Geek Software of the Week: Audacity 3.0!

Audacity 3.0From the AudacityTeam: “We’re pleased to announce release of Audacity 3.0.0 which replaces all previous versions for Windows, macOS and Linux.

.aup3 Project Format

Audacity 3.0.0 is a major update on our previous Audacity 2.4.2. We’ve changed the format in which we save Audacity projects! Previously we saved projects as a sometimes large number of small files, with an ‘.aup’ file to coordinate the lot. This way of doing things is sometimes called ‘pile of files’ storage.

The problem, which happened all too often, was that data files and .aup file parted ways. Users quite reasonably expected the .aup file to contain the entire project. Well, the new .aup3 file does contain the data as well. The technical detail is that we are using an open source database, SQLite3, to store everything in one .aup3 file. That all happens ‘behind the scenes’. SQLite3 is open source, and it is a delight to work with. Nevertheless, this was a huge change, and we decided it was too risky to include many other changes we wanted to make at the same time – so 3.0.0 is almost entirely about this big format change.

Working with .aup3 projects editing audio should on most machines be a little faster than before, because there are fewer files being worked on. Finishing and closing a project at the end of working can be quite a lot slower, since there is more to do when a project is closed. We think the trade offs are worth it.

Importantly note that you can open your older .aup projects in Audacity 3.0.0 where they will be converted to the new .aup3 format.

Label Sounds & Noise Gate

We did have time to improve our ‘Noise Gate’ effect and add a new analyzer, ‘Label Sounds’, that can label sounds and silences. We also made a few small tweaks elsewhere. You can now import and export macros, and there are a couple of new commands for using the last used tool or last used analyzer that you can give shortcuts to.

Bugs fixed

We also fixed over 160 bugs that had been accumulating over the years. This is quite a staggering amount of work. The majority of these bugs were minor problems, easily worked around. Some though were really juicy high priority bugs that would have mattered a lot to the people affected by them. We’re really glad to have these bugs fixed now.

We hope you enjoy using Audacity 3.0.0 as much as we enjoyed putting it together.”

What Happened to KompoZer?

KompoZerSometimes our favorite Open Source Projects have issues, or get abandoned. One of my favorites was a WYSIWYG HTML Editor called “KompoZer.” It was based on Nvu, another editor I really liked, but KompoZer was a LOT better! The code is still available but the last version they put out does not support https (SSL) calls to embedded images. Pretty big issue! Anyway it is gone!

What Happened to KompoZer.net?

DropInBlog – “A recent study found that 48% of people base their impression of a business’s credibility on its website. However, not everyone is proficient in the complex skills of coding, which are often required for building websites. That’s where KompoZer.net came in. The HTML editor made it possible for people to design websites without the need to write code.

Even though some people were still recommending this website as recently as April 2018, it has not been actively developed for almost ten years, and the website has now gone dark. We took some time to follow the history of Kompozer.net to understand what happened to the site.

A Brief History of Kompozer.net

KompoZer was an open source HTML editor created in 2005 to fix bugs on a previous HTML editor, known as Nvu. Daniel Glazman developed Nvu. The lead developer of KompoZer.net was Fabien Cavanaze, who is also known as Kazé. KompoZer’s unique spelling might be linked to Kazé and Glazman’s names. However, the history record is not clear — it could simply have been an issue of failing to get a domain name where the word Composer could be used.

KompoZer was a form of WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). As an open source HTML editor, KompoZer was a software application which allowed the user to create a webpage and make changes on it without having to use a code. Advanced users could also edit in code using the software.

Simple and Free

KompoZer’s primary appeal was its simplicity. It was not only easy to use, it was also free to use. WYSIWYG tools such as KompoZer.net also save users much time. For instance, there is no need to learn complex code to create structures such as tables. A simple push of the Table button can generate a table, and pushing the Source button displays the HTML code used to create the table.

KompoZer also made it possible for users to identify publishing errors quickly and provided ways to resolve them. The software was designed in such a way that files that failed to publish were not lost. You simply saved the file to a hard disk and tried again later (Source.)

KompoZer’s primary appeal was its simplicity. It was not only easy to use, it was also free to use. WYSIWYG tools such as KompoZer.net also save users much time. For instance, there is no need to learn complex code to create structures such as tables. A simple push of the Table button can generate a table, and pushing the Source button displays the HTML code used to create the table.

KompoZer also made it possible for users to identify publishing errors quickly and provided ways to resolve them. The software was designed in such a way that files that failed to publish were not lost. You simply saved the file to a hard disk and tried again later (Source.)

KompoZer’s Top Features

An HTML open source editor like KompoZer.net ensures that there is no need for hand coding when creating or editing a website’s content. The editor automates the process. For example, to insert a page title, you would simply type.

KompoZer was compatible with operating systems like Windows and Linux. It also incorporated the HTML editor with CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), a markup system that separated the look and feel from a page from the logic that controlled its functionality. The CSS editor helped users see changes made to a website instantly; giving them complete control over their web design.

KompoZer could also run multiple sites simultaneously, allowing users to multitask. It also had file management through FTP (File Transfer Protocol). This software enabled users to move between WYSIWYG and HTML.

The Glazbugs insult

In 2005, Daniel Glazman stopped development on Nvu to focus on other projects. In the interim, KompoZer.net was developed by Kazé. After identifying several bugs on the system, Kazé named these glitches ‘Glazbugs.’ Glazman was not amused. He confronted Kazé and accused him of failing to contact Linspire before starting work on KompoZer (Source). Linspire helped develop and sponsored Nvu.

The feud would escalate with Kazé saying that he had proposed several suggestions to Glazmen ‘but never got any reply.’ He continues, ‘So I don’t see the harm in bug fixing a free, open-source, unsupported app.’

Glazman would eventually relent but not without a warning: “I am glad to leave Nvu 1.0 codebase to Kazé who started integrating bug fixes, but I remind him that Nvu is a trademark by Linspire Inc…” (Source.)

Too busy to work on KompoZer

The last KompoZer update users report seeing is in 2010. In 2011, Kazé said in a blog post: ‘The KompoZer project is stalled at the moment since I am the only regular developer, and I am too busy.’ There seems to have been no more updates by Kazé after this statement. Even though there is no official information about the end of KompoZer.net, we believe that the resource was abandoned when no one could work on it.”

New Tablo Quad for HDMI Direct Connection to Your TV

Tablo Quad HDMITablo Blog – March 17, 2021 – “Introducing Our Newest TV-Connected OTA DVR, Tablo QUAD HDMI

Late last year, we launched our first TV-connected Over-the-Air DVR, Tablo DUAL HDMI.

And one of the first things folks asked was, “When will you be launching a Tablo OTA DVR with four tuners and an HDMI connection?”

That time is now!

Designed for cord cutters with larger families and/or Over-the-Air TV channel lineups, the Tablo QUAD HDMI shares the same form factor as its dual-tuner sibling.

But with four onboard ATSC 1.0 tuners, this OTA DVR gives you the flexibility to watch or record up to four programs at once.

With its own remote and a direct HDMI connection to your primary television, the Tablo QUAD HDMI is ideal for those who prefer a more traditional DVR setup.

Same Great Tablo Interface, New Form Factor

The new Tablo QUAD HDMI is the perfect way to supplement popular streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime that cord cutters already enjoy on their Smart TVs with free live and recorded local TV channels.

We’ve built powerful quad-tuner quad-core DVR hardware that connects directly to any modern television via HDMI and merged it with the intuitive DVR interface that existing Tablo OTA DVR owners know and love.

Just plug and play! The on-screen setup wizard will have you browsing all the great HDTV content from broadcast stations like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and more in no time.

Using the QUAD HDMI DVR’s dedicated remote, cord cutters can enjoy great Tablo DVR features including a traditional live TV grid guide, one-touch series recording, automatic commercial skip, and much more without the need for a separate streaming device or Smart TV.

What’s Different About TV-Connected DVRs Like Tablo QUAD HDMI

As a TV-connected Tablo OTA DVR, there are some fundamental differences between Tablo QUAD HDMI and our network-connected OTA DVRs.

  • Raw MPEG2 Video
    First, Tablo QUAD HDMI records and displays Over-the-Air TV in raw MPEG2 video format at the resolution and bitrate in which it is broadcast, including 1080i @30fps and 720p @60fps, where available.
    This means you can squeeze about 130 hours of HDTV recordings on to a 1TB drive with our HDMI-connected devices, versus up to 700 with a network-connected Tablo, which transcodes the video into HLS format and optimizes the video for streaming and storage. With that in mind, you may wish to choose a larger hard drive to connect to your Tablo QUAD HDMI.
    And unlike its network-connected cousin, the Tablo QUAD HDMI does NOT offer an onboard compartment for SATA drives.
  • Included Remote
    Since the Tablo QUAD HDMI’s interface is running on the DVR itself, it comes with its own dedicated IR (infrared) remote. This Tablo remote can automatically switch to the Tablo device’s HDMI input and even control the power and volume on supported TVs via CEC.
  • Less Reliant on Internet for Basic Viewing
    Tablo QUAD HDMI is an ideal OTA DVR for cord cutters who travel in RVs or live in rural areas where internet access is spotty.

    While Tablo QUAD HDMI does require internet access for setup, this OTA DVR enables you to continue enjoying live and recorded programming on your primary television without internet access for up to two weeks.

In-Home Streaming to Secondary Televisions

Just because TV-connected Tablo OTA DVRs are tethered to your main television via HDMI, doesn’t mean you’re limited to watching content on a single TV.

With an active TV Guide Data Service subscription, Tablo QUAD HDMI OTA DVRs can stream live and recorded antenna TV on up to four secondary televisions in your home.

Once your DVR is set up, simply download free Tablo apps on streaming set-top-boxes and Smart TVs running the following operating systems and connect to your Tablo QUAD HDMI OTA DVR:

  • Roku
  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Android TV

For a list of supported devices and additional details, visit the TV-connected Tablo OTA DVRs page.

NOTE – Streaming content from Tablo QUAD HDMI to other devices within the home requires a VERY strong WiFi network.

If you experience buffering, you may need to connect your Tablo and/or your streaming device to your router via Ethernet.

Pricing & Availability

Tablo QUAD HDMI OTA DVRs are available now exclusively at TabloTV.com at an MSRP of $199.99 USD or $259.99 CAD.

Software Updates and Support

All generations of Tablo OTA DVRs receive free regular firmware and app updates, as well as basic DVR functionality, including:

  • 24 hours of TV Guide Data (traditional grid guide)
  • Manual recording (one-time or recurring)
  • Playback controls including pause, rewind, and fast-forward
  • Support for 5.1 Surround Sound passthrough

Optional Tablo TV Guide Data Service

All Tablo OTA DVRs include a 30-day free trial of the Tablo TV Guide Data Service, which gives cord cutters total control over DVR scheduling and viewing. Along with episode and series synopses, cover art, and metadata for programs airing over the next two weeks, a Tablo TV Guide Data Service subscription provides powerful, and yet easy-to-use advanced DVR features like:

  • One-touch series recording (ALL or ALL NEW)
  • Advanced recording options (adjustable start/stop times, keep X recordings, record by channel)
  • Automatic extended time on live TV show recordings
  • Automatic avoidance of duplicate recordings
  • In-home streaming to secondary televisions
  • And much more

Optional Tablo Automatic Commercial Skip Service

All Tablo OTA DVRs include a 30-day free trial of the optional Tablo Premium Service subscription which enables the Automatic Commercial Skip feature. Automatic Commercial Skip makes it even easier to enjoy most recordings from Tablo OTA DVRs without any commercial interruptions by eliminating the need to manually fast-forward over ads.

Unlike other offerings which rely on intensive computing power or humans to identify commercial breaks, Tablo uses a cloud-based hybrid of digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms and machine learning to deliver more accurate results.”

Locast Now Supports the Portland DMA

Locast CoverageLocast tweeted today: “Welcome to Locast, Portland. Enjoy free local TV streaming through http://locast.org or on the app.” Now, if they would just go ahead and add Greensboro / Winston-Salem /High Point, NC! By the way, the company now says it has 2.5 million registered users!


Locast is a public service to Americans, providing local broadcast signals over the Internet in select cities. All you have to do is sign up online, provide your name and email address, and certify that you live in, and are logging on from, one of the select US cities (“Designated Market Area”). Then, you can select among local broadcasters and stream your favorite local station.

Locast.org is a “digital translator,” meaning that Locast.org operates just like a traditional broadcast translator service, except instead of using an over-the-air signal to boost a broadcaster’s reach, we stream the signal over the Internet to consumers located within select US cities.

Ever since the dawn of TV broadcasting in the mid-20th Century, non-profit organizations have provided “translator” TV stations as a public service. Where a primary broadcaster cannot reach a receiver with a strong enough signal, the translator amplifies that signal with another transmitter, allowing consumers who otherwise could not get the over-the-air signal to receive important programming, including local news, weather and of course, sports. Locast.org provides the same public service, except instead of an over-the-air signal transmitter, we provide the local broadcast signal via online streaming.

You need a broadband Internet connection for optimal performance. Using a laptop, smartphone, or computer connected to the Internet, point your browser to www.Locast.org to sign up. You then can choose which local broadcast station to watch from your Internet-enabled device.

DrBill.TV #489 – Video – The Tricky, But Can You Do It With a New Haircut Edition!

Roku Channel offers a new original drama, Chromebooks turn ten! Locast now supports the Cleveland DMA, GSotW: Location Guard! Add any program as a Windows Service, NSSM and Locast2Plex, using an older camcorder with the Atomos Ninja, or Ninja2, Happy Pi Day on 2021-Mar-14, LastPass sells out, so use BITWarden! (Mar 13, 2021)

Links that pertain to this Netcast:

TechPodcasts Network

International Association of Internet Broadcasters

Blubrry Network

Dr. Bill Bailey.NET

BitChute Referral

www.DrBill.TV/VPN


Start the Video Netcast in the Blubrry Video Player above by
clicking on the “Play” Button in the center of the screen.

(Click on the buttons below to Stream the Netcast in your “format of choice”)








Streaming MP3 Audio

Streaming Ogg Audio

Download mp4 Download WebM Download MP3 Download Ogg
(Right-Click on any link above, and select “Save As…” to save the Netcast on your PC.)

You may also watch the Dr. Bill.TV Show on these services!

 

Dr. Bill.TV on YouTube Dr. Bill.TV on BitChute Dr. Bill.TV on Rumble Dr. Bill.TV on Vimeo

 


DrBill.TV #489 – Audio – The Tricky, But Can You Do It With a New Haircut Edition!

Roku Channel offers a new original drama, Chromebooks turn ten! Locast now supports the Cleveland DMA, GSotW: Location Guard! Add any program as a Windows Service, NSSM and Locast2Plex, using an older camcorder with the Atomos Ninja, or Ninja2, Happy Pi Day on 2021-Mar-14, LastPass sells out, so use BITWarden! (Mar 13, 2021)

Links that pertain to this Netcast:

TechPodcasts Network

International Association of Internet Broadcasters

Blubrry Network

Dr. Bill Bailey.NET

BitChute Referral

www.DrBill.TV/VPN


Start the Video Netcast in the Blubrry Video Player above by
clicking on the “Play” Button in the center of the screen.

(Click on the buttons below to Stream the Netcast in your “format of choice”)








Streaming MP3 Audio

Streaming Ogg Audio

Download mp4 Download WebM Download MP3 Download Ogg
(Right-Click on any link above, and select “Save As…” to save the Netcast on your PC.)

You may also watch the Dr. Bill.TV Show on these services!

 

Dr. Bill.TV on YouTube Dr. Bill.TV on BitChute Dr. Bill.TV on Rumble Dr. Bill.TV on Vimeo

 


Lastpass Sells Out!

BitWardenBarry Collins in an article in Forbes said it best:

“LastPass has announced sweeping changes to its free accounts, making them much less useful than they were before.

From March 16, free account holders will no longer be able to access their passwords on computers and mobile devices – they’ll have to choose between one or the other.

The first device you log into after March 16 will determine your ‘active device type,’ as LastPass calls it. So, if you fire up LastPass on your laptop, you’ll be able to access your passwords on any laptop or desktop computer, but not your smartphone or tablet. The opposite applies if you open LastPass on a mobile device first.

LastPass says customers will have three chances to switch their active device type.

This pretty much ruins LastPass’s free tier as the entire point of a password manager is being able to access your strong, impossible-to-remember passwords on any device. By making customers choose which type of device to use, LastPass is clearly hoping to nudge customers towards the paid-for Premium accounts, which start from $2.25 per month. However, such bait-and-switch tactics are likely to leave a bad taste in the mouth of some users.”

What are we to do?!? Well, he agrees with me! (Yay! Somebody finally does!) I long ago switched from Lastpass to BitWarden, because it is Free, Open Source, and awesome! If you aren’t using it, why not? It is awesome! Check it out at this link: https://bitwarden.com/

Be Sure to Wish Fellow Geeks, “Happy Pi Day” on Sunday!

Happy Pi Day!Yep, that venerable Geek holiday, “Pi Day” is tomorrow! March 14. 3.14, get it? Well, since May the fourth is “Star Wars Day” and is a Geek Holiday, then March fourteenth is as well! And, we geeks are becoming so mainstream, it seems that businesses are recognizing us!

7-Eleven: Participating stores will be offering up large pizzas — cheese, pepperoni and “extreme meat” varieties — for $3.14 each. You can get this in-store or via the 7-Eleven app. 7-Eleven will also donate one meal to Feeding America for every whole pizza purchased on Pi Day.

Blaze Pizza: As in Pi Days past, the chain is offering any regular-size pizza for $3.14. You’ll need to download the Blaze Pizza app, create an account and access the deal in the Rewards section.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: From now through Sunday, you can get half off a large pizza for takeout or delivery with the promo code HALFOFF.

Hungry Howie’s: Between March 13 and 16, you can get a $3.14 medium one-topping pizza with the purchase of Howie Bread.

Marco’s Pizza: Buy any large pizza at menu price and get a second one (of equal or lesser value) for only $3.14. Use promo code code PIDAY.

Papa John’s: Order one large pizza, get a second for $3.14.

Save A Lot: If you have one of these grocery stores nearby, stop in on March 14 for a Mantia frozen pizza for $3.14.

Your Pie: Get a 10-inch pizza for $3.14 off when you install the Your Pie Rewards app and redeem the Pi Day offer.

Boston Market: Buy one pot pie and a drink, get a second pot pie free. Also known as a BOGO, this deal requires you to use the Boston Market app. It’s good only on Pi Day.

The Fresh Market: On March 14, you can save $3.14 on the store’s 9-inch apple and cherry pies and chicken pot pies.

Jamba Juice: It’s not a pizza or a pie, but from March 12-14, My Jamba Rewards members can get one small smoothie free with the purchase of a large one.

Using an Older Camcorder to Record to an Atomos Ninja for High Resolution Video

This British gentlemen shows you how to use the Atomos Ninja to record higher resolution video even with an older camcorder, which in this case is a Sony HVRV1U. This professional, broadcast quality, 3 CCD camcorder once ran for thousands of dollars, and can now be obtained for around $350.00 on eBay. Likewise, you can get decent deals on the Atomos Ninja in the $450.00 range. So, for under $1000 you can shoot high quality video, suitable even for broadcast! I have access to both, and have used this combo to shoot remote video. Check out his demo:

Our church uses the Sony HVRV1U’s to shoot service video, or at least we will again, once we are back in a permanent building. Right now, we are meeting in another church building and “running mobile” with a Mevo Start camera.

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