The Simple Joy Media Blog

a media production company specializing in the beauty of Simplicity and the Joy of creativity var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-8249631-1']); _gaq.push(['_setDomainName', 'simplejoymedia.com']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

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Introducing deskbox: http://deskbox.io  The simple joy of having Google Inbox as a desktop application.

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Beyond The Button: Embracing The Gesture-Driven Interface Thomas Joos, smashingmagazine.com

As a mobile UI or UX designer, you probably remember the launch of Apple’s first iPhone as if it was yesterday. Among other things, it introduced a completely touchscreen-centered interaction to a individual’s most private and personal devi…

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This looks like a really neat marketing tool

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Start HD Video Production on a Budget

HD Camcorder:

Canon Vixia M500 - $400  An excellent beginner HD camcorder

Canon Vixia G10 - $1,050  The ultimate flash based HD camcorder with a focus ring!   - try to find this one on sale or used

Canon Vixia G20 - $1,100  Replacing the G10 and adding an increased dynamic range.

Editing Software

Final Cut Pro X - $300 Apple cut out a lot with this completely new version, but it is still absolutely the most user friendly and powerful option out there.

Adobe Creative Cloud - For $80 a month you get a set of incredibly powerful applications.  Just plan on investing into some tutorials at Lynda.com before diving in.  

Apple Computer Editing Station

Mac Mini - $600 it may look small, but with Thunderbolt, USB 3, an i7 processor, and dual screen capability, you will not be disapointed.  And it only costs $600.

iMac - $1,300  the best screen and the most power for the money. 

Essential Upgrades

Wireless Microphone - Sennheiser G3 Camera Mount Wireless Set - $630

Tripod Legs - Manfrotto 055XPROB -$140

Fluid Head - Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Head - $130

Favorite Optional Upgrades

SSD - after using a Mac with an SSD you will never go back.  Here are two great options:  120 gb OWC Mercury Electra 6G - $130, 750GB Hybrid Seagate Momentus XT - $122

External Hard Drive - OWC Mercury Elite Pro - $99 plus a Seagate Barracuda 3TB - $130

Beginner Kit $2,200

Canon Vixia M500 - $400

Final Cut Pro X - $300

Mac Mini - $600 

Sennheiser G3 Camera Mount Wireless Set - $630

Manfrotto 055XPROB -$140

Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Head - $130

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Christmas and Tutoring in Self-abnegation

"I am so glad my son has told me what he wants for Christmas, so now it can be denied him". Cettie Rockefeller confessed to a neighbor about their son, Rockefeller Junior.

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Walgreens Hedgehog Concept

Walgreens generated cumulative stock returns from 1965 to 2000 that exceeded the market by over 15 times. It was a remarkable performance from what many might think of as a boring company. However, this performance earned this company #1 good to great company in "Good to Great". They did this with relentless dedication to what the author callls a hedgehog concept. "the best most convenient drugstores with high profit per customer visit." (Jim Collins, "Good To Great")

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Stop doing lists are more important than to do lists.

Jim Collins, Good To Great

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A great company is more likely to die of indigestion of too much opportunity than starvation from too little.

Jim Collins, Good To Great

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How to Download Vimeo Videos

1) Login or create a Vimeo account

2) Click the download button below the video

3) Right click on the desired format and choose save

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By Russ Meyer, fastcompany.com

Google, Ama­zon, and Apple are among the strongest brands of the last decade. They have cre­at­ed bil­lions in brand value and have industry-leading busi­ness per­for­mance. What else do they have in com­mon? Their brand suc­cess can be direct­ly…

In support of Simplicity.

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Probably the most important management fundamental that is being ignored today is staying close to the customer to satisfy his needs and anticipate his wants. In too many companies, the customer has become a bloody nuisance whose unpredictable behavior damages carefully planned stratigic plans, whose activities messmup computer operations, and who stubbornly insists that purchased products should work.

Lew Young, editor-in-Chief, Business Week

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Now is a good time to pause, prioritize, and focus. Make two lists: List 1: Your Focus List (the road ahead) What are you trying to achieve? What makes you happy? What's important to you? Design your time around those things. Because time is your one limited resource and no matter how hard you try you can't work 25/8. List 2: Your Ignore List (the distractions) To succeed in using your time wisely, you have to ask the equally important but often avoided complementary questions: what are you willing not to achieve? What doesn't make you happy? What's not important to you? What gets in the way?

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Maintaining people in jobs for which they are neither qualified nor motivated is a disservice to both the company and the employees...

Larry Burkett in Business By The Book

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We have begun offering IT support for small businesses in our Small Business IT Experience package.  It follows the ideals of Simple Joy Media by keeping things simple and focusing on creating an enjoyable experience for our clients.  It is off to an excellent start and we are hiring two interns as soon as possible.  Click the link for more info and to apply.  SJM IT Internship