Videos have header files associated with your movie which serve like a road map in terms of giving instructions to your computer. This header file has all kinds of technical information which not being present, will prevent your computer from even opening the file (let alone playing it).

Recently I had a problem when one of my video header files became corrupt due to a power failure during filming. Given the header file is the last item written to a video file, if power is ever interrupted to your camera, you will have a major wasted effort. Editing a header file is not for the weak of heart, and even this "nerd" did not want to make the attempt. 

After hours of scouring the web for some means of rescuing my video, I found a great (and free) utility named Fix Player (review and download options via Softperdia). This software package saved me from disaster. I was able to open my corrupt file, view it, and most importantly … save it successfully with a new header file (use a new file name).

New dictionary term this Winter: Nordic Nomad.

Definition: Northern tribe of humans often found travelling great distances in search of white stuff. Distinguishing features: Wears bright clothing and moves on long skinny sticks. Conversations are most often centered around a "class of chemical compounds that are plastic (malleable) near ambient temperatures. Characteristically, they melt above 45 °C (113 °F) to give a low viscosity liquid, but soluble in organic, nonpolar solvents" (quoted text from Wikipedia)

Are you a Nordic Nomad?

Just in case you've been asleep for the past two years, orchestrated flash mobs have been sweeping the globe. One of the best takes place in the Copenhagen train station involving the local symphony. However, as much as I like the effort from my Danish cousins, this blog focuses upon technical content, quite often engineering material.

Thus, can you imagine what it might have felt like as a first year engineering student at the University of Toronto … taking an exam (sounds like it was a sample exam during freshman week). Still cool! The new students don't know how to respond! 

I pinged Target rather hard on a customer service fiasco early last Fall. With this video and their Rube Goldberg Machine, they are back on my good side. Well done, Target! I don't even mind I am helping you advertise by featuring this video. It's worthy! (Learn more about Target's Rube Goldberg Machine)

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From Wikipedia!

In this instance, I am drinking knowledge! Tomorrow night I will attend a Minnesota event sponsored by our local BarCamp, Minnedemo. Although my event is in Minnesota, BarCamps are hosted throughout the world. These get togethers are a fantastic way to learn how the "world of the web" is progressing. You will meet individuals who have product ideas for using the the web and software in ways about which you had never dreamed! 

You need not be "technical" to obtain benefit from a Barcamp. Most presentations present idea, and give brief working demos of software if that is germain to the discussion. I can remember when I first "got it" about mobile and the web. Quite a few years ago I attended a BarCamp where two young gentleman presented a new product idea … cell phone cameras … text messages … and large professional sports stadium monitors. Basically, one would flash up a message asking fans to take a photo in the stadium, and send the results immediately to the host sports team. Within a few minutes the best examples would be shown on the HUGE stadium monitors. End result … a marketeer's dream … interaction with the customer, phone numbers, contact information etc.

Attend a BarCamp and learn! Here is a brief description of tomorrow night's Minnedemo. You'll note that I also get a real drink, not just knowledge!  :-)

"MinneDemo is for real, working technology products made in Minnesota. Demos are 7 minutes long and PowerPoint IS NOT ALLOWED. Some have described it as geek show and tell. We like to think that geeks and those interested in what they are doing (i.e., investors, media organizations, etc) will enjoy an event centered on seeing what the local scene is up to and networking before, during, and afterward with food and drinks. It’s an energizing and informative evening"