Timeshifter – Jet lag app recommended by Amanda, has a 4.7 rating! May be helpful for your trip home 😎 (there is also an alternative free web app Jet Lag Rooster)
Stuarts’ African Mammals – Great app for identifying and tracking African mammals (works offline.)
Roberts Birds – Wonderful app for identifying and tracking birds of Southern Africa (works offline.)
Merlin Bird ID – Amazing, free app for identifying birds (no logging offline.)
GPS Tracks – Perfect app for GPS Safari tracking (works offline.)
Project Indigo – Free Camera app from Adobe, averages burst photos, good for low light, high dynamic range. Give it a try with your sunset photos.
Snapseed: Photo Editor – Sophisticated photo editor from Google. Cancel that Lightroom subscription. This one is free 😊
Open Source Alternatives
Vernissage Photos – Open-source alternative to Instagram
Mastodon, an open source alternative to X (formerly known as Twitter)
Tutorial on how to sign up for Mastodon
Oxpecker – Mastodon on your wrist.
Meshtastic is Off-Grid
Meshtastic, an Off-Grid, Open Source Mesh Networking, useful for text messaging, GPS tracking, and a lot more!
Meshnology – comprehensive source for equipment
Quick and easy ‘credit card size’ Meshtastic ‘Starter Kit’ connects to your iPhone using Bluetooth (you’ll need at least 2)
Run a local LLM on your iPhone
Locally AI (offline substitute for ChatGPT)
Bump Up your Photography Game?
- Join a local camera club
- Consider updating your camera
Panasonic ZS99 – Inexpensive compact camera with wide zoom range. 312gm, 24-720 Zoom, 20MP 1/2.3” Sensor $700
Sony RX100 VII – Better quality than the ZS99 (larger sensor.) 300 gm, 24-200 Zoom, 20MP 1” Sensor $1500
Sony a6700 Mirrorless, Interchangeable lens, bigger sensor than the RX100. 493gm, 16-50mm Zoom, 26MP APS-C $1600
Sony RX10 V – Wide zoom range, expensive.
1100 gm, 24-600 Zoom, 20MP 1” Sensor $2300
Sony a7C II Mirrorless, Interchangeable lens, large ’35 mm’ sensor. 680gm, 28-60mm Zoom, 33MP Full Frame $2400
Insta360 Luna – Alternative option if you’re mainly interested in video or Vlog.
My Camera Recommendations:
First choice would be the Sony a7C II, lightweight with high resolution full frame sensor and interchangeable lens (also comes in even higher resolution ‘R’ version). Second choice would be the Sony a6700 with an APS-C sensor which uses less expensive, smaller interchangeable lenses. Lastly, the Panasonic ZS99 may be the best ‘starter’ camera, lightweight, compact and great for travel.
Bonus – GIF Shortcut
Want a quick way to create a GIF from a series of photos. Go to the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad and first search ‘GIF’. It might work as is. If it doesn’t or you don’t have it on your device, create or modify the shortcut as follows (will be covered in live talk.)
Dr Bob, Brain Mechanic 