I’ve added a new feature to the site using the Riffly service. This should enable a more collaborative experience and I’m really looking forward to feedback on this.

When you want to post a comment on an article you now have the option to post video or audio response. It couldn’t be simpler - there is no software to download and it’s completely free. If you have a webcam and/or computer microphone, you’re ready to provide audio or video feedback! Just go to the comments section of any page and at the bottom select if you want to leave a video or audio comment… and of course you can still use text comments - but that is so last century! Welcome to the future! =]

I finally received my first issue of Dog’s Life Magazine: Be Your Dog’s Best Friend in which appears my first ever published Ad! The Ad was done for my friend Jan’s website (dogsandcats101.com)… which I also designed. I’ve urged you all to visit her site before, but she’s stepped it up a notch and posts frequently about celebrity pets. Who cares about Britney anyway when all we really want to know about is Britney’s pets!

The magazine is oversized and cleverly captioned which makes it visually and mentally interesting. Jan also writes a column for the magazine and in this premiere issue she concocts a “Gravy Train Meatloaf” which is quite tasty . Before you ask - yes… I took a bite… but this is not nearly as crazy as the freeze dried liver chunks or Milkbones or Meaty Bones I’ve tried before… hey, someone’s got to make sure it’s safe for the little ones!

Here’s the 1/2 page Ad (click it for a larger view):

Thanks to Photojojo I was introduced to Animoto. This service takes your slideshows to the next level and is super easy to use. Simply upload your photos, select a song (or upload your own) and magically comes a professional produced video.

Animoto analyzes your photos and the music and spits out a music video quality result. 30 second videos are free, but if you visit Photojojo before Sunday and follow their link to Animoto you get a free credit towards a full length video! Don’t fret, signing up is simple - no credit card information is needed upon registration.

Literally 5 minutes after reading the article on Photojojo I produced my first video. I’ve got a free full-length video credit stored up for future use - but check out what a couple clicks will get you:

I just watched a fascinating documentary about dogs on Joost (www.joost.com). It really puts you inside a dog’s mind and shows how a dog suppresses his genetic wolf-like code to be a perfect pet.

I think Joost is invite only still. I have some Joost invites if you wish. Joost is online TV. There are always more channels being added. There’s sure to be something of interest to you.

I Simpsonized myself… and Layla. http://simpsonizeme.com/ was created to promote the Simpsons movie and Burger King. You can upload a picture of yourself and turn yourself into a Simpson. I was surprised how my transformation turned out. The dog is what happened when I Simpsonized Layla.

It’s finally ready, the site you’ve all been waiting for… DogsAndCats101.com! I designed this site for Jan Marlyn Reesman’s newest venture - A Down and Dirty Podcast and website about pets. Touted as the “Animal Behaviorist to the Stars” and self proclaimed “Hollywood Bitch”, Jan has trained some of the most pampered pets in Hollywood. From hints about hairball hacking to bringing a new puppy into the house. Be sure to check out her site!

I know I haven’t posted a lot this weekend - I’ve been busy creating a new website for a friend of mine who runs http://www.dogsandcats101.com. Jan Marlyn Reesman, The Hollywood Bitch and Animal Behaviorist to the Stars produces a daily podcast/blog about the care and training of your pets.

Her credits include having worked with the pets of:

• Whoopi Goldberg
• Calvin Klein
• Billy Crystal
• James Caan
• Dyan Cannon
• Richard Dreyfus
• Barry Diller
• Sandy Gallin
• Burt Bachrach
• John Ritter
• Jack Warner Estate dogs
• Linda Carter
• and many more…

Pet lovers should subscribe to this with iTunes - you will appreciate the “down and dirty” style and 1-2 minutes of valuable knowledge that she has to offer.

Check out my Work In Progress to see what her website will become!

Here is a preview!

[display_podcast]

Since I’ve gotten into the blogging game, I’ve learned the value of ads on the Internet. I have Google ads on my site and I get money for each click.

Advertising is a big deal on the Internet. Why be a click that earns someone else money? You’re going to use the Internet anyway - why not control who gets that money… Why not YOU earn that money?

AGLOCO (A Global Community) is a new community that does just that. It doesn’t require any changes to your browsing activity at all. You install an AGLOCO Viewbar (toolbar) on your computer which includes the text ads and a search box and easy access to your Internet Explorer and Firefox favorites. It takes minimal real estate on my desktop - when I look at it I am not bothered by it… because when I look at it I know that I’m earning money

I know I’m making this sound like a pitch… it is… but it’s something I believe is a great idea. I will get money for the browsing that I would be doing anyway… and the browsing that you will be doing… and your friends… and their friends… and you can do the same!

It’s simple to start - just go to AGLOCO and sign up, download the Viewbar and earn money. Go to http://www.agloco.com/r/BBFV2823!

The subject of my first ever iPhone picture was, of course, Layla!

 

Having owned many cell phones that take pictures - this is the highest quality one yet. It’s 2.0 Megapixels (.7 higher than my Samsung Blackjack).

I was immediately impressed at how responsive the display on the iPhone was while scanning around the room trying to catch Layla still for a moment. The huge 3.5 inch screen was crisp and smooth as real life as if looking through a window. There was practically no delay when snapping the photo. The screen simulated a shutter spiraling closed like a James Bond film and my newly snapped picture was there on the screen and all it’s glory. I think the colors picked up well (for a phone), not nearly as good as my Kodak Z740 - but way better than my Blackjack phone.

The iPhone’s camera offers no digital zoom - I suppose due to Apple’s intent on keeping the phone thin. Surprisingly though, there wasn’t even any digital zoom. Not that I would ever use digital zoom because it degrades the quality of the picture, but it was interesting to see this feature not included. My thought on this is that Apple wants to ensure that every photo taken from its iPhone is at optimal resolution.

There are also none of the ‘fun’ features that I’ve seen in so many camera phones… like putting a silly frame around a picture or writing text or adding antlers or an eye patch to your subject. There is also the lack of ability to adjust the white balance or any other settings.

There is no FLASH! How hard would it have been for Apple to put an LED light on the back of the iPhone? Geez.

In case you’re wondering - the camera on the iPhone does NOT double as a video camera. You only have the option to take still photos.

It may seem like I’m bashing the iPhone and its camera. That’s not the case. The camera on the iPhone is just that - a camera. No bells, no whistles, no happy foo-foo flare. It’s just a camera… but a darn good one… for a phone.

The fact that there is no way to superimpose a clown nose with the camera, there is no digital zoom, there’s no flash (grr), no video capabilities, it doesn’t iron my clothes and it doesn’t cook me breakfast - is irrelevant. The iPhone’s camera is snappy and functional and I’m a fan.