flop ya mac out

Final Cut Pro X was released yesterday to very mixed reviews.

Having been built from the ground up means that it is a 1.0 release, and we hear that it may (re)gain some capabilities down the road via updates, that are currently a point of contention for professional users.

I’ve being waiting more eagerly than a beaver would wait for the next version of FCP so I can have a copy on my 27″ iMac BEAST and start using the iMac for the main reason I got it.

So the night of the FPCX release I did what any self respecting enthusiastic geek would do -which is – buy the newest shiniest thing available to me without having to go outdoors – I purchased Final Cut Pro X! A$349.99 Hoorah! Download beginning. Flashing new icon in my dock. Fleeting happiness achieved. Mission accomplished.

Later on in the night, in a moment of sobriety, I had a painful realisation… “Apps”, purchased via the “App Store” – the “Apple” “App” “Store” all go through the good old iTunes account. Which debits money from my credit card. BUT, there are also magical other ways of obtaining iTunes store credit, and that is to buy an iTunes Gift Card. Which also costs money and takes a chunk out of my credit card.

But hang on a minute… Can’t we often buy these iTunes Gift Cards at a discount of up to 20% off? And haven’t I done this before? And stocked up on $300 worth of cards? And thought that would be all I’d need for at least the next twenty years? And didn’t I even question if I’d use all this credit up before Apple become old and perished, along with M.Soft Daddy and The Googs? Yes I did!

SHIT.

In a moment of “old school” software purchasing mentality, I’d prepared myself to grin and bare a $350 poke up the rectum to try something that uses “Events” and “Projects” – do not get me started.

And put simply, I’d missed out of an opportunity to top up on discounted iTunes Gift Cards, which could have saved me a very usable $70! Seventy dollars! Seventy dollars! That’d surely get me something from the local hooker… Or even a copy of Compressor 4! Choices… Choices…

So do your self a favour if you haven’t already – seek out a shop selling iTunes Gift Cards at 20% off and enjoy some savings. Tell them Daniel sent you. And just keep staring at them like they know who you’re referring to.

Dress to the sixty-nines and join a Thai-flavoured Dan and Jase as they lament iPhone 5 rumours, rejoice about iPad number 2’s, and peek inside the kimono of the next big cat: Lion.

Dress to the sixty-nines and join a Thai-flavoured Dan and Jase as they lament iPhone 5 rumours, rejoice about iPad number 2’s, and peek inside the kimono of the next big cat: Lion.

I’m a long-time listener of Dan Benjamin and John Gruber’s The Talk Show. It has a different energy to other well-produced tech podcasts, and if you’re comfortable with the frequent silences and John’s common response to questions – “I don’t know” – it has a lot to offer in terms of insight not included by John on his widely praised website, Daring Fireball.

Because of The Talk Show’s low energy, any minor joke made (which might easily be missed) packs twice the punch it might make in any other setting.

A memorable moment for me is hearing an atypically relaxed John Gruber laughing out loud at the sound of boats passing by his “secret location” in Epsidoe #36 titled, “Attacked by a Duck”. And attacked by a duck he was.

So consistent is John’s demeanour throughout prior episodes, that in #36, his relaxed state – whether genuine or faked – to me made him sound like he’d being enjoying a bit of a spliff. A bit of wacky tobaccy. A joint. A cone. A doobie.

Needless to say, I found it to be a breath of fresh air, and I felt compelled to spend a Saturday evening creating a ringtone from these precious moments in Apple/geek media culture, to provide an alternative to that other song.

Enjoy. And thanks for Dan and John for doing what they do each week.

Download “Attacked by a Duck” ringtone.

With the world in turmoil, it’s important to remember what’s important to remember: iPad’s. iPad number twos, to be exact. And the next iPhone. Both of which are scrutinised, dissected, then shoddily reassembled right before your eyes in this – episode hash ninety one.

With the world in turmoil, it’s important to remember what’s important to remember: iPad’s. iPad number twos, to be exact. And the next iPhone. Both of which are scrutinised, dissected, then shoddily reassembled right before your eyes in this – episode hash ninety one.

Dan and Jase have serious talk about hairy nasties found up the skirt of the Mac App store, as well as knobs, honeycomb and sweet, sweet induction.

Dan and Jase have serious talk about hairy nasties found up the skirt of the Mac App store, as well as knobs, honeycomb and sweet, sweet induction.

Recorded at The Bathroom: Discussion about personal focus and mindfulness does not mean this FYMO is void of a good smattering of dick jokes – you get that PLUS Apple talk – delivered into your ears for your (and our) enjoyment.

Recorded at The Bathroom: Discussion about personal focus and mindfulness does not mean this FYMO is void of a good smattering of dick jokes – you get that PLUS Apple talk – delivered into your ears for your (and our) enjoyment.