Today, I’d like to talk to you about online security.
Online deception, identity theft, dialer rip-off or contaminated websites are real problems. According to a report released by Kingsoft, in the first half of 2008, the company intercepted 1.24 million new computer viruses and trojans.
This number increase by 338% compared with the total number in 2007 and it is more than the total virus number of the recent five years. Still, it’s estimated that at least 10 percent of Internet users do not use any virus protection. Identity theft continues to be a major problem and there are some easy steps you can take to protect yourself.
First, let’s talk about establishing a firewall to protect your data –
You can purchase a really great piece of hardware from a local company called Alphashield.com - that plugs right into your computer and acts like a shield.
Second, you can install free firewall software programs – a couple of my favorites are avast antivirus - http://www.avast.com/
And Avira - http://free-av.com/
Tips to Protect Yourself From Online Identity Theft
1. Beware of email requesting personal information. Don't reply to or click on a link in an unsolicited email that asks for your credit card, banking account information, passwords or PINs, social security number, or other types of confidential information, even if it looks like the email comes from a financial institution. When in doubt, log onto the main Web site of your credit card, bank or brokerage firm at the normal Web address you use or call your firm using a telephone number that you know or one from a previous account statement to inquire about whether the request for information is legitimate.
2. If you think a Web site is not legitimate, leave it immediately. Legitimate firms typically offer customers a number of ways to contact them.
3. Keep your personal and financial information secure online. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to make your information more secure when you go online.
* Keep your computer system up to date with the latest security patches.
* Use anti-virus and spyware detection software and be sure to update this software regularly, as new viruses and Trojan Horse programs appear frequently.
* Use personal firewall software. Firewall software should thwart intruders from getting access to your PC over a network.
* Never download software or files from an unknown source.
* Change your passwords on a regular basis. Never send your password to anyone in an email. Try not to write down your password, but if you must, put it in a safe place.
* Avoid emailing personal or financial information.
* Read your firm's policies on online security. Review other tips and security instructions that may be offered to better protect your access.
* Before submitting personal or financial information through a Web site, look for the locked padlock image on your browser's status bar or look for "https://" [note the "s"] at the beginning of the Internet address. While a padlock image and "https://" does not mean that the Web site is authentic or secure, the absence of either the padlock or the https:// does mean that the site is not secure.
* Log off of any secure legitimate Web site after completing a transaction.
* Be careful when using Internet kiosks or other people's computers. Since you don't know what security precautions have been taken, you may be putting your confidential information at risk.
4. Order a copy of your credit report. It is a good idea to check your credit report every year. To guard against identity theft, look for accounts you did not open and any unexplained transactions. You can obtain a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus, but you may have to pay for them.
Equifax (www.equifax.com ) and (www.transunion.com) are two examples.
5. Review your monthly bills. This is your last line of defense. If you are victimized, the sooner you catch it, the better. Regularly review your online account information for unauthorized trades, cash withdrawals, or any other unrecognized activity; do the same as soon as you receive each monthly or quarterly statement.
If you have moved, make sure to update your postal address with all of the firms where you have accounts. If you receive your statements by email and change your Internet service provider or otherwise change your preferred email address, make sure to update your email address with all of the firms where you have accounts. Immediately report any suspicious activity to your brokerage firm.
6. Act quickly if you believe you've been scammed. If you believe that you're a victim of one of these scams, you need to act quickly. For example, you may only have 60 days to report a loss or theft of funds through an electronic funds transfer to limit your liability.
Always contact the authorities.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Going Electric...and Going to the Movies...
If Gas prices are too high…go electric – the government will even help.
Today's cars are inefficient. Of the energy in fuel they consume, at least 80% is lost - we have to think of different ways to travel (stats from http://www.best.bc.ca/ - visit this site for more information). Old cars are the worst. The “Scrap-It Program” is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality by getting older vehicles off the road.
The Program offers qualifying vehicle owners incentives to scrap their older vehicle, basically any working car or light-duty truck from 1995 or older that’s been insured in BC for the last 12 months. The incentive values are based on the greenhouse gas reduction that occurs when an old vehicle is scrapped and an incentive is used as a replacement. Incentives valued at $2,000 or more are offered for the incentives with the highest greenhouse benefit.
These incentives include very low emission vehicles, transit passes, or the transit pass / bicycle combination. 
If you are buying a new vehicle, the incentive value depends on the vehicle being scrapped and the replacement vehicle. It is expected the program will “scrap” between 10,000-20,000 older vehicles over the next three years. If an average of three tonnes a year of CO2 is secured from 15,000 “scrapped” vehicles for a three-year remaining life, it would reduce CO2 emissions in B.C. by an estimated 135,000 tonnes.
On another note, the average car makes 2000 trips of 3 kilometres or less a year. Over 1/3 of work trips in the GVRD are less than 5 kilometres. Many of these trips could easily be replaces by walking or cycling. Let me share with you my preferred transportation vehicle: the e-bike.
Check out scrapit.ca to find out which incentive value you qualify for. And a simple Internet search for electric bikes in BC will help you find out more on e-bike.
If it’s too hot outside – go to the movies
Have you ever wished you could direct your own movie? Well, the LATE FRAGMENT DVD, the first interactive film in North America, gets you pretty darn close – it also so happens to be a Canadian film.
The film’s multi-plot, non-linear and interactive narrative lets audiences discover the stories themselves. The DVD leaves the audience to piece together the narrative, allowing for a unique cinematic experience that lets the viewer “play” a creative and interactive role by weaving in and out of the film’s story lines with just the click of a remote, offering a new perspective on the story each time.
The DVD of “Late Fragment” was officially released on July 8th, and to celebrate Mongrel Media is throwing a party in Vancouver to bring some real-life interaction into the mix. I found out about this through a great group called FirstWeekendClub – basically, it’s a group that goes out on the first weekend to support Canadian films.
Check out FirstWeekendClub.ca for more information. They’ve got a great website with lots of information on Canadian Film coming up this summer, premier launch parties, and interviews with Canadian stars. It doesn’t cost anything to join – you just go to the movies.
Currently, less than 3% of films shown in theatres throughout Canada are Canadian. FirstWeekendClub wants to change that. There is a party to celebrate the interactive DVD release in Vancouver on July 17 – For more information about any of this just go to our blog and you can get all the times, dates, and websites. http://media2o.com/blogs
Monday, July 7, 2008
Steps to Cleaning your Computer
Steps to cleaning your computer
from (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/northrup_restoreperf.mspx)
The Basics
Step 1: Back Up Your Hard Drive
Back up your computer files before you run any system tools or do any troubleshooting. This is not an over-cautious warning, it's just good computing practice. Some of the steps recommended in this guide can cause pre-existing but hidden problems to surface, which may stop your computer from starting. Backing up your computer files can be as simple as copy and paste, or you can run Windows XP and Vista's Backup and Restore tool, which will assist you in the backup process.
To open the Backup or Restore Wizard
Click Start, point to All Programs
Point to Accessories, then point to System Tools
Click Backup.
A Backup/Restore wizard will pop up and guide you through the rest
Before making any changes, time your computer to see how long it takes to restart. That way you know which of the changes helps the most and you could perform these
Step 2: Clear Out Forgotten/Unused Programs
Now that you have your computer backed up, the first step in tuning up your computer's performance is to remove any unnecessary programs. I install new programs all the time. Sometimes I'm thrilled with the new program and I continue to use it. Other times, it doesn't do what I hoped, and the program sits on my computer consuming resources and slowing down its performance.
Follow these steps to remove unneeded programs:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Scroll through the list and examine each program. Windows XP lists how often you use a program and what day you last started it. You shouldn't remove anything labeled as an Update or Hotfix, however, because they improve the security of your computer.
4. Click each program you no longer need, click the Remove button, and then follow the prompts to uninstall it.
You may have to restart your computer after removing a program. After your computer restarts, repeat the steps above to remove more programs.
Free Up Wasted Space
Removing unused programs is a great way to free up disk space, which will speed up your computer. Another way to find wasted disk space is to use the Disk Cleanup tool by following these steps:
1. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Click Disc Cleanup
2. Disk Cleanup will spend a few minutes examining your disk.
3. Select the desired check boxes in the Files to Delete list, and then click OK. Disk Cleanup will spend several minutes clearing space.
4. If you have more than one hard disk, repeat this process for each hard disk listed in My Computer. You can save yourself some time by automating the disk cleanup process.
Defragment Your Computer
I hate newspaper articles that start on the front page but continue somewhere in the middle of the newspaper. I could get through the article much faster if it was printed on consecutive pages like a magazine article. Files on your computer can either be fragmented like a newspaper, or unfragmented like a magazine. Over time, more and more files become fragmented. When a file is fragmented, it takes longer for the computer to read it because it has to skip to different sections of the hard disk—just like it takes me a few seconds to find a page in the middle of a newspaper.
You need administrator privileges to defragment a drive or volume. Although fragmentation is complicated, it's easy to defragment your computer by following these steps:
1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.
2. Click your first hard disk, and then click Defragment. Disk Defragmenter will work for at least several minutes, though it may take several hours.
3. If you have more than one hard disk, repeat this process for each hard disk listed.
Scan for and remove malicious programs
It is important that you use up-to-date security software to detect and remove malicious programs. Virus programs can slow down your PC and cause unwanted behaviour, even damage to your data. Since most computers today are using broadband, we're always connected online and this makes our computer more susceptible to a spyware infection. Spyware tracks your movements on the Web for advertising purposes, but can affect your PC's performance as well.
Free spyware removal program (Hitman Pro http://www.hitmanpro.nl/hitmanpro/content/view/3/9/lang,en/ )
Additional Options (for the more advanced users)
Disconnect Unused Network Connections
If you've ever had a network with more than one computer, you probably found it useful to share files between the computers by mapping a network drive. Network drives allow one computer to read and write files to another computer's hard disk as if it were directly connected. I use network drives all the time, and for me, they were the most significant source of slowness.
The problem with network drives is that Windows XP will attempt to connect to the network drives when Windows starts. If the remote computers don't respond immediately, Windows will wait patiently. Additionally, some programs will attempt to connect to the network drives when you browse for files and folders. If you've ever tried to open a file and had to wait several seconds (or minutes!), it's probably because the program was trying to establish a network connection—even if the file you are opening is on your local computer.
I am not as patient as Windows, and I'd rather not wait for unused network connections to respond. To reduce this problem, disconnect any unused drives by following these steps:
1. Open My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Disconnect Network Drive.
3. Select the network drives that you no longer need, and then click OK.
After I disconnected the network drives on my computer, my computer was able to restart in 1 minute, 45 seconds—about 40% faster!
Remove Autostart Programs
The next step in restoring your computer's performance is to identify any unnecessary programs that start automatically. Often, programs configure themselves to run in the background so that they appear to start quickly when needed. Some of these programs show an icon on your taskbar to let you know that they're running, while others are completely hidden. These autostart programs probably won't noticeably slow down your computer as it starts up, but they will steal away trace amounts of memory and processing time as your computer runs.
Windows XP comes with the System Configuration tool (Msconfig.exe), an excellent way to manage the startup process. To start it:
1. Click Start, click Run, type Msconfig, and then press Enter.
2. On the Startup tab, you'll see a list of all the programs and processes that are set to run when Windows XP loads.
3. Speed up your overall start time by clearing the check box next to any item you think you don't need.
4. Click Apply, and then restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
My favorite way to examine autostart programs is to use the Autoruns freeware tool from Sysinternals. Autoruns lists every program that will automatically start and allows you to quickly delete the link to the program. Many autostart entries are important parts of Windows XP, including Userinit.exe and Explorer.exe. So you should not simply delete everything that you don't recognize. Instead, you should look up each entry at Paul Collins' Startup Applications List to determine whether you want it to start automatically.
The Startup Applications List may provide instructions for removing the startup program. If available, you should follow those instructions instead of deleting the link by using Autoruns.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
from (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/expert/northrup_restoreperf.mspx)
The Basics
Step 1: Back Up Your Hard Drive
Back up your computer files before you run any system tools or do any troubleshooting. This is not an over-cautious warning, it's just good computing practice. Some of the steps recommended in this guide can cause pre-existing but hidden problems to surface, which may stop your computer from starting. Backing up your computer files can be as simple as copy and paste, or you can run Windows XP and Vista's Backup and Restore tool, which will assist you in the backup process.
To open the Backup or Restore Wizard
Click Start, point to All Programs
Point to Accessories, then point to System Tools
Click Backup.
A Backup/Restore wizard will pop up and guide you through the rest
Before making any changes, time your computer to see how long it takes to restart. That way you know which of the changes helps the most and you could perform these
Step 2: Clear Out Forgotten/Unused Programs
Now that you have your computer backed up, the first step in tuning up your computer's performance is to remove any unnecessary programs. I install new programs all the time. Sometimes I'm thrilled with the new program and I continue to use it. Other times, it doesn't do what I hoped, and the program sits on my computer consuming resources and slowing down its performance.
Follow these steps to remove unneeded programs:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Scroll through the list and examine each program. Windows XP lists how often you use a program and what day you last started it. You shouldn't remove anything labeled as an Update or Hotfix, however, because they improve the security of your computer.
4. Click each program you no longer need, click the Remove button, and then follow the prompts to uninstall it.
You may have to restart your computer after removing a program. After your computer restarts, repeat the steps above to remove more programs.
Free Up Wasted Space
Removing unused programs is a great way to free up disk space, which will speed up your computer. Another way to find wasted disk space is to use the Disk Cleanup tool by following these steps:
1. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Click Disc Cleanup
2. Disk Cleanup will spend a few minutes examining your disk.
3. Select the desired check boxes in the Files to Delete list, and then click OK. Disk Cleanup will spend several minutes clearing space.
4. If you have more than one hard disk, repeat this process for each hard disk listed in My Computer. You can save yourself some time by automating the disk cleanup process.
Defragment Your Computer
I hate newspaper articles that start on the front page but continue somewhere in the middle of the newspaper. I could get through the article much faster if it was printed on consecutive pages like a magazine article. Files on your computer can either be fragmented like a newspaper, or unfragmented like a magazine. Over time, more and more files become fragmented. When a file is fragmented, it takes longer for the computer to read it because it has to skip to different sections of the hard disk—just like it takes me a few seconds to find a page in the middle of a newspaper.
You need administrator privileges to defragment a drive or volume. Although fragmentation is complicated, it's easy to defragment your computer by following these steps:
1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.
2. Click your first hard disk, and then click Defragment. Disk Defragmenter will work for at least several minutes, though it may take several hours.
3. If you have more than one hard disk, repeat this process for each hard disk listed.
Scan for and remove malicious programs
It is important that you use up-to-date security software to detect and remove malicious programs. Virus programs can slow down your PC and cause unwanted behaviour, even damage to your data. Since most computers today are using broadband, we're always connected online and this makes our computer more susceptible to a spyware infection. Spyware tracks your movements on the Web for advertising purposes, but can affect your PC's performance as well.
Free spyware removal program (Hitman Pro http://www.hitmanpro.nl/hitmanpro/content/view/3/9/lang,en/ )
Additional Options (for the more advanced users)
Disconnect Unused Network Connections
If you've ever had a network with more than one computer, you probably found it useful to share files between the computers by mapping a network drive. Network drives allow one computer to read and write files to another computer's hard disk as if it were directly connected. I use network drives all the time, and for me, they were the most significant source of slowness.
The problem with network drives is that Windows XP will attempt to connect to the network drives when Windows starts. If the remote computers don't respond immediately, Windows will wait patiently. Additionally, some programs will attempt to connect to the network drives when you browse for files and folders. If you've ever tried to open a file and had to wait several seconds (or minutes!), it's probably because the program was trying to establish a network connection—even if the file you are opening is on your local computer.
I am not as patient as Windows, and I'd rather not wait for unused network connections to respond. To reduce this problem, disconnect any unused drives by following these steps:
1. Open My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Disconnect Network Drive.
3. Select the network drives that you no longer need, and then click OK.
After I disconnected the network drives on my computer, my computer was able to restart in 1 minute, 45 seconds—about 40% faster!
Remove Autostart Programs
The next step in restoring your computer's performance is to identify any unnecessary programs that start automatically. Often, programs configure themselves to run in the background so that they appear to start quickly when needed. Some of these programs show an icon on your taskbar to let you know that they're running, while others are completely hidden. These autostart programs probably won't noticeably slow down your computer as it starts up, but they will steal away trace amounts of memory and processing time as your computer runs.
Windows XP comes with the System Configuration tool (Msconfig.exe), an excellent way to manage the startup process. To start it:
1. Click Start, click Run, type Msconfig, and then press Enter.
2. On the Startup tab, you'll see a list of all the programs and processes that are set to run when Windows XP loads.
3. Speed up your overall start time by clearing the check box next to any item you think you don't need.
4. Click Apply, and then restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
My favorite way to examine autostart programs is to use the Autoruns freeware tool from Sysinternals. Autoruns lists every program that will automatically start and allows you to quickly delete the link to the program. Many autostart entries are important parts of Windows XP, including Userinit.exe and Explorer.exe. So you should not simply delete everything that you don't recognize. Instead, you should look up each entry at Paul Collins' Startup Applications List to determine whether you want it to start automatically.
The Startup Applications List may provide instructions for removing the startup program. If available, you should follow those instructions instead of deleting the link by using Autoruns.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Point-and-shoots advance to pro levels
Hey Folks, here's a nice article by Rachel Naud where Bradley is quoted about Point-and-Shoot cameras.
Point-and-shoots advance to pro levels
Rachel Naud , Canwest News Service
Point-and-shoot cameras have always been notable for their ease of use. But today's best digital models are taking simplicity a step further and doing virtually all the work and thinking that goes into taking a great photo for us.
Using features such as face recognition, smile detection and scene intelligence, capturing the perfect image could really be just a click away.
"One of the things I've always hated about point-and-shoot digital cameras when they first came out is that by the time the camera actually shot the picture, it would be a picture of the place my son once was - a shot of his foot. It wasn't the shot I actually wanted," says Bradley Shende, executive producer with Chalk TV and host of the show Connected Life.
"Fortunately, technology has caught up with most cameras."
In fact, with ISO levels on point-and-shoots rising past 1,000, more models allow you to take multiple pictures with one click, allowing the user to scroll through and choose the best image.
"Basically, it gives you a contact sheet to choose what you want and dispose of the rest," says Shende. "It takes the pictures really close together."
Point-and-shoots, also known as compact cameras, have been adding features for years. In addition to such familiar items as autofocus and built-in flash, one of today's popular features is face detection. This allows the camera to find the face in the frame, analyze it and adjust for colour, temperature and lighting.
The facial area-analysis is based on such characteristics as flesh tone and exposure, and the background is treated differently to optimize focus on the face.
"It's the type of thing a professional photographer would consider in lighting a scene, but now what's amazing is the camera's processors are actually doing this for us," says Shende.
Angelo Daga, senior merchandising manager for Future Shop, says smile detection on advanced point-and-shoots is especially helpful when taking pictures of small children who are sometimes unwilling to smile for the camera.
"Once they smile, the camera will automatically snap the photo," says Daga.
And whether you're taking a photo of family or a nature shot, the Intelligent Scene Selector mode found in some of today's cameras will ensure you get a professional-looking picture by automatically sensing the conditions you're in.
"It judges what the appropriate setting of the camera should be," says Daga. "So, if you're taking a picture of a person, the camera will optimize skin tones and focus on the face. But if you're taking a picture of something up close, such as a flower or an insect, the macro mode will help improve that shot."
Daga says point-and-shoot cameras can range anywhere from $99 to $450, depending on how many features the camera includes.
Asked to identify some of the most popular cameras on the market, Daga says the Sony Cybershot T300 is popular with customers. It's not only stylish - it comes in black, silver and pink - but boasts a large 3.5-inch LCD screen and a touch panel that makes feature and menu selection easy.
The Panasonic TZ5 is another popular option, he says. The camera features nine megapixels, 10-times optical zoom, 28-mm wide-angle lens, a three-inch LCD screen and face detection. It also boasts the scene-intelligence mode to help capture the best shot.
Shende notes the Nikon Coolpix S52C camera offers a compact option loaded with features. The camera boasts nine megapixels, 3200 ISO, three-times optical zoom and image stabilization.
The Wi-Fi-enabled S52C can connect wirelessly to compatible devices for easy uploading and sharing of pictures.
"You can e-mail pictures from the camera within a WiFi network, so you could take a picture of the kids in the back yard and upload it for Grandma, right from the camera," says Shende.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Summertime Fun Gadgets
Summertime is here and it's really time to get out there and enjoy some time with family and friends. Myself - I love to Bar-b-que. And if you think you have what it takes to win - the Canadian National Barbecue Championship is coming up in Whistler this August.
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/events/detail/bbqchamps/index.htm
These folks turned a new Playstation 3 into a imitation George Foreman grill!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Hh3tBdHwM (Youtube Video)
Or hey, what about a personalize Branding Iron?
http://www.thisnext.com/item/12DA82AB/7CC280F4/Personalized-Branding-Iron-for
Now, when you're out and about this summer - pictures are a great way to share your adventures with the rest of the family. Maybe your grandparents live far-away. Maybe you've got a brother or sister away for the summer. Create a Flickr page to keep everyone in the loop. It's simple, it's free, and it's a great way to stay connected and now they even support video. Camera Phones have gotten really impressive and really easy to use and a lot of them have video. And speaking of video.
While there are more powerful cameras out there - with higher pixel ratio's etc - nothing makes taking video and putting it on the web easier than the Flip by Pure Digital
Technologies. Here's the deal, it’s a handheld, has 1 to 2GB capacity video capture device. It captures 640×480 video at 30fps. There is a 1.8″ LCD screen on the back and it runs on 2 AA size batteries. It has a neat flip-out USB connector that allows you to plug it straight into a standard USB port. It also has an output plug and cable for direct TV output. On the bottom there is also a standard sized threaded tripod connector. There is no memory card slot, and the device holds 60 min of video. It's actually really good quality - it's easy to use - and you can get them at Wal-mart for $159.99 or buy them online - they'll be coming to other retailers shortly.
The camera saves video in a format called 3ivx, a specific MP4 video compression that's been designed to use less processing power for playback. When you plug the device into a Windows or Mac computer the first time, Flip will install the required software to preview the videos, capture the videos onto your computer, and allow for some basic editing. It also shows up as a generic USB storage device. I had one of these Flip Video Camera on my desk for a month - but didn't get the chance to look at it. Then I heard Oprah was talking about it. I had to check it out.
When Oprah talks - I listen. http://theflip.com/ There's even video of Oprah using the camera on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFBoiaGSDfE
Now you've all watched stuff on YouTube - now you can contribute. You can put your own videos up there for everyone to see. Or you can put them up on your Flikr page too - Flikr now supports video too.
I've been talking a lot about family - and here's a great way to connect with family and learn a little bit about your family's history. It's a local company called FamilyTree - and they've got a great website that combines pictures to easily create your very own family tree - and you can do it together - not just you and your immediate family - but everyone - your uncle can put up information and pictures, your great Aunt can add stories - everyone can contribute and find out a little bit more about the family in the process.
There is also a really interesting photo sharing Facebook application by a Vancouver company named Kinzin.com - It's easy and fun - so check out kinzin.com It let's you share photos securely and privately and it's so easy - any one can use it.
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/todo/events/detail/bbqchamps/index.htm
These folks turned a new Playstation 3 into a imitation George Foreman grill!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Hh3tBdHwM (Youtube Video)
Or hey, what about a personalize Branding Iron?
http://www.thisnext.com/item/12DA82AB/7CC280F4/Personalized-Branding-Iron-for Now, when you're out and about this summer - pictures are a great way to share your adventures with the rest of the family. Maybe your grandparents live far-away. Maybe you've got a brother or sister away for the summer. Create a Flickr page to keep everyone in the loop. It's simple, it's free, and it's a great way to stay connected and now they even support video. Camera Phones have gotten really impressive and really easy to use and a lot of them have video. And speaking of video.
While there are more powerful cameras out there - with higher pixel ratio's etc - nothing makes taking video and putting it on the web easier than the Flip by Pure Digital
Technologies. Here's the deal, it’s a handheld, has 1 to 2GB capacity video capture device. It captures 640×480 video at 30fps. There is a 1.8″ LCD screen on the back and it runs on 2 AA size batteries. It has a neat flip-out USB connector that allows you to plug it straight into a standard USB port. It also has an output plug and cable for direct TV output. On the bottom there is also a standard sized threaded tripod connector. There is no memory card slot, and the device holds 60 min of video. It's actually really good quality - it's easy to use - and you can get them at Wal-mart for $159.99 or buy them online - they'll be coming to other retailers shortly.The camera saves video in a format called 3ivx, a specific MP4 video compression that's been designed to use less processing power for playback. When you plug the device into a Windows or Mac computer the first time, Flip will install the required software to preview the videos, capture the videos onto your computer, and allow for some basic editing. It also shows up as a generic USB storage device. I had one of these Flip Video Camera on my desk for a month - but didn't get the chance to look at it. Then I heard Oprah was talking about it. I had to check it out.
When Oprah talks - I listen. http://theflip.com/ There's even video of Oprah using the camera on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFBoiaGSDfE
Now you've all watched stuff on YouTube - now you can contribute. You can put your own videos up there for everyone to see. Or you can put them up on your Flikr page too - Flikr now supports video too.
I've been talking a lot about family - and here's a great way to connect with family and learn a little bit about your family's history. It's a local company called FamilyTree - and they've got a great website that combines pictures to easily create your very own family tree - and you can do it together - not just you and your immediate family - but everyone - your uncle can put up information and pictures, your great Aunt can add stories - everyone can contribute and find out a little bit more about the family in the process.
There is also a really interesting photo sharing Facebook application by a Vancouver company named Kinzin.com - It's easy and fun - so check out kinzin.com It let's you share photos securely and privately and it's so easy - any one can use it.
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