Great fun. Good seeing old friends and meeting fans of the shows. Here is the original Animaniacs panel:
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| (l. to r.) Julie and Steve Bernstein, Paul Rugg, myself, and Tom Ruegger |
There was a formula back then. Follow it and you'd have something to watch . . . something strange and mystical.
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| John P. McCann Channel |
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| technopreneurph |
After a week or so of bold experimentation—scroll down for examples—I submit the following brief, incomplete report on my AI voice, text, and video experiences to date.
Fliki: Some voices tend to have that AI artificiality. Simple, easy editing interface including music library. Unlike other services, you can build your short on the platform. But minutes are limited before you're required to purchase more.
Elai: (Pronounced Ah-Lie) Free voices are limited in number but you get one free minute video. (Good for a short or two.) Offers a paid service whereby you upload your image and dialogue from a smart phone. They'll send you your AI avatar.
Lovo: Free service voices include several gems, but their Genny editing software is rather basic and requires a downloaded film.
Synthesia: Free 10-second AI film. I tried something cute, ala creating an AI video to introduce this article but kept getting 405 Not Allowed. Lots of features, but most are of the paid variety.
Writing time for the post was around a half-hour between grabbing urls and coffee and checking my phone. Because AI popular kid Chat GPT was at capacity, I visited copy.ai. After plugging in keywords such as the website names and phrases like "compare and contrast," here's what AI churned out in less than 30 seconds.
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Free AI Platforms
Introduction
The following platforms are free AI platforms that have been in development for a while and have a lot of features.
Lovo
Lovo is a free AI platform that lets you create music and voiceovers in minutes. Lovo uses the same technology as Apple's Siri, so it can understand your voice commands, answer questions, and even make recommendations based on what you like or don't like.
Lovo has a library of over 1 million songs, including covers of popular songs--and if they don't have what you're looking for in their catalog they'll find it elsewhere! You can also use Lovo to record yourself singing or speaking so you can save it as an audio file (MP3).
Elai
If you're looking for a free AI platform, Elai is an excellent choice. Elai is a complete AI voice assistant that allows users to access all of their daily tasks and activities through voice commands. It has a full range of functions including weather updates, news aggregation, music streaming and even language translation. For those who love listening to music or audiobooks on their phone or computer but don't want to spend any money doing so, Elai also has an extensive library of songs and audio books available at no cost.
Fliki
Fliki is a free artificial intelligence platform that helps you create music with your own voice. You can use Fliki to create AI-powered music, or use it as an additional tool in your production pipeline.
Fliki uses deep learning algorithms to convert speech into musical notes, which you can then edit and manipulate using their software editor (or any other DAW). You can also import existing audio files into Fliki's library of over 200GB, allowing for real-time processing of prerecorded material without having to record anything yourself!
Synthesia
Synthesia is a free platform that provides human-sounding voices, music library and editing tools.
The website offers a variety of instruments to choose from so you can create your own compositions with ease. It also allows users to upload their own audio files as well as share them with other users around the world. This makes it easier for people who want to collaborate on projects together without having any prior experience in music production or programming skills!
On Platform Editing
It's important to note that when we talk about editing on the platform, we mean that you can edit your text using the tools provided by the platform. For example, if you are using Lovo (which is an AI-powered writing assistant) and have written a document using their app, then you would be able to use their editing tools in order to make changes or additions to your work before sharing it with others.
Music Library
Lovo has a large music library, with over 2 million tracks available. This makes it one of the best options for users who want access to as many songs as possible.
Elai.io also has a large selection of songs, with over 1 million tracks available through its platform.
Fliki has a small music library--around 80,000 tracks--but its focus on indie artists makes it ideal for niche listeners who want something different from mainstream hits and chart-toppers.
Synthesia is also not designed for casual listeners; instead, this AI provides users with custom-made playlists based on their musical preferences (and even mood).
Human-Sounding Voices
Lovo is the only platform that has human-sounding voices with a unique voice for each character. These voices can be customized, and you can use Lovo's built-in voice editor to change their pitch and speed of speech.
Elai.io and Fliki also offer synthetic voices, but they don't sound as natural or realistic as Lovo's do (at least from what we've heard).
These platforms have different strengths and weaknesses
On Platform Editing is another option if you want to create songs without leaving your browser window open: You can record yourself singing or playing instruments live into a microphone connected directly into your computer's audio input jack (or connected via USB), then add effects like echo or reverb afterward through On Platform Editing's built-in software suite.
Conclusion
We hope you found this article helpful, and that it has inspired you to explore the world of free AI platforms. As we mentioned earlier, there are many other options out there besides those we covered here--and even some paid ones! So if one doesn't work out for whatever reason (or if they all do), don't hesitate to search around until you find something that does fit your needs perfectly.
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Damn.
Other than some formatting changes, the above is AI's first pass.
And no coffee breaks.
But would it work as a video?
We shall see.
Copy AI provided the words and Synthesia supplied the video and artificial human. (I supplied the concept.) Watch the video first, then check out the other copy.ai suggestions. They needed trimming to fit the free, but meager, Synthesia space. (Check out the last one—wow!)
Our Squeak Stopper is a trench shovel with the power to kill rats, mice and other vermin. The Squeak Stopper comes in pastel colors, and has a comfortable grip so it won't slip out of hands during emergencies.
Kill rats with this safe, humane and effective method. The Squeak Stopper trench shovel is the most humane way to control your rat infestation. Made from high quality materials and tested for reliability, this shovel will not only kill rats but prevent them from coming back again. In addition, it is available in a variety of pastel colors and can be purchased in any hardware store nationwide.
For the squeamish, or those who just prefer to avoid bloodshed, a non-lethal option is available. This trench shovel has been modified to deliver rats and mice quickly and humanely. A single strike will kill the rodent instantly and with minimal suffering. Also provides excellent back support. This product is not recommended for commercial use or victims of Black Death.
Copy AI provided the words and Synthesia supplied the video and artificial human. (I supplied the concept.) Watch the video first, then check out the other copy.ai suggestions. They needed trimming to fit the free, but meager, Synthesia space. (Check out the last one—wow!)
Our Squeak Stopper is a trench shovel with the power to kill rats, mice and other vermin. The Squeak Stopper comes in pastel colors, and has a comfortable grip so it won't slip out of hands during emergencies.
Kill rats with this safe, humane and effective method. The Squeak Stopper trench shovel is the most humane way to control your rat infestation. Made from high quality materials and tested for reliability, this shovel will not only kill rats but prevent them from coming back again. In addition, it is available in a variety of pastel colors and can be purchased in any hardware store nationwide.
For the squeamish, or those who just prefer to avoid bloodshed, a non-lethal option is available. This trench shovel has been modified to deliver rats and mice quickly and humanely. A single strike will kill the rodent instantly and with minimal suffering. Also provides excellent back support. This product is not recommended for commercial use or victims of Black Death.
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| The Power of Oneness |
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| historylapse.org |
But will it work as an AI-crafted video? I'll know soon.
Comic Ryan George strikes again as he presents the pitch meeting that gave us animated Velma.
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| Tara Winstead |
Running is an amazing way to stay fit and healthy, but did you know that there are some pretty awesome things about running that aren't related to your health?
Happy February! There's are reasons Hollywood can't seem to nail down a Lovecraft film. This video does a better job than most in explaining why.
Okay, men, listen up: post-surgery news on sexual performance, courtesy of your hosts El and Shay Allen.
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| USMC League |
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| nationaldefensemagazine.org |
Since writing is on the verge of being replaced by Artificial Intelligence, I thought I'd have a little fun with the hot new thing: ChatGPT.
I asked ChatGPT if it would write a diaper ad in the style of Ernest Hemingway. I received two options.
I feel like a 56 bpm modem.
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| profilepictureframe |
A Happy New Years to all! Busy collating, totaling up, adding together various measurements from this year in the fields of running, writing, and finance.
Fourteen years ago, I spend New Year's Eve in the following manner:
Such a possibility awaited us until a few minutes ago. But first yesterday's driving update: loaded up the car at my sister's place out in the Washington countryside. My windshield was glazed with ice. That meant Monday's rain-soaked roads were also icy. Heading out on two-lane blacktop past alpaca farms, Douglas Firs, and coated horses grazing in early morning fields, we kept the speed down to 30 mph. Even that caused the car to swerve on slick blacktop. A half-hour of tense driving got us on the interstate and a deep sigh of relief.  |
| Find them here! |
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| Not mine, but similar. |
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| activenorcal.com |
Lessons galore awaited me in my 7th marathon. New approaches and techniques had been incorporated into my training, lending uncertainty to the final outcome. Would these new elements cause me to bonk? Blow up? Grimace in the presence of photographers? Here's what happened.
Back in July, I was goofing around on the web instead of working on my book. Ending up on the California International Marathon website, I had a pang of nostalgia. Once, I'd signed up for the same race, intent on qualifying for the prestigious Boston Marathon. But injuries by the crate load sidelined my training and appeared to end my running career.
Anyway, 14 years later, I signed up for CIM. My 2022 training commenced with the goal of breaking five hours. But then I went on vacation. My hopes of incorporating training runs with travel fizzled. I lost two weeks.
Back home again, I only had 10 training weeks left. Some running economies would be necessary. Preparing for Surfers Point the previous year, I'd been steamrollered by my 21-mile run. Slow as I was, that distance was practically the same amount of time it would take to run the actual marathon. To keep my legs fresh, I chose to limit my longest run to 16 miles.
My goals were to finish 26.2 with a smile and only lightly brush the fabled Wall. The smile would have to await circumstances. As for the Wall, I planned on taking electrolyte paste—known as "gu" and also a popular brand of exercise paste—earlier than I normally did and staying well hydrated.
Since rain was forecast for race day, I packed the poor man's rain coat: a 33 gal. trash bag.
At 4:45 AM, rain swept the parking lot, drops beading on windshields. Boarding a drafty school bus, I was conveyed with my fellow runners to the start-line near Folsom Prison. CIM sure didn't skimp on Porto-Potties. I was able to locate one without too much hopping around. There were almost 9k runners waiting in the drizzle for the the race to start. I figured to hang out in the back, go out slow for the first few miles, than dial up the pace, hitting the second half of the race with more zip. I'd make up the time and bust five hours like dropping a dish on bricks.
Loudspeaker banter from someone, then a woman sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," then the race began. Seventeen and a half minutes later, I crossed the timing mat. Downhill, then up. That would be the pattern for most of the race. You run a little different going uphill, conserving your energy, then drop your arms and let your legs swing back on the downhill. These weren't steep hills, nothing like what I trained on, but they grew monotonous.
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| activenorcal.com |
Pretty green country with farms and horses, and people outside in lawn chairs. "You're almost there," yelled someone on the second mile. No one laughed, not even the man who said it.
I smiled at people cheering. ("You've got this.") It was a good way to pump up my own energy. But in the course of things, I let my pace lapse. By around seven miles, I realized I needed to hustle. As we ran through suburban Sacramento, past high school cheerleaders, taiko drummers, djs spinning techo mixes, musicians and vocalists, I sped up. By around the 13.1 mile mark, I was closing in on goal pace.
"It Could Be Worse," said a homemade sign, "You Could Be at Work." The overcast sky parted and we ran under a clean polished blue sky. Wadding up my "raincoat", I jammed it into a trash bag held by a teenage dude. "Watch," I said, "It'll rain now." He snorted in amusement.
Too much water; that's what my stomach said. I felt bloated. At mile 18, I couldn't touch another Gu. I also noticed that walking ached almost as much running. Between miles 21 and 22, we ascended a bridge over the American River. Coming down the other side, a man yelled, "You're on the fast part now."
Really? My legs felt as heavy as iron girders. As we entered the Sacramento city limits, a woman checked her cell phone and cried, "86.6 percent of runners have already finished." She seemed delighted to convey the information, as if responding to popular curiosity. The only runner I cared about was me. Dark clouds drifted overhead.
Best message of the day was held up by a boy of around nine. His homemade sign read: "This is the worst parade I've ever seen."
While I was holding pace, I still hadn't made up lost time. At mile 23, I took off, giving it all I had left.
Grit-your-teeth time. Everything hurt. My feet burned as if running on lava. I hoped for an injury so I could walk in.
At mile 24, the rain resumed. I was grimacing for all to see, praying the finish line would rush forward to meet me.
Then we were in downtown Sacramento. The rain eased off. The finish line was just past a jigsaw beyond the 26 mile sign. Straight then left. My wife Joy waved from the sideline. "See you up ahead," I called. Then the course hung a left dogleg and the finish line awaited
A woman passed me. An odd hobbling man passed me. To break five hours, I needed afterburners like a Titan rocket.
Wobbling over the finish line, I checked my time: missed the goal by 24 seconds.
Clearly, I should've picked up the pace sooner. I tended to weave across the course, wasting even more time. Still, I bettered my last marathon by 22 minutes. I also discovered that 16 miles is just fine for the longest of the long training runs. I didn't smile at the end, but I didn't suffer from a lack of electrolytes. I felt relatively good.
You race like you train. I trained to finish and did. If I want an afterburner, then I need to improve my chi running form, strengthen my core muscles, and set aside a dedicated running day for speed. I also need to practice marathon pace when my legs are heavy.
As we entered Christmastime, I'll allow my body rest for the next few weeks. But I'm anxious for the next marathon. Perhaps Los Angeles? Starting January 1st, I'll have a whole 11 weeks to train.
'Twas suggested I post a few episodes of my work in a pleasant spot. I've chosen here. Sadly, not everything I've written has y...
