New Blog, New Start

Much like the Apple Universe Podcast re-launch resulted in, Daniel’s Blog will be underoing many fun changes. You are probably reading this from either the new site, or the old one. When I mean new, I mean at 1:00 AM PST, I was up with Michael Yurechko setting up WordPress (Thanks Michael!). After about 5 minutes of Yurechko magic, the site was up and running under a new domain and hosting!

In case you didn’t notice, I am still on the amazing WordPress platform, just using the self-hosted version (currently up to version 2.3.3). I have been wanting to make the switch for a very long time, and I had the chance to get 2 more domains with my 1and1 Package for Apple Universe.

The main reasoning behind the getting the domain name is quite simple. Raise your hand if you can spell “Brusilovsky” without having read it here. Mostly, only my really close friends know how to spell my last name (and even sometimes my editor spells it wrong, typing “@dbrusilovksy” in Twitter replies), and cutting down the number of letters to type was the best idea I could think of. In the end, danielbru.com fit the bill. “Bru” is certainly a lot easier to type regularly than Brusilovsky.

Additionally, I get more power! My WordPress.com sub-domain has been in service for over one year, and alas, it’s time to up the ante. On a self-hosted installation, I get to customize my web site as much as I want – I can upload my own themes and plug-ins, giving me more options to make your experience better.

If you are curious, the theme that I have up as of press time is GlossyBlue from NDesign-Studio. Its a great theme, and I’ll probably stay with it for a while.

On one last note, I have a new email address for this blog. If you would like to contact me regarding this blog, being on a podcast, starting a podcast together, or even just to say hello, drop a line either through the Contact Page or email me directly.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Brusilovsky.

Video on the Web

I recently wrote a post for the British Users of Mac Podcast about video on the web. I wanted to share it with my blog readers too, so here’s the original post:

I have done a lot of video work in these past year. I have learned a lot, and been upset about the outcome, but this is all a learning experience. British Users of Mac Podcast is a great podcast, but I want to see more video conversations (which is why I am writing this post), and I also want to show you another side of Apple. We all know about video, and all that good stuff, but the real question is: Do you know how to maximize it?

Trust me, I have asked myself this question numerous times! As of now, I don’t have a definite answer to this. There are so many services on the web that incorporate this, but don’t necessarily maximize video. One of my favorite streaming companies on the web is UStream.tv, which is a live interactive video broadcast platform. It enables anyone with a web cam and a fast Internet connection to quickly and easily broadcast to a global audience of unlimited size. In less than two minutes, anyone can become a broadcaster by creating their own channel on Ustream, empowering them to engage with their audience and further build their brand. I have worked with UStream.tv in many ways, from blogging to podcasting and even working! UStream.tv is just as great a service for “desktop streaming.”

In my opinion, one of the best companies is Qik, who enables you to share moments of your life with your friends, family and the world – directly from your cell phone! Keep your world in the know, share a laugh, tell engaging stories. Just point your cell phone and stream video live to your your friends on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, etc. OR use your cell phone like a camcorder and stream hours and hours of video without worrying about storage on your cell phone. The things that Qik does are amazing, not because I work there. I’ve held that belief ever since my friend and top blogger Robert Scoble showed Qik to me. Qik really maximizes video from cell phones, and I can’t wait to see where this takes me and Qik!

Now, Apple also has a say in video. Probably not a front-end view, but surely a back-end view. Most of us know Apple because of their amazing hardware and outstanding operation systems, but they also have amazing software. Here is some of Apple’s Video Software:

Final Cut Express 4

Final Cut Studio 2

QuickTime 7 Pro for Mac OS X

(Editors Note: iMovie)

I use two of these three applications:

QuickTime Pro for recording my videos, and starting soon, Final Cut Studio to edit the footage.

Most Apple computers that you can buy from Apple’s online store include an option to buy Final Cut Express 4 and/or Logic Express 8 (Logic Express is Apple’s semi-pro digital audio workstation application).As you can tell, Apple has a nice presence in the video community, but I want to see more! This was my rant about video.T ell me what you think by either leaving a comment, or send an email to daniel@bumpodcast.co.uk.

~Daniel Brusilovsky

Producer & Host, Apple Universe Podcast

Also, remember that Apple Universe is re-launching on Saturday February 16, 2008 at 8:00 PM PST! We will be streaming on Ustream and giving away software, games and having a great time!

Apple Universe Launch!

The time will be arriving soon! Apple Universe is almost ready for launch! The Apple Universe Team is very pleased to announce that on Saturday February 16 at 8:00 PM PST, Apple Universe will open its doors to a new web site, and a wide open future! We have been working very hard on this new site, and I definitely think that everyone will enjoy it.

If you want, check out the countdown timer at www.appleuniversepodcast.com, which will be ticking until right before the launch!

Don’t be mistaken, there’s going to be a great big pre-launch party – I will be streaming the whole day on a dedicated UStream.tv channel at www.ustream.tv/channel/apple-universe-launch, and we will be giving away free programs and games for the Mac!

Once again, I would like to thank the entire Apple Universe Web Team for making this site the best. If you want to follow the launch, visit the web site and subscribe to the RSS Feed when the site is live. The site goes live on Saturday February 16 at 8:00 PM PST, and I hope to see everyone in the UStream chat watching the new beginning of Apple Universe!

Thanks,
Daniel Brusilovsky
Host and Producer, Apple Universe Podcast

The Future of Apple Universe

Apple Universe has gone very far, and something that I noticed as more people listen is that I need to up the ante on my production system. When I was recording on my Windows machine, I did more post production work, and since I moved to the Mac platform, Garageband does the work for me.

That said, from Apple Universe episode number 101 and on, I will be doing a lot more production work using GarageBand, Levelator, and iTunes. Maybe I will even start using Logic Pro, but keep in mind that all of the work that I do for Apple Universe comes out of my pocket. I do have amazing sponsors, like GoToMeeting and BitClamp (and soon to be more), but once again, the new web site was paid for with my own money.

If you know about audio editing programs for the Mac, please drop me a line at info@appleuniversepodcast.com, and pass along a link or two.

Thank you all very much.

Daniel Brusilovsky

Apple Universe Podcast

As you all know, I love podcasting and blogging. One hundred episodes of Apple Universe have been released, and we need to move to bigger places.

One thing that I decided to do is get my own domain name and hosting plan. I think this is a giant step for Apple Universe, and I think this will help.

For those of you who don’t know, Apple Universe now has a domain and hosting service from 1and1, who claims to be the biggest hosting company in the world. The new web site is now and running, so go ahead and check it out! The theme is i3Theme 1.5 (Right Edition) 1.5 by Mickey Cheong. WordPress theme designed by N.Design Studio, columnized by MangoOrange™, supported by Web Hosting Geeks, sponsored by Web Hosting Reviews & Free Coupons and Web Hosting Companies.

We also have new email addresses. If you would like to contact Daniel, please drop a line by daniel@appleuniversepodcast.com. If you would like to contact Richard Escobedo, the designer who customized the theme, send him an email at richard@appleuniversepodcast.com. For all other inquriries, like interview requests, PR, or just saying hello, fire one by info@appleuniversepodcast.com. If you, or your company would like to sponsor Apple Universe, this blog, or any of my other podcasts, please use this email address.

I hope everyone likes the new site, and that it becomes a smashing success!

~Daniel Brusilovsky

Apple Universe Appearing on Typical Mac User Podcast

One of my dreams for quite a while has been to join Victor Cajiao as a co-host on the Typical Mac User Podcast. Victor runs an extremely well-organized show using the live podcasting service Talkshoe.com, and also allows the audience to talk on the show, adding a radio-show level of interactivity.

Fortunately, I woke up (editor’s note: pun intended), and my wish came true this Sunday, as Victor and I talked about my background in podcasting, my love for Apple products, and various other Apple-related topics.

I joined Victor for his live podcast on Sunday evening, as Victor chatted with me and the live listeners of the show for about 50 minutes. You can listen to the recorded episode on the Typical Mac User web site, and listen in and participate on Talkshoe.com on Sunday nights.

Apearing on Typical Mac User Podcast

This Sunday, from 5:00 PM 6:00 PM Pacific time, I will be co-hosting the Typical Mac User Podcast with Victor Cajiao, and Victor and I will be talking about teens using Macs, Social Networking, and more. Please tune in – It has been my dream to be on the show, and now it is coming true.

The podcast will be available for LIVE listening on Talkshoe this Sunday evening, and you can join in. All you have to do is go to Typical Mac User Podcast page on Talkshoe. Talkshoe’s new web client lets you participate on the chat without even having to get an account (although registering allows for even more interactivity).

If you perfer dialing in to Talkshoe, call (724) 444-7444 and enter the TMUP’s Talkcast ID, 3097. You will be asked top put in your talkcast ID (the phone number you entered in your Talkshoe profile), which will place your username in the list of dialed in members, or you can listen anonymously.

I’d like to thank Victor for inviting me on the show, and hope to see you on Talkshoe!

~Daniel Brusilovsky

Flock

Today I will be heading over to Flock for an interview. This will be Apple Universe #101. Flock is a really cool web broswer that implaments social networking into the browser. I will release this interview on both the new site, and the old MyPodCast one.

I think its going to be a really cool interview, and I am going to try to stream the way on Qik! Check out the live stream, and chat with me!

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Macworld 2007 vs. Macworld 2008

Macworld expos come and go, but the products released at these events stay. In this entry, I really want to stress the importance of these events.

While we were recording Apple Universe episode #100, Shooby pointed out that Macworld 2007 was revolutionary, which made me think. Apple really pushed it to the limit in 2007 when they announced something that will change technology, eventually winning Product of the Year in 2007. That product, of course, is the iPhone, but what people don’t realize is that 2007 was an unforgettable year.

Okay, the MacBook Air is cool (blog post coming soon), and it sure changes people, but the iPhone was revolutionary in its field. Steve Jobs, at the beginning of his 2008 keynote, pointed out that Apple sold five million iPhones, having hoped to ship just one million units by the time of the keynote.

Like many other people, I think that there is no comparison between Macworld 2008 and Macworld 2007. The iPhone got so much attention which even Apple can’t beat anymore. Still, there’s a lot that I’d Apple to release in the next 51 weeks, as Steve Jobs joked about in his keynote.

Keep reading for more news about Apple’s announcements from the Macworld 2008 Keynote.

~Daniel Brusilovsky

MacHeist II Bundle

This year’s MacHeist bundle features twelve popular application titles for the Mac for just $49 USD. In particular, the 2008 package is of excellent value, since Pixelmator alone costs $10 more. The following is the list of applications available in this amazing MacHeist bundle:

25 percent of sale proceeds will be donated to various user-chosen charities. In addition, use the referral links in this post, and Apple Universe will receive a portion of the purchase price as well.

If you’re looking for great Mac applications in an affordable package, you had better act quickly! The Macheist package deal ends in four days from the publishing of this post!