barefootstache @barefootstache@qoto.org

#DailyBloggingChallenge(269/300)

One option to handle the #WEBP case is to follow this [guide](https://superuser.com/a/1688890). There are some modification that should be taken.

First extract the frames using #imagemagick

```
magick input.webp frames.png
```

Then use #FFMPEG to build a MP4 video from the extracted frames

```
ffmpeg -r 1 -i frames-%0d.png -c:v libx264 output.mp4
```

#DailyBloggingChallenge(268/300)

Not only do #WEBP have the animation halt in the #Fediverse though so do #GIF.

To overcome this issue, one can convert the specific file extension to a MP4.

For GIF one can run via #FFMPEG this

```
ffmpeg -i input.gif output.mp4
```

Sadly, currently the same cannot be done with WEBP, since [decoding animated WEBP](https://trac.ffmpeg.org/ticket/4907) has not yet been implemented.

#DailyBloggingChallenge(267/300)

#Gimp also permits to export the animation as a #WEBP. This will nullify the artefacts issue introduced by #GIF.

The only issue is if one wants to upload the result to the #Fediverse the animation won't be registered.

#DailyBloggingChallenge(266/300)

The #Gimp guide suggests to export the animation as a #GIF with a 1 frames per second.

This approach is fine if one is dealing with images that use less than 256 colors. Otherwise one will notice some compression artefacts.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (265/300)

Now with the layers as frames one can use #FFMPEG to merge them together to create a desired animation file.

```
ffmpeg -r 1 -i %06d.png -c:v libx264 out.mp4
```

This will create a MP4 with 1 frame per second. It is important the import naming `-i %06d.png` aligns with the export of layers modal.

To have a smooth looping experience, make sure to set the starting and ending frame be the same image. Just copy and past the start image and rename it so that it becomes the ending image.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (264/300)

If one continues to use #Gimp for sorting the images for the animation, then the [export-layers-plus tool](https://www.gimp-forum.net/attachment.php?aid=7309) can ease the process of exporting all layers at once.

The user script can be saved in the _script-fu_ directory. The directory can be found by visiting `Edit > Preferences > Folders > Scripts`.

It is recommended to pad the layer number with zeroes. The suggested one is `%6i`, which will pad the number with zeroes until the number has a length of 6.

Script from the [Gimp forum](https://www.gimp-forum.net/Thread-exporting-all-the-layers)

#DailyBloggingChallenge (263/300)

The #Gimp guide still has its place when dealing with images that are minorly misaligned. This is because on will need to adjust the images in such a manner that they overlap on top of each other.

This practice can be extended to the point that once a set of standardized images exist, then the ones that are misaligned can be filled and cropped to align with the standard.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (262/300)

While looking back at the blog post on how to create a #GIF via #Gimp (<https://bf5.eu/post/how-to-make-a-gif-with-gimp/>) in regards to make #beforeAndAfter animations for #OpenStreetMap, I noticed that there are a couple of things that irk me that I have ignored previously.

These things include animation quality and process time.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (261/300)

The nice side effect is that the restriction puts me often in a state of #boredom. This is a blessing over a curse, since this opens the door for potential creativity.

These days one is constantly being bombarded with information to avoid being put in a state of boredom. Although one is constantly consuming content, many time one fails to scratch the curiosity itch.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (260/300)

The situation that cost the most #productivity potential is #MobileGaming during peak #motivation times.

These for me are before noon (12:00) and sometimes a second wave after 16:00. The 22:00 cut off is to remove any potential binging that would cut into #sleep.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (259/300)

Over the last 60 days, I indirectly did a case study of one. I spent more than 240h #MobileGaming.

One good thing that I added halfway through is the access to #AudioBooks. These created the mirage that I was doing something semi-productive.

Sadly, in sessions that have the original intent of being just 10min, thus no need to put on a book, quickly becomes a multiple and thereby losing that time.

#productivity

#DailyBloggingChallenge (258/300)

The parent category has stronger restrictions.

1. #MobileGaming is only permitted from 12:00 - 22:00.
2. During those times, the total gaming time permits only 2h.
3. There is the option to earn 5min extra time if one does 5min #PhysicalTraining session.

These general restrictions were also put on other engineered binging technology like mainstream #SocialMedia.

#TimeLimit

#DailyBloggingChallenge (257/300)

#TimeLimit has the option to have parent categories. This eases the behavior over multiple child categories.

If we continue from the #MobileGaming example, they all have the same parent.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (256/300)

When scouring the web for

> larger forearms than biceps

The two typical results are (unexpected) explicit training and genetics.

There is a more obvious one: optical illusion.

In this case the forearm is wider than the upper arm. It could be that the forearm is larger than the bicep though doesn't have to be, since both are measured as the circumference at the specific locations.

This illusion can be neutralized by either gaining weight via arm fat or via exercising the upper arm muscles.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (255/300)

Final thoughts:

The natural and/or plastic free gums currently cannot keep up with the enjoyment as from plastic-full gums. And the plastic-full gums are bad for the environment and potentially also for one's own health. So the decision I made a decade ago to give up gum was a wise one.

Future considerations:

Since neither gum option works for me, if I do find myself with the need to chew something will default to fiberous plant matter like a toothpick.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (254/300)

Looking at plastic based gums one can its validity on a personal level.

First considering that they are not biodegradable and thereby leaving a bad impression that they are, since one puts the substance in one's mouth.

Second, the science is still not settled what the effects of plastic does in our bodies, thus for the time period it is better to avoid them.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (253/300)

Noticed that plastic free is partially a weird marketing gimmick. The typical example is that the box is made out of paper and it is still sealed in a plastic like substance. It could be that the seal is not petroleum base.

The plastic free label is a notice for the ingredients list since most big labels have a polymer that is also found in car tyres.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (252/300)

Both natural and plastic free might be morally just and better for the environment, though have noticed that the chewiness lacks resistance and flavor is lost within minutes.

Adding more gum does extend the period, though had the tendency of biting my tongue more frequently.

#DailyBloggingChallenge (251/300)

Nonetheless here are some findings:

Tried 5 different brands from natural to plastic free to synthetic.

The two factors that justified the quality of the gum are:

1. the chewiness: the resistance of the material after the hard shell has fully dissolved.
2. the flavor decay duration: the amount of time needed until either a second piece is required or it becomes unjoyable to continue chewing.