Wize Blog

Word 2008 Overview for Mac

Word is that Word for Mac 2008 has some pretty cool options. Below is a video that gives you an overview of the program.

Five Things Windows Mobile 6.1 Can Do For You

Last month there was an upgrade posted for Microsoft Office 2007 file formats to use on Windows Mobile. There are more upgrades coming. Here are some of them:

1. Let you surf an IE browser that displays full Web pages (available within the next few months).
2. Pan and zoom IE browser pages.
3. Watch YouTube videos in the same way you would on your laptop (available by the end of the year).
4. A feature that lets you fix e-mail accounts, passwords, Bluetooth headsets.
5. An application that lets you search for anything from directions to traffic reports and gas prices to movie show times.

How to Use Photoshop Express--a Review

Just as you can work on word processing documents online on Google docs, you now can work on image files online with Photoshop Express.

The web-based application lets you manipulate your photos after uploading them to the site.

After entering my information to create an account, it took about a minute for the site to process it.
When it was done, it, of course, asked me to check my email to verify. I opened the email and, viola, there was an email from Photoshop. After opening it, I clicked on the verification link inside. The prompts on the site then asked me to sign in.

Uploading a Photo

I clicked on upload a photo in the upper right side of the window. A navigation window came up displaying the contents of my computer. I then uploaded a 254 kb jpeg photo by clicking upload in the next dialog box. After about a minute it finished, then I clicked Done in the dialog box. The dialog box vanished and a thumbnail of my image appeared in the window.

Manipulating the Photo

I double clicked on the photo. It opened inside the workspace. I started playing with the tools on the left side of the window. When I clicked on any of them the directions for using it with options for use came up at the top of the window. Sometimes (after you click on Sharpen) multiple copies of the images appeared with different degrees of manipulation choices. Other times (when you click on Touchup) directions showed up with control sliders for manipulation size.

Over all it worked like a charm, much of it resembling what you can do in Photoshop Elements but without all of that program's options.

Adobe Releases AIR

AIR, Adobe Integrated Runtime is now available. It’s a free and open source technology that can be used to build applications. Some of the first applications come out today.

Ebay is using AIR for eBay Desktop, which lets users use the auction site with out being connected to the Internet. The desktop platform is updated when the user connects to the Internet.

AIR will let the following be run on desktops without an Internet connection (updated automatically when users connect to Internet):

AOL Top 100 Music Videos
AOL Xdrive (5 GB of storage to share media)
Adobe Buzzword (an online word processing program)

Many companies will be hopping on the AIR bandwagon from FedEX to Nickelodeon.

Other companies have their open-source systems to move data from the PC to the Internet and back again.

They are:
Mozilla, which has developed Prism.
Sun Microsystems, JavaFX
Google, Gears
Microsoft, Silverlight

Aperture 2.0 Makes Debut

Aperture 2.0 comes was released today,  replacing Aperture 1.5 (rated 87 at wize.com).

Here's the info from Apple's Web site: "Aperture 2 offers photographers a streamlined way to speed through edits, make essential adjustments, and deliver photos online and in print. Aperture sets the standard for professional photo management and delivers all the speed you need to work with and manage photos of any type."

You can locate images in the All Projects view with project skimming of iPhoto Events). You can also access the entire iPhoto library, directly within Aperture 2, to import selected events, albums, or individual photos using the iPhoto Browser. Choose Show iPhoto Browser from the File menu to reveal the browser.

Aperture has more than 100 new features, some of them include:
All-in-one Inspector and HUD--consolidates the Projects, Metadata, and Adjustments panes
One-key Inspector pane switching--Press W to cycle through the Projects, Metadata, and Adjustments panes
Viewer Only mode--Hide the thumbnail Browser so you can work with images in an enlarged Viewer Filmstrip mode for Browser--option offers an alternative to viewing Browser images in a list or grid
All Projects view--quick visual overview of your projects by skimming their contents

Photoshop Elements 6 Preview at Macworld

Probably one of the best software buy these days is Photoshop Elements. It's big brother program, Photoshop, can cost nearly anywhere from five to ten times more. 

A new version of Elements, Elements 6, will be previewed next week at Macworld. It's an upgrade from Elements 5 (rated 92 at wize.com).

The program, when it's available later this year, costs $90. You can upgrade from Elements 5 to 6 and pay just $70.

Here's what's new in Elements 6:

New Photomerge technology lets users combine the best facial expressions and body language from up to 10 photos.
A Guided Edit mode (for new users) that gives an explanation of what problem you are attempting to fix and walks you through the process step-by-step.
Customizable layouts that let users create scrapbook pages, photo books, greeting cards and burn to CD/DVD.