Review of the Creative Gigaworks HD50 Speakers
December 31, 2008 by admin · Comments
The Creative Labs GigaWorks HD50 speakers are very disappointing. For the high price tag and superb build quality I was expecting a speaker set that rivaled the premium offerings by Bose and other manufacturers. I was so surprised with how poor the sound quality was that I had to hook it up to a few additional sources to be certain it wasn’t my equipment.
Sound is tinny and chock full of distortion even at moderate volume settings. The “BasXPort technology” is nothing but a marketing exec’s description of a hole at the top of the speaker. The reality is practically zero low range bass. The set could benefit from a subwoofer but at that point there are already plenty of more affordable options.
I rarely give a one star review, but I simply can’t recommend these speakers at the asking price. They are nothing more than mid range computer speakers wrapped in a more attractive package.
I am a a member of the Amazon Vine Voices program. Every month Amazon sends me a few products that are new or coming soon to market to review on their site.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Review
December 14, 2008 by admin · Comments
Photo technology has advanced more in the last five years than it probably has in over a century. For me, the unfortunate side effect of all of this digital wizardry are the hundreds of gigabytes that are crying out for easy organization and efficient editing. Thankfully both Adobe and Apple have stepped up with heavy duty apps that largely solve the many challenges the digital revolution has thrust upon advanced amateur and professional photographers.
Mac users find themselves with a difficult decision between Apple’s Aperture and Adobe’s Photoshop Lightroom 2. Both products are focused on efficient workflows for organization and editing but take dramatically different approaches to getting that work done. As an Aperture user I was excited to be sent a copy of Lightroom to review for the Amazon Vine program. After several hours of poking, prodding, and a whole lot of photo editing, I came to the conclusion that both are superb for what they do. While there are a few things that I like better on Lightroom and vice-versa (I much prefer Lightroom’s file management for instance), nothing stood out for me as a deal maker or breaker for either product.
And while this wishy-washy conclusion may sound like a cop-out, it really comes down to how you, the photographer, edit photos and which workflow will best fit into how you approach that work. The problem is that once you’re committed to Lightroom or Aperture it is difficult, if not impossible, to switch and maintain all of the editing and organizational data. Neither Adobe or Apple provide a pathway to import a library created on their competitor’s product.
So here’s my suggestion: try before you buy. While Apple and Adobe are locked in the grips of deadly competition we the consumers benefit not only from two great products to choose from but also 30 day fully featured free trials of each. Download both and begin experimenting to see which of the two will best fit your needs.
You can find Apple’s Aperture trial here, and Adobe’s Lightroom 2 trial here.
The decision is easier for Windows users. That’s because there’s nothing better for Windows than Lightroom. Users in a mixed Mac and PC environment will also find that Lightroom’s libraries are also completely cross-compatible, so work can be started on a Mac and finished on a Windows PC. Users upgrading from Adobe Photoshop Elements as well as the older Photoshop album can import their existing album structures into Lightroom with relative ease.
Adobe continues their proud tradition of redefining photography with this product. It’s clear that everything they’ve learned from two decades of Photoshop, combined with feedback from their customers, has gone into this version of Lightroom.
Flash Memory Continues to Plummet
December 13, 2008 by admin · Comments
It is astounding to see how flash memory prices continue to plummet.. I picked up a couple of 16 gig class 6 SDHC cards the other day for about $30 a piece at Amazon last week.. Each are enough to hold two hours of high def video from my Canon HF100 camcorder.
What’s really amazing to me is just how much these little cards/USB sticks can hold now.. Who would have thought you could carry around 64 gigs on a keychain for about a hundred bucks? I still remember paying a couple of hundred dollars for a 1.3 gig hard drive in 1995..
Video Review of the Neat Scan to Office System
December 10, 2008 by admin · Comments
I am a a member of the Amazon Vine Voices program. Every month I have the opportunity to review a few products that are new or coming soon to market.
My review for this month is the The NeatScan To Office system. It’s from the same folks who brought you Neat Receipts, but Neat Scan to Office lacks the organizational tools that made their flagship product such a killer app.
Watch the video to learn more:
Video Review of the Swann BlueAlert Movement Video Recorder Security Kit
December 2, 2008 by admin · Comments
I was recently selected to be a reviewer in the Amazon Vine Voices
Below is my latest review for the Swann BlueAlert Movement Video Recorder Security Kit.
Review: Epson WorkForce 600 Wireless All-in-One Printer
September 26, 2008 by admin · Comments
The Epson Workforce 600 is a very feature rich product, but it had me at ’scan to memory card.’ 
It’s a very simple feature that I’ve always wanted one of these multifunction units to implement. And Epson has executed it perfectly. Simply put a document in the autofeeder or flatbed, select scan to memory card, and push the button. It scans and safely stores the document on flash memory (it accepts a variety of flash memory cards) in either JPEG for PDF format. Epson even smartly added a file server which effectively turns the printer into a network attached storage device.
These two features are so great I actually have no intention of ever plugging it into my computer. With its built in WiFi I keep it downstairs in my kitchen so I can grab and scan important documents before they get lost on their way upstairs to my office. When I’m ready I just connect to its file share over the network and drag the files into my document manager. Totally awesome.
And yes it does the other stuff well too. Scans are crisp and clean, it has a decent and fast printing mechanism, and it sends and receives faxes adequately.
I highly recommend this well designed and feature-rich product for those looking for a light duty document center.
Nikon’s Amazing D300 and D90
September 6, 2008 by admin · Comments
While the above isn’t my most amazing photographic work ever, what is notable about this shot is that it was only lit by a single 100 watt light bulb on the opposite end of the room. No flash. ISO 1250 on a $100 50mm Nikon lens, taken with Nikon’s D300 camera
I was previously using a Canon Digital Rebel that I bought way back in 2003. It is an equally impressive camera, the first digital SLR to break the $1000 price barrier with a lens. It took excellent shots when the lighting was adequate, but fell short in low light conditions. Although Canon and Nikon both introduced some incredible cameras over the last seven years, neither manufacturer really did much to improve sensor sensitivity in low light conditions. While it was possible to boost the ISO of the digital sensor, the results were usually grainy and just not workable.
Starting with the ridiculously awesome D3
If you are thinking of taking your pictures to the next level and purchasing an SLR, you owe it to yourself to pick up a D90. It’s competitively priced, has the same sensor as the D300, and now does 720p movies. Yes an SLR that does movies with all of the incredible depth of field and low light performance Nikon delivers for still photos. Check out some sample movies of the new gadget here.
Review of MADE Products Seattle Sling Bag
September 1, 2008 by admin · Comments
I am a member of Amazon’s Vine Program, a great opportunity to review products that interest me.
This month they sent me a rather interesting camera bag to review. The MADE Products Seattle Sling bag, CA-2001-BLK. Here’s my thoughts:
CrossLoop: A free and very easy to configure screen sharing app
August 22, 2008 by admin · Comments
Screen sharing is one of the last of the holy grails of true collaborative computing. It’s so much easier to show somebody a process as opposed to trying to explain it over the phone. While screen sharing has been free and around forever, going through a complex set of software and network configuration to get it working is a hassle.
Enter CrossLoop, an upstart that has simplified the process and made screen sharing as easy as instant messaging. Zero configuration, no router settings, and a very simple interface for folks a little intimated by this sort of thing.
After selecting whether to “access” or “share” all the user needs to do is hit connect. The host is given an access code to share with the person connecting, and it will only accept connections for two minutes after the connect button is pushed.
CrossLoop uses the open source VNC for the actual screen sharing. Connections are fast and responsive, and each session is encrypted to prevent network snooping.
CrossLoop is free for individual use. They will be monetizing their business by running a matchmaking service that connects those in need of computer help with freelance techies who will assist for a fee. It’s an innovative business model that might actually make them profitable. It sure beats calling foreign call centers or having the Geek Squad mangle up your computer.
My only complaint is the lack of Mac support. Given that CrossLoop is built on VNC, which powers Apple’s own remote desktop application, I’m sure a Mac version won’t be far away.
Brilliant Viral Marketing From Samsung
August 20, 2008 by admin · Comments
This is very well done. Tip of the hat to Samsung’s marketing team on this one.
Stuff I Find Interesting- Steve's OK, everyone relax January 5, 2009
- A Goodbye To Mayor Mike January 4, 2009
- RNC chair race: 'Everyone is ... pissed' January 4, 2009
- Amtrak Photo Contestant Arrested By Amtrak Police January 4, 2009
- One More Time: Bush 3? January 4, 2009
