This the Future that I am Looking Forward to

Intel's Mobile and Internet Linux Project is exactly the sort of thing that we need. In my 'Class 2i' short story thing, this is exactly what I am alluding to with the Personal Communication Device (PCD). This really excites me and I wish that I could throw a lot of money at them so that they develop this faster.

Reivew of Canon Powershot SX100 IS

Basic Review

We bought a Canon Powershot SX100 IS prior to our trip to Cancun along with some Energizer rechargeable batteries and a 2 GB memory card.

We used this camera extensively through the trip and it performed well for us. I had it set to take pictures at 1600x1200 resolution and I did not adjust the video settings much to my chagrin. =(

We tool 1.12 GB in pictures and videos. The videos were way too small, almost unusable, but that is my fault for not checking the setting for that. I was not expecting to use the function too much and then Tanya started to use it quite a bit. I did not think of checking the settings for it until we returned home, and then it was like 'Crap!'.

It was easy to take pictures, zoom, and adjust the settings. The camera worked really well for us. Night pictures, as usual, are not so easy to take without blurring the crap out of it, but we managed to get some decent pictures with a little adjusting. I really need to learn more about how to take better night pictures.

As a side note the Rechargeable Energized Batteries that we bought lasted 4 or 5 days with continuous picture and video taking and viewing. That worked well for us.

Complaints

My first complaint is the screen is really hard to see in sunlight. Being that we were in the Carribean that was quite annoying for some of the time. Other than that it has been a great camera.

One last thing, and this has proven to be quite an inconvenience at least for our situation, for others this may not matter at all. Once you delete pictures from the memory card while in the camera you are not able to put them back on it. If I had a SD card reader or something like that it might not be such an annoyance, but we do not and burning CD's is not so easy at this time. Transporting the camera is the easiest solution for showing people pictures until we get them posted. Once we get a new computer or get my burner up and running this should not be an issue.

Overall

Overall I would give the camera a really solid 4 of 5. It was comfortable to hold and light weight. It is easy to use works well.

Sony Digital Rights Management Infringing of Fair Use

An ArsTechnica article talks about Sony's new Digital Rights Manangement which has been in the news a lot. Apart of this neat little infringment operation is the Sony Rootkit which lawsuits have followed. Here are few more articles regarding this fun via: System Internals The Register, Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Why does this really bother me. Well, infringing on my fair use of music that I have bought. If I buy something I have the right to use it as I see fit as long as I do make copies and sell it or give copies of it away. They are saying they I can only play the CD on devices that they deem worthy and safe. I cannot make a back up copy or rip it to MP3 and keep it on my computer to listen to. The other reason that this really bothers me is because this is found on Coldplay CD's which is one of my wife's favorite bands.

Here is a copy of DRM notice and Googled articles on Sony DRM. Read about it.

Thank you very much for purchasing this CD and helping the cause of "Anti-Piracy." The recordings in this CD have an anti-copying function. They cannot be copied into a PC. In order for you to enjoy high quality music, we have added this special technology.

• Some CD players that have the capability of burning into an MP3 (such as portable players or car stereos).
• Some CD players that possess CD-R/RW functions (such as portable players or car stereos).
• Some car stereos with satellite "Guidance" systems
• Some CD players or car stereos with hard disk recording capacity
• Some CD-R/RW Recorders used for music
• Some portable CD players
• Some DVD players
• Some CD/LD Convertible Players
• Some Game Players
• Although you can use your PC's Windows program to listen to certain tracks, this does not mean that the CD can be played in all PCs.
• The first time that this program is used (in Windows automatic starter software) it gets registered in Windows File. Thus, programs already registered to not affect Windows operations.
• Windows OS also uses the latest files.
• This CD does not support Macintosh PC software.
• Except for manufacturing problems, we do not accept product exchange, return, or refund.

Fortunately, it appears that the EFF has written a letter to them and Sony has responded. It appears that they will allow you to exchange the CD at the place where you bought it for a non-copy protected CD as well as a giving you a few other options such as patching or removing the rootkit. Know what your options are.

The LG Cell Phone Debacle

I cannot live without my cell phone. I sleep with it, shower with it. Hell, I even have sex with it. (Not like that you sick-o's!!) So when a cell phone goes bad all the time it is a source of anxiety and stress. I have had the unfortunate opportunity to have the LG LX5550 cell phone which has fortunately been recalled and replaced with the LG UX4750 for those customers that have had to have it in for servicing 2 times or more. I was so happy to hear this. I was afraid I was going to have to live with the possibility of living with a phone that only partially worked for the duration of the contract once the phone broke again after the warranty expired.

The first time it broke it was a power supply problem, then a speaker problem, and this time it was the external screen thingy. After some paperwork is routed I will trade in the LG UX4750 for a Comparable Nokia. My 2 previous phones were Nokias and I have only had problems when I drop them into a puddle of water (Imagine that!) so the prospect of staying with an LG phone does not sit well with me. Fortunately US Cellular is going to work me to get me into a Nokia. Yea!

Digital Camera Research Links

Here is a collection of the links that I have used in the process in helping others to purchase a digital camera. If you are looking for one I hope that you find these of some use! Some of these are a little bit dated but still quite useful.

• Shutterbug
• Megapixel
• Mobile Computing Tips: Flash Memory and Small Storage :: PCWorld Magazine
• Digital Photography Review
• Digital Camera Resource Page
• Digital Camera's :: eCoustics
• Steve's Digicams
• The Mysterious Lux Rating :: Camcorder Info

Digital Camera Memory Types

• What are the differences between the various types of Memory Stick? :: SVP Communication's Helpdesk
• Storage Card Glossary:: Digital Photography Review
• All you need to know about Memory Cards :: EPhotozine

Hello!

I have just downloaded Hello! for Picasa and Blogger that allows me to upload pictures to my BLogger account and am giving it a try.

I am finding that it is not so intuitive to use. Settings in one do not transfer or affect the other and I am not sure how to get the Hello settings to affect the image displayed on BLogger! I am working with it.

Tel3Advantage Good!

Tel3Advatage Good! World Link Bad! In the fight for retaining interntional long distance service World Link has failed to retain not only me but some of my wife and our friends as well.

We have many people that we need to keep in close contact with overseas, specifically Belarus, and iffy connections are not what we need. We have enough things to add stress to our days and not being able to get ahold of family and friends overseas is not one that we need.

Tel3 has much better support and call quality, as well las the ability to look at your account on line. If you are making international calls and the likes of Skype are not a real possibility then give Tel3 a try. If you have consistant internet access then give Skype a try. Free is good! Very good!