Save in VIM as root! Quick and easy!

Hi all,

Don't have much time, but just ran across this....  So many times I am editing files, in VIM, and I have not issued sudo before hand...   :w .... "Cannot save" Pain in the ASS!

Do this...  edit your ~/.vimrc file and add this little line to'er

cmap w!! %!sudo tee > /dev/null %

Save that and all you have to do now is w!! and your good!  Enter your sudo password and away you go.  Now I caution, I would change the w!! to something that you have to think about as w!! can just become habit and habits and sudo are NOT GOOD!   So something like w!root may be a good option.

Just a quick post.
Cheers!
//Ian\\

Post Project Thoughts - Digital Signage

Although I have worked with digital signage products for quite ome time having worked at Gesturetek.  I was more in-house testing, debugging and doing QA.  I did go on site and setup trade show booths and fixed customer issues.  But now, I have just finished a project where I took a technical lead in the design of the hardware needed.

It has been quite the educational experience.  I cannot talk about the project or the client in any detail yet, and I would hope that at some point I can reveal that with some pictures!   What I can say is that this project employed 20 plasma screens ticker style, 24 mini display systems,  and 4 touch screen systems, each with a user controlled video wall (another 16 displays and 4 touch screens).  

This, for me, was mammoth!  But what a fun ride it was!  Having completed my Digital Signage Certified Expert program (Special thanks to Alan and Jonathan of Brawn Consulting, Digital Signage Expo, and the Digital Signage Federation) I learned so much.  Although I was well into the project and my designs, of how this would interconnect, the base knowledge I took away from that helped me steer in the right direction.  

Although I feel this project was an overwhelming success, there are some things I took away from this. I would like to share these experiences with you.  Hopefully if there is someone out there who is heading down this road too for the first time, you can take caution on the things I have learned.

The AV Provider, and your other Supports!

Since I am not an AV reseller, or installer, I made the designs of the systems.  I would suggest that you work with an AV integrator.  The mounting of the devices is an intricate thing and you want to work with somebody who does this every day.  The last thing you will need is to have a display fall down!   To be clear, this did not happen.  Its just something you should be aware of.  The experience I had with my AV provider was a little rocky.  Communication with our rep was sporadic.   However the technical staff were great and very professional.  They were good at answering my "noob" questions and were a great guide.  The installer was very professional and did a great job painstakingly mounting the bezeless plasma screens for PERFECT alignment.  

They also supplied many of the devices used.  At the last minute, I got a call that they were short 3 of 16 devices I needed to complete the project (1.5 weeks before I was to fly out to begin installation).  Apparently there were just no more of these specific screens in Canada.   This in my opinion was the forst major hiccup. 

This is where I reached out to Alan and Jonathan Brawn of Brawn consulting.  As part of my certification course I took with Alan, they are there to help me in these sorts of situations.  That was a GREAT comfort.  Although they immediately sourced places that had the screens I needed, companies in the USA are reluctant to sell across the border.  So sadly, that could not happen.  Again, relationships with your vendors are VERY important.  Insight Canada(my preferred vendor) stepped in and was able to broker the 3 remaining devices from the USA.  This however came at a price!  I ended up paying about $1000 more per device for the brokerage, shipping and Canadian duties on the devices.  However, all the devices were delivered on time.   Crisis averted.   Plan for contingencies. 

The sporadic communication with our AV salesperson caused some issues in that we were not sure where they were in the process at times, and we ended up with devices we did not order on site.  If you are in this situation, step up to the plate and call out these issues before they become a problem.

Cables Cables Cables!

Since all the displays were in a retail environment, we had to link everything to computers to drive the displays.  The rack that housed the systems was in a back room many meters away.  So we had to use cable extender systems.  Moreover, there was display mirroring happening in that one of the systems had 5 display outputs, we split each of those and again into an extender.  So, although I planned this right, and we had all the needed devices... one thing I did not anticipate was the number of cables and how the heck to manage that.  Also, since these were high end pro DVI lines, they were quite thick and thus harder to manage.

So lest see, 5 display outputs, each to a powered splitter, then to a Cat5 extender, break that down...

• 5   adapters - Minidisplay port to DVI 
• 5   DVI - initial output
• 10 DVI - From the splitters
• 5   POWER - To power the splitters
• 10 Ethernet - From the splitter

So thats 30 cables which I had initially thought I could lay the devices out nicely on the rack tray, however, since they were so thick, they moved the devices and nothing would stay put!  A lot of zip ties later, I made it look OK.  Not great, but OK.  I have since learned that the client has cleaned this up.  This is my greatest learning lesson.   In retrospect, I would have gotten a big plywood board and mounted that to the wall and affix all the devices and channel the wires so it looks clean, nothing moves, and debugging with a client would be MUCH easier.   

So please remember CABLE MANAGENT!!!  This was my biggest lesson.

Construction Zone!

A flag I knew about going into this was the fact that this was still a construction zone.  Working around construction crews, dust, and trying to keep track of the 80+ boxes of devices and other things needed got difficult.  More of a concern was the dust!  Its just something to keep in mind.  Its never advisable to install technology in a dusty environment, but sometimes, deadlines overrule!

Final Thoughts... a VIDEO CAMERA?

One final thought I have in regards to this particular project is that of a video camera.  Since most of the display devices were running from computers in the back where I could not see the displays, setting up was a little hard.  I ordered extended range mice, so I could walk out to the floor and operate, it was still a little hard to manage as I had to go check connections and debug, it was a lot of walking back and forth.  

What would have been great was a video camera that could see your devices, and a monitor in the back where the rack of systems was located.  This would have aided me in hooking up the extenders and getting all the devices working in perfect synergy.

In the end, all is working well with a few shake down issues and expected bugs.  I hope this helps somebody out there prepare for an installation.  I would love to hear your feedback and get a discussion going.  Please feel free to comment!

Stay Geeky,

//Ian\\

  

Digital Signage 2012 - Show Floor Notes and thoughts

Hi all,

With the close of DSE2012,  My brain fried with soaking up knowledge in Digital Signage, I must say that when transparent displays are a commodity, the advancements in screen glass from Corning, add in 3D stereoscopic glasses free displays and touch interfaces, we are about to enter the future world.

Advertising, and the way we see media will drastically change in the coming few years.  Moreover, the way we interact with machines.  During the keynote Peter Bocko from Corning shared their concept of the future.  This video was originally made to inspire the employees, but they have made it pubic.  Admittedly, some of the ideas shown in this video are ideas that others have made, but may be made possible with their products.  Id like to share as I find it personally inspirational.  

If you are like me, my first thought was "damn, FINGER PRINTS ON EVERYTHING.  I did immediately after go to the Corning booth to ask if they were working on glass that does not pick up finger prints.  This is confirmed (their competitors are also doing the same).

Some other really interesting things that wil change the landscape are that of transparent displays.  I see a virtually limitless application of this.   From ambient applications, education, and of course retail.   But imagine, store fridge doors showing your favorite pop slowly pouring into the glass that you see through and then not...  the ideas here are great.  From store windows, to museum, and school windows that may educate children and augment their reality in the classroom  (this i thought of, but I am sure I am not the first).  Have a look here at transparent display in action.  Sorry folks if you see a split image, this was filmed in 3D.  If you have a 3D screen, then you are lucky  :)


A large deal of the floor was content management companies, display manufacturers, video matrix switching gear, and rather sharp looking touch screen manufacturers.  Large scale format displays and flexible large scale such as Nanolumins.

Among the display manufacturers, LG had some rather great looking displays.  VERY thin.  Some 40" were only about 2cm thick.  Although, very cool, one has to wonder about the MTBF (mean time before failure) on units like this.  Nor could they be displayed in public because I am sure they can be easily broken.

With the displays, were more and more auto stereoscopic displays (3D w/o the need for glasses)  Since I was at InfoComm in 2010, I have to say that the technology has gotten better in that there "sweet spots" are more, and the clarity and resolution is much better.   This class of displays is an area where I have a keen interest in.  Its marketing and educational values are quite apparent to me.

There were also new classes of vending machines.  With LFD (Large Format Displays) that were touch screens rather than clunky buttons complete with (or maybe it was a complete mock up, I did not ask) Google Wallet integration.  Perhaps it was a concept machine.

There were also store shelf display combinations and touch conversion kets a plenty!  Its becoming much easier to buy conversion kits (which are screen frame overlays that report touch to your computer) making it possible to turn any display (and existing ones) into touch.

I really think that in a few years we will see that the way we see marketing will change a great deal.  Its bringing us closer to the mindset of many of the visionaries of this time.  As always, if you have any questions, please just ask!

Cheers!
//Ian\\

Digital Signage Certification

Well,

I should note here that I am not certified YET, I must go write the exam which I will have the details on in the coming week.

Although I have some signage experience, I must admit that there is so much information to absorb. I would like nothing more than to take in other sessions.  To name a few, Digital Signage and NFC, Digital Signs Hardware Details, and most importantly, the digital signage tour of Las Vegas (that I will have to do on my own tonight).  However, since I am quite new to this world, I (and my work place Trapeze Media) rightfuly decided that this certification was the best bet.

My brain is full an tired now, but I am sure I have it in me to get this out there.   Firstly, one of the most important things in planning a Digital Signage solution (here after I'll replace Digital Signage with DS, because I am lazy.  There I said it!)  is the 7 key elements.   They are

• Hardware
• Software
• Connectivity
• Content 
• Operations 
• Design
• Business

Many would say the most complex would be the hardware and man, could the masses not be more INCORRECT.  Having had experience now in the marketing industry, the old saying is content, content, content!!!  If you cant deliver the content, you will loose your audience.

You have about 3-6 seconds to capture the attention of your audience.  In most cases they are in transit and will pass by an DS installation in said time.  There is a large degree of psychodynamics here.  But to be honest, content is not what puts the drive behind me personally, its the technology and making it all tick.  But planners, be warned...  content, content, content!

More interestingly, retail only makes up 1/3rd of the DS market space and is the most easy one to penetrate.  Draw customers in to your message.  There are many other applications of DS that most dont often think of.  Such as industrial, and education.  Education is one area where I can see it being of great and wholesome use!  It enables a teacher with a class of more than 15 to help maintain that intimate interaction that they loose after you pass that 15 student barrier.  Other areas of Signage that people often miss are security and healthcare.

Another area of focus is that of consumer technology vs. commercial technology.  Many people opt to use the much less expensive consumer gear over the commercial gear.  This can be a very bad mistake!   Lets face it, commercial gear is more costly due to its solid construction, longer MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure) and environmental robustness!  Moreover, warranty and support.  With consumer, you have to take apart, and return the gear yourself whereas most manufacturers of commercial gear will have on site support, and fast too!  So this is an area where many make their first blunder.

It seems that DS customers see DS as a commodity.  They could not be further than the truth, if its done right, however the integration can be.  When a DS customer works with the right integrator, with clear communication and a firm understanding of the customers objectives, the whole package from the customers idea to the working solution can be positioned as such.

Must of the last half talked about recognizing your value as an integrator, ROI, and ROO (Return on Objective) and was very much more business geared.  Great stuff, and I have a lot of learning to do around it,  but far beyond the scope of this blog.

Stay tuned as tomorrow, the expor floor opens and I get to see and maybe get my grubby hands on some of  this gear.  Until next time...

//Ian\\

Digital Signage 2012

Hi Folks,

I will be heading to Vegas tomorrow to attend Digital Signage 2012  (http://www.dse2012.com).  While I am there I will be taking in as many workshops as I can, and getting my Digital Signage certification.   I hope to post a few blog during the show.   The Expo floor is Wednesday/Thursday where I get to see the really cool toys  (cough cough... transparent displays!!!)

So tomorrow I am heading YYZ to LVS to take in the Digital Signage playground!  There is a Digital Signage tour of Vegas Tuesday which sadly I will not be able to take part in as I will be doing the certification track.  Oh well, I will have to take my own tour.  Part of that will be the Cosmopolitan!   I just wish I could get a behind the scenes tour of that!!!   Anyone out there have any contacts that could get me in?  I would love nothing more than to learn how all that is wired, powered, and content is fed!

So stay tuned!  If you think there is anything I really NEED to see other than the Cosmopolitan, in this Mecca of signage, please do let me know and I will be sure to swing by (time permitting)

Cheers!
//Ian\\

Acer Iconia A100

New Toy Folks,

I will spare you the Android 3 reviews, if you really want to know more about Honeycomb, there are many good reviews out there and you just need to spend about 1.5 nano seconds with Google.   I will however, talk a litte about the hardware.

My previous tablet was the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7".  That was a well rounded device.  Although the A100 is not as hefty as that, it does have  a good feel for a 7"'er  :P   I chose the A100 over its bigger brother the a500, a 10".  Personally, if I was to use a 10" I would rather just use a laptop.  The A100 is small enough to actually get in your pants pocket if need be.

Its construction is quite solid.  However, the screen seems like very low grade plastic.  I fear that its going to get scratched easily.  More over it picks up finger prints and oils from your hands VERY fast on both front and back.   Other than that, its very solid.  It has a nice feature, the Rotation Lock.  With a rocker switch on the top right, you can lock the rotation in.  (If you are like me, a screen rotating when you dont want it to is very annoying)

It has a dedicated home button (capasitive).  The lower edge features, a pin hole reset button, Left/Right speakers, dedicated Micro HDMI port, Dock Port and a Micro USB Port.  Its power is a dedicated coax plug.  A little annoying, however, the Tab never charged from a standard usb supply anyway, you had to use the supplied adapter.  So in another way, at least you can charge AND use the USB at the same time.

I should note that a feature that I would have liked to see, was what its brother the A500 has, is a dedicated standard USB Input port.  However if I am not mistaken, this can be done with an adapter for the Micro USB.

I find the touch on the screen not quite up to par.  Touching notifications on the edge are often miss interpreted.  Also touches are not as sensitive as one would like.  I actually found myself wondering if it was resistive.  However once I installed a better keyboard into the system, things got much easier.

The camera is very quick to focus and grab your shot.  This was a very refreshing thing to see.  Its rotation is also very fast compared to other devices I have used.  Notifications are shown by flashing the LED on the power button and the home button as well.

Something that really is important in my opinion is the SD Card slot.  There is also a MicroSD card slot to compliment its onboard 8 or 16 gig memory.  I see things like the iPad, Galaxy Tab 10", Playbook without a simple MicroSD card slot.  WHY??  I dot get it.  So this has a slot that can accomodate up to 32GB.

So all in all, for a sub $300CDN device I can't complain.  The value of a dual core 1Ghz tablet usually sits at 400-500+  This one costs $250CDN.  If you can deal with the finger prints, add a screen protector, install better keyboard software, you are good with this device.

Happy Tabbig!
//Ian\\

Digital Signage Expo 2012, Las Vegas

Hi Folks,

Just a quick update to let you know that I will be going to LasVegas on Monday and will be attending Digital Signage Expo 2012 (www.dse2012.com)  I will be writing soon so stay tuned!

//Ian\\