In today's global economy the status of communication has augmented a great deal. Both residentials and business houses are in the look out for a cost effective mode of communication. Calling through standard telephone lines prove to be quiet costly especially when you have to make long distance and international long distance calls.
VoIP or IP telephony has arrived with a big bang and is proving to be the biggest challenger of public switch telephony network. It helps in terminating calls via the Internet instead of relying on optical fiber wires unlike PSTN services.
The first VoIP applications used computers as a terminal which was attached with headphones and speakers in order to access VoIP network (known as PC to PC service). However the quality of service offered by VoIP proved to be the chief reason for its inability to gain popularity. Things have changed drastically with consistent improvements being made in the field of IP telephony.
With the developments being made in this field, you can now make VoIP calls through PC to phone. This service is not just cost efficient but it is also the best way to get the most out of your computer.
The demand of PC to phone service by the residential users is increasing by leaps and bounds. This is the best time to set sail in this service in order to capitalise on the rising demand of internet phone system. If the only that is stopping you from entering into this field is the cost involved then you can thank your stars. Few pro active VoIP providers perhaps anticipating this have started providing VoIP phone service platform.
Benefit Of Internet Phone Service Platform
The platform provider ideally provides a one stop solution to those interested in starting their PC to phone business. From infrastructure to entire hardware equipments everything is owned and managed by the platform provider and hence your investment according in this new business would be minimal.
2007年11月29日星期四
World War II Foo Fighters
In the 1938 comic strip Smokey Stover, a firefighter was known for his line, "Where there's foo, there's fire." From Smokey, aircraft pilots borrowed the term "foo fire" to describe the various unexplainable phenomenon seen in the skies over Europe and the Pacific theatre during World War II. While Allied pilots initially thought the flying objects were German secret or psychological weapons, after the war it was discovered that sightings were also reported by the enemy, who had assumed the crafts were US-made. To this day, the sightings remain a mystery.
Over the course of the war, fireballs, estimated to be as big as 3wholesale pearlwholesale necklace00 feet and as small as 1 foot in diameter, were reported and thoroughly documented. These apparitions left witnesses awe-inspired, wary, and frightened-although the foo fighters never harmed or attempted to harm anyone. The CIA was commissioned in 1952 to study the reports and concluded that while mysterious, foo fighters were not a considered a threat to national security.
A Foo fighter is an umbrella term that includes flying objects of various shapes and sizes. Wobbling, or vibrating flares were described as glowing globes of intense green, yellow, red, orange, or white lights. One crew even reported observing the phosphorescent spheres going through a sequence of color changes at regular intervals. Other reports describe them as silver or gold metallic, and disk-shaped. They frequently appeared at the wing tips of planes in pairs or alone, although sometimes they were found in larger clusters of fifteen or more. In one report 150 objects were estimated to be arranged in 10-12 lines. Picking up an aircraft, these blobs of fire could reportedly pace a plane at very high speeds through extensive evasive maneuvers for several minutes. One British officer and his crew of sailors tracked an object from the deck of their vessel for over an hour. Although a few baffled pilots attempted to intercept, and even fire upon the globes, their efforts were unsuccessful, and the objects usually zoomed away of their own accord.
Foo fighters were mentioned in the American mass media. Ponderous articles appeared in Time and Newsweek in 1945, contributing to the wave of UFO consciousness building in the US. By 1952 so many civilians were contacting government agencies regarding UFO reports that regular intelligence work was being affected.
While scientists have never been able to explain the phenomenon, many speculations have been advanced as possibilities. Five of the most plausible theories are:
1. The fireballs may be nothing more than St. Elmo's Fire, a reddish brush-like discharge of atmospheric electricity which has often been seen near the tips of church steeples, ships' masts and yardarms. It also appears at a plane's wing tips.
2. They may have been optical illusions, mere after-images of light remaining in pilots' eyes after being dazzled by flak bursts.
3. Occurrences may have been the rare effect of "ball lightning," a glowing, drifting bubble of light typically eight inches in diameter. These generally, though not always, follow regular lightning strikes.
4. Bright ground objects reflected from the curved plastic canopy of an aircraft can be perceived as images above the horizon.
5. Proponents of the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) have suggested that foo fighters are hard evidence of ETs visiting earth.
Foo fighters are certainly some of the best documented reports of UFOs, and photographs and respected testimony abound. Hopefully in time the mystery will be solved, and this comic book name will be replaced by its true name.
Over the course of the war, fireballs, estimated to be as big as 3wholesale pearlwholesale necklace00 feet and as small as 1 foot in diameter, were reported and thoroughly documented. These apparitions left witnesses awe-inspired, wary, and frightened-although the foo fighters never harmed or attempted to harm anyone. The CIA was commissioned in 1952 to study the reports and concluded that while mysterious, foo fighters were not a considered a threat to national security.
A Foo fighter is an umbrella term that includes flying objects of various shapes and sizes. Wobbling, or vibrating flares were described as glowing globes of intense green, yellow, red, orange, or white lights. One crew even reported observing the phosphorescent spheres going through a sequence of color changes at regular intervals. Other reports describe them as silver or gold metallic, and disk-shaped. They frequently appeared at the wing tips of planes in pairs or alone, although sometimes they were found in larger clusters of fifteen or more. In one report 150 objects were estimated to be arranged in 10-12 lines. Picking up an aircraft, these blobs of fire could reportedly pace a plane at very high speeds through extensive evasive maneuvers for several minutes. One British officer and his crew of sailors tracked an object from the deck of their vessel for over an hour. Although a few baffled pilots attempted to intercept, and even fire upon the globes, their efforts were unsuccessful, and the objects usually zoomed away of their own accord.
Foo fighters were mentioned in the American mass media. Ponderous articles appeared in Time and Newsweek in 1945, contributing to the wave of UFO consciousness building in the US. By 1952 so many civilians were contacting government agencies regarding UFO reports that regular intelligence work was being affected.
While scientists have never been able to explain the phenomenon, many speculations have been advanced as possibilities. Five of the most plausible theories are:
1. The fireballs may be nothing more than St. Elmo's Fire, a reddish brush-like discharge of atmospheric electricity which has often been seen near the tips of church steeples, ships' masts and yardarms. It also appears at a plane's wing tips.
2. They may have been optical illusions, mere after-images of light remaining in pilots' eyes after being dazzled by flak bursts.
3. Occurrences may have been the rare effect of "ball lightning," a glowing, drifting bubble of light typically eight inches in diameter. These generally, though not always, follow regular lightning strikes.
4. Bright ground objects reflected from the curved plastic canopy of an aircraft can be perceived as images above the horizon.
5. Proponents of the extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH) have suggested that foo fighters are hard evidence of ETs visiting earth.
Foo fighters are certainly some of the best documented reports of UFOs, and photographs and respected testimony abound. Hopefully in time the mystery will be solved, and this comic book name will be replaced by its true name.
8 Ways to Reduce or Even Eliminate Computer Vision Syndrome
Over the past week "Computer Vision Syndrome" has been in the news. The latest story in "The Frederick News-Post" titled "Prolonged computer use can lead to vision problems".
The article states that more than 88 million people who use computers for more than 4 hours per day suffer from computer vision syndrome, that's about a quarter of the total population of the U.S.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates state the enormous cost for workman's comp, to the economy, and employers: In 2002, employers reported a total of 487,900 lost workdays due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), representing nearly 50% of all lost work days. On top of these productivity costs, employers have paid approximately $20 billion annually in direct worker's compensation costs. Indirect costs, like lower productivity at work, etc. add another $60 billion, for a total of $80 billion dollars.
The articles quotes Dr. Frishman, an optometrist from Frederick, Maryland, that the top of the monitor should be at the same level when you stretch your arms out. That would mean that I had to dig my monitor into my desk. The correct location of the monitor is: top of screen at or just below eye level, not shoulder/arm level.
Here are some tips to reduce or even eliminate most symptoms:
1. Use a TCO'03 compliant monitor. Not only are they more environmentally friendly than other monitors, TCO'03 also requires compliance with ergonomic standards: contrast, resolution, brightness, adjustability, etc. Make sure that the LCD monitor you use has a "Class 1" rated LCD panel built in. If the literature that comes with the monitor doesn't explicitly say "Class 1" it probably is not.
2. The area behind the monitor should be lit, too. If it is all dark around your monitor (or TV for that matter), the eye has to constantly adjust between bright and dark. Use a light colored keyboard.
3. Dark, black keyboards create eye strain for the same reason. Ideally, the area on your desk where the computer is should be in "lighter" colors.
4. If you need reading glasses, they won't work with your computer. The monitor should be about arms length away (25 inches), books and papers only about the length of your forearm (15 inches). Ask your optometrist what he can do for you. Zeiss Optical has special lenses called "Gradal RD"
5. Avoid glare, reflections, etc. from windows, lamps, etc.
6. Look away from the monitor at least every 15 minutes. Look out the window. In Germany for example, regulations require that every computer worker has to be able to look out a window without getting up. The eye is relaxed when you look into the distance but contracted when you look on closer objects.
7. Human attention span is typically between 20 and 45 minutes. Find your attention span, set an alarm and walk away from your desk for a couple of minutes, stretch, go for a little walk and breath deeply. Do not look at literature or anything close.
8. If you use a notebook, the notebook has to be off your desk to bring you monitor to eye level. Get a notebook stand. This will also prolong the life and increase the stability of your notebook, because it runs cooler. Don't forget to remove the battery when it is charged.
What is your next step to reduce your computer eye strain?
The article states that more than 88 million people who use computers for more than 4 hours per day suffer from computer vision syndrome, that's about a quarter of the total population of the U.S.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates state the enormous cost for workman's comp, to the economy, and employers: In 2002, employers reported a total of 487,900 lost workdays due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), representing nearly 50% of all lost work days. On top of these productivity costs, employers have paid approximately $20 billion annually in direct worker's compensation costs. Indirect costs, like lower productivity at work, etc. add another $60 billion, for a total of $80 billion dollars.
The articles quotes Dr. Frishman, an optometrist from Frederick, Maryland, that the top of the monitor should be at the same level when you stretch your arms out. That would mean that I had to dig my monitor into my desk. The correct location of the monitor is: top of screen at or just below eye level, not shoulder/arm level.
Here are some tips to reduce or even eliminate most symptoms:
1. Use a TCO'03 compliant monitor. Not only are they more environmentally friendly than other monitors, TCO'03 also requires compliance with ergonomic standards: contrast, resolution, brightness, adjustability, etc. Make sure that the LCD monitor you use has a "Class 1" rated LCD panel built in. If the literature that comes with the monitor doesn't explicitly say "Class 1" it probably is not.
2. The area behind the monitor should be lit, too. If it is all dark around your monitor (or TV for that matter), the eye has to constantly adjust between bright and dark. Use a light colored keyboard.
3. Dark, black keyboards create eye strain for the same reason. Ideally, the area on your desk where the computer is should be in "lighter" colors.
4. If you need reading glasses, they won't work with your computer. The monitor should be about arms length away (25 inches), books and papers only about the length of your forearm (15 inches). Ask your optometrist what he can do for you. Zeiss Optical has special lenses called "Gradal RD"
5. Avoid glare, reflections, etc. from windows, lamps, etc.
6. Look away from the monitor at least every 15 minutes. Look out the window. In Germany for example, regulations require that every computer worker has to be able to look out a window without getting up. The eye is relaxed when you look into the distance but contracted when you look on closer objects.
7. Human attention span is typically between 20 and 45 minutes. Find your attention span, set an alarm and walk away from your desk for a couple of minutes, stretch, go for a little walk and breath deeply. Do not look at literature or anything close.
8. If you use a notebook, the notebook has to be off your desk to bring you monitor to eye level. Get a notebook stand. This will also prolong the life and increase the stability of your notebook, because it runs cooler. Don't forget to remove the battery when it is charged.
What is your next step to reduce your computer eye strain?
2007年11月28日星期三
第一卷混在社会 第四十一章和你没完
“嘀嘀！”从后面传来两声车鸣，李天没有在意。
“嘀嘀……！”这个时候，一辆白色的宝马高级轿车在李天的身边停的下来。李天转头一看，心理不由苦笑，不是别人，正是许洋。看来今天是躲不过了。
当李天转过头，宝马的车窗拉了下来。
“许总，有什么事情吗？”李天问道。
“上车！”许洋看着李天，面无表情的说道。
“上车？”
“快点！”
听见许洋的话，李天无奈，最后只好上了许洋的车，车子再次缓缓的开动了起来。两人坐在车中，谁也没有跟谁说话。
“不给我一个解释吗？”过了许久，许洋看着前方对李天说道。
“解释？什么解释？”李天也猜不出来许洋到底是为了什么而要解释，所以只好问道。
“为什么要去酒吧做兼职，你很缺钱吗？”许洋面无表情的问道。
“算是吧！”李天回答道，因为他也找不出其他的理由。
“喝几千元红酒，也有缺钱的时候？”许洋继续问道。
“就是因为喝所以才缺钱的！”李天顺着许洋的话说道。
“以后不许再喝酒了！”许洋用命令的语气说道。
“为什么？”李天不解的问道。
“因为……。”说到这里，许洋一愣，也不知道自己该怎么回答。
“因为酒是穿肠毒药，我不想公司里面出现一个浑身带着酒气的酒鬼！”许洋对李天说道：“更何况你晚上到酒吧简直，没有充足休息的时间，第二天到公司后精神一定会有问题，所以你以后也不要去酒吧当那个什么调酒师了！”
“这你可就说错了。适当的饮酒可以促进血液的循环，有力于消化，吃饭时还可以开胃。”李天不同意道，让他不喝，还不如杀了他痛快。
“那是只适当，你觉的你喝酒是适当吗？一下子少说也要两瓶，两瓶多少钱？几千还是过万？”许洋皱着眉头对李天。
“那也没有办法，我也没有其他的爱好了！”李天摊了摊手说道。
“你是我们公司的职员，我不想因为酒而毁掉你的前途。”许洋继续对李天说道。看见李天没有说话，许洋想了想说道：“这样好了，你退一步我也退一步，一天只喝一杯，怎么样？”许洋建议道。
李天听见后还是没有说话，凭什么样让自己听她的，只因为她是公司的老总？下班时间属于个人，也碍不着她什么事。
“你和阿凤是怎么认识的？”许洋看见李天没有说话，继续问道。
“恩？”李天转过头看着许洋，难道她看出了什么？不会吧，自己掩饰的很好呀！、
“就是严凤，你和她是怎么认识的？”许洋问道。
“就是你让我陪酒的那天认识的，你知道的！”李天小心翼翼的解释道。
“就这么简单？那你怎么会去她的酒吧应聘呢？”许洋听见后又问道。
“我也不知道她就是那家酒吧的老板。我只苏茜黄是北京酒最好，美女最多的八个酒吧之一，所以想去试试，顺便看看那里还有什么隐藏的好酒！”李天说道。
“恐怕你不禁是冲着酒最好去的吧？美女最多是不是也是你去那里的主要原因？是不是觉的一个摇来摇去，变换花样的调酒能吸引许多女孩子的注意，是不是会感觉特自豪？”许洋对李天逼问道，显然李天刚才回答她的答应另她不满意。
“我怎么觉的你的话里有刺呀？”李天歪着头看着对方问道。
“有没有刺你心理明白，公司有条例，正式的职工禁止在其他公司或场所兼职，作为一个主管，你难道对这些事情都不知道吗？你不觉的影响公司的形象吗？要是让可户看见你会给我们公司带来多大的影响吗？”许洋转过头看着李天狠很的说道。
“可我现在不是公司正式的职工，时期期为两个月，我现在还在实习期间，这就说明我还有权利做兼职。我的形象怎么了？我自我感觉还不错呀！”李天指了指前面回答道，提示她开车应该目视前方他可不想就这样英年早逝。
“我要求你以后禁止喝酒，禁止到外面兼职，你答不答应？”许洋没有把李天的警告让在眼里，依然紧紧的看着李天。
“为什么？为我一个合适的理由？”李天说道，本来自己也没打算在酒吧干活的，今天只不过是为了应付一下场面而已，没有想到许洋竟然连自己喝不喝酒都要管，李天不禁和她对着干上了。谁怕谁？大不了一起撞车。
“我说，不许喝酒，不许到酒吧做兼职！”许洋看狠狠的看着李天一字一字的说道。
“你不是说一天一杯吗？怎么又不许我喝了？再说喝酒和兼职是我自己的事情，与许总你好象无关？再说，现在是下班时间，你没有权力也没有人赋予你这个权利来管我，我想做什么事情就做什么事情和你好象没有丝毫的关系，你又不是我什么人，即使是，也管不了我！”李天觉的对方的条件停无理的，而且还拿出一副命令的样子，好象谁欠她似的，把自己当女王了。
“滋……！”一个急刹车，车停了下来。
“你疯了，想死别拉着我！”李天被一晃，头正好撞到了车窗上，对着许洋不禁怒道。
“下车！”许洋冲着李天冷冷的说道。
“开什么玩笑，这里是高速！”李天看着许洋说道。
“我让你下车！”许洋再一次对李天说道，眼睛狠狠的瞪着李天。
“要不你再向前面开一点，下了高速我再下？”李天商量的说道。
“我刚才和你商量，你答应我了吗？”许洋看着李天说道。
“你也没和我商量什么呀！”李天说道，刚才哪里是商量，那里语气简直就是命令。
“回答我的话！”许洋声音一大说道。
“没有！”李天也同样干脆的回答道。
“那么我也不同意，下车！”许洋面无表情的看着李天说道。
“下车就下车，有什么了不起！”看见对方的样子，wholesale pearl虽然和年漂亮，但是李天却没有心情欣赏，门一开走了下去。
“你混蛋！”许洋看见李天下车后朝着李天狠很的骂道，然后发动引擎，飞快的离开了。
“哼，有什么了不起，不就是人聪明点，漂亮点，家境好了点吗？有什么了不起的，象你这样的女人北京……还真没有几个！”说到最后，李天的语调降了下来，看着已经消失了的车，李天不由的浑身打了一个哆嗦。虽然快要到夏天了，但是北京的夜晚还是很冷的，更何况这里还是高速路，也不知道这里是哪！李天看着一望无际的高速路想道。
看着过往的车辆，没有办法，只要伸手准备搭便车，可是过了十多分钟，车过去了好几百辆，就是没有一个人停下。
“*，这素质也太低了吧！”李天不由的骂道，最后没有办法，总不能在这里待一个晚上吧，只好沿着一个方向一直走，一边走还一边摇手，希望能有好心人停下来。
半个小时，北京北六环的高速公路上
“许洋，你他妈给我拉到哪里了？这他妈到底是什么地方？”李天望着前面仍然一望无际的高速公路，仰天长喊道。
一个小时，李天走了一个小时的告诉公路，终于看见前面一个指示牌，上面写着‘小汤山’三个字。李天这才知道自己被许洋从朝阳西门一直拉到小汤山，两地光直线距离就有三十多公里，难怪自己见不到头。
“许洋，我跟你没完…….！”wholesale necklace小汤山附近响起一惊天动地的声音。
“嘀嘀……！”这个时候，一辆白色的宝马高级轿车在李天的身边停的下来。李天转头一看，心理不由苦笑，不是别人，正是许洋。看来今天是躲不过了。
当李天转过头，宝马的车窗拉了下来。
“许总，有什么事情吗？”李天问道。
“上车！”许洋看着李天，面无表情的说道。
“上车？”
“快点！”
听见许洋的话，李天无奈，最后只好上了许洋的车，车子再次缓缓的开动了起来。两人坐在车中，谁也没有跟谁说话。
“不给我一个解释吗？”过了许久，许洋看着前方对李天说道。
“解释？什么解释？”李天也猜不出来许洋到底是为了什么而要解释，所以只好问道。
“为什么要去酒吧做兼职，你很缺钱吗？”许洋面无表情的问道。
“算是吧！”李天回答道，因为他也找不出其他的理由。
“喝几千元红酒，也有缺钱的时候？”许洋继续问道。
“就是因为喝所以才缺钱的！”李天顺着许洋的话说道。
“以后不许再喝酒了！”许洋用命令的语气说道。
“为什么？”李天不解的问道。
“因为……。”说到这里，许洋一愣，也不知道自己该怎么回答。
“因为酒是穿肠毒药，我不想公司里面出现一个浑身带着酒气的酒鬼！”许洋对李天说道：“更何况你晚上到酒吧简直，没有充足休息的时间，第二天到公司后精神一定会有问题，所以你以后也不要去酒吧当那个什么调酒师了！”
“这你可就说错了。适当的饮酒可以促进血液的循环，有力于消化，吃饭时还可以开胃。”李天不同意道，让他不喝，还不如杀了他痛快。
“那是只适当，你觉的你喝酒是适当吗？一下子少说也要两瓶，两瓶多少钱？几千还是过万？”许洋皱着眉头对李天。
“那也没有办法，我也没有其他的爱好了！”李天摊了摊手说道。
“你是我们公司的职员，我不想因为酒而毁掉你的前途。”许洋继续对李天说道。看见李天没有说话，许洋想了想说道：“这样好了，你退一步我也退一步，一天只喝一杯，怎么样？”许洋建议道。
李天听见后还是没有说话，凭什么样让自己听她的，只因为她是公司的老总？下班时间属于个人，也碍不着她什么事。
“你和阿凤是怎么认识的？”许洋看见李天没有说话，继续问道。
“恩？”李天转过头看着许洋，难道她看出了什么？不会吧，自己掩饰的很好呀！、
“就是严凤，你和她是怎么认识的？”许洋问道。
“就是你让我陪酒的那天认识的，你知道的！”李天小心翼翼的解释道。
“就这么简单？那你怎么会去她的酒吧应聘呢？”许洋听见后又问道。
“我也不知道她就是那家酒吧的老板。我只苏茜黄是北京酒最好，美女最多的八个酒吧之一，所以想去试试，顺便看看那里还有什么隐藏的好酒！”李天说道。
“恐怕你不禁是冲着酒最好去的吧？美女最多是不是也是你去那里的主要原因？是不是觉的一个摇来摇去，变换花样的调酒能吸引许多女孩子的注意，是不是会感觉特自豪？”许洋对李天逼问道，显然李天刚才回答她的答应另她不满意。
“我怎么觉的你的话里有刺呀？”李天歪着头看着对方问道。
“有没有刺你心理明白，公司有条例，正式的职工禁止在其他公司或场所兼职，作为一个主管，你难道对这些事情都不知道吗？你不觉的影响公司的形象吗？要是让可户看见你会给我们公司带来多大的影响吗？”许洋转过头看着李天狠很的说道。
“可我现在不是公司正式的职工，时期期为两个月，我现在还在实习期间，这就说明我还有权利做兼职。我的形象怎么了？我自我感觉还不错呀！”李天指了指前面回答道，提示她开车应该目视前方他可不想就这样英年早逝。
“我要求你以后禁止喝酒，禁止到外面兼职，你答不答应？”许洋没有把李天的警告让在眼里，依然紧紧的看着李天。
“为什么？为我一个合适的理由？”李天说道，本来自己也没打算在酒吧干活的，今天只不过是为了应付一下场面而已，没有想到许洋竟然连自己喝不喝酒都要管，李天不禁和她对着干上了。谁怕谁？大不了一起撞车。
“我说，不许喝酒，不许到酒吧做兼职！”许洋看狠狠的看着李天一字一字的说道。
“你不是说一天一杯吗？怎么又不许我喝了？再说喝酒和兼职是我自己的事情，与许总你好象无关？再说，现在是下班时间，你没有权力也没有人赋予你这个权利来管我，我想做什么事情就做什么事情和你好象没有丝毫的关系，你又不是我什么人，即使是，也管不了我！”李天觉的对方的条件停无理的，而且还拿出一副命令的样子，好象谁欠她似的，把自己当女王了。
“滋……！”一个急刹车，车停了下来。
“你疯了，想死别拉着我！”李天被一晃，头正好撞到了车窗上，对着许洋不禁怒道。
“下车！”许洋冲着李天冷冷的说道。
“开什么玩笑，这里是高速！”李天看着许洋说道。
“我让你下车！”许洋再一次对李天说道，眼睛狠狠的瞪着李天。
“要不你再向前面开一点，下了高速我再下？”李天商量的说道。
“我刚才和你商量，你答应我了吗？”许洋看着李天说道。
“你也没和我商量什么呀！”李天说道，刚才哪里是商量，那里语气简直就是命令。
“回答我的话！”许洋声音一大说道。
“没有！”李天也同样干脆的回答道。
“那么我也不同意，下车！”许洋面无表情的看着李天说道。
“下车就下车，有什么了不起！”看见对方的样子，wholesale pearl虽然和年漂亮，但是李天却没有心情欣赏，门一开走了下去。
“你混蛋！”许洋看见李天下车后朝着李天狠很的骂道，然后发动引擎，飞快的离开了。
“哼，有什么了不起，不就是人聪明点，漂亮点，家境好了点吗？有什么了不起的，象你这样的女人北京……还真没有几个！”说到最后，李天的语调降了下来，看着已经消失了的车，李天不由的浑身打了一个哆嗦。虽然快要到夏天了，但是北京的夜晚还是很冷的，更何况这里还是高速路，也不知道这里是哪！李天看着一望无际的高速路想道。
看着过往的车辆，没有办法，只要伸手准备搭便车，可是过了十多分钟，车过去了好几百辆，就是没有一个人停下。
“*，这素质也太低了吧！”李天不由的骂道，最后没有办法，总不能在这里待一个晚上吧，只好沿着一个方向一直走，一边走还一边摇手，希望能有好心人停下来。
半个小时，北京北六环的高速公路上
“许洋，你他妈给我拉到哪里了？这他妈到底是什么地方？”李天望着前面仍然一望无际的高速公路，仰天长喊道。
一个小时，李天走了一个小时的告诉公路，终于看见前面一个指示牌，上面写着‘小汤山’三个字。李天这才知道自己被许洋从朝阳西门一直拉到小汤山，两地光直线距离就有三十多公里，难怪自己见不到头。
“许洋，我跟你没完…….！”wholesale necklace小汤山附近响起一惊天动地的声音。
2007年11月26日星期一
T1 Internet Connection
T1 carrier is one of the most popular leased line options for digital transmission that offers high speed internet connectivity at 1.544Mbits per second. Is capable of carrying 24 digitized voice channels at the speed of 1.544 megabits per second.
T1 carrier is one of the most popular leased line options for digital transmission that offers high speed internet connectivity at 1.544Mbits per second. A T1 line is comprised of 24 individual channels, each capable of transferring data at 64Kbits per second. With T1 Internet connection, you can have uninterrupted and reliable data transfer within seconds. In normal phone lines, voices are transmitted through copper wires as analog signal and you can transmit data at around 30 kilobits per seconds with your normal modem. A T1 Internet connection, on the other hand, is capable of carrying 24 digitized voice channels at the speed of 1.544 megabits per second. A T1 carrier can carry 192,000 bytes of data per seconds nearly sixty times more data than that of a normal residential modem. T1 Internet connection is capable of providing uninterrupted data transmission which you would not get if you use ordinary modems. If you want to transmit audio or visual data through your residential modem or through your phone service you have high risk of getting jammed since the speed is so slow. With a T1 service, you can eliminate this risk significantly.
Internet service by service providers convert all voice calls as analog rather than in digital format, which not only takes longer time but frustrates customers now that high speed is available. With a T1 line, you not only increase the speed of your data transmission, but also save time for your valuable online work. With the advancement of fiber optics, lesser time is required to convert analog signals to digital format. Fiber optical wires are sometimes used for T1 line to provide maximum speed, although the normal wires are by copper. In case of ordinary modem or residential telephone connection, thin copper wire is used which can rarely carry much load at the time of transmission of data. In T1 Internet connection, broadband internet connection is used which ensures two-way transmission of data at a faster rate than any other method of transmission. Apart from that, hundreds of users can comfortably share T1 connection, which is impossible if you use modems or telephone line or an ISDN line. If you are interested in online songs and movies, then you will find the ordinary modem or residential telephone service can not meet your demands, as these lines take hours to convert any MP3 files or video files to analog format and to transmit them at the desired destination. A DSL or cable may be options but a T1 line, if you can afford it, is the best option. For a business of 20 or more employees, a T1 service is required. By implementing T1 circuit, you can easily transmit digital and video data at the required destination at great speed and at the same time, have a T1 service thats more reliable.
T1 carrier is one of the most popular leased line options for digital transmission that offers high speed internet connectivity at 1.544Mbits per second. A T1 line is comprised of 24 individual channels, each capable of transferring data at 64Kbits per second. With T1 Internet connection, you can have uninterrupted and reliable data transfer within seconds. In normal phone lines, voices are transmitted through copper wires as analog signal and you can transmit data at around 30 kilobits per seconds with your normal modem. A T1 Internet connection, on the other hand, is capable of carrying 24 digitized voice channels at the speed of 1.544 megabits per second. A T1 carrier can carry 192,000 bytes of data per seconds nearly sixty times more data than that of a normal residential modem. T1 Internet connection is capable of providing uninterrupted data transmission which you would not get if you use ordinary modems. If you want to transmit audio or visual data through your residential modem or through your phone service you have high risk of getting jammed since the speed is so slow. With a T1 service, you can eliminate this risk significantly.
Internet service by service providers convert all voice calls as analog rather than in digital format, which not only takes longer time but frustrates customers now that high speed is available. With a T1 line, you not only increase the speed of your data transmission, but also save time for your valuable online work. With the advancement of fiber optics, lesser time is required to convert analog signals to digital format. Fiber optical wires are sometimes used for T1 line to provide maximum speed, although the normal wires are by copper. In case of ordinary modem or residential telephone connection, thin copper wire is used which can rarely carry much load at the time of transmission of data. In T1 Internet connection, broadband internet connection is used which ensures two-way transmission of data at a faster rate than any other method of transmission. Apart from that, hundreds of users can comfortably share T1 connection, which is impossible if you use modems or telephone line or an ISDN line. If you are interested in online songs and movies, then you will find the ordinary modem or residential telephone service can not meet your demands, as these lines take hours to convert any MP3 files or video files to analog format and to transmit them at the desired destination. A DSL or cable may be options but a T1 line, if you can afford it, is the best option. For a business of 20 or more employees, a T1 service is required. By implementing T1 circuit, you can easily transmit digital and video data at the required destination at great speed and at the same time, have a T1 service thats more reliable.
How to photograph jewelry
Photographing jewellery can be tricky, but with a few concepts and budget below US$500 it is possible to achieve near-professional look of the photographs. This guide is intended for absolute beginners. Terminology is simplified, and camera adjustments are discussed with only jewellery in mind.
1. Equipment
1.1 Digital SLR
Biggest spend for near-professional look of jewellery photography is for the digital SLR. This is an absolute must. Second-hand camera will be as good. Camera without many features and without high Mega-Pixel rate will work just as fine. 3 Mega Pixel is more than enough.
Note that what makes the difference is the quality of the optical system, not the number of actual pixels.
Digital SLR will allow you to manually adjust every aspect of the camera. Automatic modes are not appropriate for jewellery.
1.2 Lighting
Avoid using any flashes. Don't use camera's built in flash. Don't buy stand-alone flashes. In fact, don't buy any lighting equipment. Desk lamps 60W-100W will do just fine.
Photo tent will help a lot, but is not mandatory. You get find them for as little as US$20. Terminology varies, so "Photo Tent" will also be called "Light Cube", or "Soft Light Box". Do your searching and find one approx 20" (50cm) in size.
You will need 3 lights. Two matted lights -- soft lights, and one reflector light. Place one matted light left of the area for jewellery, and one to the right. Place reflector light near where the camera is.
Whatever you do, avoid mixing light types. Use only non-fluorescent lights, and isolate your photo 'lab' away from natural light.
1.3 Tripod
To have freedom with many settings that will be a must, we will have to use longer exposures. For longer exposures to achieve maximum sharpness, we'll need a tripod. Our hand shakes too much, when camera runs at exposition 1/2s or 1/5s. Buy a 'tripod' for US$10-$20. You don't need a heavy duty tripod. If your setup will be on a desk, you can chose mini tripod - approx 10" (25cm), and stand tripod on the desk as well, or longer tripod, approx 50" (125cm) and stand it on the floor.
2. Setup
Position the lights as described above. Two desk lamps with soft light (irrelevant if you are using photo tent -- the tent is there to soften the light), and reflector light at the front. I keep the cube open at the front, for easier adjustments and photographs, unless jewellery is highly reflective of the image of me taking photograph.
Uniform background colour is recommended. White background works great. Black background is a little harder to work with. I use one of the white wooden shelves that was sitting in the garrage. Hardware stores will sell these for a few dollars.
Jewellery neck stands look effective only on some pieces, but for most laying on the white surface is the best.
3. Jewelry Arrangement
Spend time arranging jewellery. Clean the jewellery if needed. Polish and remove finger prints. Lay it nicely. For chains, spend time to even out all links and to lay it in a perfect circle. For fashion jewellery this may be a little tricky simply because it's made of various materials and it just doesn't like to sit perfectly on its own. Use blue-tac to fix it where you want it.
4. Taking Photographs
Set your camera to manual. This is where you can adjust all settings yourself. You can leave auto-focus on if you wish, that is about the only setting you can have automatic. Disable camera flash. With static lighting and without using flashes, you can spend time moving the lights until you get perfect setup, before taking shots.
Learn the following 5 camera adjustments: Aperature (f-number), Sensitivity (ISO number), Shutter Speed (Exposure), White Balance, and Focus. These 5 are your bread and butter.
4.1 Aperature
Also known as f-number. This setting widens or narrows the lens, limiting the amount of light that comes into the camera. This directly affects shutter speed, and film sensitivity (since we're using digital camera, film sensitivity is adjustable like anything else).
This setting is responsible for the 'focal lenght'. With high f-number eg f/22 or f/11, when taking jewellery photographs, parts that are close to camera will be focused as well as parts that are further away. With low f-number, eg f/2, only the focused part will be in-focus, and parts of jewellery that are further apart or closer to the camera will become fuzzy. Use this setting as it suits you. You may want to create certain effect, but if you don't, keep this setting to f/11. Overdoing this setting will limit the light coming into the camera, and you'll have to make sacrifices elsewhere to compensate.
4.2 Sensitivity
Also known as ISO number. This used to be film property, and expressed in numbers like ISO200, ISO400, ISO800 etc. The higher the number, more sensitive the film, less light it needs, and thus more expensive. In Digital SLR's this is merely just a setting, but the higher the number, more noise camera will capture. The more light you have, you can go lower with this number. For our limited lighting, ISO800 or ISO1600 will be fine, but try not to use ISO3200 -- it adds visible noise.
4.3 Shutter Speed
Also known as exposure, it is a measure of time camera will be taking the light. When photographing moving objects, you would want this fairly short: 1/200 or or 1/400. However, we're taking static objects, and with the tripod camera is static as well. This gives us flexibility in going as low as 1/30 or 1/10, or even 1/2. Value 1/2 means that camera takes light from the object for half a second. If anything moves during that half a second, photograph will be blurred.
Adjust shutter speed freely until you get desirable effect. In fact, when taking photographs of jewellery against white background, you will want photos over-exposed. Over-exposure should affect only the white background, where small imperfections of white surface will vanish into pure white. If your camera has light meter, it will display a warning that you have too much light, number 2 or 2.5 could be flashing in your viewfinder. This is good :-).
If your background is black, you'll want it under-exposed. This will keep the black background black, remove some imperfections, but leave the jewellery just fine.
4.4 White Balance
With different colours present in every light source, our eyes naturally adjust to what white is. Cameras try to do the same and for general photography are quite good at it. However, for jewellery, you'll want to try all manual pre-sets yourself and chose best result. If everything fails, manually adjust white balance, until it's good. You won't need to keep changing this setting from one jewellery piece to another.
4.5 Focus
Jewellery is static. It's easy to use manual focus, but auto-focus seems to work just as fine. If camera keeps focusing on the incorrect part, just switch to manual, and away you go. For most applications, auto-focus will be fine though.
4.6 Taking photographs
Take enough photographs for each peace. Use camera built-in display as a guide only. Colors and brightness will look slightly different on the computer screen. You can adjust some of it afterwards, but try to take a perfect shot in the first place.
5. Post-Processing
Restrain youself from using too many features of the photo editing software. All you need to do is manually adjust Brightness and Contrast, and perhaps use 'Sharpen' feature. Don't apply any automatic adjustments, as these will get confused with too much white in the photo, or too much black.
Crop to the area you want to keep, save in internet-friendly format (eg 400x300) and you've got a near-professional photograph. Reuse the same photograph for 'zoom-in' crops. You won't be making images larger, instead you'll be cropping from your original, adjusting and saving.
Digital camera with 6 mega pixels or more will preserve enough of the detail for zoom-in's. If not happy, re-take photos of the detail.
1. Equipment
1.1 Digital SLR
Biggest spend for near-professional look of jewellery photography is for the digital SLR. This is an absolute must. Second-hand camera will be as good. Camera without many features and without high Mega-Pixel rate will work just as fine. 3 Mega Pixel is more than enough.
Note that what makes the difference is the quality of the optical system, not the number of actual pixels.
Digital SLR will allow you to manually adjust every aspect of the camera. Automatic modes are not appropriate for jewellery.
1.2 Lighting
Avoid using any flashes. Don't use camera's built in flash. Don't buy stand-alone flashes. In fact, don't buy any lighting equipment. Desk lamps 60W-100W will do just fine.
Photo tent will help a lot, but is not mandatory. You get find them for as little as US$20. Terminology varies, so "Photo Tent" will also be called "Light Cube", or "Soft Light Box". Do your searching and find one approx 20" (50cm) in size.
You will need 3 lights. Two matted lights -- soft lights, and one reflector light. Place one matted light left of the area for jewellery, and one to the right. Place reflector light near where the camera is.
Whatever you do, avoid mixing light types. Use only non-fluorescent lights, and isolate your photo 'lab' away from natural light.
1.3 Tripod
To have freedom with many settings that will be a must, we will have to use longer exposures. For longer exposures to achieve maximum sharpness, we'll need a tripod. Our hand shakes too much, when camera runs at exposition 1/2s or 1/5s. Buy a 'tripod' for US$10-$20. You don't need a heavy duty tripod. If your setup will be on a desk, you can chose mini tripod - approx 10" (25cm), and stand tripod on the desk as well, or longer tripod, approx 50" (125cm) and stand it on the floor.
2. Setup
Position the lights as described above. Two desk lamps with soft light (irrelevant if you are using photo tent -- the tent is there to soften the light), and reflector light at the front. I keep the cube open at the front, for easier adjustments and photographs, unless jewellery is highly reflective of the image of me taking photograph.
Uniform background colour is recommended. White background works great. Black background is a little harder to work with. I use one of the white wooden shelves that was sitting in the garrage. Hardware stores will sell these for a few dollars.
Jewellery neck stands look effective only on some pieces, but for most laying on the white surface is the best.
3. Jewelry Arrangement
Spend time arranging jewellery. Clean the jewellery if needed. Polish and remove finger prints. Lay it nicely. For chains, spend time to even out all links and to lay it in a perfect circle. For fashion jewellery this may be a little tricky simply because it's made of various materials and it just doesn't like to sit perfectly on its own. Use blue-tac to fix it where you want it.
4. Taking Photographs
Set your camera to manual. This is where you can adjust all settings yourself. You can leave auto-focus on if you wish, that is about the only setting you can have automatic. Disable camera flash. With static lighting and without using flashes, you can spend time moving the lights until you get perfect setup, before taking shots.
Learn the following 5 camera adjustments: Aperature (f-number), Sensitivity (ISO number), Shutter Speed (Exposure), White Balance, and Focus. These 5 are your bread and butter.
4.1 Aperature
Also known as f-number. This setting widens or narrows the lens, limiting the amount of light that comes into the camera. This directly affects shutter speed, and film sensitivity (since we're using digital camera, film sensitivity is adjustable like anything else).
This setting is responsible for the 'focal lenght'. With high f-number eg f/22 or f/11, when taking jewellery photographs, parts that are close to camera will be focused as well as parts that are further away. With low f-number, eg f/2, only the focused part will be in-focus, and parts of jewellery that are further apart or closer to the camera will become fuzzy. Use this setting as it suits you. You may want to create certain effect, but if you don't, keep this setting to f/11. Overdoing this setting will limit the light coming into the camera, and you'll have to make sacrifices elsewhere to compensate.
4.2 Sensitivity
Also known as ISO number. This used to be film property, and expressed in numbers like ISO200, ISO400, ISO800 etc. The higher the number, more sensitive the film, less light it needs, and thus more expensive. In Digital SLR's this is merely just a setting, but the higher the number, more noise camera will capture. The more light you have, you can go lower with this number. For our limited lighting, ISO800 or ISO1600 will be fine, but try not to use ISO3200 -- it adds visible noise.
4.3 Shutter Speed
Also known as exposure, it is a measure of time camera will be taking the light. When photographing moving objects, you would want this fairly short: 1/200 or or 1/400. However, we're taking static objects, and with the tripod camera is static as well. This gives us flexibility in going as low as 1/30 or 1/10, or even 1/2. Value 1/2 means that camera takes light from the object for half a second. If anything moves during that half a second, photograph will be blurred.
Adjust shutter speed freely until you get desirable effect. In fact, when taking photographs of jewellery against white background, you will want photos over-exposed. Over-exposure should affect only the white background, where small imperfections of white surface will vanish into pure white. If your camera has light meter, it will display a warning that you have too much light, number 2 or 2.5 could be flashing in your viewfinder. This is good :-).
If your background is black, you'll want it under-exposed. This will keep the black background black, remove some imperfections, but leave the jewellery just fine.
4.4 White Balance
With different colours present in every light source, our eyes naturally adjust to what white is. Cameras try to do the same and for general photography are quite good at it. However, for jewellery, you'll want to try all manual pre-sets yourself and chose best result. If everything fails, manually adjust white balance, until it's good. You won't need to keep changing this setting from one jewellery piece to another.
4.5 Focus
Jewellery is static. It's easy to use manual focus, but auto-focus seems to work just as fine. If camera keeps focusing on the incorrect part, just switch to manual, and away you go. For most applications, auto-focus will be fine though.
4.6 Taking photographs
Take enough photographs for each peace. Use camera built-in display as a guide only. Colors and brightness will look slightly different on the computer screen. You can adjust some of it afterwards, but try to take a perfect shot in the first place.
5. Post-Processing
Restrain youself from using too many features of the photo editing software. All you need to do is manually adjust Brightness and Contrast, and perhaps use 'Sharpen' feature. Don't apply any automatic adjustments, as these will get confused with too much white in the photo, or too much black.
Crop to the area you want to keep, save in internet-friendly format (eg 400x300) and you've got a near-professional photograph. Reuse the same photograph for 'zoom-in' crops. You won't be making images larger, instead you'll be cropping from your original, adjusting and saving.
Digital camera with 6 mega pixels or more will preserve enough of the detail for zoom-in's. If not happy, re-take photos of the detail.
Lightweight Television Comparison
In the past, televisions have been heavy and bulky because a regular cathode ray tube (CTR) TV needed the extra room to enable the visible screen and its scanning picture process the room to work. Today we have the convenience of having magnificent color as well as a lightweight television. These lightweight colorful televisions are Plasma, LCD and DLP TV's.
1) How Plasma, LCD and DLP work
Plasma - Florescent light is the sustaining component of a Plasma TV. Florescent is a matter of gas. Launching electrons into the florescent gas causes the electrons to react quickly. The electrons slam into the atoms, it is much like watching a pinball game in action.
In plasma connected to electricity the negative and positive particles are running at each other. While they are running at each other, they are of course bumping into each other. While striking against each other they display an illustrious intensity of ultraviolet light. This is then displayed upon a screen by several layers of glass with contained gas cells and electrode grids.
LCD - Liquid Crystal Diode - Liquid Crystal is one of those amazing things that are in a state of being more than one matter. Liquid Crystal is multi mattered, just as we are. People are solid, liquid and gaseous, yet we are neither. Therefore, it should not be so hard to understand that LCD is multi mattered.
A heat process that by nature transforms liquid crystal into another aspect of itself that is heat changes the Liquid Crystal into a more liquid than solid matter. As a result, anything made of LCD is temperature sensitive. For instance, a computer monitor or thermometers reaction to hot and cold, as people do shiver and swelter. Liquid crystal is used for many things because of its nature when introduced to polymers, such as bulletproof vests and sails for boats.
With the use of electricity, LCD is able to cast a picture by distributing the crystal-clear sequence or design of blocked light molecules. This in turn manipulates light intensity of its pixels that forms upon the colorful screen face.
DLP - Digital Light Processing
Digital light processing uses technology that is based on optical semiconductors. This digital micro mirror device uses tilting mirrors of aluminum, which uses reflected light and a color filter wheel, to create a picture. The mirrors are laid out in a matrix pattern and each mirror equals one pixel. It is like looking at a photo where each piece displays a small square shaped light reflection. The further away you are from the TV screen the more the picture appears to blend together.
The reflected light is directed through a lens and then onto the TV screens producing the images we see.
DLP TV's are not prone to phosphor burn in, nor are they vulnerable to pixilation where the find lines of the pixels separate.
Current DLP TV's are now made slimmer and more lightweight than in the recent past.
DLP technology is used in many ways besides TV screens, which range from business projectors, video walls and home theaters with more experiments in future uses. DLP is also used for commercial entertainment applications and projection systems used for large group viewing.
1) How Plasma, LCD and DLP work
Plasma - Florescent light is the sustaining component of a Plasma TV. Florescent is a matter of gas. Launching electrons into the florescent gas causes the electrons to react quickly. The electrons slam into the atoms, it is much like watching a pinball game in action.
In plasma connected to electricity the negative and positive particles are running at each other. While they are running at each other, they are of course bumping into each other. While striking against each other they display an illustrious intensity of ultraviolet light. This is then displayed upon a screen by several layers of glass with contained gas cells and electrode grids.
LCD - Liquid Crystal Diode - Liquid Crystal is one of those amazing things that are in a state of being more than one matter. Liquid Crystal is multi mattered, just as we are. People are solid, liquid and gaseous, yet we are neither. Therefore, it should not be so hard to understand that LCD is multi mattered.
A heat process that by nature transforms liquid crystal into another aspect of itself that is heat changes the Liquid Crystal into a more liquid than solid matter. As a result, anything made of LCD is temperature sensitive. For instance, a computer monitor or thermometers reaction to hot and cold, as people do shiver and swelter. Liquid crystal is used for many things because of its nature when introduced to polymers, such as bulletproof vests and sails for boats.
With the use of electricity, LCD is able to cast a picture by distributing the crystal-clear sequence or design of blocked light molecules. This in turn manipulates light intensity of its pixels that forms upon the colorful screen face.
DLP - Digital Light Processing
Digital light processing uses technology that is based on optical semiconductors. This digital micro mirror device uses tilting mirrors of aluminum, which uses reflected light and a color filter wheel, to create a picture. The mirrors are laid out in a matrix pattern and each mirror equals one pixel. It is like looking at a photo where each piece displays a small square shaped light reflection. The further away you are from the TV screen the more the picture appears to blend together.
The reflected light is directed through a lens and then onto the TV screens producing the images we see.
DLP TV's are not prone to phosphor burn in, nor are they vulnerable to pixilation where the find lines of the pixels separate.
Current DLP TV's are now made slimmer and more lightweight than in the recent past.
DLP technology is used in many ways besides TV screens, which range from business projectors, video walls and home theaters with more experiments in future uses. DLP is also used for commercial entertainment applications and projection systems used for large group viewing.
2007年11月25日星期日
5 Materials and Technologies That Just Might Eliminate Digital Camera Shutter Delay
Bob pushed the shutter release button andNOTHING HAPPENED. The football passed into his son's hands and the actual photo he took was one of a cheerleader's pom-pom. Bob missed the touchdown too. He resisted an insane urge to slam the camera to the ground and jump on it.
This was his first digital camera, and Bob had just experienced an unpleasant surprise. He had used film cameras all his life, but when his Yashica went into the shop a friend loaned him a digital camera. He naively decided to take some action shots and discovered the most maddening "feature" of digital cameras the shutter delay.
MADDENING AND FRUSTRATING
Articles on this subject have attributed shutter delay to:
1. The camera's focus system
2. The time it takes the camera to digitally process the image
3. Reaction time of the photographer
Numbers one and three are lag times that most people using digital cameras are accustomed to. Most have used a film camera and know it needs a few milliseconds to focus.
The no-brainer solution is to reduce the aperture of the lens to increase depth of field, or aim the camera at the object you wish to be in focus and depress the shutter button half way in order to "tell" the camera what to focus on, then move the camera to center the image and depress it the rest of the way.
As far as human reaction time, well, it hasn't really changed much for users of film cameras, and people experienced in taking action shots usually get what they want.
So let's look at number 2, the time it takes to process the picture.
TIME TO DO THE PROCESSING
Processing the picture (so the camera can be ready for the next one) comes in several steps to move it from the image sensor to flash card storage:
1. Color corrections. The camera has to examine each and every Charge Couple Device (CCD) element on the photo sensor. It adds green, blue, and red to achieve the right color balance. For a 3 mega pixel camera, the processor has to make 9 million calculations.
2. Sharpening. This boosts the contrast by detecting and sharpening edges.
3. Compression. This process converts the 12 to 14 bits of each CCD sensor to 16 bits by "padding" the information and compressing it to 8 bits. This compresses the file size to 9 megabytes.
These steps require a tremendous amount of computational time. No wonder Bob missed his shot!
CATCHING THE ACTION
There are two ways of capturing action:
1. The "consecutive mode". If the camera has this mode, you can take a series of rapid shots moving through the event. This requires a camera with a large buffer" to hold photos for processing.
2. Anticipating shots by depressing and holding down the shutter release prior to the event. This requires an ability to predict the future, something most of us don't possess.
THE FUTURE OF FASTER SHOOTING
Obviously this would all be simplified if micro processing were faster. Even with large buffers, the speed in which data is transmitted to the processor is prohibited by the rate at which data is conveyed from the CCD. Micro processing speed is the next bottleneck.
This was his first digital camera, and Bob had just experienced an unpleasant surprise. He had used film cameras all his life, but when his Yashica went into the shop a friend loaned him a digital camera. He naively decided to take some action shots and discovered the most maddening "feature" of digital cameras the shutter delay.
MADDENING AND FRUSTRATING
Articles on this subject have attributed shutter delay to:
1. The camera's focus system
2. The time it takes the camera to digitally process the image
3. Reaction time of the photographer
Numbers one and three are lag times that most people using digital cameras are accustomed to. Most have used a film camera and know it needs a few milliseconds to focus.
The no-brainer solution is to reduce the aperture of the lens to increase depth of field, or aim the camera at the object you wish to be in focus and depress the shutter button half way in order to "tell" the camera what to focus on, then move the camera to center the image and depress it the rest of the way.
As far as human reaction time, well, it hasn't really changed much for users of film cameras, and people experienced in taking action shots usually get what they want.
So let's look at number 2, the time it takes to process the picture.
TIME TO DO THE PROCESSING
Processing the picture (so the camera can be ready for the next one) comes in several steps to move it from the image sensor to flash card storage:
1. Color corrections. The camera has to examine each and every Charge Couple Device (CCD) element on the photo sensor. It adds green, blue, and red to achieve the right color balance. For a 3 mega pixel camera, the processor has to make 9 million calculations.
2. Sharpening. This boosts the contrast by detecting and sharpening edges.
3. Compression. This process converts the 12 to 14 bits of each CCD sensor to 16 bits by "padding" the information and compressing it to 8 bits. This compresses the file size to 9 megabytes.
These steps require a tremendous amount of computational time. No wonder Bob missed his shot!
CATCHING THE ACTION
There are two ways of capturing action:
1. The "consecutive mode". If the camera has this mode, you can take a series of rapid shots moving through the event. This requires a camera with a large buffer" to hold photos for processing.
2. Anticipating shots by depressing and holding down the shutter release prior to the event. This requires an ability to predict the future, something most of us don't possess.
THE FUTURE OF FASTER SHOOTING
Obviously this would all be simplified if micro processing were faster. Even with large buffers, the speed in which data is transmitted to the processor is prohibited by the rate at which data is conveyed from the CCD. Micro processing speed is the next bottleneck.
The Variety of Roles Fulfilled by LED Lighting Devices
At present, LEDs are extensively used in many different branches of the industry, taking many different forms and fulfilling a wide range of roles. Miniature LED devices are incorporated in thousands of products, including computer components, VCR, DVD, Stereo, Audio and Video equipments, gaming devices, security equipments, mobile phones, digital cameras, medical instruments, encoders, optical switches, fiber optic communication devices, etc.
While miniature LEDs play a set of crucial roles when they are integrated into small-sized technological products, larger scale LEDs can be successfully used as sources of illumination. LED lighting devices have proved to be the best alternative to traditional light sources (particularly incandescent and fluorescent light devices) and have already replaced such illuminating devices in many segments of the industry. LED lighting devices are nowadays commonly used for emergency / police vehicle lighting, traffic and rail lighting, accent lighting pathways, marker lights, emergency lighting exit signs, architectural lighting and signage channel letters, etc.
LED lighting devices have evolved considerably over the last few years and nowadays offer a wide range of benefits (energy efficiency, impressively long life span, durability, wide range of colors, no UV emissions, flexible design, silent operation, low-voltage power supply, easy to maintain) that render them superior to traditional, obsolete sources of light. Thanks to their advantages, LED lighting devices have become very popular and at present they are in great demand, being produced for both industrial and private, household use. Although LED illuminating sources such as LED bulbs, LED pods and LED tubes are already extremely reliable, economical, safe and durable, scientists claim that future designs will be substantially more efficient and a lot more affordable, incorporating high tech, innovative materials.
The great features of LED lighting devices (especially the wide range of colors and the economical character of LEDs) have caught the attention of many advertising companies and agencies that have rapidly started to use various designs for commercial purposes. Thus, LED bulbs, LED tubes, LED pods and various other LED lighting devices are nowadays included in most advertising panels and commercial signs, producing a multitude of vivid, bright colors. In addition, through inventive, imaginative combinations of colored LEDs, breathtaking color-changing effects can be produced by dynamically activating various arrays of LED lighting devices.
Some existing fixtures utilizing variable-intensity LEDs can produce more than 16 million colors, generating remarkable effects such as color washing, cross fading, random color changing, strobing and variable strobing. Such fixtures are easy to install and can be easily controlled via a PC or digital device. Multicolor LEDs can be used for lighting signage, decorative interiors, art exhibition interiors, simple and complex architectural structures, or the interior of different entertainment venues (clubs, discos, etc).
Both simple and complex LED lighting devices nowadays fulfill many different roles inside public and private institutions, industrial establishments, art and entertainment venues or simply private residences. While more complex LED lighting devices are more expensive, simple LED lighting devices such as LED bulbs, LED pods, LED displays and LED tubes have become increasingly more affordable. Such products come with long-term warranty certificates and can be purchased from a wide variety of offline and online specialized stores.
While miniature LEDs play a set of crucial roles when they are integrated into small-sized technological products, larger scale LEDs can be successfully used as sources of illumination. LED lighting devices have proved to be the best alternative to traditional light sources (particularly incandescent and fluorescent light devices) and have already replaced such illuminating devices in many segments of the industry. LED lighting devices are nowadays commonly used for emergency / police vehicle lighting, traffic and rail lighting, accent lighting pathways, marker lights, emergency lighting exit signs, architectural lighting and signage channel letters, etc.
LED lighting devices have evolved considerably over the last few years and nowadays offer a wide range of benefits (energy efficiency, impressively long life span, durability, wide range of colors, no UV emissions, flexible design, silent operation, low-voltage power supply, easy to maintain) that render them superior to traditional, obsolete sources of light. Thanks to their advantages, LED lighting devices have become very popular and at present they are in great demand, being produced for both industrial and private, household use. Although LED illuminating sources such as LED bulbs, LED pods and LED tubes are already extremely reliable, economical, safe and durable, scientists claim that future designs will be substantially more efficient and a lot more affordable, incorporating high tech, innovative materials.
The great features of LED lighting devices (especially the wide range of colors and the economical character of LEDs) have caught the attention of many advertising companies and agencies that have rapidly started to use various designs for commercial purposes. Thus, LED bulbs, LED tubes, LED pods and various other LED lighting devices are nowadays included in most advertising panels and commercial signs, producing a multitude of vivid, bright colors. In addition, through inventive, imaginative combinations of colored LEDs, breathtaking color-changing effects can be produced by dynamically activating various arrays of LED lighting devices.
Some existing fixtures utilizing variable-intensity LEDs can produce more than 16 million colors, generating remarkable effects such as color washing, cross fading, random color changing, strobing and variable strobing. Such fixtures are easy to install and can be easily controlled via a PC or digital device. Multicolor LEDs can be used for lighting signage, decorative interiors, art exhibition interiors, simple and complex architectural structures, or the interior of different entertainment venues (clubs, discos, etc).
Both simple and complex LED lighting devices nowadays fulfill many different roles inside public and private institutions, industrial establishments, art and entertainment venues or simply private residences. While more complex LED lighting devices are more expensive, simple LED lighting devices such as LED bulbs, LED pods, LED displays and LED tubes have become increasingly more affordable. Such products come with long-term warranty certificates and can be purchased from a wide variety of offline and online specialized stores.
How does a digital camera combined auto focus work
Objects in good focus in a digital photo is a very basic requirement for high quality photography. There are two different ways to focus on such objects: manual or automatic. There are a few automatic focus methods combined auto focus systems use more than one such method.
High quality sharp and crisp digital photos are a result of many optical parameters that need to be set right. One of the most important optical parameters is focus. When objects in a digital photo are out of focus they look blurry and are missing details and clarity. When objects are in focus they look sharp and crisp.
While the focus can be manually set by the photographer in most cases using the digital cameras automatic focus feature is much easier and faster. There are many different algorithms and methods that digital cameras use in order to automatically determine the right focus for a specific scenario. Such algorithms include passive and active auto focus. One type of combined automatic focus system uses these two algorithms to delivery superior automatic focus.
Combined passive and active auto focus
Active auto focus systems use distance sensors that measure the distance from the camera to the objects in the scene. Usually the camera measures the distance to the object or objects around the center of the photo. By knowing that distance the camera can then set the camera lenses to achieve good focus. One of active auto focus biggest advantages is that it can work in complete darkness. On the other hand active focus can fail in problematic scenarios such as when objects emit certain energies (like infrared) are photographed or when surfaces in the scene absorb the energy used to measure the distance.
Passive auto focus systems use software that runs on the digital camera built-in computer. The camera executes such image processing algorithms to determine a Focus Level number. The exact way in which such a number is calculated is out of the scope of this article. Suffice is to say that the camera uses some image processing algorithms with which it can calculate how good the focus is. Using these algorithms the camera can find the best focus for the scene. In some scenes the passive auto focus is limited or not functional at all. It does not work well in poor lighting conditions and does not work at all in dark scenes. It is also hard to focus on low contrast objects such as walls or solid surfaces.
Cameras that are equipped with combined auto focus systems pick the right system for the specific scene or cross check by using both systems at the same time. The photographer can also manually decide to use one of the two options. For example when shooting blue skies the camera can try to use the active system and measure the distance. Since the distance is infinite the camera can set the focus and skip the passive focus. In other cases when the distance is not infinite the camera can use the active system to put the lens in approximately the right position and then use the passive system for fine tuning. In dark scenarios the camera can opt to use the active system since the passive system will not work.
High quality sharp and crisp digital photos are a result of many optical parameters that need to be set right. One of the most important optical parameters is focus. When objects in a digital photo are out of focus they look blurry and are missing details and clarity. When objects are in focus they look sharp and crisp.
While the focus can be manually set by the photographer in most cases using the digital cameras automatic focus feature is much easier and faster. There are many different algorithms and methods that digital cameras use in order to automatically determine the right focus for a specific scenario. Such algorithms include passive and active auto focus. One type of combined automatic focus system uses these two algorithms to delivery superior automatic focus.
Combined passive and active auto focus
Active auto focus systems use distance sensors that measure the distance from the camera to the objects in the scene. Usually the camera measures the distance to the object or objects around the center of the photo. By knowing that distance the camera can then set the camera lenses to achieve good focus. One of active auto focus biggest advantages is that it can work in complete darkness. On the other hand active focus can fail in problematic scenarios such as when objects emit certain energies (like infrared) are photographed or when surfaces in the scene absorb the energy used to measure the distance.
Passive auto focus systems use software that runs on the digital camera built-in computer. The camera executes such image processing algorithms to determine a Focus Level number. The exact way in which such a number is calculated is out of the scope of this article. Suffice is to say that the camera uses some image processing algorithms with which it can calculate how good the focus is. Using these algorithms the camera can find the best focus for the scene. In some scenes the passive auto focus is limited or not functional at all. It does not work well in poor lighting conditions and does not work at all in dark scenes. It is also hard to focus on low contrast objects such as walls or solid surfaces.
Cameras that are equipped with combined auto focus systems pick the right system for the specific scene or cross check by using both systems at the same time. The photographer can also manually decide to use one of the two options. For example when shooting blue skies the camera can try to use the active system and measure the distance. Since the distance is infinite the camera can set the focus and skip the passive focus. In other cases when the distance is not infinite the camera can use the active system to put the lens in approximately the right position and then use the passive system for fine tuning. In dark scenarios the camera can opt to use the active system since the passive system will not work.
Vitamin Supplements for Macular Degeneration Prevent Visual Impairment
Macular degeneration affects central vision, and some sufferers can no longer read books, write out checks, find phone numbers in a directory, watch television, or see the facial expressions of their loved ones. Simple tasks become impossible and frustration is common. Patients may feel alone because no one they know can relate to macular degenerations devastating effects. Not even a new prescription for glasses can restore the individuals poor eyesight. Many age-related macular degeneration patients fear that they will go to sleep and wake up to nothing but complete darkness.
What Is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a debilitating eye disease affecting the elderly. Within the eye is the macula, an area that allows people to see fine details and colors. Macular degeneration prevents the macula from properly functioning and the vision becomes blurred. The most distinguishing aspect of this eye disease is that round spots cover the sufferers field of vision so that it is difficult to see things that are straight ahead. Fine details are impossible to see, but the persons peripheral vision is unchanged.
There are two types of age-related macular degeneration: dry and wet. Dry age-related macular degeneration is the result of fatty tissues called drusen building up beneath the retina. Wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal blood vessels forming in the eye. Up to 90 percent of people diagnosed with macular degeneration have the dry form.
Ways to Prevent Macular Degeneration
Doctors say that there is no way to undo the harm that this eye disease has caused to the macula, but there are a few things that may lower your risks. These include quitting smoking, losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and taking a vitamin supplement for macular degeneration. Also, if you have a history of macular degeneration in your family, you are at a higher risk for developing the disease. You will need to see an eye specialist frequently for preventative care.
Take Your Vitamins
Doctors agree that nothing will reverse the damage caused by age-related macular degeneration, but studies have revealed interesting data in regards to this eye disease. Yellow and green vegetables help prevent age-related macular degeneration. Vegetables like squash, corn, broccoli, and spinach contain a variety of nutrients and antioxidants including lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids. These vitamins and minerals may actually prevent macular degeneration in some people.
Doctors suggest that people choose a vitamin supplement for macular degeneration like VisiVite i-Defense Gold Formula that contains lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. In fact, some retina specialists believe that this combination of vitamins and minerals are of benefit to people who are already suffering from macular degeneration in one eye. VisiVite i-Defense Gold Formula may actually slow the drusen forming in the macula and prevent the eye disease from forming in the other eye.
Keep Those Eye Doctor Appointments
One important aspect of senior eye health is to see your eye doctor often. You may already have age-related macular degeneration, but not be exhibiting symptoms. A retina specialist can determine if you have any eye diseases during an exam when your eyes are fully dilated.
Expect to have a dilated eye exam every few years or more often if you already have an eye disease. You may also need more frequent eye exams if you are overweight, are a smoker, or have a history of age-related macular degeneration in your family. All of these factors contribute to a higher incidence of this eye disease.
Learn to Adapt with Low Vision Aids
Being diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration can be quite frightening. The important thing is to ask your retina specialist the right questions so that you know what to expect and how to properly cope with this eye disease. Your eye doctor can direct you on some important things that may help you manage your condition.
For instance, you might invest in some special lighting that can prevent glare. Optical devices and magnifiers are available for you to see things better close up, but you might have to shop around to find the best one to suit your individual needs. Large print books may enable you to continue with a cherished pastime reading! Reading machines have given many people with macular degeneration the ability to cope with this eye disease by reading aloud information to users.
Final Thoughts
If you are diagnosed with a retinal disease like macular degeneration, it is very important that you realize you are not alone. You dont need to suffer in silence. Your eye doctor may have suggestions to help you adapt to the issues that age-related macular degeneration causes. Scientific evidence has shown that everyone with this disease should take a vitamin supplement for macular degeneration like VisiVite i-Defense Gold Formula to try and prevent your blurred vision from worsening and possibly improve vision. Also, there are many different low vision aids, magnifiers and optical devices, and other resources available for the visually impaired. Please remember that it is important that you see your retina specialist often, especially if your eyesight is worsening or if you suspect a problem.
What Is Macular Degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a debilitating eye disease affecting the elderly. Within the eye is the macula, an area that allows people to see fine details and colors. Macular degeneration prevents the macula from properly functioning and the vision becomes blurred. The most distinguishing aspect of this eye disease is that round spots cover the sufferers field of vision so that it is difficult to see things that are straight ahead. Fine details are impossible to see, but the persons peripheral vision is unchanged.
There are two types of age-related macular degeneration: dry and wet. Dry age-related macular degeneration is the result of fatty tissues called drusen building up beneath the retina. Wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal blood vessels forming in the eye. Up to 90 percent of people diagnosed with macular degeneration have the dry form.
Ways to Prevent Macular Degeneration
Doctors say that there is no way to undo the harm that this eye disease has caused to the macula, but there are a few things that may lower your risks. These include quitting smoking, losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and taking a vitamin supplement for macular degeneration. Also, if you have a history of macular degeneration in your family, you are at a higher risk for developing the disease. You will need to see an eye specialist frequently for preventative care.
Take Your Vitamins
Doctors agree that nothing will reverse the damage caused by age-related macular degeneration, but studies have revealed interesting data in regards to this eye disease. Yellow and green vegetables help prevent age-related macular degeneration. Vegetables like squash, corn, broccoli, and spinach contain a variety of nutrients and antioxidants including lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids. These vitamins and minerals may actually prevent macular degeneration in some people.
Doctors suggest that people choose a vitamin supplement for macular degeneration like VisiVite i-Defense Gold Formula that contains lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. In fact, some retina specialists believe that this combination of vitamins and minerals are of benefit to people who are already suffering from macular degeneration in one eye. VisiVite i-Defense Gold Formula may actually slow the drusen forming in the macula and prevent the eye disease from forming in the other eye.
Keep Those Eye Doctor Appointments
One important aspect of senior eye health is to see your eye doctor often. You may already have age-related macular degeneration, but not be exhibiting symptoms. A retina specialist can determine if you have any eye diseases during an exam when your eyes are fully dilated.
Expect to have a dilated eye exam every few years or more often if you already have an eye disease. You may also need more frequent eye exams if you are overweight, are a smoker, or have a history of age-related macular degeneration in your family. All of these factors contribute to a higher incidence of this eye disease.
Learn to Adapt with Low Vision Aids
Being diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration can be quite frightening. The important thing is to ask your retina specialist the right questions so that you know what to expect and how to properly cope with this eye disease. Your eye doctor can direct you on some important things that may help you manage your condition.
For instance, you might invest in some special lighting that can prevent glare. Optical devices and magnifiers are available for you to see things better close up, but you might have to shop around to find the best one to suit your individual needs. Large print books may enable you to continue with a cherished pastime reading! Reading machines have given many people with macular degeneration the ability to cope with this eye disease by reading aloud information to users.
Final Thoughts
If you are diagnosed with a retinal disease like macular degeneration, it is very important that you realize you are not alone. You dont need to suffer in silence. Your eye doctor may have suggestions to help you adapt to the issues that age-related macular degeneration causes. Scientific evidence has shown that everyone with this disease should take a vitamin supplement for macular degeneration like VisiVite i-Defense Gold Formula to try and prevent your blurred vision from worsening and possibly improve vision. Also, there are many different low vision aids, magnifiers and optical devices, and other resources available for the visually impaired. Please remember that it is important that you see your retina specialist often, especially if your eyesight is worsening or if you suspect a problem.
Lasik Flap Dilemmas
There comes a time in every laser eye surgical procedure when leaving the battlefield is the best of two (or more) evils. When is it best to reposition the flap, abandon the procedure and possibly attempt the LASIK procedure at a later time?
Obtaining adequate suction to certain globes is occasionally an elusive target. This includes small hyperopic eyes, flat or small diameter corneas, narrow palpebral fissures If the level of myopia permits, one has to remember that PRK is always an available option and patients must be made aware of this alternative and be consented for it prior to the procedure. A surgeon might be tempted to extend an incomplete flap with a crescent blade or similar instrument . This might lead to an uneven bed and scarring. The closer the hinge to the visual axis the riskier this maneuver will be. If the bed is large enough (not more than 0.5 mm of unexposed stroma at the hinge) laser treatment may be applied (with adequate protection to the underside of the flap).
A thin flap with an underlying shiny bed probably indicated an uncut underlying Bowmans layer. It is not clear if performing laser in this situation has similar or higher risk of haze formation as PRK. Until more is known about this issue, it is probably safest to reposition the flap and abort the procedure especially in high levels of correction. An irregular flap indicates an irregular stromal bed and is best allowed to heal back in position rather than risk inducing irregular astigmatism.
If a buttonhole occurs, immediate laser ablation of a central epithelial island by scraping or by the laser was reported to lead to uneven ablation and loss of BCVA.
The Free Cap
A free cap results from unintended complete dissection of the corneal flap by the microkeratome head. If the cap is trapped in the keratome head, it should be gently retrieved, stretched and kept in a dessication chamber if the diameter of the exposed stroma allows laser ablation. A small cap (i.e smaller than the optical zone) should prompt the surgeon to replace it in position and avoid the laser ablation. If the cap cannot be recovered, the epithelium will grow centrally as after other superficial keratectomy procedures and may result in a significant hyperopic shift.
Intraoperative factors leading to a free cap are the same as those leading to a thin or perforated flap, a poor blade to cornea coupling. This is especially true for flatter corneas which are more prone to a smaller cap. Other maneuvers such as malpositioning and/or misadjusting of the flap thickness foot-plate during assembly of certain microkeratomes can lead to a free cap.
In certain instances, the microkeratome can jam preventing head reversal. This might prompt the surgeon to release the suction thus lifting the instrument with an incarcerated flap resulting in a free cap.
Placing corneal marks with gentian violet is time well spent prior to cutting a corneal flap. When recovered, a cap can be repositioned using the preplaced marks to allow proper orientation. A bandage contact lens is usually helpful to tamponade the cap and prevent slippage upon lid contact. Suturing is rarely necessary.
If the cap is lost, the corneal epithelium is allowed to heal as in PRK with a more profound central applanation effect. Laser treatment is deferred until refractive stability is achieved.
Obtaining adequate suction to certain globes is occasionally an elusive target. This includes small hyperopic eyes, flat or small diameter corneas, narrow palpebral fissures If the level of myopia permits, one has to remember that PRK is always an available option and patients must be made aware of this alternative and be consented for it prior to the procedure. A surgeon might be tempted to extend an incomplete flap with a crescent blade or similar instrument . This might lead to an uneven bed and scarring. The closer the hinge to the visual axis the riskier this maneuver will be. If the bed is large enough (not more than 0.5 mm of unexposed stroma at the hinge) laser treatment may be applied (with adequate protection to the underside of the flap).
A thin flap with an underlying shiny bed probably indicated an uncut underlying Bowmans layer. It is not clear if performing laser in this situation has similar or higher risk of haze formation as PRK. Until more is known about this issue, it is probably safest to reposition the flap and abort the procedure especially in high levels of correction. An irregular flap indicates an irregular stromal bed and is best allowed to heal back in position rather than risk inducing irregular astigmatism.
If a buttonhole occurs, immediate laser ablation of a central epithelial island by scraping or by the laser was reported to lead to uneven ablation and loss of BCVA.
The Free Cap
A free cap results from unintended complete dissection of the corneal flap by the microkeratome head. If the cap is trapped in the keratome head, it should be gently retrieved, stretched and kept in a dessication chamber if the diameter of the exposed stroma allows laser ablation. A small cap (i.e smaller than the optical zone) should prompt the surgeon to replace it in position and avoid the laser ablation. If the cap cannot be recovered, the epithelium will grow centrally as after other superficial keratectomy procedures and may result in a significant hyperopic shift.
Intraoperative factors leading to a free cap are the same as those leading to a thin or perforated flap, a poor blade to cornea coupling. This is especially true for flatter corneas which are more prone to a smaller cap. Other maneuvers such as malpositioning and/or misadjusting of the flap thickness foot-plate during assembly of certain microkeratomes can lead to a free cap.
In certain instances, the microkeratome can jam preventing head reversal. This might prompt the surgeon to release the suction thus lifting the instrument with an incarcerated flap resulting in a free cap.
Placing corneal marks with gentian violet is time well spent prior to cutting a corneal flap. When recovered, a cap can be repositioned using the preplaced marks to allow proper orientation. A bandage contact lens is usually helpful to tamponade the cap and prevent slippage upon lid contact. Suturing is rarely necessary.
If the cap is lost, the corneal epithelium is allowed to heal as in PRK with a more profound central applanation effect. Laser treatment is deferred until refractive stability is achieved.
Hair Removal - Painless and Permanent Hair Removal
Hair removal is a vague term that has only recently been accurately defined. Temporary hair reduction is defined as a delay in hair growth, which usually lasts 1-3 months, consistent with the induction of telogen. Permanent hair reduction refers to a significant reduction in the number of terminal hairs after a given treatment, which is stable for a period of time longer than the complete growth cycle of hair follicles at the given body site.
Demand for a rapid, noninvasive method for hair removal has resulted in the introduction of various light sources for hair removal. Light source of hair removal commonly focuses on ruby, alexandrite, diode, and Nd:YAG lasers and intense pulsed light sources. These devices are designed to target either an endogenous chromophore (melanin) or an exogenous chromophore (carbon suspension, photosensitizer, and exogenous dye). Laser hair removal is one of the most recent systems of hair removal that has been introduced. Today, a large number of specific laser systems are available in the market, which makes the customer a bit apprehensive about their attributes, selection, treatment protocols and effects. Laser hair removal is one of the light sources of hair removal. Hair follicles are destroyed by light in a number of ways such as thermal, photomechanical or photochemical mechanism with generation of toxic mediators like singlet oxygen or free radicals.
Thermal mechanism for hair removal has recently been introduced to induce selective damage to hair follicles. Based on the principles of selective photothermolysis, this principle predicts that selective thermal damage of a pigmented target structure will result when sufficient quantity of light at a given wavelength is absorbed by the target in a time equal to or less than the thermal relaxation time of the target.
Melanin is the natural chromophore for targeting hair follicles in the visible to near-infrared region, Lasers or light sources that operate in the red or near-infrared wavelength region lie in an optical window of the spectrum in which selective absorption by melanin is combined with deep penetration into the dermis. Therefore, deep and selective heating of the hair shaft, the hair follicle epithelium, and the heavily pigmented matrix is possible in the 600nm to 1100nm region. However, melanin in the epidermis presents a competing site for absorption. Selective cooling of the epidermis has been shown to minimize epidermal injury.
Photomechanical destruction of hair has been attempted with very short nanosecond pulses. It has been done by the help of Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers, with and without carbon suspension. Short pulses are used to target hair follicles resulting in rapid heating of the chromophore (melanin). It leads to photo acoustic shock waves that cause focal photomechanical disruption of the melanocytes but not complete follicular disruption. Therefore, the Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are not likely to produce long-term hair removal.
A distinction needs to be made between permanent and complete hair loss. Immediately after laser treatment, the hair shaft shows fragmentation with focal rupture into the follicular epithelium and thermal damage to the surrounding follicular epithelium. The extent of thermal damage is dependent on the pulse width but retains confinement on the spatial scale of the follicle itself. Histological changes are almost guaranteed in the person undergoing laser hair removal. However, such form of hair removal should be carried out under the supervision of a qualified dermatologist as it involves considerable degree of expertise.
Demand for a rapid, noninvasive method for hair removal has resulted in the introduction of various light sources for hair removal. Light source of hair removal commonly focuses on ruby, alexandrite, diode, and Nd:YAG lasers and intense pulsed light sources. These devices are designed to target either an endogenous chromophore (melanin) or an exogenous chromophore (carbon suspension, photosensitizer, and exogenous dye). Laser hair removal is one of the most recent systems of hair removal that has been introduced. Today, a large number of specific laser systems are available in the market, which makes the customer a bit apprehensive about their attributes, selection, treatment protocols and effects. Laser hair removal is one of the light sources of hair removal. Hair follicles are destroyed by light in a number of ways such as thermal, photomechanical or photochemical mechanism with generation of toxic mediators like singlet oxygen or free radicals.
Thermal mechanism for hair removal has recently been introduced to induce selective damage to hair follicles. Based on the principles of selective photothermolysis, this principle predicts that selective thermal damage of a pigmented target structure will result when sufficient quantity of light at a given wavelength is absorbed by the target in a time equal to or less than the thermal relaxation time of the target.
Melanin is the natural chromophore for targeting hair follicles in the visible to near-infrared region, Lasers or light sources that operate in the red or near-infrared wavelength region lie in an optical window of the spectrum in which selective absorption by melanin is combined with deep penetration into the dermis. Therefore, deep and selective heating of the hair shaft, the hair follicle epithelium, and the heavily pigmented matrix is possible in the 600nm to 1100nm region. However, melanin in the epidermis presents a competing site for absorption. Selective cooling of the epidermis has been shown to minimize epidermal injury.
Photomechanical destruction of hair has been attempted with very short nanosecond pulses. It has been done by the help of Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG lasers, with and without carbon suspension. Short pulses are used to target hair follicles resulting in rapid heating of the chromophore (melanin). It leads to photo acoustic shock waves that cause focal photomechanical disruption of the melanocytes but not complete follicular disruption. Therefore, the Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are not likely to produce long-term hair removal.
A distinction needs to be made between permanent and complete hair loss. Immediately after laser treatment, the hair shaft shows fragmentation with focal rupture into the follicular epithelium and thermal damage to the surrounding follicular epithelium. The extent of thermal damage is dependent on the pulse width but retains confinement on the spatial scale of the follicle itself. Histological changes are almost guaranteed in the person undergoing laser hair removal. However, such form of hair removal should be carried out under the supervision of a qualified dermatologist as it involves considerable degree of expertise.
2007年11月23日星期五
Blu-Ray, too Expensive? I beg to differ
Blu-Ray is the name of the most recent technological development for media storage. It is a totally new way of burning data into optical media discs, which elevates the entire playing field to a much higher level. The members of the Blu-Ray Disc Association (BDA), a group of the worlds leading consumer electronics, personal computer, and media manufacturers, developed blu-Ray jointly. As of Sept. 2006, the BDA consisted of 172 members and contributing companies and is lead by its board of directors consisting of Apple, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, LG Electronics, Mitsubishi Electric, Matsushita Electric, Pioneer, Philips Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Sharp, Sony, Sun Microsystems, TDK, Thomson, Twentieth Century Fox, Disney and Warner Bros. This technology was developed to enable recording, writing, rewriting, and playback of the highly popular and much publicized High Definition videos a.k.a. HD as well as an alternative for storing large amounts of data. Since the launching of the Blu-Ray technology in 2006, a lot of animosity and skepticism has already been generated by production houses, competitors, and even the general public towards it. One of the issues, of course like any other new technology, was its price and the cost of actually using, implementing or selling products using the new format. This article was written specifically to tackle this issue.
Of course, like any new upcoming and promising technologies, major companies as well as some minor ones who are somewhat dependent on this industry have already joined the bandwagon in promoting and implementing the use of this technology. In fact, companies like LG, Philips, Samsung, Sony, and Pioneer have already released their own 1st generation Blu-Ray compatible players. These players range from as high as $1500 for the Pioneer BDP-HD1 to as low as $499 for the Sonys PS3 gaming console. Companies like Benq, HP, LG, Lite-On, Sony, Samsung, Plexor, and others are producing blu-Ray disk writers and re-writers. Writers and re-writers are being sold within a price range of $600 to $1600. Last but not the least, companies like TDK, Panasonic, Sony, Verbatim, Imation, Memorex, Philips, and Fuji have already started selling Blu-Ray disks. They range from $18-$20 (SL) and $43-$48 (DL) each for BD-R and $24-$30 (SL) to $58-$60 (DL) each for BD-RE. Generally, Blu-Ray products like the players, writers, and discs have higher upfront investment cost compared to traditional SL DVD or the HD-DVD. We should expect companies to drop their prices significantly once the technology enters the mainstream. Like any other product, which eventually becomes a commodity, pressures from the laws of competition and economics of scale will sooner or later take its toll.
An indication of this is that even though Blu-Ray discs relatively cost higher to make, its per GB value is higher. For example, while the manufacturing cost of a single layered DVD is comparable to a single layered Blu-Ray Disc, its per GB value is not. Again, for comparison purposes, a 4.7 GB DVD costs around 1 dollar to produce, its per GB is then valued at 21 cents. A Blu-Ray disc costs $1.50 to make, then its per GB is still valued at a still much lower 6 cents. What am I trying to point out, you might ask. It is that even though Blu-Ray discs may have a higher upfront price tag, it is actually cheaper when you take the value you of what your actually getting into consideration. Its efficiency increases its productivity value and in return, giving more value to your money. So now, with that said, who says Blu-Ray technology is expensive? If you would like to learn even more about the Blu-Ray technology, cost, differences between HD-DVD, DVD and even more, go to http://www.about-blu-ray.com.
Of course, like any new upcoming and promising technologies, major companies as well as some minor ones who are somewhat dependent on this industry have already joined the bandwagon in promoting and implementing the use of this technology. In fact, companies like LG, Philips, Samsung, Sony, and Pioneer have already released their own 1st generation Blu-Ray compatible players. These players range from as high as $1500 for the Pioneer BDP-HD1 to as low as $499 for the Sonys PS3 gaming console. Companies like Benq, HP, LG, Lite-On, Sony, Samsung, Plexor, and others are producing blu-Ray disk writers and re-writers. Writers and re-writers are being sold within a price range of $600 to $1600. Last but not the least, companies like TDK, Panasonic, Sony, Verbatim, Imation, Memorex, Philips, and Fuji have already started selling Blu-Ray disks. They range from $18-$20 (SL) and $43-$48 (DL) each for BD-R and $24-$30 (SL) to $58-$60 (DL) each for BD-RE. Generally, Blu-Ray products like the players, writers, and discs have higher upfront investment cost compared to traditional SL DVD or the HD-DVD. We should expect companies to drop their prices significantly once the technology enters the mainstream. Like any other product, which eventually becomes a commodity, pressures from the laws of competition and economics of scale will sooner or later take its toll.
An indication of this is that even though Blu-Ray discs relatively cost higher to make, its per GB value is higher. For example, while the manufacturing cost of a single layered DVD is comparable to a single layered Blu-Ray Disc, its per GB value is not. Again, for comparison purposes, a 4.7 GB DVD costs around 1 dollar to produce, its per GB is then valued at 21 cents. A Blu-Ray disc costs $1.50 to make, then its per GB is still valued at a still much lower 6 cents. What am I trying to point out, you might ask. It is that even though Blu-Ray discs may have a higher upfront price tag, it is actually cheaper when you take the value you of what your actually getting into consideration. Its efficiency increases its productivity value and in return, giving more value to your money. So now, with that said, who says Blu-Ray technology is expensive? If you would like to learn even more about the Blu-Ray technology, cost, differences between HD-DVD, DVD and even more, go to http://www.about-blu-ray.com.
Taking Portrait Photos with Blurry Background and Understanding Depth of Field
We have all seen beautiful photos where the object is perfectly focused while the background is blurred. Such a photo can be very dramatic and might seem to be hard to shoot. In this article we will give you a few tips on how to shoot blurry background photos that will impress your friends and family. You will also understand what Depth of Field is and how to control it.
Depth of field (also known as DOF for short) is the most important thing to understand before shooting a blurry background photo. Depth of field is defined as the range in which the photo is in focus. For example an infinite depth of field means that the photo will be in focus from a certain distance from the camera and up to infinity. When taking a blurry photo the goal is to set the depth of field just around the object. In this way the object is in focus while the background behind it is not.
How do you control the depth of field? After all there is no depth of field menu in the camera (wouldnt that be nice). Depth of field is an optical figure that is influenced by a few factors:
The distance of the object from the camera: This is obvious to understand when taken to the extreme. Shooting an object 10 feet from the camera will result in a smaller depth of field than shooting an object 100 feet from the camera. Obviously shooting an object which for all practical purpose is infinite distance from the camera will result in the camera focused on infinity and the depth of field being infinite too..
The aperture: The wider the aperture (f number decreases) the smaller the depth of field and vice versa: the narrower the aperture (f number increases) the greater the depth of field. Just remember that the depth of field changes along with the f number: when the f number increases and depth of field increases and vice versa. Unfortunately you can not just change the aperture as you wish. Changing the aperture results in a need to change the shutter speed (either manually or the camera can most likely do that for you automatically). The wider the aperture the more light that penetrates the lens and the faster the shutter speed needs to be so there is a limit to how wide you can set the aperture to.
The focal length of the lens: The shorter the focal length the greater the depth of field and vice versa the longer the focal length the smaller the depth of field. For example if you use normal lenses at somewhere around 50mm your depth of field will be much greater than if you use zoom lenses at 200mm. With long focal length the depth of field can be extremely small. For that reason zoom lenses are a good choice in order to shoot a good blurry photo that is practically focused only on the object.
After understanding the theory it is best to go to the field an experiment. You will get a sense of how your photo will look like and how blurry the background will be after playing with different lenses, different apertures and different distances from your object. If you own zoom lenses start with taking photos of a relatively close object while using your zoom lenses. You will find out that it is extremely easy to get a blurry background photo using this method even without setting the aperture. Once you feel comfortable with that setup start changing the aperture and also change to your normal 18mm-55mm or similar lenses.
Most cameras allow to manually change the aperture by putting the camera in A mode while you are changing the aperture the camera will automatically set the shutter speed accordingly. Some cameras allow you to manually set both aperture and shutter speed.
In conclusion shooting dramatic blurry background photos is easy with some minimal understanding of depth of field and some experimenting.
Depth of field (also known as DOF for short) is the most important thing to understand before shooting a blurry background photo. Depth of field is defined as the range in which the photo is in focus. For example an infinite depth of field means that the photo will be in focus from a certain distance from the camera and up to infinity. When taking a blurry photo the goal is to set the depth of field just around the object. In this way the object is in focus while the background behind it is not.
How do you control the depth of field? After all there is no depth of field menu in the camera (wouldnt that be nice). Depth of field is an optical figure that is influenced by a few factors:
After understanding the theory it is best to go to the field an experiment. You will get a sense of how your photo will look like and how blurry the background will be after playing with different lenses, different apertures and different distances from your object. If you own zoom lenses start with taking photos of a relatively close object while using your zoom lenses. You will find out that it is extremely easy to get a blurry background photo using this method even without setting the aperture. Once you feel comfortable with that setup start changing the aperture and also change to your normal 18mm-55mm or similar lenses.
Most cameras allow to manually change the aperture by putting the camera in A mode while you are changing the aperture the camera will automatically set the shutter speed accordingly. Some cameras allow you to manually set both aperture and shutter speed.
In conclusion shooting dramatic blurry background photos is easy with some minimal understanding of depth of field and some experimenting.
A Buyers Guide to Film Scanners
Film scanners are made for the sole and express purpose of scanning film directly into your computer. Unlike their flatbed counterparts, which may be able to handle media of various sizes and thicknesses and can even scan film if a transparency adapter is installed, film scanners scan only one thing: film. But because the image to be scanned is taken directly from the original material - from the film, and not from a print - film scanners allow more direct control over image elements such as cropping and aspect ratio. In addition, film has more detail and dynamic range compared to prints - which invariably lose tonal range and color data during the printmaking process. These are real concerns to photographers and graphic artists, who rely on original slides and film - and film scanners - to ensure the integrity of scanned images in professional and commercial applications. So, if your work relies on scanning negatives, slides, and other types of film, a film scanner is the right choice for you. This buying guide tackles some of the more important things that you need to know when looking for a film scanner.
Style and Type Some flatbed scanners include either an external or built-in transparency adapter that is used to scan film. Other flatbeds are of a dual-bed design; i.e., with one bed - the glass flatbed part of the scanner -for scanning prints; and another bed - a transparency bay that looks like a pull-out drawer - for scanning film. If you intend to scan only the occasional slide or stray piece of film, and don't mind the lower resolution as well, a flatbed scanner that can accommodate film may well serve your purpose. Be aware, however, that the resulting film scans will not be suitable for commercial or professional use. To obtain the best results, nothing less than a dedicated film scanner will do.
Bit Depth
A scanner's bit depth determines the number of bits captured per pixel, which is related to the number of possible colors. The higher the bit depth is, the greater the number of colors that can be shown. Bit depth for film scanners on the market today can be 30-bits, 36-bits, 42-bits, or 48-bits. Always aim for higher bit depth when possible, as this allows the scanner to work with and retain a greater amount of color information. A 48-bit scanner, for instance, produces 65,536 levels or shades of color per R,G,B (red, green, blue) channel, resulting in a mind-blowing possible combination of about 250 trillion colors. In contrast, a 36-bit scanner produces 4,096 levels of information, or a paltry 68.7 billion colors.
Resolution
For scanners, the optical, or "true", resolution is what matters, as this is the actual number of pixels being read by the scanner's optics. Film scanners have much higher resolution figures compared to flatbeds, with optical resolution in film scanners ranging from 2700 dpi to 5400 dpi, and 4000 dpi being the most common. The high resolution in film scanners allows you to enlarge small images, creating enough pixels in the process to print in full-page size.
Style and Type Some flatbed scanners include either an external or built-in transparency adapter that is used to scan film. Other flatbeds are of a dual-bed design; i.e., with one bed - the glass flatbed part of the scanner -for scanning prints; and another bed - a transparency bay that looks like a pull-out drawer - for scanning film. If you intend to scan only the occasional slide or stray piece of film, and don't mind the lower resolution as well, a flatbed scanner that can accommodate film may well serve your purpose. Be aware, however, that the resulting film scans will not be suitable for commercial or professional use. To obtain the best results, nothing less than a dedicated film scanner will do.
Bit Depth
A scanner's bit depth determines the number of bits captured per pixel, which is related to the number of possible colors. The higher the bit depth is, the greater the number of colors that can be shown. Bit depth for film scanners on the market today can be 30-bits, 36-bits, 42-bits, or 48-bits. Always aim for higher bit depth when possible, as this allows the scanner to work with and retain a greater amount of color information. A 48-bit scanner, for instance, produces 65,536 levels or shades of color per R,G,B (red, green, blue) channel, resulting in a mind-blowing possible combination of about 250 trillion colors. In contrast, a 36-bit scanner produces 4,096 levels of information, or a paltry 68.7 billion colors.
Resolution
For scanners, the optical, or "true", resolution is what matters, as this is the actual number of pixels being read by the scanner's optics. Film scanners have much higher resolution figures compared to flatbeds, with optical resolution in film scanners ranging from 2700 dpi to 5400 dpi, and 4000 dpi being the most common. The high resolution in film scanners allows you to enlarge small images, creating enough pixels in the process to print in full-page size.
2007年11月21日星期三
Cheap Digital Cameras
I hope that the following article will help you to better understand this topic.
Many of us look for digital cameras that can execute the tasks that we need while being priced at fair rates. The assorted digital cameras can be found in the high end market to the mid range and also inexpensive digital cameras. When you are looking for the digital camera that you need for your photographs you will find many unlike types of inexpensive digital cameras that you can buy.
These unlike inexpensive cameras can be bought from a diverseness of camera stores. The cost range from some of these cameras can start at about $30 and go as high as $500. The various cameras that can you find in this inexpensive digital camera market also have well known brands like Nikon, Minolta, JVC, Kodak and Fuji.
While these inexpensive digital cameras will miss some of the features that can be found in the high end digital cameras they can carry through good photographs. You will need to look at these inexpensive digital cameras to see if they have the diverse items that you require.
These features can be the versatile shooting modes that you will get from your digital camera. Underwater, foliage, indoor, portrait, automatic are just a few of the shot modes that you can look for when you are selecting your inexpensive digital camera. Some cheap digital cameras will characteristic interesting effects like that of view stitching.
This installation allows you to take three unlike photographs. You can them integrate these distinct photographs together to create a wonderful picture. The sum of megapixels may not be that significant for everyone but they do allow you to receive sharp and well formed pictures.
Since this is significant for exact and elaborated photographs you should look for this info as you are gong through the diverse types of inexpensive digital cameras that are available. You can use versatile photography magazines and digital camera buyers guides to help you select the type of digital camera that is inside your budget.
You should have a clear idea of the diverse requirements that you need from your digital camera. This way you can pick out the digital camera that has many types of shot modes, evaluative metering and how well the optical lense will work.
Since there are many unlike models of digital cameras you will need to know the versatile features and requirements that you need for Taking a picture... for more information on this topic, please check our web site by clicking on our link below...
Thank you for taking the time to read my article it is greatly appreciated. Try searching through my other articles.
Many of us look for digital cameras that can execute the tasks that we need while being priced at fair rates. The assorted digital cameras can be found in the high end market to the mid range and also inexpensive digital cameras. When you are looking for the digital camera that you need for your photographs you will find many unlike types of inexpensive digital cameras that you can buy.
These unlike inexpensive cameras can be bought from a diverseness of camera stores. The cost range from some of these cameras can start at about $30 and go as high as $500. The various cameras that can you find in this inexpensive digital camera market also have well known brands like Nikon, Minolta, JVC, Kodak and Fuji.
While these inexpensive digital cameras will miss some of the features that can be found in the high end digital cameras they can carry through good photographs. You will need to look at these inexpensive digital cameras to see if they have the diverse items that you require.
These features can be the versatile shooting modes that you will get from your digital camera. Underwater, foliage, indoor, portrait, automatic are just a few of the shot modes that you can look for when you are selecting your inexpensive digital camera. Some cheap digital cameras will characteristic interesting effects like that of view stitching.
This installation allows you to take three unlike photographs. You can them integrate these distinct photographs together to create a wonderful picture. The sum of megapixels may not be that significant for everyone but they do allow you to receive sharp and well formed pictures.
Since this is significant for exact and elaborated photographs you should look for this info as you are gong through the diverse types of inexpensive digital cameras that are available. You can use versatile photography magazines and digital camera buyers guides to help you select the type of digital camera that is inside your budget.
You should have a clear idea of the diverse requirements that you need from your digital camera. This way you can pick out the digital camera that has many types of shot modes, evaluative metering and how well the optical lense will work.
Since there are many unlike models of digital cameras you will need to know the versatile features and requirements that you need for Taking a picture... for more information on this topic, please check our web site by clicking on our link below...
Thank you for taking the time to read my article it is greatly appreciated. Try searching through my other articles.
An Overview of Document Management System
Documents are a part of any office life and document management itself can be a tedious job. Usually when one thinks of a document management system, the first impression that comes to the mind first is that of an office without any paperwork. However, a document management system doesn't promise to make your office paper free. Instead it manages the documents in a particular way that makes the documents easily accessible, according to personal convenience. The information is stored in the desired form of media and therefore, refrains from wasting any additional time and space. The computer is the obviously device of choice when using the document management system.
Document management system softwares are widely available all over the world. Some of the terms to be familiar with which directly pertain to the document management system include the following:
Electronic document capture: Scanning, image conversions as well as text recognition come in this category. Paper media here, is simply converted into soft copies. By this method, both accessibility as well as cost effectiveness of a document improves dramatically. This also works when distributing documents as soft copies can be sent to people swiftly and also economically.
Optical character recognition: Optical character recognition actively comprehends characters printed on a physical media like for example on a normal paper.
Electronic document management system: This is particularly effective for a huge collection of electronically created documents. The electronic document management system would help in locating and displaying correctly any document that is required. This can also be used to maintain summary of documents and also different versions of the source document.
Electronic record management system: There are several concerns where there is specific need for records to be managed in a particularly ordered way. Examples include pay rolls and patient reports. The system manages the documents effectively by making it very easily accessible.
Web content management: This system specifically manages websites in an orderly fashion. There are several Web documents which need to be stored and published in any website and requires several permissions. Such needs are taken care of by this system.
Work flow management: required documents need to be kept within the reach of the concerned person at all times. This is managed by the Work flow system which is a very effective tool for document management.
Knowledge management: any relevant information needs to be communicated to the concerned person easily. This is particularly important with companies who wish to bridge any existing communication gap. FAQ are a good example of knowledge management.
These are the different terms and features that make up the document management system. Depending on these explanations, one may choose the management system which addresses an individual business requirement the best. You can later search and implement the chosen document management system in your business to ensure maximum productivity.
Document management system softwares are widely available all over the world. Some of the terms to be familiar with which directly pertain to the document management system include the following:
Electronic document capture: Scanning, image conversions as well as text recognition come in this category. Paper media here, is simply converted into soft copies. By this method, both accessibility as well as cost effectiveness of a document improves dramatically. This also works when distributing documents as soft copies can be sent to people swiftly and also economically.
Optical character recognition: Optical character recognition actively comprehends characters printed on a physical media like for example on a normal paper.
Electronic document management system: This is particularly effective for a huge collection of electronically created documents. The electronic document management system would help in locating and displaying correctly any document that is required. This can also be used to maintain summary of documents and also different versions of the source document.
Electronic record management system: There are several concerns where there is specific need for records to be managed in a particularly ordered way. Examples include pay rolls and patient reports. The system manages the documents effectively by making it very easily accessible.
Web content management: This system specifically manages websites in an orderly fashion. There are several Web documents which need to be stored and published in any website and requires several permissions. Such needs are taken care of by this system.
Work flow management: required documents need to be kept within the reach of the concerned person at all times. This is managed by the Work flow system which is a very effective tool for document management.
Knowledge management: any relevant information needs to be communicated to the concerned person easily. This is particularly important with companies who wish to bridge any existing communication gap. FAQ are a good example of knowledge management.
These are the different terms and features that make up the document management system. Depending on these explanations, one may choose the management system which addresses an individual business requirement the best. You can later search and implement the chosen document management system in your business to ensure maximum productivity.
Understand Multiple Sclerosis To Fight It
Most people do not realize how wide-spread the affliction of multiple sclerosis is in todays world. It affects tens of thousands of people, but it is one of those diseases where a very mild form of it could almost go unnoticed by the general public, and allow the patient to live a pretty normal day to day life. But for others, the effects of multiple sclerosis can be harsh.
Multiple sclerosis is generally considered to be a disease of the nervous system. With most patients, MS gets worse over time, although that time can be anywhere from a few weeks to several years, since the rate of degradation differs from person to person. The most obvious effect is the loss of motor controls within the central nervous system, starting with a loss of eeling and a loss of control over normal movements and speaking.
From a medical standpoint, MS affects the bodys central nervous system and breaks down the signals that go to the brain. This involves the threat to the different nerves and nerves sensors or fibers, also involving a threat to the brain, spinal cord, as well as in many patients, the optical nerve. What happens is that multiple sclerosis damages the enzymes and proteins that provide a defense or safeguard to those nerve fibers. This protective substance is known as myelin, where the primary purpose of myelin is to aid in the communications between the various nerve cells. Once the myelin safeguard is damaged or begins to break down, this causes a breakdown in the communications between the various nerve centers and their coordination.
Multiple Sclerosis, as various studies have indicated, seems to primarily be hereditary. Medical research has shown that the children of parents where either one of the parents has been diagnosed with MS are very likely to be afflicted with it. Certain hormones, particularly hormones associated with sex like progesterone and estrogen have proven to weaken the immune system and have the potential to cause MS.
The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are not readily evident unless you are watching for them. Since MS affects the central nervous system, the first indications of MS would be a lack of balance or tremors. Such symptoms should not be ignored if they persist beyond a few hours, and should be checked as soon as possible with your doctor.
Although it may sound trite, the best preventive measure you can take against multiple sclerosis is ensuring that you have a very rich and balanced diet. Your diet plays a significant role in almost anything you do, and the prevention of MS is certainly among those things. A balanced diet of the right foods will strengthen the immune system and help it fight against the breakdown of the myelin proteins.
Once you have been diagnosed with MS, there are many things that can be prescribed for you. Your doctor will undoubtedly recommend a balanced diet to keep your immune system and the nervous system safeguards as healthy as possible. The most important piece, however, is to get an accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible so that measures can be taken to fight it quickly.
Multiple sclerosis is generally considered to be a disease of the nervous system. With most patients, MS gets worse over time, although that time can be anywhere from a few weeks to several years, since the rate of degradation differs from person to person. The most obvious effect is the loss of motor controls within the central nervous system, starting with a loss of eeling and a loss of control over normal movements and speaking.
From a medical standpoint, MS affects the bodys central nervous system and breaks down the signals that go to the brain. This involves the threat to the different nerves and nerves sensors or fibers, also involving a threat to the brain, spinal cord, as well as in many patients, the optical nerve. What happens is that multiple sclerosis damages the enzymes and proteins that provide a defense or safeguard to those nerve fibers. This protective substance is known as myelin, where the primary purpose of myelin is to aid in the communications between the various nerve cells. Once the myelin safeguard is damaged or begins to break down, this causes a breakdown in the communications between the various nerve centers and their coordination.
Multiple Sclerosis, as various studies have indicated, seems to primarily be hereditary. Medical research has shown that the children of parents where either one of the parents has been diagnosed with MS are very likely to be afflicted with it. Certain hormones, particularly hormones associated with sex like progesterone and estrogen have proven to weaken the immune system and have the potential to cause MS.
The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are not readily evident unless you are watching for them. Since MS affects the central nervous system, the first indications of MS would be a lack of balance or tremors. Such symptoms should not be ignored if they persist beyond a few hours, and should be checked as soon as possible with your doctor.
Although it may sound trite, the best preventive measure you can take against multiple sclerosis is ensuring that you have a very rich and balanced diet. Your diet plays a significant role in almost anything you do, and the prevention of MS is certainly among those things. A balanced diet of the right foods will strengthen the immune system and help it fight against the breakdown of the myelin proteins.
Once you have been diagnosed with MS, there are many things that can be prescribed for you. Your doctor will undoubtedly recommend a balanced diet to keep your immune system and the nervous system safeguards as healthy as possible. The most important piece, however, is to get an accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible so that measures can be taken to fight it quickly.
2007年11月19日星期一
The PowerShot G7 Digital Camera by Canon
The newest camera Canon has put out for the advanced users, the Power Shot G7, had many serious photography aficionados snapping their fingers, anxiously awaiting its October 2006 debut. The 10 Megapixel digital camera is more than most casual users need but the consummate professional will find the Power Shot G7 great for snapping shots for enlargements and nearly unlimited cropping. A large 2.5 inch LCD monitor, complete with wide viewing will make on-camera screening much easier. The 6x optical zoom will make taking crisp, clear close-ups almost effortless.
Canons G series cameras all offer superior image quality but the G7 is one of their first to offer DIGIC III Image Processor with Face Detection Technology. Not only are images clearer and higher pixel count, but the processing and saving is twice as fast as previous technologies. Youd think such power would run your batteries dead in no time, but Canon addressed that as well by integrating low power consumption into the DIGIC III processor.
The Power Shot G7 6x zoom lens and compatibility with auxiliary lenses lets you snap shots in the middle of a soccer game without ever stepping on the playing field. You wont lose brightness or clarity as you zoom in and out of the game, either. Meticulously engineered lenses reduce and correct aberrations while Canon's new SR coating technology (used here for the first time in a digital camera) virtually eliminates ghosting.
There are so many shooting modes on the G7 youll be hard pressed to use them all.
Auto mode lets you focus on your subject and makes all the decisions for you. It's great for everyday pictures in normal light and motion situations. The P program is a more advanced Auto mode with the addition of advanced exposure compensation. The AV aperture priority mode allows you to isolate your subject or, in the alternative, to add clarity to your entire picture. The camera chooses shutter speed on the AV setting.
If you like more control of shutter speed, the TV shutter priority allows you to adjust shutter speed and possibly add blur while the camera chooses the appropriate aperture. Canons noise reduction will reduce the noise when on the TV setting. For ultimate control, choose the M, or Manual, setting. You choose the ISO speed, exposure and white balance. Once you find a setting you like on M, you can save it as a C, or Custom, setting.
Do you build panoramas or want to start? The Stitch Assist will help align the images in order efficiently and neatly.
Movie makers will love the Power Shot G7s options of shooting in XGA 15 fps (frames per second); VGA and QVGA - 30 fps for up to 1 hour or up to 4 gigabytes; QVGA (60 fps) for up to 60 seconds or QQVGA (15 fps) for up to 3 minutes.
If you like the blurred-background look of traditional portrait shots, choose the Portrait special scene mode. It will automatically focus on the subject while blurring the background. For sharpness from front to back, the Landscape scene mode will set a small aperture for a great landscape photo.
Canons G series cameras all offer superior image quality but the G7 is one of their first to offer DIGIC III Image Processor with Face Detection Technology. Not only are images clearer and higher pixel count, but the processing and saving is twice as fast as previous technologies. Youd think such power would run your batteries dead in no time, but Canon addressed that as well by integrating low power consumption into the DIGIC III processor.
The Power Shot G7 6x zoom lens and compatibility with auxiliary lenses lets you snap shots in the middle of a soccer game without ever stepping on the playing field. You wont lose brightness or clarity as you zoom in and out of the game, either. Meticulously engineered lenses reduce and correct aberrations while Canon's new SR coating technology (used here for the first time in a digital camera) virtually eliminates ghosting.
There are so many shooting modes on the G7 youll be hard pressed to use them all.
Auto mode lets you focus on your subject and makes all the decisions for you. It's great for everyday pictures in normal light and motion situations. The P program is a more advanced Auto mode with the addition of advanced exposure compensation. The AV aperture priority mode allows you to isolate your subject or, in the alternative, to add clarity to your entire picture. The camera chooses shutter speed on the AV setting.
If you like more control of shutter speed, the TV shutter priority allows you to adjust shutter speed and possibly add blur while the camera chooses the appropriate aperture. Canons noise reduction will reduce the noise when on the TV setting. For ultimate control, choose the M, or Manual, setting. You choose the ISO speed, exposure and white balance. Once you find a setting you like on M, you can save it as a C, or Custom, setting.
Do you build panoramas or want to start? The Stitch Assist will help align the images in order efficiently and neatly.
Movie makers will love the Power Shot G7s options of shooting in XGA 15 fps (frames per second); VGA and QVGA - 30 fps for up to 1 hour or up to 4 gigabytes; QVGA (60 fps) for up to 60 seconds or QQVGA (15 fps) for up to 3 minutes.
If you like the blurred-background look of traditional portrait shots, choose the Portrait special scene mode. It will automatically focus on the subject while blurring the background. For sharpness from front to back, the Landscape scene mode will set a small aperture for a great landscape photo.
2007年11月18日星期日
Sony Digital Cameras Match the Highest Standards
Sony digital cameras are versatile and highly innovative photographic equipment that ranges from 2 to 8 megapixel capability. Every user novice or professional will find an appropriate model among the many Sony digital cameras available in the market. Sony is the brand, which it famous for its high standard for design and advanced features. It is also known for its amazing array of digital cameras from the simplest models to the most sophisticated ones.
Sony Cybershot DSC-T10 Digital Camera
The Sony Cybershot DSC-T10 is one excellent model featuring a 7.2 megapixel, 3x optical zoom, auto focus and exposure, and a capability of storing images in JPEG format. It also has a movie mode with sound, a 2.5 inch LCD and memory stick storage of 56MB internal capability. This unit is powered by Lithium-ion batteries and retails for under $300. It is much like the Sony T30 that preceded it and this item gives the photographer a satisfying experience that is accompanied by its eye-catching body available in different colors such as classic silver, black, white, and pink.
Sony Alpha A100 Digital Camera
This Sony digital camera is highly rated by experts and is the first true Sony SLR that provides much competition to other manufacturers. It is a product of Sonys recent acquisition/merger with Konica Minoltas SLR division. The Sony A100 could be called a spiritual successor to the K-Ms Maxxuum line and this item has the capability of accepting all the same lenses as those of the Minolta. It is a 10 megapixel camera that has the Sony Alpha/Minolta A-type lens mount as well as image stabilization capability with the focus to be performed either manually or automatically, and auto as well as manual exposure modes.
It uses both JPEG and RAW file formats to store images and has a compact flash/memory stick. This powered by Lithium-ion batteries Sony digital camera costs between $600 and $800, depending on the retailer.
Rich in features and versatile Sony digital cameras make sure that every consumer will get precisely what they need within a set budget. And with such a name as Sony the last thing to be worried about is quality and reliability.
Sony Cybershot DSC-T10 Digital Camera
The Sony Cybershot DSC-T10 is one excellent model featuring a 7.2 megapixel, 3x optical zoom, auto focus and exposure, and a capability of storing images in JPEG format. It also has a movie mode with sound, a 2.5 inch LCD and memory stick storage of 56MB internal capability. This unit is powered by Lithium-ion batteries and retails for under $300. It is much like the Sony T30 that preceded it and this item gives the photographer a satisfying experience that is accompanied by its eye-catching body available in different colors such as classic silver, black, white, and pink.
Sony Alpha A100 Digital Camera
This Sony digital camera is highly rated by experts and is the first true Sony SLR that provides much competition to other manufacturers. It is a product of Sonys recent acquisition/merger with Konica Minoltas SLR division. The Sony A100 could be called a spiritual successor to the K-Ms Maxxuum line and this item has the capability of accepting all the same lenses as those of the Minolta. It is a 10 megapixel camera that has the Sony Alpha/Minolta A-type lens mount as well as image stabilization capability with the focus to be performed either manually or automatically, and auto as well as manual exposure modes.
It uses both JPEG and RAW file formats to store images and has a compact flash/memory stick. This powered by Lithium-ion batteries Sony digital camera costs between $600 and $800, depending on the retailer.
Rich in features and versatile Sony digital cameras make sure that every consumer will get precisely what they need within a set budget. And with such a name as Sony the last thing to be worried about is quality and reliability.
2007年11月17日星期六
Why use Eyeglass Lenses?
A necessary part of having a pair of eyeglasses is the lenses. Lenses are made from three basic materials: plastic, glass, and polycarbonate. Plastic, the widely used material for lenses and it is stain resistant and lightweight but limited to simply being scratched. Glass is as well used for lenses and is cut resistant but is heavy and breakable. Most everyday use lenses are created from high resin. Hard resin lenses are actually lightweight, offer good optical excellence, and are resistant to scratches. They could as well be further upgraded with color tints, UV - protectants, or photo chromic. Polycarbonate lenses are especially indented for high bang resistance and are perfect for occupational hazards, children, and for athletes. They offer the most excellent eye protection.
High Index Lenses allow broad prescription glasses to be thinner by compact the material. "Index of refraction" is a normal term that is used to explain the speed at which light travels during the material. A greater index results in thinner lenses. Technology has made it probable for both plastic and glass lenses, which have a huge index. High Index lenses are normally lightweight, look really thinner, and do not enlarge your eyes but come expensive.
Eyeglass Lenses Upgrade
Scratch protectant coating is a necessity for plastic or glass lenses. It is simple to scratch your lenses and its damage normally cannot be repaired, thus wasting a good pair of glasses. A scratch resistant coating would assist the lenses become more anti against most abrasions.
One of the causes of cataracts can be the bigger amount of ultra-violent light, which visit our eyes. A UV coating assists to lessen the amount of UV rays, which enter our eyes by jamming it through the lens. A UV coating is cheap and the end result of defensive our eyes are worth the price.
Polarized lenses are same as sunglasses in that they are tinted with a polarization filter and as well block vertical light from appearing stress on the eyes. They are high quality for outdoor activities where the sun would be glaring down on you. Make sure to ask your optometrist or optician on lenses and that type will be more advantages to your lifestyle and upgrades that are a necessity for you.
High Index Lenses allow broad prescription glasses to be thinner by compact the material. "Index of refraction" is a normal term that is used to explain the speed at which light travels during the material. A greater index results in thinner lenses. Technology has made it probable for both plastic and glass lenses, which have a huge index. High Index lenses are normally lightweight, look really thinner, and do not enlarge your eyes but come expensive.
Eyeglass Lenses Upgrade
Scratch protectant coating is a necessity for plastic or glass lenses. It is simple to scratch your lenses and its damage normally cannot be repaired, thus wasting a good pair of glasses. A scratch resistant coating would assist the lenses become more anti against most abrasions.
One of the causes of cataracts can be the bigger amount of ultra-violent light, which visit our eyes. A UV coating assists to lessen the amount of UV rays, which enter our eyes by jamming it through the lens. A UV coating is cheap and the end result of defensive our eyes are worth the price.
Polarized lenses are same as sunglasses in that they are tinted with a polarization filter and as well block vertical light from appearing stress on the eyes. They are high quality for outdoor activities where the sun would be glaring down on you. Make sure to ask your optometrist or optician on lenses and that type will be more advantages to your lifestyle and upgrades that are a necessity for you.
2007年11月13日星期二
Electronic Document Management Systems
An electronic document management system is a computer-based system whereby software tools are used to capture, process, index, store, retrieve, distribute and dispose of the documents. The documents may be in the form of spreadsheets, word processing documents, multimedia files and the like. An electronic document management system includes the capturing of documents through scanning, bar coding and optical character recognition, maintaining workflow management by the control of an orderly flow of documents, and the distribution of documents across individuals and departments.
Many of the processes of document management systems are included in electronic document management software, which also allows documents to be captured and stored in the form of graphical images. The software can be run on a personal computer and networked using the companys existing network. It allows instant access to documents, enhances collaboration with respect to sharing information among departments and offices, and ensures security to files and records.
A user can create a document, attach graphical images and index the document along with the attachment, using the software. Any information on the document can later be accessed simultaneously by all users having a security clearance, irrespective of their geographical location. Subsequent changes and modifications made thereafter are also stored, along with the original document which the other users can view as a complete file. An electronic document management system ensures against misplacement or loss of files due to the provision of an online security system. Also, it makes disaster recovery easy because of the possibility of the external storage of information. In addition to this, the software provides control over the users who can access, view and forward any documents.
An electronic document management system is more cost-efficient than paper-based document management. It saves costs on office space, file cabinets, papers and personnel to maintain the files.
Electronic document management systems can be implemented in organizations where there are large volumes of documents that are difficult to manage and track because of their distant physical locations. It is beneficial to organizations which have to provide instant and multiple access to the information and keep track of all the modifications made by the users to the original documents during its lifecycle. An electronic document management system brings about the centralized management of documents and enables better and faster decisions due to improved workflow management.
Many of the processes of document management systems are included in electronic document management software, which also allows documents to be captured and stored in the form of graphical images. The software can be run on a personal computer and networked using the companys existing network. It allows instant access to documents, enhances collaboration with respect to sharing information among departments and offices, and ensures security to files and records.
A user can create a document, attach graphical images and index the document along with the attachment, using the software. Any information on the document can later be accessed simultaneously by all users having a security clearance, irrespective of their geographical location. Subsequent changes and modifications made thereafter are also stored, along with the original document which the other users can view as a complete file. An electronic document management system ensures against misplacement or loss of files due to the provision of an online security system. Also, it makes disaster recovery easy because of the possibility of the external storage of information. In addition to this, the software provides control over the users who can access, view and forward any documents.
An electronic document management system is more cost-efficient than paper-based document management. It saves costs on office space, file cabinets, papers and personnel to maintain the files.
Electronic document management systems can be implemented in organizations where there are large volumes of documents that are difficult to manage and track because of their distant physical locations. It is beneficial to organizations which have to provide instant and multiple access to the information and keep track of all the modifications made by the users to the original documents during its lifecycle. An electronic document management system brings about the centralized management of documents and enables better and faster decisions due to improved workflow management.
2007年11月12日星期一
Why should I care about my digital camera CCD sensor size?
Everybody knows to check how many mega pixels their new camera has. Although more mega pixels does not necessarily mean better photos most people understand why mega pixels are important. One characteristic of digital cameras that many ignore is the sensor size.
Digital cameras capture digital photos. A digital photo is a collection of pixels. Each pixel has its color and intensity. When all these pixels are put together the result is an illusion of a photo. Pixels are captured by the camera using an electronic sensor known as a CCD. The CCD sensor is a silicon chip that is built of many tiny light sensors. When taking a photo each such tiny sensor measures the amount of light also known as intensity and some other attributes such as the color. Each such sensor results in one pixel and all the tiny sensors put together represent one digital photon.
This is very interesting to know but why should you care? The reason is that there is a relationship between the size of that CCD sensor and the number of mega pixels that it supports. This relationship is important and has practical consequences. It is intuitive that for the same CCD sensor size, the more mega pixels the smaller each CCD tiny sensor is. The same is true if the number of mega pixels is fixed: the bigger the CCD sensor the bigger each tiny sensor is. For each CCD sensor size and number of mega pixel we can calculate the pixel sensor size.
The pixel sensor size is important and influences the characteristic of the digital camera especially in marginal light scenarios. Your digital camera sensitivity to light is directly influenced by the pixel sensor size. The bigger the sensor size the more light it can accumulate in a certain period of time. The result is that bigger pixel sensor sizes allow for faster shutter speeds at lower light conditions. In addition bigger pixel sensor sizes result in less noise captured by each such sensor.
In practical terms if you take two digital cameras with the same number of mega pixels but different CCD sensor sizes - the camera with the larger CCD sensor size will be provide digital photos that are sharper and have less noise. It will also be able to take digital photos in scenes that are too dark for the other camera. In normal light scenes the higher light sensitivity allows more range for changing the aperture and shutter speed and more freedom with getting different focus depths.
Bigger CCD sensors are more expensive. There are many reasons for that one of them is the lower manufacturing yield. For that reason cheaper pocket cameras use smaller sensors than high end digital SLR cameras. CCD sensor size also influences other optical attributes of the camera for example the aperture needed in a specific scene changes as the CCD size changes. The depth of field is directly influenced by such aperture changes. To normalize optical figures many cameras manufacturers choose to normalize their optical attributes to the good old 35mm film (film can be seen as a sensor too, 35mm in size).
Digital cameras capture digital photos. A digital photo is a collection of pixels. Each pixel has its color and intensity. When all these pixels are put together the result is an illusion of a photo. Pixels are captured by the camera using an electronic sensor known as a CCD. The CCD sensor is a silicon chip that is built of many tiny light sensors. When taking a photo each such tiny sensor measures the amount of light also known as intensity and some other attributes such as the color. Each such sensor results in one pixel and all the tiny sensors put together represent one digital photon.
This is very interesting to know but why should you care? The reason is that there is a relationship between the size of that CCD sensor and the number of mega pixels that it supports. This relationship is important and has practical consequences. It is intuitive that for the same CCD sensor size, the more mega pixels the smaller each CCD tiny sensor is. The same is true if the number of mega pixels is fixed: the bigger the CCD sensor the bigger each tiny sensor is. For each CCD sensor size and number of mega pixel we can calculate the pixel sensor size.
The pixel sensor size is important and influences the characteristic of the digital camera especially in marginal light scenarios. Your digital camera sensitivity to light is directly influenced by the pixel sensor size. The bigger the sensor size the more light it can accumulate in a certain period of time. The result is that bigger pixel sensor sizes allow for faster shutter speeds at lower light conditions. In addition bigger pixel sensor sizes result in less noise captured by each such sensor.
In practical terms if you take two digital cameras with the same number of mega pixels but different CCD sensor sizes - the camera with the larger CCD sensor size will be provide digital photos that are sharper and have less noise. It will also be able to take digital photos in scenes that are too dark for the other camera. In normal light scenes the higher light sensitivity allows more range for changing the aperture and shutter speed and more freedom with getting different focus depths.
Bigger CCD sensors are more expensive. There are many reasons for that one of them is the lower manufacturing yield. For that reason cheaper pocket cameras use smaller sensors than high end digital SLR cameras. CCD sensor size also influences other optical attributes of the camera for example the aperture needed in a specific scene changes as the CCD size changes. The depth of field is directly influenced by such aperture changes. To normalize optical figures many cameras manufacturers choose to normalize their optical attributes to the good old 35mm film (film can be seen as a sensor too, 35mm in size).
2007年11月11日星期日
How To Shop For Digital Cameras
There has been a technological revolution over the last twenty years. From the spread of the pc to the rise of CDs, DVDs and MRP3 players; how we approach and record our images of the world is changing. One of the most significant developments to have appeared on the market has been the digital camera. Almost everyone who owns a pc also owns a digital camera. The beauty of these is that you can view your picture as it will be and then decide whether to snap or not-once snapped you can see the picture again. Pictures taken with a digital camera can be uploaded to a computer and then printed out on the special paper that you can buy; alternatively you can put them on disc and take them to a professional processor.
The digital camera is uniquely different from what went before. Prior to the invention of the digital camera, even the most high tech cameras depended on mechanical and chemical processes. Digital cameras work differently because they have an inbuilt computer that records images electronically. Basically they are filmless cameras. When they first came out digital cameras were beyond most peoples budgets-as they have become more popular, the price has dropped to the point where they are as affordable and flexible as similarly priced film cameras. The amount of images you are able to store depends on the amount of memory you have-storage can be anything from 16mb to 256mb. The memory size also has an effect on the resolution of the pictures you are taking-memory cards are removable however, and can be replaced with something that has more storage capacity.
There are three main styles or shape of digital camera, the first is small enough to fit into a pocket, it is the most sort after style and also quite expensive. Next you have the standard size, which is bigger and able to do all the things that the point and shoot camera will do. This model is good value for money. Finally there is the digital SLR which produces the best photographs. It is an extremely flexible model and you can switch lenses with this one, but these enhanced features come with a corresponding price tag.
Other information you should be interested in when buying a digital camera is pixels-briefly put, pixels are the dots that go to make up a picture. These pixels are measured in thousands of such dots; called megapixels. The more megapixels you have the sharper your pictures will be and the bigger the price tag on the camera. If all you want to do is produce 4x6 photos and maybe email some images then a 4 megapixel camera should be adequate for your needs. You need to bear in mind however, that the quality of the images you produce depends on three things; the speed of your computer, the type of software that the camera works with, and the quality of your laser or inkjet printer.
The final thing that you might want to bear in mind is optical zoom-this lets you magnify what you are shooting and gives you more control over framing the shot. The one most recommended for flexibility is the 3x optical zoom, dont let vendors confuse you with digital zoom-it is not a viable consideration. With this information at your fingertips you should have no trouble in purchasing you first digital camera.
The digital camera is uniquely different from what went before. Prior to the invention of the digital camera, even the most high tech cameras depended on mechanical and chemical processes. Digital cameras work differently because they have an inbuilt computer that records images electronically. Basically they are filmless cameras. When they first came out digital cameras were beyond most peoples budgets-as they have become more popular, the price has dropped to the point where they are as affordable and flexible as similarly priced film cameras. The amount of images you are able to store depends on the amount of memory you have-storage can be anything from 16mb to 256mb. The memory size also has an effect on the resolution of the pictures you are taking-memory cards are removable however, and can be replaced with something that has more storage capacity.
There are three main styles or shape of digital camera, the first is small enough to fit into a pocket, it is the most sort after style and also quite expensive. Next you have the standard size, which is bigger and able to do all the things that the point and shoot camera will do. This model is good value for money. Finally there is the digital SLR which produces the best photographs. It is an extremely flexible model and you can switch lenses with this one, but these enhanced features come with a corresponding price tag.
Other information you should be interested in when buying a digital camera is pixels-briefly put, pixels are the dots that go to make up a picture. These pixels are measured in thousands of such dots; called megapixels. The more megapixels you have the sharper your pictures will be and the bigger the price tag on the camera. If all you want to do is produce 4x6 photos and maybe email some images then a 4 megapixel camera should be adequate for your needs. You need to bear in mind however, that the quality of the images you produce depends on three things; the speed of your computer, the type of software that the camera works with, and the quality of your laser or inkjet printer.
The final thing that you might want to bear in mind is optical zoom-this lets you magnify what you are shooting and gives you more control over framing the shot. The one most recommended for flexibility is the 3x optical zoom, dont let vendors confuse you with digital zoom-it is not a viable consideration. With this information at your fingertips you should have no trouble in purchasing you first digital camera.
2007年11月9日星期五
Basic Digital Photography: Taking Action Shots
Personal photography has gone through a sort of mini evolution in the past 20 years as digital cameras have become popular. With the ability to take huge numbers of pictures, save them on computer, and share them over the internet, the cost of film and developing are no longer limiting factors. Although group photographs, portraits, celebrations, and vacations are still common images, personal photography now captures more impromptu and daily types of events. Photographs of fast moving action are more common as well as people are able to experiment to obtain the type of images they want without fear of "ruining" a shot that requires more skill to take. Capturing action can be challenging for a beginning photographer and requires quite a bit of practice to master. The following outlines a few pointers that can get the novice started off on the right foot.
1. When trying to obtain shots of action, the photographer can use one of two approaches:
Follow subjects with the camera as they wait for action to happen.
Focus the camera on a particular spot where action is anticipated and wait for it to happen. An example would be focusing on the basketball goal or 1st base. When using this method it is often best to observe through the Optical Viewfinder and keep both eyes open so that it is easy to anticipate shots as action approaches.
2. Reduce lag time and latency:
Shutter lag is the delay between the time the shutter button is pressed and the time when the camera actually takes the picture. During this lag time the camera is setting the exposure and focus. Shutter lag is particularly problematic when trying to capture action shots. One way of decreasing shutter lag is to press the shutter button halfway down, hold it, and then press the button down completely when ready to take the shot. This process allows the camera to perform some of the focusing function prior to taking the shot thereby reducing the shutter lag time.
Latency is the time it takes the digital camera to write/store images before the next shot can be taken. To reduce latency, a photographer should use flash cards with fast write times. In some instances, a lower resolution setting can be used for the shot so that the camera has less information to process and store, but this technique of reducing latency must be used carefully as image quality can be compromised.
3. Follow the action; this is known as "panning". Panning involves tracking the motion of the subject horizontally to capture the movement as it goes side to side. As the photographer moves in the same direction as the motion, a slow shutter speed is often used to allow the subject to be focused and the background to blur demonstrating the action that is occurring. Panning is not necessary for all action shots but is one method of demonstrating the movement while keeping the subject in focus. The process of panning involves the following:
1. When trying to obtain shots of action, the photographer can use one of two approaches:
Follow subjects with the camera as they wait for action to happen.
Focus the camera on a particular spot where action is anticipated and wait for it to happen. An example would be focusing on the basketball goal or 1st base. When using this method it is often best to observe through the Optical Viewfinder and keep both eyes open so that it is easy to anticipate shots as action approaches.
2. Reduce lag time and latency:
Shutter lag is the delay between the time the shutter button is pressed and the time when the camera actually takes the picture. During this lag time the camera is setting the exposure and focus. Shutter lag is particularly problematic when trying to capture action shots. One way of decreasing shutter lag is to press the shutter button halfway down, hold it, and then press the button down completely when ready to take the shot. This process allows the camera to perform some of the focusing function prior to taking the shot thereby reducing the shutter lag time.
Latency is the time it takes the digital camera to write/store images before the next shot can be taken. To reduce latency, a photographer should use flash cards with fast write times. In some instances, a lower resolution setting can be used for the shot so that the camera has less information to process and store, but this technique of reducing latency must be used carefully as image quality can be compromised.
3. Follow the action; this is known as "panning". Panning involves tracking the motion of the subject horizontally to capture the movement as it goes side to side. As the photographer moves in the same direction as the motion, a slow shutter speed is often used to allow the subject to be focused and the background to blur demonstrating the action that is occurring. Panning is not necessary for all action shots but is one method of demonstrating the movement while keeping the subject in focus. The process of panning involves the following:
2007年11月7日星期三
Old Fashioned High Resolution Photo Camera
Tired of trying to keep updated with the highest mega pixel resolution digital camera? Well even if one has tried to do that, most certainly he will soon find out that his few months old digital camera is outdated in terms of mega pixel resolution. Its an ever changing kind of product that has become very hard to keep updated, unless one is willing to spend more money by making purchases every six to twelve months.
If the main intention of purchasing a photo camera is enlarging the image, then mega pixel resolution indeed will become the main factor. In this case one might consider a different option, which will keep his product updated for years to come. Im talking about a used 4x5" film photo camera, together with a high resolution flat bed film scanner. All of this for less than one thousand US dollars. With all of this, one will get over 100 mega pixels in fine detailed film resolution and fine scanned digital images that can be enlarged up to 30x40" in size with professional quality. These 4x5" film cameras have done a remarkable job in general personal and commercial photography such as wedding, portraiture, product, documentary, advertising and landscape for nearly a hundred years.
Where to find 4x5" used film cameras? Since some of these cameras were mostly used in the past, until the 1960s, it should be no problem in finding them in American auction web sites. Anyway, a good used 4x5" camera with lens can be found for less than four hundred US dollars.
As for the flat bed film scanner, one can find brand new ones for less than five hundred US dollars. Just make sure the scanner is able to scan films.
Whenever purchasing a 4x5" film camera, one should look for the following features: folds into a compact box, flexible bellows, lenses that can be easily interchanged, accepts sheet film, ground glass focusing screen, easily handheld and optical viewfinder accessory.
As for the lenses, there are four main categories: 1 - general purposes; 2 - wide field (mostly used for close up work and landscape); 3 extreme wide angles lenses; 4 special effects lenses (telephoto). However, one might use a general purpose 127 or 152mm lens for most of his photograph sessions. In cases where it requires special lenses, such as architecture or macro photography, one will still find lots of them available in auction sites. Used lenses for 4x5 cameras made after world word II have excellent performances comparable to todays modern lenses.
Whenever making a purchase of a 4x5" camera make sure that: 1 - the bellows have no light leaks, 2 the lens shutter works accurate at all speeds; 4 the lens elements have no fungus and scratches of any kind; 4 the focus is working properly between the ground glass and the film.
The option of using a 4x5" film camera, together with a flat bed film scanner, for enlarging images with professional quality is viable and accessible. Cheaper than top digital cameras, the 4x5" film camera offers better image quality and will always be updated in the future, maintaining its original value.
For those who wishes the very most detailed image enlargement, one can always use the 8x10" film camera. Four times the physical film size of the 4x5", this option offers so much film resolution that it is considered by many as the ultimate step for photo image enlargement.
Sometimes analog products deliver better results that its digital counterparts. If you are doing the job of enlarging photo images, you should give it a try with a 4x5" camera. You might just surprise yourself.
If the main intention of purchasing a photo camera is enlarging the image, then mega pixel resolution indeed will become the main factor. In this case one might consider a different option, which will keep his product updated for years to come. Im talking about a used 4x5" film photo camera, together with a high resolution flat bed film scanner. All of this for less than one thousand US dollars. With all of this, one will get over 100 mega pixels in fine detailed film resolution and fine scanned digital images that can be enlarged up to 30x40" in size with professional quality. These 4x5" film cameras have done a remarkable job in general personal and commercial photography such as wedding, portraiture, product, documentary, advertising and landscape for nearly a hundred years.
Where to find 4x5" used film cameras? Since some of these cameras were mostly used in the past, until the 1960s, it should be no problem in finding them in American auction web sites. Anyway, a good used 4x5" camera with lens can be found for less than four hundred US dollars.
As for the flat bed film scanner, one can find brand new ones for less than five hundred US dollars. Just make sure the scanner is able to scan films.
Whenever purchasing a 4x5" film camera, one should look for the following features: folds into a compact box, flexible bellows, lenses that can be easily interchanged, accepts sheet film, ground glass focusing screen, easily handheld and optical viewfinder accessory.
As for the lenses, there are four main categories: 1 - general purposes; 2 - wide field (mostly used for close up work and landscape); 3 extreme wide angles lenses; 4 special effects lenses (telephoto). However, one might use a general purpose 127 or 152mm lens for most of his photograph sessions. In cases where it requires special lenses, such as architecture or macro photography, one will still find lots of them available in auction sites. Used lenses for 4x5 cameras made after world word II have excellent performances comparable to todays modern lenses.
Whenever making a purchase of a 4x5" camera make sure that: 1 - the bellows have no light leaks, 2 the lens shutter works accurate at all speeds; 4 the lens elements have no fungus and scratches of any kind; 4 the focus is working properly between the ground glass and the film.
The option of using a 4x5" film camera, together with a flat bed film scanner, for enlarging images with professional quality is viable and accessible. Cheaper than top digital cameras, the 4x5" film camera offers better image quality and will always be updated in the future, maintaining its original value.
For those who wishes the very most detailed image enlargement, one can always use the 8x10" film camera. Four times the physical film size of the 4x5", this option offers so much film resolution that it is considered by many as the ultimate step for photo image enlargement.
Sometimes analog products deliver better results that its digital counterparts. If you are doing the job of enlarging photo images, you should give it a try with a 4x5" camera. You might just surprise yourself.
2007年11月6日星期二
Eric Freeman Biography and his Art work
Eric Freeman was born on 1964 in Yonkers, New York and currently Lives and works in New York.Pulsating with an electrified glow, Eric Freemans paintings resonate disquiet energy, their minimal compositions dizzying in their defiance of space. Comprised of four diffused coloured bands set vertically against a black ground, Industrial Road reverberates with immaculate tension, its forms appearing to undulate in 3D perspective. Drawing comparison to abstract painters such as Ellsworth Kelly and Frank Stella, as well as sculptors such as Dan Flavin and James Turrell, Freemans work combines the illusory qualities of paint with the physicality of altered environment; his large scale canvases having the effect of magnetic fields, shifting the perception of centre of gravity.
Paying homage to artists such as Joseph Albers and Marc Rothko, Eric Freemans Red Inside Green re-devises the metaphysical qualities of abstract painting for a contemporary age. Using contrasting hues, Red Inside Green offers subtle deception through colour perspective, its geometric forms continuously bulging and receding in illusionary space. Seamlessly painted in oil, Freemans canvas possesses an artificial vivacity; its ethereal glow reminiscent of plasma screen technology, creating an electrifying aura that is both spiritual and synthetic.
Eric Freeman marshals fields of electric color and optical effects in the service of an abstracted landscape. Of the five vivid, oil-on-linen paintings included in this show of untitled works dated 2003, four are 8 feet square, and of those, three express the distinct horizon-centered orientation of a landscape with a central darkness disclosed as though from between thin, parted lips. The paintings' upper and lower halves seem symmetrical and appear to swell out horizontally from the support, expanding through sometimes hot, often acidic hues that resolve into thin bars of graduated color that bracket the upper and lower edges.
Conclusion :
Eric Freeman's diffuse paintings are not unlike the artist himself. Stand back and you see bands of hazy color. Get closer and you see their construction and feel the hand and compassion of the artist. But the paintings - and Freeman - never completely come into focus.
Paying homage to artists such as Joseph Albers and Marc Rothko, Eric Freemans Red Inside Green re-devises the metaphysical qualities of abstract painting for a contemporary age. Using contrasting hues, Red Inside Green offers subtle deception through colour perspective, its geometric forms continuously bulging and receding in illusionary space. Seamlessly painted in oil, Freemans canvas possesses an artificial vivacity; its ethereal glow reminiscent of plasma screen technology, creating an electrifying aura that is both spiritual and synthetic.
Eric Freeman marshals fields of electric color and optical effects in the service of an abstracted landscape. Of the five vivid, oil-on-linen paintings included in this show of untitled works dated 2003, four are 8 feet square, and of those, three express the distinct horizon-centered orientation of a landscape with a central darkness disclosed as though from between thin, parted lips. The paintings' upper and lower halves seem symmetrical and appear to swell out horizontally from the support, expanding through sometimes hot, often acidic hues that resolve into thin bars of graduated color that bracket the upper and lower edges.
Conclusion :
Eric Freeman's diffuse paintings are not unlike the artist himself. Stand back and you see bands of hazy color. Get closer and you see their construction and feel the hand and compassion of the artist. But the paintings - and Freeman - never completely come into focus.
2007年11月5日星期一
How to shoot sharp digital photos without a tripod
Tripods are used when you need a steady platform to take a digital photo. In some scenarios not using a tripod will result in a blurry digital photo with its objects either blurred or simply out of focus. However there are times when you will find yourself in a situation that a tripod is needed but you do not have one with you to use. Here are some alternatives to using a tripod when one is not available.
Like film cameras digital cameras are also sensitive to movements and shakings while shooting a photo. If the digital camera moves while the shutter is open the result will be a soft or blurry photo. Usually camera movements are very small and in high shutter speeds the camera does not have an opportunity to move enough in order to distort the digital photo. However in some scenarios such as slow shutter speeds, low ambient light and macro or high zoom photos even the tiniest movement will result in a blurry digital photo.
As a general rule photos that are taken with slow shutter speeds or high zoom values should be taken using a steady platform. The best steady platform is a tripod but when a tripod is not available (for example when you travel and you do not want to carry a bulky and heavy tripod with you) there are some other methods and alternatives that you can use as a steady platform. Here are a few:
Lean the camera against a steady surface: you can use almost any surface that is steady in order to stabilize the digital camera. Such surfaces can be anything from a table, a wall, a bench or a light pole. Make sure that the surface is indeed stable by trying to shake it a bit with your hand. When taking the photo put the camera against that surface and apply some force (for example your weight) to make sure it does not move.
Place the camera on a horizontal surface: another option is to simply place the camera on a horizontal surface. The surface needs to be flat and stable. When you shoot the digital photo you should gently press the shutter button making sure that the camera does not move and then let go. Gravitation will make sure that the camera stays stable on the surface. The main problem with this method is that the camera might shake or bounce when the shutter button is pressed. To overcome this problem you can use two methods: delayed photo set the camera to timer mode using the shortest time for example 2 seconds. When you press the shutter button the camera will start counting and will have enough time to stabilize before the photo is actually taken. Remote control if you have a remote control use it to initiate the photo shooting instead of pressing the shutter button.
Image stabilizer enabled lenses: an expensive option that requires thinking ahead is the usage of lenses that include an image stabilizer. This technology can be implemented in a few methods for example using a floating optical element that compensates for movements or by using special software that controls the CCD sensor. Regardless of the technology such image stabilizers can effectively compensate for small camera movements and are commonly used by professional photographers taking high zoom photos.
Regardless of the method you use to stabilize your camera one thing to remember is that the more photos you take the higher the chances that one of them will be perfectly sharp and in focus. If the scenario is not easy to shoot and you are afraid that you might get blurry digital photos take your time a shoot a few photos using different stabilization methods and camera settings. You can later on browse through the photos and choose the best one.
Like film cameras digital cameras are also sensitive to movements and shakings while shooting a photo. If the digital camera moves while the shutter is open the result will be a soft or blurry photo. Usually camera movements are very small and in high shutter speeds the camera does not have an opportunity to move enough in order to distort the digital photo. However in some scenarios such as slow shutter speeds, low ambient light and macro or high zoom photos even the tiniest movement will result in a blurry digital photo.
As a general rule photos that are taken with slow shutter speeds or high zoom values should be taken using a steady platform. The best steady platform is a tripod but when a tripod is not available (for example when you travel and you do not want to carry a bulky and heavy tripod with you) there are some other methods and alternatives that you can use as a steady platform. Here are a few:
Regardless of the method you use to stabilize your camera one thing to remember is that the more photos you take the higher the chances that one of them will be perfectly sharp and in focus. If the scenario is not easy to shoot and you are afraid that you might get blurry digital photos take your time a shoot a few photos using different stabilization methods and camera settings. You can later on browse through the photos and choose the best one.
London builders: how a small bathroom becomes a large bathroom. Part1.
If you dont live in a customized house with a luxurious bathroom and a separate dressing room, you are most likely to wish your tiny bathroom were larger. While the owners of large bathrooms decide in what corner to arrange the swimming pool, owners of little bathrooms try to contrive how to fit into the area of 3 sq. m. everything plus the laundry washer.
Little bathroom makes some people feel more comfortable and practical. It is possible to take whatever you want from any shelf without moving, and some tall luckiest can even touch the ceiling. But others feel uncomfortable in little premises, being oppressed by them, they feel as if walls pressed on them.
Depending on the style of your house, your bathroom can fascinate by its simplicity or surprise by its elegancy, calm down with its comfort or hearten by its brilliance. But irrespective of the style that you created in this room, it will still remain a small premise. But apply a little magic of optical illusions - proper color and apt illumination, and room will be visually widened.
Sometimes in order to feel comfort, you dont need to add meters to the room. Use our prompts and make your small bathroom bigger.
Illusions of light. Light plays one of leading roles in the beautification of premises. It is necessary to think it over on primary stages of repair and straight away prepare places for lighting units.
Dissipated or reflected light multiplies the area. But it is desirable that finishing of the room was able to reflect light. Light colors reflect light, and dark ones absorb it. Glossy surfaces also reflect the light. Nowadays ceiling can also be covered by gloss there are hung and stretched ceilings. Such ceiling makes the bathroom one and a half times higher, and the mirror-faced ceiling increases its height by two times. But fans of mirrors are to remember that the mistress of the house may find it a bit straining to wipe the brilliance of this splendour at least once a week.
If to direct the bright light at the ceiling, it will seem higher. And on the contrary, a low or massive luster will decrease the height of the premise. The luster light, directed downward, will also diminish the height of the premise. When the ceiling is in the shadow, the height of the premise is diminished too. Try to avoid dark corners. They narrow the area optically.
For little rooms it will be better to use build-in light units or hidden illumination. Setting of such illumination over the perimeter of the room will create the atmosphere of airiness and lightness.
Illusions of colour. Select light tones for walls and ceiling. They visually widen the area. But try to combine light colours. Because a one-coloured room will surely bring you no pleasure. The floor is to have rich colour to increasing the height of the premise: it can be red, blue, yellow and tints of these colours.
Colours that visually widen the area are: white, beige-orange, yellow, light blue, blue, dark blue-green. Dark colors diminish the room, they are black, umber, yellow-red, orange-red.
Little bathroom makes some people feel more comfortable and practical. It is possible to take whatever you want from any shelf without moving, and some tall luckiest can even touch the ceiling. But others feel uncomfortable in little premises, being oppressed by them, they feel as if walls pressed on them.
Depending on the style of your house, your bathroom can fascinate by its simplicity or surprise by its elegancy, calm down with its comfort or hearten by its brilliance. But irrespective of the style that you created in this room, it will still remain a small premise. But apply a little magic of optical illusions - proper color and apt illumination, and room will be visually widened.
Sometimes in order to feel comfort, you dont need to add meters to the room. Use our prompts and make your small bathroom bigger.
Illusions of light. Light plays one of leading roles in the beautification of premises. It is necessary to think it over on primary stages of repair and straight away prepare places for lighting units.
Dissipated or reflected light multiplies the area. But it is desirable that finishing of the room was able to reflect light. Light colors reflect light, and dark ones absorb it. Glossy surfaces also reflect the light. Nowadays ceiling can also be covered by gloss there are hung and stretched ceilings. Such ceiling makes the bathroom one and a half times higher, and the mirror-faced ceiling increases its height by two times. But fans of mirrors are to remember that the mistress of the house may find it a bit straining to wipe the brilliance of this splendour at least once a week.
If to direct the bright light at the ceiling, it will seem higher. And on the contrary, a low or massive luster will decrease the height of the premise. The luster light, directed downward, will also diminish the height of the premise. When the ceiling is in the shadow, the height of the premise is diminished too. Try to avoid dark corners. They narrow the area optically.
For little rooms it will be better to use build-in light units or hidden illumination. Setting of such illumination over the perimeter of the room will create the atmosphere of airiness and lightness.
Illusions of colour. Select light tones for walls and ceiling. They visually widen the area. But try to combine light colours. Because a one-coloured room will surely bring you no pleasure. The floor is to have rich colour to increasing the height of the premise: it can be red, blue, yellow and tints of these colours.
Colours that visually widen the area are: white, beige-orange, yellow, light blue, blue, dark blue-green. Dark colors diminish the room, they are black, umber, yellow-red, orange-red.
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