's The Mission (Remix B.O.F. La Mission).

Dashcode is easy, Web Clips easier

Bruce — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:18:14 +0000

From bioneural.net:

Dashcode comes on the Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) installation DVD. It's a tool for creating widgets (mini-applications made with HTML, CSS, images, and JavaScript) specifically for the OS X Dashboard. Apple did a great job in making Dashcode the epitome of simple so that non-programmers can create basic custom widgets with ease. And if installing Developer Tools isn't your thing, you can still create your own widgets using Web Clips. Dashcode You don't really need a tutorial, but if you'd like a quick overview there's a brief "howto" video on YouTube here. This YouTube video requires Adobe Flash Player. Dashcode provides step-by-step workflow instructions guiding you through the creation of your widget: It's a good way for non-programmers to get their hands dirty and let the creative juices flow. Download a Dashcode-built widget that retrieves and displays content from the bioneural.net RSS feed here. Web Clips Web Clips is also a feature of Leopard; these are widgets created via Safari's Open in Dashboard... menu option. Alternatively, click on the Web Clip button in the Safari menu bar: You'll be asked to select the part of the current web page that you're interested in; move your cursor around until the correct section is highlighted, then click on it to show the trim handles. Now click Add to create and install your new widget to Dashboard. For example, say I wanted to create a widget to display my (somewhat neglected) iStockPhoto photocast. I simply click Web Clips and select the appropriate area of my webpage where I have embedded it, ...

Back in Britain

Bruce + Simone — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:56:56 +0000

From bioneural.net:

Our year abroad started in China and finished in Australia. In between we spent most of our time living and working in Wellington, the City at the Heart of the Edge of the World and the capital of New Zealand. Having written our last post from New Zealand we've now returned to our previous address in Chesterfield (near Sheffield, in the Midlands) where we've found that some things have changed, and some things never change. For all intents and purposes Project Koru has run its course, although we would like to think the essence of our experience will endure. A brief recap It's been an eventful year travelling to, living in, and returning from New Zealand. Here's a recap, 12 images spanning 12 months: This YouTube video requires Adobe Flash Player. Arrival It was a chilly and damp day, with that oh-so-familiar grey sky, when we arrived into Manchester Airport. We return to some beautiful scenery, and look forward to re-acquainting ourselves with old favourites such as Curbar Edge. Simone anticipates bearing witness once more to the dramatic change in seasons that she missed in NZ. Simone's mum had made arrangements with the neighbours to leave a colourful pot of pansies on the doorstep. Said neighbours left a chill-bag containing basic supplies at the back door. Our friends in Matlock got the Smart MOT'd, taxed, gassed-up and parked outside the house ready for use. Our house minder had catalogued all our post, and our intermittent house guest had done a good clean. Thanks everyone; it was ...

YouTube health videos

Bruce — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 11:48:39 +0000

From bioneural.net:

As reported by the BBC, a general practice in Wales has begun using YouTube to distribute health information videos. The Builth and Llanwrtyd Medical Practice has thus far uploaded videos relating to inhaler technique and spacer devices in respiratory disease, having a smear, and blood sugar testing in diabetes. It's a novel approach to patient education in a primary care setting, and one that might appeal to that sector of the the population seemingly infatuated with YouTube. Explaining how to use a metered-dose inhaler and spacer without props during a 10 minute consultation is challenging, and video lessons may be a valid alternative to my standard "Ask the pharmacist to demonstrate for you". There's only so much you can convey in printed leaflets, and moving pictures can convey much more detail in a very short time. Inhaler technique (Builth and Llanwrtyd Medical Practice) The practice also offers iPod-friendly QuickTime and Windows Media versions for download.

Great New Zealand music on YouTube

Bruce — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 01:58:42 +0000

From bioneural.net:

I haven't paid much attention to YouTube—until now. There was a song on the vid screens at the gym by a New Zealand artist I'd not come across, and a Google search led me to the video on YouTube. I decided to see what else was there. Some of the videos available are for songs I currently love (q.v. Bic Runga) but never got to see the video for until now (maybe they weren't on UK TV). But there are also old favourites to remember and new discoveries to appreciate. Here are a few personal highlights from the past 3 decades: enjoy! Pokarekare Ana by Hayley Westenra Poi E by Patea Maori Club (Glad I'm) Not A Kennedy by Shona Laing Deciphering Me by Brooke Fraser Walkie Talkie Man by Steriogram Computer Games by Mi-Sex Distant Sun by Crowded House Don't Front On Me by Deceptikonz I Got You by Split Enz Listening For The Weather by Bic Runga Sway by Bic Runga Tip: YouTube Downloader provides a cross-platform way to save the videos to your hard drive (if like me you need to overcome a pathetic Xtra broadband connection that is incapable of streaming). You can watch these .flv files on your Mac or PC using VLC. The quality of the videos isn't that good, and often the audio and video are out-of-sync. But when you're done viewing, you can buy some of these tracks via the recently-opened iTunes Music Store (NZ).