Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Always Something to Do; Something to Learn


Always something to do and always something to learn ... no I have not joined the US Air Force or even started to learn to fly.  At almost 63 years old and five years into my retirement, I do not need to go to those extremes to keep active or stimulated.

For those of you who follow this blog, you will notice that my blog once again has photographs included in it.  In my last blog in which I shared the availability of my latest photography gallery:

http://www.hale-worldphotography.com/Other/USAF-Thunderbirds/23725718_c37vQr



I was unable to include photographs.  I had gotten a message that "Blogger" was no longer supporting the version of my Internet browser and that I should try Google's Browser, "Chrome".  I was very reticent to switch over from Microsoft Internet Explorer - I was satisfied with it and perhaps more importantly, I was comfortable with it.  I suspected that Microsoft and Google were at odds with each other to attain greater market share for their Internet Browsers and this was Google's escalation in the struggle; not to support Internet Explorer with some of Google's products.  "Blogger" is a great free application for creating and maintaining a blog.  After 375 blog entries with it, I am a believer as well as an advocate.  However if I can not post photographs to my Blog, it becomes much less value to me and creates a big problem.

At the same time as trying to figure out what to do about "Blogger" and my desire to maintain my blog, I was trying to upgrade my version of "Quicktime" on my computer.  I could not download the latest version.  Whenever I tried to download from the Apple website, the process stopped and I got a message "The connection with the Server was reset".  I had no idea of what that meant.  Based upon my recent experiences with Microsoft as well as Yahoo tech support(?), I decided to try to figure it out for myself.  Once again the Biblical saying of "Ask and yea shall receive" was indeed prophetic.  I googled the error message and in no time at all I learned that I am not the first person to get this message.  Several sites offered and automatic way to clear up the problem.  I tried to download the program, and OF COURSE; I got the following error message ... "The connection with the Server was reset".  Fortunately the site that I had selected, also include simple and concise instructions on how to manually rectify the problem yourself.  I printed the instructions and commenced to follow the directions.  In no matter of time at all, the problem was corrected.  The problem?  The problem was apparently caused by damaged or incompatible Internet Explorer settings or add-ons.  The solution was to reset Internet Explorer settings.

After resetting my IE settings, I went to the Apple website and downloaded the latest version of Quicktime without any problem.

Feeling confidant and perhaps somewhat arrogant, I set off to address the Blogger non support issue.  The first thing that I was curious about was if I had the latest version of Internet Explorer.  I thought that I did and I should have since I get automatic notifications of patches, service packs, upgrades, etc of my Microsoft products.  No matter the case I decided to download and install Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 (Windows XP).  Having solved the Server Reset Issue, I was able to uninstall my version of Internet Explorer and install version 8 without any problems.

Today, I decided to give Blogger another, if not last, try.  Hooray, it works!  Microsoft and Google are at least cooperating to that extent.  I had a bad or old version of Internet Explorer.  I am now back in business so to speak.

Speaking of business - I created and maintain a photography website where prints of my photographs can be purchased.  For ease and time considerations I only upload "email" versions of the photographs.  The uploaded files are typically around 1000 pixels in the longest dimension with the files being around 100 to 200 kilobytes.  I have a seven day period built in so that when a photo is selected for print, I can replace the selected photograph low resolution photograph with the full resolution file which can range from 3 to 10 megabytes.  I am rather excited about the latest gallery and started to check it out - as in pretended to buy prints.  To my horror I discovered that for many of the photos, the largest print size available was 8"x10".  This was disturbing since I had created many of them as 11"x14" sizes with file sizes at least 3.8 million pixels.  I then realized that the restriction on print size was being driven by the small file size of the "email" version.  This morning I replaced all the email versions will full sized files of the photographs.  I have also removed the 7 day hold on print orders.

I guess that I need to think about replacing more of my photography website photographs with full file versions.



Yes it has been a busy couple of days and I have learned a great deal.  The most important lesson is that we, in the Internet age, have the tools to solve so many of our problems.  We need to rely upon ourselves to understand better what we are doing and to resolve most of the issues that we encounter.

No matter your age or employment status there is always something to do and something to learn.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

USAF Thunderbirds Gallery Is Now Available



We attended last Saturday's Rhode Island Air National Guard Air Show at Quonset Point.  The weather was terrific and the air show was fantastic.  The USAF Thunderbirds were the final performers of the day and thrilled everyone with their precision flying skills.

Some of the photographs that I took of the Thunderbirds are now availabale to be viewed on my photography website:

http://www.hale-worldphotography.com/Other/USAF-Thunderbirds/23725718_c37vQr

I am sorry that I can not post any photos with this blog tonight.  I have a message "Your browser is no longer supported by Blogger. Some parts of Blogger will not work and you may experience problems. If you are having problems, try Google Chrome"  It looks like Google and Microsoft are not playing nice.  I've got to figure what I am going to do next.  I guess I can't be friends with both.

Friday, June 22, 2012

My Review of Manfrotto 119 Female Spigot Mounting Adapter, 1/4"x20 Female Thread and 3/8" Female Thread, 31mm Long. (#3108)

Originally submitted at Adorama

Bogen - Manfrotto Female Spigot Mounting Adapter, 1/4"x20 Female Thread and 3/8" Female Thread, 31mm Long. (#3108)


Homage to a Spigot Adapter

By Allen from Groton, CT on 6/22/2012

 

5out of 5

Pros: Fit for purpose, Professional Quality, Highly Compatible, Easy To Use, Compact Design

Cons: None

Best Uses: What it was meant for

Describe Yourself: Hobbyist

Was this a gift?: No

An aesthetic device demonstarted by its utilitarian shape, form, as well as finish. It is rather unpretenious in appearance but exuding class in its material of construction, brass, weight, and curves. It seems to shout out aspirations of a greater potential than to just adapt 1/4"x20 Female thread to 3/8" Female thread. You may find yourself contemplating more glorious, if not more noble, uses for this product.

(legalese)

Monday, June 18, 2012

My Review of Bogen - Manfrotto Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-tite) (#2905)


Just what I needed now and future needs

By Allen from Groton, CT on 6/18/2012

 

5out of 5

Pros: Easy To Set Up, Reliable, Fit for purpose

Cons: None

Best Uses: Speedlite Lighting, Artificial Lighting, Photography

Describe Yourself: Photo Enthusiast

Was this a gift?: No

I needed something to be able to mount at various angles my Photofles extra small Octodome nxt to a lightstand. This swivel umbrella adapter does the job and has the versatility to be used for many other similar purposes. It is well made and should be very durable.

(legalese)

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

My Review of PocketWizard FlexTT5 Transceiver Radio Slave for Nikon i-TTL Flash System with On-Camera Hot Shoe, 32 Channels, Multi-Zone

Originally submitted at Adorama

PocketWizard FlexTT5 Transceiver Radio Slave for Nikon i-TTL Flash System with On-Camera Hot Shoe, 32 Channels, Multi-Zone


Glad That I Bought Them

By Allen from Groton, CT on 6/11/2012

 

5out of 5

Pros: Reliable, Easy To Pack, Easy to Use

Cons: Pricey

Best Uses: Fashion, Glamour, Portraits, Weddings/Events

Describe Yourself: Photo Enthusiast

Was this a gift?: No

I recently purchased three to trigger my Dynalites and speedlites. So far - over 1500 shots without a misfire. In every combination of lighting that I have set up the Flex TT5s have functioned perfectly. It is nice to have one less thing to worry about when shooting. Yes, they cost a great deal, but the value makes it worth the price.

(legalese)