As you may have heard, I was accepted into the eyeJazz project. This week's eyeJazz assignment is to show two or more ways of getting the same basic info about a place or person into a video. It's more of an exercise, rather than a finished video – AND – I have a lot of available time to do the assignment, so I've decided to forego my standard editing tool (Adobe Premiere) and instead use a free, online video editor. There are several, but I'm curious about a product called "Jay Cut".

Although you can edit videos with no sign-in, obtaining an account is free, and easy. Editing with an account means you can save your work and come back later – always a good idea.

Once signed up, going to the editor is immediate. The interface looks similar to iMovie or Windows Movie Maker, so it's easy to jump in. I decided the best place to start would be to upload the videos from last night's brief video shoot. Selecting “Add Media”, I browsed to a folder of seven videos and hit upload.

This amounts to about 220 mb of data, and it took a couple of hours. Fortunately, this can be done in the background, so I can work on other things while the progress bar pokes along. In the end, all of the files are there, and ready for me to work with.

Now I'm looking at an edit window. It is timeline based, with room for two video tracks, a text track, a transition track and an audio track. Keep in mind this is all operating in a web browser. I haven't installed any software on my computer. Response is surprisingly snappy. This looks promising.

The first thing I want to do is trim out the useful part of a clip. I believe this will require a glass of wine – so please excuse me for a moment...

(feel free to join me if you're inclined...)

OK – we're back. Let's trim a clip. First, I drag the clip into one of two video timelines. I select the cut tool, and use the scrubber to move to a position on the timeline. There isn't any audio feedback as I move around through the clip – nor is there a visual representation of the audio track – so I'm flying blind on finding the clipping points. Once I find the points, I use the cut tool to slice the video into three parts.

Deleting the unwanted parts of the clip is as simple as selecting the clip, then deleting. I'm pleased to note that the editing is non-destructive – that is, the original clip is still intact, should I want to use part of it somewhere else.

Now I want to introduce a title bar for the speaker. There is a tab for titles, with six options. I select fading text, and enter our speaker's name. I can select the font, size, color and justification. But it doesn't appear there is any way to preview the text as I'm working on it, so I'm limited to clicking on the title. Making a change. Then previewing the movie. Not a horrendous task, but also not a smooth workflow.

But wait. There isn't any way to change the position of this text vertically. So I guess I'm going to have to go with the Subtitle text. What if I wanted to place a title in the upper right corner? Apparently that's not going to happen!

I select subtitle – now I am forced to have two lines of text, and I lose the ability to choose the font and size. As a typographer in a past life, this restriction on my god-given right to select a font other than Arial is a deal-killer. But as a good team player, I'm going to swallow my bile and live within the bounds of what I am being provided. It is, after all, free...

I look down at the bottom of the screen for a “save” button – there doesn't appear to be one. Could it be automatically saving? Throwing my best instincts to the wind, I logout and log back in. So – where's my movie? I'm presented with a "Create a Movie" button, and I thought it was gone – but selecting the "Create" button takes me to the editor, and there is an "Open" menu. My video is still available for me to resume my work. Klunky – but thanks, Jaycut, for saving my work.

I'm curious about the “Color” option in the titling area. So I'm looking for documentation. There is a help button which points me to an outdated video with no information about the feature I'm asking about. Trial and error seems to indicate that the Color box just adds a solid color video clip that could go behind a title. Maybe?

The clip edit left a jump between the two parts I wanted to keep, so I'm going to add a really brief fade between the two clips. I move the second clip to the “Video B” track, and add a simple A-> B transition. It works like I expect it to...

Looks like I'm done with the first run at the assignment. I have a talking head mentioning the venue. I'm going to take a break, fill up the wine glass, and go for the second run. Be right back...

(I drink the cheap stuff – how about you?)

This second attempt is going to be a visual introduction – no talking. I've got a couple of clips I can paste together, but want to preview them first. I can do this by going to the video library, selecting the clip, then hitting the preview. That works the way it should.

The first clip is crap. I delete it by dragging it into the trash. Easy

The next clip is good example of hand-held cinema. Think I'll keep it just the way it is – but I'd like to brighten it up at the end. I can add effects to a clip (double click on the clip) but can't transition the effect in during the clip (enabled by using keyframes in Premiere). But – being the clever guy I am, I add a duplicate of the clip in the “Video B” track. I apply the effect to this clip, then fade back and forth between video A and B as I need the brightened video. Pretty clever for a guy on his second glass of cheap wine!

Unfortunately, there isn't any preview on these effects – so I make a change, then hit preview movie... Tedious... Actually, this would REALLY suck if I had a long video to go through. I'd want to set up a separate movie, twiddle the effect, then come back to the keeper film and copy the numbers across.

In the end, I get pretty much what I want. It took longer than it would have in Premiere Pro – but again, Jaycut is free...

Time to start the third segment. And it looks like I'm on my third glass.. brb, as my text-message friends would say...

(Actually, we gave up on Trader Joe's two-buck-chuck. Which is actually now three-buck-chuck. We've graduated to six dollar bottles – an appropriate value for a budding journalist...)

This is going to be a voice-over. I'd like to do a spiffy treatment of the Jimmy Mak's logo – so I'm off to their website to grab a copy of their banner. It's got extra texture behind it – but I can work with that...

Now – I have a jpg banner that I'd like to move across the screen as I spout words of wisdom. In Premiere, this would be a simple pan & zoom. If that effect is here, I'm not seeing it. Seriously? No pan/zoom? I'm almost ready to bolt, then I remember I'm a team player, etc...

I'm looking for some way to dress up this jpg. Searching for pan or zoom reveals nothing. I can transition to another jpg, but there isn't much I can do to this jpg. No “Ken Burns” action available here...

In desperation, I pulled out Photoshop and produced a collection of variations in size. Paste them in, throw in some transitions, and that's what we have to settle for...

Now – a little narration. I can use my computer microphone to record a sterile little voice-over. So I do. And Again, and again until I get it right. Third time is a charm. I drag it in to the audio track, and then adjust the jpg clips to fit the audio time.

OK – this isn't a masterpiece – but I've pretty much stripped out the limits of what Jaycut can do. Time to export and catch some live music. In the lower right corner is “Publish/Download movie”. I'm given a choice of saving to Mobile, Computer or On-the-web. Hoping to put it directly into youTube, I select the web. Jaycut asks all the right questions, and slick as a Portland sidewalk in February, my video is published. At least – that's what it told me. But I can't find it when I jump to youTube... ah – false alarm. Just have to wait a moment, then it appears. I go into youTube, do a quick geotag, and I'm golden!

The video is uploaded - but you'll note that it's a bit jerky. The original video clips do not have the visual stutter, so I can only assume that it's something that was added by Jaycut.

So – Jaycut offers nothing more than what is already available with iMovie or Windows Movie Maker. If you have access to either of those products, it's probably best to stick with them. But Jaycut isn't bad. It's not great – but for a free application, it's spry, and within limits, gets the job done.

With a bit of trepidation, I'm now listing my occupation as "Media Strategist" at Oregon Music News. I've been writing for OMN for almost a year, and have been content to limit my involvement. At meetings, Tom D'Antonio, the Editor-In-Chief would try to introduce me as some high-falootin' mucky muck - to which I would respond - "No - I'm just a writer."

But it gnawed at me - that the information we were producing was popping up on the internets as a web page - but no further. If you wanted to read my work, you could see it at that one particular URL. If you didn't think to go to that spot on the web, my work was invisible. Even if what I was writing about was something you might be interested in - and actively looking for information about. My writing had no pervasiveness.

So I'm going to grab the technology reins at OMN and test some of my ideas. Doing so promises to be a difficult task - I'm unhappy with the software available. I'm unhappy with syndication methods. I'm unhappy with devices. I'm unhappy with attitudes. There's a LOT of work to do, and it would be so much easier to just be a writer.

Yesterday, I showed a presentation to Tom about these concepts. At first, he was skeptical. But my superior logic showed him the magnificent light of my illuminating concepts. Or perhaps, he is willing to give me a small corner in the virtual office to play out some ideas, as long as I don't mess up the carpeting in the conference room. But I'm optimistic that I can solve some of my unhappy points.

Over time, I'll write more about the implementation and concepts. But here's a take-away. I believe information needs to be formatted for the user intent - rather than for a specific browsing device. I'll explain more in a bit...

In May of 2010, I became unemployed due to a downsizing of a previous employer, and decided to become self-employed. As part of this, I began to seek out healthcare. I would have relied on Janell's policy, but her practice (she is a Certified Registered Nurse / Midwife) is unable to provide any insurance due to the high cost. Therefore, we are being forced to seek healthcare insurance on our own.

Please take note that we are a healthy family. My wife is a healthcare professional, we eat right, exercise, get enough sleep and wash our hands. In addition, we are firm believers in taking preventative measures such as controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol and getting a colonoscopy as recommended. (ugh!)

With the intent of being a responsible healthcare consumer, I forecasted our annual costs, and decided that a HDHP / HSA plan would be the best use of resources. We applied for such a plan through The ODS Companies and Providence.

Much to my surprise, we were denied coverage. Even more surprising, we were denied coverage because of our belief in preventative medicine. Both ODS and Providence denied us coverage for health issues that they recommend early diagnoses and treatment. In other words, ODS and Providence recommend that you should seek treatment for conditions that will cause you to be denied coverage. You can see a copy of the list here and here. It appears that we would have been better off leaving our various conditions untreated (which would have resulted in higher costs at a later time, both for our insurers as well as our community.)

I have been watching the healthcare debate with personal interest, and find it maddening that so many arguments are based on the position that if only people would take care of themselves, insurance would be affordable. My experience indicates that this is NOT the case, and leads me to believe that Insurance companies will only do the bare minimum as required by law – rather than what might be best for the community as a whole.

On a happier note, we were able to open a plan with Kaiser Permanente, and have been happy with them so far.

(this is old news, but still worthy of posting)

Thursday evening, July 3rd, my son's car was towed from the Washington Mutual parking lot located at 3902 SE Hawthorne. I was told (by Retriever Towing) the reason for the tow was that Aaron wasn't a customer of Washington Mutual, and therefore his car was in violation of posted parking lot signs.

Retriever Towing claims that their driver concluded Aaron was illegally parked by taking a picture of the vehicle in the lot, then returning fifteen minutes later and taking another picture. When I asked to see these pictures, I was shown one photo of Aaron's car in the Washington Mutual Lot taken at 8:18 pm, but the accompanying "before" picture was not located. Retriever Towing asked me to contact Terry Hall, Assistant Manager to locate the additional photo.

I have also spoken with Jeff Stewart, Washington Mutual Financial Center Manager. Jeff tells me that the towing contract was signed by the Facilities Management Group at Washington Mutual, and that he has little to do with the relationship between Retriever and Washington Mutual. Jeff did call Retriever and suggested that they might want to refund the tow fee, but said that is the extent of his involvement with this situation.

I've found several issues:

1. Aaron is a customer of Washington Mutual. Although his account isn't substantial, he has had an account with you for about six years.

2. Aaron was parking in the lot to do business with your bank. You can confirm by looking up ATM transaction. You'll note it was a deposit into his Washington Mutual Account, at about the same time as his car was towed.

3. Aaron did a responsible thing by combining trips to save gas. He drove to Washington Mutual, then walked across the street to Fred Meyer to make a minor purchase. His purchase at Fred Meyer was done with a Washington Mutual debit card - transaction number xxx. His total time at Fred Meyer appears to be less than fifteen minutes.

4. Retriever Towing was acting as your agent.

5. Aaron's car was parked in your lot a total time of somewhere between fifteen minutes to one-half hour.


I can only conclude that your efforts to alleviate your parking issues have fallen to the Machiavellian side of enforcement, and I strongly feel that this was an unwarranted tow. To set things right, I would appreciate the reimbursement of the towing fee of $227.50, and an apology to my son for mistaken abuse of a bank customer.

I look forward to your speedy response.

Mark Niemann-Ross



My understanding of the events as they occurred:

8:05 pm ~
Aaron drives into Washington Mutual Lot located at 3902 SE Hawthorne


8:06:29 pm
Aaron makes a deposit at the ATM. Confirmation #xxx. Aaron walks back to car, then decides to go to Fred Meyer located at 3805 SE Hawthorne (opposite corner from Washington Mutual). ATM time confirmed by Jeff Stewart, branch manager.


8:18 pm
Retriever Towing photographs the Ford Ranger in the Washington Mutual Lot. Photo can be seen at Retriever Towing, filed under invoice 7767928. Accompanying ATM picture was taken at 8:19 pm. It is unclear if this is the first, or second set of photos taken by Retriever Towing.


8:20 pm
Aaron makes a purchase at Fred Meyer with Washington Mutual Debit card. Confirmation # xxx. Time confirmed by Fred Meyer Receipt


8:20 pm
Retriever Towing receipt indicates "Prior Notice Called In"


8:21 pm ~
Aaron returns to Washington Mutual Parking lot and finds car being towed by Retriever Towing. Aaron stops the driver, who offers to release the car for $165 (Aaron does not have access to this amount of cash or credit). Violation stated was "Excessive Overtime."


8:49 pm
Retriever Towing receipt indicates "Completion Fax" at 8:49. No details on if this time was the beginning of the tow, or the time that tow truck arrived at 1551 NW Quimby. Note that Google Maps indicates a drive-time of sixteen minutes between Washington Mutual and Retriever Impound Lot.

Epilog: Washington Mutual eventually refunded my towing fee.

I'll be teaching a Lego robotics class for adults. This is a great way to introduce your kid to programming and logical thinking. You can help them learn by understanding the kit yourself.

OK - let's cut the crap. You know you've been dying to get your hands on one of these things without inappropriately lurking around the toy store. Here's your chance to goof around with Legos, and do some robotics - they're pretty amazing little pieces of technology.

Classes are two hours long, with breaks, and taught by experts (me). We supply the kits, and computers - you just show up and we'll help you through the basics and beyond. This isn't a theory class - it is completely hands-on, and for adults only.

Classes are January 26th, February 2nd and 9th, from 7pm to 9pm. Cost is $100.

Register at www.kidinstitute.com,
For more details, call 503 668-9106 or email: info@kidinstitute.com

I'll be speaking at three sessions at this year's Orycon.

Friday, November 12, 2010 from 7:00PM-8:00PM - "Ask Dr. Genius: Ad-Lib Answers to Audience Questions" - No, really, they're real scientists, honest. Bring your science questions, and if they don't have an answer they'll make something up, and it might even be sort of right.

Saturday, November 13, 2010 from 11:00AM-12:00PM - "Improv Writing" - Everyone starts the first couple lines of a story and then passes the pad clockwise. We`ll continue each other`s stories for about a page and then read them out loud to each other. Not specifically for writers, any and everyone welcome.

Saturday, November 13, 2010 from 6:00PM-7:00PM - "Pixelated Art" - Software and hardware for artists.

The November issue of Analog features something a bit unusual: "Phantom Sense," a powerful novella by Richard A. Lovett and Mark Niemann-Ross, and a companion science fact article by the same authors about the real science and technology at the core of the story. Science fiction has often explored the consequences of people having capabilities far beyond those of most of us, but what if those abilities can be conferred by technology--and that technology is only available to a few? "Phantom Sense" will put you into the mind of a man with a complex of such abilities that is almost at our fingertips right now, and has potentials both exhilarating and terrifying. But the real problems lie in how the man who has those capabilities can relate to those who don't. . . .

You can buy a copy from Fictionwise

Writing for Oregon Music News

Expensive Things You Can do to Foul up Your Developer Program

Adobe Certified Expert - Acrobat 8 & 9

Out of the Chaos - Psalm 130

DAMN YOU, MUSE!

Clever Music Videos

My Spammer Friends