I installed it to try it out. I liked Firefox better so after a few days I uninstalled Chrome and the weird stuff started to happen:

• Embedded weblinks in Skype opened up in MS Word – not useful.
• Clicking on the Linksys security cameras attached to my network opened their online viewing utility in MS Word – frustrating and not functional.
• Embedded weblinks in MS Outlook either wouldn’t open (admin permissions error) or opened up in MS Word.

After searching the net for some clue I came across this thread which thankfully put me on the road to recovery. However, I had to reinstall Chrome to get the weblinks to open up in my preferred browser Firefox. If I’d known that Chrome had hijacked my registry I probably would have re-selected Firefox as my default browser. That may have fixed the problem. Several hours of hunting and I’m back to full function.

I think Google should fix this problem or, at a minimum provide detailed instructions for removing Chrome which should include resetting another browser as your default. As it was I had to go into the registry and manually clean out the Google Chrome entries.

All better now!

Sincerely Yours,

Weed Pottle, Esq.

(I’m not really a lawyer, I just play one on TV)

Dr_D

.

Them: I want to buy your Wacom Tablet. Will you take $150.00. I’m going to the bank right now and can pick it up immediately!

Me: (Oh crap. Another student who just realized 3 weeks into the quarter that they have to have a Wacom for their photoshop class- now they’re behind and it’s my fault) I’m not selling it separately. It’s part of the Workstation system I’m selling on Craig’s list.

Them: Oh. Ok. Would you take $130 for it? By the way what size is it? I assume it has all the accessories, the free software like Painter, Photoshop, the original box, the driver software, all that?

Me: (Huh? How’d we get from $150 to $130) I’m not selling it separately. It’s a 6 x8, I have the tablet, pen and pen holder. All the software is loaded onto the Workstation system I’m selling on Craig’s list.

Them: Are you aware that I could buy this for 199 new and get all the all the accessories, the mouse, the free software like Painter, Photoshop, the original box, the driver software, all that? Can’t you come down a little bit?

Me: (Scratching my head) Aware? Yeah -  a useless mouse and limited use software that I threw away with the box…which is why I don’t have all that stuff you think is important. It lists for $300+ and you can indeed buy it on Amazon for $199. Well, I guess I could let it go for $150  even though it’s not for sale- your choice: $199 or $150. (need to get back up to that original number that I didn’t ask for)

Them: Who would buy this for $300 when you can get an Intuos 4 for $325? You should try being more realistic. I’m sure this is a nice product. Thanks for your time anyways.

Me: (now tempted to feel like somehow it’s my fault that “them” can’t buy an Intuos 4 for $325!) Like I said – that’s the price and it’s your choice. Good luck finding a better deal. Thanks for the advice…I’ll try that realistic stuff. (feeling a bit shamed for engaging)

Aftermath:

Ahh life in a Craig’s list world. Some sort of crazy pretzel logic that looks sort of right…but ultimately and simply reveals the truth of human interaction in a culture full of quiet desperation and entitlement. I can’t blame “them” for trying…no blame at all. But I am weary of the wrangle caused by people who think that the world works this way: you don’t give me what I want? That makes you the problem.

regards,

Dr_D

Not so much a crossroads as an opportunity that is too good to pass up: I’m joining GameCloud/Augmentum as a Senior Art Director in a start-up game studio they’re establishing in, of all places, Temecula. 20 minutes down the road.

They are a fine company, led by great people and I know I’m going to enjoy this next step in the journey.

alphaZED will continue to exist as my personal website. I have stories to tell, tools to learn and art to make – not to mention the odd opinion here and there. So please feel free to stop by now and then for the further adventures of Insane Duane. Weed Pottle will continue to master the website. He was doing it for free anyhow.

I have to say that I’m grateful for the many people who have helped me on the way in the past 3 years. Thanks to all. I’ve learned a lot of important lessons, some of them twice.

See you around the blogiverse

Dr_D

~WEED

The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

Here’s a compositing breakdown showing how some of the shots were put together.

Compositing Breakdown (T&S) from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

…and an walkthrough of how the Exeter Shot was made – showing Alex’s approach to 3d and Post.

Making of: Exeter Shot from Alex Roman on Vimeo.

One of the more memorable elements of the meetings was a presentation and discussion regarding the generation of students we’re teaching, the so-called “Millennials”. The discussion and points raised concerning them was intriguing and enlightening. As I thought about the points made I realized that the last time I taught (the early 1990’s at Cal State and MIT) I was teaching the generation of artists that are now the teachers of the Millennials – Gen X/Y. I’ve skipped a whole generation…

I’m a baby boomer. 56 years old. Born in 1953. Surrounded by the youthful exuberance of the faculty and staff at AISD I didn’t feel old as much as I felt a sense of wonder and appreciation for these younger professionals that have chosen to teach as a part of their life’s’ mission and work. And a relief at knowing that they are interested and dedicated to service and mentoring of the rising generation of artists. A generation that will certainly dominate the scene for the coming 30 years or so…long after I’m done teaching and art-ing.

What I think I know about the Millennials may be of little relevance. I’ll certainly know more in 11 weeks than I did before. Teaching with them will be a fascinating journey into the realm of cooperative relationships. I can trust that being sincere, authentic, passionate – being who I am will help. I can also trust that being alive as an artist, being a practicing, functional designer and storyteller is key. I’m on my own path. We get to walk side by side for 11 weeks. That’s cool.

I approach teaching as service, thinking how can I help the student become the next great version of themselves they are seeking to be…to reach their goals. This is also how I lead the teams I art direct…many of them predominantly made up of Millennials.

Is it important to understand them as a group? I think so. They have shared cultural experiences and attributes that can give us clues to how they think and operate. However, beyond the simplicity of profiling a generation ( a sometimes too easy two-edged sword) there are the aspirations of the individual artists who are at the beginning of their journey, to consider. I’m reminded that any collective pre-judgment is still prejudicial and dismisses, all to easily, the reality of the individual. Intelligence and useful information will help me navigate the Millennial mind. Being in the Zen of mind of no mind, not knowing, has also served me well when it comes to working with people.

However, in the end, what unites us is the common path – our journey as artists. The constant pull of the mysterious wonder – beckons us forward.

regards

Dr_D