timmyjohnboy.com

Going On Vacation? Take Your Camera And These Tips!

Image via Wikipedia

It’s vacation time again and with Fourth of July coming up, I thought a post about vacation photography (of the tips type) would come in handy!

Today I want to share a roundup of links I found with some photography tips that can help anyone looking to take home some good photographs from their summer vacation.  Check these out and let me know if I missed some!

The first four links I found on Digital Photography School which is an awesome blog containing many many tips for photographers.  These particular posts cover subjects that may help those of us going on vacation:

1. How To Photograph Fireworks Displays
2. 8 Guidelines To Taking Panoramic Photos With Any Camera
3. Digital Photo Storage On the Road
4. Travel Photography Tips
5. Take Better Vacation Pictures
6. How To Be a Better Photographer When On Vacation

Finally, check out this YouTube video with some more tips:

There you have it, tips to help you capture those unforgettable moments of your vacation!  Have a good time!

Will Windows 7 Be More Ready Than Vista Was When It Was Released?

Windows 7 is said to be “almost” ready for release! Remember when Vista was released? It seems whenever a new Windows OS is released, there is still a long road to weeding out errors and issues. Let’s hope Windows 7 is a bit different.

Also, Microsoft announced a new version of its in-car technology which somehow integrates the aquired “voice-operated directory service”, TellMe. Is it similar to the beloved, Goog-411?

Microsoft is offering deals for different upgrade options. The more expensive way is to buy a full version designed for a clean install. In the past, the best way has always been a clean install.

In contrast, I hear Mac’s upgrade to it’s newest upgrade will only be like $30! Hmm, never got into Macs but the price is tempting in comparison!

What’re your plans? Planning on upgrading soon? Waiting for patches to smooth out the OS a bit (can be a good idea)? Sticking with Vista until forced to change (or even XP)? Currently using, or planning on switching to, Mac or Linux?

Camcorders: Choosing What to Buy and Use?

I came across a good article about camcorders and the current options afforded for storage media. It outlines the options available today with the pros and cons of each – very helpful! Here are what we have to choose from:

1. Hard disk drives
2. Flash drives
3. MiniDV digital tape
4. Mini-DVDs

I’m glad I read the article because, although I know of each of the technologies available, it presents a good list along with pros and cons, some of which I hadn’t thought of. Lately I’ve been thinking about looking into the options available for a low-cost camcorder and there are certain categories I have been considering:

1. Affordability – With the economy the way it is (and can be), there isn’t much money to throw around. Whether or not I can afford the camcorder is a major on my list. I make a habit of shopping within my means.
2. Durability – I love being active, when my schedule allows me to be. I enjoy things like hiking, biking and different and assorted sports like ultimate frisbee and the like. I would love to be able to video tape some activities like those. Also, traveling can be an issue. I would like a camcorder to be durable enough to be kept handy while on the road, etc.
3. Size – This would go along with the point I made about traveling. Something I can either carry in my pocket or pack in my laptop bag would be nice.
4. Video quality (and perhaps features) – These days, it wouldn’t take much to find a camcorder capable of taking HD video. I definitely want that feature! There are other features to take into consideration like optical zoom and maybe stabilization technologies but I am a more simple fellow. No, I don’t mean “stupid.” I mean I don’t require much in this category to make me happy. Maybe a bit of zoom, good resolution, and a clean resulting video. Easy-peasie to please!
5. Learning curve – Even though technology-type stuff usually comes easier to me than some, it would be nice if I wouldn’t have to read much of the instruction manual (I HATE those things, even when they ARE written in my language!). Maybe it’s my fear of asking for directions, IDK. I just think that since I’m not looking to be a professional videographer, I shouldn’t have to do a lot of studying just to run the thing! Plus, if it’s easy enough to run, I can have any stand-by video tape for me. KISS (keep it simple, stupid).

I’m coming to a conclusion and I think my decision is going to land close to one of those Flip camcorders. I love the simplicity, size, and proposed high video and sound quality. Check them out for yourself.

If you have one, or hav e ever used one, let me know your thoughts. Also, if you want to, send me some footage from one so I can get an idea of the quality!

Are you in the market for a camcorder? What aspects are you considering? What resources have been helping you (ie. websites, magazines, stores, etc.)? Comment are open!

Does Roadrunner Support Firefox Users?

I heard a rumor, from a friend, that Roadrunner only supports Internet Explorer issues and would not support Firefox users because of security issues. This rumor made me VERY curious. SO, I did what any down-to-earth Firefox fan would do. I emailed Roadrunner support to get to the bottom of it. Here’s the gist of what happened:

My email to them: “I heard that Roadrunner does not support Firefox because of security issues. Is this, or something similar, true?”

Their response to me: “Tim, I would like to inform you that Road Runner offers best effort support to Firefox browser in order to access the Internet.”

My question to them became: “Can you define “best effort support” for me?  Thanks!”

The answer: “Best efforts means installing and any other issues such as connectivity with Firefox are best resolved by Mozilla as they have right tools and resources.”

So I guess that’s the answer. I didn’t get any fear of security issues or any such thing. They just think Mozilla would be better suited to answer installation and connectivity questions because they have the resources. My guess is that they get support calls from people trying to install Firefox or are having trouble connecting because of issues not having anything to do with Roadrunner.

Have you heard anything different? Pass on the link. I would love to know the details of any issues! Oh, and if you’re having trouble installing Firefox, don’t call your ISP! Ask Mozilla! They have all kinds of cool answers for you!

Firefox Friday – Personas Help Personalize the Look of Your Firefox

Welcome to Firefox Friday where we keep the discussion all about Firefox, the browser.

Today I want to give a bit of an introduction to Personas.  When I ran into this, I fell in love.  They’re lightweight “skins” that give Firefox a different look.  I’ve messed around a bit with themes but I never really got into them.  Personas, I think, are a lot easier.

Head over to GetPersonas.com and see what they’re all about.  Basically, once you download the add-on, you will be presented with a small fox head at the bottom left of the browser window.  Click on it and you have a menu full of different personas.  As you move your mouse across the options, the browser will change along with them.  It’s that easy to use.

They are basically made up of three components:

1. A header image – shows up behind the buttons, address bar, and toolbars
2. A footer image – shows up behind the bar at the bottom
3. Custom font colors – the colors can change in order to make words readable

These components make designing them very easy.  In fact, there are even instructions on the site th.at show how to design, test, and even upload and share your own personas.  I’m working on getting a Timmyjohnboy.com persona approved so stay tuned!

Check them out!  When you do, come back and tell me about your favorite persona!

Google’s Freedom and Responsibility Are Being Judged

Google is on trial in Italy and once again the free and open Internet is up for debate.

Apparently a very inappropriate video surfaced and now Google executives are being “accused of defamation and violating privacy.”  Obviously Google is denying any wrong doing.  They claim responsibility is being placed on providers for content actually being uploaded by the users.  They liken it to prosecuting the postman for the content of hate speech letters being mailed.

Prosecutors are saying that they know Google can’t catch every inappropriate video.  They’re claiming Google just didn’t do enough of their part, ie. proper filters, user warnings, and not enough workers in Italy to react to user-flagged videos.

This case is an interesting one.  Internet censorship has come up in the mainstream media several times in the last year most recently in the China Olympics and the Iranian elections and proceeding demonstrations.  It’s also a hot issue because people KNOW that there are is a lot of material that is inappropriate on the Internet but there are also issues with the consequences of censorship.

Should the Internet be censored?  Obviously the Internet shouldn’t be used illegally.  However, each country has laws that are independent from the rest of the world.  In other words, what Americans see as free speech, Iran may see as illegal and therefore it should not only be filtered, but the wrongdoers need to be tracked down.

What should be illegal and who should enforce it?  And Google brings up a good point, should the postman be tried and if not, then who?  Feel free to tell me your thoughts in the comments!

Cool Site Review – Blind Search: The Blind Taste Test of the Search Engines!

I came across this site the other day and I coulnd’t help but pass it on.  The idea is that you can test three search engines (Yahoo, Google and Bing) to see which one consistently gives you the best results.

It’s easy!  Just hit up the site, type in your query, and hit search.  You are then given three columns containing search results but you are not told which results correspond with which search engine.  You then vote for the results that meet your needs best.  Finally, the search engines are revealed!

Try it out and tell me which search engine comes up with the best results for you!

Firefox Friday – Review of FirefoxFacts.com

I was browsing around looking for something (I forget what) and a fell upon this site full of cool Firefox helps, tricks, add-on suggestions etc. and I knew I had to share about it!  I know there are many MANY Firefox sites out there but this one is worth a check-see.

The site’s called FirefoxFacts.com and it’s run by a guy named Mitch Keeler and he seems to know his stuff.  He is a self-proclaimed “average web hosting worker turned writer turned worker and writer again.”  The site was originally put together to promote an eBook but it has apparently turned into quite a collection of Firefox wisdom.

The site is made up basically of these categories all about Firefox:

1. Add-ons
2. Themes
3. Support
4. Hacks
5. News
6. Security
7. Interviews
8. Best of Firefox

I guess you can say the site is Firefox Friday EVERYDAY!  Check it out!  What other Firefox sites have you come across that you enjoy?  Share them in the comments!

Your Lappy Is Your Friend – How To Take Good Care of Your Laptop Physically

As one of your most cherished digital possessions, and probably a significant investment financially, your laptop is an object that should get your utmost care. They’re fragile, you know!  AND if you’re nice to them, they’ll stick around with for quite some time; until they’re outdated, that is!  Well, I am of the belief that home computers, laptops included, won’t necessarily need to keep getting more powerful as the Internet and the “cloud” continues to perform more and more of the actual computing so your laptop could continue to be of good use for a good few years!  Point is, you need to take care of it.  I would like to offer a post on the topic that is comprehensive and hopefully helpful.  So, here we go!

Take care of your laptop physically!

1. Food and drink (including other liquids) are definite enemies of a healthy lappy!
   • Be very cognizant of where you place your drink (ie, your coffee cup at the local coffee shop).
   • It’s best not to eat while you’re computing (crumbs end up in the keyboard and fingers transfer goo and stickies to anything touched (comparable to playing harmonica just after eating, just not a good idea)
   • As a preventative measure, you can try an inexpensive keyboard skin
2. The screen is a terrible thing to waste (AKA break)
   • NEVER pick your laptop up by the screen!  I cringe whenever I see that done!  The screen will undoubtedly end up broken and/or the hinges will break and maybe even put on a light show for you!
   • Don’t touch the screen with those grubby paws (actually, whether they’re grubby or not).  You don’t want to damage the fragile screen or make it dirty, now do we?
   • They make products that attempt to make your screen stay clean and hopefully last longer.
3. The power cord is one of your BEST FRIENDS!  Without it, life is dead (or at least the battery will eventually be).  Take care of the one you’ve got!
   • Don’t lose it!  Make sure you’ve got a place in the bag for it and keep an eye on where you put it.  If left home, the results can be disastrous!  Ever not gotten gas and run out nowhere near a gas station?  Yeah, it’s that bad.
   • Don’t break it!  Like I said, it’s your friend.  Don’t let it drape where people walk.  Don’t let animals chew it.  Don’t yank it from the wall OR the laptop!  Take special care because replacing it could be costly!
4. Protruding devices can get you caught up!
   • You know what I mean!  That thumb drive sticking out of the side of the laptop can be snagged while moving around.  Damage to the drive OR the port could transpire!
   • Also, anything else attached can cause damage if tripped on or yanked.
5. Don’t bump, slam, drop, or otherwise cause any sort of blunt force that may cause trauma to the inside or outside of the poor lappy.  If you HAVE to work with your laptop in a rough environment, get a toughbook!  Otherwise, find a good laptop bag that fits your lappy.
6. Keep an eye on the temp, would ya?
   • Store it in a place where the temperature won’t fluctuate too much.  This could cause damage.
   • Take note of where the fans are drawing and blowing and do everything within your power to keep those places clear of obstructions (ie, your lap, the bed, a pillow, can all be enemies).  Get something to lift the laptop off of the surface to keep the air flowing.
7. Keep ‘er clean!  A little preventative maintenance can keep the physical problems to a minimum down the line!  You can clean it yourself, but a professional can take it apart and get it really clean for you every once in a while.

There you have it!  Treat your lappy nice and you’ll live to enjoy it!

Any more tips about the physical care of your laptop?  Let me know in the comments!

Medical Diagnosis – The Web Can Help!

Some time ago I wrote an article about using Google to look up health issues and symptoms.  I bring up this topic once again because I ran into this article about a girl who figured out her own diagnosis after years of doctors struggling over it. She apparently was in AP high school science class and put a tissue sample of her intestine under a microscope and came upon the problem. Way to go, Jessica!

I bring this up not only because the article interested me, but also to make the point that doctors are as human as we are. Sometimes they do all they can but there are limits. They are in many cases heroes but they aren’t superheroes and they definitely are not gods (small “g”). I do have to mention that they are professionals who have been extensively trained to diagnose and hopefully treat illness, etc. A good read is this article about the dangers of self-diagnosis and the importance of consulting a doctor in some cases.  In fact, it lists two dangers of self-diagnosis so check it out.

There are, on the other hand, many places to go on the Internet to find help diagnosing simple or minor ailments and can help you when to decide to see a doctor. I feel the need to state it again because of the importance, SEE a doctor if you have ANY question of the seriousness of the illness or disease especially in light of any preexisting conditions. These sites, as I would explain it, should be used as supplemental tools to add to your health-arsenal. They may even help you find out when to seek professional assistance. Here’s a list of sites I’ve come across:

1. WrongDiagnosis.com
2. yourdiagnosis.com
3. ECureMe.com
4. Symptom Flowchart on FamilyDoctor.org

Although there are dangers associated with self-diagnosis, I believe it is very important to be proactive in knowing what’s going on with your own health. Some of the listed sites can also help you know some good questions to ask your doctor during your next appointment.