Jeffrey A. Miller: Outpost516 Journal

Blog Audio: Odiogo, FeedForAll, and TextAloud

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 16:34:15 GMT

iTunes decreases my blog consumption

After all this time, I'm finally blogging again. I think the issue has been the lack of time (other things are more important?) and the lack of motivation (i.e., burning desire). Oddly enough, I think podcasts have taken me away from blogging. Since I no longer use NewsGator and FeedStation to download podcasts (I use iTunes instead), I spend less time in my news aggregator. Oh, I still consume blogs, and I think that they're still a great innovation, but I'm not using them like I used to.

A twist on blog consumption: Text-to-Speech conversion

One new product that puts a twist on consuming blogs is Odiogo. It's software that will "audify" RSS content to create MP3 audio consumable by your media player or portable audio device. This is similar in concept to a combination of products I saw a while back: mixing FeedForAll, an RSS publisher, with TextAloud from NextUp.com. This combo allows you to create a "podcast" version of your blog. TextAloud also has other uses for text-to-speech conversion as a stand-alone product. Odiogo, on the other hand, combines an RSS aggregator with a text-to-speech converter in one product. The price is fairly accessible at $29.99. I may try it. There are some sample audio clips of Odiogo available. One thing I noticed is that Odiogo seems to offer only one voice (male). TextAloud, on the other hand, offers multiple voice options with a range of sampling rates from vendors including AT&T (Natural Voices), NeoSpeech, Cepstral, and ScanSoft (RealSpeak). TextAloud comes only in a Windows version and costs $29.95. FeedForAll costs $39.95 and is available for Windows and Mac. They have an interesting set of partners offering complimentary products related to RSS feed consumption, RSS-friendly web hosting, and podcast creation.

Conclusion

I may try the audio blog content option. Unfortunately, most of my podcast solutions involve a lot of manual labor to put it onto my player (my Palm Zire 72 with an SD card). The other downside is that the text-to-speech output can sound somewhat bland, causing me to zone out instead of actively listening. I'll put it on my Someday/Maybe list (GTD).

Yoda says...Enjoy It You Must

Sun, 05 Jun 2005 18:56:58 GMT

This Weight Watcher's Smart Ones meal not only instructs you on how to prepare it, it also tells you to "enjoy" it. As if I would enjoy it more because they told me to, or that I would enjoy it in spite of its taste because they commanded it.

Item Hider Bookmarklet

Thu, 26 May 2005 21:20:34 GMT

Tahdah! (sp?) It's my first published bookmarklet, the Item Hider (see the next link).

jm - Item Hider *By the way, this bookmarklet opens up a new window with a dynamic web interface, so you will need to hold the <Ctrl> key while clicking the link in IE. In other browsers, you will need to allow popups for the current page or site that you are visiting (this is a pain :-( ).

It was originally just an experiment in writing a bookmarklet, but it turned into something very handy: a way to create your own printer-friendly page, no matter whether the publisher provides one or not! I was trying to print some content on Eric Sink's weblog about source control and configuration management. Unfortunately, his site uses tables and is not designed well for printing. The net result was that, when I printed, I ended up with all of the left-side navigation menu and only part of the right-side content. I was left guessing which two or three words were missing at the end of each line. I made an interesting discovery during all of this: when printing, Internet Explorer preserves the results of DHTML changes to the current document, even if they are the result of bookmarklet-appended code! In other words, my bookmarklet gave me the ability to hide Eric's navigation cell in the site layout. When I printed, the navigation was not included, and the output looked like it was designed to be printer-friendly from the start. Just out of curiosity, I also tested the bookmarklet and print preview preservation on Mozilla for Linux (Mandrake 10.1). The bookmarklet code worked there too! Very cool! The Item Hider bookmarklet is also good for hiding advertisements that you don't want to print. Save the ink and the paper! In some cases advertisements are included in <IFRAME> tags; in others, they are tables with embedded images. While I was on the track of hiding images, I realized that my code was searching for elements, not attributes. This means that any document element that supports the background attribute would not be affected by my image hiding. To some extent, this didn't matter, because most browsers don't print background images for tables or cells anyway--but I was determined to find a way to hide those as well. To address the issue, I constructed a way to "swap" attribute values, specifically the background attribute. When I swap the value of the attribute with an alternative value, I use the getAttribute and setAttribute methods of the element to write the previous value to a custom attribute. In this way, I was able to swap the background attribute's value with an empty string, thus blanking out the background as well. I'm so proud of my bookmarklet, I'm going to link to Jon Udell's weblog article about the library lookup bookmarklet so he might find it. Then again, maybe I should just link to Jon Udell's weblog in general. It's not very fancy, mind you. But I'm proud of it all the same, especially because it has a practical application.

What Happened?

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 18:01:46 GMT

Ian's Messy Desk posts this quote by Casey Stengel:

Some people make things happen, some people watch things happen, and some ask what happened.

Ian's site has a very cool graphical layout--something I miss when I convert to "all RSS, all-the-time" blog reading. My visual layout here is very basic. It's one of the pre-packaged themes that comes with Radio Userland. One of the things I that fall very low on my priority list is a custom redesign of this blog. Oh, well, it is what it is.

Exchange of Words

Fri, 25 Feb 2005 03:29:54 GMT

Paul Hoy and I had an "exchange of words" today. While you might think of this phrase as meaning an argument, we instead had a literal exchange of words. We traded new words. I told him about my word, techumenical, as in an a technical ecumenical movement that brings technologists together to build God's kingdom, crossing denominational boundaries to work on shared projects. I wrote about this word in my article on Evangelistic Serendipity. He told me about a new word that a friend of his, Ford Taylor, created: biznistry. Biznistry is a combination of business and ministry where professionals use their everyday job skills to serve others in a ministry capacity.

A Christian Wiki

Thu, 24 Feb 2005 18:41:52 GMT

Evidently, there is a Christian wiki called Compass. I'm a technologist, so my first thought was that the wiki being referenced was a wiki software implementation. So I wondered, how can you make wiki software Christian? On the same note, how would you make a spreadsheet or a word processor Christian? I suppose you could integrate a Bible verse lookup or include Christian clip art, but other than that, there's not much you can do with it to brand it in a religious manner. But, contrary to my initial impression, Compass is a wiki "document" containing introductions to the Christian faith. I hope that this will remain a civil exercise rather than descending into the pits of unwinnable dogma wars. I believe in absolute truth, but not everybody believes in the same absolute truth that I do. So a wiki could be very useful for interaction, but it could also be very controversial and divisive if the right people show up. Like I said, I hope that things remain civil and constructive in Compass over at connexions. Good show, man, good show! Bravo!

I'm back, and who cares?

Fri, 03 Sep 2004 03:05:41 GMT

Sorry, folks. Long dry spell. I don't blame anyone for leaving permanently. I don't even check my referrer log regularly anymore. I mean, who cares if someone from Google accidentally stumbled across looking for something that you know they didn't find on your page. Just look at the query and you can tell. I get the "disadvantage of email" one a lot. I wrote a post about the disadvantage of posting via Radio's email-to-weblog feature. I don't even remember what I said about it, but that one gets a lot of hits. I've been consolidating my blogs, well, mentally at least. All of that has been cooking around in my brain for some months, but I've been unable or even unmotivated to bother with it. I'm letting several of my domain registrations lapse. Just too many good intentions. That's what I can say about my life in general. I need to really reflect and find a way to focus on living a richer life, not a "fuller" one. Yes, I mean "fuller" in the way you feel after Thanksgiving dinner--too full--stuffed. And I've been one stuffed turkey! I appreciate those who bothered to blogroll or link me so many moons ago when I was prolific (but not profound). Here are a few that I can name:

That's all for now. Shouldn't I feel better?

O, Wretched Man!

Thu, 08 Jan 2004 17:22:37 GMT

Pray for me. I'm having a Romans 7:24 kind of day, eating crow and foot sandwich.

Moving this weblog

Wed, 19 Nov 2003 10:25:41 GMT

Howdy folks! Boy that sounds corny. If you're reading this post on radio.weblogs.com/0113822, I am moving this weblog to my own server with a more 'appropriate' domain name-- http://www.xagronaut.com. And I've shortened the name from The xagronaut Chronicle to Xagronaut. I apologize for any possible mistakes I might make during this process. I have seen at least one article with tips on the process, but I'm afraid I haven't followed all of the advice. I appreciate everyone who reads this weblog, and I hope you will migrate all of your links to my new address. Thanks. Still to do:

Redirect RSS feeds

Investigate a conditional redirect from my pages at the Radio UserLand community servers to my new location--should I use some kind of conditional UserTalk script in my template, or maybe some JavaScript based on the window.document.location.domain?

Hummers and Armored Cars

Mon, 23 Jun 2003 19:05:50 GMT

I realized today what some of the appeal of the new H2 Hummers might be. I momentarily mistook an armored car behind me for a Hummer today. After realizing the true nature of the vehicle, I surmised that there might be something subconsciously comforting to today's SUV driver. Power, stability, security. And you don't have to worry about being hijacked for the cash on board. Odds are that you've already spent your money on the car payment.

Techniques for Expressing Frustration?

Mon, 09 Jun 2003 13:30:32 GMT

Looking back through my journal entries, I notice several instances, over a span of three or four years, where I record a desire to better express myself and not hold emotions and feelings in. Sad to say, I often found that those unexpressed feelings were ones of frustration, disatisfaction, and unfulfillment.

The big question seems to be: How can you express feelings like that effectively to either friends (who tire of hearing about them) or people who are the object of your frustration? I'm not great at conflict, so this makes it tough.

It's certainly not healthy, but it's very typical of my lifestyle to bottle up feelings. Blogging and journaling have been an outlet for that expressing myself, but to an unknown, unseen audience.

The Posts that Never Were - or - Blogging, Interrupted

Tue, 03 Jun 2003 20:49:52 GMT

I'm having trouble completing an entire blog post. In my absent-mindedness and inattention, I often start a thought stream/blog post, only to abandon it after losing interest or being interrupted.

I really blog much more than you see on this weblog. I keep a personal journal in an application called TreePad Business Edition. This application is a stopgap until I can complete my planned personal knowledge management application. I record web pages that represent my current learning and observation interests at any given point in time. However, only a small percentage of those recordings ever make it to the web for sharing or comments. They usually languish in my TreePad file, lacking the integration that I often ponder.

I very often post things to a custom category (my "scratchpad") that I keep just for posting trivial items that would otherwise dilute the weblog. I don't want to crowd my weblog so much that first-time visitors get the wrong impression of my interests. Usually my traffic comes from search engines, so this might make it unlikely that the reader would seek out an about page, even if I did put one up (if I could ever get around to it).

The thing about weblogs being updated so often, is that no consistent message (profound or not) sticks around for very long. New posts (many times trivial) bump the personally profound posts that I would actually like people to read. I'm considering several ways of restructuring my blog so that people are more likely to read items I personally want to emphasize. I'm not clamoring for an audience, I just want to show my "best work."

So, please don't think that I am a lazy blogger. I have much to say. It's just hard to post sometimes.

Amen and Ouch both

Tue, 20 May 2003 17:49:27 GMT

Words to live by:

Paul brings the church back to reality by reminding them that Paul and Apollos are merely servants of the Lord who are fulfilling their responsibilities of Christian service. Paul was the planter and Apollos was the one who watered. Then Paul declares that God is the one who gives the growth. Resoundingly Paul trumpets the truth in verse 7: "I am nothing and Apollos is nothing. God is everything! He is the one who brings the growth!"

It might be wise for every minister and every layperson to daily read these words and be reminded who is in charge.

We are nothing, and God is everything. This work of the church is not about me; it's all about God and His Kingdom. My focus should be upon serving King Jesus. In order to do this successfully, I am going to have to get myself off the throne so that Christ may be glorified.

Tue, 20 May 2003 17:35:09 GMT

Does gaming reduce productivity?. Here is an article about how playing games at work isn't always a waste of time.

It's important in this discussion to step back and evaluate the kind of person who enjoys computer entertainment. Rather than being a dullard who seeks to retreat from the burdens of life, I'd argue that the archetypal gamer is someone who constantly seeks additional challenges - both mental and physical - beyond those typically encountered at the workplace. The frequent quip, "genius at play," reinforces the notion that gamers aren't slackwits. In other words, they may be ideal employees, full of creative initiative and forced through virtual competition to develop fast and accurate reactions to constantly changing stimuli.

Some of most productive people I've worked with are gamers. While I don't personally get into it, I see that it helps them relax, and often think about problems in a new way.
(Thanks Jay!) [The Job Blog]

Keyboard in the Lap -- Yuck!

Tue, 13 May 2003 15:52:00 GMT

Microsoft's iLoo Project A Hoax. minesweeper writes "It appears that the 'iLoo,' a portable toilet with Internet access designed by Microsoft, was actually just a hoax issued by its MSN ... [Slashdot]

Yeah, as soon as I followed the diagram link and saw the spec for a wireless keyboard that could be used in the "user's" lap, I was aghast.

More cool ministry ideas

Fri, 02 May 2003 03:44:11 GMT

Thanks to Dean for mentioning this post about a cool ministry idea. I can't take credit for the idea. The only thing I can take credit for is posting it, which is pretty standard for bloggers anyway.

The credit must go to the wonderful weblog called Kingdom Come. It's slogan is "Exploring the Christian experience across continents and denominations." I certainly identify with the title: it smacks of a longing for unity that reaches beyond labels and manmade traditions. I hope to uncover more gems like this one as I read KC in the future. You can subscribe to the RSS feed for the Kingdom Come weblog.

While I'm posting about cool ministry ideas, Joni Eareckson Tada's ministry has created an outreach program called Wheels for the World that refurbishes wheelchairs for distribution to needful disabled persons around the globe, using the caring hands of prison inmates to do it.

Heres a quote from another article about WFTW:

RESTORATION: The second division of Wheels for the World is restoration. Searching for new and effective ways to restore wheelchairs is an on-going process. In 1996, the idea to use inmates to restore wheelchairs was suggested. In 1997, we opened our first wheelchair restoration center in a prison in Buena Vista, Colorado. Since that time, we have opened four other centers, two state run facilities and two in partnership with Corrections Corporation of America. This program has won praise from both the inmates and prison officials as contributing to the rehabilitation of prison inmates.

How's that for cool?

It's still catching...

Tue, 29 Apr 2003 23:21:46 GMT

McNeil Lehrer News Hour piece on blogs. (SOURCE:"scripting news")-Very cool!
<quote>
The McNeil Lehrer News Hour just did a 10 minute piece on weblogs. It had some weaknesses, but remember, there's no such thing as bad publicity.
</quote> [Roland Tanglao: KLogs]

Cool ministry idea

Tue, 29 Apr 2003 23:03:15 GMT

Australia: What if the prophecy is true?. We're putting together a mission team from our church to go to Mexico and build houses there. As a fundraiser, we decided to do a charity screening of The Matrix Reloaded, in co-operation with Greater Union Castle Hill. They have several packages available, based on the size of the cinema. [Kingdom Come]

So, maybe there could be some controversy over movie choice for the less-than-open-minded, but as I see it, this is a very progressive idea that bridges modern culture with practical Christian outreach. Kudos!

You Go Girl!

Wed, 23 Apr 2003 18:16:37 GMT

The courage to do what you love: I'll play by my own rules, thanks. Some people think I aspire to be a failure. I have halted conversations, created gossip, and drawn quizzical, snide, or condescending looks -- simply by admitting my career plans. By Julie Park. [The Daily Princetonian]

Bloggin' down the Highway

Wed, 23 Apr 2003 14:56:02 GMT

Blogging? Yeah, I'm into it alright. Can you tell?

And while I'm posting pictures, here's one of me:

Reading French

Tue, 15 Apr 2003 17:37:08 GMT

'informatique à la rescousse des maisons de disque. Libération: "Ce serait un peu comme si Peter Pan faisait alliance avec le capitaine Crochet. Pour l'instant, beaucoup estiment que le rachat du géant de la musique Universal Music par le constructeur informatique américain Apple relève du mythe. Mais que l'accord aboutisse ou pas, les experts estiment que ces négociations montrent à quel point les maisons de disque et les constructeurs informatiques ont plus que jamais besoin les uns des autres. La différence, cette fois, c'est que l'industrie du disque y met de la bonne volonté" J'ai plus ou moins arrété d'acheter des CDs. J'ai acheté le dernier Placebo, mais... [Too Much News]

I'm amazed how many words I picked up while reading this. Yep, I need to continue to improve my French skills.

Saving Face and Fixing The PA System (Can You Hear Me Now?)

Wed, 09 Apr 2003 22:49:39 GMT

Thanks to Daniel at wyclif.net. for pointing out some broken links that I had on the home page. And of course they would have to be links to my feature stories, the XAG principle and Techumenical Movement/ Evangelistic Serendipity. Go figure.

Daniel linked to a site called King's Meadow by Dr. George Grant lists some great scriptures in line with the XAG principle.
"...every Christian is uniquely gifted to serve in the dispersal of grace and mercy to the whole of culture (1 Peter 4:10)."
"It is the task of mature Christians in every vocation to train others around them—especially the coming generations—to do good works and to fulfill their unique callings with beauty, integrity, and passion (Ephesians 2; Titus 2)."

Thanks for visiting, helping me save face, and adding my site to your "lollodex." I hope it will be worth it at least for a while.

Creative Types

Wed, 02 Apr 2003 16:13:44 GMT

Hope for creative types? Hope for me? Don't know, but here is a creativity portal. I searched Google for "Thomas Edison" and "day job." Found this page. Here is a biography of Thomas Edison. And another.

Command Post War Blog

Tue, 01 Apr 2003 15:04:46 GMT

Command Post is a war blog that was recommended by a friend for good coverage.

Whether you love hearing stuff about the war or hate it, Feedster (formerly Roogle) has a filter that lets you search RSS feeds with or without war stuff.

Narnia and more

Tue, 01 Apr 2003 13:32:26 GMT

As often happens, a Google search leads me into unexpected places. While searching for a particular USA Today online article, I found another one entitled, "'Narnia' won't write off Christian values." C.S. Lewis was "the 20th century's most revered Christian apologist" and authored other works such as The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity, a book that Chuck Colson credits as being influential in his conversion to Christ.

"...in hindsight it becomes startlingly clear that this tweedy, pipe-smoking scholar was not only a clever author of children's tales and a keen apologist, but also a true prophet for our postmodern age. Lewis might seem an unlikely candidate for the role, not being a theologian but an English professor, and what's more, a convert late in life. What was it that made him such a keen observer of cultural and intellectual trends?

"For me, the question has intense personal significance. Twenty-five years ago, my friend Tom Phillips read me "The Great Sin," a chapter in Lewis's Mere Christianity dealing with pride. The words pierced the heart of this White House hatchet man, and the book became instrumental in my conversion.

"The ministry of Prison Fellowship is likewise indebted to Lewis."

While the controversy and the article from USA Today are a bit dated (2001), the article does talk about the following important issues:

What makes "Christian" literature "Christian?" The Chronicles of Narnia series is written in allegory, but contains a clear Christian message behind the story.

Should spin-offs of older classic works be produced? If so, what responsibility is there to remain true to the original, both in style and in message?

Focus on the Family has recently announced the availability the of the Chronicles of Narnia in a dramatized audio form. It will be available after April 15, 2003.

A thorough list of C.S. Lewis' works on Amazon.com is available here.