International Travel Advice

Whenever I travel out of the country, I never leave without a MiFi from XComGlobal. The Cell Phone companies here in the states charge an arm and a leg for data when traveling internationally, whereas this company charges one flat rate for unlimited data over the 3G network in over 150 European countries. I strongly suggest checking out their rates so that you won't be suprised with an insane cell phone bill when you return from your trip abroad. Click the link below for more info.

Welcome to the Digital Humanities Page

This page contains links, information and examples of digital tools useful in the Humanities. It will be updated regularly so check back often.

To get started, you may consider "Cloud-Based" storage for your files, documents of all sorts, music and to share files with others very easily.

Click Here and create a DropBox account, then download the application for your desktop, laptop and or handheld device (iPhone or Android handset). Dropbox is a fantastic tool to make your files accessible from any Web-Connected device. 

Click Here and create a SugarSync account, then download the application for your mobile device. You can then follow the directions to identify a folder on your computer to begin backing up your files. Better safe than sorry. This is one of the many ways you can push files to your mobile device (iphone or ipad etc...)

Broadcasting to the Masses

Desktop Video Broadcasting has evolved into a very easy tool to use. Where it was once a technology that required high-end equipment, video cameras, audio input devices and perhaps a small team of assistants, it is now a technology that is possible from many desktop and laptop computers.

Basic Video Broadcasting requires a Webcam, an internal microphone, a high-speed Internet connection and an online service hosting your broadcast.

Advanced broadcasting requires a higher-end Webcam (I suggest one that does at least 640X480 or VGA resolution, but the higher the better). You should also consider a stand-alone microphone (Blue makes some great ones...I have a Yeti and it's amazing!) A headset also works very well. Those by Logitec and Plantronics are very good. Stand-alone mics isolate your audio input so that there is less of a chance of incorporating excess noise into your broadcast.

High-speed Internet connectivity is a must. Keep in mind though that all "high-speed" is not the same. For a quality Video Broadcast I suggest a minimum of 1.5 megabites upload and 3-5 megabites download speed. Again, the faster the better. Wireless access will sometimes cause problems because wireless signals are prone to interference and dropped packets which result in loss of audio, stuttering video or stalling in your broadcast.

Finally, you will need a good broadcasting host service. All of the programs below are either free or have both a free and paid service. Services that I have tried and like are:

UStream.tv - Their site states: Ustream is the leading live interactive broadcast platform that enables anyone with an Internet connection and a camera to engage their audience in a meaningful, immediate way. Unlike previous webcasting technology, Ustream uses a one-to-many model, which means that the user can broadcast to an audience of unlimited size. Ustream's platform has been used to broadcast everything from high school sporting events to Hollywood movie premieres, and people are finding new and innovative uses for it every day.

Livestream.com - According to their Website, Livestream is the most powerful online video broadcast solution available. In just minutes you can create broadcasts as polished as any multi-million dollar traditional television network — with full capability to easily broadcast Live, 24/7 Linear, and On-Demand content — absolutely FREE.

Audio Broadcasting is also much easier now than it ever has been. Voice is a compelling medium to express our thoughts and in the Humanities, well, that's what we do, right?

Broadcasting from a handheld device while on the go or from your residence can be done using a number of tools. One that I plan to make use of is:

iPadio - According to their site, ipadio allows you to broadcast from any phone to the Internet live.  Phone blog, collect audio data, record and update the world, or simply let your mates know what you're doing - ipadio is integrated with Social Media & Blogging platforms. Here is a link to my iPadio Broadcast Page

Bambuser - Broadcast what's happening around you and chat with your friends while doing so. Available for a variety of hand held devices...works great

SocialCam - Supposedly the easiest way to get your handheld videos online and shared with your friends.

Twitter - Twitter is a "micro-blogging" service where whatever you say must be written using 140 characters or less. It is a very popular platform for quick updates to whatever you are doing. Once you create a Twitter account, there are a variety of applications that use the Twitter API to enable Audio Tweets, Video Tweets and even one that allows "Live Tweeting". Anyone following you on Twitter will have access to your posts directly from their handheld device, email, or by logging in to the Twitter Website. Twitter, along with a number of associated applications will also optionally "Geo-tag" your location.

TwitCam - According to their Website, Twitcam posts your video description and link to Twitter for all your followers to see. While broadcasting, chat with your viewers via Twitter right from your broadcast page. Once you’re done going live, we archive your video and display it on the same page. 

TwitVid - TwitVid allows you to upload and share a video through you Twitter account. Upload from your computer, handheld device or Webcam.

Audioboo - According to their Website, we are a mobile & web platform that effortlessly allows you to record and upload audio for your friends, family or the rest of the world to hear.

TwitCasting - Another "Live" Twitter service that enables video and audio broadcasting from your desktop or handheld device. The application is available in the App Store on iTunes. This app appears to be popular in Japan.

TwitSmart - According to their site, you can add Voice and Video to your Tweets. Using TwitSmart, it's easy to keep up with your Twitter activity. See your friends timeline, send and receive direct messages, reply to tweets, and more. And, you can attach your voice and an image to each tweet that you send!

Veetle - Watch and broadcast live video from your phone, iPhone and Android.

Using any of these tools will enable anyone with something to say, and even those who don't, to "Broadcast to the Masses"..Most of the sites above will also host archives of your broadcasts for "On Demand" viewing or listening for those who miss your "live" show.  Have fun!

Extending your Memory

As scholars in the Humanities, we are known for our brainstorming, creativity, brain-dumping, talking out our ideas and our endless search for material related to our area of specialty. With the ever-increasing amount of information available on the Web, in the world and our endless conversations with colleagues and with ourselves, it is becoming even more crucial to use digital tools to help us remember and manage the vast amount of information we come across.

Tools below are ones I use:

Evernote - According to their site, we can Use Evernote to save your ideas, things you see, and things you like. Then find them all on any computer, phone or device you use. For free. This can be done from your computer as well as from your handheld device.

SpringPad - According to their site, with SpringPad, you will "Never forget again..." Springpad is a FREE application that lets you quickly and easily save the ideas and information you come across everyday.

Keeping up with Technology Innovations

The other day I was asked how I keep up with so much technology, my being a literature professor. Well, it's kind of a hobby but I'm also very curious about how I can integrate many of these tools into what I do with literature.

I follow several blogs/websites that highlight a number of tech gadgets and or tools, the key being to think of creative ways to use them. A few of the more interesting sites that I follow are:

Engadget

Gizmodo

Lifehacker

MakeUseOf

Tech Crunch

As I run into other interesting sites, I'll post them here...in the mean time, have fun!!

Publishing in the Cloud

For those interested in publishing any sort of content in the cloud, e.g. newsletters, essays, pamphlets, instructions, magazines, etc...you may consider:

Issuu - An e-publishing platform that enhances and customizes digital editions of your content that can be marketed and sold to target audiences. There are free and paid solutions.

Yudu - Both a digital publishing library and a marketplace where you can read, publish, buy, sell and share content. Anyone can publish in a range of formats to include reports, presentations, e-books, catalogs and more.

Blurb - The tools you need to make your own ebook, RL book or interactive journal.

Online and Collaborative Video Editing

Check out these online video editing sites...

VideoToolbox

Vyclone

Streamweaver

YouTube

Screen Capture

For making machinima, there are several tools out there to capture your screen and associated audio prior to editing that raw video. If you have administrative right to the computer you are using you might try one of the following:

Fraps (for PCs - the free version limits capture to 3 minutes)

Snagit (cross platform - $50 but well worth it)

Screenflow (for Mac - costly but one of the best out there)

Web Based Screen Capture

There are several Web-Based Screen Capture applications available. I am most pleased with:

Screenr (cross platform - limited to 4 minutes but you can record several 4-minute episodes. Export them as MP4 and then use a video editing tool to put them together into one extended video. This is a free tool)

Document Collaboration

Document collaboration is becoming more important in the modern workplace. Instead of sharing documents via email or, even worse, via thumb drive, we can now very easily share and synchronously collaborate on documents stored in the Cloud.

Below, please find some of my favorites:

Google Docs (must have a Google or GMail Account to create a new document)

Acrobat.com (must create an account. Uses Flash. Includes videoconferencing tool: Adobe Connect for up to three participants

TitanPad (lets people work on one document simultaneously. No sign up required)

CrocoDoc (allows you to upload, view, markup and collaborate on Word, PowerPoint and PDF documents online. No sign up required but larger documents can be uploaded with sign up. Also allows markup of Web Sites)

SkyDrive (for those in the windoze world, Microsoft has a service called SkyDrive that offers 25gig of storage and document sharing...not bad)

Search Privately Using StartingPage

Worried about your search history being tracked by Google's analytics? Check out Starting Page for Private Searching...

dr. c

Fixing Internet Embarrassments

Worried about something posted online about you? Click here to learn ways to fix it...

Purchase your Own Domain Name

One way to begin controlling your Digital Identity is to purchase your own Domain Name. Hover is a fantastic Domain Name Registrar to begin this process. By Clicking Here you can start the process AND save 10% by purchasing your new Domain Name. Or you can go to http://hover.com and enter the coupon code bcarter to save 10% on your purchase. Get your own Domain Name now....

Recording Skype Conversations or System Audio

Have you ever wanted to record a Skype call or conversation? Well look no further than the list here for both Mac and Windows operating systems...

40 Social Media Curation Sites and Tools

Fantastic List Here posted by Shirley Williams:

http://socialmediapearls.com/40-social-media-curation-sites-and-tools/

Enjoy!!

Dr. c

Free Screen Capture Tools

You will Love these tools!! Click to check them out.

The Perfect Way to Build your Web Site...

check this link out for great site construction suggestions...

enjoy!

Fantastic Impermanent Data Apps..

Check these out...

Cloakmy: Send Self Destructing Messages Posted: 02 Dec 2012 06:01 PM PST Email is great, but what if you need to send a secure message that only the intended recipient will be able to read? Email is a fairly insecure way of sending a message – it sits in both inboxes and send mail folders until the sender or receiver decide to delete it. Cloakmy is different in that it allows you to send messages to email addresses, with an added layer of security. Whatever choice to send the message is not relayed within the email. Instead the recipient gets a link to the Cloakmy service where they can view the message (which can be password protected, too). The sender can choose auto self-destruct, which destroys the message after it has been read, timed-deletion and no deletion at all. Features: Send secure messages to anyone with an email address. Password protect your message. Enable auto self-destruction or timed-deletion. Similar tools: Burn Note, Wickr, Snapchat, BurnNote, OneTimeMessage, SelfDestruct, Norbt, and Send. Check out Cloakmy @ Cloakmy.org The post Cloakmy: Send Self Destructing Messages appeared first on MakeUseOf Directory