The Computerist : graphics

Embroidery Software and Recap of CatalogXpress and AlphaXpress

TheComputerist — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:08:00 GMT

If you frequent the Forums here at AnnTheGran or any other site, you will often see users asking which software for embroidery is the best. Some people even attempt to answer that question and some people know that there is no answer for it.

The reasons are (but not limited to):

It depends on what you want to do
It depends on what machine you have
It depends on how much you want to spend (they are all expensive including all software for computers)
It depends on what level computer user you are
It depends on what day it is. . . . .

If there is one thing clear to me, it is that embroidery is moving at the speed of sound. It changes daily, has new innovations hourly and excitement from newbies (as well as experienced users) are driving the entire craft forward to exciting and new heights. I am so delighted to be a small part of that change. You must be a little pleased as well - after all - look at your first projects and your most recent projects. You will see your advancement in understanding and quality. That is really terrific!! Now, compare that to dusting your furniture - do you have the same satisfaction?

Enough said!!!

I do want to get the information together for Catalog Xpress (CX) and AlphaXpress (AX) in one place for you to bookmark and refer back to from time to time. We cannot remember everything and frankly, I even check back to ascertain information when I work with AlphaXpress (the one I use daily). Even using it daily, I can forget a shortcut that could save me time.

Recap for Catalog Xpress (Don't forget that there are other freebies and tips in with the CX and AX information):

Making Notes for your designs. Among the BEST features of CX is the Notes feature. It allows you to keep information regarding changes, issues or anything you may want to keep. I keep things like the place where I purchased the design, the cost of the design and even how many times I have done the design.
Using Search and what CX does and does not do. Search has a lot of methods for your use, not just by name. It is so useful that you can find a design very quickly. Additionally, many users have a question about where designs are kept on their computer. CX does not "hold" the design, it is data about your designs only. That is also explained in the link called Search.
When you need to Resize CX is a great help. Your machine software may not be able to do an adjustment of more than a small amount. CX can do resizing, up or down as much as you like. Of course, it also adjusts the stitch count. You just need to be sure you are going to still have your design as you want it to look. That is where a 'discovery sew' can tell you if your design will be successful.
Format and Converting a format is complex and not taken lightly. I have had some software convert and mistakes can occur. CX is excellent for changing your format. You may get a new machine that does not use your old format or find a design that has to be changed. Make sure you can trust your conversion software.
Creating your own Colors with CX is quick and very important. You may want to change a rose from red to green to match your color scheme, but seeing is different than imagining. It can be quite interesting to make a change. Furthermore, if the background is dark, like denim, and your pattern is also dark, you may not get the 'WOW' factor you really want. A detail may be lost if the color is not right.
The feature of Multiple Sorting is possibly not well known but could be the best of the features. You can place a design in multiple places. For instance, if you have a design with a kitten in a flower bed with a butterfly, you can place it in those three different places and be able to find it three ways. You don't have to remember what the theme actually is about, it will come to you in multiple ways. And, if you are thinking butterfly but when the kitten comes up with it, you may see that it is even better for your project than the one you originally were considering. This blog has the Bonus of how to use "Word, Excel, Power Point and other Microsoft applications FREE!
I use the Arrange Designs frequently in my business because while I want to use the most appropriate design for a project to sell, I also want to use the one with the least amount of stitches or color changes to minimize my time and effort. This money savings will make me more profitable. I can also arrange my designs by color - Catalog Xpress automatically does this as it reads the colors so I don't have to plug in the information, it is already there. Size is another facet that I can use. After all, a large design on a little girl's pinafore just may not be the right one.
Many software programs can print your designs, but with Catalog Xpress, printing is flexible. You can print any size from a thumbnail to a full page and any where in between. This makes a great method to have the designs when your PC is not working or if you would like someone to see what you have available. It is portable and easy to manage.
Combining Catalog Xpress and Alphabet Xpress. This is really a great way to create a personalized design. With just a touch of a link, you can take your design and add lettering from Alphabet Xpress. This is easier and faster than combining methods. You can see your design and change either the design or lettering with one program.

After giving Catalog Xpress a good look over, I began going over Alphabet Xpress and the great features it has available. Even if you have used Alphabet Xpress for a while, there may just be a tip or two for you to find among these aspects. Even when software has a good tutorial, I have often found that there are elements hidden here and there that are rarely in books. I suppose there is no way for a developer to give every instance of what you may use or need. I love to poke around the drop down menus to see what I can use to my advantage. I hope some of these items will help you make the best and highest use of your Alphabet Xpress Software. And, if you don't have it yet, I really do recommend it!

Buying Fonts is one of the first confusing things that a newbie faces. I know I was so confused on this one that I spent money unnecessarily. Who needs that? This blog is to help us all understand the differences between monogramming and fonts AND a good font vs. a mediocre font. I discuss how creating words, especially sentences and long writing is really best done with software. Adding letters one at a time is time consuming and can be a significant problem. One of the great things about AnnTheGran is that they do put these two software programs on sale from time to time.
This program allows you to REALLY view the stitches. You can almost see the thread fiber molecules themselves. You can see how the stitches lay and you can switch to a different font if the stitching is not to your needs for your project. Some fonts are smoother or more ragged, so this allows you that view before you place one stitch on your fabric.
Fonts can be customized to your hearts content. Take a single letter, word or group of words and make them standout in unusual ways. With AX you can take a single letter out of the middle of a word and make it 5 times the size of the rest of the letters. AX will adjust the spacing and you will have a unique project to be proud of.
Creating a lengthy thought with AX. You can even do something as long as a Paragraph with AX. It does happen that I do hankies for brides and they want to tell someone special just how they feel on their most important day. I created my own messages for brides to their mothers, fathers, father-in-laws and even flower girls. I can change a single word on any of them quickly and easily. Again, one letter at a time would be too time consuming.
My blog called Leather and Lace is one of my favorites. I don't digitize for a number of reasons, one of which is understanding 'Pull Compensation.' Pull compensation is tricky and a really experienced, knowledgeable digitizer can make a fantastic design. However, some digitizers have had this issue, then when you sew out your project and it is not as you expect, you think that you have done something wrong. Not necessarily so. Every software that I have seen for creating designs has what is called a "Recipe." That recipe calls for adjustment to the stitching. For more info on this, read the blog. AX, IMHO, does a good job on this issue.
AX allows you to see stitching and what I call Reverse Engineering. This allows you to see the underlay and how the stitching will be laying. It is great to be able to see a design in its rawest form. You will learn what constitutes a good or bad design. If you are going to put in your time, effort and soul into a project, you want to have the best of the best to create your vision. AX is a great tool to help you know what you are looking at.

In all honesty, as I was putting this blog together, I had to scan over my own information and guess what- - - my review reinforces my recall of all the options for these two great software programs. It helps me to remember that there are features I don't use everyday, but can make good use of from time to time.

If you love embroidery, get the best equipment available to make it a true pride and joy.

Safety Information, Free Posters for your school and Catalog Xpress Tip #8, Printing Your Designs

TheComputerist — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:30:00 GMT

We are all trying to be more ‘green' these days, but some things may remain in your home that you are uncertain about. Green means more environmentally safe, but I use some items that I really cannot do without. I want to know exactly what is in those products. It may just change my mind about using them.

This site, produced by the U.S. Department of Human & Health Services, http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/ is just what I need for so much information about everything from Automotive Products to Pesticides.

It does not matter if you have children or pets, we all need to safeguard our health and well being.

With so many schools having financial issues, it is a good thing that there are some places that offer freebies for teachers. This is not limited to teaching either; you can print these up for your home or office.

This site, http://www.poster-street.com/ gives you some fun and motivating posters. There are some for just teenagers, businesses and other categories. You simply print them out. I was thinking that printing them on photo paper will make them very special.

Here is my next Catalog Xpress tip and it is one of those that I have always appreciated about this software.

I do sell my items online. However, I occasionally go to craft fairs, fund raisers and the like and that presents issues with showing the available designs.

Keep notes on issues (your input) - Notes
Search by the usual information AND by Notes - Search
Resize designs - Resize
Convert the format - Conversions
Recolor designs and background colors - Recolor
Categorize designs in multiple subjects (place a design of girl in garden watching a butterfly in multiple categories) - Categories
Arrange designs in multiple methods (Name, Type, Number of Stitches, Colors, Dimensions) - Arrangements
Print the entire catalog of designs in 3D (as small or large as I like)
Work with Alpha Xpress to create wonderful projects.

Having designs at your finger tips can be outstanding for many reasons.

Let's say that you are going to be attending a fund raising event and you are participating by offering a nice pillow for an animal lover.

It is difficult to tell others just how beautiful your designs are and you don't have a photograph of all the designs that you want to offer. You want your idea to look its best and show off what you are capable of doing.

Let's open Catalog Xpress and select Baby. There are 162 items in that folder.

Next, select the File Menu, and Print Catalog.

Next, the software will make a suggestion for printing some pages. In this case, it shows 4 pages with 6 columns and 9 rows.

My designs will look something like this when printed.

That is probably good for showing a prospective client the available designs.

What if I want a reference just for me? I can adjust the number of columns and rows to put it all on one page. What a time saver for me!!!

Even with a lot of designs, you will be surprised at how well you know your designs from just a small thumbnail size picture.

What if I want to take just some designs that meet specific criteria? All I have to do is select the ones I want. Remember that holding down your Ctrl key and using your mouse, click on the ones you want. You can also select a group by holding your Shift key and click on the first design and the last design. Go to the File Menu, select Print Catalog and you will see that the option to ‘Print selected' box is available. Click on that box and change the column and row information to suite your needs.

Customize to your hearts delight. It is a great way to keep info on designs.

If you missed my blog on getting Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and One Note for free, you better check it out! If you are considering selling your embroidery - the holidays are coming fast! - you can now get my spreadsheet without purchasing Excel (about $400 by itself).

Free Artwork Software and Catalog Xpress, Tip #4, Conversions.

TheComputerist — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:45:00 GMT

Drawing and designing is usually limited to those who have talent, I am not included in that group. However, I did find a method of creating interesting designs that is fun and amusing for me. I hope you like it too.

Livebrush, is a fun way to create some interesting effects. If you can draw as well, it is even more appealing. There is a simple demo at the site.

I think either one of these would be striking when embroidered. If you have a young couple in your life, I think this type of art may well interest them and combined with embroidery, what a breathtaking heirloom this would make.

Here is the next episode of “Tips on Using Catalog Xpress.” You can look at tips number 1, 2, and 3 by selecting the links.

Keep notes on issues (your input) - Notes
Search by the usual information AND by Notes Search
Resize designs - Resize
Convert the format
Recolor designs
Categorize designs in multiple subjects (place a design of girl in garden watching a butterfly in multiple categories)
Allow background colors (view your designs against project color)
Arrange designs in multiple methods (Name, Type, Number of Stitches, Colors, Dimensions)
Print the entire catalog of designs in 3D (as small or large as I like)
Work with Alpha Xpress to create wonderful projects.

Converting of formats is a very complex software issue. Finding a reliable resource is paramount for embroiderers. Sometimes we cannot find the design we want with the format we need. Sometimes we might change machines causing formatting nightmares.

There are a couple of things to remember when converting designs.

Always keep your old design.
You can do a single design or a ‘batch’ of designs.

First, we will select the designs to be converted. We can select one with a simple click or select several, in a row, by clicking on the first design, and pressing and holding the shift key and select the last design.

But what if we want to select design number 3 and design number 99? We can do that by selecting the first design, and pressing and holding the ctrl key, select the second, third or any design. All will be selected for conversion.

Right click on any of the highlighted designs and you will see a ‘content sensitive’ help menu. That goes for most software as well.

The selection area shows that there may be some Brother or Babylock machines may require a different version.

I recommend that you select the ‘new directory . . .’ and place the new file in a separate file. This automatically keeps the original format, and as I noted, I do recommend keeping it for future needs.

You can see that I converted two designs, and they are listed, by format, in the first and second position.

It is quick and easy. Catalog Xpress is a very comprehensive embroidery software.

Puzzles and Catalog Xpress Tip #1, Notes

TheComputerist — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:30:00 GMT

I recently read somewhere that in order to keep our brain fresh and vibrant, it is important to exercise it the same way that we exercise our body. That exercise includes doing the embroidery we all love, but it can also include games, puzzles, as well as the everyday issues we face. Today’s blog includes all three!

First the fun stuff. You may already be doing the newspaper syndicated puzzle called “Jumble.” Jumble is where there are 4 words with letters mixed up, and with selected letters the fifth word makes a ‘humorous’ statement based on a cartoon.

That same Jumble is available on line. The added benefits are that you can get hints, and in the end, you have an idea how fast or slow you completed the puzzle.

There are at: http://jumble.com/games/info/13 There are a few ads, but the games are quick and usually easy. Most of them won’t take you more than 2 or 3 minutes. I find that when I am overwhelmed by the issue of the day (or hour), 2 or 3 minutes of distraction can be really helpful.

You can even do puzzles from the past. That link is in the lower left corner.

There are multiple other games to play. I have been doing the daily puzzle and Jumble Solitaire for a long time. I tried the Jumble Crossword, and it was fun too.

I am in the process of rearranging my designs. Catalog Xpress helps me control my designs. As The Avid Embroiderer, I have mentioned that I buy my designs partly for the artistry and beauty of a design. Therefore, my collection means more to me than just a group of designs. Like a coin or stamp collector, I need a method to keep them organized.

On to the best features of Catalog Xpress that you have not yet used! This is going to be a series, because there are so many of them, I cannot cover them in one or two blogs. Here are just a few, and if there is something you want to know about Catalog Xpress, please feel free to let me know via a response on this blog. I want to help you get the “Best and Highest Use” from your Catalog Express Software.

Notes
Icons
Categories and Subcategories
Print Catalog
Backup
Resize

The first tip is to utilize the Notes feature.

Notes may be the single most under used feature in Catalog Xpress.

The example is a monogram and I always make my notes in the “A” character. That practice helps me remember the individuality (see how polite I am today?) of each monogram.

On other designs, such as animals, I might put things like coloration issues or for whom I created that project/design. There is much to say about designs, and remembering each is not needed.

One reason I need to be more organized and utilize the notes is that I do sell my embroidery. If you are considering doing the same, check out my "PC Tips and Tricks" that has many general computer tips to make your work more efficient. You may also be interested in my "How Much to Charge" information. It shows you how to determine how to make your embroidery pay you correctly.

Thank you for reading my blog!

Free Fun Fonts For Family - Friends

TheComputerist — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:45:00 GMT

The following tips can be used for both Windows XP and Vista.
Operating systems vary, if in doubt, check with your provider and/or technical support.

I like to be a little more individual than most; I change my colors of my embroidery at will, and I use many different fonts when I am able to do so. I was looking for really interesting and innovative fonts, and of course, they needed to be free.

The other criterion for the fonts is that they need to be "True Type" fonts. That "True Type" goes back a very long time in computer history. Originally, around the beginning of the 1980's, Microsoft came up with the original WYSIWYG. That was revolutionary, and it stands for "What you see is what you get." Before that the written document and the printed document were quite different. Eventually, all word processing and similar documents, including spreadsheets, databases and e-mails, adopted this font style.

One nice thing about (most of) these fonts is that an "M" is much wider than an "I" and the other letters follow suit. This created a much nicer looking document and assisted in making the lines less jagged. It even allows for ‘justification' to be considerably more appealing to the eye.

There are still some other types available, but they are those which may be individually "hand" created. If we used all of those types, our document sizes would be huge.

Use this URL: http://www.urbanfonts.com

Wander through the fun fonts. You are sure to find something that will add interest to your documents.

I always thought Ransom Note was fun and challenging. It will keep any reader guessing. This photo shows an alphabetized listing of the available fonts.

Double click on the name and you will see the upper and lower case letters.

Click again and see more of the character set. Make sure that you check to see that the ‘usual' characters are available. Some don't come with the "pound," "plus" and some of the other signs.

Download and save to a place easy for you to remember.

To install, go to "Control Panel" (in the classic view) and select "Fonts." Select "File" and press "Install new font." Make sure you are in the area that you saved your font and it will come up on the screen. Press "Install" and in a second or two, you have a new, fun font.

Just remember that not every application will support your new font.

Post That Project Proudly

TheComputerist — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:45:00 GMT

The following tips can be used for both Windows XP and Vista.
Operating systems vary, if in doubt, check with your provider and/or technical support.

If you ask me what I most enjoy about the AnnTheGran site, it would have to be the people on both sides of the computer who make up the community. From the helpful support system and great items for sale to the Forum Users and bloggers who (she says modestly. . .) have clever things to share, the people on this site are really great!

We all have something in common; we get pleasure from doing really beautiful things and truly enjoy sharing those projects with others. However, one thing that I see happening on the site is that people are uncertain as to how to upload their photos. So this blog is going to be a step-by-step discussion as to how to accomplish that.

Some who might be potential project posters have been rejected because of issues with the photo before it even gets a chance to be posted. This has caused some embroiderers to stop attempting to post. If you cannot determine why it is being rejected, how can you fix it?

It has been my experience that the most common reason that a photo does not ‘make it on line,' regardless of the site, is that it is too large for posting on the Internet. The following program, which is FREE (naturally) is easy to use and requires very little hard drive space.

Check out: www.johnsadventures.com . You will want to download the Image Converter which is at: http://johnsadventures.com/software/imageconverter/ . The Image converter needs just a couple of things to be really effective. Tell John that Pat71896 sent you! Consider a small donation because this is a really great program. Additionally, he has a Background Switcher for your Desktop too. You will love that program too.

After downloading Image Converter, place two files wherever you will be working on your photos. I personally placed mine on the desktop. I call them "Photos Before and Photos After," how clever is that?

When my photo software has completed the upload from my camera, the next thing that I do is copy them to ‘photos before.'

I utilize the software, and then set the new size to 432 by 324 pixels. That gives you a photo that is 6" by 4.5" which is great for printing.

You still have your original photos in their original size, and the ‘after.' Notice the large difference in the KB/MB.

This is what is meant by the size being too large, not the physical size of the photo.

Now that my photo is ready, let's discuss how to get them uploaded.

There are two places that you can upload photos, the Forums and the Galleries. The functions are generally the same, but don't forget, you must be signed in as a member to do any upload.

In the Forum, you can either ‘Reply' to someone's post, or ‘Write a New Post' yourself. In either event, you will be in the writing section to upload your photo. Incidentally, you can also upload a small video or utube file in the same place.

Now, select Insert Media.

The remainder of the information is the same for both the Forum and Galleries uploads.

If your photo is already online, you can enter the URL here and Select Insert. You would be done. However, most of your photos are still on your pc. Select Browse.

Next, you will Select Upload File to get the photo from your pc.

Retrieve your photo from your pc, and Select Upload File.

Select your file with a double click of your mouse and it will be placed in your posting.

Your file is too large so, we will adjust it.

Click on the photo to reveal the ‘Handles' and select a corner with your mouse. Drag it down to a smaller, but still easily seen, size.

This is a photo from my The Avid Embroiderer, Jacobean Style which shows the details that Morango puts into its digitizing. The detail was very important while keeping the photo a reasonable size. That is it! Nothing more to do except make a statement about your beautiful project!

For uploading to the Galleries, Select the Gallery you want, either Embroidery or Scrapbooking.

Select a subcategory.

And, after that, you will select the ‘Upload' icon. Remember that you need to be ‘signed in' in order to see the ‘upload' icon.

Fill in a descriptive name, and then use the icon "Specify File/URL." By uploading from your PC, the photo will be available in your post.

Occasionally, some of the subtitles may not work. You can try another subtitle, perhaps "General" rather than "Projects."

It takes longer for you to read this information than it does to do it, so there is no excuse! Get those photos of your best and worst projects. We all learn from a well done and a disaster project. Share your love for your craft.

And, don't forget to check out the terrific sales here at AnnTheGran, shop where you learn!

Composing a Terrific Photograph with Matt and Frame Tips

TheComputerist — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:30:00 GMT

With the new digital cameras on the market, photo taking can and does take on a new reality. You can take 100 photos and discard 99 of them without the expense of processing. That is only one of the benefits. There are so many features, most of them universal, they are too numerous to mention. With that, more of us feel comfortable with taking photos that really can be terrific. Let's talk about a simple rule to move your competence up a significant level.

If you are a tic-tac-toe fan, you already have an idea of this rule. That is the ‘The Rule of Thirds' and its companion, ‘The Golden Mean.' If you are around any photographers, they may not say ‘Rule of Thirds,' but they certainly abide by it. Stay with me here, it will make sense. . . .

A tic-tac-toe grid is 2 horizontal and 2 vertical lines which are parallel and it represents ‘The Rule of Thirds.' If you mark the crossing of the lines, you get ‘The Golden Mean.'

You need to have an eye toward seeing that first grid through your view finder. I have a GE Model #E1235 which does have a grid available. I select that through the Menu, so do check to see if your camera has this available. What a great way to have the camera do most of the work for you.

Now, let's put the rule into use. Let's say that you have a really good photo like this one:

I am sure you would be delighted to get one like this because it was most likely snapped with a ‘hope and a prayer.' Let's see it in the grid.

This is as it was taken. It is showing the two most important pieces of the photo, and in their own squares. However, they are not near the ‘Golden Mean.' Let me try cropping the photo to see if it can be improved.

Cropping has removed most of the lack luster portions. It has included some spatial feel so we can see that the two items are most likely not on the same plane.

The sun is now nearly on the mark, and the parachute is still a little out of the ‘Mean.' I would continue to work with this photo to make it more perfect. But you need to observe that the parachutist is just about as near to the ‘Mean' as it can be given the original photo. In the meantime, see how it might look as it were matted and framed.

I would be proud to present this to the parachutist as a gift they could treasure!

Last, but certainly not least, QUICK TIP:

When matting, the generally accepted method of selecting the matt color is to select the centermost color, which is orange in this case. However, I selected the color of the setting sun. Additionally, I selected the color of the mountains as the frame. It almost looks professional doesn't it?

Best wishes to you and yours, Pat

And, don't forget to check out the terrific sales here at AnnTheGran. Shop where you learn!

Optical versus Digital Zoom and Photo Tips

TheComputerist — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:30:00 GMT

These tips can be used for Windows XP and Vista -

Operating systems vary, if in doubt, check with your provider and/or technical support.

Many people are confused between optical and digital zoom. If you are thinking of buying a new camera for yourself or someone else, you can know exactly what you are looking at.

If you have used a 35mm camera, you are aware of optical zoom which is a feature of the lens. It brings the subject closer.

Digital zoom, on the other hand, is a feature of digital cameras. It is not actually a ‘zoom' per se. What it does is enlarge the image, or portion of it, in a ‘crop' fashion. When you significantly enlarge an image, your quality will decline noticeably.

I feel certain some of you had bad results and some of you are very adept at digital zoom. For me, I prefer to have my software do cropping and resizing so that I have exact control and can see the results and numbers at my leisure.

Some cameras will warn you when you are using the digital rather than the optical zoom, and that should remind you to change it. If you normally want 4" x 6" photos, you may not have any problems. However, one of those photos you snapped may just WOW you to the point that you want it blown up, therefore, stick with the optical zoom

Zoom does not affect the number of megapixels you are using. I do recommend that you get the highest number of megapixels you can afford. Detail is lost with smaller numbers and there is no way to change that.

A word of caution about megapixels - the higher number, the larger your file will be. If you are in the 10 MP to 12 MP range, you cannot just email it to a friend. You will need to reduce its size in your software. Additionally, your removable memory ‘stick' will get full faster with larger files. The ‘sticks' are so inexpensive, I have several of them. One is in my digital photo frame. Did you know that there is a "Digital Photo Frame - 14 inches, 1280x800, Standard/Mosaic View, 128MB, 2x USB, Multi-Card Reader, Ebony Black" for under $100? That is a bunch of features for the money. What a great gift for someone far away.

Photo Tips and Tricks

My mother had an extensive photo lab in our basement in the 1950s. That is what I call progressive! She loved photography and she passed that joy on to me. I passed it to my daughter as well. A wonderful hobby is hard to resist.

I have a few tips for you, in no special order. They are useful for everyday photos and the special occasions of our lives too. Here is one of my most treasured photos:

Of course, I did not see the bird in flight. If I had, and then lifted my camera, it would have been much too late. As I said earlier, you never know when you get a gem that will please you for life. This is the beach at Mission Bay in San Diego. It was from an older camera with 5 MP. I now use a 10 MP. I actually cannot find the original photo, this is a scan from an 8" x 10" I had made.

My first tip is one that is really simple. Take multiple shots. If you ever watch a professional photographer working, you will see that they take many photos in series. Since digital allows you to take so many photos, use that to your advantage and discard any that are not the idea you were going for.

Most of us know to crop to a small item.

But crop does not always mean cut a lot out of the photo. Try this one next time you have an interesting photo.

Just a 90 degree turn and your photo is really changed. (Crop photos courtesy Kodak.com) BTW, Kodak Easyshare Software is free, user friendly and works with any camera, not just Kodak. If you are looking for a well developed photo program, this one is excellent. It is still free, but that could always change.

When possible, chose the time of day to take your photos. The early morning can result in so many great scenes. The middle of the day can wash out your subject. For instance, the photos you see about "The Red Rocks in Sedona, Arizona" are usually taken in early morning or late afternoon. Day photos become awash of color. However, there is a time used by photographers called ‘the golden hour.' Check this site out to find out that time in your area and for a specific date. You only need to click on the map and determine your time frame. Here are some general instructions:

Click on the map until you are where you will be shooting photos.
Make a note of your "Offset" time. Mine is minus 8 hours.
Select the date you will be photographing.

In this case, for November 26, 2009, my golden hours are - Sunrise 6:29 am (14:29-8:00) and Sunset 16:43 (00:43-8:00 - 24 hour clock).

Here is a dawn, photo courtesy of http://www.golden-hour.com/.

Photos taken right after this time will have more detail, but a sunrise can be a terrific photo.

Closing idea - if your digital camera has a "sport" setting, you can use it for children in motion.

I love to talk photography, and there is so much more to share. If you like this blog, let me know and I will add tips for your camera to my computer blog.

For more computer tips, check out my "PC Tips and Tricks," you will be glad you did.

Is Your PC Obsolete? And Problems and Solutions

TheComputerist — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:00:00 GMT

These tips can be used for Windows XP and Vista -

Operating systems vary, if in doubt, check with your provider and/or technical support.

Years ago, I remember reading one of my favorite PC guru's newsletters and it said something like - This new PC has 10 MB of storage, you will probably never need more than that. Well, that was a mistake! Games and programs are bigger than that these days. I also remember my son saying that he wanted a laptop that he would not have to replace for at least 10 years. Get the picture? We can be naive about computers, but once you own and use one, you are in for a long term investment.

Is your PC obsolete right now? Well, it was as soon as the manufacturer shipped it to the store, so that is really a mute question. The real question is, is your PC providing what you actually need for your uses? That is a harder question to answer. I will give you a few thoughts on obsolescence and the wired generation. (In no particular order:)

Can you multi-task the programs you really want to use?
Do you really need the additional speed?
Do your graphics, animation and/or other applications need a long time to load?
Can a simple upgrade do the work?
With laptop pricing down to $300, is it really a good idea for you to upgrade? These may or may not be 'full' machines, check them carefully. However, for general use, they are excellent.
With memory so inexpensive, will that make the life of your PC longer?

Only you can answer these questions, but for my money, upgrading has not resulted in any tangible results. Why?

With research, learning what your old PC needs (and will work!) can be a confusing, time consuming and daunting task.
Newer software programs may bog down your upgraded PC significantly.
New hardware will be under warranty.
Newer equipment will likely have some features that will be a nice surprise for you.
Machines of all sorts are becoming smaller and more efficient.

If you are at all interested in upgrading to Windows 7, this is the link to determine the compatibility for your hardware and software.

Finding out the price for the software was a little bit of a challenge. Funny how they manage to keep telling the virtues of the software, but giving the price is tricky. I did find the price, at Microsoft's site, it started at $119 and went up from there. Your price may vary (LOL, that is the usual statement, right?). I did notice that Best Buy is offering a 3 PC use software package for $149, but that may be a very short time offer.

You can review an 'overview' of some of the features here. I am not selling Windows 7, but I must say that upon release of previous versions, there were so many bugs that it was insane. This time, I have not heard about any bugs - - yet.

All things considered, it is usually prudent to go 'new' and recycle your machine. My "PC Tips and Tricks" has some excellent information on recycling/repurposing your equipment. That ebook has the best of the best tips and tricks and different than I am presenting to you in my blog. So many of these tips are impossible to find elsewhere.

PC Problems and Solutions

Not even the most experienced and excellent engineer can create the 'perfect' program. There are so many things that a programmer cannot foresee that it is important for issues with your computer to be brought to the attention of the manufacturer. To this end, nearly every provider has a way to 'talk' with them about your problem. In this discussion, I will show you how to get to Microsoft. In this case, they do not answer your issue specifically, but if they have been advised of the issue and found a solution, they will let you know.

To begin, you will go to the Start Button and select "Help and Support."

When you are in Help, type in "Problem Reports and Solutions."

A list will be returned to you, and you are going to select "Report problems and check for solutions automatically." Also, note that Microsoft has recommended - and I agree - that you need to check for updated information for this program. Even if you just got your PC this morning, it has had to be manufactured, sent to the retailer, and await your money. All that can be an undetermined amount of time. So, if your pc is new or more mature, download the updated information. I also recommend that you do this at least monthly, and do it now - - - I will wait - - -

OK, in this case, I am selecting the first option. Next I will be using the "Change Settings."

Notice that there is a new link called "Problem (s is missing, hmm. . .) caused by Windows." While you are here, check this one out as well. You may have a problem and not even know it. I have a friend that does a newsletter that does not get sent to her Hotmail clients. She only found out when she did some digging. Hotmail is nearly 10% of her newsletter and they never received a single word from her!

To complete the process, be sure that the "Check" option is selected.

What is in it for you? Well, you will automatically tell them you have a problem (when one actually occurs). If there is a solution, they give you a link to it. If there is no solution, your information is kept and if a solution comes available, you will hear from them. That could be a short or long time later, but the good news is that they are being more proactive with help and support. I can appreciate that a lot!

Best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season,

Pat