Terry Smith

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May 01, 06:15 AM
Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Great Blue Heron Nestcam
Here is a rare live look into the nest of a Great Blue Heron as provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology live webcam. So far 4 of 5 eggs have hatched and viewers have witnessed the family fend off great horned owls on multiple attacks of the nest. 



Watch live streaming video from cornellherons at livestream.com



Here's the hatching of no. 3 as shared on Youtube:





The only thing more fun than technology is nature.
April 29, 08:28 AM
Wrap Your Mind Around This 1 Percent Scenario
Astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson leaves us with something to ponder about Earth and it's relevance in the grand scheme of things...

April 15, 09:52 AM
Robot Prison Guard Undergoes Trials in South Korea
Equipped with 3D cameras and behavioral recognition software, a robotic prison guard is undergoing field trials in South Korea. The robot is autonomous but can also yield control to an operator via an iPad application. The purpose is not to physically interact with the inmates but rather observe and report, for now. It's no robocop, more like a pimped out roomba, but I think it's an interesting use of technology none the less. 

April 06, 11:07 AM
Project Glass - Am I Missing Something?
Yesterday I, like many others, brought you the story of Google's Project Glass. Since then I've viewed a television news cast, Global National's nightly news, and this CNN story about Glass in which there seems to be the opinion that what was announced was a "prototype" (A first or preliminary model of something, esp. a machine, from which other forms are developed or copied.). My understanding is that there is no claim to be a prototype but more of a concept, an idea. Quoting the Project Glass team, "So we took a few design photos to show what this technology could look like and created a video to demonstrate what it might enable you to do." 

So, is it me who is mistaken into thinking that Glass does not yet exist but is only a concept or is it big media who is mistaken into thinking that this video was actually taken using the device in it's prototype form?

Thoughts anyone?
April 05, 03:00 AM
Google's Project Glass
I can talk to my Samsung Nexus (Google) phone and have it convert my speech to text. I have Google Goggles app which allows me to point my phone's camera at objects and returns relevant information about those objects. It has Google Maps and turn by turn navigation... however, I have to carry it in my pocket or walk around with my head down risking life and limb. 

Today some Googlers posted Project Glass to Google+ "So we took a few design photos to show what this technology could look like and created a video to demonstrate what it might enable you to do." 

I'm loving it! While it's not yet real, that I know of, it's everything that I carry around today in a stylish heads up display. My only concern is that I wear prescription glasses that don't look quite as cool as the Project Glass concept, I hope they come out with a version that is equally as cool for those of us who are optically challenged.

April 04, 03:00 AM
Catalyst Powers Robo Jellyfish


Researchers from several Universities including Virginia Tech and the University of Texas at Dallas have combined forces to create a robotic jelly fish that uses a coating on it's skin in reaction with sea water to propel itself. "using a combination of oxygen and hydrogen gases to contract its "muscles," or "nano-platinum catalyst-coated multi-wall carbon nanotube sheets, wrapped on the surface of nickel—titanium shape memory alloy," I'll be honest, I have little idea what that means but it's cool none the less.

The schools are working on behalf of the US Navy and their findings could have a "broad range of applications for both military and civilian uses."

Source: Yahoo!
April 03, 03:00 AM
Assassin's Creed Fan Video

Assassin's Creed is a great game franchise and it definitely has it's fans among gamers. Microsoft Kinect also has it's fans, so why not make a Kinect version of Assassin's Creed? or at least a fan video parody?



"also available for Wii... definitely not available for Wii!" 

I love it. Well done. 
April 02, 04:00 AM
A New Car Fit For This Geek
We picked up our new Toyota Prius c on Friday. The c, for city, is a new vehicle in what is becoming the Prius line of vehicles. Along with the Prius c, Toyota has produced a larger Prius v and a plugin version of the traditional Pruis.

Our little Prius is based on the Yaris hatchback chassis but has some nice lines to optimize aerodynamics and assist in the expected 53 mpg city rating. I chose the "technology" version (go figure) which is the middle tier of 3 versions available here in Canada. Drivers in the US have their choice of 4 models and from what I can tell the "technology" package is equivalent of the Prius c 3. The technology package buys me:


  • XM Satellite Radio;
  • 6.1" Display Audio with Navigation;
  • Touch Tracer Steering Wheel Controls;
  • 15" Aluminum Alloy Wheels;
  • Smart Entry System; and
  • Push Button Start.


    • I'll let you know what I'm using, what I'm not using and what I love or hate about this car in a future post however if first impressions are any indication I'll have nothing but glowing reports. With 53 mpg city and the great attention to detail that I come to love from this manufacturer, I expect that this will be a big seller for Toyota.



    April 01, 05:37 AM
    It's That Time Again
    Google has been a pioneer since it's existence and as far as I can tell they have lead the way with their annual April Fools day announcements that seem almost plausible and have left more than a few people doing double takes. This years pranks are no exception to the list of far out ideas, though I think the Google Moon base job opportunity of 2004 is probably my favorite. This year it's, amongst other things, an 8-bit map and an autonomous Nascar.



    For the yearly wrap-up check out this wikipedia entry. 

    Oh, and not to be out done, Sir Richard Branson just announced via twitter (@richardbranson) that Virgin is launching the UK's first naked workout sessions and trips to the earth's core via the 5 most active volcanos "Introducing , journeying to the centre of the earth thru the world’s 5 most active volcanoes! ".

    Please leave a comment if you've discovered any others that you'd like to share!
    February 28, 07:35 PM
    A Peak Into The Future Of The 3D See Through UI
    Check out the fun that Cati Boulanger (a researcher at Microsoft) and Jinha Lee, an MIT Media Lab Ph.D. student and Microsoft intern are having working on a 3D see through pc user interface. Looks intuitive. 


    Eat your heart out Tom Cruise!
    January 26, 05:00 AM
    We Can Rebuild Him!
    It's a long story...


    ...typing with one hand is no fun, so excuse me if I didn't feel much like writing. The good news is that I now have my sling off (after 9 days in hospital and 8 weeks at home), I can raise my arm enough to reach the keyboard, I've started physiotherapy to build on the range of motion, and yes that is my x-ray. 
    November 04, 06:03 AM
    Google Tweaks Search Algorithms To Be More Timely
    Information travels across the wire so quickly these days that Google has decided to make some changes to it's search algorithms to place more relevance on more recent results.

    “Given the incredibly fast pace at which information moves in today’s world, the most recent information can be from the last week, day or even minute, and depending on the search terms, the algorithm needs to be able to figure out if a result from a week ago about a TV show is recent, or if a result from a week ago about breaking news is too old,” said Amit Singhal, a software engineer who heads up Google’s search-ranking team.

    One can assume that the move is an attempt to keep up with the pace of social sites, like twitter, which often produces news about global events while they are happening, and much sooner than traditional media channels. The big question is, as always, how trust worthy is the information and what weight will Google assign to which source in order to provide us with the best results.

    October 19, 06:00 AM
    Galaxy Nexus With Ice Cream Sandwich
    Is it a pure coincidence that my first gen Android phone (htc dream / g1) is experiencing battery issues right now? I mean, I love this phone and while I know it's a bit old school right now, it has been 'old faithful'. Even given the opportunity to upgrade I choose to pass the Samsung Galaxy on to my wife while I hung on to my dream. Of late however, I've been experiencing some battery issues that have caused me to think that in the world of mobile 2+ years is a long time. And now this:





    Coming to Rogers I hope!
    October 18, 06:39 AM
    Which geek among us hasn't been intrigued by the concept of levitation? I recall spending copious amounts of time as a child, attempting to cause one magnet to hover over another only to have one of them flip and smack into the other in a tight bond, or be propelled away wildly. I think that is partially why I find this video so fascinating:

    September 30, 06:32 AM
    I Didn't Know We Had A King
    It's been a while since I went on a rant here, and while I am a bit lost for words these days I'd like to simply offer up these two videos for argument sake:



    September 20, 06:24 AM
    YouTube in 3D
    I hadn't realized this until seeing this YouTube API Blog post this morning, but YouTube has been working on 3D video with support for the LG Optimus 3D and NVIDIA 3D Vision, and now for Samsung 3D TVs. The technology allows you to view the content with support for red/blue glasses as well as the latest 3D televisions.

    I've not yet invested in 3D TV myself, not sure I could get used to it, so I've not tried this yet but I do think there is a pair of those red/blue glasses around here somewhere! Here is a sample from YouTube, if you have the glasses let us know what you think! Is the quality worthy of investing in 3D? Is this what tips the market into buying into 3D?


    September 19, 11:39 AM
    Google Wallet
    Being a huge Google fanboy and also a Seinfeld fan I just couldn't help but post this one.


    Looking forward to seeing how Google Wallet works!
    ps. hope to get back to a regular post regime soon.

    September 09, 06:41 AM
    Why You Need To Be Active On LinkedIn
    My Webbeat.tv pal Pelpina Trip talks to Mike D. Merrill about LinkedIn and why it's important be on this social network - Webbeat.TV 157. Very informative interview!

    September 09, 06:14 AM
    Yet Another Meeting
    I discovered a new web service recently via a clever YouTube video that was circulating via my Twitter pals. In all honesty I can't really tell you how it works just yet as I've only just signed up and it's tough to have a meeting by yourself. Yam, short for Yet Another Meeting, is a collaborative tool for conducting meetings and sharing notes and docs, similar I suppose to Basecamp or even Google docs and spreadsheets, but perhaps with a little more emphasis on the user experience.

    August 24, 06:15 AM
    Portal 2 Portrayed In Live Action
    Came across this little gem via Google+ this morning. I'm a huge fan of the Portal franchise and this is a very well put together short film depicting the Portal theme. Check it out:

    August 23, 07:00 PM
    Motivation, In Someone Else's Words
    Over a year ago I went on a rant about what motivates us and it felt really good to get that out there. I had just started a new job and was basking in the fulfillment I was getting from my new work place, and rallying my former work mates to open their eyes to what was happening around them. I'm very happy to say that I feel the same today, maybe more so, than I did then... I love my work.

    So it is with great interest that I read this Fast Company blog post which reiterates some of what I was feeling, except mine was from the employees perspective, even if I didn't say it or didn't say it as eloquently. What I find really interesting is that the author viewed the same great RSA video as I had and that he has chosen to heed the advise found within. Kudos to you Harish!
    August 15, 07:17 AM
    Batman The Dark Knight Rises - Batwing Filming
    Here is a short video of the filming of a chase scene between Batman, in his Batwing, in pursuit of a yet unknown (to me) bad guy! Interesting, one can assume that the scene will be accelerated and there will be a bunch of "touch ups" but it's pretty interesting to see the work in progress.


    August 12, 07:55 AM
    The End of Facebook?
    Anonymous has posted an interesting message to the world that they plan to take down Facebook on November 5th, 2011.



    Interestingly, November 5th is also Guy Fawkes Day. "Wintour introduced Fawkes to Robert Catesby, who planned to assassinate King James I and restore a Catholic monarch to the throne. The plotters secured the lease to an undercroft beneath the House of Lords, and Fawkes was placed in charge of the gunpowder they stockpiled there. Prompted by the receipt of an anonymous letter, the authorities searched Westminster Palace during the early hours of 5 November, and found Fawkes guarding the explosives. Over the next few days, he was questioned and tortured, and eventually he broke. Immediately before his execution on 31 January, Fawkes jumped from the scaffold where he was to be hanged and broke his neck, thus avoiding the agony of the drawing and quartering that followed.

    Fawkes became synonymous with the Gunpowder Plot, which has been commemorated in England since 5 November 1605. His effigy is burned on a bonfire, often accompanied by a firework display." (wikipedia)
    July 17, 08:33 AM
    Is The Internet Changing Our Memory?
    A recent study by Columbia University professor, Dr Betsy Sparrow, suggests that we are relying less on our memory of a subject and more on our memory of where to find the subject matter. "I don't think Google is making us stupid - we're just changing the way that we're remembering things... If you can find stuff online even while you're walking down the street these days, then the skill to have, the thing to remember, is where to go to find the information. It's just like it would be with people - the skill to have is to remember who to go see about [particular topics]." says Dr. Sparrow.


    I'd argue that we've been doing this since we've been able to read and write. We may have faster access to information these days but prior to the internet there were libraries, filing cabinets, and subject matter experts. Don't you agree? Am I missing something here?


    Source: bbc.co.uk
    June 29, 06:15 AM
    Google+ Project - A Rival To Facebook?
    Ever since Google announced that it was shutting down Wave there has been a lot of speculation over it's plans to release a Facebook rival. For a very lucky few, in Google tradition, the wait may be over.

    Google has announced The Google+ project which aims to allow us to get social but in a more orderly fashion. Google+ seems to provide users with a mechanism for categorizing friends into logical groups via "circles". The idea being to put up walls, as we do in real life, and share certain information with certain groups (circles) of friends.

    “In real life, we have walls and windows and I can speak to you knowing who’s in the room, but in the online world, you get to a ‘Share’ box and you share with the whole world,” Bradley Horowitz, a vice president for product management at Google is quoted as saying by the NYtimes.

    There is a lot of "who cares?" discussion out there but this is one blogger who is anxiously awaiting a Facebook alternative. I've never really embraced Facebook, though I do have an account and have maintained a quiet presence there. Living a more controlled existence is very appealing to me. I've got better things to do than play Farmville or to know what achievement you've unlocked, thank you.

    Anxiously awaiting my invite.

    great big geek
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    Profile

    Terry Smith
    Quality Assurance Analyst at ScreenScape Networks
    Information Technology and Services | Prince Edward Island, Canada, CA

    Experience

    • Apr 2010 - Present
      Quality Assurance Analyst / ScreenScape Networks
      Assisting the Director of Operations in developing and managing processes which can maintain the quality and reliability of our product and services. These processes span the management of product requirements, the management of product development cycles, quality assurance and software testing, and customer support. The position further entails working with development staff and promoting quality achievement and performance improvement throughout the organization.
    • Mar 2010 - Present
      Co-Founder / Moving Ideas Group Inc.
      Moving Ideas Group Inc. is a smartphone application development shop and mobile website developer.
    • Jun 2008 - Present
      eHealth Consultant and Account Manager / DeltaWare Systems Inc.
    • Mar 2002 - Present
      eHealth Consultant / DeltaWare Systems Inc.
    • 1999 - Present
      Director of Multimedia / Simscape Development Corp.
    • Jan 1998 - Present
      Developer / Silverfox Developments

    Education

    • 1993 - 1998
      NBCC Miramichi
      Knowledge Engineering Technology in Artificial Intelligence, Project Management, Multimedia, Programming

    Additional Information

    Websites:
    Personal Blog, Company Website, Webbeattv Contributor
    Honors:
    Prince Edward Island Ministry of Innovation and Advanced Learning Pilot Fund recipient 2008 - 2009 and 2009 - 2010.
    Interests:
    technology, blogging, social networking, curling, hockey, sports, volunteering, family
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    I reject your reality and substitute my own. 

    - Adam, Mythbusters



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