Typeos from CJ’s iPad

Typeos from CJ’s iPad
I have been writing some free software tools, to help cinema-exhibition to save money.
Its been a difficult time for cinema-exhibition, and tools to save money are an important aspect of dealing with the changing landscape for cinema exhibitors.
James Gardiner – CineTech Geek
Please read about the tools below, and if you find them interesting, pass this info on to those who could hopefully take advantage of these tools. Its been a difficult time for cinema-exhibition, and tools to save money are an important aspect of dealing with the changing landscape for cinema exhibitors.
More info on downloading the tools can be found here: https://github.com/jamiegau/cinema-catcher-app
The cinema-catcher-app application has many tools. Read about them below. Click on the YouTube video links for a demo of the software at work.
Feature | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
LMS (Library Management System) | This feature includes the ability to ingest content from physical disks and USBs or from FTP servers, local or remote. Devices can be set to periodically scan and ingest any DCP found. ClairMeta is then used to Quality-Check the DCP. Finally, Email reports can be generated automatically. Oldest Assets are automatically deleted as needed. Assets can be marked to never delete. As a LMS, all content is then made available via FTP server, for Screen-DCI-Player to ingest any content in the Library. Online Video Overview: https://youtu.be/G0GvkAnYvt0 | Production |
Status Monitor | This tool allows you to monitor all screen configured into the system. Ths can be used to monitor local or numerous remote screens | Production limited functionality |
Status Monitor device Control | Under development and extending the status Monitor, you can take control of any DCI-Player, Sound-processor, Projector, IO-Device directly to override or manually control a screen if required | Development |
Schedule Monitor | This screen monitors screens on a Schedule level showing a timeline for each screen and what sessions are playing at what time and when they finish/start | Not Started |
AutoKDM | Is a tool that can monitor an IMAP access to an Email account. It will transparently read your Email, and only download Emails that contain KDMs, mark them as read, or even move them into another folder (Only if a KDM is discovered). It is best to have a dedicated Email for KDMs however, the tool can deal with utilising an Email that is also used by humans for general Email activity. The tool will download all KDMs into a data base for checking, tracking and finally ingesting into the target player. Based on configured target players, AutoKDM will ingest KDMs automatically to all target screens automatically. Reports on activity can be emailed to the Admin if required. The system incorporates KDM INFO Emails for users can easily track back to the KDM creator if problems occur. Online Video Overview: https://youtu.be/zjN9h2T82js | Production |
KDM Alert | This tool generates daily reports sent to the Staff that inform of any scheduled session that do not yet have a KDM to allow them to play. This tool ensures a cinema knowns days in advance if a KDM has failed to arrive, giving them time to react to the error. Online Video Overview: https://youtu.be/1WV9WR4vVxM | Production |
Auto Discovery | Based on the open source tool cinema-nmap-scripts (https://github.com/jamiegau/cinema-nmap-scripts). It will automatically detect well known devices on the Projection network, pulling Version numbers when possible. The tool can then be used to audit your projection equipment and can automatically detect the change in any version of DCI-equipment sending/Emailing a Report when changes occur. Plans to incorporate this with an FLM tool has been discussed.) Tool Overview: https://youtu.be/7JnhEDdOobo NMAP tool: https://youtu.be/1ZUCCIH4OYA | Production, but limited by devices supported in the cinema-nmap-scripts project |
Player Audit | This tool periodically downloads playout logs from the DCI-Players. This allows the creation of reports to analyise the activity on a player. This can be used to send playout reports for Advertisers or for engineers to get a detailed indication of the activity on a player. For example, you can detect if shows are playing outside of open hours, or if manual control is occurring and how often. This can be done by either an Email report containing a CSV-file, or automatically sending playout reports to a specified WEB End-point (Internet Web Address) that the data is pushed to periodically. Tool Overview: https://youtu.be/7ZEj2FhvOis | Production |
Thanks, and I hope this can help other small exhibitors in the world.
James Gardiner CineTechGeek Mail: [email protected] Web: https://www.cinetechgeek.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cinetechgeek
Berlin, Germany, August 31, 2020 – The 8K Association (8KA), the cross-industry group focused on facilitating the growth of the 8K ecosystem, today announced the availability of a powerful new website to help educate consumers about the benefits of 8K displays and content.
The newly launched Discover8K.com web site is now available to help consumers discover how the latest advancements in displays, cameras and home entertainment can bring exceptional visual performances to life. With 8K resolution technology, everyone can discover more detail, more depth and more powerful big-screen imagery – all from the comfort of home.
The new Discover8K.com site provides valuable tools to help consumers learn about the 8K ecosystem, including topics such as:
List of TVs from leading brands that meet the 8K Association’s performance standards
Information about current and upcoming sources of 8K content
Guidance for enjoying 8K entertainment at home – including ideal screen sizes and seating distances for immersive 8K cinematic or 8K gaming experiences
The advanced technology behind powerful 8K up-scaling
News about 8K of interest to consumers
“The 8K Association was founded to bring together content creators, technology providers, panel manufacturers, TV brands and more to accelerate the expansion of the 8K ecosystem. But ultimately it will be consumers who determine how quickly 8K technology is adopted,” noted 8KA Marketing Work Group Chair, Aaron Dew. “Consumers who understand the benefits of 8K ultra-sharp big-screen displays, finely-detailed 8K gaming and the power of immersive 8K video are going to speed the transition to 8K. That’s why the 8K Association launched the new Discover8K.com web site to help educate consumers on all the benefits of enjoying big-screen 8K entertainment at home.”
8K refers to the latest and highest-resolution standard for content creation, distribution and television displays that enables over 33 million pixels of resolution, which is 4 times sharper than the UHD / 4K standard. With a growing number of 8K TVs now in the market from several leading TV brands that meet the 8K Association’s certification program standards, along with emerging sources of native 8K content, there is an increasing consumer interest in discovering more about 8K and why 8K resolution is a perfect fit for big-screen TVs.
Along with the newly launched consumer education web site, the 8K Association is preparing a “State of 8K” webinar for press and industry professionals to provide an update on the progress made in 8K deployments and the remaining technical and business milestones needed to complete the full roll-out of the 8K ecosystem. With insights and technical input from all parts of the 8K production, distribution and display segments, the “State of 8K” webinar will serve as a valuable tool to educate industry professional and define the remaining work that members of the 8K Association and others will need to complete before 8K is universally available.
The 8K Association Fall 2020 “State of 8K” webinar will be held on September 15, 2020. Registration information and full details will be available soon at: www.8KAssociation.com
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Update: Cinemark, the world’s 2nd largest chain, will not go silently into the good night of marriage with VOD:
Click above to see the Deadline article. “Cineworld’s Regal is the second-biggest chain in the U.S. with 7,155 screens in 542 theaters in 42 states. Overall, Cineworld operates in 10 countries with 787 sites, counting 9,500 screens.” End Update
With a number of details not told, at least we see VOD after 17 days of an Exclusive Theatrical Run…(whatever that specifically means) and AMC gets participation with the VOD!
Universal And AMC Strike A Major Deal That Means Big Changes Are Coming
UPDATE: With some rumors – still unconfirmed a week later –that Tenet could be released in other countries other than the US, we are truly in WhoThePhuqueKnows territory.
CNN has a good roundup of the movies at: The movies will return someday, and here are the ones we’re really stoked about
EU cinemas are opening with decent results reported for local movies and archival favorites. China keeps reporting that cinemas can open, but none are reported to have opened. That leaves the US and India as the remaining big markets, and they ain’t opening. Los Angeles is the biggest and closed, New York could open but why would any group do that when they can’t get product, and product won’t come until a decent representative of the market is open. And that won’t happen until ???? …several weeks after everyone wears masks all the time that they aren’t home and stop going anywhere. End UPDATE
PausDemic has continued to twist jobs and income into dust. While their sister organizations in the UK are opening, AMC in the US is holding back with the reasoning that 1) you need the big pictures and 2) who is really going to come to the cinemas when the pandemic is starting to rage out of control again.
AMC delays US theater openings as it waits for summer blockbusters
UNIC LAUNCHES FOURTH EDITION OF THE WOMEN’S CINEMA LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
Brussels: 30 June 2020 – The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the European cinema trade grouping, today launched the fourth edition of its Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme, a 12-month mentoring programme for women in cinema exhibition.
Following the success of the first three editions, this year’s programme will provide nine talented female cinema professionals with an exclusive opportunity to receive one-to-one career advice and networking opportunities, and to learn from an outstanding group of women executives from across the cinema landscape, each recognised for their leadership and business success.
The programme remains UNIC’s flagship initiative to address the need to encourage and empower female professionals in order for the industry to realise its full potential. Its 2020/21 edition welcomes the following key female leaders and rising female professionals from the cinema exhibition landscape, representing 18 companies across 14 territories:
Mentors
Nathalie Cieutat (Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont, France), Anne Fitzgerald (Cineplex, Canada), Norma Garcia-Muro (THX, USA), Kate Gerova (Curzon, UK), Jadranka Islamovic (Blitz-CineStar, Croatia), Grainne Peat (Event Cinema Association, UK), Kaisa Rakemaa (Finnkino, Finland), Géke Roelink (Filmhuis Den Haag, Netherlands), Bettina Schmit (KITAG CINEMAS, Switzerland).
Mentees
Clarissa Bergh (Lillehammer Cinema, Norway), Rachel Bland (VUE Entertainment, UK), Monika Giełżecka (Multikino, Poland), Johanna Herfter (Comscore, Germany), Valeria Kurohtina (CINAMON, Estonia), Madelene Lorentzsson (Svenska Bio, Sweden), Laura Mancilla (Searchlight Pictures International, UK), Anna Paprocka (ODEON Cinemas Group, UK), Olivia Taylor (IMAX, Ireland).
Welcoming this latest edition of the programme, UNIC CEO Laura Houlgatte commented:
“We are delighted to welcome a new, fantastic group of mentors and mentees for this year’s edition and to see our inspiring community of women leaders grow year by year. While the past few months have been incredibly challenging, the level of interest that we have received serves to highlight just how important empowerment programmes like ours are, even more so during times of uncertainty.
We are proud of what we have achieved so far with the UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme.
We have been working with outstanding professionals and it’s been fantastic to see so many of them recognised for their achievements. We’re also delighted to have in Grainne Peat, for the first time, a pioneering mentee becoming a mentor herself in the new edition. This is one of the main objectives of the programme – for the mentees of today to become the mentors of tomorrow.
The discussion around equal opportunities and greater diversity in the industry must continue, and we at UNIC will keep doing our part.
I would like to wish an empowering journey to our new cohort!”
Notes for editors
The UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme is a 12-month cross-sector, international mentoring scheme for women in cinema exhibition.
Launched in 2017, the Programme is rooted in the belief that gender-balanced leadership in cinema exhibition is imperative for business success, better governance and more equity in the industry.
More information can be found on the UNIC website here.
The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC)
The Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) represents the interests of cinema trade associations and cinema operators covering 38 countries in Europe and neighbouring regions.
Further Enquiries
[email protected] / +32 2 880 99 39 | @UNIC_Cinemas
Union Internationale des Cinémas | International Union of Cinemas | UNIC
Av. des Arts 10-11 boîte 11 | 1210 Brussels (Saint-Josse-ten-Noode) | Belgium
T +32 2 8809939 | M +32 611203483 | www.unic-cinemas.org
Twitter: @UNIC_Cinemas | Facebook: @UNIC.Cinemas
You never know what a revolution is when it is mentioned by a marketing group. But if Deluxe has figured out how to keep the trust of the studios while poking things through the web, perhaps this really is.
![]() (Los Angeles, CA–June 22, 2020) Deluxe Entertainment Services Inc. (Deluxe), the leading content creation to distribution company, today announced the launch of One VZN (pronounced “vision”), a new cloud-based IP delivery solution distributing major studio and independent content to movie theaters and exhibitors worldwide quickly and securely.
Developed in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), One VZN is an enhancement to the Deluxe One platform, the company’s flagship cloud-based solution that unifies the media supply chain. One VZN leverages Deluxe’s 100+ years of experience providing high-quality, reliable theatrical services to the media and entertainment industry and represents a continued investment in theatrical content delivery and support for the resurgence of theatrical viewing by consumers. “As our industry faces one of the most impactful hardships in modern history, we know one thing – global cinematic experiences will return. One VZN is poised to be one of the most important innovations in digital cinema distribution in the past decade, fundamentally changing not only the economics of film distribution for exhibitors and studios around the globe, but also enabling new theatrical experiences for viewers as well,” said Andy Shenkler, Chief Product & Technology Officer of Deluxe. “We are invested in the future of cinema and are thrilled to expand our relationship with AWS to bring this innovative solution to market using AWS Snowcone. Bundling connectivity, management, and unlimited capacity, we’re looking forward to reshaping theatrical distribution and getting everyone back to the movies.” One VZN uses the newly announced AWS Snowcone, a small, ultra-portable, and rugged edge computing and data transfer device, to provide secure, easy-to-manage storage of content in theater locations. One VZN distributes content from Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) using high speed online transfers to AWS Snowcone devices in theater locations using AWS DataSync, to AWS Snowcone devices in theater locations. The combination of the Deluxe One platform and AWS Snowcone can overcome on-site storage constraints by sending smaller, customized content packages and providing an incredibly small infrastructure footprint in theaters, while also improving security with military-grade encryption. “We are pleased to support Deluxe’s innovative services that are reshaping the landscape for theatrical content distribution worldwide,” said Bill Vass, Vice President of Technology, AWS. “Together, AWS and Deluxe continue to spearhead cloud innovation for the media and entertainment industry. Deluxe One and One VZN are great examples of digital transformation built on AWS that deliver tangible benefits to a whole industry and will improve customers’ experience in theaters when it’s safe to return.” “The return of theatrical experiences is something we all are looking forward to and we are excited that our partners in the industry see the future as bright as we do. The investment in this solution represents Deluxe’s support for the future of our business and the resiliency of the theatrical market. We look forward to what Deluxe and AWS are bringing to the market and are excited about all of the possibilities,” said John Fithian, CEO of the National Association of Theater Owners. As a part of the One VZN subscription, Exhibitors will also receive managed high-speed network connectivity at no additional cost. In mere hours, content is now made available to movie theater owners and exhibitors. This reduced delivery time will have a significant impact across the end-to-end media supply chain, providing content creators and owners with additional time to finalize the production process in advance of a global distribution. Exhibitors will now be able to eliminate their reliance on the physical delivery of hard drives, providing them with the ability to add late bookings of content or dynamically extend content without constraints of server storage or the threat of new incoming titles. The solution will also provide the ability for key management integration with files at the edge as well as tighter integration between Theater Management Systems and cloud-based content repositories, driving further support for alternative content and live event experiences in theaters. One VZN will be piloted in select sites across North America as theaters slowly begin to reopen, including Premiere Cinemas, Emagine Entertainment, Classic Cinemas, ArcLight Cinemas, amongst additional major theater locations. Following the North America implementation, One VZN will continue to be rolled out globally. To learn more about One VZN, click here. ### About Deluxe Entertainment Services Inc. |
The Exit for the PauseDemic has been eagerly awaited all over the world. French cinema is getting up again [France shakes off virus blues as cinemas, casinos set to open] and [Tous au Cinema – Les Cinémas sont oiuverts!] and California has given clues o how to do it in their huge markets. [California Proposes Guidelines for Theater Reopenings at 25 Percent Capacity]With news they could reopen as early as June 12, the rumors were that CineMark and AMC might get off the ground before the end of the month. Now it seems they are both waiting until mid-July, just ahead of the Mulan opening.
Meanwhile, production may get some momentum going: A First Glimpse at the 30-Page Hollywood Safety White Paper Being Drafted for Governors — Exclusive
Usually in June, CineEurope had to reschedule to August – and even that was deemed too dangerous as they got to 3 months in advance.
CineEurope is now cancelled for 2020. Alas. 2020, we barely knew ya.
Wanda Film is the group that bought AMC in the States and which then bought the studio Legendary Entertainment, the company behind blockbusters like Jurassic World and The Dark Knight, and also bought the mid-sized theatre brand Carmike, and UK’s Odeon Cinemas, and EU group UCI Cinemas – before being told by the Chinese government that they were spending too much money out of the country. They are now less than majority owner, though still in control of the board.
The primary source of income for Wanda previously was property development, which in this Age of PauseDemic has led to being a group with problems with getting rent from cinemas who are often the cornerstone of a closed or partially closed malls.
China famously opened and closed their cinemas, and technically the cinemas can open now though none are – except the private cinemas. AMC held a news cycle by saying that they had to report that there were serious odds that they could shutter completely or go BK. Of course, most people are aware that that was a kabuki, to put pressure on creditors.
And, with that in mind, Wanda has announced that they are going to build more cinema theaters. China’s Wanda Film To Build More Cinemas Despite Heavy 2019 Losses, Coronavirus Impact
NATO needs the Congress to get a support bill going in the Congress. The Republicans have included it in their plan, but it is essentially nuclear and won’t go anywhere. Time to get the Democrats onboard.
Fill out the form at: Let Congress Know: Support Relief for Movie Theaters and Their Employees During COVID-19 Outbreak
Selected Takes: 3 Editing Lessons From Anne V. Coates
MusicBed Blog presents a new Blog “Inspired by “Selected Takes: Film Editors on Editing”, we’re sharing takeaways from film’s most iconic editors.”
The following was sent by NATO regarding CinemaCon 2020 on 26 Feb 2020
To: NATO Members and All Other Participants in CinemaCon 2020
From: John Fithian (NATO)
Mitch Neuhauser (CinemaCon)
Re: CinemaCon 2020 and the Coronavirus
Date: February 26, 2020
This memorandum provides an update on issues related to CinemaCon 2020 and the COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”).
We are closely monitoring the Coronavirus situation and want to confirm for you that CinemaCon 2020 will be held as planned and will be a great show. We also want to let you know that the safety and productivity of our attendees remains our highest priority.
The NATO and CinemaCon management teams have been in regular contact with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other health officials. Based on those consultations and the CDC’s public reports we provided an extensive update earlier this week to the NATO Executive Board. With this information, and additional factors described below, the Executive Board decided that CinemaCon 2020 should go on as planned and that all appropriate measures will be taken to ensure the safety and productivity of our delegates and supporters. Team CinemaCon is hard at work putting together what we know is going to be a terrific show.
There are many factors in play as it concerns this decision, including:
■ NATO and CinemaCon believe that our plans going forward should be based on logical risk assessments and advice from health officials, and not from fear. At the same time, we want to be sensitive to the legitimate concerns of those people and companies that have been affected by the virus, most notably in Asia and a few other affected territories. ■ We fully respect the decision of any potential attendee not to attend the convention. Most of that impact will come from some international attendees. We have already seen this from those areas hardest hit in China. Nonetheless, our weekly registration numbers are tracking evenly with where we were at this time last year. On the trade floor, those Chinese companies who were to be on hand have all made a decision not to attend CinemaCon 2020, primarily because of travel bans that are in place. This amounts to approximately two dozen attendees. ■ Pro-active measures that we are taking include closely monitoring the situation, including regular calls with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other relevant health and governmental organizations. We will follow their direction and guidance where appropriate. ■ We have been in close contact with the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Las Vegas health and safety officials, and Caesars Palace to coordinate all appropriate safety procedures for the show. Indeed the CinemaCon management team are in Vegas this week holding those discussions. ■ An encouraging measure of the impact of Coronavirus is that the number of concerned emails or phone calls coming to us are minimal. We are, though, inundated with our normal number of emails and calls that are all about the planning of the convention. ■ From a programming standpoint, all of our Colosseum events from studios are now fully locked in place, as we have Disney, Focus Features, Lionsgate, NEON, Paramount, Universal (presentation and screening) and Warner Bros. (presentation and screening) all confirmed for nine total events. We have been in contact with our studio partners and they support our decision to move forward with the show as planned. ■ The trade show, even with the Chinese exhibitors not attending, is 99% sold out and the rest of our programming is right on par. ■ We are also in contact with the American Society of Association Executives to monitor the plans and procedures of other trade associations hosting large conventions or conferences over the next few months. For example, right here in Las Vegas, the two major conventions in the same time frame are moving forward with their plans – ConExpo (March 10 – 14) and the NAB Show (April 18 – 22). Indeed, we know of no convention in Las Vegas that has plans to cancel their event. |
NATO and CinemaCon will continue to address this ongoing situation in as respectful and intelligent a fashion as possible. We have every expectation of a successful and well-attended CinemaCon 2020 celebrating the moviegoing experience.
On behalf of NATO and CinemaCon, we thank you for taking the time to review all of this and please, if you have thoughts or comments, we urge you to call us and to keep this dialogue going.
All the very best,
John Fithian Mitch Neuhauser
The following was sent by NATO regarding CinemaCon 2020 on 26 Feb 2020
To: NATO Members and All Other Participants in CinemaCon 2020
From: John Fithian (NATO)
Mitch Neuhauser (CinemaCon)
Re: CinemaCon 2020 and the Coronavirus
Date: February 26, 2020
This memorandum provides an update on issues related to CinemaCon 2020 and the COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”).
We are closely monitoring the Coronavirus situation and want to confirm for you that CinemaCon 2020 will be held as planned and will be a great show. We also want to let you know that the safety and productivity of our attendees remains our highest priority.
The NATO and CinemaCon management teams have been in regular contact with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other health officials. Based on those consultations and the CDC’s public reports we provided an extensive update earlier this week to the NATO Executive Board. With this information, and additional factors described below, the Executive Board decided that CinemaCon 2020 should go on as planned and that all appropriate measures will be taken to ensure the safety and productivity of our delegates and supporters. Team CinemaCon is hard at work putting together what we know is going to be a terrific show.
There are many factors in play as it concerns this decision, including:
■ NATO and CinemaCon believe that our plans going forward should be based on logical risk assessments and advice from health officials, and not from fear. At the same time, we want to be sensitive to the legitimate concerns of those people and companies that have been affected by the virus, most notably in Asia and a few other affected territories. ■ We fully respect the decision of any potential attendee not to attend the convention. Most of that impact will come from some international attendees. We have already seen this from those areas hardest hit in China. Nonetheless, our weekly registration numbers are tracking evenly with where we were at this time last year. On the trade floor, those Chinese companies who were to be on hand have all made a decision not to attend CinemaCon 2020, primarily because of travel bans that are in place. This amounts to approximately two dozen attendees. ■ Pro-active measures that we are taking include closely monitoring the situation, including regular calls with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other relevant health and governmental organizations. We will follow their direction and guidance where appropriate. ■ We have been in close contact with the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Las Vegas health and safety officials, and Caesars Palace to coordinate all appropriate safety procedures for the show. Indeed the CinemaCon management team are in Vegas this week holding those discussions. ■ An encouraging measure of the impact of Coronavirus is that the number of concerned emails or phone calls coming to us are minimal. We are, though, inundated with our normal number of emails and calls that are all about the planning of the convention. ■ From a programming standpoint, all of our Colosseum events from studios are now fully locked in place, as we have Disney, Focus Features, Lionsgate, NEON, Paramount, Universal (presentation and screening) and Warner Bros. (presentation and screening) all confirmed for nine total events. We have been in contact with our studio partners and they support our decision to move forward with the show as planned. ■ The trade show, even with the Chinese exhibitors not attending, is 99% sold out and the rest of our programming is right on par. ■ We are also in contact with the American Society of Association Executives to monitor the plans and procedures of other trade associations hosting large conventions or conferences over the next few months. For example, right here in Las Vegas, the two major conventions in the same time frame are moving forward with their plans – ConExpo (March 10 – 14) and the NAB Show (April 18 – 22). Indeed, we know of no convention in Las Vegas that has plans to cancel their event. |
NATO and CinemaCon will continue to address this ongoing situation in as respectful and intelligent a fashion as possible. We have every expectation of a successful and well-attended CinemaCon 2020 celebrating the moviegoing experience.
On behalf of NATO and CinemaCon, we thank you for taking the time to review all of this and please, if you have thoughts or comments, we urge you to call us and to keep this dialogue going.
All the very best,
John Fithian Mitch Neuhauser