Notes from the field?

Quicktime Timecode help!!

This is a call to the world!

I'm trying to find a way to call the timecode track out of a Quicktime movie in Java.  Anyone know how to make it happen?

Final Cut Server: Web approval!!

Well, after beating my head against the wall all afternoon, I finally got web approval to work in Final Cut Server!

It looks like this:

It's crude right now - but this is just what we need!

Palwaukee Squadron Operations Center Update...

Well, in an effort to continue my weekly blogging revival I've decided to start updating everyone on my squadrons efforts to build our own building at Chicago Executive Airport.

We've engaged the services of Architect Raymond Chou.  He presented us with a series of preliminary drawings (all images came from an iPhone):

Exterior View

Both levels

First Floor Detail

Second Floor Detail

At the first meeting we discussed the drawings and pointed out some changes we thought should be made including:

• Adjusting the size of, or eliminating the observation deck as it would have limited use based on our weather conditions
• Turn the second classroom into a tiered operations center
• Re-think the office area and pilot briefing area and make them more functional
• Lower the height of the hangar doors from 25' to 15' - none of our aircraft will ever have tails taller than 14'
• Move the kitchen area upstairs in order to create more of a separation between "living space" and "working space"
• Add bathrooms on the first floor
• Add an overhead door to the hangar area for our vehicles

With all of those suggestions in mind, he came back to us with an even more amazing design:

Okay in order to give an idea of the location on the airport, he showed us the design plat.  The dark gray triangle lays out the FAA runway offset requirements.  This parcel of land is ideal for us but would be difficult for an FBO or other commercial development to use.

The parking lot has a 29 space capacity and includes a turnaround drop off area.

Inside there are a LOT of changes:

The layout of the entire facility was squared off a lot, creating a lot more usable space.

In the detail view you can see the addition of first floor bathrooms and the repositioning and overall redesign of the Operations Center.  He's also adjusted the staircase and created an alternating tread staircase.

In the wider detail view you can see the large classroom (approximately 35' by 48'), and the abundance of storage space.  Note the step-down into the hangar area from the main entrance, this creates a stage for special presentations and meetings.

This view shows the offices and squared of pilot briefing area.  All of the offices open directly onto the hangar.

The second floor shows the moved Kitchen area and reduced observation deck.

Second floor detail shows the inclusion of a standard staircase and again an abundance of storage space.

We really had no additional changes to the design at this point.  In 2 weeks Ray will be back with a final set of design drawings and a 3d animated view of the building.

The estimated cost to build and equip this facility is $1.5m.  We will begin full scale fund raising efforts as soon as we receive approval from the necessary upper echelons and the airport authority.

Please leave your comments or suggestions, I'd love to hear what everyone thinks of the space.

Re-birth?

Okay @leahjones - here goes:

I need to look at this whole blogging thing from a different angle:

I don't need a blog - I like having a blog.

Looking back on all of my posts - I'm really glad I have this thing.  I need to get back to the root of why I started this.  I need to really start working on finding my voice.  I've always liked writing, I think I'm at least decent at it - I just need to start laying things down.

Okay people - here's my goal - a post a week.  No topic in particular for these weekly posts - just something that strikes me.

Let's see how it goes.  ADD be damned I'm going to make this work :-)