DIGIPENDENCE - declare yours!

In the last few years, file-sharing sites have grown in popularity and the recently-launched Upload Robots service is a ‘new breed’ among file sharing services, and once it becomes more well-known, it’s going to be a huge hit. It’s all part of what’s known as cloud computing. Think of Upload Robots like a virtual thumbdrive that can’t be lost.

Most people who need to share files want to do so quickly and easily with a minimum of fuss. Sometimes, it’s just not practical to email a large file, or one runs up against file-size restrictions or account timeouts. And not everyone has an FTP program on the computer they’re using which may not even be theirs - they may be using a work or school computer, or even be at a public library - let alone server space to which they can upload a file. Additionally, it can be a hassle to keep setting up secure FTP accounts just so friends, family or clients can grab a file.

Visually pleasing and easy-to-use, UploadRobots.com offers two account flavours: Regular (free) and Pro ($5.00 a month). Both offer SSL Encryption, no advertisements and uploaded files don’t have expiration dates. The Pro account’s additional features include the ability to create subdomains, increased monthly storage space, up ten gigs, and users can upload a file as large as 250 megs which is substantially more than the ten megs limit offered with a free account.

People around the world have a variety of connection types, from dial-up to high-speed. Upload Robots promises to maximize connection types for maximum efficiency. In other words, however one connects, the company will do their best to make it a pleasant and speedy experience. They’re able to do this because they host the site on dedicated servers.

A major distinction which elevates Upload Robots - and separates the service from its competitors - is the ‘no-wait’ feature. Most file-sharing sites require users who are not members or who are not logged in to wait before the file they’ve requested begins to download. This delay can be anywhere from thirty to ninety seconds. Also, if a visitor wants to download a second file, they’re often forced to wait as long as fifteen minutes between downloads.

Currently, for uploading, Upload Robots works best when accessed from desktops and laptops, but an inquiry to their 24/7 support department on compatibility with handhelds elicited a fast response which explained that an iPhone application would be forth-coming for use with Pro accounts. In the mean time, a few quick tests showed that it was possible to download a file from the site using an iPhone, an iPod Touch, an Android phone and a WindowsMobile-powered Pocket PC simply by entering the download link into the browser.

Download this post as an .mp3 file (3m18s, 3.02 megs) from the Upload Robots site. Links of interest: Feature Tour, Blog, Sign Up, Twitter: @UploadRobots. And here is a video tour:

Moviestorm (great product name) is a free 3D animated movie-making program. Review the program features. Check out the features. Here are some screenshots. Take the tour. Download Moviestorm for free (WinOS, MacOS). Currently, there is no product manual, but there are 5 video tutorials as well as some in-program help.

In 2008, Moviestorm released 17 content packs (detailed posts on specifics coming soon). Right now, they have a mega Compilation Pack containing all of them for a significantly reduced price.

The Moviestorm 2008 Bundle includes every single one of the seventeen content packs we released last year: that’s Law and Order, Happy Holidays, Garden Features, Halloween, Foliage, US Election, two Wardrobe packs, Song Contest, Sci-Fi, Bedroom Blog, Open Mic, R&B and Dance Music, Rock and Indie Music, Bedrooms, Lounges and the Coffee Shop. Packs include customisable costumes, animations, props, sounds and customisable stock sets.

It’s a great deal, and there’s no word on how long it will be on sale, so definitely check it out sooner rather than later.

Moviestorm recently retooled their website. Previously, it was dark grey with orange accents. Now it is white with orange and turquoise accents. Individual members can customize their “director’s page”. Here’s mine, for example; pretty stylish! The problem with being able to stay persistently logged in remains. No doubt that’s something they’re working on. And here are some screenshots from the opening flash movie. The quotations on some of the screens make for a nice touch.

Disclosure: I used to be the Community Manager (and Chief Blogger) for Moviestorm. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to need one any more. Here’s my first animated movie, Vox Populi Terra Pax, which I made with Moviestorm. Naturally, I can think of several ways to make it better.

Here are some screenshots and composite images from GoAnimate’s Star Trek Studio. While I am a fan of Star Trek (TOS), I can only hope that assets from The Next Generation (TNG), Deep Space Nine (DS9) and most especially Voyager (VOY) will soon make their appearance on the GoAnimate site. Enterprise, not so much.

One of my favourite sites, Fan Cinema Today (FCT), has retooled for its second anniversary. Despite having watched a lot of fan films in my day, I only recently discovered FCT which, as its mandate, covers the world of fan-produced moving entertainment—primarily (and almost exclusively) “fan films.” The site is run by Clive Young, author of “Homemade HOllywood”, the first book about fan films (expect a book review soon). One of the most fun things to do at the site is reloading the page to cycle through scenes.

Reallusion has opened a new website where resources for teacher and students learning iClone and CrazyTalk can be found. The attractive and well-organized site is divided for primary/secondary schools and post-secondary institutions.

Reallusion brings the art of visual computing to the classroom with real-time 3D animation software that simplifies animation creation. Students engage in interactive learning with iClone and CrazyTalk to create personal media projects for video or web and team-building, group projects focusing on learning the techniques of filmmaking.