Lens Filters

The number of lens filter options (and indeed, knowing whether or not a filter is necessary at all) are at first overwhelming dilemmas that face every photographer. This article aims to simplify what can be an intimidating subject and help readers identify which filter is the best choice to get the job done.

Function

Filters are round pieces of glass or plastic that help achieve effects most film cameras can't achieve on their own. Though many of these effects have been integrated into digital single lens reflex (SLR) settings, nothing beats having full control over how your image turns out. Correctly using filters can often make the difference between a good photo and one that really stands out.

Types

The following are the kinds of filters most commonly used by photographers.

Ultraviolet (UV) Filters: Used to protect the lens glass from damage, reduce haze and absorb UV rays.

Polarizing Filters: Used to reduce glare and haze.

Neutral Density Filters: Used to allow slow shutter speeds in bright daylight.

Graduated Neutral Density Filters: Used when one aperture and ISO setting will result in over- or underexposure in part of the photo.

Warming and Cooling Filters: Warming filters reduce blue tones by bringing out red and orange shades. Cooling filters reduce red and orange tones and bring out blue shades. In digital photography, adjusting the white balance has the same effect.

Effects

The use of lens filters can produce a wide range of effects. Determining which effect you're after will dictate your choice of filters.

UV Filters: Cut through atmospheric haze by reducing the amount of UV rays that get through to the lens.

Polarizing Filters: Typically used for photographing water or glass. They also increase saturation in color photographs, leading to richer tones.

Neutral Density Filters: Usually used to show motion when slow shutter speeds would overexpose the image. These filters are particularly useful when photographing rushing water.

Graduated Neutral Density Filters: These filters are most useful when you are confronted by a situation with two different exposure needs, such as trying to catch detail of both the sky and the ground. Graduated ND filters, which are partly dark and partly clear, allow you to control which portion of the lens receives what amount of light with a single exposure setting.

Warming Filters: Helpful on dark, overcast days or for photos taken in the shade. They are also must-haves to help counteract the bluish cast of snowy scenes and fluorescent lighting.

Cooling Filters: Frequently used to negate the yellow glow of photos taken under incandescent light, or from very sunny outdoor shots.

Considerations

If you have several different sizes of lenses, buy your filters to fit the largest size lens. Then purchase a step adapter ring from any camera supply store; the ring will allow you to use your filter on multiple lenses so you don't have buy identical filters in various sizes.

Warning

The most common problem with filter use is vignetting, in which the edges of the filter overlap the lens and create dark corners on the final image. You can reduce your chance of accidental vignetting by using only one filter at a time, or by opting for more expensive ultra-thin filters.

Dark filters can force you to move one or two stops down to compensate for the filter's light absorption.

Additionally, always inspect your filters for scratches and dirt before use to prevent your photos from being ruined.

Tags: Density Filters, Filters Used, Neutral Density, Neutral Density Filters, Density Filters Used, filters most, filters reduce

Use A 4gb Microsd

Digital cameras are increasingly popular as features improve and the designs get smaller and sleeker, according to Burt Helm's Business Week article, "Latest Digital Cameras Look Good, Work Hard." Also, with newer "Ultra-Zoom" and "Super-Zoom" models becoming an "exploding niche in the camera market," according to Today editor Paul Hochman, it doesn't appear that digital cameras will be running out of new features in the future. However, even with many advanced features, digital cameras typically come with low built-in memory, according to Forbes' "Digital Camera Guide," and it's recommended you "get the biggest card you can afford." For many people, this equates to a high-capacity 4GB MicroSD card. After purchasing this storage device, it is relatively easy to use it in conjunction with your digital camera.

Instructions

1. Consult your digital camera's manual to determine where the MicroSD slot is on your camera. For many cameras, the memory card slot is housed alongside your batteries in an internal compartment.

2. Insert your 4GB MicroSD card into the slot top-first. The "top" of the card is slightly angled, almost like a small chunk was taken out of the otherwise rectangular card. If the card does not fit, do not force it; chances are that you're inserting it incorrectly.

3. Close the MicroSD compartment. You can now begin taking pictures. Your digital camera will automatically begin saving to the inserted card rather than to your onboard memory.

4. Connect your camera to your computer with a USB cable to access the photos on your MicroSD card after you've finished taking pictures.

5. Click on the "Start" button and select "Computer" in Vista or "My Computer" in XP.

6. Double-click on the camera icon, located underneath the "devices with removable storage" heading. This will show you all the photographs currently on your camera's installed MicroSD card, allowing you to edit, copy, paste and delete images as necessary.

Tags: MicroSD card, your camera, digital camera, taking pictures, your digital camera, your MicroSD, your MicroSD card

Homemade Game Camera Mounts

Game cameras are used by hunters to scout locations for future hunting excursions. These automated cameras use sensors to detect motion and take a picture. The photo is used to determine the numbers and types of game animals in the area. Convenient fence posts or trees are not available in all areas. Commercial camera mounts are available, but a homemade game camera mount can be constructed.

Camera Mounts

There are several criteria for successfully mounting a game camera. The camera needs to be held steady and securely. A game camera knocked off its mounts could end up on the ground where it will not provide any useful pictures and could be lost.

According to Web site Chasingame.com, the camera should be mounted between 24 and 40 inches of the ground. Any lower and the camera will be triggered by squirrels and other small animals. Mounting the camera higher makes it more prone to vibration from the wind.

In some cases, where there is particularly high brush or other obstructions, a taller mount is necessary. In this case the camera will shoot down on the game. These mounts will have to be particularly strong to avoid vibrating or shaking in the wind.

Weather Considerations

Other features commonly added to a homemade game camera mount include a rain and sun shield over the camera and some sort of security cable allowing the mounting bracket and camera to be locked to some sort of immovable object. The rain shield also serves as a convenient mounting place for a solar cell if that option is available for the game camera.

Other Mounting Considerations

The homemade camera mount and the camera should include the name, address and phone number of the owner.

The homemade camera mount should be painted to match the surrounding landscape.

Innovative Camera Mounts

A thread found on a forum at Texasbowhunter.com shows how innovative and creative people can be in constructing a homemade game camera mount. Designs there range from a steel fence post, available at any farm supply store, to mounts made of steel pipe permanently set in a concrete-filled bucket. The design of a homemade game camera will largely be decided by the supplies available and the ingenuity of the builder.

Tags: game camera, camera mount, homemade game camera, camera will, game camera mount

Use Tomtom Go 700

The TomTom Go 700 is one of the many popular GPS systems in the TomTom product line. Designed for use in vehicles, this system is ready to use right out of the box. But in order to get the most out of your TomTom Go 700, you should install and configure the software that comes with it, and carefully install the support cradle in your car. Even with these added steps, setting up and using your TomTom Go 700 is fast and easy.

Instructions

Configuring the TomTom Go 700

1. Boot up your computer and insert the CD-ROM disc that shipped with the TomTom Go 700 unit. Wait a moment for the installation application to auto-launch.

2. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the TomTom HOME software. At the end of the installation process, make sure the check box next to "Launch TomTom HOME" is checked, then click the "Finish" button.

3. Follow the on-screen prompts that appear during the first launch of TomTom HOME. The first several questions you're asked pertain to personal preferences and setting the home address of the GPS unit.

4. Connect the TomTom Go 700 unit to the computer using the supplied USB cable when prompted to do so. This will initiate the system update process, during which the personal preferences you indicated earlier will be installed in the portable unit. The maps will also be updated.

5. Disconnect the TomTom Go 700 from the computer when prompted to do so by the software, then close the TomTom HOME application window.

Installing the TomTom Go 700 Cradle

6. Decide whether you want to mount the cradle on your vehicle's dashboard or windshield. To help you decide, sit in the driver's seat and hold the cradle in each place. Make sure you ultimately choose a location that you can easily see and reach from the driver's seat, and make sure that it does not obscure your view.

7. Clean the area where you plan to mount the cradle. If you're mounting it on the windshield, clean it with glass cleaner and buff it dry. If you're mounting it on the dashboard, use an all-purpose cleaner or your preferred solution for cleaning car interiors and then buff it dry.

8. Locate the mounting disc in your TomTom Go 700 installation kit. This is a flat plastic disc with a removable paper circle on one side. Peel off the paper to reveal a sticky side, then carefully stick the disc where you want to mount the cradle.

9. Firmly press the suction cup on the cradle body onto the mounting disc. When you want to remove the cradle, just pull up on the tab on the side of the suction cup to release it.

Navigating With the TomTom Go 700

10. Plug the charger adapter into the cigarette lighter socket, then connect the other end of the cable to the socket in the bottom of the TomTom Go 700 unit. Slide the unit onto the slot on the top of the cradle.

11. Press and hold the power button on top of the unit for 3 seconds until it turns on.

12. Touch the screen anywhere to enter the menu. On the menu, touch the "Navigate to" icon.

13. Touch the icon that best represents how you want to choose your destination. You can enter a street address or an intersection, choose a city center or select one of many pre-programmed points of interest. Points of interest include airports, parks, museums, restaurants and many others.

14. Follow the on-screen prompts to give the TomTom Go 700 the information it needs to plan your route. If you know exactly where you're going, this will just consist of typing the address or intersection into the on-screen keyboard. If you're traveling to a city center, you just need to select your state and city from a list. If you're traveling to a point of interest, you can choose one from the provided lists or search for one by name.

15. Tap the "Done" button once the TomTom Go 700 finishes planning your route. You'll know this has happened once your total trip time and mileage is displayed on the screen. After tapping the "Done" button, the navigation map will appear on the screen.

16. Start driving. As you drive, spoken turn-by-turn directions will come out of the speaker on the TomTom Go 700 unit. Your navigation path will also appear as a different color on the map on the screen. An arrow at the bottom right corner of the screen will indicate the type and direction of your next turn. Follow these turn-by-turn directions until you reach your destination.

Tags: TomTom HOME, TomTom unit, Follow on-screen, Follow on-screen prompts, mount cradle, on-screen prompts

Replace A Turntable Stylus

If your stylus (record needle) is slipping and sliding over your records, you can usually replace it without buying a whole new cartridge.

Instructions

1. Clean the stylus to see if that helps (see "Clean a Turntable Stylus," under Related eHows).

2. Write down the make, model, and, if possible, serial number of your turntable.

3. See if your stylus cartridge (the box on the tonearm where the stylus is connected) has a separate make and model. Write these down, too.

4. Buy a new stylus for your turntable at an electronics repair store. The proper stylus type should be listed in a book at the store. Tell the salesperson the make and model of your turntable and cartridge, if appropriate.

5. Remove the old stylus. If the new stylus doesn't come with directions, try these: With one hand, hold the stylus cartridge to steady it. With the other hand, using a pair of tweezers or needle-nose pliers, grasp the end of the needle and pull.

6. Install the new stylus. Holding the stylus from the top, press it gently into the space at the tip of the cartridge where the old stylus had been. Don't force it.

7. Play a record to test the new stylus, and adjust it if necessary.

Tags: make model, your turntable, stylus cartridge, Turntable Stylus, where stylus, your stylus

Install A Vcr

Installing a VCR is a great way to watch old home movies or give your kids your collectible Disney movies. Almost everyone still has a VCR in the closet; however, you may not remember hook it up. The manual may have been misplaced and you cannot figure out the correct way to hook up the cords. You should have the proper cables located in your home so extra items may not be needed.

Instructions

1. Look at the back of your TV. You should have a coax cable screwed into the port. This is either a direct line to your cable TV or your digital box. Unscrew the coax cable. The picture on your TV should be static.

2. View the back on your VCR. There should be two coax cable outlets. One states "In" while the other one is "Out." Screw the cord that came out of your TV into the "In" position.

3. Put the other coax cable into the "Out" position on the VCR. Both cords need to be securely fastened to the VCR or the picture quality will suffer.

4. Screw the end of the "Out" position coax cable into the cable port on the back of your TV. Turn your TV to "Video 1", "Video 2", "Channel 3" or "Channel 4". This depends on your VCR as well as your TV. You may need to examine your TV manual to find the proper channel for your VCR. You can also put in a movie, push "Play" and scan through your channels until the movie appears on the screen.

Tags: coax cable, back your, cable into, coax cable into, into position, should have, your should

Transfer Files To An Sd Memory Card For My Cell Phone

SD memory cards come in several sizes. The size that is used for cell phones is the microSD memory card. This is because the card is much smaller than a full-size SD card, so it can be inserted into the cell phone without taking up too much room. The microSD card is used to hold media files that can be viewed on your cell phone. Make sure to check the user manual to see what capacity microSD cards your cell phone can handle.

Instructions

1. Insert the microSD card into the cell phone's memory card slot. Depending on the model of phone, the card slot may be on either side of the phone or under the battery cover on the back of the phone.

2. Connect a USB cable from the phone to the computer.

3. Double-click "My Computer," then double-click the cell phone drive. If you are not sure which drive is your cell phone's unplug it, then replug it to the computer. The drive will disappear, then reappear.

4. Double-click "My Computer" again to open a second window, then navigate to the files that you want to transfer.

5. Click on the file(s) you want to copy. Press "Ctrl" while clicking to select multiple files. Right-click one of the selected files and click "Copy."

6. Click the window for your cell phone's drive, then right-click and select "Paste."

7. Click the "Safely remove hardware" icon in the bottom right corner of the screen in the system icon tray. The icon is a gray rectangle with a green arrow above it pointing to the left. From the list of the devices that pops up, click the cell phone drive, then disconnect the phone when the computer says it is safe to do so.

Tags: your cell phone, cell phone, cell phone, your cell, cell phone drive, phone drive, card slot

Motorola TalkPager Instructions

Motorola Talkabout pagers are portable messaging devices with support for email and other message types. The devices are small enough to carry in your pocket and feature a full keyboard for typing messages and inputting data. The Talkabout pagers have a user-friendly interface that is easy to learn and use.

Creating Addresses

Motorola Talkabout pagers allow you to save hundreds of contacts in the address book. The address book allows for saving the name, cell phone number, address and other information for each contact. It also makes sending messages with your Talkabout pager easier.

To add a contact to your address book, highlight "Address Book" using the navigation keys and press the "Enter" button. Highlight "New Entry" and press the "Enter" button. Type the name of the contact and press "Enter." Using the arrow buttons, highlight each field you have information for, press "Enter," type the information for that field and press "Enter." Once all of the information is input, highlight "Save Entry" and press "Enter" to save your new contact.

Sending Messages

Talkabout pagers support sending messages to email, cell phones and other messaging devices using a simple messaging interface. When you want to send a message, highlight "Select Address" on the main menu and press "Enter." Next, highlight "Address Book," press "Enter" and select the recipient. If you have more than one address for the recipient, such as a cell phone and email address, highlight the address you want to use and press the "Enter" button.

If you do not have the recipient's address in your pager, choose "Select Address" and press "Enter" to bring up a menu of message types. Select the message type and press "Enter." Type the address in the field and press "Enter."

Once the addressee is chosen, select "Write Message" and press "Enter." Use the keyboard to compose the message and press "Enter" when finished. Highlight "Send Message" and press "Enter" to finish sending the message.

Reading Messages

A flashing envelope symbol will appear on your Talkabout screen when you have unread messages in your mailbox. The symbol will continue to flash until you have read all of your new messages. Highlight the envelope symbol and press "Enter" to retrieve a list of your messages. Navigate to the new message and press "Enter." The message will display on the screen. Use the navigation buttons to scroll through the message if it does not fit on the screen.

On the bottom of the message is a menu bar with "Reply," "Forward," "Move" and "Delete" options. Highlight any of the options and press "Enter" to select. If you want to exit the message and return to your list of messages, press the "ESC" button on the pager.

Tags: press Enter, Talkabout pagers, address book, Enter button, press Enter button, Address Book, cell phone

Import Photos Onto A Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer Keychain

The Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer is a small, portable device with a keychain attached. It contains a small electronic display for showing off your personal photos. You can import up to 100 photos onto a Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer keychain and avoid carrying around photos in your wallet.

Instructions

1. Connect the Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer to your computer with the included USB cable by plugging the small connector into the Smartparts Digitial Picture Viewer and the larger connector into a USB socket on your computer.

2. Press the "Next" and "Previous" buttons on the Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer until "USB Update" is displayed on its screen and press "Menu." The Smartparts Desktop Tool launches automatically from the Smartparts Digital Picture Viewer.

3. Click the "Add Photos" button at the upper-left corner of the Smartparts Desktop Tool window.

4. Browse to a photo on your computer and double-click it. The Smartparts Desktop Tool supports photos in the .jpg and .bmp formats.

5. Import the selected photo by clicking the "Import" button beneath its preview in the Smartparts Desktop Tool window.

6. Add more photos by clicking "Add Photo," browsing to each and double-clicking it, then clicking "Import."

7. Put all the imported photos on the Digital Picture Viewer by clicking "Transfer To Device" at the bottom of the Smartparts Desktop Tool window.

8. Click "Exit."

9. Unplug the USB cable connected to the Smartparts Desktop Tool.

Tags: Picture Viewer, Digital Picture, Digital Picture Viewer, Desktop Tool, Smartparts Desktop, Smartparts Desktop Tool, Smartparts Digital

Get Higher Resolution Photos With A 1 Mb Digital Camera

Digital cameras have surged forward in capability in the past five years. Early digital cameras may have taken smaller photos at one MB or less; current models have the capability of taking photos that are many times that size. It is not possible to increase the size of the file in the camera; however, it is possible to use an external graphics processing program such as Photoshop or GIMP to create a larger image from a small camera photo using their interpolation features.

Instructions

1. Open the image in your graphics processing software. This process will vary depending on your software, but is generally found under the "File" menu by selecting the "Open" option and navigating to the desired file.

2. Perform any adjustments, such as color correction or contrast adjustments. These will be mimicked in the larger file, so it is best to perform these operations on the file at its native size.

3. Open the image interpolation feature. The location of this feature will vary depending upon which software package you are using.

4. Select an interpolation algorithm. This feature determines how the program will fill in the missing information in the image when the image size is increased. Most programs will offer a number of algorithm selections, such as bicubic, smooth bicubic, and nearest neighbor. You may need to try more than one algorithm to see which will work best with your data.

5. Enter the desired dimensions into the image resize palette, then click "OK." This will apply your chosen algorithm to the image and create a larger version of the photo.

6. Apply any post-processing features, such as sharpening or other filters. These should be applied to the resized image to retain the most quality and clarity. Save your image file to complete the process.

Tags: cameras have, create larger, graphics processing, Open image, vary depending

Definition Of Dvd Rom Drive

Definition of DVD ROM Drive

DVD-ROM stands for read-only memory and refers to a drive that can read DVD discs. The advent of DVD-ROM drives has made it easier for computer users to access large amounts of data as well as providing a medium for watching video.

History

The DVD specification that was finalized for DVD movie players and DVD-ROM computer applications in 1995 had a compromise resulting in 6 percent less efficiency than originally conceived (the 4.7 gigabyte disc was originally 5 gigabytes).

Significance

DVD-ROM drives use a laser to read the DVD. This allows for more data to be written to the DVD.

Types

The differences between DVD-ROM drives come from the way it reads the disc. There can be different speeds in the reading of the disc. Some drives have a depression in the disc tray that enables it to take smaller discs (CD and DVD) directly.

Benefits

DVDs can hold many times the storage of a CD so computer applications that required four or five CDs could be consolidated into a single disc. Video and commercial movies could be played on the computer as well.

Size

The physical size of a DVD-ROM drive has decreased over time. But because the drive has to be physically bigger than the disc, the point has been reached where it can no longer be made any smaller.

Tags: DVD-ROM drives, computer applications, Definition Drive

Switch The Tv In A Vehicle To Digital Tv

If you have portable televisions installed in your car you can find them extremely helpful when traveling with smaller children. If you only watch DVD movies on them, there is no reason to adjust the TV to digital. However, if you watch antenna-based programming when you stop for rest you need to convert the TV in your vehicle to digital. This is because all television stations recently converted to only digital broadcasts.

Instructions

1. Purchase a new, portable digital television (all televisions now sold are digital) if you don't want to have lots of clutter or cables running around your car. If the cables don't bother you, then you can save some money by using a digital converter box instead of buying a new television.

2. Plug the RCA cables into the "Video In" port on the television. Make sure the colors of the cables match that of the ports.

3. Connect the other ends of the RCA cables into the "Video Out" port on the converter box. A converter box changes the digital signal to analog so your older analog television can still be used to view the programming.

4. Run the coaxial cable coming out of the antenna into the "In" port on the back of the digital converter box. You can now power on the converter box and the TV and begin watching programming again over your analog television set.

Tags: analog television, cables into, cables into Video, digital converter, into Video

High Resolution Vs Low Resolution

Computer monitor

Resolution deals with the clarity and focus on a digital image. Usually it refers to digital images, but resolution also can apply to computer monitors and the capabilities of their screens. Both monitors and digital images develop increasingly higher resolutions as technology progresses.

Pixels

A pixel is an important building block of any type of resolution, and refers to a single point on the image. Pixels are small units that are used to show specific colors and shades--when taken together in the thousands or millions, they form a complete image. There are different types of pixels based on different types of technology, and some are better at forming sharp or bright images than others, but all function the same way to build the image. More pixels closer together typically means a higher resolution.

Printing

When resolution is applied to printing images, terms change and the printer quality becomes important. A printer's capability to produce images with high dpi, or dots per inch, is the most important consideration when judging resolution. Printers set to print images with low dpi (such as 150) will produce images of low quality. The more dots per inch, the higher the resolution. Photo printers specialize in high dpi, but also use special inks and papers that allow the ink to bond more clearly. Scanning also is judged by dpi.

High Resolution

Since technology is constantly changing, there is no single rule for how many pixels define a high resolution image or video. The more pixels, the better the image tends to be, although there is some give and take. In many computers, 800x600 resolution (the number of pixels, horizontal and vertical) is considered average or fairly high. Computers with color systems that use 16 to 24 bits per pixel also produce very high quality images.

Low Resolution

Low resolution also differs considering technology. Common VGA systems display 640 by 480 pixel resolution, which was once considered average but is rapidly fading to low resolution as new and better systems are being developed.

Image Resolution

When it comes to images, there is a give and take for progressing to higher resolution. The image itself typically has a set resolution, based on a certain number of pixels that it can portray based on how it was captured and rendered. Increasing the resolution shrinks the image. Decreasing the resolution tends to make the image larger, but it becomes blurry.

Tags: higher resolution, considered average, different types, digital images, dots inch, give take

Compare Portable Dvd Players

A portable DVD player is great to have when you travel. Whether you are on a long flight or you need something to entertain the kids, a portable DVD player is a great investment. When you compare portable DVD players make sure to include things like durability, supported formats, price, special features and appearance.

Instructions

1. Look and compare prices. Price is what most people use to determine which portable DVD player to choose. Fortunately the prices of portable DVD players have dropped dramatically over the last couple of years.

2. Examine the types of file formats the portable DVD players support. It is a good idea to select portable DVD players that support CDs, DVDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-Rs and DVD-RWs.

3. Compare monitor sizes. Because portable DVDs are designed for traveling their monitors are small. The two most common monitor sizes include 7 inches and 9 inches.

4. Evaluate the design of the portable DVD players. Look for a DVD player that has the color and style that you like. Also see if the player has a swivel monitor mount or if the monitor is stationary.

5. Determine if the portable DVD players you are comparing can be hooked into your vehicle's audio visual system.

6. Explore the features offered by each portable DVD player. Look for things like remote controls, detachable monitors, headphones, carrying case and USB ports.

Tags: portable player, portable players, monitor sizes, player great, portable player great, portable players, things like

Photo Negatives

Photo negatives are what results when exposed camera film has been developed in the proper chemical process. From these negatives, photographs can be printed by an enlarger on light-sensitive paper designed for that purpose. The quality of the negative is paramount to getting a good photograph. The frequency of photographs taken with film by the general public is decreasing dramatically as the popularity of digital photography increases. However, even though the quality of digital photography is improving rapidly, most professional photographers still rely on prints made from negatives for the highest quality photographs.

History

The first camera using film was introduced by the Eastman Kodak Company in 1888. Since then until the advent of commercial digital photography in the 1980s and 1990s, film photography was how photographs were made. Improvements in film and cameras over the years increased the demand for film based photography. Black and white film was typically used by the general public consumer until the late 1950s and early 1960s, when color cameras and color film became better quality and less expensive than it had been.

Function

Negatives are what results from the second step in a four-step process of film-based photography that takes the roll or sheet of film to finished photograph. The first step is to load the film into the camera and shoot the photographs. The second step is to process the film in the proper chemical process, which is determined by the type of film used. The third step is the` printing process, which involves shining light through the negatives onto light-sensitive photographic paper. The fourth step is processing the prints, which develops the printed images into photographs. Negatives, once they are processed, are the source of the end photograph. Good quality negatives come from proper exposure and development of the film. It is almost impossible for top quality prints to be made from mediocre quality negatives, so proper exposure and processing is imperative to achieve excellent print quality.

Types

There are two basic types of photo negatives. One type is the negatives that result from black and white film, which is dark gray in color, which produce black and white prints. The other is the negatives that result from color film, which are brown with a reddish-orange tint and produce color prints.

Size

Negatives come in several sizes, based on the camera in which it is used. A large format 4x5 camera uses 4x5 sheet film, resulting in a 4x5 negative. This size is used primarily by professional portrait photographers, and is the size regularly used by the late renowned photographer, Ansel Adams, in his famous landscape photographs. Medium format negatives come from roll film in sizes labeled 120 and 220. This size film is often used in twin lens reflex cameras or other professional-caliber single lens reflex cameras, such as one made by Hasselblad and Mamiya. One of the most popular film sizes is 35 mm film, which is in widespread use in both single lens reflex cameras and point and shoots. Amateur film sizes which have been popular are 110 and 126. There are many other sizes, but these have been the most commonly used in the United States in the heyday of film cameras, and are still in use today.

Considerations

Negatives should be handled with care in order to preserve them. Their enemies are heat, dust, dampness and light. They should be handled only by their edges, or even with nylon gloves, to prevent smudges on their surface. Negatives can be "dusted" with canned air to remove dust that may have gathered on its surface, but it's best to store them in archival envelopes made specifically to preserve negatives in a closed box or file cabinet to keep out dust. Film that has been undeveloped for several years and has been exposed to various temperatures and light can often result in poor quality negatives when it is finally developed. So, for optimum results, it is best to develop film as soon as possible after photographs are taken.

Effects

Black and white prints can be made from color negatives, but the only way to get a color print from a black and white negative is to color it by hand with photographic oil colors that are on the market. Negatives can be retouched by hand to remove some blemishes. They can also be scanned into computers and be made into digital photographs.

Tags: digital photography, film sizes, film which, lens reflex, lens reflex cameras, made from, prints made

A List Of Applications For The Verizon Android Phone

If you are a Verizon Wireless customer and own an Android smartphone, you can download several proprietary applications to help you manage your Verizon products and services. In addition to this, the Android Market offers hundreds of apps that you can download to your phone to keep entertained, informed, connected or organized directly from your phone.

Verizon Apps

Verizon provides several apps to its customers for use on Android phones. For example, the My Verizon app allows you to view information about your account. You can use it to check your balance and make payments, view or change features on your accounts and view your usage. Android offers a similar app to customers of its home -- television and phone -- services. Verizon's FiOS DVR Manager allows customers with FiOS TV service to control their DRV from their phones. Among other features, you can search for and record series or individual episodes or set parental controls from your Android device. Last, Skype and Verizon have paired to allowed you to make calls and messages via Skype on your Verizon phone. You can also use the Skype Mobile on Verizon App to make internal calls for a low fee.

Games

If you own an Android phone, you have access to hundreds of free and paid games. Games, such as "Angry Birds," which has invaded pop culture, entertain as you sling birds into pig targets. "Fruit Ninja" is another free game that uses your phone's touchscreen to allow you to slice flying fruit with a ninja blade. Classic games, such as "Uno" and "Tetris," are also available on the Android platform. The Android Market divides games into several categories to help you find the ones you will best like.

Music

If you're an avoid music connoisseur, you may want to use more apps than the default player on your Android phone. Google's Music service allows you to upload your music collection from your computer to your servers and stream it on your phone. Amazon offers a similar service with Amazon MP3. If you are a fan of the music player Winamp, you can also use it on your phone and sync music to it from your computer. Finally, Pandora is a streaming radio application that can introduce you to new music.

Productivity

A wide variety of apps exist for your Android phone. For example, you can download apps to browse Craigslist, read Monster.com or post on eBay for free. Paid applications like QuickOffice Pro allow you to manage office documents like graphs and Word files directly from your phone. You can also download alternative apps for checking email, communicating via instant message or even sending SMS/text messages. Yahoo Mail, Facebook Messenger and Handcent are examples of each type of app, respectively.

Misc

There are numerous Android apps that you can install on a Verizon-branded phone that do not easily fit into a category. Whether you wish to check the weather or stocks, you can do so and, depending on the manufacturer of your phone, some apps may be included by default. You can install dictionary or reference apps from companies like Dictionary.com, monitor your finances with apps from Chase or PayPal, count calories, learn new recipes, follow your favorite pro football team and find directions via a global positioning system on your Android phone.

Tags: your phone, from your, your Android, Android phone, your Android phone

The Best Free Online Photo Editors

Photo-editing software is now available online.

If you don't have access to your usual PC photo-editing suite, or you don't want to use up the processing power of your laptop, you can make good use of a plethora of tools available online. Online photo editors provide a great alternative to desktop software. Their capabilities range from completing simple editing tasks, such as cropping, to more advanced amendments, such as color adjustments and blending.

FotoFlexer

FotoFlexer claims to be the "world's most advanced online image editor," and its feature list certainly justifies this. Its one-click approach to editing makes it very easy, even for the novice, to achieve effects that rival those found in powerful desktop-editing suites. The list of stock effects is extensive for its being free and allows for surprising results, probably demonstrated best by its "smart cut-out" tool, which makes cropping objects easy. FotoFlexer also integrates social-networking sites, such as Facebook and Flickr, into the software, making it easy to share your creations with friends and family.

Picnik

Picnik is a well-polished suite of tools that offer powerful editing without the need to download anything. It is one of the most responsive online tools available, with almost no rendering time when applying effects---a handy thing when there are so many effects to choose from. The user interface is intuitive and requires very little in the way of prompting. As well as giving the user the ability to apply professional-looking effects, it also offers a wealth of fonts and stamps to give your photos a more fun appearance.

FlauntR

FlauntR provides a comprehensive set of editing tools, as well as some interesting and fun design presets. One of its best-selling points is its import and export options, which are second-to-none and offer extensive integration with all the social-networking sites you would expect---making it perfect for sharing your creations with friends. FlauntR manages to strike an excellent balance between professional capabilities and fun, with its ability to add themes and text to photos.

Pixlr

Pixlr combines photo-editing tools with Paint-based tools, providing an experience that you can only get from this online program. Pixlr also allows for some more advanced photo-editing techniques, such as working with layers---an option that is sadly missing from most other online photo editors. The user interface is easy to work with and allows for a great deal of customization, which makes it stand apart from the others. Another great feature is the history viewer that allows you to easily pick from a list of actions you can undo or redo.

Tags: available online, creations with, creations with friends, more advanced, photo editors, social-networking sites

Hd Television Facts

High-definition television, more commonly known as HD television or HDTV, is a type of television that broadcasts exceptionally clear video of high quality. These are quickly becoming popular electronics for home theater systems, especially as more advanced digital television systems are being used. These use up less bandwidth, which makes the entire system more convenient and easier to use.

History

The first HD television was developed in 1969 in Japan, but it wasn't until 1981 that the technology was introduced in the United States. Even though the technology was around for a while, HD television sets were not available for wide purchase and sales until the late 1990s.

Function

HD television sets relay an HD signal through a special receiver in order to display its superior picture quality. This signal is sent from television systems or can be received over Internet connections, as in the case of various video game systems.

Significance

HD television sets have better quality resolution than standard television sets because they have smaller lines of resolution. The bigger the television set, the more noticeable the picture quality is.

Problems

The slight problems associated with HD televisions involve digital signals that can sometimes cause the picture to freeze or skip, like with all streaming digital files.

Potential

HD television sets are likely to become a staple in all homes. This is because television stations are mandated to broadcast entirely in high-definition digital formats by June 2009, which will most likely lower the price of HD televisions.

Tags: television sets, picture quality, television more, television systems

The Best Camera Lenses To Use For Weddings

Wedding photography requires speed, creativity and excellent equipment -- especially lenses.

When shooting a wedding, you need to be prepared with the proper equipment, which means at least two camera bodies, a tripod and a bevy of lenses. However, what lenses to bring? Simply, you need to be prepared for as many situations as possible while being able to change between these possibilities at the drop of a hat.

Zoom Lenses

While you may want some prime lenses in your kit, the best choice you can make is a couple of zoom lenses. Because these lenses cover the range of several prime lenses at once, they make it easy to change composition on the fly, zoom in to catch events happening farther away and go out wide to capture the group shot, all without changing lenses or dropping the camera from your eye. It's wise to keep your specialty lenses as primes for sharpness, but all your other lenses should be zoom lenses. Ideally, there will be three lenses - a wide angle, a midrange-to-short-telephoto, and a full-blown telephoto - all of which have their own camera body, allowing you to switch between the three on the fly.

Fast Telephoto Lenses

One lens that every wedding photographer and photojournalist needs to carry is a fast telephoto lens. Because you will be working indoors for most occasions, a fast lens, meaning a lens with a wide maximum aperture, is critical to your success. While you can use a flash, it's unlikely that subjects at telephoto range will be properly illuminated. This lens is great for work inside a church, when you normally can't get close, and for those all-important detail shots.

Fast Wide-angle Lenses

Again, speed here is crucial. Nearly all your situations will be low-light, unless you're shooting an outdoor wedding, so a maximum aperture of 2.8 is required. Fortunately, most camera manufacturers make lenses of this type. For your wide angle, you'll want to carry something that can reach about 16mm on the low end and 35mm on the high end. Also, don't use the kit lens that came with your camera, even though it should cover this range - you need something of much higher quality for wedding photography.

Lens quality

Don't skimp on lens quality when it comes to putting together your wedding photography kit. Buy the most expensive lenses you can afford, and if you can't afford them, get another job to pay for them. Wedding clients are notoriously picky, so you need to make sure you can satisfy their hunger for sharp, clear, properly-colored images.

Tags: lens that, maximum aperture, need prepared, prime lenses, wide angle

Sanyo Tv Repair Tips

Sanyo TVs have long been known for their quality and reliability, but that does not mean they never break. When these televisions do experience problems, it is important to get them back in service as soon as possible. Many TV owners assume that fixing a broken TV requires a trip to an expensive repair shop, but in many cases owners can troubleshoot and resolve simple problems on their own.

Safety First

When dealing with any kind of electronic equipment, put safety first. Make sure that it is unplugged from the electrical outlet---unplugging the TV and allowing it to sit for 15 to 20 minuets before attempting a repair is a smart strategy. Also, use caution when opening the sealed case---those components may harbor enough electricity to give you a jolt. Wearing a grounding strap on your wrist will help protect the delicate electronic components in the TV from static electricity.

Gather the Right Tools

An essential tool in your TV repair toolbox is the multimeter. This tool is used to check the power supply voltage on the various components of your TV. With a multimeter you will be able to quickly determine whether power is flowing to your Sanyo television, and this will allow you to more accurately diagnose the problem. These simple yet powerful tools are widely available at elcetronics retailers.

Another powerful TV repair tool is the oscilloscope. While the multimeter should be sufficient for most jobs, the oscilloscope is useful for advanced troubleshooting and tougher projects. These testing tools are also widely available at electronics retailers.

A set of precision hand tools is also essential for TV repair. Sanyo televisions use many different screw heads for their components, so having a set of fine-tip flathead and Phillips-head screwdrivers will make your life easier. A fine-tip soldering iron will also come in handy if you need to solder and repair any wires on your Sanyo TV.

Be Prepared

Before you get started, clear out a suitable workspace. If the television is sitting up against the wall, now is the time to move it. Clearing out a space to work will make the repair process easier and more effective.

Have plenty of containers close at hand for holding all the screws, nuts, bolts, wires and other materials you will be working with. Empty film canisters, old pill bottles and ice cube trays make excellent holders for all those small parts you pull from your Sanyo TV.

Tags: your Sanyo, tools also, widely available, will make

Graphic Equalizer Lcd Projects

Graphic equalizers help producers and musicians see their music.

A graphic equalizer displays a real-time graphical representation of the levels of different sound frequencies in an audio track (song.) Most graphic equalizers display a spectrum analyzer (bar graph) or an oscilloscope (frequency line.) The patterns and designs of the equalizer can be quite complex and beautiful or simple representations. Many graphic equalizers display the audio signals on an LCD screen. The screen can be manipulated in many ways to make it even more exciting.

Mount

Mounting the LCD display in an interesting way can make it more exciting and fun for those who observe it. This can be done in a nightclub or home theater system. For example, mounting the LCD display in the mouth of a cutout robot draws attention to the display and the LCD screen. The screen can also be mounted on the ceiling of a room or in a display case. Designing a mount can be an interesting project.

Wireless Remote

Using a wireless remote with a graphic LCD equalizer can allow the LCD display to be in a much farther location than where the receiver is. Plug the A/V cables into a wireless transmitter. Plug the LCD display into the wireless receiver and mount the display. The range for wireless transmitters can be over 100 feet.

Large Displays

Some graphic equalizers allow the user to focus in on a specific frequency. For example, the user may be able to focus in on and display just the bass frequencies zero to 300 Hz. Mount several LCD displays next to each other and have each focus in on a specific different frequency. This will create a giant graphic equalizer LCD display.

Filters

Graphic equalizer LCD displays can interfere with the decor of a room. For example, they are often bright and multicolored. If the room has a certain color theme, this can contrast with it. To solve this problem, attach a color gel film filter to the LCD display. This will tint the color on the display. For example, a blue filter will make the LCD display look blue.

Tags: graphic equalizer, graphic equalizers, equalizer displays, equalizers display, focus specific, graphic equalizers display

Increase The Battery Life On A Palm Tungsten E2

The Tungsten E2 has become a favorite among Palm enthusiasts. Recent improvements have made this model a stellar buy. A newly implanted non-volatile memory means that all information on the Palm will be saved, even if the battery dies completely. This is a nice feature, but unfortunately does not bring your Palm back to life. Let this article help you with increasing the battery life of a Palm Tungsten E2, so you can use it longer in situations where a charge might not be available.

Instructions

1. Charge your Tungsten E2 only when it needs it. Charging it every day can actually shorten the battery life, so let the battery run down completely before you charge it again. Eventually this will lengthen your battery life.

2. Turn your smartphone feature (a device that automatically checks your email) to every 5 or 6 hours or 2 to 3 days, if applicable. Having a shorter automatic checking period uses more battery power in a shorter amount of time.

3. Remember to turn off any repeating date-book alarms. Every time your alarm is set to go off (even if you don't need it) your handheld will turn on, draining more battery power than necessary.

4. Reduce the backlight frequency on your handheld. The brighter the screen, the more it drains the battery, so keep your backlight at a low enough level to conserve power, but high enough to see.

5. Remove the handheld battery door. Replace the current batteries with two other alkaline batteries of your choosing, paying special attention to their prior arrangement to insert them properly.

Tags: battery life, battery power, more battery, more battery power, Palm Tungsten, your handheld

Gifts With Recycled Materials

Recycle old jars by filling them with new goodies.

People are beginning to find all sorts of treasures in society's trash transforming old items into new, chic home and fashion accessories. Give an eco-friendly gift made from recycled materials for a unique memory. There are both bizarre and simple items made from recycles goods, so look until you find something that suits the recipients style.

Kitchen

There are unique and stylish recycled items available for gifting. Some of the best examples are for the kitchen. For the vinyl lover, get a set of fruit bowls made from old vinyl records like those featured on the Eco Artware website. Dinner plates made out of recycled road signs make for funky kitchen accessories. For the antique kitchen, old items with new twists make great gifts like a serving tray made from an old wine barrel lid.

Home D cor

Glassware is an item that is easily recycled, updated and makes for a classy gift. You can find very inexpensive glassware at thrift stores or garage sales. With a little creativity and some glass paint you can create new, personalized vases, trays, statues, decorative bottles and decanters. Picture frames make great gifts and they can be made from virtually any recycled material. Uncommon Goods features a picture frame made from an old recycled bicycle chain.

Garden

Recycled gifts for the garden add character to any outdoor space. Garden art can be made from any piece of old wood, metal, porcelain or glass. Decorative Arts by Jeb features items such as a garden bench made from discarded wood scraps and birdhouses, a trellis made from a recycled shelf unit and a garden fountain made from old PVC piping. Earth Easy features a horse shaped swing made from an old cut up tire. Uncommon Goods has a swing made from slats from a recycled wine barrel.

Jewelry

These days crafters are taking almost any piece of junk and transforming it into something beautiful. Eco Artware has made chic sterling silver earrings from recycled strips of silver and stylish bracelets from recycled paper. If you're crafty, take favorite designs from old t-shirts and stitch them together into a blanket or scarf full of memories and a great gift idea. Old metal coins, tokens and watch pieces are great charms for making new jewelry. A piece of jewelry made from something old inspires sentimental value and history. These pieces make unique gifts.

Tags: made from, from recycled, made from recycled, great gifts, make great

What Is Camera Iso Sensitivity

Use a slow ISO setting in sunny, daylight conditions.

If your digital pictures appear too dark or too bright, adjust the camera's ISO to remedy poor exposure. This feature -- known as the International Standards Organization, or American Standards Association (ASA) setting -- directly affects the amount of light used to expose pictures. Digital camera users can manually adjust the ISO, or light sensitivity, of their camera's image capturing sensor.

Understanding ISO Numbers

Typical ISO settings on a digital camera will range from 50 to 6400, or higher. The lower the ISO number, the more light the camera requires to properly expose a picture. Sunny, daytime photography turns out well at ISO 100 or 200. If you go inside a building, boost the ISO setting to 400 to account for the decrease in natural light. If you go into a room without windows and dim overhead lighting, choose an ISO of 800 or 1600. As available light decreases, increase the sensitivity of your digital camera sensor by boosting the ISO number.

When to Adjust ISO

Adjust ISO settings when light levels fluctuate or your subject increases its movement. Photographers use low ISO numbers, such as 50, when photographing still life scenes, portraits or brightly lit situations without movement. Typical ISO settings for indoor athletics range from ISO 400 to 800. Photographing high-school football players at night on a dimly lit field might require an ISO setting of 6400 to get a good exposure that not only freezes a player's movements, but also has enough light to see the player's face and uniform clearly.

ISO and Image Quality

As an ISO setting increases in number, image quality reduces. The individual pixels composing the image begin to look fuzzy, especially in the shadow areas of a picture. This lack of clarity is called digital noise.

Using the lowest ISO number possible at all times and adjusting your exposure by using the camera's aperture and shutter speed settings will give you better image quality.

Other Exposure Adjustments

Since aperture, shutter speed and ISO work together to create the exposure of a picture, learn adjust all three of these camera features.

Choosing the camera's aperture priority mode allows you to adjust both the ISO and aperture, while the camera chooses the shutter speed to balance the exposure. Choose a small aperture number to allow more light into the camera, so you can use a lower ISO number for optimal image quality.

Use the shutter priority mode of the camera to choose the shutter speed and ISO. The camera will then choose the aperture to balance the exposure. The slower the shutter speed, the more light reaches the camera's sensor during the exposure. However, don't set the shutter speed too slow or you won't capture a sharp picture of a moving subject. Choosing a shutter speed below 1/60th of a second will increase your chances for motion blur.

Tags: shutter speed, image quality, more light, aperture shutter, aperture shutter speed

Set The Directv Volume Level

Direc TV provides satellite television programming for your home. It offers exclusive content not available through most cable-television systems, while allowing you to continue to view the local programming you would receive if you did not subscribe to the service. However, none of this programming does you any good if you cannot hear the programs you are watching. Read on to learn turn up the volume, so you aren't shelling out all that extra dough each month for a bunch of silent movies without any subtitles.

Instructions

1. It may sound silly, but try depressing the volume button (listed as VOL) on the Direc TV remote that came with your service. A mistake many new subscribers make is continuing to use their old television remote, which may not be able to operate with the new satellite service. Also press the MUTE button to make sure you were not accidentally the cause of your sudden silence.

2. If there is no response, go on to the next possibility. You probably need to enter a code for your television on the Direc TV remote, to get it them to communicate properly. These codes should have been provided to you in an instruction booklet that came inside your installation package.

3. If you cannot locate these codes, go to the Direc TV website by following the link in Resources. Click on "Equipment," then "Remote Control Setup." You will be asked to enter the model number for your remote-control device; it's located to the left of the uppermost switch on the remote control itself, and begins with the letters "RC."

4. Enter the brand name of your television set, as well as the model number (if you know it). You will be given a list of five-digit numbers (codes) to try. Set the remote control to "TV," using the slide (the uppermost switch) at the top. Simultaneously press and hold the "Mute" and "Select" buttons until you see the red button on your remote control blink two times. Enter the five-digit code using the numbers at the bottom of the remote-control device.

5. Try again to raise the volume on your TV. If it works, you are set. If not, try the next code on the list. Keep doing so until you find the one that works. Then sit back and enjoy your favorite programs, as loudly or as quietly as you desire.

Tags: remote control, Direc remote, model number, remote-control device, that came

Photograph The Caught Fish

Do you want to prove your fish tales aren't tales at all? Take a picture of you and your fish after you've caught it. However, just snapping a shot of your catch sometimes doesn't give your prize justice. Using these photography tips, you'll have an indisputable record of your fishing adventure.

Instructions

1. Choose a camera that won't be ruined should it get wet. Digital cameras, while more expensive, are the most convenient and capture better images. Also, you can easily upload your pictures to your computer, making it possible to edit, email or post them to a website.

2. Buy a disposable camera if you are worried about having your expensive camera near water. You can even buy a waterproof disposable camera. Either way, you'll be surprised by the quality of the pictures these cameras can make.

3. Hold your catch lengthwise, holding the head with one hand and the tail with the other. Positioning your fish this way makes for better photos because the camera will catch more distinctive features, making it easier to determine the species of your fish.

4. Stretch out your arms in front of you, putting the fish closer to the camera. The fish will look bigger, and you will look smaller. Remember that your goal is to capture the most details of the fish you are photographing.

5. Look directly at the camera, and don't forget to smile. Not only do you want to get the best picture of your catch, but you also want to show off how proud you are. When you show the picture to others or look at the picture later, you'll relive that great moment.

6. If the fish is too big to hold, or the person who caught it doesn't want to hold it, keep the fish on the line and snap your picture. If your catch is on a winch, it's perfectly all right to stand near it for the shot. Just remember that it should be clear in the photograph exactly who the angler is.

Tags: your catch, your fish, picture your, disposable camera, picture your catch

Set Up Slingbox Pro

The Slingbox Pro from Sling Media is designed to take the signal from your home theater components and stream it through the Internet so that it can be viewed anywhere you have an Internet connection. That means that you can hook up the Slingbox Pro to your DVR in California and watch the big game from an Internet cafe in Mumbai. The Slingbox Pro support high-definition output, but the streaming speed and quality depend largely on the Internet connection at the source and the destination. The setup is largely intuitive for users with basic knowledge of component setup.

Instructions

1. Turn the DVR cable box so that you have access to the ports on the back. Locate the ports labeled "Out." Some DVR boxes have an S-Video out in addition to regular RCA outs. Use S-Video whenever possible.

2. Connect the red and white audio cables included with the Slingbox Pro to one of the available red and white "Out" ports on the DVR.

3. Connect the included S-Video cable to the "Out" port on the DVR if available. If no S-Video port is present, connect the yellow video cable to the yellow video out on the DVR.

4. Connect the free ends of the cables to the corresponding ports on the back of the Slingbox Pro unit.

5. Connect the Slingbox Pro's "Out" ports to the TV's "In" ports in the same manner. Remember to use S-Video if available to achieve maximum picture quality.

6. Connect the "IR" blaster to the "Remote" jack on the back of the Slingbox and hang the device of the DVR cable box so that it is aimed at the infrared remote control port on the front of the device. This allows you to control the DVR remotely.

7. Plug the included Ethernet cable into the network port on the back of the Slingbox and the other end into your network router or modem.

8. Insert the power adapter and plug it into the wall to turn on the Slingbox Pro. The power light on the front of the unit will blink a few times and the network light will remain on to indicate that the unit is ready for use.

9. Insert the CD into a computer connected to the network. Click on "Download and Install" to launch the installation program.

10. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation and begin using the Slingbox Pro.

Tags: back Slingbox, cable that, Internet connection, ports back, yellow video

Points Of Interest On The Magellan Maestro

The Magellan Maestro is a GPS device designed for use in your car, and the included voice prompts, map page and written directions help guide you to your destination. The Maestro comes preloaded with maps of the United States and Canada, as well as 6 million points of interest (POI). POIs comprise a database of restaurants, hotels, gas stations, ATMs and other businesses, searchable by name, category or even subcategory. The Magellan Content Manager software allows you to load personalized content onto the Maestro, including your own points of interest.

Instructions

1. Connect the Magellan Maestro to your computer via the USB cord. Plug the larger end of the USB cord into the unit's USB port, and the other end into the computer.

2. Open Magellan Content Manager on your computer (see Resources for the download link if the program is not already installed on your computer).

3. Click "Transfer Trips Plan" from the tools menu or select the suitcase icon.

4. Click "Import As POI" to the points of interest database on your Magellan Maestro. Imported POIs will be treated like pre-installed points of interest on the Maestro unit.

5. Select the location on the Maestro to which you wish to upload the POI file. Click on the POI file stored on your computer.

6. Click "Open" and the POI file information will transfer.

7. Click "OK," then "Close," once the file transfer completes.

Tags: Magellan Maestro, your computer, points interest, computer Click, Content Manager

Pen Recorder Instructions

Pen recorders are used to record events as you take notes. These pens can be used in the classroom, business environments or any location where you may be too busy to write down everything that is being said. The pen recorder is sleek and discrete and shouldn't draw unnecessary attention to the owner. Depending on the type of pen, it may contain video capabilities so you can video tape the events as it records the audio as well.

Instructions

1. Click the power switch on the pen and wait for the indicator light to turn blue. This is your signal that the pen is recording.

2. Conduct your interview or listen to your classroom instructions as the pen is recording. When the interview is over, press the power switch to turn the pen off. The indicator light will turn yellow. The pen will remain in standby mode until you are ready to record another event.

3. Open the pen to locate the USB connector. Plug this connector into your computer's USB drive to review the recorded events on your computer.

4. Open My Computer from your desktop and open the new drive that has been created on your computer with the USB. Review the contents by opening the files from the new drive.

Tags: your computer, indicator light, power switch

Get Bass From Your System

If you like to "flow with the lows," you probably want more bass from your car audio system. There are many ways to improve the bass response of your system; let's look at some different approaches.

Instructions

1. Adjust your stereo's settings. It sounds simple, but this is where to start. Move the bass setting up and decrease the treble just a bit. If your car has larger speakers in the back, fade back to the rear speakers and increase the volume. Most after-market car receivers have a "bass boost" or "loudness" option. Turn it on.

2. Add power. Replace your factory stereo with an aftermarket receiver and you'll have much better lows right away, thanks to the extra power. If you have an aftermarket system, add an amp for the same effect.

3. Improve your speakers. Add quality aftermarket speakers, particularly to replace your car's larger speakers. These will be more responsive, and they have a wider frequency range. You'll hear better lows.

4. Add a subwoofer. If you really want to drop the bomb, this is where you should start! A subwoofer does nothing but reproduce bass. All-in-one powered subwoofers are an easy way to add bass to any system. If you're designing a more elaborate setup, an amplifier and component subwoofer is the way to go.

Tags: better lows, larger speakers, this where, your larger, your larger speakers

What Do Brand Names Mean

What Do Brand Names Mean?

Brand names refer to the specific names of various products and services. For example, while cola is a general type of drink, Coke is a unique brand of cola.

Significance

Consumers tend to identify more with certain brands as they are more familiar with them. This is mainly due to the advertising and promotions that are executed to build what is called brand awareness.

Types of Brands

A brand name may pertain to a particular product or represent a certain company, according to Davedolak.com. For example, the company P&G sells laundry detergent brands such as Tide and Cheer. Hertz uses the name of their company as a brand name for renting cars.

Other Types of Brands

A brand name may also describe a particular purpose or aspect of a product. For example, Off is the brand name for a product designed to get rid of fleas. Surge is a drink that helps increase people's energy level.

Effects of Brand Names

Brand names may have a positive or negative effect on a person. If someone has a bad experience with a certain brand (i.e., taste, customer service problems), they may not purchase that brand again. At the same time, those who buy nothing but a specific brand are called brand loyalists.

Size

Some companies such as P&G have brands such as Tide and Charmin that are worth over $1 billion.

Tags: brand name, Brand Names Mean, Brands brand, Brands brand name, brands such, brands such Tide

Pack Your Camera Bag For A Shoot

pack your camera bag for a shoot

The last thing you want to happen in the middle of taking pictures away from home is realize that you have misplaced or forgotten equipment necessary to make your shoot a success. Using a gear bag and keeping it stocked with camera essentials will help you avoid situations like this during shoots. Included here is a list of fundamental items every photographer should have in their bag aside from extra lenses, filters, and other accessories.

Instructions

1. Start by choosing a camera bag that will be able to protect your camera and the items mentioned above. A good camera bag needs to be sturdy, easy to open and close, and have plenty of room for your accessories.

2. You'll need pack some spare batteries in your bag. Even a fully manual SLR camera still needs fresh batteries if it has an internal light meter. More importantly, digital cameras run solely on battery power and most of these cameras have a battery life of 2 hours before needing to be replaced or recharged.

3. Extra rolls of film in your bag are also essential. You don't want to miss a great shot because you only brought one roll to an entire day's worth of shooting. If you are using a digital camera then you will need to keep extra memory cards in your bag as well for this same reason.

4. A lens cloth or lens wipes can mean the difference between a lens with sharp clarity or a smudged up lens that robs you of a clear and defined photograph. Use this cloth to wipe off fingerprints and dust from your camera's lenses or LCD screen before and during picture taking.

Tags: your camera

Repair Milwaukee Rechargeable Batteries

Repair your battery pack by replacing bad cells.

Milwaukee cordless power tools use various types of rechargeable batteries to power their devices, depending on the voltage requirements of the power tool. Rechargeable batteries containing nickel cadmium (NiCad) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) cells have been used until fairly recently, but lithium technology has meant that these battery packs are being superseded by more powerful and lighter lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries. For example, a Milwaukee 14.4 volt NiCad or NiMH battery pack has 12 cells, while a 14.4 volt Li-ion battery pack only has four cells, resulting in much smaller and lighter battery packs.

Instructions

1. Charge your Milwaukee battery pack until it's fully charged. Test each cell in the pack to determine if any cells are bad. Leave the battery pack alone for about eight hours, as this allows time for bad cells to lose their charge.

2. Remove the battery pack from the Milwaukee charger. Look for small screws that hold the battery pack cover in place. They are evenly spaced around the rim of the cover, but you may find a few hidden under the battery pack label. Remove all screws using a suitably-sized screwdriver.

3. Lift the cover from the base unit. You may need to carefully insert a small flat-head screwdriver under the rim to help loosen it. The cover doesn't completely come off the base unit, as there are wires linking to it, so just remove it as far as you can without disturbing the wiring. You will see the battery pack cells inside the base unit. Lift the battery pack from the base unit using your hands.

4. Test the voltage from each cell using a voltmeter. Place the metal sensor on the red wire/prong from the voltmeter onto the positive terminal of one of the cells. Place the sensor on the end of the black wire/prong from the voltmeter onto the negative terminal of the same cell. Each cell is labeled on one end "+" for positive, and on the other end "-" for negative. The type of cells used in the battery pack is printed on the battery cover label. It says NiCad, NiMH or Li-ion. NiCad and NiMH produce 1.2 volts, if they are in good condition, while Li-ion cells produce 3.6 volts.

5. Note the voltage from the cell on the voltmeter. If the cells are NiCad or NiMH, and the voltmeter reading is between 1.1 and 1.2 volts, the cell is good. If the cells are Li-ion, and the voltmeter reading is between 3.4 and 3.6 volts, the Li-ion cell is good. If the reading is less than 1.1 and 3.4 volts, respectively, the cell isn't retaining its charge. Replace these batteries.Test the remaining cells using the voltmeter. Put a mark on all cells that are bad.

6. Remove the bad cells from the battery pack. The cells are held in place by metal strips that are soldered on the cell terminals. Heat a soldering iron to remove them.

7. Put the soldering iron gently on the metal strip over the position where it is soldered to the terminal. Let the heat from the soldering melt the solder and, as it melts, immediately lift the metal strip away from the battery terminal using a small pair of pliers. Repeat the process on all the metal strips holding the bad cells in place. Turn off the soldering iron.

8. Take one bad battery to a hardware store, to ensure you replace it with the exact same battery. Purchase as many cells as you need to replace the bad cells you removed from the battery pack.

9. Put the new cells in the battery pack. Heat the soldering iron. Put the metal strips in place. Insert a strip of solder between the metal strip and the cell terminal. Put the end of the soldering iron on the metal strip exactly where the cell terminal is. Wait for the solder to melt, then immediately remove the soldering iron and solder. Let the soldered connection cool completely, then repeat the process for the remaining connections. Don't allow the cell to get hot during the process, as this will damage it. Solder each cell as quickly as possible. Turn off the soldering iron when you have soldered all necessary terminals.

10. Replace the cell pack in the base unit once it has cooled. Replace the battery cover, and then replace and tighten the screws using a suitably-sized screwdriver.

11. Charge the Milwaukee battery pack for about an hour. This tops-up the charge equally in all the batteries. Remove the battery pack from the charger, and use it in your Milwaukee power tool.

Tags: battery pack, soldering iron, base unit, battery pack cells, metal strip

Parts Of A Compound Microscope

The compound microscope consists of optical and structural parts which together are used to magnify objects that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. The three main parts of a microscope are the head, which holds the lenses; the base, which supports the microscope; and the arm, which connects them together and is used to carry the microscope.

Eyepiece

The eyepiece is also known as the ocular and is what you look through at the top of the microscope. A standard eyepiece has a 10x zoom but can be replaced to offer a 5x to 30x zoom. The eyepiece is held in the eyepiece tube, which sits above the objective lens. In a binocular microscope, the tube can swivel so multiple people with differently spaced eyes can view.

Nose Piece

The nose piece rests below the eyepiece tube and holds the objective lenses. A standard microscope houses three, four or five objective lenses on the nose piece and range from 4x to 100x zoom. The nose piece can spin to select different power objective lenses.

Focus Knobs

There are three focus knobs on a standard microscope. The course focus knob is used to bring the object being viewed into focus and the fine focus knob is used to increase the detail of that object. These two knobs are found on the arm of the microscope and are usually coaxial. The condenser knob is at the base of the microscope and controls how much light is focused on the object being viewed.

Stage

The stage is where the object being viewed is placed under the lens. Stage clips are used to hold the object or slide in place while viewing. A high power microscope has a mechanical stage to move the object, while a lower power microscope requires a person to move the object manually. The hole in the middle of the stage is the aperture, which allows light onto the object.

Illuminator

The illuminator is the light source for the microscope, which is found at the the base. The condenser is used to gather and focus the light from the illuminator onto the object being viewed; the iris diaphragm controls the amount of that light that reaches the object.

Tags: being viewed, object being, object being viewed, objective lenses, eyepiece tube, focus knob, focus knob used