http://www.michaelvanputten.com A little bit of everything all on one web site. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:38:52 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Problem You want to save your avatar photos taken using Adium X. Background Adium X, an instant messaging client for OS X that connects to multiple services (e.g. Google Talk, AIM, Yahoo, Groupwise Messenger, etc), includes the ability to take photos using your iSight camera to use as your avatar image. To add ... http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2008/08/01/where-does-adium-x-save-my-avatar-photos/ While working on my undergraduate degree I used to take some time to sit in Waldo Library and read magazines -- looking for visual inspiration, interesting ideas, etc. I loved to read about everything. This was during the mid to late 1990s when Wired magazine was at its best, and ... http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2008/07/31/video-john-maeda-simplicity-and-the-glass-house/ In 2006 I started to work primarily on an Apple Computer desktop and laptop at work. I have used Windows-based PC(s) for many years and my desktop at home is still a PC. While there are lots of great applications developed for Windows by the independent and open source communities ... http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2008/06/10/a-few-of-my-favorite-free-os-x-applications/ This morning I was listening to the NPR FreshAir podcast from Feb. 22, 2008. One of the segments on the show, titled "An Oscar with your 'Ratatouille'?", presented an interview with writer/director Brad Bird and comedian/actor Patton Oswalt. During the segment Bird describes why he wanted Oswalt to play the ... http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2008/02/28/patton-oswalt-black-angus-skit-made-me-laugh-out-loud/ On a semi regular basis friends and colleagues have asked me this question. Hence, it seemed like a good idea to write up a short post about methods for converting PDF documents to an editable format. Of course, the best way to edit a PDF is to work with the original ... http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2008/02/09/how-can-a-convert-a-pdf-to-an-editable-format-like-ms-word-txt-or-rtf/ If you want to see some examples of impressive "impossible" photography, then look no further than Holger Pooten, a photographer who works in the UK and Germany for companies like Nike, Adidas, Vogue, and Intel. I would love to learn more about the techniques he uses to capture images like ... http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2007/12/17/samples-of-impossible-photography/ This chalkboard wall calendar is a great example of how to have fun while staying productive, focused, and motivated. Marthastewart.com has easy to follow illustrated instructions and videos on how to create your own chalkboard wall calendar. Simple purchase some chalkboard paint from your local Lowes or Home Depot, mask off ... http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2007/12/17/create-your-own-chalkboard-wall-calendar/ Nicole really enjoys designing her own greeting cards. While searching for other personal card making tools that she might enjoy using I came across a gem called Pop-Up Card Designer. I first read about this simple piece of software while reading through the Make Magazine Web site. The interface for the ... http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2007/12/17/design-your-own-pop-up-cards/ My wife had knee surgery today. As she was resting in the recovery room, I sat next to her, hunched over a laptop in my lap. I was 'catching up' on my RSS feeds which I have not read avidly for four to eight weeks now. As I tapped my ... http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2007/11/08/favorite-site-of-the-moment-the-superest/ If you ever need or want to create a PDF document from any application running on your Windows based PC, then look no further than CutePDF Writer a free ware application that enables you to simply print from any application and create a PDF. Of all the PDF programs out ... http://www.michaelvanputten.com/2007/10/25/simple-free-pdf-creation-for-your-windows-pc/