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Messages - sammythesm

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This session should be fun!  (Of course, I'm a little biased since I'm the guy who created VirtualCallboard...) 

Hope to see you all there.

2
Tools of the Trade / Re: stopwatches?
« on: Jan 29, 2008, 01:43 am »
My old favorite stopwatch is actually a little windows program called "Multitrack Stopwatch"  I let you run up to 10 stopwatch instances inside the same app.  It was handy when we'd time the whole show, first act, second act, intermission, and that really long speech in Act 2 scene 2 that just kept getting LONGER and LONGER as the season drug on. 

My new favorite stopwatch I just discovered 2 days ago... It's built into the iPhone.  It's slick!

3
Tools of the Trade / Re: Should I become a Mac-er?
« on: Jan 15, 2008, 12:42 pm »
AppleInsider.com did a really comprehensive review and comparison last year:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=3417 (Word vs. Pages)
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=3424 (Excel vs. Numbers)
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=3429 (PowerPoint vs Keynote)
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=3434 (Entourage vs Outlook vs Mail/iCal)

4
Tools of the Trade / Re: Should I become a Mac-er?
« on: Jan 14, 2008, 05:08 pm »
I converted to Mac about 2 years ago, after they switched to Intel architecture.

I used PCs for 12 years as a very HEAVY power user... I've had Dells HPs and computers I've built by myself.

Currently I own a Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, 2 mac minis, an iPod, and (soon) an iPhone.

Reasons I Love my Mac family:
1. high quality components (they don't use crappy hardware) and there is no such thing as a low end machine.  every time you buy a new mac, you are getting a top of the line computer.
2. excellent retail experience (if you live close to an Apple store, you HAVE to go check it out)
3. Knowlegable, american based support.  I called three times, twice getting their call center in California, only once going to India.  This was before I discovered the "genius bar" at the apple store.  Now I go in there when I have a question and I get free IN PERSON support.
4. Security. Security against viruses, malware, etc.  macs give you Unix security!  Amazing!
5. TONS of free software!  It's true that not every title is available for Mac, but oftentimes there is a FREE alternative.  (i.e. I use Adium for instant messaging, it's far superior to any IM client for PC)
6. Spotlight search eliminates the need for wasting days categorizing and cataloging your files and programs into nerdy little folders.  When you want to start something, just hit the spotlight and type it in.  It searches inside your documents, mail messages, everything!
7. Superior apps.  Particularly iTunes, Mail, and iPhoto are just hands down superior to any other SW out there.
8. Incredibly anal approach to User Interface.  It's near perfect, and every detail is thought through excruciatingly. 
9. Even more anal approach to design.  Backlit keyboard, aluminum case... i could go on and on...
10. Macs love each other on the network... they easily share files, music, etc.  I have spent days troubleshooting permissions and sharing from Windoze machines.

For those people who HAVE to run windows... I would recommend using VMWare's Fusion rather than Parallels.  It's much more stable, has better performance and compatibility. 

For switchers from MS Office: Office '08 for Macs is coming out tomorrow.  It will support all your office files.  Entourage (the Outlook equivalent) does not support direct import of your .PST file, but there is a supported way to migrate your Outlook mail to Entourage.  I actually went from Outlook to Mac Mail by using a small program I paid $5 for that does the export for you very quickly and automatically.  There is also great free alternative in NeoOffice (based on OpenOffice)

Hmm... so much more to say, but I'll stop there. :)

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Hello everyone -

I recently launched a new online service called "VirtualCallboard."  (http://www.virtualcallboard.com/)

I started creating VirtualCallboard when I was stage managing large musicals, and needed some way to keep everyone better updated.  I've been working on this project for about 3 or 4 years now (off and on), and with the persistent urging of some colleagues, I am now making it available to others!

VirtualCallboard has been used in community theatres, regional theatres, and university theatre programs with much success.

My philosophy was not to replace a SM's production book, but to create a VirtualCallboard that would supplement and keep your production book better updated.

With VirtualCallboard you make information available to all your collaborators at any time of the day or night thorough the WWW.  You also use it to make printouts which easily keep your physical callboard up to date.

VirtualCallboard does:
- Scheduling (checks for double scheduling and conflicts)
- Attendance Tracking
- Hours Reporting
- Fittings
- Manages availability (students can block out their class schedules, etc)

- Reporting  (create your own report templates)

- File Sharing

- Email messaging
- Web announcements
- Discussion forum

- Archival

- Manage multiple productions/companies at the same time!

The best part about this whole deal is you don't have to worry about installing or upgrading anything.  The service is hosted for you and you receive automatic upgrades on a weekly/monthly basis.  Upgrades and new features come directly from customer suggestions, so I'm interested in hearing your feedback!

More information is available at http://www.virtualcallboard.com/ 

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