My recent presentation from the epic SEOmoz MozCon event in Seattle, July 2011."
Source : Google Reader
Sunday 14 August 2011
Automating and Scaling Keyword Research
Automating and Scaling Keyword Research: "
My recent presentation from the epic SEOmoz MozCon event in Seattle, July 2011."
My recent presentation from the epic SEOmoz MozCon event in Seattle, July 2011."
HELP. Sent SMS alert sound:(
HELP. Sent SMS alert sound:(: "
After I send a text on my Curve 8900, it comes up with my balance and it bleeps. I've tried going to advance profiles and putting things on silent, but it still bleeps; which is a problem when Im trying to text secretly and stuff:(
Help?
Thanks - Vicky x
"Help?
Thanks - Vicky x
Source : Google Reader
Cookies Problem
Cookies Problem: "
Hi.
Can Someone Help Me, I Cant Log In To Facebook Because It Says That Cookies Not Working, Sometimes It Says "we Are Not Cool Enough To Support Your Browser" .. Can Someone Help Me, I Have Curve8520. Thanks.
"Can Someone Help Me, I Cant Log In To Facebook Because It Says That Cookies Not Working, Sometimes It Says "we Are Not Cool Enough To Support Your Browser" .. Can Someone Help Me, I Have Curve8520. Thanks.
Source : Google Reader
Web site development outsourcing (arsl786pk)
Web site development outsourcing (arsl786pk): "
We are an IT Solution providers and specially expert in all kind of web development.
We will try to be the best outsourcing solution for you.
"We will try to be the best outsourcing solution for you.
Source : Google Reader
Movies
Movies: "
What kind of movie format does the PB recognize? Most of the movies I have on my MAC are MKV 1080p movies. I have tried transfer some of them to my PB but the wont show in my videos. They are virtually there but the wont show. I was told to convert them to MP4 format. I have done that but they would loose resolution. Does anyone know of any good video converter with HD out comes?
Cheers
"Cheers
Source : Google Reader
Use my 83XX in Europe??
Use my 83XX in Europe??: "
I'll be in the UK in Sept. I've got a Tmobile Curve in a drawer, inactive. Can I activate it (month to month) and then use it there for a month? As I recall I could use it via WiFi/UMA and avoid the roaming charges to call the USA. What do I have to do after I get it connected with Tmobile?
"Source : Google Reader
Help me download pic's from PC to BB
Help me download pic's from PC to BB: "
I have a Blackberry 7250 from Bell Mobility. I suffered a JVM 102 error recently and as a result had to wipe the device. I have downloaded Desktop Manager 4.7 and Handheld Software on my bb is 4.1.385. I have tried several times to down load pics from my PC (using Windows VIsta) via USB to my BB unsuccessfully. How can i transfer these files to my blackberry? Any assistance would be appreciated.
"Source : Google Reader
Group Messages on Windows Phone uses MMS by default [ Warning ]
Group Messages on Windows Phone uses MMS by default [ Warning ]: "
Many of our readers have already got Mango Refresh on their windows phone devices and we have seen some of the cool new stuff in mango one of which is Group SMS. You can add various contacts in to a group and and send an SMS to all of them at once by using the group SMS feature. This is great little feature coz many network operators offer SMS bundled in their plan and users can send sms for a very cheap rate. But WPCentral has noticed that by default Group Messaging feature in Mango, will use the MMS instead of SMS to send out the messages.
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Group SMS WP7
Many of our readers have already got Mango Refresh on their windows phone devices and we have seen some of the cool new stuff in mango one of which is Group SMS. You can add various contacts in to a group and and send an SMS to all of them at once by using the group SMS feature. This is great little feature coz many network operators offer SMS bundled in their plan and users can send sms for a very cheap rate. But WPCentral has noticed that by default Group Messaging feature in Mango, will use the MMS instead of SMS to send out the messages.
Check out more : Windows Phone Apps | Windows Phone Games
Source : Google Reader
Skype on Windows Phone – Part 2
Skype on Windows Phone – Part 2: "
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Skype for Windows Phone (mockup)
Last week we reported on a job posting on Skype Careers searching for an expert to optimize their Skype video engine, and we had a feeling Skype integration is coming to Windows Phone.
Check out more : Windows Phone Apps | Windows Phone Games
Source : Google Reader
What is new with Push Notifications and Live Tiles on Mango RTM
What is new with Push Notifications and Live Tiles on Mango RTM: "
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With over 500 features that will come to the RTM version of mango, we have not seen all the features in the Mango Refresh that was released to developers. Video also talks about what developers need to consider when they set up their apps to use these features in their apps. Thomas Fennel, who is responsible for Push Notifications and Live Tile on Windows Phone Mango has talked about the new features to channel9
Check out more : Windows Phone Apps | Windows Phone Games
Source : Google Reader
Mobile Spy Software Makes Blackberry Monitoring Easy
Mobile Spy Software Makes Blackberry Monitoring Easy: "
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The mobile spy software is a breakthrough technology which makes Blackberry monitoring far easier and simpler. It may seem straight out of science fiction, but the extent to which science has progressed has made even our wildest dreams come true. Today the mobile spy software has made it possible to monitor the functioning of a Blackberry mobile phone and track it’s every activity.
The Blackberry is one of the most popular mobile phones today. A smartphone, Blackberry is famous for its whole range of features which makes it a perfect digital assistant. With the largest range of messaging features, Blackberry is famous as a messaging phone. You can browse the internet, email, chat with friends, watch videos and do so much more with your Blackberry, which makes it a favorite with customers all over the world. A features and facilities loaded device as it is, many users also tend to abuse its capability and use it for the wrong purpose. With the new mobile spy software, you can now very well monitor a Blackberry phone.
When you install the mobile spy software in a Blackberry phone, the software quietly works in the background without letting the user of the phone know about it. It records all calls and messages, which you can access from an online account. You can keep track of entire conversations taking place at real time and also know about the call durations, the phone numbers from which the calls were made, and even the videos and pictures in the phone. You can also keep an eye on the text messages and get to see the full text messages being transferred to and from the phone. Moreover, you can even see a message which has been deleted by the user of the phone.
Not simply monitoring the phone’s activities, but the mobile spy software even lets you know the exact location of the phone. The software tracks the GPS coordinates, and using Google Maps you can see where the phone is at any given instant of time. The mobile spy software is of particular use to those who want to keep track of the activities of others and it has made Blackberry monitoring a lot easier.
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Source : Google Reader
Sneak Peek at the new look LazyTube
Sneak Peek at the new look LazyTube: "
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LazyTube-3-Panorama
We have taken a closer look at LazyTube a youtube app for Windows Phone and it look like the developers are hard at work trying to get the new look app ready for Mango. They have not given out any specific new details about the new features but this screen shot that shows off the new look was sitting in my inbox today.
Check out more : Windows Phone Apps | Windows Phone Games
Source : Google Reader
Symbian Spy Software – How to Use It?
Symbian Spy Software – How to Use It?: "
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With the increasing popularity and demand of spy software, it was only a matter of time before specialized spy software was developed exclusively for phones using the Symbian operating system. The Symbian OS is quite popular these days with a number of mobile phones and smartphones using this mobile phone operating system. With the trend of using spy software catching on fast, the Symbian spy software has been specifically designed for phones based on the Symbian OS. The software can be used to keep a tab on the activities of a Symbian based mobile phone.
Once the Symbian spy software is installed, it works in complete secrecy. As the software works in the background, the person using the phone does not even get a hint that the spy software is installed in the phone. The software is so designed as to let you monitor all the activities of the phone. Through a SMS alert, you can get to know about calls being made and also the messages being sent. Whenever a call is made from the phone, you would get complete details regarding the phone number from which the call originated, the duration of the call and even the live conversation in real time.
The technological advancement of the Symbian spy software also enables it to carry out a host of other activities. With its GPS feature, the software can trace the location of the phone. The software works by recording the GPS coordinates and uploads the information into your account. With the software supporting the Google Maps application, you can view the exact location of the phone to the extent of streets and driving directions. By simply logging in to your account at the vendor’s site, you can view all the present and past call records and complete details of all the activities of the phone. Thus, you can use the Symbian software to track exactly where the phone is at any given moment.
You can also see all the text messaging details including the full texts of the messages being sent and received by the phone. With help of the spy software you can even see those messages which have been deleted by the user. The software also lets you see the videos and pictures being taken and stored in the phone. The Symbian spy software enables you to see every secret of a phone and with its host of advanced features and many benefits it is becoming an increasingly popular application.
"
Source : Google Reader
Getting Started with DSLR Video
Getting Started with DSLR Video: "
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Ok, so I finally broke down and bought a new camera, I picked up a 7D and so my 50D has been relegated to being a backup camera. While you could certainly go one and on about the features of the 7D, let’s face it, one of the most interesting is its ability to record 1080p video. While I do my share of videos, I do not lay claim to being a videographer. I know how to shoot video, and I am pretty adept at editing video, but shooting with a simple camcorder and shooting with a DSLR are vastly different beasts. In this article we will take a first glance at how to get started, and make the most out of, your DSLR video.
Differences between camcorders and DSLRs
Many of you are probably own some kind of camcorder. These small, handheld video cameras are actually pretty amazing for their price with 1080p video for under $700. If these little wonders are so good, why do we even need DSLR video? For one thing, the sensors in the consumer camcorders are relatively small and the have a single lens with a fixed focal length. This doesn’t allow much in terms of creative shooting like being able to blur a background. Most don’t even let you select a focus point and they try to guess what you want. Are they REALLY 1080p video, well yes, technically speaking but they are not “broadcast quality” images. Just because something puts out video out 1920×1080 resolution does not mean the image quality is going to be that great.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are DSLR’s that can shoot video. In comparison to high-end, dedicated video cameras, DSLR’s can actually have a BETTER image because the sensor size in a DSLR is larger than in a video camera and the ability to use many different lenses allows for very creative shooting.
The big downside is that most (and this IS changing) current video-DSLRs do not have full-time autofocus. This can be a huge challenge for many people who have come to rely on autofocus for their still photography. Add to this moving subjects and trying to adjust focus on-the-fly, and you can be in for a very challenging shoot. Also take into consideration that the ergonomics of a DSLR are not really suited for shooting video so trying to hand-hold a DSLR while shooting is almost certain to add unwanted shaking or movement. One of the other things to consider is going to be accessories to help you shoot video better (more on this below) which may include a tripod with a fluid head, a good microphone, a stabilization system, viewfinder enhancements, constant lights, and software to do the editing. If you go “all in” you can easily spend more on video accessories than you did on the camera body.
Getting Started
I am going to start with assuming most people are going to be shooting video that is not destined for broadcast TV or movie theaters but in future articles we will get into fine tuning our video and camera settings for those applications. For now, we will start with the basics just to get things going.
Equipment
Depending on what you are shooting, you may or may not need all of the things mentioned here and I will try to point out when and where different pieces will be used.
Tripod and Fluid Head
While you probably own a tripod, the head on it is likely not smooth enough for video. As you tilt and pan, it is very hard to get a real smooth motion. For video, you want was is referred to as a fluid head which will really make a huge difference in controlling your camera for video. If you have a tripod with a removable head, you can just buy a head made for video and use it when needed. Good fluid heads can cost hundreds of dollars but a fairly decent one such as the Weifeng WF-717AH can be found for around $70.
Monopod
A monopod can really be a lifesaver when it comes to video since it can help you steady your camera instead of trying to hold it still for extended periods of time. Another little trick is to put the bottom of the monopod into your belt or pocket and extend the monopod so the camera is eye level, this technique can help you get really smooth pans but is going to be fairly bouncy when walking. For this purpose, you can find a cheap monopod at Walmart for about $15.
Batteries
If your camera supports an add-on battery pack, I would highly recommend you get one and some extra batteries. Running your camera for extended periods (which means the LCD is on as well) can suck the life right out of your batteries before you know it.
Microphone
As you can probably guess, the on-board microphones on DSLR’s are not going to give you superb 5.1 Dolby stereo audio. In fact, its fairly poor mono audio and with no windscreen in front of it, you can pick up a lot of noise. A fairly popular microphone is the Rode VideoMic which runs about $149. I happened to have a Zoom H4 recorder which not only has two mics for recording in stereo but also has two XLR connectors so it is extremely versatile. I just needed a $2 audio patch cable and a hot shoe adapter. Of course, if you aren’t planning on recording video and always plan on just having a music soundtrack, then you really aren’t going to need a microphone.
Lights
If you have a bag full of 580 EX II’s, they aren’t going to do you any good when shooting video, you will need a constant source of light. While certainly I am a big fan of big LED light banks like Ikan’s, they are outside my budget. With a couple of small lights like the YN160 you can get generally decent lighting for about $75.
The YN160 can be mounted on-camera or on a light stand and can use seven different types of batteries including regular AA cells.
Software
This is where things can get crazy real fast. While you may find lot of people suggestion that you can use Windows Movie Maker, the video files directly from the 7D and the 5DMkII are NOT compatible with Windows Movie Maker. There are tools to convert the files but now you are getting into a real headache. If you have any software suggestions, please post them in the comments as I would love to hear about them.
I am going to do my best to offer up some suggestions here based on different price points:
Free Software
- iMovie (Mac)
This is USUALLY free as it is bundled with most Macintosh systems (as far as I know) - Lightworks (Windows)
Lightworks is an open source editor that is actually quite powerful but is somewhat lacking in documentation and tutorials
Consumer Grade
- Adobe Premiere Elements 9 ($99 for Mac/Windows)
Probably one of the better mid-range tools available and at a reasonable price - Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD ($95 for Windows)
Vegas is an extremely popular editing program with a very nice feature set
Pro Grade
- Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 ($179 for Mac/Windows)
My personal choice as I work on a high-end Alienware Windows 7 machine - Final Cut Pro ($300 for Mac)
FCP and Premiere usually take turns beating out each other on features. With Final Cut Pro X, I think it takes the lead.
Summary
Hopefully this wasn’t too much to start off with and I really want to hear from you and find out if you are interested in more articles about DSLR video. I will leave you with this little video I did as my first video project with a Canon EOS 7D.
Source : Google Reader
I have a lot of cameras. Why do I keep coming back to the Olympus ones?
I have a lot of cameras. Why do I keep coming back to the Olympus ones?: "
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Of course I have egg on my face about the Olympus XZ-1
and my initial perspective of letting ergonomics define everything. Turns out I just needed to retrain my left hand and part of my brain. Now I seem to carry it everywhere because, even with the EVF-2
on it, it's light as a feather and the quality of the files is very, very good. I like the metering and I like the colors. Noise? Sure. Why not. But not enough at 100, 200 or 400 to even register to me. Print them out and 800 works as well. Higher than that? Well, I had a $5,000 Nikon D2x
that didn't look any better over 400 ISO, so I don't worry about it much. I like that it goes wide and I like that it's got a fast aperture. Is it worlds better than the Canon or Panasonic products. Not in its native form but when you add the finder it makes it worlds better. Say what you will about the extra expense, or the way the finder sits on top of the camera like a goiter, but that finder is magical and if you haven't actually looked through one and seen how much fun it makes the cameras it is attached to you should do that before you comment. Otherwise I'm just trying to describe how good steak tastes to someone who's been trapped and held captive by radical vegans since birth.
Read more » and my initial perspective of letting ergonomics define everything. Turns out I just needed to retrain my left hand and part of my brain. Now I seem to carry it everywhere because, even with the EVF-2 on it, it's light as a feather and the quality of the files is very, very good. I like the metering and I like the colors. Noise? Sure. Why not. But not enough at 100, 200 or 400 to even register to me. Print them out and 800 works as well. Higher than that? Well, I had a $5,000 Nikon D2x that didn't look any better over 400 ISO, so I don't worry about it much. I like that it goes wide and I like that it's got a fast aperture. Is it worlds better than the Canon or Panasonic products. Not in its native form but when you add the finder it makes it worlds better. Say what you will about the extra expense, or the way the finder sits on top of the camera like a goiter, but that finder is magical and if you haven't actually looked through one and seen how much fun it makes the cameras it is attached to you should do that before you comment. Otherwise I'm just trying to describe how good steak tastes to someone who's been trapped and held captive by radical vegans since birth.©2010 Kirk Tuck. Please do not re-post without attribution.
Source : Google Reader
Portrait Professional. A user report. From the frigid wastelands of my studio cave…
Portrait Professional. A user report. From the frigid wastelands of my studio cave…: "
You've probably guessed that it's extremely rare for me to talk about software on this blog. It's not because I don't use software in my photography business but I always considered myself a "purist", unsullied by the "phony" effects of HDR software or any of the other canned effects that I see all over the web. Yep. I always considered myself a basic PhotoShop warrior with the credo that, "if it couldn't be done in PhotoShop you really shouldn't be doing it....
But lately I've wavered. My friend at atmtx keeps doing HDR stuff that I actually like. You can see it here: the guy that does good, mostly subtle HDR. We had lunch yesterday and I'm kinda blown away that he doesn't even use PhotoShop but does his magic with a combination of Apple's Aperture and Photomatix.
So, I was sitting in front of my computer one day, contemplating a virtual stack of portraits that I needed to retouch/enhance and dreading the time consuming method I'd come to after years of just hacking away with clone tools and various adaptations of layers and gaussian blur when I came across an ad for a piece of software called, Portrait Professional
. And it was aimed at exactly what I was working on. I mean exactly what I was working on. I downloaded a trial and twenty minutes later I was back to download the full deal, credit card sizzling hot in my hand.
Read more »
"
But lately I've wavered. My friend at atmtx keeps doing HDR stuff that I actually like. You can see it here: the guy that does good, mostly subtle HDR. We had lunch yesterday and I'm kinda blown away that he doesn't even use PhotoShop but does his magic with a combination of Apple's Aperture and Photomatix.
So, I was sitting in front of my computer one day, contemplating a virtual stack of portraits that I needed to retouch/enhance and dreading the time consuming method I'd come to after years of just hacking away with clone tools and various adaptations of layers and gaussian blur when I came across an ad for a piece of software called, Portrait Professional
. And it was aimed at exactly what I was working on. I mean exactly what I was working on. I downloaded a trial and twenty minutes later I was back to download the full deal, credit card sizzling hot in my hand.
Read more »
©2010 Kirk Tuck. Please do not re-post without attribution.
Source : Google Reader
Going backwards. Or, the epiphany I had while out for a walk in the blazing heat. Or, how to rationalize buying a new Hasselblad…
Going backwards. Or, the epiphany I had while out for a walk in the blazing heat. Or, how to rationalize buying a new Hasselblad…: "
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This is one of the very first medium format images I ever shot.
It was shot with a Yashica Mat 124G which was the desirable cheapy MF camera of the 1970's. I shot this in late 1987 at my place on Longview, near the UT campus. It was done on Kodak Panatomic X film (ISO 32) using a Novatron 150 watt second pack with one head aimed thru a shoot thru umbrella. I only owned one head at the time so that's how I shot it. (Was Zack Arias even born back then???).
I hand developed the film at the Ark Cooperative darkroom and eventually printed it on Ilford Ilfobrom double weight paper. This was before the Bass brothers tried to corner the silver market so a box of 8x10 double weight fiber paper, 100 sheets was about $6.95. I scrimped and saved to buy it. Texas was a poor state back then and my finances were precarious. I was so in love with Belinda that any photograph I took seemed incredible to me then. We dated for five years, spent lots of time enjoying Austin and places like the Armadillo World Headquarters (saw the Talking Heads open their for Devo one night.....) and eventually decided to get married. But that's a whole other story. This photo represents our first year together. She abandoned teaching for studio arts and I abandoned electrical engineering to be a writer.....
Read more »©2010 Kirk Tuck. Please do not re-post without attribution.
Source : Google Reader
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