(from Pink Visual)
...a second Content Protection Retreat has been scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on February 6th and 7th...
(said Pink Visual President Allison Vivas) “Since much of the foundation was already set at the first CPR event, we plan to be able to provide more tools and resources for studios to walk away with...we are also encouraging industry attorneys who are interested in the anti-piracy efforts to attend and hold private attorney-only discussions as a way to introduce more resources and more options to studios.”
The event will be open to 50 studios and will also include a virtual component where up to 20 studios can participate via videoconference. A registration fee will be required for all attendees in order to cover costs, as this is a non-sponsored event. As with the first CPR, all attendees will be screened to ensure there are no conflicts of interest and no media coverage of the event.
“Our goal is to empower studios through knowledge which enables them to implement a successful anti-piracy strategy and therefore make a major impact on piracy within the adult industry by 2012,” Vivas said. “The event will include the information, tools and resources necessary to position studios for a good start, as we know a successful strategy takes time to put into effect.”
The event will end with a cocktail event for both CPR1 and CPR2 attendees to continue to celebrate this important industry movement.
For more information or to request registration information please contact Pink Visual marketing director Lea Busick at lee@pinkvisual.com or at (520)290-0910, ext. 237.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Lame-as-F@#k Congress
This clarifies political games, and the "right" thing to do...
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Lame-as-F@#k Congress | ||||
| ||||
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
How to syndicate a radio show, "Coast to Coast" (book review)
I've always been a super-supporter of radio stations broadcasting local content. Not that I'm against (some) national programs. For me, there has always been more opportunity for creativity when there is feedback from a nearby audience...as I write this I'm reminded of how when on stage an audience can enhance the performance, rather than when being on camera in a studio (with no audience) and having the show broadcast to affiliates.
That said, after years of preparing and targeting my shows to a specific geographic audience...because of the very sad state of lack of management in broadcasting who have love for the medium...I have become agreeable to consider having my performances syndicated. (Because of the lack of vision in the industry, I have come to appreciate the openess of the internet. And I enjoy that I am responsible for what I choose to do, and choose to not do.)
Should you be interested in creating a program for broadcast radio stations, read "Coast to Coast: The Radio DJ's Syndication How-To Guide" written by Randy ("R Dub") Williams.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1 - My Story
"Buh-Bye now" - The Day I Got Fired
Radio Geek
The Dazzling Desert
It's a Hard Knock Life
Home Again Home Again Jiggety-Jig
Syndication: Who Me?
Chapter Two - Truth Hurts: What Syndicators Really Want From You
The Low Down
Chapter Three - Getting There: The Road to Syndication
Step One - The Show
Step Two - Launching The Show Locally
Step Three - Crafting The Show
Step Four - First Measurement
Step Five - Prepping For Syndication
Step Six - Your First Station
Step Seven - Analyzing Your First Affiliate
Step Eight - Growing Your Show
Step Nine - The Deal: Getting Signed
Chapter 4 - You've Got a Syndication Deal, Now What?
The Customer Is Always Right
More Stations!
Investing In Your Show
Moving Forward & Growing Your Brand
Good Luck and Goodnight
Chapter 5 - But Don't Take My Word For It: Words of Wisdom from The Pros
The Talkers
The DJs and Mixers
Imaging and Special Features
The Syndicators
Special Section: R Dub's Toolbox
The Studio - What You Need, Where to Get It, and How Much Does it Cost?
R Dub!'s Lil' Black Book - Crucial Contacts
He is not going to have all of the answers for you, and he doesn't claim to. What his book does is give you the framework around what you need take into consideration, preferably before you begin attempting to syndicate a program on radio stations.
I am very proud to say that I contributed to his success...even if it was for him to learn from my mistakes.
That said, after years of preparing and targeting my shows to a specific geographic audience...because of the very sad state of lack of management in broadcasting who have love for the medium...I have become agreeable to consider having my performances syndicated. (Because of the lack of vision in the industry, I have come to appreciate the openess of the internet. And I enjoy that I am responsible for what I choose to do, and choose to not do.)
Should you be interested in creating a program for broadcast radio stations, read "Coast to Coast: The Radio DJ's Syndication How-To Guide" written by Randy ("R Dub") Williams.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1 - My Story
"Buh-Bye now" - The Day I Got Fired
Radio Geek
The Dazzling Desert
It's a Hard Knock Life
Home Again Home Again Jiggety-Jig
Syndication: Who Me?
Chapter Two - Truth Hurts: What Syndicators Really Want From You
The Low Down
Chapter Three - Getting There: The Road to Syndication
Step One - The Show
Step Two - Launching The Show Locally
Step Three - Crafting The Show
Step Four - First Measurement
Step Five - Prepping For Syndication
Step Six - Your First Station
Step Seven - Analyzing Your First Affiliate
Step Eight - Growing Your Show
Step Nine - The Deal: Getting Signed
Chapter 4 - You've Got a Syndication Deal, Now What?
The Customer Is Always Right
More Stations!
Investing In Your Show
Moving Forward & Growing Your Brand
Good Luck and Goodnight
Chapter 5 - But Don't Take My Word For It: Words of Wisdom from The Pros
The Talkers
The DJs and Mixers
Imaging and Special Features
The Syndicators
Special Section: R Dub's Toolbox
The Studio - What You Need, Where to Get It, and How Much Does it Cost?
R Dub!'s Lil' Black Book - Crucial Contacts
He is not going to have all of the answers for you, and he doesn't claim to. What his book does is give you the framework around what you need take into consideration, preferably before you begin attempting to syndicate a program on radio stations.
I am very proud to say that I contributed to his success...even if it was for him to learn from my mistakes.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Shit My Dad Says, book review
Introduction, page "x":
"...all day long I dealt with people...who never really said what they were thinking. The more time I spent with my dad...the more grateful I started to feel..."
In the beginning of the book we learn of the events that led to the creation of the Twitter account, the book, and the television show.
Throughout the book are examples of his father expressing himself as thoughts come to him...stream of consciousness commenting, if you will.
The more of the book I read, the more I laughed. Loudly. Many times...
This is a book that can be read for short periods of time. It's great for those times when you have a break in the action. But, not if you're in areas where you need to be quiet and maintain control over outbursts: it may cause moments of grinning and laughing.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
book review - Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things
Overall, the book contains stories about the experiences that the writers had with hoarders. From observations, to attempts at treatment. And there is A LOT of great information that will enlighten and educate about hoarding, and those who hoard.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
On the inside cover/jacket of the book:
"Think about the one thing you own that you would grab first in a fire. Now imagine feeling that strongly about every single possession...
"...piles on on sofas and beds that make the furniture useless, homes that have to be navigated by narrow 'goat trails', stacks of paper..."
I know a person like this...and have known them for decades...
------------------------------------------------------------------
What is the definition of a hoarder? Throughout the book some reasonable parameters are given for consideration...
On page 100:
"The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders...lists hoarding as one of eight symptoms of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)...it defines hoarding as 'the inability to discard worn-out of worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value'."
On page 50:
"...The difference between people who hoard and those who don't is in the valume and variety of things they view as 'useful'. For example, one elderly hoarder saved the labels from cands and jars of food to use as stationary."
On page 58:
"..Hoarding is not defined by the number of possessions, but by how the acquisition and management of those possessions affects their owner. When hoarding causes distress or impairs one's ability to perform basic functions, it has crossed the line into pathology...
"...people with hoarding problems fill the space they are living in regardless of the size or number of storage units they have. We have seen clients who own four or five houses. When they fill one house, the move on to another and fill it in short order...The more space they have available, the more space they fill..."
And, some guidelines on how to differentiate between hoarders and "collectors"...
Page 239:
"..Perhaps the best way to make the distinction between hoarding and normal collecting is to determine whether the behavior creates a problem for the family..."
And on page 267, it is said that true hoarding fouls "living spaces".
Which is what I've considered to be a reasonable parameter of whether a hoarder needs to make changes: for me, it's not the amount of items that they keep, and I don't always care about neatness...but dirt and filth accumulation that is unhealthy is unacceptable.
----------------------------------------------------------------
I have never seriously considered how people (can) become hoarders. But it appears that other situations that can cause people to have other issues and problems, can contribute to this as well.
Page 34:
"...In several recent studies, people with hoarding problems recalled disconnected relationships with their parents, particularly their fathers."
Page 197:
"...Our recent research indicates that an abscence of warmth, acceptance, and suport characterizes the early family life of many hoarders, perhaps leading them to form strong emotional atachments to possessions."
And on page 88:
"...One study showeed that hoarders who experienced traumatic events had more severe hoarding problems than those who were not exosed to trauma..."
Throughout their lives, some hoarders have developed better relationships with things than with people: things may not have disappointed them as much as people...things don't yell, lie, change their moods, and hurt their feelings.
In the book it is exposed that those with tendencies to hoarding animals may be using the relationships with animals to substitute for, or replace, potential and/or former relationships with people.
Returning to the consideration of abuse, on page 87:
"...When describing their reactions to someone else discarding one of their belongings, a number of our clients have said, 'It feels like I've been raped'. It is possible that in some people, hoarding mght develop as a response to severe trauma..."
Page 55:
"...Most burglary victims feel that they have been violated, and many women liken it to being raped."
Some characteristics of hoarders include: perfectionism, indecision, and powerful beliefs about...and attachment to...objects.
Research has found that those as a child who prefer symmetry (of which I am guilty), and have arranging compulsions, can be similar to to those with hoarding problems. A desire for symmetry and arranging, and hoarding, all have to do with physical objects...
Those who have attention deficit problems, and attention deficity hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can also be possible candidates to become hoarders.
The mind of hoarders also tends to be more "busy"...
Page 211:
"...We have noticed an inordinate number of hoarders who describe themselves as artists. This might be because hoarders are more intelligent or creative than the rest of us, their worlds filled with an appreciation of the physical world that most of us lack. This part of hoarding is a kind of giftedness, a special talent for seeing beauty, utility, and meaning in things.
"But along with this gift comes a curse...an overabundance of information paired with an inability to organize it...Maybe hoarding is creativity run amok."
And, on the negative side, so to speak: "...Depression is a common affliction amoung hoarders..." (page 38)
Page 231:
"...people with this problem are less likely to marry, and when they do, they are more likely to get divorced...
"...many hoarders live without spouses: no one wants to live with all that stuff..."
Some hoarders may not have suffered consequences that will cause them to address the issue, and cease hoarding. That includes being abandoned by family members and spouses.
Children of hoarders suffer as much, if not more, than the hoarders. They try to hide the issue from others: friends, family members, etcetera. And when they have shared the secret, those to whom it has been exposed to have developed a negative view of the child. As well as the child's family, and the child's life in general.
"...Children who lived in a hoarded home before the age of ten were more embarrassed and less happy, had fewer friends...and had more strained relations...strained relationships...more hostile..." (page 227)
I was surprised to learn that there are support groups for the children of hoarders...one called Children of Hoarders (http://www.childrenofhoarders.com).
The book mentions some of the groups for hoarders, which are:
Messies Anonymous
Clutterless Recovery Groups
Clutterers Anonymous
and Overcoming Hoarding Together (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/H-C/)
The good news is that...
"Even if hoarding is inherited or driven by problems in the wiring of the brain, people with hoarding problems do seem to be able to learn to control them..." (page 214)
But, sometimes hoarders need to be forced to dispose of items. And in other situations, the items need to be removed by others. However, major changes can cause enough personal distress to an individual that...they die:
"...In 2007, the nantucket, Massachusetts, Health Department abandoned forced cleanouts when three consecutive hoarders died shortly after being returned to their cleaned-out homes..." (page 147)
There are reports from some hoarders that consuming marijuana has dimished their tendancies. (Those that are bigoted against marijuana won't want to hear that, nor accept it, because it's another positive benefit that it can provide...)
There are issues in societies that may have contributed to hoarding.
Page 262:
"...an American culture of materialism and overconsumption and defined 'afluenza' as a contagious social affliction in which possessions take over our lives, and drain us of the very thngswe seek by acquiring them.
"...we may own the things in our homes, but they own us as well...Possessions orginally sold on the promise that they would make life easier and increase leisure tie have done just the opposite..."
Page 264:
"...materialism...Fromm...Possessions play a central role in the lives of materialists. They are a means to self-enhancement, identity, and social standing, and the driving force in daily activities. Materialists expect possessions...to make them happy. Ironically, possessions seem to do the opposite...materialistic people are less satisfied with their lives and less happy than people without such an orientation toward 'having'..."
When my third ex-wife and I were moving out of our apartment, she offered to allow me to store some of my belongings in a storage facility that she had rented. I have never felt the need to pay for storage. Most of my life, if I could not have something with me...or care for it...I have not tried to obtain, and keep, it. I've never been able to afford to invest in a house, furniture, a new vehicle, or jewelry so I have been spared the burden of owning too many things. And that experience has also contributed to my accepted philosophy of only trying to keep that which I need to survive. I've become accustomed to being a fan of public transportation and bicycles. Most of my life has been very spartanisque...
I recommend this book for those that know hoarders. And, this book should be given to hoarders...
Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
review - AKG Perception 120 USB Microphone
I had an opportunity to try a Perception 120 USB microphone from AKG. It's their first USB microphone. And (per their website) "the only USB microphone with an integrated analogue-to-digital converter with 24-bit and 128x oversampling. Instead of usual one-chip-solutions..."
Their manual states: "The Perception 120 USB microphone has a cardioid polar pattern...The microphone should be 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16 inch) from the speaker's mouth in order to obtain the best results." A pop filter is integrated into the microphone.
A tripod table stand, swivel mount, and 14.5 foot long USB cable are included with it.
The microphone supports Microsoft's Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Apple's Mac operating systems. "The computer operating system detects the microphone and automatically installs the device driver." It did: I plugged it into a computer that had Windows Vista installed, and the blue LEDs at the two switches on the microphone glowed.
The attenuation selector switch "enables you to increase the control limit by 20 dB to enable distortion-free recording of very loud sound sources and in close proximity to sound sources" to attempt to reduce distortion.
"The switchable bass-cut provides additional distortion reduction...The bass-cut also counteracts the proximity effect that can occur when the microphone is only a short distance (less than 15 cm) from the sound source."
Included in the box, that gave me a little thrill...because I always like to get "toys"...was a 4 by 4 inch sticker of the AKG logo. That's always a nice little extra something to give to people...that's a great idea.
Their manual states: "The Perception 120 USB microphone has a cardioid polar pattern...The microphone should be 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16 inch) from the speaker's mouth in order to obtain the best results." A pop filter is integrated into the microphone.
A tripod table stand, swivel mount, and 14.5 foot long USB cable are included with it.
The microphone supports Microsoft's Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Apple's Mac operating systems. "The computer operating system detects the microphone and automatically installs the device driver." It did: I plugged it into a computer that had Windows Vista installed, and the blue LEDs at the two switches on the microphone glowed.
The attenuation selector switch "enables you to increase the control limit by 20 dB to enable distortion-free recording of very loud sound sources and in close proximity to sound sources" to attempt to reduce distortion.
"The switchable bass-cut provides additional distortion reduction...The bass-cut also counteracts the proximity effect that can occur when the microphone is only a short distance (less than 15 cm) from the sound source."
Included in the box, that gave me a little thrill...because I always like to get "toys"...was a 4 by 4 inch sticker of the AKG logo. That's always a nice little extra something to give to people...that's a great idea.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
stuff about Montana Fishburne, "Chippy D"
For the most part, I've ignored the whole situation about Montana Fishburne.
When I did a morning radio show in Denver, I met her dad and we had a great time together. He's funny and energetic, and my opinion is: his business is his, and her's is her's.
But I stumbled across other information that made me curious. I researched it, and just thought to make a post with the information for those who are interested.
===============================
Montana Fishburne, "Chippy D", discussed on The Stilts & DeVoe Show (August 18) with Brian Pumper
http://www.latalkradio.com/Devoe.php
----------------------------------------------------
Court records obtained by E! News show that Montana Fishburne...was arrested last year for alleged prostitution and only avoided jail by signing up for a work-alternative program.
On March 19, Fishburne pleaded no contest in a Hollywood courtroom to criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, and the court agreed to drop charges of solicitation and loitering in a public area for the purpose of prostitution, according to court documents.
She was sentenced to two years' probation and 15 days in jail, but was able to do community service instead of jail time.
As part of her probation, Fishburne was also ordered to not charge (or attempt to charge) money for sex; have sex in a public place or a place "exposed to public view"; hitchhike or otherwise engage drivers in conversation; and loiter in alleys or public streets "with the intent to solicit acts of prostitution."
http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/b194035_laurence_fishburnes_aspiring_porn-star.html
------------------------------------------------
(former) best friend confirms prostitution?
http://carltonjordan.com/2010/08/04/shocking-montana-fishburnes-best-friend-we-were-prostitutes/
----------------------------------------------------
court document
http://images.eonline.com/static/news/pdf/montanafishburne.pdf
---------------------------------------------------
Fishburne wants to fight an old friend?
http://carltonjordan.com/2010/08/11/montana-fishburne-tries-to-fight-friend-nene-lies-about-knowing-her/
--------------------------------------------------
Her boyfriend is reported to be Jeremy Greene, “J-Pipes”...
=================================
In other adult entertainment news that I stumbled across...
Director Axel Braun has cast adult star Lexington Steele in the role of Darth Vader for his upcoming big-budget 3D feature Star Wars XXX: A Porn Parody...
http://www.officialwire.com/main.php?action=posted_news&rid=193204
When I did a morning radio show in Denver, I met her dad and we had a great time together. He's funny and energetic, and my opinion is: his business is his, and her's is her's.
But I stumbled across other information that made me curious. I researched it, and just thought to make a post with the information for those who are interested.
===============================
Montana Fishburne, "Chippy D", discussed on The Stilts & DeVoe Show (August 18) with Brian Pumper
http://www.latalkradio.com/Devoe.php
----------------------------------------------------
Court records obtained by E! News show that Montana Fishburne...was arrested last year for alleged prostitution and only avoided jail by signing up for a work-alternative program.
On March 19, Fishburne pleaded no contest in a Hollywood courtroom to criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, and the court agreed to drop charges of solicitation and loitering in a public area for the purpose of prostitution, according to court documents.
She was sentenced to two years' probation and 15 days in jail, but was able to do community service instead of jail time.
As part of her probation, Fishburne was also ordered to not charge (or attempt to charge) money for sex; have sex in a public place or a place "exposed to public view"; hitchhike or otherwise engage drivers in conversation; and loiter in alleys or public streets "with the intent to solicit acts of prostitution."
http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/b194035_laurence_fishburnes_aspiring_porn-star.html
------------------------------------------------
(former) best friend confirms prostitution?
http://carltonjordan.com/2010/08/04/shocking-montana-fishburnes-best-friend-we-were-prostitutes/
----------------------------------------------------
court document
http://images.eonline.com/static/news/pdf/montanafishburne.pdf
---------------------------------------------------
Fishburne wants to fight an old friend?
http://carltonjordan.com/2010/08/11/montana-fishburne-tries-to-fight-friend-nene-lies-about-knowing-her/
--------------------------------------------------
Her boyfriend is reported to be Jeremy Greene, “J-Pipes”...
=================================
In other adult entertainment news that I stumbled across...
Director Axel Braun has cast adult star Lexington Steele in the role of Darth Vader for his upcoming big-budget 3D feature Star Wars XXX: A Porn Parody...
http://www.officialwire.com/main.php?action=posted_news&rid=193204
Thursday, August 12, 2010
you can follow my Twitter account via SMS (text messages)
"...Anyone in the US can receive Tweets on their phone even if they haven’t signed up for Twitter..."
"Fast Following without creating an account is currently available only in the US...
"...From your computer, wherever you see a user on Twitter.com, you can hover over their name or avatar, and click on the phone icon that appears in the hovercard. Whenever they tweet, you'll get it as an SMS message on your phone."
For example, in the United States of America, if you want to follow me text the message "follow slick" to 40404.
"Fast Following without creating an account is currently available only in the US...
"...From your computer, wherever you see a user on Twitter.com, you can hover over their name or avatar, and click on the phone icon that appears in the hovercard. Whenever they tweet, you'll get it as an SMS message on your phone."
For example, in the United States of America, if you want to follow me text the message "follow slick" to 40404.
FCC SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN
Comments Due: September 23, 2010
"...the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC or Commission) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) seeks public comment on the creation of a Cybersecurity Roadmap to identify vulnerabilities to communications networks or end-users and to develop countermeasures and solutions in preparation for, and response to, cyber threats and attacks in coordination with federal partners. The FCC’s Cybersecurity Roadmap was recommended as an initial step forward in the area of cybersecurity as part of the Commission’s National Broadband Plan (NBP)...
"...commenters could offer responses to: What are the most vital cybersecurity vulnerabilities for communications networks or users? How can these vulnerabilities be addressed? What role should the Commission play in addressing them? What steps should the Commission take, if any, to remediate them? If the FCC does not play a role in addressing these vulnerabilities and problems, what agency or entity would fulfill that role? How should the Commission coordinate its efforts with other agencies of government?"
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-1354A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-1354A1.pdf
"...the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC or Commission) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) seeks public comment on the creation of a Cybersecurity Roadmap to identify vulnerabilities to communications networks or end-users and to develop countermeasures and solutions in preparation for, and response to, cyber threats and attacks in coordination with federal partners. The FCC’s Cybersecurity Roadmap was recommended as an initial step forward in the area of cybersecurity as part of the Commission’s National Broadband Plan (NBP)...
"...commenters could offer responses to: What are the most vital cybersecurity vulnerabilities for communications networks or users? How can these vulnerabilities be addressed? What role should the Commission play in addressing them? What steps should the Commission take, if any, to remediate them? If the FCC does not play a role in addressing these vulnerabilities and problems, what agency or entity would fulfill that role? How should the Commission coordinate its efforts with other agencies of government?"
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-1354A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-10-1354A1.pdf
Friday, August 6, 2010
new Star Wars shoes at Dillard's
[This wasn't sent to me earlier so I could let you know about it further in advance... - S!ick]
Dillard’s is launching the Star Wars™ by stride rite® collection August 7th at the Park Place Mall in Tucson (Arizona) with special Star Wars™ guest appearances from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
The collection, part of a Stride Rite Children’s Group multi-year license with Lucasfilm Ltd., includes lighted character-inspired shoes...of the Star Wars films and the animated television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars...
...featuring Captain Rex and General Grievous - to name a few...
Other Dillard’s Star Wars™ event locations are:
Short Pump Town Center - Saturday, August 7th (Richmond, VA) from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
North Park Mall - Saturday, August 14th (Dallas, TX) from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
St. John’s Town Center - Sunday, August 22nd (Jacksonville, FL) from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Dillard’s is launching the Star Wars™ by stride rite® collection August 7th at the Park Place Mall in Tucson (Arizona) with special Star Wars™ guest appearances from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
The collection, part of a Stride Rite Children’s Group multi-year license with Lucasfilm Ltd., includes lighted character-inspired shoes...of the Star Wars films and the animated television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars...
...featuring Captain Rex and General Grievous - to name a few...
Other Dillard’s Star Wars™ event locations are:
Short Pump Town Center - Saturday, August 7th (Richmond, VA) from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
North Park Mall - Saturday, August 14th (Dallas, TX) from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
St. John’s Town Center - Sunday, August 22nd (Jacksonville, FL) from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Saturday, July 31, 2010
a Yeti, an iPad, and some Blue FiRe...
I reviewed a Blue Microphones Yeti USB microphone (http://www.techtalkradio.com/blogger/2010/04/yeti-usb-microphone-review.html).
Now, I've learned it can be used with Apple's iPad...with the iPad Camera Connection Kit, and Blue FiRe software.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"The iPad Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera: using your camera’s USB cable or directly from an SD card...
"The Camera Connector features a USB interface. Just plug it into the dock connector port on your iPad..."
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC531ZM/A
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue FiRe is a simple to use professional quality stereo field recorder application...from Blue Microphones...
- "Record until…" settings
- Quality settings: Low (11.025 kHz), Medium (22.050 kHz) and High (44.1 kHz)
- File Export via Local Web server FTP
- WAV, AIFF, CAF (Core Audio Format)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blue-fire/id336713577?mt=8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I learned about it after reading http://www.appletell.com/apple/comment/how-to-record-cd-quality-audio-with-your-ipad/
Now, I've learned it can be used with Apple's iPad...with the iPad Camera Connection Kit, and Blue FiRe software.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"The iPad Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera: using your camera’s USB cable or directly from an SD card...
"The Camera Connector features a USB interface. Just plug it into the dock connector port on your iPad..."
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC531ZM/A
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue FiRe is a simple to use professional quality stereo field recorder application...from Blue Microphones...
- "Record until…" settings
- Quality settings: Low (11.025 kHz), Medium (22.050 kHz) and High (44.1 kHz)
- File Export via Local Web server FTP
- WAV, AIFF, CAF (Core Audio Format)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blue-fire/id336713577?mt=8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I learned about it after reading http://www.appletell.com/apple/comment/how-to-record-cd-quality-audio-with-your-ipad/
Thursday, July 29, 2010
August 2, new UltimateDefrag Version 3 release
Monday, August 2, UltimateDefrag Version 3 will be released to the public...
===================================
We're giving you a sneak preview of UltimateDefrag Version 3 with this free download of the product manual where you can read up on how to use these new features. Also, below are videos of some of these features in action.
...simply drag and drop any file or directory (and its files) to any block (cluster) on the drive. Click move and watch the files move to their new position. Great for gamers or users of any demanding software wanting to discreetly optimize performance of a particular program and/or keep those files apart from other files on your hard drive. Another defragmentation software first.
Boot Time System File Defragmentation Lets You Defrag and Optimally Place System Files
...defragmentation and custom, optimal placement of (not normally defraggable) system files such as MFT and Page File. So yes you can now finally properly defrag your MFT, defrag your page file and.... place them exactly for optimum performance!
...use the interface to position and order all of your system files. Then click run at next boot and next time you restart your system your system files will be defragged and optimally positioned.
This features works on all 32 bit and all 64 bit versions of XP, Vista and the new Windows 7.
Ability to sort high performance and archive files by a variety of methods.
Ability to defrag all files in a specific directory with just one click.
...The ability to select a file or folder from the Cluster Viewer or File Highlighter and then DRAG it to wherever on the disk display you want that file or directory to go...you can drag and drop files onto wherever you want them to be placed on your drive...if you have a number of large Outlook PST files that you want to be placed outside of the normal cluster of high performance files but still wish to have pretty high performance from, you can place the files/directories in the free space just inside the HP zone of files. We think this is a very cool feature and hope you do too.
===================================
We're giving you a sneak preview of UltimateDefrag Version 3 with this free download of the product manual where you can read up on how to use these new features. Also, below are videos of some of these features in action.
...simply drag and drop any file or directory (and its files) to any block (cluster) on the drive. Click move and watch the files move to their new position. Great for gamers or users of any demanding software wanting to discreetly optimize performance of a particular program and/or keep those files apart from other files on your hard drive. Another defragmentation software first.
Boot Time System File Defragmentation Lets You Defrag and Optimally Place System Files
...defragmentation and custom, optimal placement of (not normally defraggable) system files such as MFT and Page File. So yes you can now finally properly defrag your MFT, defrag your page file and.... place them exactly for optimum performance!
...use the interface to position and order all of your system files. Then click run at next boot and next time you restart your system your system files will be defragged and optimally positioned.
This features works on all 32 bit and all 64 bit versions of XP, Vista and the new Windows 7.
Ability to sort high performance and archive files by a variety of methods.
Ability to defrag all files in a specific directory with just one click.
...The ability to select a file or folder from the Cluster Viewer or File Highlighter and then DRAG it to wherever on the disk display you want that file or directory to go...you can drag and drop files onto wherever you want them to be placed on your drive...if you have a number of large Outlook PST files that you want to be placed outside of the normal cluster of high performance files but still wish to have pretty high performance from, you can place the files/directories in the free space just inside the HP zone of files. We think this is a very cool feature and hope you do too.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Star Trek and Star Wars...all sexy like...
And, of course, there's the sequel: "This Ain’t Star Trek XXX 2"...
Now, from the man who directed them (Axel Braun) cums:
Set for release in September of 2011.
(See what I did there?...)
Monday, July 26, 2010
DirecTV NASCAR "HotPass"
I noticed there was a new message in the "Caller ID & Messages" area of the DirecTV service about "HotPass". Yesterday, I caught the end of it...a good idea, but not a great experience.
On the HotPass channels you can watch the race from cameras installed in some of the NASCAR vehicles.
The channels are free...from what I have read, they were not in 2007 and 2008.
Yesterday, I watched from the cars of:
Jeff Gordon - #24 (channel 795)
Juan Pablo Montoya - #42 (channel 796)
Jimmie Johnson - #48 (channel 797)
and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - #88 (798)
I did not like watching it on a television that had a 19-inch screen: it was too small for me to comfortably enjoy the views.
And changing the channel from one to another was unsatisfying: it took too long...there were a couple of seconds of pause, and dark/blank screens, to get from one to the other.
For people who have large screen televisions, there should be a "HotPass Mix" channel where all four of the views from the cars can be seen on one channel.
http://twitter.com/nascar_hotpass
On the HotPass channels you can watch the race from cameras installed in some of the NASCAR vehicles.
The channels are free...from what I have read, they were not in 2007 and 2008.
Yesterday, I watched from the cars of:
Jeff Gordon - #24 (channel 795)
Juan Pablo Montoya - #42 (channel 796)
Jimmie Johnson - #48 (channel 797)
and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - #88 (798)
I did not like watching it on a television that had a 19-inch screen: it was too small for me to comfortably enjoy the views.
And changing the channel from one to another was unsatisfying: it took too long...there were a couple of seconds of pause, and dark/blank screens, to get from one to the other.
For people who have large screen televisions, there should be a "HotPass Mix" channel where all four of the views from the cars can be seen on one channel.
http://twitter.com/nascar_hotpass
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
new audio software from SRS Labs
Today, SRS Labs is launching SRS HD Audio Lab software:
"...It allows the user to select audio content (music, movie or game) and then choose the speaker type (Headphone, Internal notebook speakers, or external speakers) to dial in amazing sound tailored for your listening preference...
"...personalize the sound...deep, rich bass, offer 3D enhancement for stereo and mono content, restore the clarity to vocals and high frequency sounds, and more.
"SRS HD Audio Lab also allows users to take advantage of surround content regardless of their speaker arrangement..."
Take note of the system requirements: initially I installed the software on a computer that did not have a comparable processor, and noticed the software seemed to fail to modify the audio enough for reasonable use on that computer.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
• Microsoft Windows XP SP3 / Vista SP1 / 7 (32bit or 64bit)
• Intel Pentium 4 3.0Ghz / AMD Athlon 3200+
(A dual core CPU is recommended)
• 1GB System RAM
(2GB is recommended for Windows Vista or higher)
• 60MB Hard Disk Space
(Up to 500MB can be used with Microsoft .NET Framework
installation)
• DirectX 9.0c capable video card with 128MB VRAM
Customizable audio features:
SRS 3D - a "3D" stereo enhancement for mono or stereo content
SRS 3D Center Control - extracts and positions (audio) dialog in the
foreground or background of the mix
SRS TruBass - adjusts the bass output for more or less bass response
Speaker Size - adjusts the audio to the quality, or limitations, of the
size of the speaker (larger speakers give better quality; this control
can make cheap speakers sound better)
SRS FOCUS - "raises or lowers the audio field" (for clarity)
SRS Definition - highlights the high frequency details...can sharpen,
or smooth, the sound
Limiter Level – prevents speakers from being over driven...
for most setups, this option doesn’t need to be adjusted
Adjustments are availble for 2.0, 2.1, 5.1, and 7.1 speaker configurations. SRS Circle Surround II creates multichannel surround sound from mono and stereo audio sources for them to be played over a 5.1 or 6.1 speaker playback system.
SRS Circle Surround II Headphone can enable 5.1 reproduction from stereo, or surround, encoded content...
I have not tried a external speaker system with the software. When using the software with the speakers on my Alienware Area 51 M9750 notebook computer, I was able to make the audio cleaner and clearer. Using Sony MDR-CD180 and SteelSeries Siberia headphones is when I best experienced the features the SRS software had to offer...using the Advance Controls allowed me to get the best performance possible from the headphones.
If you often use a computer to listen to music for enjoyment, this software can make it a much better experience.
{UPDATE...AFTER I HAD WRITTEN THE PREVIOUS}
I had disabled the software from loading at boot. After restarting my computer I noticed no audio would play. In the Sound properties, I found a "SRS HD Audio Lab" playback device had been added and was enabled. I enabled "Speakers" (in an attempt to bypass the SRS software), but was not able to engage sound.
After looking at some of the other software I have installed, I suspect there may be a conflict between the SRS HD Audio Lab...and the Realtek HD Audio Manager that was provided with the computer: when I disable the SRS software, it no longer interacts with the Realtek software...probably causing no audio between the two applications.
"...It allows the user to select audio content (music, movie or game) and then choose the speaker type (Headphone, Internal notebook speakers, or external speakers) to dial in amazing sound tailored for your listening preference...
"...personalize the sound...deep, rich bass, offer 3D enhancement for stereo and mono content, restore the clarity to vocals and high frequency sounds, and more.
"SRS HD Audio Lab also allows users to take advantage of surround content regardless of their speaker arrangement..."
Take note of the system requirements: initially I installed the software on a computer that did not have a comparable processor, and noticed the software seemed to fail to modify the audio enough for reasonable use on that computer.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
• Microsoft Windows XP SP3 / Vista SP1 / 7 (32bit or 64bit)
• Intel Pentium 4 3.0Ghz / AMD Athlon 3200+
(A dual core CPU is recommended)
• 1GB System RAM
(2GB is recommended for Windows Vista or higher)
• 60MB Hard Disk Space
(Up to 500MB can be used with Microsoft .NET Framework
installation)
• DirectX 9.0c capable video card with 128MB VRAM
Customizable audio features:
SRS 3D - a "3D" stereo enhancement for mono or stereo content
SRS 3D Center Control - extracts and positions (audio) dialog in the
foreground or background of the mix
SRS TruBass - adjusts the bass output for more or less bass response
Speaker Size - adjusts the audio to the quality, or limitations, of the
size of the speaker (larger speakers give better quality; this control
can make cheap speakers sound better)
SRS FOCUS - "raises or lowers the audio field" (for clarity)
SRS Definition - highlights the high frequency details...can sharpen,
or smooth, the sound
Limiter Level – prevents speakers from being over driven...
for most setups, this option doesn’t need to be adjusted
Adjustments are availble for 2.0, 2.1, 5.1, and 7.1 speaker configurations. SRS Circle Surround II creates multichannel surround sound from mono and stereo audio sources for them to be played over a 5.1 or 6.1 speaker playback system.
SRS Circle Surround II Headphone can enable 5.1 reproduction from stereo, or surround, encoded content...
I have not tried a external speaker system with the software. When using the software with the speakers on my Alienware Area 51 M9750 notebook computer, I was able to make the audio cleaner and clearer. Using Sony MDR-CD180 and SteelSeries Siberia headphones is when I best experienced the features the SRS software had to offer...using the Advance Controls allowed me to get the best performance possible from the headphones.
If you often use a computer to listen to music for enjoyment, this software can make it a much better experience.
{UPDATE...AFTER I HAD WRITTEN THE PREVIOUS}
I had disabled the software from loading at boot. After restarting my computer I noticed no audio would play. In the Sound properties, I found a "SRS HD Audio Lab" playback device had been added and was enabled. I enabled "Speakers" (in an attempt to bypass the SRS software), but was not able to engage sound.
After looking at some of the other software I have installed, I suspect there may be a conflict between the SRS HD Audio Lab...and the Realtek HD Audio Manager that was provided with the computer: when I disable the SRS software, it no longer interacts with the Realtek software...probably causing no audio between the two applications.
Friday, July 16, 2010
radio (broadcasting) formatics
As a listener, and as a broadcaster, I've always preferred (what I consider to be) a balancing of the elements.
No long commerical breaks...I don't like to have more than three commercials in a break. And, I like to have something quick between the second and third commericial: promo something that's upcoming, whether it's somthing that ahead within a few minutes or a few hours...
No long breaks with too many elements (promos, commercials, bits, etcetera)...
And try to play two or three songs before stopping for an exented period of time ("break").
I have no problem with the "song, commercial, song, commercial & programming element, song, commercial" format...it just needs to be properly, and comfortably, executed.
Being a fan of radio is what made me want to work in radio...these are the things that seemed to be great and attractive formatics and procedures.
=====================================
"...if you’re 75 years old and love oldies, but you walk past an encoded signal wearing a meter (the Portable People Meter) that picks up an r&b/hip-hop station, then you are Ludacris listener whether you really are or are not.
"...25% of all women who listen to the demographic’s core adult contemporary or CHR stations feel that the stations do not understand them..."
No long commerical breaks...I don't like to have more than three commercials in a break. And, I like to have something quick between the second and third commericial: promo something that's upcoming, whether it's somthing that ahead within a few minutes or a few hours...
No long breaks with too many elements (promos, commercials, bits, etcetera)...
And try to play two or three songs before stopping for an exented period of time ("break").
I have no problem with the "song, commercial, song, commercial & programming element, song, commercial" format...it just needs to be properly, and comfortably, executed.
Being a fan of radio is what made me want to work in radio...these are the things that seemed to be great and attractive formatics and procedures.
=====================================
"...if you’re 75 years old and love oldies, but you walk past an encoded signal wearing a meter (the Portable People Meter) that picks up an r&b/hip-hop station, then you are Ludacris listener whether you really are or are not.
"...25% of all women who listen to the demographic’s core adult contemporary or CHR stations feel that the stations do not understand them..."
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
get PCmover free with Win7 Upgrade from Ingram Micro
I received a press release announcing the "MoveNowT" program: a free license of PCmover Windows 7 Upgrade Assistant will be provided for each Windows 7 Upgrade Open License purchased through Ingram Micro U.S. This will take effect July 19, and continue through September 30.
PCmover could automatically transfers all (or selected) applications, files, settings, and user accounts to another computer (without the need to install applications on the target computer).
"PCmover is the only software that natively will move all of your programs, files, and settings from one PC to another. There is no use of virtual machine or emulation software. Instead, PCmover's proprietary technology automates data and settings transfers and also emulates installer routines so that applications are also migrated."
In-place upgrade scenarios...from XP to Windows 7, or across "unlike" versions of Windows such as Vista 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit...are supported. And PCmover is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, and XP.
PCmover could automatically transfers all (or selected) applications, files, settings, and user accounts to another computer (without the need to install applications on the target computer).
"PCmover is the only software that natively will move all of your programs, files, and settings from one PC to another. There is no use of virtual machine or emulation software. Instead, PCmover's proprietary technology automates data and settings transfers and also emulates installer routines so that applications are also migrated."
In-place upgrade scenarios...from XP to Windows 7, or across "unlike" versions of Windows such as Vista 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit...are supported. And PCmover is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, and XP.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
internet surpasses TV as "most essential medium"
I love the internet. As a consumer, I get what I want when I want it...and, I can get content which is not provided by other forms of media (radio, television, etcetera). As a content producer, I need not worry about crossing a boundary set by another.
"..monthly visitation to radio station Web sites (16 percent) among persons 12+ lags visitation to local TV and local newspaper Web sites." Probably because radio station web sites don't offer much in the way of local content...other than advertisements...
"The Internet passes TV as most essential medium in Americans' lives: For the first time, more Americans say the Internet is 'most essential' to their lives when given a choice along with television, radio, and newspapers; 42 percent chose the Internet as 'most essential'...television still leads among those over the age of 45, Internet dominates among younger persons age 12 to 44."
The Infinite Dial 2010: Digital Platforms and the Future of Radio
"..monthly visitation to radio station Web sites (16 percent) among persons 12+ lags visitation to local TV and local newspaper Web sites." Probably because radio station web sites don't offer much in the way of local content...other than advertisements...
"The Internet passes TV as most essential medium in Americans' lives: For the first time, more Americans say the Internet is 'most essential' to their lives when given a choice along with television, radio, and newspapers; 42 percent chose the Internet as 'most essential'...television still leads among those over the age of 45, Internet dominates among younger persons age 12 to 44."
The Infinite Dial 2010: Digital Platforms and the Future of Radio
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Before you purchase movies on DVDs that offer digital copies...
Especially the "Star Trek 2-Disc Special Edition", know that the digital copy being offered might not be on the disc you are purchasing: you may need to download it. If you can...
AFTER I opened the (Star Trek) package and inserted a DVD, I was offered a "Transfer to iTunes" option. When I chose that, I was required to have an Apple ID. Which, due to previous purchases from iTunes, I have.
After logging in, (as has happened before) I was unable to proceed past the "Payment Method section"...because I don't have a credit card (and any funds in my PayPal account). So, I can't get my digital copy from the iTunes store.
iTunes has often dissappointed me. Whenever I've attempted to download free content, like the "Free Single of the Week", I find that I could not (because I cannot get past the "Payment Methond" section).
At the moment, due to a gift card I had received, I have over $26 of active credit in my iTunes account.
And NOW, I find I can't log into iTunes with my Apple ID...AND my AOL Screen Name.
Buyer beware.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Tire Safety Week
June 6-12
---------------------------------------------------------------
...AAA would like to offer the following “Do’s and Don’ts” of tire care:
Do check for under inflated tires, which are one of the leading causes of tire failure, causing the tire to wear faster and adversely affect a vehicle’s handling. A tire can lose up to 50 percent of its pressure without appearing flat...
Don’t over inflate tires, which have an increased risk of tread separation, and can easily be damaged by things like road debris and potholes.
Do fill to the correct tire pressure, which is listed in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s door, not the tire itself. In addition, pressure should be checked when the tire is cold.
Don’t rely on pressure monitoring systems, which are designed to warn motorists once tires are 25 percent underinflated, which may be too late to prevent damage caused by under-inflation (RMA).
Do check tread depth, which is imperative to the tire providing the vehicle with adequate traction.
Motorists in need of a trusted technician can search AAA’s network of club owned or approved auto repair facilities statewide.
AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services...
Wireless car mouse for Father's Day?
The e-mail I received began:
"I wanted to introduce you the one luxury car that’s guaranteed not to have a recall this year...the Motormouse."
(And, of course, after receiving that message...there were more recalls. Of motorized vehicles, not computer mice...)
"Inspired by the Porsche 9-11...makes a great gift item and conversation starter for any gadget lover.
"...It is available in red, silver and black..."
The one that was sent to me is the "RedPOM: Red classic sports car wireless mouse"...
A carrying pouch is provided, which has an inner sleeve for spare batteries. The batteries are installed in the trunk, and the USB receiver can also be stored there. There is energy saving technology so when the mouse isn't in use, it will hibernate. When the batteries need to be changed, the headlights flash...
On their webpage it states it has the "worlds’ smallest 2.4 GHz USB receiver": I measured it as 3/4 of an inch (19 mm) long...and once it is inserted into a USB port, 1/2 of an inch (12.5 mm) of the receiver extends from the computer.
Sensitivity settings on one model can be set at 400, 800, or 1600 DPI...but I received the model locked to 1200 DPI (its settings cannot be changed).
The scroll wheel feels GREAT! It's 31/64 of an inch (12 mm) wide, made of rubber...and is very comfortable.
Ahem...Father's Day is June 20.
-------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE:
I use a computer in a small, cramped area...and decided to try the Motormouse to see if, being wireless, it might make my experience more comfortable: IT DOES! If you have limited space to use a mouse in, the Motormouse might also be the answer for you...
"I wanted to introduce you the one luxury car that’s guaranteed not to have a recall this year...the Motormouse."
(And, of course, after receiving that message...there were more recalls. Of motorized vehicles, not computer mice...)
"Inspired by the Porsche 9-11...makes a great gift item and conversation starter for any gadget lover.
"...It is available in red, silver and black..."
The one that was sent to me is the "RedPOM: Red classic sports car wireless mouse"...
A carrying pouch is provided, which has an inner sleeve for spare batteries. The batteries are installed in the trunk, and the USB receiver can also be stored there. There is energy saving technology so when the mouse isn't in use, it will hibernate. When the batteries need to be changed, the headlights flash...
On their webpage it states it has the "worlds’ smallest 2.4 GHz USB receiver": I measured it as 3/4 of an inch (19 mm) long...and once it is inserted into a USB port, 1/2 of an inch (12.5 mm) of the receiver extends from the computer.
Sensitivity settings on one model can be set at 400, 800, or 1600 DPI...but I received the model locked to 1200 DPI (its settings cannot be changed).
The scroll wheel feels GREAT! It's 31/64 of an inch (12 mm) wide, made of rubber...and is very comfortable.
Ahem...Father's Day is June 20.
-------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE:
I use a computer in a small, cramped area...and decided to try the Motormouse to see if, being wireless, it might make my experience more comfortable: IT DOES! If you have limited space to use a mouse in, the Motormouse might also be the answer for you...
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Insert it into your car's 12-volt socket, and save gas?...
(DISCLOSURE: I have not yet had an opportunity to conduct what I would consider reasonable tests to give an opinion on this device...at the moment, I am only publicizing that the device exists. If I ever get an opportunity to document my experiences, I intend to update this information...)
================================
I received a Fuel Doctor FD-47. I've seen the commecials on television...I'm sure you have, also.
"FD-47 cleans the power that your vehicle uses to operate. As your vehicle ages, the electrical systems tend to experience more electrical noise or electrical interference. This noise can have many detrimental effects on the various electrical components in the car. By removing or reducing this noise the vehicles electronics can operate more effectively and/or efficiently."
"...regardless of if your vehicle operates on gasoline or diesel fuel the FD-47 works on the vehicles power systems and is independent of the fuel type that the vehicle uses.
"...The FD-47 works on the 12VDC power systems and is independent of the size of the vehicle.
"...Fuel Doctor is confident in its product and offers a 30-day money back guarantee as a pledge to your satisfaction.
"...once the FD-47 is plugged into the 12VDC power outlet that is tied to the electrical system that is responsible for controlling the drive engine of the RV...
"...the FD-47 works on motorcycles...
"Our field and lab tests have shown up to 25% better...
"...optimal effects are seen with cars 24 months and older."
"FD-47 CAN NOT be use on Hybrids or Electrical Vehicles."
--------------------------------------------------
Before using the FD-47, they recommend the following procedure to obtain a baseline:
1. Fill the fuel tank...
2. Record the mileage on the odometer...log it as "Mileage A"
3. Drive until the tank is less than half full.
4. At the same filling station, using the same pump as before (because pumps can be differently calibrated), fill the tank ...log how many gallons it takes to fill the tank.
5. Record the mileage as "Mileage B"...
6. Subtract Mileage A from Mileage B (which will give the amount of miles driven)...
7. Divide your answer by the number of gallons it took to fill the tank...this will give the a baseline miles-per-gallon figure.
To begin logging the amount of fuel that might be saved by using the FD-47:
8. Now, plug in the FD-47 (and drive the car until the tank is less than half full)...
9. Fill the tank at the same station using the same pump...log how many gallons it takes to fill up the tank.
5. Record the mileage as "Mileage C"...
6. Subtract Mileage B from Mileage C...
7. Divide your answer by the number of gallons of fuel most recently put in the tank.
If the FD-47 saves fuel, you might notice the difference in miles driven before using the FD-47...and those that were while using the FD-47.
------------------------------------------------------
With it being available from Best Buy stores, I assume there must be some credibility to it. As always, I recommend that you understand what Best Buy's return policy is before you purchase the device from them...
================================
I received a Fuel Doctor FD-47. I've seen the commecials on television...I'm sure you have, also.
"FD-47 cleans the power that your vehicle uses to operate. As your vehicle ages, the electrical systems tend to experience more electrical noise or electrical interference. This noise can have many detrimental effects on the various electrical components in the car. By removing or reducing this noise the vehicles electronics can operate more effectively and/or efficiently."
"...regardless of if your vehicle operates on gasoline or diesel fuel the FD-47 works on the vehicles power systems and is independent of the fuel type that the vehicle uses.
"...The FD-47 works on the 12VDC power systems and is independent of the size of the vehicle.
"...Fuel Doctor is confident in its product and offers a 30-day money back guarantee as a pledge to your satisfaction.
"...once the FD-47 is plugged into the 12VDC power outlet that is tied to the electrical system that is responsible for controlling the drive engine of the RV...
"...the FD-47 works on motorcycles...
"Our field and lab tests have shown up to 25% better...
"...optimal effects are seen with cars 24 months and older."
"FD-47 CAN NOT be use on Hybrids or Electrical Vehicles."
--------------------------------------------------
Before using the FD-47, they recommend the following procedure to obtain a baseline:
1. Fill the fuel tank...
2. Record the mileage on the odometer...log it as "Mileage A"
3. Drive until the tank is less than half full.
4. At the same filling station, using the same pump as before (because pumps can be differently calibrated), fill the tank ...log how many gallons it takes to fill the tank.
5. Record the mileage as "Mileage B"...
6. Subtract Mileage A from Mileage B (which will give the amount of miles driven)...
7. Divide your answer by the number of gallons it took to fill the tank...this will give the a baseline miles-per-gallon figure.
To begin logging the amount of fuel that might be saved by using the FD-47:
8. Now, plug in the FD-47 (and drive the car until the tank is less than half full)...
9. Fill the tank at the same station using the same pump...log how many gallons it takes to fill up the tank.
5. Record the mileage as "Mileage C"...
6. Subtract Mileage B from Mileage C...
7. Divide your answer by the number of gallons of fuel most recently put in the tank.
If the FD-47 saves fuel, you might notice the difference in miles driven before using the FD-47...and those that were while using the FD-47.
------------------------------------------------------
With it being available from Best Buy stores, I assume there must be some credibility to it. As always, I recommend that you understand what Best Buy's return policy is before you purchase the device from them...
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Edmonds and Foster, (2010) May 30
A long time ago...on a radio station far, far away...and now off-air...two friends were hired by another friend to do a friendly radio show...and then they were fired. The end. Except...
Someone created the internet, and then podcasts.
Initially, this began as me testing some software that will allow for the recording from chat software...which I may later post a review of: so far, I've found interaction of the software to be a little "iffy".
When on-air, and off-air, this is how Robert and I interact in our personal lives...and have for decades.
Other than the fact that we were once paid to be on-air together, we have no other reason to believe that anyone might want to hear what we have to say. But now, we make it available for anyone to hear...depending on how bored and lonely you are.
Feel free to fast-forward.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
summer car/vehicle safety information/suggestions
Great information from AAA Arizona...
===============================
Breakdown Plan a Must as Summer, 100 Degree Days Begin
Phoenix, Ariz., May 26, 2010
...Without preventive maintenance, the desert heat increases the likelihood of a motorist experiencing a vehicle failure, leaving them unexpectedly – and dangerously – stranded on the side of the road. As a result, AAA would like to remind motorists about the importance of vehicle maintenance, as well as the need to have an emergency roadside plan.
--------------------------------------------
In the event that a vehicle failure does occur, AAA advises motorists to adhere to the following emergency roadside plan:
Turn on four-way flashers and pull completely off the roadway, if possible. On a freeway/highway, use the nearest exit, if possible. If unable to exit, pull the vehicle to the far right side of the roadway, on the right side of the solid, white line. Do not pull into, or stop in the gore area, which divides the roadway from the exit.
If you’re unable to exit the roadway, stay in your vehicle and remain buckled. Call AAA or your emergency roadside provider.
If you feel that you are in danger, let the dispatcher know immediately. Or, if your vehicle is stopped on the travel portion of the roadway, call 911.
Know your location in order to expedite help. Pay attention to the last exit if on a freeway, mile markers or signs, and your direction of travel.
Stay with your vehicle at all times, so long as it is safe to do so.
---------------------------------------------
Another must-have...is an emergency car care kit. The kit should include water, non-perishable food items, jumper cables, a flashlight, extra batteries, duct tape, safety vest as well as first-aid items. Kits can be assembled at home or purchased pre-assembled...
AAA also advises motorists to always travel with a cell phone and car charger, which will enable them to summon help...
Free program to uninstall software that does not need to be installed!
I received the following from IObit...
I have downloaded, and launched, the program...it does not install into Windows: it is a stand-alone application. ("YEA!..")
=============================
date Wed, May 26, 2010 at 9:00 AM
Remove Stubborn Toolbars with New IObit Uninstaller
IObit Newly released IObit Uninstaller 1.1 for easy and deep toolbars removal
Boston, MA (IObit) May 26, 2010 – IObit today announces the release of IObit Uninstaller v1.1...this new version runs much more efficiently. With the unique "1-click toolbars removal" feature, IObit Uninstaller 1.1 can uninstall the targeted software completely, including files, folders and Registry keys.
This unique feature allows computer users to uninstall browsers’ tool bars which are hard to be detected in Control Panel...most of browser tool bars are rogue software that you don’t know when you installed and how to uninstall. The feature, tool bar uninstaller, allows you to deal with hard-to-uninstall toolbar easily. It automatically detects what toolbars you installed on browsers, no matter they are on IE, Firefox or other web browsers. With just one click, you can remove those rogue toolbars completely.
About Advanced Uninstaller: Advanced Uninstaller works on Windows 7/ Vista/ XP/ 2000 (32bit or 64bit), multi-language supported. For more information, please visit the product homepage: http://www.iobit.com/advanceduninstaller.html
Without Installation
Look for a pure uninstaller that does NOT need an installation and will not screw your system again? IObit Uninstaller is the answer.
Log Manager and Restoration
Easily view what has been changed by IObit Uninstaller. Every time an "Advanced Uninstall" is performed, a restore point image will be automatically set for possible future system restoration.
Free and Easy-to-use
No IT knowledge needed, just download it and simply run it to remove all junk programs.
IObit Uninstaller Product Specs
Current Version: v1.1
File Size: 673 KB
Operating System: Designed for Windows 7, Vista, XP and 2000
Release Date: May 12, 2010
Designed to: Uninstall Software.
AVG Rescue CD and USB
I like having tools available, like bootable CDs and USB drives, because you never know when you might need them...and when they can come in handy to have.
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(from the press release)
...AVG’s Rescue CD...is used to recover computers that are not able to boot or are infected in a way that will not allow normal operation. AVG is now making the Rescue CD available to all customers (including AVG Free customers). It can be downloaded to any CD or USB stick and then inserted into the damaged computer and used as the recovery disk.
This powerful offering contains all essential tools for users, including:
Comprehensive administration toolset
System recovery from virus and spyware attacks
Suitable for recovering Windows based operating systems
Ability to perform a clean boot from the CD
Upon booting a damaged computer using the AVG Rescue CD, the software will automatically mount all hard drives of the computer and scan them for viruses and malware. The Rescue CD will also automatically restore a safe network connection to the computer. For advanced users, the AVG Rescue CD also includes a Windows Registry editor, a TestDisk utility for recovering deleted files and lost partitions, a file browser for navigating folders, and a Ping tool for basic network diagnostics.
The AVG Rescue CD is a Linux-based boot utility with essential AVG security software already integrated. The AVG Rescue CD can be downloaded for free from AVG’s website at www.avg.com/us-en/avg-rescue-cd and burned onto any CD or DVD or extracted directly onto a USB flash drive.
=================================
I didn't want to burn/waste a CD, so I just tried the USB version...I needed a USB drive that was at least 80 MB.
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After putting the AVG Rescue CD on a USB drive, I booted from the USB drive. The AVG Rescue CD GNU/Linux Boot Menu has eight options (which can be seen at the AVG Rescue CD Guide. Two of the eight available options I found interesting are: Memtest86+ and "exit to the Syslinux boot prompt").
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When you get to the Main Menu, the options are:
* Scan - for starting an on-demand scan
* Scan Result - for viewing reports of finished scans
* Update - to start update of AVG
* Vault - to view files stored in Vault of AVG installed on the computer
and to restore them...
* Mount - to start mounting of storage devices. Use this option after
inserting a USB device
* Network - to configure the network connection
* USB - to create a bootable USB flash drive containing
AVG Rescue CD.
* Utilities - set of useful tools (see Utilities section below)
* Eject - to eject the CD/DVD-ROM disc tray
* Reboot - to restart the computer
* Shutdown - to turn off the computer
* About - to view information about the AVG Rescue CD
(My information is: AVG Rescue CD Version 100429,
AVG Version 8.5.812)
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Here are decriptions of the utilities that are available:
"...Ping...can be used for basic network diagnostic (searching for IP address or computer name), other options are more advanced.
"Midnight Commander is a two panel file browser. It can be used to go through files stored on the hard drives of the computer. Navigation through folders is relatively easy - use arrow keys to move and the ENTER key to select folder. You can switch to the other panel by pressing the TAB key. The most used functions are assigned shortcuts which are listed at the bottom side of the screen (e.g. F5 for copying). To access the top menu, press F9. Note that the MC will display the Linux files system on which the AVG Rescue CD is running. To find the hard drives and USB drives of the computer, move to the folder mnt. There, you will see all drives attached to the computer. The system disk of the PC should be the first one (e.g. sda1)."
{Midnight Commander was a little tricky for me to use...I recommend you have directions available when you try to use it.}
"Windows Registry editor is a powerful tool to access and alter the Windows registries. It is only recommended for advanced users...
"TestDisk allows multiple operations with the hard drives of computer (including recovery of deleted files, lost partitions, MBR record, etc.). As with the registry editor, it should be only used by advanced user as it can destroy all data on the drive. For more information on its use, please see the web page of the vendor of this application: http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Step_By_Step
"PhotoRec can be used to recover (undelete) removed files from the computer but also from connected devices – digital cameras, mp3 players or generally any flash disk memory...For more information on its use, please see the web page of the vendor of this application: http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/PhotoRec_Step_By_Step
"Links is a text web browser similar to Lynx. It displays only text of visited pages and basic positioning on page. Some pages may not be readable from this reason (pages done mostly with pictures, in Adobe Flash or generally requiring some plugin to be displayed.)"
Friday, May 21, 2010
PeeWee software for ages 3 to 6 years old
PeeWee KIT: Pre-Kindergarten is software for ages 3-6 that is supplied on a USB flash drive. The letter that accompanied the USB drive that was sent to me states there are three versions available, but did not indicate the configurations of the other two...
The software I received is:
Bailey's Book House
("...explore the sounds and meanings of letters, words, rhymes,
and stories...")
Sammy's Science House
("...activities introduce essential ideas like patterns and sorting,
weather and seasons, animal habitats, and classifications in the natural world...")
Thinkin' Things Toony The Loon's Lagoon
("...activities that focus on memory development, logic,
visual and spatial thinking, musical memory, and problem solving...")
Trudy's Time & Place House
("...From telling time to understanding maps to building a sense of
direction, this whimsical time-and place adventure presents challenging concepts...")
Millie’s Math House
("...explore numbers, shapes, sizes, quantities, patterns,
sequencing, addition, and subtraction...")
After obtaining the PeeWee Kit, an address of an internet website will be available from which the security software can be downloaded.
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With PeeWee Patrol you can capture: keys pressed, programs used, websites visited...as well as have screenshots taken at intervals.
When in Stealth Mode, it will not display it's Graphical User Interface (GUI)...and will remove itself from the Windows Application list. If anyone knew how to try to make the program visible, it will require a password to access the controls (and information).
From the "help" file that was created after PeeWee Patrol was installed...
"...monitor your computer while you are away, retrieve lost information, or monitor your children's activity..."
"This program contains a built in email engine that can email you a copy of the current capture log at scheduled intervals...
"The program includes a scheduler that lets you schedule simple tasks to be completed at a given time or interval. The following tasks can be automated: Start Capture...Stop Capture...Email Capture Log (The current Log will be emailed to you as an text file)...
"Encryption: When selected, the contents of your log files will be encrypted so that they cannot be opened by text editors like Notepad, WordPad, or Micsoft Word.
"Run at Startup: When selected, the program will run automatically each time you start your computer..."
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According to the "help" file for PeeWee Privacy:
This software will hide your sensitive files so that they can't be seen or accessed. Files stay hidden even if you turn on 'View Hidden Files'. Even links in your recent documents menu won't be able to find your hidden files!
For extra security, use a password to prevent anyone from accessing your files. You can run this software in stealth mode so that no one knows it's there, and hide or show your sensitive files using hotkeys.
Features:
Add as many folders to the program as you want for quick hiding
Hide or Show individual folders or all folders at once
Prevents all file access, even from the command prompt, and even from hackers
Folders are removed from Windows Explorer entirely
Files in folders cannot be accessed, even from shortcuts or recent document lists
Run at Windows startup
Runs in stealth mode and doesn't show up in the Applications tab when you press
Control-Alt-Delete
Hotkey for bringing the program out of Stealth Mode
Hotkey for hiding all folders
Hotkey for showing all folders
Password protection when program is opened
Password protection when program is brought out of stealth mode
Password protection when hotkeys are used to hide or show all folders
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The USB drive that was sent to me did not work with a one-foot (USB) extension cord: the USB drive must be connected directly to the computer.
Based on my past experiences with USB flash drives that contained U3 and Ceedo software, I assumed that when I connected the drive to my computer...I would be able to immediately use the software directly from the drive; the software needed to be installed, and I did not want to install the software to the computer I was using.
I chose a different computer to install it on for testing. I have nothing unusual to report about it...the installation of the software was as normal as any.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I decided to try to install the software from the USB stick, into the USB stick.
The "2 GB" USB memory stick had a total of 1.86 GB of usable space, and 243 MB was being used (by the installation software that was provided is on the drive).
(Using a different computer than the one I installed the software onto) I installed the software onto the USB stick (to "{driveletter}:\Program Files\Riverdeep\"). Now 583 MB of space is being used. As I assumed would happen, icons were installed on the computer by default (because the installation procedures do not give options to not install them).
I disconnected the USB drive from the computer, restarted the computer, and (in Windows Vista) "uninstalled" the programs from Programs and Features.
Using the best computer I have (an Alienware Area 51 M9750), I connected the USB flash drive to the port on the right side of the computer...and the drive was not recognized. I don't have this issue with other USB drives...
I connnected the USB drive to a port on the left side of the computer, and it was mounted. The programs will now run from the USB flash drive (just launch their executable files from within the folders of the installed programs).
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I am VERY impressed with PeeWee Patrol and PeeWee Privacy...in my opinion, those two programs are worth the cost of the entire package.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
free virtualization software (until Monday)
(from Paragon Software Group)
"...Virtualization Manager 9.5 Personal! This is the only single solution which provides the complete set of tools to easily manage virtual disks and perform any migration operations to the majority of virtual machines and all in one program.
"The software, normally priced at 29.95$, can be downloaded from Paragon Free portal http://www.paragon-software.com/free/ starting...FRIDAY May,21, 09:00 AM (EST) till MONDAY May,24, 09:00 AM (EST)...it requires registration."
Monday, May 17, 2010
US Pole Dance Championship 2010
In the 1980s, I worked as a DJ in 7 topless bars...7 days a week, two clubs a day. The money was GREAT! We (the employees) had A LOT of fun...I do miss it. (Yeah...there was "drama", too. It was one of those situations where you take the good with the bad...)
I don't know what happened to the industry, but I noticed dancers quit "dancing"...they pose. And they don't (even pretend to try to) entertain. And they complain...to everyone, including the customers...when they don't make the money they feel they're entitled to. Remember you are no different than anyone else in the "entertainment" business: perform your art, and if there is enough of an audience for it, you might be able to earn a living from it. If you are failing at the business of entertainment, maybe you're not doing good business.
I'm ready for pole dancing to be an Olympic sport!...
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Texts From Last Night, book review
Get ready for "the funny"...
I received a copy of the new book "Texts From Last Night: All the Texts No One Remembers Sending" which has entries from the website TextsFromLastNight.com. It was published in January...
==================================
"...We started Texts From Last Night for our friends in February 2009. We opened it up to the public in April...
"Our book is the magnum opus of our website. As told through texts, the book has a Relationship Timeline, a Hookup Flowchart and a Choose Your Own Adventure section. We also have categories of texts such as 'Gay Pride', 'The Morning After' and 'Phone Mishaps'.
"We went through every page of our site to find the absolute funniest texts for the book. Then we went through every text ever submitted (at the time was something like 1.1 million of them)..."
-----------------------------------------
In the introduction of the book, we find that the reason...
"...we founded TFLN for reasons that include: Kwame Kilpatrick...old flings...repeatedly closing down bars and leaving old tabs open...
"...by pressing the send button a little too liberally. Those fuzzy memories used to live on in our inboxes until we ran out of room or we hit 'delete'."
--------------------------------------------------
It gets off to a great start...the first text message is interesting and entertaining. All of the entries are good, until the fourth page...where one caused me to laugh out loud.
Here are a few entries that will illustrate how entertained I was:
"the read head has a bf"
"just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score"
"u cheatin on me?"
"if i did i would try to upgrade babe"
"Discussing lingerie with my father. He likes sheer black things. Not the colorful stuff I wear."
"Dude, the girl next to me just farted. Worst part, it smells like astroglide"
"im at a bar and i misjudged a fart...go home or ride the night out?Never mind, the bouncer just made the decision for me...be home soon"
"That's not how I planned it, it's just the way she passed out"
"my mouth tastes like poor choices"
"When I first met her at the bar, she told me she was 23. After I bought her 3 shots of tequila, she told me she was really only 21. When we went back to my house, she said she was really only 19. She's still sleeping next to me butt naked. I'm afraid if she opens her mouth again I could be looking at 10 years."
"Whatever. They have the same name, so it's not even cheating. It's brand loyalty."
"Boobs are like coupons for free stuff"
"But I don't consider them one night stands. They're auditions."
Some of the entries were educational. For example, I've seen "happy trails", but never knew that was the name for them...
Some of the content is for adults , and very graphic...and very funny!
Since it consists of text messages, this book is great for those moments when you have nothing to do and some time to kill: you can begin to read it , and stop, at anytime.
With only 192 pages, this book will fit in a pocket (8.26 x 5.23 inches). And there are eBook formats.
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And, there's an (iPhone) app for that.
I've heard that a television show might be next...I'm (still) waiting on a response from Adam Sandler's production company, Happy Madison, to find the status of a situation-comedy they might be producing for FOX Broadcasting.
==============================
"Texts From Last Night: All the Texts No One Remembers Sending" is published by the Penguin Group.
There are Facebook, and Twitter, accounts.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
to May 19, free computer utilities software (for Windows)
I received the press release posted below from IObit. I have not had an opportunity to review the product. It appears to be available now (May 15, 3 AM MT/PT)...
===============================
Free Giveaway: Advanced SystemCare PRO
Advanced SystemCare PRO will be given away for 72 hours to celebrate its 5th birthday
IObit / May 14, 2009 - From May 17 to May 19, IObit will give away free licenses of Advanced SystemCare PRO, which is normally sold at $29.95...
===============================
Free Giveaway: Advanced SystemCare PRO
Advanced SystemCare PRO will be given away for 72 hours to celebrate its 5th birthday
IObit / May 14, 2009 - From May 17 to May 19, IObit will give away free licenses of Advanced SystemCare PRO, which is normally sold at $29.95...
...Advanced SystemCare Pro provides an always-on, automated, all-in-one PC Healthcare Service with anti-spyware, privacy protection, performance tune-ups, and system cleaning capabilities. It works on Windows 7/ Vista/ XP/ 2000 (32bit or 64bit) and supports multi-languages.
Visit the following page to get the free license of Advanced SystemCare Pro:
Friday, May 14, 2010
new Polaroid 300 instant camera (review)
Public relations agency Weber Shandwick sent a few books to me (see my posts at http://theslickshow.blogspot.com/2010/05/private-views-book-reveiw.html and http://theslickshow.blogspot.com/2010/05/power-of-invisible-sun-book.html), and one of the new Polaroid 300 Instant Cameras to try...
I've used Polaroid cameras since the 1960s, and I'm not ashamed to say it. There are things in life you experience and they leave a very positive impression on you that lasts your lifetime. Old cameras are one of them. They were...are...one of those neat pieces of technology that feels as good today as it did then.
The Polaroid 300 is available in three colors: black with grey, blue with gray, and red with white (the one I received). Four AA batteries were included, as was a wrist strap (which was a little tricky to attach but, then again, aren't they all?). To power-on the camera, and to open the lens cover (nice), the lens is pulled-out and away from the camera. There are lamps to show if the camera is ready to take a picture, and to give you an idea if the batteries need to be replaced. If the camera is on and not used after about five minutes, it will go into an "energy saving state". There are four lighting settings: "clear" for when outside in bright sunshine, "fine" for when it is fair or there are thin clouds overhead, cloudy, and a setting for when indoors. Plus, there is an automatic flash. The size of the pictures are 2.1 by 3.4 inches (the size of a business card); the image size is 1.8 by 2.4 inches.
After inserting the film package, my first attempt at taking a picture failed because the cover was in place (on the film cartridge)...it is removed by the camera after the trigger is pressed.
My next/"first" shot was taken outdoors...but, I did not have the lighting/scene setting correct: by default, when the camera is on, the lighting/scene setting is at "indoor"...every time you power-on the camera you will need to check the lighting setting before you take a picture.
Below:
The shirt of the subject of the top-left shot is purple, but seems faded. In the middle-right picture, they are staggered at about 10, and the other 20, feet away: the picture is out of focus, and has no clarity. The closer your subjects are to the camera, the better the shot will be. (The two bottom pictures were taken indoors with no lights on: just the flash was used.)
The two below were taken in a hallway, first with no light, and then with the light that was available (very low and poor).
I tried to remember the best uses I had heard of for instant cameras and all I could remember were that some people kept them in vehicles to document collisions and the like. But: "...instant cameras were found to be useful for other purposes such as ID cards, passport photos, ultrasound photos, and other uses which required an instant photo. They were also used by police officers and fire investigators because of their ability to create an unalterable instant photo..."
So, I took one of a car (see above) as if I were attempting to document some damage.
I do miss the old large format/size of the pictures...the "40 Series" was 3.25 by 4.25 inches (83 by 108 mm). Photographs of that type of the generation before mine exist in the possession of members of my family.
I hope Polaroid considers creating a hybrid camera: one that could produce instant prints...AND take digital shots. (And, if they do, I hope I get some cameras and film for suggesting this idea...)
I've used Polaroid cameras since the 1960s, and I'm not ashamed to say it. There are things in life you experience and they leave a very positive impression on you that lasts your lifetime. Old cameras are one of them. They were...are...one of those neat pieces of technology that feels as good today as it did then.
The Polaroid 300 is available in three colors: black with grey, blue with gray, and red with white (the one I received). Four AA batteries were included, as was a wrist strap (which was a little tricky to attach but, then again, aren't they all?). To power-on the camera, and to open the lens cover (nice), the lens is pulled-out and away from the camera. There are lamps to show if the camera is ready to take a picture, and to give you an idea if the batteries need to be replaced. If the camera is on and not used after about five minutes, it will go into an "energy saving state". There are four lighting settings: "clear" for when outside in bright sunshine, "fine" for when it is fair or there are thin clouds overhead, cloudy, and a setting for when indoors. Plus, there is an automatic flash. The size of the pictures are 2.1 by 3.4 inches (the size of a business card); the image size is 1.8 by 2.4 inches.
After inserting the film package, my first attempt at taking a picture failed because the cover was in place (on the film cartridge)...it is removed by the camera after the trigger is pressed.
My next/"first" shot was taken outdoors...but, I did not have the lighting/scene setting correct: by default, when the camera is on, the lighting/scene setting is at "indoor"...every time you power-on the camera you will need to check the lighting setting before you take a picture.
Below:
The shirt of the subject of the top-left shot is purple, but seems faded. In the middle-right picture, they are staggered at about 10, and the other 20, feet away: the picture is out of focus, and has no clarity. The closer your subjects are to the camera, the better the shot will be. (The two bottom pictures were taken indoors with no lights on: just the flash was used.)
The two below were taken in a hallway, first with no light, and then with the light that was available (very low and poor).
I tried to remember the best uses I had heard of for instant cameras and all I could remember were that some people kept them in vehicles to document collisions and the like. But: "...instant cameras were found to be useful for other purposes such as ID cards, passport photos, ultrasound photos, and other uses which required an instant photo. They were also used by police officers and fire investigators because of their ability to create an unalterable instant photo..."
So, I took one of a car (see above) as if I were attempting to document some damage.
I do miss the old large format/size of the pictures...the "40 Series" was 3.25 by 4.25 inches (83 by 108 mm). Photographs of that type of the generation before mine exist in the possession of members of my family.
I hope Polaroid considers creating a hybrid camera: one that could produce instant prints...AND take digital shots. (And, if they do, I hope I get some cameras and film for suggesting this idea...)
Saturday, May 8, 2010
The Power of the Invisible Sun, book
(This is the second of three posts regarding a package I received from a public relations agency that contained promotional material for projects they represent.)
"The Power of the Invisible Sun " is a book by Bobby Sager that contains...
Private Views, book reveiw
(This is the first post of three regarding a package I received from a public relations agency that contained promotional material for projects they represent.)
The name of the book is "Private Views"...
The first thing I noticed about the book is how regal it appears due to the binding and texture of the cover...it feels as if a fine nettish material has been embedded on to, and into, it. It's a great looking "coffeetable" book.
Halfway through the book, the first picture that caused me to pause and contemplate it, is one of a man using his forearm crutches. He is framed from his chest to his knees. I immediately began to wonder about the subject:
who is he?
why is he using crutches?
was it due to an accident?
does he have some disease?
how old is he?
After enjoying the aforementioned picture, I slowed my browsing. The next one I paused for is of two people...being show from their chest to their waists...warmly and affectionately holding each other around their waists. (It caused me to be reminded of how I would embrace my ex-wife. It's a good memory, and something I greatly enjoyed doing...which is why I was stopped in my browsing of the book by this picture.)
There are some shots that contain the faces of the subjects, but it is clear that the focus is on the body language of those in the pictures.
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