Village Gamer

Small business owners walk the work-life balance tightrope differently than the rest of us. Because their working lives are spent on their own business, they’re more likely to put in extra hours and still feel they’ve got more balance than a typical employee. Intuit Canada, makers of QuickBooks accounting software have released the findings of a national poll on work-life balance among small business owners and is offering expert tips to help them make the most of the time they spend on their business.

The recent national survey commissioned by Intuit found 88 per cent of the small business owners said they were satisfied with the balance between their personal and professional pursuits. The majority (84%) also feel they have a better balance than if they worked for someone else.

“Small business owners have told us before, work-life balance is as important to them as finding and keeping customers,” said Barb Anderson, QuickBooks product marketing leader. “Through QuickBooks, we help them carve out time for balance by providing tools that help organize and manage their business finances easily and more efficiently.”

Work-life balance is often measured by comparing the amount of time spent on the job against time spent on personal pursuits. However, 97 per cent of small business owners said their view differs from the norm.

“Even though nearly half of respondents (46%) said they work beyond 40 hours a week it’s the sense of ownership over the work they do, the ability to set their own schedule and do what they want when they want that contributes to their sense of balance,” said Anderson.

“Working smarter, not harder is the key to making the most of the time small business owners choose to devote their work and personal lives,” said Anderson. “We talk to entrepreneurs every day and invariably, those who embraced the right tools and strategies are better able to balance their schedules.”

To help small business owners improve their work-life balance, Anderson offered the following tips to help save time when managing finances:

• Get organized: Having your financial records scattered among a host of file folders or different programs on your laptop is inefficient. Financial management software provides a one-stop snapshot of money coming in and going out of your business so you always know where you stand
• Stop stuffing envelopes: Send invoices through email and eliminate the time it takes to print, prepare and post them. In addition to cutting out the trip to the mail box, it gets invoices in the hands of your customers immediately
• Save time with your accountant: Don’t pay your accountant to spend time sorting through your shoe box of receipts. You’ll make the most of your meetings by getting organized ahead of time, and getting the strategic advice you need to move your business forward.

Ultimately the secrets to achieving balance are as varied and personal as the more than 2.4 million small businesses in Canada. Intuit is inviting business owners to share their stories and tips on how they find balance on QuickBooksCanada on Facebook and on Twitter, reference hashtag #qbwlb.  Submissions will be collected from now until July 31 and made available for sharing on the QuickBooks, Facebook page in early August.

The SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Festival has a long history of presenting a variety of the world’s most innovative, accomplished, and amazing creators of digital gaming, film, and video. The Computer Animation Festival at SIGGRAPH 2011 in Vancouver this August 7th – 11th, provides a personal viewing experience unlike any other. In addition to film screenings, the Festival includes interactive sessions and exclusive learning opportunities to gain industry secrets and advice from some of the most successful professionals in the field.

“Once again, the content in the Computer Animation Festival offers something of interest to just about everyone – from industry newbies to veterans,” said Joshua Grow, Computer Animation Festival Director from The Creative-Cartel. “The content ranges from commercials to gaming. It is truly the year’s unique opportunity to hear directly from the best in the business. It should prove to be educational and inspirational.”

Listed below are just a few of the learning opportunities during the Computer Animation Festival:

Production Sessions

Production Sessions are high-level discussions that showcase the computer animation and visual effects in some of the Computer Animation Festival’s most provocative works. SIGGRAPH 2011 featured Production Sessions include:

The Visual Effects of “Thor” and “Captain America”: So Different Yet So Marvel

Marvel Studios devotes great time and effort to deliver great storytelling, strong visuals, and compelling characters to movie audiences. This session compares the films “Thor” and “Captain America” and shows how visual effects are a critical aesthetic ingredient in their success. Visual effects supervisors Wesley Sewell and Christopher Townsend and their teams from Digital Domain, Double Negative, Whiskytree, Luma Pictures, and Lola VFX review how the films combine beauty and authenticity.

Pixar: “La Luna”

Enrico Casarosa, Pixar Animation Studios

“La Luna” is the timeless fable of a young boy who is coming of age in the most peculiar of circumstances. Tonight is the very first time his Papa and Grandpa are taking him to work. In an old wooden boat, they row far out to sea, and with no land in sight, they stop and wait. A big surprise awaits the little boy as he discovers his family’s most unusual line of work. Should he follow the example of his Papa or his Grandpa? Will he be able to find his own way in the midst of their conflicting opinions and timeworn traditions? Following the Canadian premiere screening of “La Luna,” its director, Enrico Casarosa, discusses the journey that led him to create this very personal short and demonstrates the singularly artistic style by which the film was crafted.

DreamWorks Animation: The Yin and Yang of Creating the Final Battle in “Kung Fu Panda 2”

The climax of the CG-animated movie “Kung Fu Panda 2” is an epic battle featuring a flotilla of boats, an ancient Chinese-styled city, thousands of wolves armed for battle, action featuring hundreds of characters in a single shot, stylized graphic lighting, fantastical cannon fire and explosions, and a set of effects-supported Kung Fu moves. This talk provides a unique insight into the making of a CG-animated movie that goes beyond the traditional idealized concept of the pipeline.

Industrial Light & Magic Presents: Getting Dirty: Bringing the Digital Feature “Rango” to Life

This in-depth discussion focuses on the production of Industrial Light & Magic’s first animated feature “Rango.” ILM’s unique approach to the genre brings a new dimension to the animated feature, giving “Rango” the visceral quality that the company is best known for in its visual effects work. The presenters review all aspects of the work from initial asset development through animation, simulation, lighting, and compositing.

Imageworks: The Smurf-alution: A Half-Century of Character Development

Sony Pictures Imageworks animation supervisor Troy Saliba and leading members of their Vancouver animation team take the Smurfs from the most primitive pencil sketch to a contemporary 3D stereo rendering.

Industrial Light & Magic: New Solutions for New Challenges

The Industrial Light & Magic team delves into the effects created for three of 2011’s largest summer films, dissecting the challenges and revealing their solutions. The panel breaks down the visual effects challenges presented on this year’s slate of films including: “Cowboys & Aliens,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” and “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.”

Guerrilla: The Creation of Killzone 3 – Game Production Session

This talk details various aspects of designing and developing videogames at Guerrilla. It highlights methods that are very similar to methods used in the CGI industry, and it illuminates some of the most important differences. And it covers the complete breadth of videogame development from artistic design to production pipelines and tool and engine development.

Real-Time Live!

This program showcases the latest trends and best techniques for pushing the boundaries of interactive visuals in video games and real-time simulations. To help emphasize the difference between these works and pre-rendered works, real-time pieces are demonstrated live on their actual platforms without any post-production. Each live presentation lasts less than five minutes in a fast-paced, 45-minute show of diverse and aesthetically stimulating work. SIGGRAPH 2011 Real-Time Live! highlights include:

Chrysaora: WebGL Jellyfish Simulation

Savannah College of Art and Design

Chrysaora is a real-time jellyfish simulation created entirely with web technologies such as JavaScript, WebGL, WebSockets, and CSS. It uses realistic rendering and simulation techniques similar to those used in modern 3D video games, but it can run in an internet browser on any operating system.

Enlighten Real-Time Radiosity

Geomerics Ltd.

Using Geomerics Enlighten technology, this demo shows how dynamic real-time lighting enhances game play and visual quality in computer games. Enlighten is a cross-platform, real-time radiosity solution that can generate bounce lighting for a game level in a fraction of a frame.

Samaritan Real-Time Demo

Epic Games Inc.

Samaritan is a real-time demonstration of the latest Unreal Engine 3 technology that shows off DirectX 11 support and DirectX features such as tessellation and displacement mapping, geometry shaders, multi-sampled textures, and Shader Model 5. High-end rendering enhancements include image-based reflections, Bokeh depth of field, subsurface scattering, anti-aliased masked materials, deferred rendering with MSAA support, and high-quality dynamic shadows.

iMedic: Immersive Medical Environment for Distributed Interactive Consultation

Digital Artforms, Inc.

This interactive medical visualization system is based on two hand-held tracked controllers that directly control the position and orientation of two 3D cursors. Button presses enable direct manipulation of space with either or both hands, resulting in intuitive manipulation of the viewpoint. You can place yourself anywhere at any orientation and at any scale with just a few simple gestures.

RealD Presents 3D Day

The Computer Animation Festival also features an entire day highlighting the enormously popular growth of 3D in movies, including an introduction to 3D by 3ality and an excerpt from Disney’s “Lion King” in 3D. SIGGRAPH 2011 3D highlights include:

JURY AWARD

Paths of Hate

Platige Image

Two pilots, driven by blind hate, chase each other in their airplanes and thereby write cryptic messages of madness into the firmament. On their way into the abyss they transform into inhuman and distorted creatures that finally become part of the history of hate.

BEST STUDENT PROJECT PRIZE

Flamingo Pride

The Konrad Wolf Potsdam-Babelsberg Film and Television University

Frustrated being the only straight flamingo in a gay flock, our hero falls in love with a lady stork that flies by. Unable to convince her of his serious intentions he isolates himself and goes through an identity crisis. An intensive encounter inspires him to make a bold move.

IMAX Hubble 3D Visualization Excerpt: Journey Into the Orion Nebula

Space Telescope Science Institute

An excerpt from IMAX “Hubble 3D” takes viewers inside the Orion Nebula to witness the birth of stars and planets. This cinematic scientific visualization, based on data from the Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories, is the result of close collaboration between research astronomers, computer programmers, and visualization artists.

“Green Lantern”

Sony Pictures Imageworks

In a vast universe a small powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice: the Green Lantern Corps. A new enemy, Parallax, threatens to destroy the balance of power. Their fate and that of Earth lie in the hands of the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.

Make It Home – Join Us In Vancouver This August For SIGGRAPH 2011

From ACETECH: Are you a the founder of a new technology company wondering how to validate your new product in the market?

The deadline to apply for this program has been extended to Friday July 15th.

Only 20 spots available  –  Apply Online

ACETECH is delivering a go-to-market boot camp for very early stage technology companies.  The program provides a structured process and one-on-one mentoring from an experienced technology CEO to help you get to market faster with less risk.

After successful completion of the Market Validation Program, ACETECH can refer you into the BCIC Mento Program to receive ongoing mentoring.  The BCIC Mentor Program is entirely funded by BCIC and ther is no cost to participate for 12 months.

The program includes:

• 3 full-day interactive, educational sessions
  • September 20
  • October 18
  • November 15
• 3 one-on-one mentoring sessions with an experienced technology CEO (one session per month – September to December) – to be scheduled with the mentor.

You leave with:

• A completed positioning statement and value proposition
• A strategy to go to market
• Priorities identified to achieve early adopter customers
• Training to sell to early adopters
• Actionable tools and templates
• Access to contacts and resources

Who’s eligible:

• Technology company CEO/founders
• Less than 10 employees
• Pre-revenue
• Must have a product or an early working version of the product

Program Cost & Application

The application deadline is July 1, 2011 July 15, 2011.  Your application is not a formal registration for the program.  All applicants will be contacted by ACETECH once the application has been reviewed.

Montreal’s Spline Technologies Corporation has released a major update to SplineTech JavaScript Debugger PRO, an independent standalone Web development tool that enables Web developers to easily edit and debug JavaScript and VBScript inside HTML and AJAX pages, without the need for any add-ons, plugins or changes of their code to handle the debugging process. Client-side JavaScript, JScript and client-side VBScript debugging languages are fully supported for simple and complex HTML, DHTML and AJAX debugging scenarios.

SplineTech JavaScript Debugger PRO offers following main features to address the most common Web development issues:

– Advanced form debugging for JavaScript form validation – Programmers to cause order forms to validate in clients’ browser windows before they are submitted.
– JavaScript pop-up debugging
– Debug DHTML menus and JavaScript menus
– Debug JavaScript and VBScript events: Debug JavaScript Pop-ups, onclick, onmouseover, onfocus and any
other event.
– Debug DHTML behavior
– Debug client-side JavaScript controls: Debug calendars and any other control
– Multi-Functional VBScript and JavaScript script editor for HTML and AJAX
– Full Support for native VBScript and JavaScript syntax (color-coded)
– Explicit JavaScript runtime error information
– Execution line highlighting: Display the current line of the code to be executed

Aside from a vast array of main features, this major update of SplineTech JavaScript Debugger PRO includes these new and unique features:

– Pause code execution in 3, 5 or more seconds (user adjustable)
– Reformat unreadable JavaScript and AJAX scripts (turns large one-line AJAX scripts into properly formatted readable multi-line code)
– Step Through multiple lines of code at once (user adjustable)
– Go back (and forth) to any step within your code
– Call Stack enables developers to view all function names taken from function lists (since IE reports most of them as anonymous)
– View all current variables in a dedicated Current Variables panel

Without requiring any manual configuration or network configuration, SplineTech JavaScript Debugger PRO runs on the Windows 7/2008/2000/2003/XP and Windows Server 2008 platforms (both x86 and x64) with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or better. SplineTech JavaScript Debugger PRO is priced at $35 per single-user license.

Maximizer Software has announced that its new cloud-based CRM Solution, Maximizer™ CRM Live, is available for purchase on the Microsoft Windows Azure Marketplace. With an affordable, web-based monthly subscription model ($49/user/month), Maximizer CRM Live provides organizations with a proven, full-featured CRM solution, designed to drive more sales, improve marketing effectiveness, and enrich customer service interactions.

“We are excited to bring 20+ years of experience and proven success with CRM to the Windows Azure Marketplace,” said Vivek Thomas, President of Maximizer Software. “The availability of Maximizer CRM Live from the Windows Azure Marketplace will make it even more convenient for customers to access and start experiencing the power of our full-featured, cloud-based CRM solution.”

Recognition of the technological capabilities and robust features of Maximizer CRM Live is a further testament to Maximizer Software’s long standing relationship with Microsoft, including Gold Certified Partner status for over 5 years. After passing a rigorous selection and integration process, Maximizer CRM Live has been selected as the first CRM application available for purchase on the Windows Azure Marketplace. Customers can now gain access to the award-winning features of Maximizer CRM Live directly through the Windows Azure Marketplace.

“By accessing the Maximizer CRM Live solution from the Windows Azure Marketplace, customers will gain functionality, value, and quality,” said Sudhir Hasbe, senior product manager, Windows Azure, at Microsoft. “Maximizer CRM Live is one of the first commerce-enabled applications available through the Windows Azure Marketplace, and we welcome this feature-rich cloud-based CRM application.”

Maximizer CRM Live delivers an easy to use and flexible CRM solution to customers by leveraging the robustness and security of the award-wining Windows Azure platform. Accessible from anywhere on any computer or mobile device, users can manage sales opportunities, marketing initiatives, provide customer service and collaborate with teams all in real time. With no technical expertise required, customers can be up and running within moments of signing up. Customizable to fit any industry, Maximizer CRM Live is secure with a 99.5% uptime guarantee.

Tutoring industry software provider TutorPanel has announced the addition of Google Calendar Sync to their tutor scheduling and invoicing software, which will allow for integration of tutors’ and students’ schedules with Google Calendar. This new feature allows companies to take advantage of additional features offered by Google Calendar such as syncing events to desktop calendars such as Microsoft Office, Apple iCal, Mozilla Sunbird. It also offers tutors and students the convenience of being able to view their tutoring schedule alongside other events on their calendars.

TutorPanel users have two ways to connect their TutorPanel calendars to their Google Calendar. First, tutors can sync events from their Google Calendar to their TutorPanel calendar. This feature makes it easier for tutors and administrators to find available time slots to schedule tutoring sessions.

The second way TutorPanel users can connect to Google Calendar is by displaying tutors’ lessons on their own Google Calendars. This allows tutors to have easier access to their lesson schedules and allows them to take advantage of Google Calendar’s sync feature with desktop calendars and mobile devices.

The addition of Google Calendar Sync to the TutorPanel system came in response to requests from TutorPanel users that felt their companies could benefit from this type of functionality. TutorPanel’s close relationship with tutoring companies and their ability to implement requested features plays an enormous role in the success of the software.

Tutoring companies interested in evaluating TutorPanel can learn more and try it free for 30-days by going to  the TutorPanel website.

triOS College has announced the kick-off of its annual 241 Pizza Fresh Start Scholarship. Interested students can instantly receive a $500 scholarship towards their tuition to triOS College. Over 3,000,000 homes across Ontario will receive the flyer or participants can pick one up at any 241 Pizza location. Students can use this bursary towards triOS College Diploma programs in the Business, Law, Technology and Healthcare industries.

“At triOS, we have always had a strong commitment in supporting the communities that we are a part of,” says Stuart Bentley, triOS College President. “triOS gives individuals the opportunity to restart their lives and get into careers they have always dreamed of. This bursary will open doors for individuals considering career training and give them some financial assistance to get a head start on the next chapter in their lives.”

triOS College offers major benefits for those that want to train for a specific career. Compared to other colleges, triOS offers year-round starting points so students don’t have to wait until September or January to join, triOS has shorter hours of instruction so students can work part-time while they study, programs are shorter in length so graduates can get into the workforce faster, internships are included in most programs and at triOS, students receive substantial career services assistance to prepare them for obtaining a career with their field.

Citytv, Kiss FM and 241 Pizza are glad to be partnered with this bursary program that will help to improve lives for those considering training in Ontario. “It is our pleasure at 241 to be joined with an educational institution that will train and position individuals into the working world,” says Peter Lepidas, Marketing Manager for 241 Pizza.

JobServe.ca has introduced job branding solutions to assist customers with their employment branding initiatives. Available to all customers free of charge, these value added services enable recruiters to display their company logo on their job postings. Recruiters can further highlight their brand through a banner advertisement appearing on top of their job details page and within the Recruiter Directory. Job branding services can be easily configured and managed through the customer’s account.

Les Powell, General Manager Product & Service Delivery, commented, “At JobServe we have always taken pride in providing the best possible user experience to our candidates and continuously seeking ways to provide value added services to our customers. Candidates performing job searches on JobServe will now see company logos displayed alongside job search results. This branding will be carried forward into the job description pages allowing candidates to quickly identify the company recruiting and in turn complement the employer’s employment branding initiatives.”

Explaining how recruiters can setup their logos, Powell continued, “For recruiters, getting their branding on JobServe is very easy. Recruiters may log into the website and upload their branding through their account configuration/settings page. Once checked, the logo will then be put live and will display against search results and job descriptions.”

Lingo Media Corporation and Lenovo have signed a Custom Software Business Partnership Agreement which provides for a custom version of Lingo Media’s English language learning software to be installed on millions of Lenovo computers sold in China.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lenovo will promote, distribute, and resell Lingo Media’s software, primarily by pre-installing a custom version on Lenovo’s popular Think-branded commercial PCs and Idea-branded consumer PCs. Online marketing, joint promotional activities and other marketing activities are underway between the two companies.

The new custom learning product will be a Lenovo branded version of Lingo Media’s ELL Technologies English Basic software. Each individual who purchases a Lenovo computer will have the opportunity to take three free lessons on a trial basis. Upon completion of the trial offer, the customer will have the opportunity to purchase the full course for a Lenovo promotional price of 200 Yuan RMB ($29.00). The profit potential is significant, and will become progressively stronger with the launch of custom versions of English Intermediate, Advanced, Master and the Business courses – in future phases of the partnership.

“This is a significant and very lucrative agreement for both Lenovo and Lingo Media with great profit potential as China continues to focus on teaching and learning English. We are pleased to partner with the largest computer manufacturer in China and deliver our product on their platform,” said Michael Kraft, President & CEO of Lingo Media. “The combination of Lenovo’s brand and Lingo Media’s ELL Technologies’ proven solutions will result in a rewarding learning experience for millions of Chinese computer users. We expect to generate significant revenue from the partnership, which represents another major milestone in the growth of our company as we pursue our mission of, Changing the Way the World Learns English. This deal comes at a time when Lenovo is expanding dramatically in the Chinese computer market and the demand for English grows daily.”

Jeff Chai, Director of Software & Content Services, Product Group of Lenovo,  added that “We believe we have found the ideal partner in Lingo Media to enhance our customer needs as the demand for English expands rapidly in China. In today’s market, installing practical, cost-effective software applications like those created by Lingo Media’s ELL Technologies for Lenovo consumer and SMB notebook models, ensures that we address and continue to meet our customers’ needs. With Lingo Media as our partner, we will demonstrate that Lenovo is the leader in offering customers new choices. Lingo Media has a long record of success in China. They know how to meet the needs of people — from school children, to university students, to employees — who want to enhance their incomes by becoming proficient in English as China emerges as an economic super-power in the global economy where English is the main language of business.”

Desire2Learn UK Ltd. (Desire2Learn), today announced that after an extensive review process, Oxford University Press (OUP) has chosen Desire2Learn^® Learning Suite, better placing OUP to deliver its English Language learning resources to customers across the world. Many aspects of the Desire2Learn Learning Suite will aid with this goal, including

– Learning Environment

– Learning Repository

– ePortfolio

– Analytics

“It is extremely important that our customers can access ELT courses anytime, anywhere,” explained Ernst Kallus, Digital Media Director, English Language Teaching, Oxford University Press. “The Desire2Learn solution offers great flexibility and ease of customization, and enables us to integrate and optimize our Learning Management Systems. We look forward to being able to attain new levels of global reach as well as an enhanced customer experience.”

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with OUP, given their position as one of the global leaders in the provision of educational resources,” commented John Baker, President, Desire2Learn. “Our Desire2Learn Learning Suite will allow Oxford University Press to offer their customers content with increased efficiency and enhanced scalability, shortening response times, and bolstering the delivery of educational resources to institutions and organizations around the world.”

OUP will run a pilot programme in 2011, with a view to launching a global offering in 2012.