Vincent Russell, Author at Adam Kirk Smith

Vincent Russell | March 30, 2014 | 2 Comments

(Video) TED Talks: Visual Effects

“It is today possible to realize the most impossible and improbable things.” – Georges Méliès

Visual effects afford us the opportunity to see worlds we would have never seen before, to experience the greatness of our imagination and the imagination of others. “To boldly go where no man has gone before”…okay, just kidding on that last one. That was a Star Trek reference. Not only visual effects, but the technology of today allows us to create so many amazing things we were not able to create twenty or thirty years ago.

As creatives, I think we have to look past things “as we know them” and create from the unknown. Creativity, in its deepest meaning, means to present new ideas or to expound more on existing ideas. With today’s technology, almost anything one can envision can become a reality. From web designers to video editors to motion graphics artists to writers, the ability to make our imagination a reality is more prevalent now than ever before in the history of mankind.

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” – Dr. Seuss

Today I would like to do a comment challenge and ask you all to share some crazy ideas you have or some out-of-this-world dreams you might have. After that, share with us your favorite program you use to create these things of mystery!

Featured photo by http://yardsofgrapevine.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/prometheus.jpg

Vincent Russell | March 23, 2014 | 4 Comments

The Genius Behind Apple Inc.

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently…they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.” – Apple Inc.

A preposterous idea to invent the first personal computer to display color graphics (Apple II) turned Apple, founded in 1976, into the most valuable company in history, according to Forbes in 2012. In my opinion, Steve Jobs represents all that encompasses true genius. Steve, like many other renowned entrepreneurs before him, faced rejection and failure, yet, did not let those experiences suppress him from creating what he envisioned for the future of Apple.

I recently watched the movie Jobs, directed by Joshua Michael Stern and written by Matt Whiteley. I know, I know – I am a little late to this bandwagon, but I am finally hopping on it! Say what you will about Steve Jobs or this movie, but I found it to be rather inspiring. Today, I choose to look at the cup half full.

“We’ve got to make the small things unforgettable.” – Jobs

This might have been one of my favorite quotes from the movie. Willing to risk the failure or success of the company, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and others cared profoundly about every single detail, no matter how minute it might have seemed to others. When creating something great, we should strive to give every detail, big or small, just as much effort as the next. The fine details in the infrastructure are just as great, if not greater, than the larger details.

“When you grow up, you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and your life is just to live your life inside the world – try not to bash into the walls too much, try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money. That’s a very limited life. Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact, and that is – everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build things that other people can use. Once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.” – Steve Jobs

The above quote was taken from a 1995 interview of Steve conducted by the Santa Clara Valley Historical Association, while he was still with NeXT, one year before returning to Apple. What an insightful statement! It really aggravates me when I hear people say that someone’s dream is too far-fetched, too impossible, improbable, et cetera. I would encourage you, reader, to ignore the negative comments that are likely to be made when you share your “out of this universe” dream with others. Like Jobs said, you can change things and you can help shape the future.

“Most people never pick up the phone, most people never ask. And that’s what separates, sometimes, the people that do things from the people that just dream about them. You gotta act. And you gotta be willing to fail… if you’re afraid of failing, you won’t get very far.” – Steve Jobs

Steve never hesitated to take risks, he dreamed the inconceivable and he thought differently than others. Almost all successful entrepreneurs and CEOs have risked failure at some point in their life. There comes a point in time when you have to accept that you will fail and you will make mistakes. You may even lose hope, but don’t give up! Your greatest success usually lies right around the corner of failure. If you have never made mistakes, how then, can you learn from them? Begin to view failure as a result that did not have the intended outcome and keep moving forward!

How will you choose to look at failure differently?

Images from www.ladyblitz.com & computerhistory.org

Vincent Russell | March 16, 2014 | 2 Comments

Off The Grid Living – Vincent Russell

The term “off the grid” refers to living a lifestyle that is mostly, if not completely self-sufficient, not relying on one or more public utilities. According to a 2006 article in USA Today, approximately 180,000 homes in America are already living the off the grid lifestyle. When considering living this way, there are many factors one should consider. Let’s discuss two of those factors today – composting toilets, an affordable way to go “green” while using less or no water, and the pros and cons of solar energy.

1. Composting Toilets

In 1992, Federal plumbing standards passed a requirement stating that new toilets could not use more than 1.6 GPF (gallons per flush), which was a huge step in the right direction towards effective water preservation. Prior to the 1992 Federal requirement, toilets were using 3.5-7 GPF. That number is staggering! On the high end (7 GPF) the average American used 12,775 gallons per year, whereas, on the low end (1.6 GPF) the average American used 2,920. Even at 1.6 GPF, we can do more to preserve the water we use every day.

Dictionary.com defines composting toilets as “a human waste disposal system that utilizes a waterless or low-flush toilet in conjunction with a tank in which aerobic bacteria break down the waste.” Composting toilets have been around for centuries and have worked extremely well in many different cultures. Sawdust covers the material, which, in turn, creates what are known as air gaps for the aerobic bacteria to then break down the waste into the bin at the bottom of the toilet. After the process is completed, you can then safely remove the material and spread it back into Mother Nature. Some people will use this for their gardens, or flowers, et cetera, which is commonplace for those living the “off the grid” lifestyle.

Composting toilets are not just a practice for those living in smaller houses or for what some would call “the hippies” – they are 100% safe for the environment, can be used in traditional sized houses and for your average every day person. Here’s an example of an affordable composting toilet.

2. Solar Energy – Pros and Cons

In The Tiny House Movement – Part 2, I presented the idea of using solar energy as a means for powering your tiny house or even traditional-sized home. While I feel this is a great idea, unfortunately, it may not work for everyone. Let’s discuss a few pros and cons to solar powered homes.

Cons

A. HOA (Home Owners Association) – The dreaded Home Owners Association. Some HOAs do not allow solar panels to be fixed to the roof of standard-sized homes or in certain parts of the yard. If you live in an area that has an HOA, then I would recommend having a meeting to express the need to reform that policy.

B. Cost – For those who have a larger home, you may want to consider the initial cost of setting up a solar panel system for your electricity needs. Take a look at your past year’s electricity bill to see what your average payment has been and then your 1-year total. It may take a few years to make up for the initial cost, so you must decide if the payoff will be worth it or not.

Pros

A. Cost – Using myself as an example, my past three electricity bills for a 650-square-foot apartment have been around $120 a month, which I feel is outrageous. At this rate, my annual bill will be around $1,440. I am planning on building a little home this fall, as the term “tiny house” is reserved for homes smaller than approximately 220-sq-ft, that will be around 460-square-feet. The initial cost for my solar panel system will be around $2,000-3,000. That being said, within two years I will have my system paid for in terms of the money saved by being “off the grid”.

B. Durability – Solar panels have been known to last over 25 years, and require very little maintenance. According to altE Store, “Many of the first solar panels produced in the 50s are still in use today.”

C. Tax Credit – Who doesn’t love a tax credit? For homes or businesses with solar panels installed from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2016, the IRS will give you a 30% tax credit off the cost of the system!

For information on what type of solar panel system you would need, costs, or questions, contact altE here.

These are just a few of the pros and cons to living an off the grid lifestyle. We are all familiar with the term “different strokes for different folks”. With that being said, I would encourage you to take this advice with an open mind and consider how you might make this work for you and your family.

What concerns do you have with living an “off the grid” lifestyle? Have you known or do you know something that is currently living this way? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!