Sunday, February 28, 2010

BloggersUnite for Haiti


March 1st 2010 is the day that Bloggers Unite in support of the people of Haiti. Here we are focussing on the work of an NGO called Lemonaid (http://www.lemonaid.org.uk/).

LemonAid was born out of a desire to see targetted support, investment and relief delivered to the desperately poor people of Lagonave, Haiti as the result of a visit to the island in January 2007.

During the trip, some words of a great friend came to mind;

"I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was homeless and you gave me a room. I was shivering and you gave me clothes. I was sick and you stopped to visit. I was in prison and you came to me."

...and so in 2008, LemonAid was born.

Watch the video for some more info:


You can support the work of Lemonaid in various ways:

Make a donation by post

Please print and complete a copy of our Gift Aid Declaration Form and return it with your cheque to Lemon Aid Limited, 131 Garvock Hill, Dunfermline, Fife, KY11 4JU. If you're not a tax-payer, or don't want to give under Gift Aid, please just complete the Donor's Details section.
If you'd like to set up a Standing Order, please print a copy of our Standing Order Form and return it to us. We'll make a record of your details and forward it to your bank.
Sell your unwanted goods on eBay and raise funds for Lemon Aid. eBay for Charity allows you to list an item on eBay and donate 10-100% of your final sale price to us – it’s that easy. To learn more about how you can support charities on eBay, visit www.ebay.co.uk/charity. To sell an item now, click here
You can use your paypal account to transfer funds directly to Lemon Aid Limited's paypal account, or even pay with a credit card just click here to go direct to the PAYPAL site
We have teamed up with easyfundraising who provide a great new way for you to raise funds for Lemon Aid Limited if you shop online. Simply register at www.easyfundraising.org.uk/Register/ and when you shop online with over 600 of the UK's best-known retailers using the links from the easyfundraising site, up to 15% of the purchase price will be donated to Lemon Aid Limited.
If you browse online, then you can raise funds for Lemon Aid Limited whilst you're browsing. Simply set up our unique easysearch page lemonaid.easysearch.org.uk as your homepage and you'll donate funds for each completed search.
If you'd like to donate to a specific project, just complete that section of the Gift Aid Declaration Form or Standing Order form. All unspecified donations will be used at the Trustees discretion to fund those projects deemed most in need.

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Thursday, February 18, 2010

Samsung NX10 gets firmware update

The Samsung NX10 (due in the UK this April) has already had a firmware update released! The innovative camera offers 14.6 Megapixels and APS-C size CMOS sensor in a new format body.

Featuring a 3.0” AMOLED display and a response rate that's 3000 times faster than an LCD display and coming with a 1000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, it promises to provide an outstanding colour display.

It will also provide 720p HD quality video and H.264 advanced video.

Full specification:
Image sensor Type: CMOS
Effective Pixels: Approx. 14.6 Mega-pixels
Total Pixels: Approx. 15.1 Mega-pixels
Lens Mount: SAMSUNG NX Mount
Viewfinder: EVF
Field of View: Approx. 100%
Magnification: Approx. 0.86x (APS-C, 50mm, -1m-1)
Focusing Type: Contrast AF

Modes: Single AF, Continuous AF, MF
Exposure Compensation: ±3 EV (1/2EV, 1/3EV step)
ISO Equivalent: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (1EV step)
Modes: Single, Continuous, Burst, Self-timer, Bracket (AE, WB, PW)
Metering System: Multi, Center-weighted, Spot Metering range : EV0 ~ 18 (ISO100•30mm F2.0), AE Lock, AEL Button
Shutter Type: Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter
Speed Auto: 1/4000sec. ~ 30sec.
Manual: 1/4000sec. ~ 30sec. (1/3EV or 1/2EV step)
Bulb:(Limit time : 8 min)

Flash Modes: Smart Flash, Auto, Auto + Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in + Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, OFF
Type: TTL Auto Pop-up flash
Guide Number: 11 (at ISO 100)
Angle of View Coverage: 28mm wide-angle (Equivalent to 35mm)
Sync. Speed: Less than 1/180sec.
External Flash: SAMSUNG External Flash available (SEF-42A, SEF-20A : Optional)

Effects: Picture Wizard
White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Flash, Custom, K(Manual)
Storage Media: SD, SDHC
File format: RAW (SRW), JPEG (EXIF 2.21), DCF, DPOF 1.1,

Shooting         Modes: Smart Auto, Program, Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, Manual, Night, Portrait, Landscape, Scene, Movie
Drive Modes: Smart Auto, Program, Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, Manual, Night, Portrait, Landscape, Scene, Movie
Interface Digital output connector: USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED)
Video Output: NTSC, PAL (user selectable) HDMI 1.3 : (1080i, 720P, 576P / 480P)
DC Power Input Connector: DC 9.0V, 1.5A (100 ~ 240V)

Rechargeable battery: BP1310 (1300mAh)
Charger: BC1310
AC Adaptor : AD9NX01 (Optional)
Battery Life: 200min/400shots (CIPA Standard)

Physical Specification:
Dimensions (WxHxD):
123×87×39.8mm (excluding the projecting parts of the camera)
Weight: 353g (without batteries and card)
Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 40 °C
Operating Humidity: 5 ~ 85%
Software         Applications: SAMSUNG Master, SAMSUNG RAW Converter 3.1
Adobe Reader, QuickTime Player 7.6

UK Price is expected to be £599.99 in a kit that includes an 18-55mm lens.However, this is the list price so expect that to drop once its hit the streets.
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Apple release update to Aperture, with over 200 new features

Apple has released Aperture 3 with over 200 new features. its available for £169.00 (or £79 if upgrading from earlier versions).

Top new features in Aperture 3

* Organise photos by the people in them using Faces.
* Use Places to find photos based on where they were taken.
* Perfect images with nondestructive, edge-aware brushes.
* Use adjustment presets to apply imaging effects.
* Browse your entire library with the new full-screen Browser.
* Create stunning multimedia slideshows that weave together HD video, audio tracks, and custom titles.

There are also some updates for iLife 09 (inc. iPhoto) and Camera RAW, available via Apple’s Software Update. Apple says the following about these:

Provides system software resources that are shared by iLife and other applications. This update improves overall stability for the Media Browser and iPhoto slideshows. It also provides compatibility between Aperture 3 and the Media Browser.

The update is recommended for all users of iLife '09, iWork '09, and Aperture.

And the camera updates:
This update extends RAW image compatibility for Aperture 3 and iPhoto '09 for the following cameras and formats:

Canon PowerShot S90
Canon sRAW
Canon mRAW
Leica D-LUX 4
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
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Tuesday, February 09, 2010

FinePix HS10 / HS11 announced as World's first 30x Optical Zoom Bridge Camera

Fuji have announced the FinePix HS10 / HS11 bridge camera with the world's first 30x optical zoom lens, effectively giving you a 24 - 720mm lens (34mm equivalent)!


In addition, the camera utilises a new BSI (Back Side Illuminated) CMOS sensor, that promises low noise and a host of new features including:

High-speed Continuous Shooting

Shoots the action at 10fps at full resolution. Ultra-burst shooting powered by the fast BSI CMOS sensor reveals images that not even your eyes can capture.

Multi Frame Technology

FinePix Multi Frame Technology combined with the accelerated performance of BSI CMOS lets you use powerful Pro Modes to capture scenes with mood and depth rivaling expensive DSLR cameras.

High Sensitivity and Low Noise

While conventional CMOS front-side elements block light, BSI CMOS turns the sensor upside down to let light directly strike the silicon for higher sensitivity, more uniform response and lower pixel cross talk. For you, that means superior photos in low light with even lower noise.

Full specification:

Model
FinePix HS10 / HS11
Number of effective pixels*1
10.3 megapixels
Image sensor
1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS
Storage media
  • Internal memory (Approx. 45MB)
  • SD memory card
  • SDHC memory card*2
File format
Still image:
JPEG (Exif Ver. 2.2 *3), RAW (RAF format), RAW+JPEG
Movie:
MPEG4(MOV, H.264/AVC, ISO standard) with stereo sound
Audio:
WAVE format, Monaural sound
(Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible)
Number of recorded pixels
Still image: 3,648 x 2,736 (10M) / 3,648 x 2,432 (3:2) / 3,648 x 2,056 (16:9) / 2,592 x 1,944 / 2,592 x 1,728 (3:2) / 2,592 x 1,440 (16:9) / 2,048 x 1,536 / 2,048 x 1,360 (3:2) / 1,920 x 1,080 (16:9) pixels
Lens
Fujinon 30x optical zoom lens, F2.8 (Wide) - F5.6 (Telephoto)
Lens focal length
f=4.2 - 126.0mm, equivalent to 24 - 720mm on a 35mm camera
Digital zoom
Approx. 2.0x
Aperture
Wide: F2.8 / F11.0, Telephoto: F5.6 / F11.0
Focus distance
(from lens surface)

Normal:
  • Wide: Approx. 50cm / 1.6ft. to infinity
  • Telephoto: Approx. 5.0m / 16.4ft. to infinity
Macro:
  • Wide: Approx. 10cm - 3.0m / 0.3ft. - 9.8ft.
  • Telephoto: Approx. 2.0m - 5.0m / 6.5ft. - 16.4ft.
Super Macro:
  • Approx. 1cm - 1.0m / 0.4in. - 3.2ft.
Sensitivity
Auto / Equivalent to ISO 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400 (Standard Output Sensitivity)
Number of recorded pixels: ISO6400: "M" or "S" only
Exposure control
TTL 256-zones metering
Exposure mode
Programmed AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE
Shooting modes
Mode Dial:
Auto, SR, Adv, SP1, SP2, PANORAMA, C, P, S, A, M
SP:
Portrait, Portrait Enhancer, Landscape, Sport, Night, Night (Tripod), Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Flower, Text, Natural Light, Natural Light & with Flash
Image stabilizer
CMOS-shift type + DIS
Shutter speed
(Auto mode) 1/4sec. to 1/4000sec.
(All other modes) 4sec. to 1/4000sec.
Continuous shooting
Top-7 (max. 3, 5 and 10 frames/sec.)
Focus
Auto focus (Area, Multi, Center, Tracking), Continuous AF, Manual focus (One-push AF mode included), AF assist illuminator available
White balance
Automatic scene recognition
Preset: Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light, Custom
Self-timer
Approx. 10sec. / 2sec. delay
Flash
Auto flash
Effective range (ISO 800):
Normal:
  • Wide: Approx. 30cm - 8.0m / 1.0ft. - 26.2ft.
  • Telephoto: Approx. 2.0m - 4.0m / 6.5ft. - 13.1ft.
Flash modes Red-eye removal OFF: Auto, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro. Red-eye removal ON: Red-eye Reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction & Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Red-eye Reduction & Slow Synchro.
LCD monitor
3.0-inch, Approx. 230,000 dots, color LCD monitor, Approx. 97% coverage
Movie recording
1,920 x 1,080 pixels (Full HD) / 1,280 x 720 pixels (HD) / 640 x 480 pixels / 320 x 240 pixels (30 frames/sec.) with stereo sound
Photography functions
High Speed Movie (60/120/240/480/1000fps), SR AUTO (Scene Recognition Auto), Motion Panorama, Best Framing, Frame No. memory, Histograms, Zoom Bracketing, Best frame capture, Face Detection (with Auto red-eye removal), Pro Low-light, Motion Remover, Multi Motion Capture, Silent mode
Playback functions
Face Detection (with Red-eye removal), Crop, Resize, Image rotate, Slideshow, Multi-frame playback (with Micro Thumbnail), Sorting by date, Voice Memo, Image search, Histograms, Highlight warning, Movie trimming, Movie join
Video output
HDMI (Type C)
NTSC/PAL selectable
Digital interface
USB 2.0 High-speed
Power supply
4x AA type alkaline batteries (included)
Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (sold separately)
Lithium batteries (sold separately)
DC Coupler CP-04 with AC power adapter AC-5VX (sold separately)
Dimensions
130.6 (W) x 90.7 (H) x 126.0 (D) mm / 5.1 (W) x 3.6 (H) x 5.0 (D) in. (excluding accessories and attachments)
Weight
Approx. 636g / 22.4oz. (excluding accessories, battery and memory card)
  • *1 Number of effective pixels: The number of pixels on the image sensor which receive input light through the optical lens, and which are effectively reflected in the final output data of the still image.
  • *2 Please see the Fujifilm website to check memory card compatibility.
  • *3 Exif 2.2 is a digital camera file format that contains a variety of shooting information for optimal printing.
Interesting features that are sure to attract interest from consumers and enthusiasts include:

Full 1080p HD Movie & Photo

Capture all the action and emotion in stunning Full HD for both stills and movies. The built-in HDMI port lets you plug the HS10 in to any HDTV* so you and your family can enjoy your memories in glorious HD.
  • * HD cable required (sold separately).

Photo Shooting

Capture high resolution images in 16:9 format (3,648 x 2,056 pixels, 2,592 x 1,400 pixels, 1,920 x 1,080 pixels).

Movie Shooting

Capture high resolution images in 16:9 format. 1,920 x 1,080 pixels [HD] (max. recording time: 29 min.) / 640 x 480 pixels / 320 x 240 pixels (30 frames/sec.).

CMOS Shift + Digital Image Stabilization

Prevent capturing blurred photos so often caused by camera shake and subject movement with the HS10's highly effective Image Stabilization technology. By combining CMOS-shift and Digital Image Stabilization, the FinePix HS10 ensures that all your shots are sharp and clear even at the full zoom range.

Tracking Auto Focus

Don't miss a shot again! Half press the shutter to lock-on to your subject. However fast they are moving, tracking Auto Focus will ensure that when you take the photo, your subject comes out in focus, perfect for difficult long zoom shots.
* Subjects other than people can also be automatically tracked.

Zoom Bracketing Mode

A single press of the shutter takes three shots at a differing zoom magnifications. The original image, a 1.4x zoom image and a 2.0x zoom image are all recorded separately.

Instant Zoom

A function to follow moving subjects in standard wide view for easy framing at high zoom settings. With a single press of a button, the subject tracked within the selected frame on the LCD, will be captured and saved at a high zoom ratio (1.4x or 2.0x digital zoom).

High Speed Shooting Functions

You're never late for the shot with BSI CMOS.

High Speed Continuous Shooting

Capture every detail of the action with the FinePix HS10's continuous 7-frame shooting mode at an amazing 10fps, at the full 10 megapixel resolution.

Best Frame Capture Mode

With this mode, you can half-press the shutter button and the HS10 will start to record photos. Then, when the special moment happens, all you have to do is fully press the shutter button and the camera will capture that shot and the 7 previous shots, ensuring that you will have every moment of the action recorded, and giving you the opportunity to select whichever was the best shot!

Super High Speed Movie

Sometimes things happen too fast for you to see them properly with your own eyes. The FinePix HS10 can freeze the action at up to an amazing 1000fps! So you can see every single minute detail and watch things happening step by step in slow motion.

Creative Photography with Multi Frame Technology

Enlighten your creativity with innovative motion based functions.

Motion Panorama

Simply sweep the camera right or left, up or down and create your own stunning panoramic images. The super-fast BSI CMOS sensor can capture multiple images, and its powerful image processor stitches them together seamlessly to create beautiful panoramic photos - all in camera, no editing required.

Motion Remover

Remove the tourists from your pictures! This useful function captures 5 successive shots, analyzes them and removes moving subjects. The result is an impressive 2 megapixels image that looks like a postcard shot. No more times wasted waiting for people to get out of your way!

Multi Motion Capture

Capture time and motion in a fun and unique way. Simply press the shutter button and the FinePix HS10 captures the action from 5 successive images and combines it into a single 2 megapixels image.

Pro Low-light Mode

Ideal for shooting non-moving subjects in low light, this mode automatically takes a series of four high-sensitivity & low-noise exposures and then combines them into an image with less noise than the single exposures.
  • * There must be sufficient distance between the subject and the background for this function to work properly.
  • * Except for subjects where focus bracketing is unable to produce sufficient defocus.
Check out the links for more detailed information.

UK Price likely to be £429.99 when available in April.

Saturday, February 06, 2010

Flower Background Template | Free Vector Graphic from Dryicons


Dryicons is a graphic design web site that offers an excellent range of icons, vector graphics and templates. All are available for free download, though you can license them too if you wish to use them without restrictions. Costs start at a very reasonable $10.75 for a commercial license or $53.75 for an extended license. Details of the terms and conditions in each license are readily available on the site. If you want to use them for free you need to have a publicly available link back to their site.. very reasonable considering the quality of the graphics available.

Visit their site now at http://dryicons.com/
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Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Harmony for Two Re-Mix by celtxian | iCompositions - Music

GarageBandImage via Wikipedia
Harmony for Two Re-Mix by celtxian | iCompositions - Music

Check out my creation using GarageBand... done many moons ago and had forgotten it existed but it was still there tucked away on iCompositions. Check out iCompositions to at http://www.icompositions.com/
where you will find thousands of excellent tracks for free to enjoy!

Posted using ShareThis
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At 12, Diana attempted suicide. She was a victim of child sex slavery and the nightmare of her life had become too much. Today she loves life. She has been reintegrated after living in our safehome. Diana has a roommate (another girl from the Round Home) they both work at the same job and share an apartment. Read her love story...
 
Did you know that Every year Americans spend $14 Billion on Valentine’s Day. In one day, they will spend what slave traders worldwide will profit over 6 months. The UK is little better when you consider the difference in population... we manage to spent £1 Billion in 2008, or around  £35 each.

Why not do something different this year... visit http://love146.org/valentines. Love146 is an non-profit organisation dedicated to the abolition of child sex slavery and exploitation. Nothing less.

Other organisations working to defeat trafficking include:

WOMENAIDINTERNATIONAL

www.antislavery.org

Salvation Army

stopthetraffik.org/




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