Touch Screen

clipped from www.pcmag.com Windows 7: Inside Multitouch what makes Windows 7 so exciting is that no computer operating system ever incorporated native support for multitouch before. The new breed of multitouch laptops and desktops with touch screens don’t need extra downloads or plugins– multitouch just works Vista offered single-touch capabilities in tablet mode, and pen input is quite common as well. But as much as Microsoft would love to paint multitouch as a natural progression in its operating systems, its Apple that was the real democratizer of multiple-input touch screens. Optical sensors are set up around the screen creating a grid. The screen reacts when your finger, pen, stylus, or any other implement break one of the beams pen, stylus, or any other implement break one of the beams; you don’t actually have to physically touch the surface to get a response. there’s no question that this interface can change the way we look at computing.

Holy Lumix!

Pocket cameras not always easy on the pocket book. Been following Panasonic Lumix cameras for awhile. Don’t own one but maybe some day…..

I still wouldn’t trade it in for a DSLR…. yet.

clipped from www.pcmag.com Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 CHECK PRICES $900 – $1500 Amazon $899.95 Amazon Marketplace $1499.99 EditorVery Good By�PJ Jacobowitz With image quality that rivals capable D-SLRs and a body not much larger than a super-zoom camera, the 12.1-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 ($899.95 direct, with lens) is the most compact model in Panasonic’s line-up of Micro Four Thirds cameras. Panasonic’s first two entries into the space, the $799 Lumix DMC-G1 and the $1,499 GH1, weren’t much smaller than traditional D-SLRs. The GF1 is more comparable in size to the $800 Olympus E-P1, which features great image quality but a painfully slow autofocus. The GF1 doesn’t perform as well as the E-P1 or D-SLR competitors in low-light conditions (ISO 1600 and higher), but in brighter shooting situations, image quality is top-notch.

Death of a DSLR? Phooey!

Author predicts the death of the DSLR based on historical events with cameras. In my opinion, many SLR users did not give up the SLR for a pocket 110. I hardly see a DSLR user giving in totally to a rangefinder or (point and shoot) camera regardless of its upgraded features.

I will say however, that the article sheds a new light for me on a question that I’ve had. As a SLR and DSLR user, I’ve been wondering why Nikon (specifically) has chosen to upgrade their 10 and 12 mp cameras (and with video) rather than come out with a new camera with say… 15mp. There are point and shoots out now that are capable of 12mp at a price in the same neighborhood as a DSLR with 10mp. It’s an uneasy feeling waiting for that 15mp DSLR and watching everything around it ‘upgraded’ for image quality. Is Nikon trying to appease the masses and draw in crowds of people to DSLR by offering their old flagships as new flagships with video capabilities? Thereby keeping the DSLR alive?

If so, than w

clipped from www.gearlog.com Here’s a news flash: Cell-phone cameras be damned, because a significant segment of the population is actually prioritizing sharp, well-exposed images over ultimate convenience. Since the introduction of the first Canon Digital Rebel in 2003, this quality-conscious segment has been turning to interchangeable-lens digital SLRs (DSLRs) to take the best possible photos. Wednesday�October 28, 2009 Death of the DSLR Camera In the past few months, digital camera manufacturers have finally begun to ship non-DSLR cameras that can meet the needs of the quality-minded photographer. This has been largely driven by Olympus and Panasonic and their Micro Four Thirds system, which obviates the need for the mirrors in SLRs that are used for the optical viewfinder. Most digital camera sales still tend towards compact units; as nice as the Micro Four Thirds cameras are, they don’t slip into your pocket. they’ll become marginalized as more and more people turn toward more convenient alternatives

Taking a Stand

Article was interesting. However, it switched gears a bit in the last half where the author hits on the other issues like UN Protocol and complaints from leader(s) about the UN Charter vs what is really taking place within.

clipped from news.bbc.co.uk US President Barack Obama used his first UN address to urge world unity In his first speech to the UN General Assembly, he said global problems included nuclear proliferation, war, climate change and economic crisis. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi berated the UN Security Council, while French President Nicolas Sarkozy issued a stern warning to Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has previously said he does not believe the Holocaust happened, was due to speak later on Wednesday. Israel has called for a boycott of his appearance and the Germans have said they will walk out if he repeats the claim. “Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world’s problems alone,” he said. MARDELL’S AMERICA Obama’s speech to the United Nations was a reminder of the scale of his ambition and the intractability of the problems before him Mark Mardell BBC North America editor Read Mark’s thoughts in full

Rocky Road bars: recipe

A re-clip (like in re-tweet).

clipped from www.hersheys.com Rocky Road Tasty Team Treats Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups finely crushed thin pretzels or pretzel sticks 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, melted 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk) 1-3/4 cups (10-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY’S MINI KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates 3 cups miniature marshmallows 1-1/3 cups coarsely chopped pecans or pecan pieces Directions: 1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of 13×9x2-inch baking pan. 2. Combine pretzels and melted butter in small bowl; press evenly onto bottom of prepared pan. Spread sweetened condensed milk evenly over pretzel layer; layer evenly with chocolates, marshmallows and pecans, in order. Press down firmly on pecans. 3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned; cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. About 36 bars.

The Encyclopedia Movement

Unbelievable stats. Had no idea this was in the works. Article worth checking out. Maybe you have something to contribute?

clipped from www.sciencedaily.com Tools Let Public Contribute To Massive Interactive Online Biodiversity Encyclopedia ScienceDaily (Aug. 26, 2009) Over 30,000 still images and video, as well as local information about changing biodiversity, have been uploaded to the Encyclopedia of Life via new tools that let the public contribute as never before to a global online science collaboration of unprecedented scale. Almost 40% of the 31,000 images so far have come from five photographers – from Portugal, Australia (2), Spain and Austria. The best of the lot, including winners of regular EOL photo contests, are showcased at http://www.flickr.com/groups/1056008@N20. we intend to harness the eyes and collective brainpower of hundreds of thousands of users to spot intriguing new information, share observations, and enhance EOL’s role as a leading provider of accurate and relevant biodiversity information,” Since its unveiling in early 2008, the site has attracted 1.8 million unique visitors from more than 200 countries.