Thanks to everyone who sent in iPhone hints. I knew about the ringtone exploit and the IM web apps, but I didn't know you could get wallpapers on there by setting a photo folder to sync.
It's still irritating to me that I have to jump through hoops for a lot of these things. In short, I like all the parts where it works properly, I hate all the parts that look like someone from the phone company insisted it not work properly. And all the parts like menu-based voicemail where the iPhone manages to stamp out some entrenched cell phone obnoxiousness? I love those.
The coming SDK will hopefully render most complaints moot.
Matt
@machall productions .com
Ok, got the iPhone.
January 31, 2008, 04:11 EST
Now, some impressions. Timely, I know.
I'm in Apple's corner to begin with. My G4 iBook has been my main work computer for years. I like OS X because if I think it should be able to do something, it probably can. Plus, whatever that something is, the process for doing it is usually my first guess.
So when I fired up the iPhone, I figured, hey, this thing must have some kind of IM application, right? I've seen commercials for other fancy phones with that feature. My ancient battered phone could do that, even if it was too clunky to use.
Well, no. You have to use SMS, and pay a fee for the privilege if you send too many.
And since this thing holds all my music, I can set some of it as a ringtone, yes? I could upload MIDIs to my ancient phone via bluetooth.
Nope. You can only use 99 cent iTunes Store music files as ringtones, and even then you have to pay another 99 cents to enable it.
Uploading custom wallpapers? Not that I can tell.
This feels like the most un-Apple-like product I've ever used. Everything I think I should be able to do, I either outright can't or have to find some workaround.
That said...
For all the gripes, it was invaluable during Genericon for finding directions on the fly, checking email and approving Project Wonderful ads, especially since my aforementioned iBook's power cord finally frayed to pieces. It's the very definition of "I wouldn't pay for it, but I use it every day."
Ian
@machall productions .com
Movie Uploaded
January 31, 2008, 02:39 EST
Uploaded the time lapse vidya I used for my Art Panel at Genericon onto Google Video. (The Cherub & Bear one) Without the commentary from the live presentation I'm doubt you can get much useful information from watching it. However, it can be interesting if you're into that sort of thing.
Ian
@machall productions .com
Incase you wanted to play something Awesome:
January 30, 2008, 14:52 EST
The gods of travel are unkind.
January 28, 2008, 07:47 EST
Until I'm home again and have time to do a comic, please enjoy this silly image I did for the Genericon art panel.
Why did I draw my avatar with a bear? I'm not sure either... I think it has to do with spending the weekend with the quite random George.
Holy hell, it's late...
Matt
@machall productions .com
Happy birthday to:
January 23, 2008, 18:47 EST
Ian.
Ian
@machall productions .com
Pointy
January 23, 2008, 18:34 EST
It is not very well known outside the office, but I'm a fiend for low tech art. Low Polygon art in particular. The lower your polycount the more specialized your texture art has to be and there's just this sweet spot where you can pull off amazing things with minimal specs.
This has to be one of the more awesome things I've seen though. 500 polygon Team Fortress 2 characters. Not on the merits of being TF related but because of how excellently executed they are. They are spot on to the originals. Quality work.
Random Note: Haven't chosen a Tablet yet. Gonna shop around more
Less Random Note: heading to Genericon this weekend. If you're in the area, see you there.
Matt
@machall productions .com
Alex Robinson style all up ins
January 21, 2008, 04:49 EST
Since planning to do some conventions again, we're getting a new booth banner. And since we're getting a new banner, we decided to auction off the old one which has just been sitting in my bedroom, being awesome.
Going to Genericon? Want to see a particular shirt design from the store there? Send an email to Jes and let her know.
Oh, and Jes says to say the recipe is a panatone, but it comes out runny and gross.
Ian
@machall productions .com
Question for who ever made me;
January 15, 2008, 14:42 EST
How can so much mucus come out of my head and my skull not collapse? This is getting ridiculous.
So I have another random French digital artist that I'm incredibly jealous of. This one draws my current favorite webcomic on the net. Honestly, it says a lot about my criteria for such things since I can't read the comic.
Like I said, incredibly jealous of this one. Amazing art and still updates every week with epic length comics. I must consume this artist's powers as my own.
Matt
@machall productions .com
Merch 2: The Swaggening
January 15, 2008, 06:10 EST
There's going to be a few new prints up in the store soon. Topatoco is going to revamp their system this week, so we're waiting until then.
We picked out some comics we liked (19, 38 and 51) the art on and printed them up sans word balloons. We'll be carrying these to Genericon this month as well.
Ian
@machall productions .com
So yeah,
January 10, 2008, 03:04 EST
It's gonna take me a few days to get through all this. But I will share the info with you all when I finally decide and purchase one. Thanks again.
Ian
@machall productions .com
Flood
January 9, 2008, 14:43 EST
*8:35am - Wakes up*
*10:42am - Checks email*
*10:43am - Collects jaw from floor*
Man, that's quite a bit of feed back on the tablets. Thank you. I shall begin going through this at lunch.
Matt
@machall productions .com
Better than disembowled mice
January 9, 2008, 05:46 EST
Today's present was a chunk of toilet paper torn from the roll and dragged into the bed. It was adorable and gross.
