christopherhord

Archive for March, 2012|Monthly archive page

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GarageBand for iPad, and other apps

In Hardware, Music, Publishing, Technology, Uncategorized on March 30, 2012 at 12:21 pm

My newest gig is writing some beginner-level user guides for Apple’s recently updated GarageBand for iPad app. One of the nice things about this is the client wanted guides for all of Apple’s new iLife apps — GarageBand, iPhoto and iMovie — and wants one version of each for iPhone, and for iPad. Since I haven’t committed to getting an iPad yet, so they’re sending me a loaner for the project. I already have an iPod touch, so that can stand in nicely for the iPhone.

GarageBand icon

GarageBand for iPhone and iPad is quietly revolutionary

I’m already a GarageBand for iPhone user, on my touch, so I decided to start with that one. The more time I spend with that app, the more I become convinced it is truly one of the fines pieces of music software I’ve ever encountered. As both a musician and a programmer, I’m a little picky on this topic.

Don’t have time to go into a lot of detail about the app right now, but I am thinking it’s a topic some readers might enjoy. After I finish the main project, I should probably have some fresh material I can turn into a blog post. So, if you’re a current user of the app, or you’re just curious, keep an eye out for some detailed information in the near future.

Also on deck, some web development adventures with Joomla. That’s a project that has been a lot of fun, and I’m looking forward to sharing!

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Project person

In Hardware, Technology on March 7, 2012 at 12:45 pm

The blog post title comes from a friend who, long before the temp/contractor economy took hold, identified that some people aren’t “job people.” Some people are “project people.” I look at my schedule and all the projects I have lined up, and I have to concede — I’m a project person.

One of my big goals for this year is to update the blog more frequently. It’s funny that a journalist, used to the daily grind of churning out stories, should find this such a challenge. But I’m so busy lining up and executing new projects that it’s actually hard to keep up with posting about them

Currently finishing up two manuscripts for hire, a beginner’s guide to using Android smartphones. The manuscript required me to strongly familiarize myself with the Android OS, popular apps and hardware. The first book went to the client two weeks ago — I hope to have the next one done by Monday.

Android operating system logo

Android -- flawed, fractious and free

Look for some interesting information here for Android phone users. I’ve got way more research on the topic than I can fit in these slim volumes, so I’m happy to share some here. We’ll explore how to hack your Android smartphone, if you want to upgrade your operating system to Google’s shiny, new Android 4 OS (a.k.a. Ice Cream Sandwich). It’s a risky procedure, but it’s a lot safer and easier than it was not too long ago.

My other main concern is with syncing data to your Android smartphone from other computers. I already use a desktop computer, a laptop and an iPod Touch so, obviously, the Android has to fit in with my already-existing workflow. In this space, we’ll talk about some of the apps I’ve tried. Hopefully, this may save you time if you are looking to get a new Android phone, or make your Android use more efficient.

Thanks, as always, for reading. And watch this space!