Export iPhoto Albums to Folders

After loads of searching on the web, I finally found the software I need to export my iPhoto albums or events into separate folders. Yes, it can be done, it's super simple, and best, the software is free.

[UPDATE: Since I last wrote this, I have found an easier way that requires NO software download. You just get to the files in your drive and copy them over.]

Apple's current iPhoto only allows export of individual .jpg files to a single folder that you create. If you're like me, with literally tens of thousands of photos (my flickr stream has 47,000+) and hundreds of photo albums and events, then the option of creating individual folders, renaming them, and figuring out which jpgs go where is about as appealing as picking your friend's nose.



The latest download version is here: Version 0.94: Mac OS X Image.

Proper credit and lots of thanks go to the creators of this software:

iPhoto to JAlbum Exporter is written by Felix Fischer. Please contact him about bugs, enhancement ideas, or any other suggestions.

License
iPhoto to JAlbum Exporter is Freeware. You may use this software at your own risk. The author is not responsible for any damages caused by direct or indirect use of this software.
This product includes software developed by

* JGoodies Karsten Lentzsch (http://looks.dev.java.net, http://forms.dev.java.net).
* David Ekholm, Datadosen (http://jalbum.net).
* Gregory Guerin (MacBinary Toolkit 2 for Java)

Originally created for Jalbum, I simply use it to export my photos into folders for storage on my external hard drive. The only problem is that you can't go above your apple's hard drive level. I have 30GB of images at the moment, and only 9GB available on my ibook's hard drive. I can't export to a folder on my external hard drive because of this limitation, so I ended up exporting in batches of folders and transferring those batches to the external. Then, of course, secure deleting all the newly created files on the ibook. Still, this has saved me a lot of time and frustration.

The creation of events into folders is key for backing up your photos onto external drives, burning to cds or dvds, or just plain organizing or distributing your jpg files without all the iPhoto mumbo jumbo support files.

Ubiquity for Firefox on Vimeo

I'm such a geek. This is so cool.

Ubiquity for Firefox from Aza Raskin on Vimeo.

Environmental Impact and Carbon Footprint Calculator at Low Impact Living

So I calculated my low-impact living and I came in at an index of 41 (the average being 100). I think my impact is even lower since I had to say I lived in a 500sf space (that's the smallest they go).

Calculate your own LILI here.

The Greatest City on Earth

Having been housed in multiple cities from Saigon, Columbus, Ohio, Arlington (VA), Harrisonburg, Alexandria, Brooklyn, Manhattan, a 400 year old medieval village in Umbria, Santa Monica, Dupont Circle in downtown D.C., Pentagon City, and a host of other posts, I'm often attuned to what my cities are saying.

This is an interesting article by Paul Graham that ties in with a recurring conversation I have with friends about Great Cities.

He starts with this:

Great cities attract ambitious people. You can sense it when you walk around one. In a hundred subtle ways, the city sends you a message: you could do more; you should try harder.

I love that.

The Girl Effect

First, watch this:


Then visit the site, The Girl Effect and do something now!

Charles and Ray Eames on a Letter Near You

The new Charles and Ray Eames postage stamps are out. Beautiful.

National Gallery of Art - Jazz Programs

Free music in the very cool sculpture garden of the National Gallery of Art all summer every Friday for the National Gallery of Art Jazz Programs. Plus, $17 pitchers of Sangria that you enjoy on the park grounds!

I Heart Technology

I love high tech and super powers, and this brings the two together. I imagine uses beyond military, like sporting (think REI) and as they mention, a replacement for wheelchair use.

Cool.
New Exoskeletons!

The 1-litre car.

Guess I'll skip the Smart Car and go for this!
The future is here. The 1-liter car by Volkswagen gets 235 miles per gallon. That is not a typo.

Currently in California, as of March 19.
Spent yesterday in yin yoga.
Eating well. No new reports.

On the Road Again

The old schedule changed, and the new one is, as usual, non-committal.

Now through March 5: Arlington, VA
March 12ish - 19ish: Brooklyn & Manhattan, NY
March 19ish - 22ndish: Washington, DC/Arlington, VA
March 22nd - April 21: Orlando, FL
April 22nd - May 21: Santa Monica, CA
May 23rd - May 26: Richmond, VA
May 27 - June 19: Undecided, but thinking about Greece or Spain. Or CA again. Or Seattle or somewhere else, any ideas?
June 19 - 22: Virginia Beach, VA
after that is anyone's guess, and as it seems, all of it is anyone's guess.

SIGEP

I extended my trip in Europe an extra week -- for good reason. Delicious, in fact. I was invited to SIGEP, the Salone Internazionale Gelateria, Pasticceria e Panificazione Artigianali -- International Exhibition of Artisanal Gelato, Pastry, Confectionery and Bakery. Nearly one million square feet of show space (90,000 square meters). Over 95,000 attendees. Seriously? Si.

So much eye candy.

stop and smell the roses

I periodically go up to the rooftop of my building and take in the views. I'm especially sentimental now, since I'll be leaving this building soon.
My new travel schedule is:
Nov 30 - Dec 11 Santa Monica, CA
Dec 11 - Dec 18 Washington, DC
Dec 18 - Dec 27 Orlando, FL
Dec 27 - Dec 30 Washington DC
Dec 30 - Jan 10 Switzerland (Basel, Zurich, Lausanne, Geneva)
Jan 10 - Jan 23 Italy (Orvieto and Rome)
Jan 23 - Jan 27 Washington DC
Jan 27 - Feb 2 New York City
after that, I haven't decided.

Espos in DC!

I was actually in town when some family came through.

Ruth Gruber: Witness to History - 92Y Blog - 92nd Street Y - New York, NY

Ruth Gruber is a determined spirit, and I consider myself lucky to have seen her speak on Veteran's Day in Los Angeles. If you're in New York, see her at the 92Y.
Ruth Gruber: Witness to History - 92Y Blog - 92nd Street Y - New York, NY

Godzuki

Godzuki is one of the coolest cats ever.

Wii the People

My second grade cousin has a thing for all things related to money. For fun, he asks me if we can look up currencies on Wikipedia. "What kind of money do they use in Sweden?" he wondered. I made him type into the search bar, but he paused: "how do you spell it?"

I made him sound it out.
"Ssssuh..." I sounded
"S" he typed.
"...swuh..."
Sw.....
"sweeeee..."
Swii he typed.
"Uh, no, Ari, it's not wii. What else sounds like 'eeee'?"

In Rainbows

I'm listening on phones right now. Yes, it's late, really late, nearing my regular sleep time of 4 a.m., but this is a great midnight, or rather 2 a.m. treat. Thanks, Radiohead. Your fans love you.

Breakfast in NY, Canadian Style

Why these things happen to me, I'm not sure, but I wish I could bottle it up and hand it out. Check this out and here, too.

"Do you need a fourth chair?" I asked the gentleman arranging tables next to me.
"Not unless we have an unexpected guest." he answered.

I had just finished my breakfast and was drinking my pot of coffee from Le Pain Quotidien. He ordered his coffee and we chatted for a few minutes, then I turned back to my New Yorker.

A few minutes after his wife joined him, they leaned over to me and asked, "Do you know the difference between a caffe latte and a café au lait?" Other than one being Italian and the other being French, I gave them my best guess that a caffe latte was made from a shot of espresso with steamed milk and the café au lait was brewed (or pressed) french roast with hot milk. But in this day and age of part- skim- soy- decaf- macchiato- over-easy, who knew?

This was the start of a wonderful conversation. The Browns were from Toronto, and the night before had gone to see their son, a trombonist, perform in Brooklyn, away from his usual gigs with Michael Buble. Eventually, Josh joined his parents and our chat. Mr. Brown encouraged me to have an additional pot of coffee, which I did. They made me laugh, and I hope I did the same for them.

When it came time to leave, I asked for my check. The waiter nodded in the direction of Mr. Brown; "He already paid." I was told. I know people have been kind to me my entire life, but it still always amazes me how often and how much it happens, and each event is as sweet as the next. Thanks Mr. & Mrs. Brown!

Jump New England

My sister and I took a road trip to the Berkshires and Vermont for John and Erin's gorgeous wedding.

Happy Autumn!

The Mill in New York

Oh man, this place is magic.
Our friend David said "It's the sort of place you imagine a Katherine Hepburn movie would be filmed."

Happy Birthday, Dad

My dad turned 75 and the whole family, dozens of us, descended on the eating fest in Florida.

Virgin [welcome to] America

Please, please, DOT, grant them their government operating authority so we can fly.


On board, you can pick your own movies, videos, live TV; listen to music and make your own playlists (that will transfer to connecting flights); choose your food options in a picture-in-picture format while watching your show; play games; or talk to people in other seats, all on a 9" in-seat monitor.

And, first class seats are ridiculously cheap.

Jersey Boys on Broadway

I'm lucky enough to know Matthew Scott through his awesome aunt and uncle (who I am forever grateful to for too many things to list).

He's the swing on Broadway's Jersey Boys, and this particular day, he was performing as Frankie Valli -- to rave reviews and adoring fans. People couldn't get enough of him outside the stage door. Matt's so talented, he also performs the Bob Gaudio and Tommy Devito roles superbly (from what I hear on the streets).

If you get to see him perform, consider yourself lucky.



Clockwise from top left: Fans crowding Matt; Matt poses with anyone who asks; a fan raving to Matt's mom (who saw the show with us); and Mike jumping in front of the August Wilson Theater on Broadway.

Independence Day from Washington D.C.

Finally, a fourth of July spent in Washington D.C. We even had a view of the fireworks (with the tip of the Washington monument, the red light on the left) from our apartment window. The guy across the street was busy in his kitchen during the entire show.

Beach Yoga

My friend Aaron teaches yoga on the beach at Rose and the Pacific Ocean a few times each summer -- free to anyone who happens to be in Venice, California.

This kick off date for yoga in June was particularly special because it came complete with a kirtan at the end with Dave Stringer and friends performing.