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Screen Saver Update & Questions

SyntheticShield

SyntheticShield

New member
Okay, work is well underway on the community screen saver project. I dont know if I will make the January goal I had set due to split time elsewhere. But fret not, work is progressing. That said, I have a few questions.

1. Recognition and Credits
Some of you expressed a desire to have credit on the pictures you submitted but the large majority never commented on this. So Im asking here, what would you like to see?

A. Just your ScreenName on the photo
B. Your ScreenName and real name on the photo
C. A contributing list posted in the forum, perhaps stickied for a month or so
D. Nah, I was happy to contribute and help out I dont need any other recongnition

2. Background Music
I would like to include some background music (which can be selected to play or not) with the screensaver. However, I would like to at least get some input from the community. That said, keep in mind that I also desire this to be a tool to reach out to others and perhaps pique their interest in joining the community so as much as I would like to accommodate all requests, its going to have to come down to one with the largest appeal.

Also, bare in mind I may ultimately choose something different from what everyone wants if there is a copyright issue. Though the screen saver is not going to be a 'for sale' item, I still dont want to have any issues with the music used. Also bare in mind I do not want any objectionable lyrics or anything that would otherwise cause an ill reaction from someone that is outside the community that may want to join up.

So, the choices here are:

A. I have no preference, just choose something good
B. I would like to hear [Insert Song Title here] by [Insert Artist name here]
C. Why do we need any background music
D. Im undecided
E. Lets use a group/musician from the community


3. Image sizes
I have received a wide array of image sizes. I had hoped to find a way to get them all to one size and use that (part of the delay in getting this done) but I just havent come up with one. With that I had to consider a cutoff resolution. Downsizing is much easier than upsizing. I know there were some that submitted pictures that were below what I decided upon and so a decision will have to be made. I wanted to include everyone because I wanted it to truly be a community project, something that everyone had a hand in making. But it does not appear I will be able to do that with just one screensaver (perhaps make another that includes the lower resolutions). So I decided that 1024 X 768 would be the cutoff point. I dont really know of anyone in the community that cannot support at least that. My oldest laptop which is approaching 6 years old can do at least that so I felt that that resolution was a fair one.

So with that, the choices are:

A. I'll take new shots if mine dont meet the limit
B. Ive got pictures in that range, just let me know if you need them
C. Ive got a solution to upsize that wont ruin or distort the picture
D. Im okay if mine dont meet the limit and will just wait for another opportunity to contribute.

When you submit your replies, first answer the questions. If your answer to question 1 is C, then use 1C as your answer and then answer the rest in similar fashion. After you answer the questions, if you have a comment, include it after the answers.

I'll keep tabs on this and try to make some quick decisions. Ultimately, however, I would much rather the project be delayed some and have as much input as possible than to have the screensaver out by the end of the month as I had originally wanted.

Thanks for everyone that has contributed. I have had 37 people contribute so far. Some of you did not include your screen name or your first and last name with the submissions, so as I need to I will contact those people to get the necessary information.
 


1A or 1B
2A
3C (sorta)

I'd be good with either forum name or real name or both. I've got no idea on music stuff but maybe we have some budding musical artists here who could (or have already) write something and record it. As for upsizing, there is new technology out called content aware image resizeing. It allows pictures to be resized (even upsizing) by evaluating the least crutial pixels in a photo and then removing (or doubling them for upsizing). Here is info about it along with source code and a GUI that can be used. BRAIN_RECALL - CAIR - Content Aware Image Resizer This upsizing works well for up to about a 10% size increase (more than that gets some artifacts). Its not the fastests process but it is pretty fun to play around with anyhow. A lot of the time, it depends on the picture how well it will work out also. Simple back ground vs busy background for example.
 
1a
2b-the band i work for juddhoos.com or i guess to hear it you would need to go to myspace.com/juddhoos i canalso email some mp3s of ones that i think would fit for thistypeof thing
3b
 
Chleby, I will check out the band today. Thank you for your information. UR LOSN,I hadnt really considered whether what pace I wanted. I guess the songs I have listened to I was just listening to more for a sound that just resonated with me.
 


You know, after giving this some thought I must apologize to the community. I had not really considered the talent that is present in the community. So I have changed my original post to reflect that option.

Chleby, I am normally not a fan of that kind of rock music, it just never appealed to me because I dont like not understanding what the artist is singing, not being able to understand the words and in many cases, with heavier rock music, this is the case. However, with the Juddhoos, they seem to be an exception to this. I was kinda partial to the song Colors. So we may talk more. I know our local club has a band that plays quite a bit but I have never heard their music or them play.

UR LOSN, Europe would make some awesome background music, and while I havent ruled something like that out I want to see if I can make it something unique. Who knows how far flung this screensaver will go. So if I am in a position to help spread some community music then I would like to try that. But keep the ideas coming cause Im very much still just beginning on the music selection.
 
1a
2c (Not a big fan of screensavers that make sound of any kind, but as long as I can turn it off, I don't care.)
3b
 


1. C
2. C
3. C

as for the credit: do we really want to be looking at a screensaver of beautiful cars only to be distracted by the words "horslvr668920" somewhere on the screen? i suggest we keep this as clean and classy as possible. i think a post stating the photos submitted by each user will be fine for credit sake

I cant stand screensavers with sound. everytime your screensaver kicks in some hard rock track comes on? it would drive me nuts. what if you forgot to turn your speakers off and music starts playing 20 minutes after you go to bed?

3. as for upsizing, its already all been said. dont stretch out little pictures...i would be fine with a nice neutral background behind them.
 


1.c
2.b
Are You Ready? by Creed
Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe
We Are by Vertical Horizon
The Road I'm On by 3 Doors Down
Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Rise Today by Alter Bridge
3.a

What kind of music are you looking for. If its Rock I have it. Unless its that stuff you can't tell what they are saying when they sing then I don't have it. I have lots of 70's 80's and 90's and 00's Rock.
 
the doors-roadhouse blues
ratt- nobody rides for free
cinderella- shake me
steve ray vaughan-pride and joy
the allman brothers band-midnight rider
bruce springsteen- born to run
 
Cool, thanks for the suggestions everyone, but if you can, I sure would like the input on the other questions as well that way I get a good idea of what everyone is looking for.
 
1) A -- good to know who's ride it is, but having personal names on it likely not a good idea for safety reasons....

2) E -- dont forget RonVogel has stuff on his myspace page.

3) C -- if you get pictures smaller than 1024x768 (but not too small) one could either put a background color behind the pic to equal 1024x768, or collage page them.
 
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