Overlaying Images Over Google Maps & Satellite Images Using Google Earth: Ep. 150

D.Lee shows how to overlay an image onto Google Maps using Google Earth. For an example, he shows how to overlay a neighborhood plat map overtop of a Google satellite view to determine exactly where the property boundaries are. Overlaying images can be used to represent state information by county, historical information/maps, and to embark on further discoveries and illumination of information in a spatial context. Google Earth is a free download.
(6min 42sec)

Click Here to Play Episode 150

Measuring Distances with Google Earth: Ep. 149

How far is it? D.Lee Beard shows how Google Earth can measure the distance between two objects and a distance with multiple turning points such as a walking or jogging route. Just how far do you walk? Watch and fine out.

Click Here to Play Episode 149

Viewing Cities in 3-D Using Google Earth: Ep. 148

Want to know how to view maps in 3-D? In this episode, D.Lee explains how to view buildings and even trees overlaid on maps with Google Earth. He also shows how to change from "street view" to "ground level view" for smoother navigating through city streets.

Want to learn how to create your own 3-D buildings using Google Sketchup? Then ask D.Lee to make a video on how to do so Questions@AskTheTechies.com

Click Here to Play Episode 148

Google Earth Intro & Viewing Historical Maps & Aerial Photos Ep. 147

D.Lee Beard presents a basic introductory tutorial in how to use the Google Earth application which is available for Mac OS X and Windows. He explains how to download it for free, navigate within it, view different layers, and how to change viewing angles to see terrain.

He also explains how to use Google Earth to view historical maps and aerial photographs of various locations plus a complete globe overlay for an historical map view. (11min 32sec)

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Checking Road Traffic Conditions: Ep. 146

D.Lee Beard explains how you can check road traffic using Google Maps in a web browser and on the Apple iPad. Use this tip to avoid unnecessary delays on the highways this summer.

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Free Music Sites to Use as Soundtracks: Ep. 145

D.Lee Beard reviews several websites that offer free music that can be used in other creative projects such as soundtracks for videos you produce. (10min 56sec)

Click here to play Episode 145

Creating Time Lapse Videos and Converting for PowerPoint Ep.144

D.Lee Beard answers a viewer question about converting videos for PowerPoint using iSkysoft's Video Converter. He also shows a free way to take time lapse videos with a webcam using Gawker. 4min. 13sec.

Click Here to Play Episode 144

Free Phone Calls This Holiday Season w/Google Voice: Ep. 143

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Watch and learn how to make free phone calls within the USA and Canada via your Google account and a computer and/or iPhone. Recorded December 12, 2010. (3min 10sec)

Exploring Interactive Books on iPad with PopOut! Peter Rabbit: Ep. 142

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D.Lee Beard explores the interactive features and educational potential of the PopOut! Peter Rabbit book and the what these types of books can bring to the future of book publishing.

D.Lee also explains how to "reboot" your iPad as a fix to various anomalies. (5min 2sec)

Cases for iPads, iPhones & even Kindles: Episode 141

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D.Lee Beard review the ZeroChroma cases for the iPad and iPhone (cases also available for Kindle). ZeroChroma cases are a made of a protective hardshell case and allow for propping the device at detailed angles). He also explores other case options that include a keyboard. (7min 33sec)

iOS 4.2 Find an iPad if Lost: Episode 140

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D.Lee Beard demonstrates how to use the new "Find my iPad" feature in iOS 4.2 including setting up a free MobileMe account. A valuable tool if you should ever lose your iPad, and now this feature is free. (4min)

iOS 4.2 AirPrint and AirPlay on the iPad: Episode 139

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D.Lee Beard briefly discusses the new AirPlay and AirPrint features of the iOS 4.2 operating system for Apple's mobile devices. (2min 7sec)

iOS 4.2 Managing Folders on the iPad: Episode 138

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In this episode, D.Lee Beard uses iOS 4.2 to demonstrate how to create folders to group apps, how to name those folders, and how to add/remove apps from these folders on the iPad. (2min 42sec)

iOS 4.2 Multitasking on the iPad: Episode 137

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In this episode, D.Lee Beard demonstrates the multitasking capabilities of the new iOS 4.2 for the iPad.

iOS 4.2 and Screen Locking: Episode 136

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D.Lee launches a series of videos on the new iOS 4.2 for Apple devices like the iPad. In this episode he discusses how Apple turned the "screen lock" switch on the side of the iPad into a mute button and a work around for still locking your screen when you want that extra control.

Wolfram Alpha Review: Episode 135

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D.Lee Beard review the Wolfram Alpha iPad app. Wolfram Alpha is an application for the iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch that collects information from the internet to answer user questions. For example, it lets you easily compare statistics on different cities or view charts on global warming. (5 min. 56 sec)

Alternative iPad/iPhone Web Browser - Atomic Web Browser (Ep. 134)

D.Lee Beard presents an alternative to the default Safari web browser with a review of the Atomic Web Browser which includes tabs, private mode, increase/decrease font size, ad block and more. (7min 37sec)

Click Here to Play Episode 134

How to Download & Convert Videos: Ep. 133

In this video, D.Lee Beard demonstrates how to convert various video files into more standard formats that can be played on portable devices and the AppleTV (including .flv, .ogg, .wmv, and .mp4).

He also shows how to download streaming flash videos off of the web.

Software reviewd includes Miro Video Converter, RealPlayer Downloader/Converter, and Handbrake. (10min 47sec).

Click Here to Play Episode 133

Speech Recognition on Mac, Windows, iPad and iPhone: Ep. 132

D.Lee Beard reviews and demonstrates the software options for speech recognition where you can stop typing and let the computer type what you say. Nuance speech recognition software MacSpeech for computers and Dragon Dictate for mobile devices like the iPad are review and demonstrated. (13 min. 6 seconds)

Click Here to Play Episode 132

Review of iPad Apps: Photos and Maps - Episode 131

In this video, D.Lee Beard reviews the Photos and Maps applications on the iPad and how they can work together. He also demonstrates how to take a screen capture of image of what you see on your iPad. (12min 57sec).
Click Here to Play Episode 131

Video Options on the iPad - Ep. 130

In this episode, D.Lee Beard explains the options for playing video on the iPad, including, podcasts, synching from your computer, YouTube, ABC.com, Netflix, news sites, and streaming video, even Flash video, from your own personal computer to your iPad 8min 20sec.

Click here to play Episode 130

How to Run Windows7 and Mac OS X on an iPad - Ep. 129

In this video, D.Lee Beard shows how to run Windows 7 and Mac OS X on an iPad via remote desktop with the LogMeIn iPad app.

In this LogMeIn for iPad review, D.Lee demonstrates how it works, the limitations of LogMeIn, it's ability to connect behind wireless routers, and offers a live demonstration of connecting to both a Windows 7 computer and a Mac OS X Snow Leopard computer. LogMeIn also has an iPhone/iPod touch version as well. 12min 29sec.

Click Here to Play Episode 129

Books on the iPad: Ep. 128

D.Lee demos the various options for reading books on the iPad including iBooks, Kindle books, many free Gutenberg Project books, and book apps such as Disney's Toy Story book app.

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iPad In-Depth Review - Ep. 127

D.Lee Beard reviews the new Apple iPad including physical features, the Apple iPad black case, and compares it to the Amazon Kindle, and iPod Touch. (21min 4sec)

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iPad: To Buy or Not to Buy? Ep. 126

After a week of playing with the new WiFi iPad, D.Lee Beard looks at the pros and cons of the new iPad -- what it can do and not do -- and helps you decide whether you should buy one or not.

Upcoming videos will go into more details on it's features and limitations. (3min 25sec)

Click Here to Play Episode 126

Formatting for Mac and Windows for Video Editing Ep. 125

D.Lee Beard answers a viewer question about formatting a hard drive so that it can be read by both Mac and Windows for video editing. (4min 11sec)

Click Here to Play Episode 125

Deleting Apps off of iPhone/iPod Touch and iTunes - Ep. 124

In this episode, D.Lee Beard answers a viewer question on how to delete apps off of a computer in iTunes as well as off of an iPod Touch or iPhone. (3min 13sec)

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Cropping Podcasts to Keep Only Portion - Ep. 123

D.Lee Beard answers a viewer question on how to trim a podcast and save only a portion of it to free up drive space. (2min 34sec)

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Mac vs. Windows - Changing Icon Sizes: Ep. 122

In this episode D.Lee explains how to change the size of icons and the text under icons in Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Windows 7. (4min 15 sec).

Which is better? You get to decide by voting at http://AsktheTechies.com/episode122.html

Click Here to Play Episode 122

Mac vs. PC: Moving Files Ep.121

D.Lee Beard compares the ease of relocating files within Mac OS X and within Windows 7.

Which is more intuitive or useful at moving files? You get to decide by voting at http://AsktheTechies.com/episode121.html (2min. 02sec).

Click Here to Play Episode 121

Mac vs. PC: Navigating Multiple Windows Ep.120

D.Lee Beard compares finding specific document windows when you have way too many open using the dock feature on Mac OS X and the task bar feature in Windows 7.

Which is more intuitive or useful at navigating multiple open windows? You get to decide by voting at http://AsktheTechies.com/episode120.html (2min. 36sec).

Click Here to Play Episode 120

Mac vs. Windows 7: Zooming in on the Computer Screen - Episode 118

D.Lee Beard continues a new series comparing Mac OS X.6 Snow Leopard to Windows 7. In this episode, he shows how to zoom in on a portion of the computer screen in both Windows 7 and Mac OS X. Zooming in on the computer screen is a great tool for teachers.

Which is better??? You get to decide by voting at
http://AsktheTechies.com/episode119.html. 4min. 19sec.

Click Here to Play Episode 119

Mac vs. Windows7 Changing Icons: Episode 118

D.Lee Beard starts a new series comparing Mac OS X.6 Snow Leopard to Windows 7. In this episode, he shows how to change file icons and the compares the ease of changing file icons in each operating system.

Which is better??? You get to decide by voting at the Ask the Techies website, episode 118, http://AsktheTechies.com/episode118.html

Click Here to Play Episode 118

iPad Buying Guide (Ep. 117)

D.Lee Beard presents a buying guide on the iPad including whether to buy the wifi or wifi+3G version of the iPad. He also reviews selecting an iPad 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB models and the iPad accessories that Apple also sells. D.Lee shows how to find free wifi hotspots in your city and how to test your internet connection download and upload speed (links can be found at http://AsktheTechies.com/episode117.html). 7min. 06sec.
Click Here to Play Episode 117

Convert and Add Mac System Sounds (Ep. 116)

D.Lee Beard explains how to add sounds to your Mac OS X system for use as a system beep and e-mail or iChat alert. He also explains how to convert .wav files found on the web into the aif format (the Mac OS System Sound format). 6:15
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Ep.115: iPad - Revolution or Just a Supersized iPod Touch?

D.Lee Beard discusses why the iPad is a game changer. The iPad marks the death of the computer mouse, creates a comfortable user interface for reading e-books, and creates a potential for revolutionizing education with speedy multimedia books and internet access all wrapped into one device that sells for less than $500. Duration: 10 minutes

Click Here to Play Episode 115: iPad

Ep. 114: Changing Startup Splash Screen

D.Lee Beard explains how to change the startup splash screen on your Mac …you know, the ugly purple space picture that appears behind the login window. 9min 1sec.
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Ep. 113: Customize Mac Part 2 of 3

In this part 2 of 3 on customizing your Mac, D.Lee Beard explains how to change icons sizes, the text size under icons, how to move the text to the side of the icons, how to adjust the space between icons, how to change Finder window backgrounds to different colors and images, how to have the Finder show document info under the icon name such as pixel size of images, duration of videos, and how many items in a folder. 5 min. 22 sec.
Click here to play Episode 113

Ep. 112: Customize Your Mac OS

D.Lee explains how to customize a Mac with the Finder preferences including how to turn on or turn off what drives or servers show up automatically on the desktop, how to change the home location for a new Finder window, how to adjust the spring loaded folders feature, how to add color labels to files and folders, how to add text titles to those labels , how to customize the sidebar and toolbar on the Finder windows, how to turn off the "empty trash" warning, and more. This is Part 1 of 3 on customizing a Mac. Next week's episode will cover the Finder's view options. 9minutes, 31 seconds.
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Ep. 111: Find Free Public Domain Video and Images

D.Lee Beard explains where to find free public domain images and video just like the ones he used in his iMovie `09 tutorial series. Public domain content is available for anyone to use freely for any purpose so there are no copyright problems to worry about! D.Lee also discusses the "Creative Commons" license.
Click Here to Play Episode 111

Ep. 110: iMovie 09 Exporting Videos to DVD, Youtube, and other Devices

D.Lee Beard explains how to export iMovie videos for YouTube, DVD, iPod, and more. He shows how to make DVDs look professional by using iDVD's animated features, drop zones, customizable features, and more.
Click Here to Play Episode 110: iMovie Exporting

Ep. 109: iMovie 09 Chapter Markers and More.

D.Lee explains how to add chapter markers to your videos, how to change the icon sizes, and how to print out a proof sheet of your videos from a specific event.
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#108: iMovie 09 - Adding Titles, Transitions, and Maps

D.Lee Beard shows how to add titles, lower thirds, credits, and other text elements over a black background, images, video, and animated graphics.

D.Lee demonstrates how to add transitions between video clips in an iMovie 09 project including the new "theme" transitions such as "Photo Album."

He also explains how to add and customize animated maps to a video project. Mixing features and effects in the 09 version of iMovie really makes iMovie stand out.

Recorded in November 2009, 12min 25sec
Click Here to Play Episode 108: iMovie Titles, Transitions and Maps

Episode 107: Pt. 4 of 7 iMovie 09 - Working With Audio

In this video, D.Lee Beard explains how to add music and iMovie sound effects to your video project, how to duck the audio of specific tracks, how to fade audio in and out including adjusting how quickly it fades in or out, how to separate the audio from a video clip and move elsewhere or delete altogether, and how to add your own narrations to your video projects using iMovie 09. Recorded in November 2009, 8:25 duration.
Click Here to Play Episode 107

Episode 106: iMovie Series Part 3 of 7 - Adding Effects

D.Lee Beard explains how to apply special effects to videos and photos including how to make color adjustments, applying a sepia and grayscale tone, how to blur the edges of a video clip, how to apply a slow motion and fast motion effect to video clips, and how to reverse a clip to play it backwards. He also explains how to apply iMovie 09's image stabilization effect to those jerky handheld video clips.

D.Lee shows how to raise and lower the volume level of video clips in iMovie 09 including the "ducking" effect and the fade in and out effect.

Hidden advanced tools are also featured including showing how to create a video picture in a picture effect with one video playing in a box over another video.

Click Here to Play Episode 106 iMovie Effects

Episode 105: iMovie Series Part 2 of 7

D.Lee Beard explains how to add photos to an iMovie video project including applying the Ken Burns effect to your photos, cropping an image in iMovie, rotating an image in iMovie, adjusting how long the photo displays in the video, and how to adjust automatic settings when photos are imported (such as turning off the automatic Ken Burns effect or making all photos default to 6 seconds instead of just 4 seconds). D.Lee also shows how to grab a still image from a video.
Click Here to Play Episode 105

Episode 104: iMovie 09 Series 1 of 7 - Interface Basics

In this part 1 of 7 series on iMovie 09, D.Lee Beard starts off by explaining the basic interface elements of iMovie 09.

Click Here to Play Episode 104 iMovie 09 Part 1

Episode 103: Removing Flash Cookies

D.Lee Beard shows how to locate and remove those rarely found other cookies "Flash cookies" also called Locally Shared Objects (LSO's). Improve your privacy by selectively removing these items from your hard drive.

Show links are available at the AsktheTechies.com (episode 103, Computer Security Category).

Click Here to Play Episode 103

Review of Kodak Zi8 HD Video Camera

As a follow up to the Flip cam Mino review, D.Lee Beard reviews the Kodak Zi8 competitor.  Features reviewed: 1080 HD, 5MP Camera, audio quality and external port, image stabilization, screen size, HDMI output, and more.

Click Here to Play Episode 102: Kodak Zi8 Review

Episode 101: Viewer Questions on iPod, Compressor, and Installing Leopard Disks

D.Lee Beard answers viewer questions on an iPod not working, using Compressor to export HD video, and problems installing Leopard with certain deisks. This video is 9min 24 sec - recorded October 2009.

Click her to Play Episode 101 Video