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Topics RSS Feedhttp://rick.cogley.info/index.htmlRSS Feed for Rick Cogley's Topics Pagesenrick.cogley@gmail.comCopyright 2008 Rick Cogley2008-11-04T09:16:48+09:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:53:18 +0900Document Formatsrick.cogley@gmail.comTechnologies2008-11-04T09:16:48+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Document_Formats.php#unique-entry-id-22http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Document_Formats.php#unique-entry-id-22
Microsoft’s Open Office XML format, or “OOXML” is a format for representing word processing, spreadsheet, chart and presentation documents. OOXML documents are mainly XML files compressed in a ZIP package. The format has been approved as an ISO standard, and the most recent iteration was intended by Microsoft to replace the Office 2003 XML file format and earlier Office binary formats. It has since been taken under the stewardship of Ecma International. Microsoft has converters available to allow users of previous office versions to be able to open the latest OOXML files, i.e. Word “DOCX” files.

The OpenDocument format, or “ODF” is also a format for representing word processing, spreadsheet, chart and presentation documents, originally developed by Sun, and adopted by the Open Office XML committee of the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) consortium. It is based on the XML format developed for the OpenOffice.org Office replacement suite, and its filename extensions are .odt (word processing), .ods (spreadsheet), .odp (presentation), .odg (graphics) and .odf (formula). Because it is freely available and implementable, it has been built into OpenOffice.org, Google Docs, NeoOffice, IBM Lotus Symphony and Corel Wordperfect Office.

The Portable Document Format, or “PDF” is a file format created by

Adobe Systems in 1993 for document exchange. PDF is used for representing two-dimensional documents in a manner independent of the application software, hardware, and operating system.[1]

Each PDF file encapsulates a complete description of a fixed-layout 2-D document (and, with Acrobat 3-D, embedded 3-D documents) that includes the text, fonts, images, and 2-D vector graphics which comprise the documents.

PDF is an open standard that was officially published on July 1, 2008 by the ISO as ISO 32000-1:2008.[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenDocument

]]>Google Labsrick.cogley@gmail.comCompanies2008-11-04T08:40:42+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Google_Labs.php#unique-entry-id-21http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Google_Labs.php#unique-entry-id-21
Google Labs even has its own tab in Gmail. If yours is not enabled already, you can visit the following URL after you log in:

https://mail.google.com/mail/?labs=1#settings/labs

Now just just click the Labs tab and start selecting the Labs features you want, like "Advanced IMAP Controls" which allows you to avoid downloading the entire All Mail folder. Gmail will remember you want the Labs tab for next time.

References

Google Labs Main Site

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]]>Lumiquestrick.cogley@gmail.comCompanies2008-10-22T22:54:56+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Lumiquest.php#unique-entry-id-20http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Lumiquest.php#unique-entry-id-20

Buy It Here

References

Lumiquest Official Site

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]]>Strobistrick.cogley@gmail.comPhotography2008-10-22T21:43:52+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Strobist.php#unique-entry-id-19http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Strobist.php#unique-entry-id-19Speedlight or some combination of both. Or, instead of buying a brand-name “macro studio”, the Strobist might assemble one from found parts.

David’s blog is excellent information for anyone wanting to learn more about lighting technique.

Buy Here

References

David Hobby’s Strobist Blog
Strobist Flickr Group

Search this Site for Similar Content]]>RAWrick.cogley@gmail.comTechnologies2008-10-22T11:44:24+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/RAW.php#unique-entry-id-18http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/RAW.php#unique-entry-id-18
Once you have a RAW file which is often called a “digital negative” because of its unprocessed state, you would normally “post-process” or “develop” it using a RAW converter program that allows precise adjustments to highlights, contrast, white balance, exposure, sharpness, noise-reduction and so forth, prior to exporting it as a JPEG or TIFF, for printing or publishing on the web. Photographers use RAW because it allows a higher degree of processing control compared to working directly on a JPEG, though it is quite possible to have your expensive DSLR output JPEG directly (many DSLRs can output both RAW and JPEG at the same time).

Post processing options include maker-proprietary software such as Nikon Capture, and, generalist programs such as Apple Aperture, Bibble Pro and Adobe Lightroom. When buying into a system like Apple Aperture, one has to note that there might be a lag time when a new camera with new RAW format comes out, until the software maker can catch up and incorporate that format into their software.

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References

Adobe Understanding RAW PDF
Open RAW - standards working group
Apple Aperture
Bibble Labs Bibble Pro
Adobe Lightroom

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]]>Nikon Speedlightrick.cogley@gmail.comGadgets2008-10-21T20:31:45+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Nikon_Speedlight.php#unique-entry-id-17http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Nikon_Speedlight.php#unique-entry-id-17

i-TTL Balanced Fill Flash

The speedlight will emit monitor pre-flashes, reflecting them off every object in the frame, and catching them with the five-segment TTL flash sensor, or an RGB sensor. The resulting information is analyzed with data from the camera’s Matrix Metering System, to adjust the flash output for the most balanced background-to-foreground exposure.

Advanced Wireless Lighting

Nikon CLS supports what Nikon calls Advanced Wireless Lighting. Note, this is not Wireless as in Pocket Wizard or CyberSync wireless radio, but rather wireless via infrared technology. The range is a little shorter than what you would find with a Pocket Wizard or CyberSync unit. With AWL, you can combine Speedlights flexibly, with up to four i-TTL Speedlight groups controlled by a master unit (the SB-900, SB-800 or SU-800, or, the Nikon camera’s built in flash), and communicating over any of four channels. You’d want channels if you had four Nikon CLS photogs on a catwalk together - they could all choose a different channel to stay out of one another’s hair. Finally, you can have as many Speedlights in a group as your wallet will allow.

Auto FP High-speed Sync

Nikon CLS supports Auto FP High-speed Sync, which is available in some Nikon DSLR cameras including the D-90. Auto FP High-Speed Sync (what a mouthful THAT is) is good for stopping action in outdoor photography (meaning, you can use Flash with a high shutter speed) or, for better portraiture in that it allows you to use a larger aperture. Nikon says that supporting cameras will automatically turn this on, if the shutter speed is above the camera’s top flash sync speed (e.g. 1/250 etc).

Flash Value Lock

With Flash Value Lock, you can lock the exposure and flash settings after you set them or the camera calculates them, and then re-compose as needed without re-metering.

Multi-Area AF-Assist

This Multi-Area AF-Assist Illuminator function allows you to change auto-focus areas in cameras that support CLS, allowing better exposures in dim lighting. If you read the fine print on many third-party flashes that work with Nikon cameras, this capability is not present, and they cite their flash as “only working in centered auto-focus mode” and so on. This feature allows you to get the most out of the auto-focus function of your camera.

Flash Color Information

One area of difficulty if you are using manual flashes of various makes, is that you have to adjust white balance information because each flash is a bit different (this would occur if you used a Nikon SB with a manual Vivitar 285HV, for example). With Nikon CLS if you set the camera to Auto White Balance mode, the master flash unit on the camera (or in the camera) will transmit color information to the camera, including voltage, duration and other color information, and the camera will use these data to get the optimum white balance.

Special SB-900 Features

The SB-900 has some special features unique to it alone. First, you can switch illumination patterns between standard, center-weighted and even, to spread your light as needed in a given shooting situation. Standard has a “normal” pattern of light falloff at the edges, center-weighted gives larger guide-numbers at the center, making it more suitable for portraiture, and even has less falloff at the edges making it more suitable for a group portrait, for instance. Second, the SB-900 will automatically choose a light distribution angle suitable for FX-format (36 x 24) or DX-format (24 x 16), on a camera that can select between the two (D700 or D3). Third, SB-900 firmware can be updated via certain Nikon cameras (D700 or D3). Fourth, the SB-900 has some special accessories such as a waterguard to protect the shoe contact (WG-AS1 for D3, WG-AS2 for D300, and WG-AS3 for D700), and a special external power source, the “High-Performance Battery Pack SD-9”, which holds up to two sets of four AA batteries for extended capacity and reduced flash recycle time.

Buy Related Products

References

Nikon Main Site
Nikon Speedlight and CLS Site

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]]>TinyURLrick.cogley@gmail.comWeb Applications2008-10-20T22:24:52+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/TinyURL.php#unique-entry-id-16http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/TinyURL.php#unique-entry-id-16TinyURL lets you make long URLs tiny. If you have ever received an email with a long URL that is broken, in that when you click it, it leads nowhere or returns a 404 error in your browser, many times it is the length of the URL and the fact that email software cuts each line off at a particular length, that is the cause of the problem. Map software such as Google Maps or Mapion and MapFan in Japan, are good candidates for URL shortening. A long URL like this:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=4047+86th+LN+NE+Blaine,+MN+55014&sll=35.398479,139.515025&sspn=0.010005,0.021415&ie=UTF8&ll=45.12732,-93.167238&spn=0.00866,0.021415&z=16&iwloc=addr

... becomes this:

http://tinyurl.com/6mo8qv

Now we can find TinyURL’s parent, Gilby Productions. You can visit the TinyURL Website and create a tiny URL, but a neater way is to install the TinyURL-provided browser link. There is a section on the main site http://tinyurl.com called "Add TinyURL to your Browser's Toolbar". Drag the link there to your browser link bar. Now, when you are visiting a site in IE or Firefox, you can just click the TinyURL! link, and a TinyURL will be created, the URL copied to your clipboard. Convenient.

References

TinyURL Main Site

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TinyURL of Strobist Blog Post on Nikon SB-900 Strobe Being a real "Big Foot"

]]>RSSrick.cogley@gmail.comTechnologies2008-10-20T22:19:18+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/RSS.php#unique-entry-id-15http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/RSS.php#unique-entry-id-15RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary. It was conceptualized and initially developed by UserLand’s Dave Winer in 1997, and is a mainly text-based format for delivering syndicated, dynamic web content to an RSS “feed reader.” A feed reader is an application that aggregates text RSS feeds into a single location, making them easier to keep up with and keep track of. You can view multiple RSS feeds simultaneously in your feed reader, helping you to stay informed. This as opposed to keeping track of many different and dynamically-changing Website structures.

Examples of feed readers include NetNewsWire, FeedReader, NewsGator or Amphetadesk for standalone applications and Google Reader or Bloglines for web-based applications. Examples of RSS-integrated applications include Mail.app and Safari from Apple, and Outlook 2007 from Microsoft.

Once you decide on a feed reader, you just have to find blogs, photo-sharing sites and news sites that you want to keep up with. Sites often display an RSS icon (that says RSS, XML or RDF) for you to click on to access a feed, and modern Internet browsers often auto-detect feeds, displaying an RSS icon in the address bar when a feed is available.

References

Dave Winer’s RSS Site
RSS Version History at Harvard Law

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RSS Feeds in the "NetNewsWire" RSS Feed Reader Application

]]>Think Tank Photorick.cogley@gmail.comCompanies2008-10-19T18:01:59+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Think_Tank_Photo.php#unique-entry-id-14http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Think_Tank_Photo.php#unique-entry-id-14
I own a Think Tank Photo Speed Freak waist belt-pack, a “big stick” monopod case, and a Pixel Pocket Rocket media holder. All excellent quality.

References

Think Tank Photo Official Site
Buy a Think Tank Photo Speed Freak Waist Belt-Pack
Buy a Think Tank Photo Big Stick Monopod Bag
Buy a Think Tank Photo Pixel Pocket Rocket Media Holder

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]]>Hakkeijima Sea Paradiserick.cogley@gmail.comFacilities2008-10-19T17:23:24+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Hakkeijima_Sea_Paradise.php#unique-entry-id-13http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Hakkeijima_Sea_Paradise.php#unique-entry-id-13

View Larger Map

References

Hakkeijima Sea Paradise Official Site

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]]>Apple Safaririck.cogley@gmail.comSoftware2008-10-17T19:16:20+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Apple_Safari.php#unique-entry-id-12http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Apple_Safari.php#unique-entry-id-12

References

Safari at Apple
Safari on Wikipedia
Buy OS X Leopard, or an iPod

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]]>Centurionrick.cogley@gmail.comCompanies2008-10-17T19:15:06+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Centurion.php#unique-entry-id-11http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Centurion.php#unique-entry-id-11

References

Centurion Website

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http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Project_Management.php#unique-entry-id-10Google Mapsrick.cogley@gmail.comWeb Applications2008-10-17T19:11:27+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Google_Maps.php#unique-entry-id-9http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Google_Maps.php#unique-entry-id-9Apple Aperturerick.cogley@gmail.comSoftware2008-10-17T19:09:19+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Apple_Aperture.php#unique-entry-id-8http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Apple_Aperture.php#unique-entry-id-8

Buy Here

References

Aperture at Apple
Aperture on Wikipedia

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]]>Applerick.cogley@gmail.comCompanies2008-10-17T19:08:44+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Apple.php#unique-entry-id-7http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Apple.php#unique-entry-id-7

References

Apple Inc. Website
Apple on Wikipedia
Buy OS X Leopard, a Macbook Pro, or an iPod

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]]>Crumplerrick.cogley@gmail.comCompanies2008-10-17T19:05:51+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Crumpler.php#unique-entry-id-6http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Crumpler.php#unique-entry-id-6Crumpler is an Australian bag company based in Melbourne, that makes high-quality camera bags that don’t look like camera bags. It was started as a messenger bag company in 1995 by Dave Roper and Will Miller, who were bike couriers and running a bike courier company Minuteman Messengers. Currently Crumpler operates out of several countries including Australia (enquiries@crumpler.com.au, + 61 3 9372 1204), Auckland, New Zealand (+64 9 630 0753), New York, USA (+1 718 384 3020), Toronto, Canada (+1 416-847-0117) and Singapore (+65 6238 6371).

The colorful bags sport whimsical names like “Brazillion Dollar Home” or “Sinking Barge” and the Website is a zany flash-based “vending machine” that you need to experience before kicking the bucket. They have some funny, off-color product videos that are worth the bandwidth.

References

Crumpler Australia
Crumpler US
Buy a Crumpler Sinking Barge bag

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]]>Flickrrick.cogley@gmail.comWeb Applications2008-10-17T19:04:39+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Flickr.php#unique-entry-id-5http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Flickr.php#unique-entry-id-5SmugMugrick.cogley@gmail.comWeb Applications2008-10-17T19:03:41+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/SmugMug.php#unique-entry-id-4http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/SmugMug.php#unique-entry-id-4Twitterfeedrick.cogley@gmail.comWeb Applications2008-10-17T19:02:57+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Twitterfeed.php#unique-entry-id-3http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Twitterfeed.php#unique-entry-id-3
Twitterfeed monitors your Really Simple Syndication or "RSS" feeds after you enter them into your Twitterfeed account. RSS feeds are lightweight text files that automatically show site content updates and are output by many types of websites including blog, photo sharing, and forum systems.

http://twitterfeed.com]]>Twitterrick.cogley@gmail.comWeb Applications2008-10-17T19:02:14+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Twitter.php#unique-entry-id-2http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Twitter.php#unique-entry-id-2Twitter is a free, social networking “micro blog” web application that is based on the simple concept of allowing its users to answer the question “what are you doing now?”. It was conceptualized by Jack Dorsey because he wanted to know what his friends were doing. It was funded initially by Obvious, out of San Francisco CA, and then incorporated in 2007.

The simple concept is that you can follow people on twitter by clicking a button on their Twitter profile, and people can follow you. When people you are following submit a tweet, it shows up on your profile page, as well as via other methods if you have signed up to receive them - SMS, RSS, Email. You can enter an up-to-140-character “tweet” via the website or various other Twitter addon software applications such as Twitterrific, or, update your Twitter via Twitterfeed, which monitors your various RSS feeds.

Join the 2 million plus users on Twitter by signing up, and follow me on Twitter.

References

Twitter Main Site
Signup for Twitter
Twitter Mobile
Follow Rick on Twitter

Search this Site for Similar Content]]>Google Statzrick.cogley@gmail.comSoftware2008-10-17T19:01:24+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Google_Statz.php#unique-entry-id-1http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Google_Statz.php#unique-entry-id-1

References

Statz from Google Code

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]]>Nikon D90rick.cogley@gmail.comGadgets2008-10-17T17:18:51+09:00http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Nikon_D90.php#unique-entry-id-0http://rick.cogley.info/goodies/topics/index_files/Nikon_D90.php#unique-entry-id-0
It is looking like the GPS option will be released sometime in December in Japan. Pricing was unavailable when I asked.

References

Nikon D90 Product Page
Buy a D90 with 18-105mm Lens

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