February 22, 2012

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Three Essential Accessories for Your Digital Camera

August 1, 2011 By
Digital cameras have made it possible for almost anyone to create professional-looking images. However, this venture requires a number of accessories in addition to the camera itself to get quality results. Purchasing these items can quickly add up to a huge investment. To help you stay within your budget, here are three digital camera accessories that you can’t do without, along with a few money-saving ideas.

1. Tripod

To create lovely still photos without a trace of a blur, a tripod is necessary. They come in a variety of styles, from studio-sized products to smaller, portable tripods that fold up and are small enough to slip into a tiny bag. Although these items aren’t very expensive, you can easily find bargains on new and used tripods when you search for cameras on eBay.
If you’re on an extremely tight budget, create a string tripod for the mere cost of some strong cord, something you may be able to find for free. Simply loop the string through the camera’s tripod mount device and leave a few feet hanging down. When you need to keep the camera still, simply use your foot to tighten the string for stabilization. You’ll still hold the camera in your hands, but the results will be crisp and clear.

2. Camera Bag

You risk damaging your camera and other equipment if you don’t have a padded camera bag to store and protect this sensitive electronic equipment. Using a camera bag can also prevent you from misplacing your charger, batteries, lenses, or any other accessories you might have.
Many newcomers to digital photography are surprised by how much these little bags can cost. If you’d like to save money, look for a used bag or re-purpose a sturdy backpack or duffel bag. When using a different type of bag for your camera and gear, make sure it has plenty of compartments and wrap your equipment in some type of cushioned material for protection.

3. Cleaning Kit

Although you should never have to take your digital camera apart to clean it, the lenses can become dusty. You can scratch or otherwise damage this delicate equipment if you use just any old cloth to wipe the glassy surface clean. To keep your digital equipment looking and performing like new for as long as possible, invest in a digital camera cleaning kit. These items are so affordable, there’s no reason to look for used products. However, you may find one for a bargain on an online auction site like eBay.
By purchasing the right accessories, digital photography will be more exciting than ever. What is your favorite camera accessory?

 

 

 

Filed Under: Technology

Visit CNET and Pick out Some Free Software

July 25, 2011 By
The free software way

Image by opensourceway via Flickr

 

Software is expensive. People have learned to steal movies and music and pretty much get whatever they want. But, for us regular people it sounds like rocket science. 

There are several websites who cater to those who like free software. Download.CNET.comis a great place that has literally thousands of programs and apps to offer people at reasonable prices, or free. Put the words “free programs” in the search bar. 

Some people already know what they want even before they get there. Others go and lazily shop, looking at everything that catches the eye before deciding to download. This takes a lot of time but makes for an informed choice of downloads.Shop Sitting Down, Then Play With the new Toy

The website will determine if the user has a pc or mac and show only programs that workon each. On the front page there’s two categories to see; the Latest Software Reviews and the Recently Added Programs. Each program’s page has user ratings, lists the price and offers a brief description of what it does. 

On the low half of the page is “The Daily Download,” and it’s the site’s blog. Lots of information and stuff that’s nice to know about some of the programs. On the right side is a long sidebar listing the most popular downloads so far, and it’s no surprise that AVG’s free edition of Anti-Virus is at the top. 

The user needs to scan programs to make sure they’re downloading nothing harmful, but it’s all good stuff. 

Take a look; it’s shopping, but if the free programs are searched out, there’s tons of fun and value in there.

 

 

Filed Under: Internet, Technology Tagged With: , ,

Trick for Newbies Writing Tech Manuals: Screen Shots

July 20, 2011 By
A 102-key PC US English qwerty keyboard layout...

Image via Wikipedia

 

Everyone knows that writing manualsis tedious, and even confusing when there aren’t any diagrams or photos. A visual aid along with the directions makes it easier to understand. 

One good way to copy diagrams can be to photograph the computer screen and download it. Cameras these days are great for taking tech shots because they’re so amazingly clear. 

Get close to the screen or adjust the camera to make the computer screen fill the entire picture frame. Click! 

Then, it’s as easy as putting a photo on the laptop. However, there is another way to get that screen picture that’s even easier. It’s called getting a screen shot, and the computer already knows how to do it. 

Using Those Funny Keys at the Top of the Keyboard 

On the keyboard’s top row there are function keys; a user may or may not know what these are for. They usually have two symbols, or two function labels on each key. One of them on the top-right says “Print Scr” or “prt sc” on it and the way to operate it is to hold down the Control button (crtl) or the function button (fn) and press the prt scr button at the same time. 

It doesn’t show it, but a copy of the computer screen was just made. Now, open Paint, click on the white space, then right click on it and choose Paste. A picture of the previous screen should appear. Save it as a .jpg or .jpeg. 

So, tech-writing newbies, now there’s a way to get informational pictures of the computer screen on the document, web site or email being made.

 

 

Filed Under: Photo Software, Technology, Web Design Tagged With: , ,

Newbie Cheat: Use the Same Form With Different Labels

July 10, 2011 By
Form codes for websites are something found free on the Internet and lots of them are good. Even a beginning coder can look at the language and see how to modify a form. There’s no need to hire someone to make it.

 

Forms can be used for so many different things by simply changing the labels on the dialogue boxes. No need to be a genius; for instance, the code for an email contact response (like the Contact Us page) can have dialogue boxes labeled like these:
  • Customer’s email address
  • Customer’s zip code
  • Customer’s message or reason for contact
  • Customer’s phone number
  • Customer’s web address
  • Security question
When the customer fills in the boxes and hits the Submit button, all that form informationgets emailed to the site owner. That same form can be used for other purposes by changing the labels for the dialogue boxes. 

It’s as Easy as Copy and Paste 

If another dialogue box is needed, just copy the whole code for one of the boxes already there, move down and paste it in, being sure to paste it under the other dialogue boxes. Replace current labels with new labels and it’s done. 

Here’s an example of which labels to change on a Contact Us response form so it can be used as an order form:
  • Customer’s name
  • Customer’s email address
  • Item number of intended purchase
  • Quantity of items
  • Total before shipping
  • Shipping address
  • Shipping method preferred
  • Security question
Modify the labels however desired and use the form over and over again without having to hire a programmer.
Filed Under: Internet, Photo Software, Technology Tagged With: , ,

A Great way to Share

May 23, 2011 By
Tim Berners-Lee: The World Wide Web - Opportun...

Image by Fräulein Schiller via Flickr

You can use plenty of sites as well as several social networking sites as a simple means to share some personal memories with others. You can share your own videos and photos online and you can even use the World Wide Web to share your favorite music.

One of the ways in which you can share videos online is through the popular YouTube. What is great about this site is that it is free and even allows you to have ads on your pages. This is great for people who are trying to promote themselves or their work on YouTube. You have to make sure that everything you put on YouTube, from your ads to your uploads, is in accordance with the rules laid down by the site, which are not unreasonable.

When you are looking to upload photos online, you can choose from several simple choices. The first is to find a site that will allow you to do so unhindered. There are several ways to look for one. You will have to look through all the terms and conditions that the site lays down. This is, after all, your privacy at stake so you want to make sure that all goes well with them. There are several sites available and you should look online to make sure that you choose one that you will appreciate. Remember that you need to keep your account active if you want to continue uploading and storing photos. Some sites tend to delete inactive accounts to make more space. In addition, always make sure you have a backup of all your photos with you.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: , ,

The Right way to Share Files

May 5, 2011 By

With the advent of the Internet, access to content is vast and largely uninhibited. While you can upload a number of images, videos and music online, there is an equal amount that you can download as well. Downloading content from the net is simple if you know how to go about it.

When you are downloading content from the net, there are certain safety protocols you need to put in place for the safety of your own private information. Using any form of peer-to-peer sharing applications leaves the content on your computer open to attack and even use. Ideally, do not use anything like it. If you are working on a networked system, it would be best to disable file sharing in your settings unless you are completely sure of the trustworthiness of the people you are sharing with. This has to be completely removed. This is especially so when you have content that is copyrighted on your computer that should not be accessed by others.

Passwords are a very important aspect of any computer or downloading account. Make sure that hackers cannot figure out your passwords easily. Alphanumeric passwords are best. There are also several ways in which you can test the strength of your passwords online.

There are legitimate sites you can use when you need good quality downloads. No matter how tempted you are, it is best to stick to such sites to ensure the safety of your computer as well as your content. Unauthorized sites are the simplest ways for hackers to enter your domain and ruin everything for you.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: , ,

Convert Old Home Movies to DVD

February 12, 2011 By

Home movies have come a long way in the past 20 years. Gone are the days of 8 mm movies where you needed to set up a film projector to play them. The problem with this is that your family may have some of these old treasures that you can no longer see because fild projectors are now few and far between. There are not many homes that have them any more. So how can you see these old movies now?

There are a couple of ways you can go about transferring your old home 8 mm moves to DVD. The first way is to do it yourself if you can get your hands on a film projector. You set up the projector and then take your camcorder and point it at the screen to capture the movies as they play. When you set up your camcorder you should make sure that you minimize the angle so the angle when you play them back is minimized. You should also make sure that you adjust the lens so the the whole image that is being projected fills up the viewfinder.

This is probably the cheapest and easiest way to convert your home movies. Once you have them on your camera you can then upload them to your computer and edit them if you have video editing software. If you are willing to pay the price, you can also bring your old movies to a professional. There are several companies that offer this service. You can ship your movies to them and they will convert them for your and then send you the DVD. Although it will cost more it will  give you a better quality conversion.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: , ,

Advertise Your Event With a Great Flier

February 7, 2011 By

Anyone throwing an event or party needs to advertise. Without catchy and eye grabbing flyers, no one will know or care about your event. By keeping a few key ideas in mind, it is possible to create something memorable and professional in a short amount of time.

The first piece of advice is to always have a light colored background. This seems obvious but many people get swept away by all the different colors available and end up picking something way too dark for their purposes. People like things that pop off the page and dark print pops off a light page much better than the vice versa.

The next thing to keep in mind is the event you are advertising. Is it something edgy or classy? Is this event a rock show, garage sale or lecture? The different audiences for all these different events will dictate the final look of the flyer. Something more upscale should be designed on a computer with appropriate fonts and borders. A slightly more low key event can have a more rugged, cut and pasted look. Know your audience and tailor the flyer to them. If you do that, it is almost guaranteed to catch their eye.

When putting words on the page, think about how it will read from a distance. Keep the information to a minimum; only put the basics of where, when and what. Small print is harder to read to make the important points bold and eye catching. Use clean fonts in various sizes. The heading should be large with punchy and interesting words that will grab the eye. Make the next lines, the ones with information as to time and place, smaller yet still legible from a distance.

The final piece of advice is to think about where you are going to hang your flyer. Advertise poetry readings at cafes and rocks shows at local bars. Keeping all of this in mind will make your event, and flyer, a success.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: , ,

The Importance of Auto Tune

January 28, 2011 By
Auto-Tune
Image via Wikipedia

Being able to manipulate the sound of music has revolutionized the way that music is performed and received. The use of Auto Tune in modern music is controversial in many ways, but it has undoubtedly changed the music industry for good. The artist T-Pain has used Auto Tune in a number of songs, including Apple Bottom Jeans. Though some consider auto tune a way of “cheating” the listener and portraying an artist as being better than he or she really is, other believe it to be a way of improving the sound and creating a modern edge to vocals.

The use of a computer to alter the sound of music is considered by many to be similar to the use of an instrument. When artists such as T-Pain, Kanye West and Lil Wayne use auto tune, it influences other artists in the hip hop and pop industries. To keep up with the latest music technology, they experiment with the new sounds that are available with the use of Auto Tune. Songs like Apple Bottom have introduced audiences to the altered sound of these computer generated changes, but many more artists are following suit. From pop to alternative to adult contemporary, it seems as if every genre of music is using Auto Tune to create a modern sound.

Downloading music these days is so simple that it can be easy to forget the extensive work that went into making that music. Computers are now so important in the creation of music that modern audiences are constantly seeking out new music that has pushed the limits of computer alteration. With each advance in the technology, music gains a more and more unique sound. That sound will be remembered as this decade’s distinctive music just as synthesizers were the sound of the 80s.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: ,

Being Legal When File Sharing

December 31, 2010 By

File sharing can be a great way to send your paperwork, an invitation or interesing item to a friend or family member. People often establish sharing networks so that they can easily transfer documents between one computer and another. This is also common within an office or a home where more than one computer is located. There is a line that can be crossed very easily when sharing files, and you need to be aware of the boundaries that should not be crossed. If you do, there are numerous legal consequences that can occur.

Material that belongs to someone else and has a copyright on it, such as movies, music or books, is legally protected. These cannot be legally distributed, shared, sold or displayed without the express conset of the copyright owner. This is ignored by many, though, where they visit sites and download “torrent” files. These files are created from pirated copies of material that is not available in stores for purchase yet, and can be downloaded off the internet. When you share a file like this, you are violating the copyright law as stated above. You can be fined, go to jail or a combination of the two.

That is why it is critical that you know where the line is for file sharing. If you are the owner of a video, book or piece of music, you are free to share it as you please. If not, or if you have any doubts about a file, don’t even attempt it. There are high chances that you will be caught and can be subject to severe consequences. The file you are sharing will be out soon for purchase, anyway, and in time it will be very reasonably priced. Honest file sharing is the best way to go, and helps you to avoid legal entanglements.

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: , ,
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