Aviary Blog

iDrive spammed my Gmail contacts

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 11:11:17 EST

This is really embarrassing and frustrating.

Last night I woke up to see a few dozen spam emails from a company called idrive addressed to different catchall emails that I use @aviary.com..

Everyone else who works at Aviary was reporting the same thing as well. And what's worse, some Aviary users whom I had corresponded with in the past got spam from idrive too and notified me about it. Even people who had deleted their Aviary accounts.

What apparently happened was solely my fault - not Aviary's - or rather the fault of an iphone contact synchronization service I use called iDrive.

Let me explain:

We use Gmail to manage our personal email. Gmail automatically adds people as Gmail contacts when we email them or get an email from them. So whenever we got an email from anyone it added us as a personal contact within my gmail account and iphone behind the scenes.

At Aviary we try to be very careful and respectful about people's privacy. We delete any personal data in the aviary system when we got an account deletion request.

The one oversight would be personal gmail contacts. I never realized that prior emails with someone would mean they became listed as a contact in my personal gmail account. That oversight is my fault and one that should have been completely inconsequential.

But, here's where things get really bad:

A couple of days ago I bought an iphone 3GS and was transferring all my data to it from my old iphone. As part of that process I bought an app called iDrive Lite in the app store that allowed you to backup your phone contacts to their servers and then resync them so nothing would be lost during the transition between phones.

Apparently this morning they used that data to spam EVERY single one of my contacts that had also synced from Gmail.

There's egg on my face as a result of this and I don't know what to do about it.

I apologize to everyone this affected. I'm deleting my idrive account, am blogging about this awful and illegal practice here, and will notify Apple about this, but since they resorted to something really shady here... I'm not sure what I can do to ensure that they really deleted all my contacts and wont spam ever again. :(

I am really, really sorry to anyone this effected.

I called iDrive's parent company Pro Softnet Corp and their operator kept pushing me to voicemail when I asked to be transferred to a supervisor. I have a feeling I'm not the first to call in and complain.

iDrive, shame on you. I hope this gets picked up by more people as a warning that nobody should ever, ever use them.

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Congrats! Meowza got engaged!

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:50:31 EST

Congratulations to Aviary Artist extraordinaire, Meowza and fellow Aviary / Worth1000 member Brandien on their engagement!

The whole Aviary / Worth1000 team and community is so happy for both of you!

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Aviary acquires Digimix, makers of audio editing web app

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST

We're really excited to announce our acquisition of Digimix, a small company based in Atlanta that makes a kick-ass web-based audio editor. After Michael and I had the opportunity to meet with Alan we knew he would be a great fit for the Aviary family.

We first came into contact with Digimix after watching it win the 2007 Adobe Air Derby awards at Adobe Max. Since then we've had the opportunity to meet with Alan Queen, the founder and lead developer on Digimix several times and realized his goals for Digimix fell exactly in line with our roadmap for our audio products. His philosophies and ours just clicked and it made sense to approach the market together and join forces!

So Alan, an official welcome! We're all super-excited to work with you and look forward to enabling digital creation on the web for everyone together.

A full press release can be found after the jump:

Aviary acquires Digimix, makers of audio editing web app

HEWLETT, N.Y., March 9 /Newswire/ -- Aviary has announced the acquisition of Digimix.com, makers of award-winning audio editing web app Digimix, with plans to incorporate Digimix's premier audio editing capabilities into its suite of application.

(Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ogZ-Ze02As)
(Photo: http://bit.ly/aviarylogo)
(Photo: http://bit.ly/digimixlogo)

"We're complementing and reinforcing the appeal and robustness of our suite of applications," said Avi Muchnick, CEO, Aviary, Inc. "The first stage of our product roadmap focused on visual design and we are thrilled to enter the next phase of online multimedia collaboration. Audio is a huge first step in this direction and will enable anyone with an Internet connection to create audio with other talented artists."

Digimix.com

A full featured audio editor deployed in the browser, Digimix was made with Adobe Flex and Flash technology. The Digimix editor allows anyone to edit and remix standard audio files without installing any additional software. The Digimix editor is capable of mixing 15 tracks in real-time and includes advanced audio effects.

"We are excited to join the insanely talented Aviary team," said Alan Queen, founder of Digimix. "As a part of the Aviary suite, Digimix will help to usher in a new era of online audio editing. It's a perfect match for us, as Aviary has the infrastructure and the audience that Digimix needs, and now we'll be able to take it much further than we could on our own. We can't wait to see what the Aviary community creates with audio."

Digimix won the Adobe Air Derby at Adobe Max 2007 and was featured during the keynote speech.

Aviary.com

Aviary (www.aviary.com), based in Hewlett, N.Y., has created a suite of browser-based design apps, accessible and free for all to use. The company mission is to "make creation accessible to the world." Aviary's online software offers anyone with internet access the ability to create digital content directly from their favorite browser.

Released apps include:

* Phoenix , an online layer-based image editor
* Raven, the world's first online vector editor
* Peacock, an online effects editor
* Toucan, an online color editor

Aviary's growing community of 100,000 artists share, remix and edit publicly shared works as part of a unique interactive social design experience. Aviary is a spin-off of the popular image remixing contest site, Worth1000.com, home to more than 600,000 digital artists.

For more information about Aviary apps, please visit www.aviary.com/tools.

SOURCE Aviary, Inc.

More info contact:

Michael Galpert
VP / Aviary, Inc.
516.204.7060
michael attt aviary dottt com

Media Attachments

Photo: http://bit.ly/aviarylogo

Photo: http://bit.ly/digimixlogo

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ogZ-Ze02As

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Famous Art, Simpsonized

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:09:41 EST

As we all know, when Matt Groening developed the Simpsons, art critics everywhere hailed his new style as the pinnacle of humanity's artistic achievement. So great was Groening, that other art styles needed to be redone to conform with His superior vision.

So, I decided to draw a whole gallery of images created in Aviary's Phoenix, showing what famous works of art would look like had they been created by Matt Groening.

Edvard Munch's The Scream - open the layered file!

Norman Rockwell's Triple Self Portrait - open the layered file!

Grant Woods' American Gothic - open the layered file!

Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe - open the layered file!

Vincent Van Gogh's Self Portrait - open the layered file!

Johannes Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring - open the layered file!

Leonardo Da Vinci's Self-Portrait - open the layered file!

The preceding images were created in Aviary, a suite of powerful creative applications that you can use right in your web browser.

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Raven Fun Games!

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Meowza Katz is the Artist in Residence and Chief Awesomelogist at Aviary, Inc. To read more of his discourses on bovine grazing behavior, cyclical tornado patterns and legos, please subscribe to the Aviary blog RSS feed or email newsletter.

Aviary is a powerful suite of browser-based design tools. Want to be as awesome as Meowza? Head on over to the Aviary homepage to try the applications out for free and learn more!

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New Aviary tshirts by Meowza!

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

One day Meowza was looking out his window and was inspired to create this awesome design. We thought it would look super sweet on a high quality American Apparel t-shirt. Rumor has it, while wearing this Aviary T-shirt you are protected from any avian air raids.

We only made a few of them, so be among the first to get your limited edition Meowza tshirt!

Only $18 with free shipping within the USA >

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Behind the Nest: Phoenix, Pt. 2

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Editor's Note: Staff investigator Meowza Katz presents an ongoing investigation into the E! True Hollywood story behind the colorful cast of Aviary. We now present to you the second chapter in an ongoing series entitled, Behind the Nest.. In tonight's special chapter, fame goes to Phoenix' head. What will happen to the flock?!?

Previous Chapters: Part 1

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Redesigning America 2.0

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

With the recent Presidential election, the American public has shown that they're ready for change. President-elect, Barack Obama, had spent his entire campaign promising these so-called changes. I guess, in a sense, he was saying we are entering the beginning phase of America 2.0.

The first step in the re-building process would be to start the country fresh with a new logo. As a nation, how are we to attract new, prospective citizens with the current one?

First off, there are, like, a hundred stars, which just mucks up the entire design off the bat. And what's with the dark, dreary, colors? When was this thing designed? 1992?
And the sharp corners? Everyone knows rounded corners are a lot more inviting to click-through, and that's what we want from a passerby who happens to come across America.

What better way to start re-branding the country than with a fresh new logo?

The economical crisis facing the nation is probably due to design, as well. I mean, who would put any value on such a horribly designed piece of currency?

First of all, it's just busy as hell, with "1"s plastered on every square inch of the thing, and signatures of everyone and their grandmother scrawled across the bottom. And who in their right mind thought that seaweed green would be an appealing color of choice?

This just will not do.

So let's revamp the nation's currency to get this economy rolling again.

I can hear the economy growing already. With our economy back on the right track, we'll be able to focus back on the real issues.

And that is, re-shaping America.

Well, I propose we start the process with the squarest states, such as Colorado and Wyoming.

And simply re-shape them to suit the new America.

And the final step would be to transform all of the national landmarks to suit the new country's brand, as well.

The first to go would be the Hollywood sign.

And re-create it using the friendlier, softer, more popular "today" font, VAG Rounded.

I believe America is ready for change. Change is nothing to fear. After all, the country was built on change. It's as American as baseball.

Besides, a country can't be held accountable for it's actions and behavior. As long as we remain in beta.

================

Meowza Katz is the Artist in Residence and Chief Awesomelogist at Aviary, Inc. To read more of his discourses on comparative literature, leather tanning techniques and pre-Mayan civilizations, please subscribe to the Aviary blog RSS feed or email newsletter.

Aviary is a powerful suite of browser-based design tools. Want to be as awesome as Meowza? Head on over to the Aviary homepage to try the applications out for free and learn more!

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Behind the Nest: Phoenix, Pt. 1

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Editor's note: We've been asked by so many of our fans for the story behind the birds. Why did we choose an avian theme? How did we choose which birds would make the cut? Why is it dangerous to walk under a flock of birds without an umbrella?

Staff investigator Meowza Katz presents the first in an ongoing investigation into the E! True Hollywood story behind the colorful cast of Aviary. We now present to you the first chapter in an ongoing series entitled, Behind the Nest.

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How to Draw Awesomer

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

This week's question comes from Vijay S., 14, Toronto, Canada. He asks:

"Do you think certain people are born natural artists? Or do you think anybody can draw awesomer with practice?"

Thank you for your question, Vijay.

Yes, it is a fascinating, ongoing debate among those with no lives. Just for you, I set out on my path to discover the true answer, whether or not "awesomer" is a learnable trait. Personally, I believe almost all of us are born with the inherent ability to draw.

From the early cave paintings to the hieroglyphs in Egypt, there is evidence showing that man has always had a fascination with creating. And as with anything, we have the need to perfect everything we do. So it only stands to reason that throughout the history of humankind, throughout generation to generation and culture to culture, we've spent our entire existence on Earth trying to discover the secrets of true beauty in art and form.

So what is it that makes certain art... awesomer than others? Does it have to do with composition? Aesthetics? Color? "Overlay" blend mode?

The correct answer is none of the above.

It's actually very simple. Think of it this way:

If you want to make food saltier, what do you add? Salt.
So, if you want to make a drawing awesomer, what do you add? You add awesome.

How to Draw Awesomer

I'm going to paint a portrait of a woman for my tutorial example.

Step 1. As with a lot of drawing tutorials, I start off my figure by drawing the basic skeleton for the woman. I draw in an oval shape for the head, with a line to indicate her spine drawn out from the woman's neck area. I then mark off where the shoulders will be, and include the woman's hands into the image. I now have my basic composition ready.

Step 2. The next step is to start fleshing out the figure. Using thin sausage shapes, I add in the woman's bicep and forearms. Then I start to outline around the figure, giving me the general shape of the woman.

Step 3. Fairly simple so far? I thought so. Now that we have the outline for the figure drawn, it was time to color the woman. I began painting over the woman using a skin tone, following my guidelines.

Here's the important part.

Step 4. This is the final step, the step where people often deviate. A lot of people choose to add crap to their image at this point. But I find you get a much nicer image if you decide to add awesome. And anyone can do it! Simply add awesome where there wasn't any. I went back to my partially colored example figure and proceeded to add awesome to the image. And after adding about a 67% dosage of awesome, I decided my image was complete. Feel free to add your own desired level of awesome. (Tip: The more awesome you add, the awesomer your image will become.)

There you have it, a simple way for anyone to make their art awesomer.

Had this secret been known earlier, the landscape of art may be completely different today.

For example, nobody knows why Picasso was heralded as an art genius. In this example by Picasso ("Tete de Femme of Dora Maar"), we can see many glaring flaws apparently not noticeable to the easily impressed art public of the 1930s.

Examples:
A) Picasso uses two completely different perspectives for the woman's eyes. (Human eyes don't do that. Feel free to check a mirror to confirm.)
B) Picasso lazily draws a figure eight for the woman's nasal cavities.
C) Apparently, this was supposed to be the woman's hand.

It's disheartening that such an amateur can be as successful in the art world as he was with his skills (or lack thereof). It's even more sad to realize that his weakness in drawing humans could have simply been remedied by adding more awesome where the awesome was lacking. If only I were around back then to teach him the ways.

Here's a rendition of the painting, had Picasso decided to add more awesome.

Picasso's original "Tete de Femme of Dora Maar" portrait was estimated worth 13-17 million dollars. To think how much more it could have been worth today for his estate had he decided to be a little more generous with the awesome during his time, boggles the mind.

Of course, we here at Aviary are on the ball when it comes to innovation, as an "Add Awesome" filter is already in the works for Aviary's image editor, Phoenix.

Here's a demonstration of the filter in action.

And there you have it, how to draw awesomer.

It's so simple it boggles the mind that the secret wasn't discovered earlier. To think that all the wasted generations of crappy art didn't have to be so. But no time to dwell on our losses now! Onward with your new found knowledge and spread awesome art throughout the world!

Meowza Katz is the Artist in Residence at Aviary, Inc, makers of the most awesomestest suite of design tools available in your browser. Before joining Aviary, he had no skill whatsoever and used to rent out his hands for second-graders to make Thanksgiving hand-turkeys. Then he discovered Aviary and became awesome. (It's all in the tools, baby.)

You can preorder his new tutorials book on Amazon.com and check out some of his more helpful Aviary tutorials online.

Have an art query or image you want to discuss? Feel free to drop him a line.

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