Eric's Personal Insight Corner » Technology

Why should I get a Mac?

Eric Kirkhuff — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:57:40 +0000

This is the $64,000 question. The call is to is to find out what current PC applications one uses for business and personal.

Mac is making it easier for both home and in business. One cannot convert a PC guy to Mac unless he or she is open-minded. Most of the PC vs Mac mantra is the PC person says that Mac’s are more expensive and software is not as prevalent for the business needs. This is kinda true and getting less and less of an issue. Most want Outlook, Word, and the ability to login securely.

There is no one definitive answer, it comes down to personal preference and lifestyle. I will address the high cost issue of the Mac in defense. Have you ever seen a PC go 5 years without a crash or meltdown that was used by a businessman? Probably not. Hence, the value of having a relatively trouble free Mac for that length of time has intrinsic and time value to that person. Call it insurance or piece of mind computing.

If your a PC person and use Outlook, Word, coupled with a few other office type programs, you will be fine with a Mac. In fact it seems like MS Office and Outlook runs pretty nice on a mac. If it crashes, you can kill the program only without a reboot, one nice feature. Try a Mac and keep your PC, run them in parallel for a few months. Don’t go cold turkey if you can afford it.

I use a Macbook pro with VM Ware which is a program that runs in the background and allows you to run Windows in the background on my Mac. It is very nice. VM Ware or Paralles are resource hogs, so be careful and turn them completely off if you are using Mac for heavy work like Photoshop, Final Cut or media processing.

You must have at least a 500GB harddrive and about 8-10GB of Ram. You can run windows XP or 7 in the background and tell VMware how much Ram you want to dedicate to Windows, so it does not hog it. I find 3GB ram is good leaving around 5GB for my Mac.

The windows mac solutions should be supported by someone. I hear that there are some guys in Costa Mesa, California called “The Mac Guys”. You may want to have Apple Care from Mac so you can talk to them about your Mac related support and then consult the PC person for your PC or Windows support needs. It is like having two computers.
Windows will be always be Windows so you will need a good PC consultant to help you support that if he does want to cross the Mac bridge. We are all faced with this integration now and more and more people are looking for a way out of windows if they do not need it. Windows 7 is a becoming a more stable Operating System, or OS. SalesForce and GotoassitExpress, are the only reasons I have Windows running now, and when they get with the program, I probably will not have it anymore. I help selectively people with their PC’s that cannot afford to get them fixed or they are just desperate and have no trustworthy direction to turn.

There is a time and a place for everything and well, if you can avoid PC, I suggest you see if it works for you.

Salesforce Windows 7 and Mac Mail Merge… Really?

Eric Kirkhuff — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:59:47 +0000

I have a real Beef with Salesforce. Today I was pissed and wasted several hours on something that should have been addressed long ago. I look over the forums and they are all the same. Salesforce refuses to recognize Firefox, Chrome, and Windows 7.

I come from a solid PC world and several years ago I switched to Mac, but still had to run Windows in the background using VMware, and no problems.

I use windows ONLY because Sales Force is still after 3 years, has their code tied to the Internet Explorer umbilical cord. Yeah, all the other companies that would not run on the Mac platform have evolved and I know only use Windows for SalesForce only.

Salesforce obviously has refused to address this every growing Mac world, and make the bridge so you can perform form and mail merges with other than Internet Explorer .

Having run Windows 7 on the side and finally realizing it’s stability, today I decided I switch my main XP to Windows 7 not thinking about the problem they had with mail merging which was almost a year ago with form mail merging and windows 7.

The mail merge in windows 7 still does not work and will not recognize the files to perform this…. really? a few years later?

Salesforce Are you listening? I do not want to hear anything more from Sales Force about how cool their software and how many user apps they have until they fix the windows 7 and Mac merge issues.

When do you use the word …Really? This is a real good time. …Really Salesforce?

#backtoXP

Balanced Vs Unbalanced info – XLR to RCA

Eric Kirkhuff — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:49:46 +0000

So, for years you have been wondering what Balanced and Unbalanced actually is and how it behaves, then read on.

Balanced audio connections are extremely important in sound recording and production because they allow for the use of very long cables with reduced introduction of outside noise. The most common balanced connector is the 3-pin XLR, which is used with microphones because of its durable construction. Many microphones have low impedance (low-Z), which makes long microphone cables susceptible to some forms of outside noise, and a perfect application for a balanced line, which cancels out most of this outside noise.

A balanced audio connection has two wires, one of inverted polarity to the other. (For instance, in an XLR connector, pin 2 carries the signal with normal polarity, and pin 3 carries an upside-down version of the same signal.) However, an XLR plug also carries a third connection – pin 1 is used as an earth to shield the other two. The received signal is the difference between the two signal lines. This signal recombination can be implemented with a differential amplifier where the negated signal is tied to the negative terminal of the operational amplifier. A balun may also be used instead of an active differential amplifier device. Much of the noise induced in the cable is induced equally in both signal lines, so this noise can be easily rejected – the noise received in the second, negated line is applied against the first, upright signal, and cancelled out when the two signals are added together.

The separate shield of a balanced audio connection also yields a noise rejection advantage over a typical two-conductor arrangement such as used on domestic hi-fi where the shield is actually one of the two signal wires and is not really a shield at all, but relies on its low, but in practice not zero, impedance to signal ground. Any noise currents induced into a balanced audio shield will not therefore be directly modulated onto the signal, whereas in a two-conductor system they will be. This also prevents ground loops.

If the power amplifiers of a public address system are located at any distance from the mixing console, it is also normal to use balanced lines for the signal paths from the mixer to these amplifiers. Many other components, such as graphic equalizers and effects units, have balanced inputs and outputs to allow this. In recording and for short cable runs in general, a compromise is necessary between the noise reduction given by balanced lines and the noise and distortion introduced by the extra circuitry they require.

danger boy

07-31-2006, 08:27 PM

This article explains the difference between balanced and unbalanced audio, when it is best to use which, and how to go about connecting a balanced output to an unbalanced input and vice versa.Unbalanced Audio
Most domestic audio equipment has unbalanced audio inputs and outputs. This means that the audio output (left, right, or mono) appears on a single wire, and is referenced to “0V” or “Ground”. Typical connectors used are RCA “phono” connectors, DIN plugs/sockets, and 0.25″ (6.3mm) or 3.5mm jack plugs/sockets.
Unbalanced audio is fine for the domestic environment, and for line-level signals in a typical broadcast studio. Problems start to occur if the signals are being carried over long distances, especially if the source and destination have separate mains supplies.Balanced Audio
A lot of professional equipment will have balanced audio inputs and outputs, usually on 3-pin “XLR” connectors. A balanced audio signal consists of a pair of wires carrying the audio signal in anti-phase with each other. Relative to 0V, if one wire carries a positive voltage, the other carries an equal and opposite negative voltage.
The 3 wires used in a typical XLR lead are often referred to as Ground, Live and Return, or Ground, Hot and Cold. “Live” and “Return” carry the “in-phase” and “out-of-phase” versions of the audio respectively. Calling the signals “Live” and “Return” makes it nice and easy to remember which goes on which pin of the XLR plug/socket:

X = Ground
L = Live
R = Return
The advantage of balanced audio over unbalanced audio is it’s ability to reject external interference added as the signal is carried over the wire. The receiving equipment takes the voltage difference between the two wires as the input signal. Interference will usually get added to both wires equally, and so gets ignored by the receiving equipment.
Interconnections
Often, it is necessary to connect a balanced output to an unbalanced input, or vice-versa. The 100% correct and official way to do this is via a transformer or an electronic converter made from an op-amp. There are also some reasonably-priced ICs especially designed for the task – check out the SSM2141/2/3 from Analog Devices for example.
Assuming you are within the relatively benign surroundings of somewhere such as a radio studio however, there are simpler ways to connect balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs. All result in unbalanced signals on the wires, so don’t do this if you fear interference!

To connect an unbalanced output to a balanced input, simply connect the unbalanced signal to the “Live” side of the balanced input, and connect the Ground side of the output to both the “Return” and “Ground” of the input. Some unbalanced outputs assume they will be connected to a high-impedance input, so if your input is switchable between high-impedance and 600 Ohm, make sure it is set to high-impedance. If it is low-impedance only, you may be out of luck! If you’re desparate to get a signal, try using the headphone output to feed the equipment – just make sure you turn the levels down to start with, and turn them up slowly until you get a reasonable level. The sound quality may not be brilliant, but you will get half-decent sound – better than trying to cope with the very low input level caused by feeding a high-impedance output into a low impedance input!

A word of warning. XLR inputs on mixers are also used for Microphone inputs. These assume an input level of somewhere in the region of -60 to -40dB. Feeding them with a 0dB input level is not recommended. Make sure that you use only line-level inputs, or that the input has been switched into line-level mode. If you only have a mic-level input, you can make do by using a resistive divider to reduce the input level. An attenuation of 60dB is a factor of 1000, so put a 10k resistor and a 10 ohm (or 100k and 100 ohm) resistor in series between the output and ground. Now connect the live and return pins of the input across the 10 ohm resistor.

To connect a balanced output to an unbalanced input, there are a couple of choices.In both cases, the “Live” side of the output is connected to the signal input.The other connection depends on whether the output is transformer isolated (in which case the “Return” side is connected to the input ground) or electronically balanced using ICs (in which case the Ground pin of the output may be connected to the input ground instead). The latter will result in a 6dB (i.e. factor of 2) loss of amplitude, and perhaps reduced signal-to-noise ratio.

Why have we got two possibilities? If you try to get a signal between a transformer balanced output and ground you will get nothing – the signal is not referenced to ground at all. On the other hand, if you connect the “Return” output of an electronically-balanced output to the input ground, you will be shorting that output to ground, and the chip may not like it. From an audio fidelity point-of-view, it is obviously better to use the “Return” output rather than the “Ground”, so how do you know when it is safe to do so? If you’re being professional, you could open-up the equipment, find-out which IC is being used and then go and read the datasheet. The more practical solution is to “suck it and see” – try it out and see if the audio sounds distorted or looks distorted on an oscilloscope – you’re most unlikely to cause permanent damage to the chip as it will have built-in short-circuit protection.

If you regularly need to connect balanced outputs to unbalanced inputs, you may like to make up a lead with a switch in circuit to select whether the return or ground connection on the balanced output is connected to ground on the unbalanced input.

Reproduced from Nigel Dallard, Chief Engineer, Winchester Hospital Radio
9 October 1999
personally. it seems to many people worry to much about this. that to be it’s not worth worrying about. i’ll stick with unbalanced for my home theater and 2 channel rigs.

More on XLR to RCA if you need to wire it up.

More Info on Balanced Vs Unbalanced

input connections: Line 1 – 1/4 inch Line 2 – XLR
+ Tip Pin2
– Ring Pin3
Shield Sleeve Pin 1

LINE 1 INPUT This jack accepts a 1⁄4” TRS connector, wired either
balanced or unbalanced.
For balanced wiring, a 3-conductor 1⁄4″ TRS plug is necessary. See
the INPUT CONNECTIONS wiring chart below or on the amplifier
panel.
Unbalanced wiring works with either a 2 or 3-conductor 1⁄4” TRS
connector. A 2-conductor 1⁄4″ TS plug automatically grounds the
minus signal input, whereas a 3-conductor TRS plug wired
unbalanced provides the option of leaving the minus input open or
grounded. We recommend that you ground the unused input.
The LINE 1 INPUT connector is hardwired in parallel with the LINE 2
INPUT connector, so either may be used as an input or a pass-through
connection. Input specifications apply to both inputs.

LINE 2 INPUT This jack accepts XLR input connections, wired either
balanced or unbalanced. The LINE 2 INPUT connector is hardwired in
parallel with the LINE 1 INPUT connector, so either may be used as an input
or a pass-through connection. Input specifications apply to both inputs.

Clear 4G Internet Services Here

Eric Kirkhuff — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:06:16 +0000

YourHost.com is now Clear 4G Dealer setup to assist our Digital Rapids TouchStream Customers. The Clear 4G allows our TouchStream customers to move about in the 4G Coverage area, creating Live Stream Events with speeds of 1mb up and 5 down. Our team has personally tested the 4G RJ45 connected modem with and without wireless capabilities.

This means that you can go remote, stream a 400-500kbps stream, and have enough room for a VOIP phone or surf the net without hosing the stream. It is brilliant. For as little as $45-52/mo. you can have this at your fingertips.

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Content Managed Systems CMS Joomla vs Drupal?

Eric Kirkhuff — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:19:57 +0000

I have been reading up on the differences and while it is rather vague, the main difference seems to be that:
Drupal is better for larger sites and is easier to add onto or extend.
Drupal has better documentation.
Joomla seems to be better for newbies where Drupal is more for the web developers (so it wouldn’t work for too well for churches.
Drupal has the ability to add custom fields where I am still trying to find a work around in Joomla.
I have also read that the ecommerce component is better in drupal and has better support.

Need a very very simple site, then use WordPress, but it is limiting and you need to pick the template that fits your needs and style. You will find the cost to be from free to $100 for the template of your choice.

Facebook Customer Support Phone number 650 543-4800

Eric Kirkhuff — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:57:17 +0000

Our company has been advertising on Facebook for some time now and we are now at a point where we do not want to advertise anymore until we get some direct contact with a Facebook representative. I emailed all the places I could find and then… I found this number and this is what I got and I am sure you will enjoy it. Nice. Facebook-Customer-Service

Did you know that Your Cell Phone Facebook Pictures lead Stalkers and theives to you?

Eric Kirkhuff — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 01:13:41 +0000

It was bound to happen. All those pictures you put up on Facebook of your new Car, FlatScreen, etc are marked with what is known as Geo Tagging.

Plainly put, Geo Tagging Photos you post, reveal the exact coordinates to you and your stuff husbands, wives, friends, and family members. So if a person knows where you are and knows where you or your stuff is, they can use that info for several bad things.

Most people don’t realize that the action of automatic Geo Tagging takes place on their smart phones, either because it is enabled by default, not exposed the user as an option, or was asked and then forgotten. As a result, individuals often share too much information about their location, right down to the exact Latitude and Longitude when snapping photos with their smartpphone and posting them online.

Don’t panic or swallow your Gum…, most popular cell phones will allow you to turn them off. I do not suggest you turn everything off then some of your “location apps” will not work, like maps and around me type apps.

The iPhone one of the easiest and Geo Tagging friendly to disable some of the features. Here are some instructions for the iPhone, and more in the link from a cool group of people that are helping expose this technology.

How do I disable my iPhone 4? -

iPhone4 .x
Apple greatly simplified the way to turn off location services on a per-application basis. To see your settings, go to Settings, General, then Location Services. From there you can set which applications can access your GPS coordinates or disable it entirely.

Screen Shot

iPhone 3.x

With the iOS 3.x there are two ways to disable Geotagging of photos. The first involves disabling of all location based services. To disable this feature, Go to Settings, General then set Location Services to off.

Screen Shot

Be warned: This will turn off ALL location based services for ALL applications. Of course we may actually have need to use location based services for other applications (such as maps and driving directions, or getting robbed via Foursquare), but just not for our pictures.

There is no easy way to disable location based servces for just one application. However, we can make the iPhone prompt us at first use for each application. Once reset, the first time we enter the application we can enable or disable location based services for the application. To do so we need to go to Settings, General, Reset.

Learn more from these guys at I can Stalk You

Release of iPhone iPad Html5 player generator

Eric Kirkhuff — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:07:24 +0000

YourHost.com officially released it’s JW supported 2.0 Streaming Player Generator that streams (iPhone – iPad – Html5) Video On Demand (VOD) and Live streaming solutions.

Due to the unwavering position of Apple NOT to support Flash on their mobile devices, specifically the iPhone – iPad, YourHost.com has coded a player that will allow their CDN customers to stream archived Video On Demand files from the iPhone – iPad. How? it is done through a skewed form of ABR or (Adaptive Bit Rate technology).

Better yet, the player will continue to work well when Apple finally caves and incorporates Flash support on their mobile devices.

All you need to do is encode one more Mp4 file per video, and insert both the Flash and Mp4 file paths into our new player generator.

The player generator then creates the code that you need which you can directly cut and paste into a webpage for viewing. To the delight of web designers and coders, YourHost.com has left the ability of the user to tweak the player to their specific needs.

See the player here at the bottom of the linked page

Need Live iPhone – iPad device streaming? Contact YourHost.com.

Facebook Story Business Story

Eric Kirkhuff — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:12:24 +0000

I have one that I need a facebook pro to help me. Nobody at Facebook has or will help me so I am pretty much hosed.

I have had a personal page for a few years. I wanted to setup a page for our company, YourHost.com. I was suggested to setup fans (more than 25 will get you a page name). See if you can follow this. At the time my personal page was facebook.com/erickirkhuff, pretty normal.

Then I setup a YourHost.com company fan page and then started looking for our company name so it could be setup as facebook.com/yourhost…right?

I found a real cool guy in Australia that gave up the name in like 5 seconds, and he wrote me and said” it is all yours mate!” What a stand-up guy.

I had like 10 minutes before someone takes the name “yourhost”, so I changed my name from facebook.com/erickirkhuff to facebook.com/yourhost

I saw and read that I had no other choice than to do this (oh and of course start another account, but could not add the name because I did not yet have 25 fans…that is the rub)

So now I sit like probably lots of others not able to get my business name set up properly on my fan page (BTW – I have 30 fans on the page so I can name it) I was willing to offer to pay a facebook Guru to help me and or I offered Facebook for paid business guidance or inside help. Anyone who can help. Let me know

SalesForce dropped the ball on Mailmerge and Windows 7 go back to XP

Eric Kirkhuff — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:58:32 +0000

I have been a PC guy since it’s inception. My family all have Macs as I no longer wanted to be virus tech support. So I am a 2 months new MacBook Pro user running VMWare and Windows 7. Note, make sure you upgrade to 8gigs or RAM or you will experience a painful slowness that is intolerable.

I have had no issues with Salesforce using the Mac. You cannot run MailMerge on Mac, but you can run Windows and I.E. Which is completely retarded, but it is the lesser of two evils. If it was not the MailMerge and the fact that I have to use I.E. to run it, I would be completely Mac.

Ok so last night I decided if I found forums that tell me Salesforce has not made a fix since people complaining about Windows 2007 compatibility, I would go backwards and install XP Professional.

I tried to resolve the mail merge errors that we saw about not being able to write the file and missing paths. I just finished installing all the necessary items to run MailMerge and it all worked just fine, Fixed.

So if you have Windows 7 , you will not be happy with the quirky things that Windows 7 does. Windows 7 has file and security control issues, which is why it will not work. I tried several things, making new paths that did not exist, file permissions, uninstall, reboot, reinstall..Don’t waste your time with Salesforce and Windows 7 for MalMerge until they address this.

I was not going to wait for Salesforce to fix it, especially since it has been 8 months since I could see the first Windows 7 / Salesforce Merge complaints.

SalesForce really has dropped the ball on this one. :smileymad:

Errors -