Your First Digital Camera audio workshop, plus making an iPod sleep

[Computing Unplugged]

A MEMBER OF THE ZATZ MAGAZINE NETWORK

November 7, 2003 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Your First Digital Camera workshop Putting your iPod to sleep This week's news

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FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Introducing the Your First Digital Camera audio workshop
By David Gewirtz

Wow, it's been a busy few weeks. As I mentioned earlier, the response to my series of articles on "Your First Digital Camera" were astounding. The number of letters we got with questions about cameras and the number of encouraging notes strongly supporting our idea of starting a camera magazine numbered well into the hundreds.

In fact, I got so many questions from so many readers that I dispaired of ever being able to answer them all before Christmas. I would have had to have written a book to get them all answered. Questions like:

• What camera should I buy?
• What's a megapixel?
• Should I print my pictures at home or use a service bureau?
• Which memory card format is the best?
• How does a digital camera differ from film?
• Are those under-$100 cameras any good?
• What will it really cost me to get a digital camera?
• My spouse/child/friend wants a digital camera; what should I get?
• What do all these terms mean?
• Can I buy a camera from a mail order house or on the Internet?

And the questions often involved complex answers, because simple ones weren't going to be helpful. I thought, if I could get everyone in a room and go back to being a teacher, I could get through everything everyone needs to know in three or four hours.

Hmm... Why don't I? Of course, we couldn't get all of you to fly here to ever-colder Central New Jersey, but I could do a class. What if we created an audio workshop? And so, we did.

The more articles we ran, the more it became clear that there was a need for a comprehensive course in what, exactly, a digital camera is, what it can and can't do, and guidance in how to purchase the right one. Rather than providing a set of reviews for cameras that change each week, we decided to create a program to help you truly understand digital cameras, how they work, the tradeoffs involved in any purchase, and how to get the most productivity and enjoyment out of them.

In this program, I take you on a tour of the camera, first exploring the individual components that make up a digital camera, then helping you understand how your camera choice will determine the sorts of pictures you can produce, walking you gently through component after component, camera subsystem after camera subsystem, stopping to explain the tougher concepts using my always-unique mix of humor and, uh, battle-tested (or at least, college-kid tested) teaching skills.

After an almost non-stop two weeks in the studio, it's done! We've completed a 4-CD series containing 20 detailed chapters about digital cameras, as shown in Figure A.

FIGURE A

I think this is definitely the ultimate audio workshop for anyone buying or getting started with a digital camera. Click picture for a larger image.

Here are some clips:

• Why a digital zoom is a poor buy
• The right lens for eBay pictures
• When to use a tripod
• Safeguarding your digital photos
• About photo editing programs

And then we hit the next issue: what about MP3s? Clearly, MP3s are here to stay and it doesn't make sense to stick our heads in the sand and pretend they're going away. So we created an MP3 Edition (a total of 104 megabytes!) of the very same material. We even had to go out and set up a new high-bandwidth OC12 server just to handle the download load! Whew!

Here's a short overview of the chapters in the workshop:

• Chapter 1: Digital camera overview
• Chapter 2: Program introduction
• Chapter 3: Film vs. digital cameras
• Chapter 4: Parts of the camera
• Chapter 5: Megapixels, part I
• Chapter 6: Megapixels, part II
• Chapter 7: Megapixels and cropping
• Chapter 8: Compression
• Chapter 9: Storage cards
• Chapter 10: Stealth photography
• Chapter 11: Optics
• Chapter 12: Shutter speed
• Chapter 13: User interface
• Chapter 14: Battery life
• Chapter 15: Accessories
• Chapter 16: PC uplink
• Chapter 17: Printing, paper, and mounting your photos
• Chapter 18: Backup, PC resources, and Web sites
• Chapter 19: Recap
• Chapter 20: Closing

Shhh, don't tell anyone. There's also a bloopers track (of which, I have to say, I'm quite embarrassed).

Concepts that may have baffled or bamboozled you in the past are presented clearly, step-by-step, one concept at a time. Without a doubt, after listening to this program, you will be far better informed about digital cameras than almost any camera salesperson. If you want to sell items on eBay, this program will help you understand just what you need for digital image success.

We've decided to sell the program at a pretty aggressive price, considering the production cost. The 4-CD set (at http://shop.zatz.com/customer/product.php?productid=18) is $49.95 (plus shipping) and the MP3 edition (at http://shop.zatz.com/customer/product.php?productid=20) is $39.95, because you can download it right away.

By the way, not sure what camera to get as a gift? Want to save a few bucks? Give the Your First Digital Camera CD set (it's in very nice packaging) instead of going out and buying the camera. You'll save a lot of money and the recipient will make a much, much smarter purchasing decision when he or she eventually goes out to get the camera.

Before I close out this topic, I want to suggest that you stay tuned for Connected Photographer Magazine. We're working hard on it, as well, and should have it launched very soon.

See ya next week!

Product availability and resources
For more information on the Your First Digital Camera 4-CD comprehensive audio workshop, visit http://shop.zatz.com/customer/product.php?productid=18.

For more information on the Your First Digital Camera downloadable MP3 Edition, visit http://shop.zatz.com/customer/product.php?productid=20.

David Gewirtz is the Editor-in-Chief of the ZATZ magazines and the author of The Flexible Enterprise and Lotus Notes Revealed! He can be reached via email at address@hidden. You can see David's photographic artwork at his personal Web site, http://www.Gewirtz.com.

THIS WEEK'S POWERTIP
Putting your iPod to sleep
By Dan Velasco

Here's a quick tip for those of you who like to sleep with your iPod. I don't mean "sleep" with it, I mean take it to bed with you. You know what I mean. There's nothing like the comforting warm glow of your iPod under the sheets at night. But when you wake up in the morning and find that it's dead because you fell asleep without turning it off, the sadness can be palpable. This is especially true if you have a long commute or a trip ahead of you and not enough time to charge it back to life.

This especially sucks for those of you like me without a car charger. I don't have a car charger because of the simple fact that I don't have a cigarrette lighter in my car. It came without it from the factory. Guess I don't trust myself not to smoke, even though I've never even tried it.

The cool thing about the iPod is that it has a sleep timer feature. This way, you can set a sleep timer for, say, 15 or 30 minutes and it will turn itself off after your brain has switched itself off.

To set the sleep timer, go to the main menu of the iPod (by pressing the Menu button) and then select Extras > Clock > Sleep Timer and choose a time. I used to set it for 30 minutes but then found that I usually fell asleep long before it shuts down, so now I set it for 15 minutes and am rarely awake when it turns itself off.

Dan Velasco is a Senior Technical Editor for WebSpherePower Magazine and DominoPower Magazine. He's a Sun Certified Java Programmer, Sun Certified Web Component Developer and an IBM Certified Solution Developer for WebSphere Studio V5.0. He's also a Principal CLP Application Developer (R4, R5 and ND6) as well as a CLP System Administrator (R4 and R5). You can reach him via email at address@hidden or on the Web at http://DanVelasco.com.

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COMPUTING UNPLUGGED NEWS CENTER
This week's news
Want to get the very latest mobile and wireless news? The Computing Unplugged News Center is updated every day with news of product releases, industry info, tips, techniques, and pointers to great mobile and wireless resources on the Web. Here's this week's news:

Weakness in Wi-Fi Protected Access
Internet.com reports that a wireless security expert has detected a weakness in the interface design of a highly touted Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) protocol deployed in numerous Wireless LAN products. According to a research paper posted on Wi-Fi Networking News, the weakness could allow intruders to crack poorly chosen passphrases via offline dictionary attacks.

XML Web services work for new AT&T Smartphone
Microsoft executives are saying that XML Web services applications are ideal for the new AT&T Smartphones, as well as existing Pocket PCs and other mobile devices. According to ADTmag.com, members of the Microsoft mobile team were busy at PDC working with developers to upgrade the Device Developer Kit for Windows Mobile 2003 so that it can be used to create Web services applications for the just-released AT&T Smartphones.

Omni Mobile Platform from Aligo
Aligo unveiled Omni Mobile Platform, a mobile platform that combines a Java-based back-end with a flexible development environment that supports Microsoft .NET and J2ME standards. Aligo's pre-built applications have also been migrated to Omni Mobile Platform for seamless integration with the platform. Mobile Access provides instant access to groupware for users of Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino, IMAP, and Sun ONE Messaging and Calendar Servers.

What's next for IBM Lotus
Internet Week has this article on the future of Lotus Domino. The goal for Domino 7 and 8 over the next few years is to provide full client access to applications whether the user is connected or disconnected from the Web. In the short term, Lotus plans a Domino 6.5.1 update in the second quarter of next year that will integrate instant messaging, Team Workplace and Domino document management. WebSphere Portal 5.1 is due in the third quarter and Workplace 2.5 with better support for disconnected clients and more mobile devices is due in the fourth quarter.

Toshiba revises 1.8-inch hard drive
Toshiba's Storage Device Division said that it has revised its 1.8-inch hard drive in two models, one capable of storing 20GB of data and the other, 40GB. The smaller size and weight make the 1.8-inch drives useful for handheld devices like Apple Computer's iPod, as well as personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld GPS (Global Positioning System) devices and miniature notebook computers.

Sony describes PSP prototype
Sony officials described a prototype for its PSP gaming device--due out before the end of 2004--during a presentation to U.S. investors that reiterated plans to restore profitability to the company. According to News.com, PSP is designed to rival Nintendo's Game Boy handheld game player, mobile phone maker Nokia's N-Gage wireless gaming device, and Apple's iPod and iTunes music download service.

Good Technology teams up with PrinterOn
Good Technology and PrinterOn announced a co-marketing agreement to deliver wireless printing and faxing solutions to mobile professionals using GoodLink. The agreement engages the companies in joint marketing initiatives to promote PrinterOn's wireless printing and faxing solutions to enterprises with mobile field forces powered by the GoodLink wireless corporate messaging system.

ClickSoftware's integrated wireless solution
ClickSoftware has developed an integrated solution for wireless field force automation with IBM. Enterprise organizations can use the IBM WebSphere Everyplace Access mobile solution to transfer data from field service employees to ClickSoftware's ServiceOptimization Suite. With the new integrated solution, service engineers in the field receive an SMS message from ClickSchedule alerting them to a new task. The engineers can download work details to a PDA or laptop, and as they complete jobs throughout the day, can update the central system remotely with work done, parts used, and customer billing details.

Vodafone to sell BlackBerry products
Vodafone Group announced it will begin selling BlackBerry devices and servers from Research In Motion. RCR Wireless News says that Vodafone will sell the BlackBerry enterprise edition in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom starting this month. The BlackBerry personal version will be available in December. Vodafone will sell the BlackBerry server with the color-screen 7230 handheld, which features cradleless synchronization and support for Internet, Microsoft Exchange and IBM Lotus Domino email services.

Mobile coupon service takes off
The number of subscribers to the University of South Florida's (USF) Wireless Coupon and Information Service, MoBull Messenger, has grown 700% since September 2002. Over 100 retailers have participated including Gray's Bookstore, Bananna Joe's, and many of the leading pizza chains, clubs and retail outlets. Using Air2Web's wireless platform, MoBull Messenger enables USF's students, faculty, staff, alumni and Tampa Bay residents to receive discount coupons from area restaurants, sporting events, nightclubs, and retail stores to their cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, and email addresses.

Credant Mobile Guardian approved as Palm Business
CREDANT Technologies announced that its product, CREDANT Mobile Guardian, has been tested and approved as an enterprise-grade Palm OS Business Solution. CREDANT Mobile Guardian is a software solution that enables organizations to control security for mobile and wireless users by protecting enterprise information when mobile devices are used to access the network, transmit or store company information.

PalmSource to present at business services conference
PalmSource will present at the FTN Midwest Research Business Services & Software Conference on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003 at 9:25 am EST at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York. David Nagel, president and CEO and Al Wood, CFO of PalmSource will discuss the company's corporate strategy with investors and analysts. A live audio webcast of the presentation and a replay will be available on the PalmSource Web site. The replay of the webcast will be available within 24 hours of the actual presentation.

SMC teams with Intel
SMC Networks announced that it is teaming with Intel to offer special discounts to integrators who purchase a home entertainment computing bundle consisting of a new high-performance Intel Desktop Board, the new EZ-Stream Universal Wireless Multimedia Receiver (SMCWMR-AG) and the SMC2802W EZ Connect 802.11g Wireless PCI adapter. Two discounted bundles will be offered: one including an Intel Desktop Board (select SKUs of D875PBZ, D865PERL or D865GLC) with SMC's 2802W EZ Connect g 802.11g Wireless PCI Adapter and SMC's EZ-Stream Universal Wireless Multimedia Receiver (SMCWMR-AG), and one including just the Intel Desktop Board and the SMC EZ-Stream Universal Wireless Multimedia Receiver. Discounted bundles represent a savings of 10% from the cost of purchasing the products separately. The bundles will be available from participating distributors beginning November 1, 2003 through January 31, 2004.

Voice Command for Pocket PC
News.com reports that Microsoft added voice controls to software for Pocket PC devices that use its Windows Mobile package. Voice Command lets Pocket PC users perform basic functions by issuing voice commands. The software also integrates with the handheld version of Microsoft's Media Player to allow voice-activated control of digital music playback.

Xbox to use processor technology from IBM
PC World reports that future Xbox gaming consoles released by Microsoft will use processor technology from IBM. Microsoft and IBM did not release many details, but said that Microsoft has agreed to license IBM processor technology for future versions of the Xbox console, as well as services based around that console.

Mars Needs Cows released
Hot on the heels of last week's Astraware release of Candy Train comes the re-vamped Mars Needs Cows. Mars Needs Cows includes a series of challenging puzzles as you maneuver stupid earth animals into the middle of a field so that you can beam them to your ship. Mars Needs Cows is available for Palm Powered Handhelds and Pocket PC Devices for $14.95.

Manage Exchange from your Pocket PC
Expand Beyond announced general availability of version 2.3 of PocketAdmin mobile software for Windows administration with enhanced support for Exchange Server management. With PocketAdmin for Windows 2.3, system administrators can now remotely manage email servers from a handheld device securely and in real-time.

Manage Exchange from your Pocket PC
Expand Beyond announced general availability of version 2.3 of PocketAdmin mobile software for Windows administration with enhanced support for Exchange Server management. With PocketAdmin for Windows 2.3, system administrators can now remotely manage email servers from a handheld device securely and in real-time.

TrueSync Server 4.0 released
Pumatech announced the availability of its TrueSync Server 4.0 software - a SyncML-compliant solution that provides wireless synchronization of PIM (personal information management) data across applications, devices and networks. TrueSync Server 4.0 supports synchronization of SyncML devices with Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino enterprise groupware, as well as Oracle, DB2 and Microsoft SQL Server databases.

Linux-based smartphone
Trolltech announced Qtopia Phone Edition, a Linux-based application framework for smartphones. TechNewsWorld reports that the move means that handset makers have access to a ready-made user interface and developer tools for Linux-based phones. Qtopia Phone Edition includes a synchronization framework to keep users' contacts, calendar, to-do list and files up to date with those on their PCs. Currently, this only supports Microsoft Outlook or Qtopia Desktop.

DreamQuest release for PalmOS 5
DreamQuest Software has announced its release on Palm OS 5. This latest release offers mobile players the newest artwork and high-fidelity sound available on all of DreamQuest's Championship Card Games.

Quick look at Axim X3
Computerworld Singapore has this quick look at Dell's Axim X3 PDA. The Axim X3 handhelds come with Microsoft's Windows Mobile 2003 software for pocket PC, and pocket versions of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel, Internet Explorer, MSN Messenger and Windows Media Player.

The scoop on mobile Web services
At the Microsoft Developer Conference, Microsoft and Vodafone began to flesh out the technical details behind their joint initiative to add mobile Web services to applications. According to vnunet.com, the companies described their Web services architecture as vendor, platform and device-independent, encouraging broad participation of mobile network operators, application developers and platform providers.

Latest TigerSwitch from SMC
SMC Networks announced the newest in its TigerSwitch family of high-performance switches, the TigerSwitch 10/100 Standalone L3 24-port Managed Switch (SMC6724L3). Available in November, the new switch calculates the shortest transmission path for all communications, and ensures that mission-critical data receive priority across subnets or VLANs.

Watchster debuts this week
Watchster debuts this week with coverage of over 100 well-respected PDA, Mac, and Tech news sites. Watchster is a news compilation site that dredges the Web four times per hour for the latest news, and presents the headlines in a customizable listing.

Handspring acquisition approved
Palm stockholders approved the acquisition of Handspring, Inc. Separately, Handspring stockholders approved the acquisition of their company by Palm, Inc. The acquisition will be completed as a merger with Palm issuing approximately 13.9 million shares to Handspring stockholders. Handspring's stockholders will receive 0.09 Palm shares for each share of Handspring common stock owned. The resulting company has been renamed palmOne, Inc. Its common stock will trade on the Nasdaq stock market exchange under the ticker symbol PLMO, starting October 29, 2003.

Voice recognition for Pocket PCs
News.com reports that details have leaked onto the Web about a new Microsoft application that will add voice recognition to handheld computers that use the company's Pocket PC software. Microsoft began soliciting beta testers in September for Voice Command, a software add-on for Pocket PC handhelds and Smartphones. According to information sent to testers, the software would enable them to control all basic functions of a device by talking into its microphone.

Palm stockholders approve PalmSource spin-off
At Palm's Annual Stockholders Meeting, stockholders approved the spin-off of PalmSource, Inc. from Palm, Inc. Palm will distribute all the shares of PalmSource it owns (approximately 86 percent of the total) to Palm stockholders of record as of the close of business October 28, 2003. Those Palm stockholders will receive approximately 0.31 shares of PalmSource common stock for each share of Palm common stock they own. PalmSource common stock will trade on the Nasdaq stock market under the ticker symbol PSRC.

Royal Caribbean Cruises selects BlackBerry
Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises and Research In Motion announced that the two cruise lines operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) have selected BlackBerry to help increase efficiency and enhance customer service through wireless connectivity. Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises chose to implement BlackBerry because of its tight integration with existing corporate infrastructure and always-on, push-based access to email. The IT department integrated BlackBerry Enterprise Server with IBM Lotus Domino and distributed BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds to employees.

AppForge ships Mobile VB 4.0
AppForge began shipping version 4.0 of AppForge MobileVB. Version 4.0 adds support for Palm OS 5 and Series 60 devices including the Palm Tungsten, Sony Clie, Nokia 3650, 7650 and Nokia 6600. With the addition of Palm OS 5 and Nokia Series 60 support, MobileVB developers can now write cross-platform applications and distribute those applications on most of the leading mobile and wireless devices including Palm OS, Pocket PC, and Symbian UIQ, Series 60, and Series 80 PDAs and Smartphones.

Knee-jerk reaction
Ever get your knees bashed by the seat in front of you during a long flight? Ira Goldman invented the Knee Defender, a beeper-sized block of plastic that lets airline passengers prevent the seat in front of them from reclining.

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Computing Unplugged is an independent publication of ZATZ:Pure Internet Publishing, a unit of Component Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Component Enterprises, Inc. ZATZ, the ZATZ logo, and Computing Unplugged are trademarks of ZATZ Publishing, a unit of Component Enterprises. All other brands and product names are trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective holders.