Google Gears

I just enabled my browser to use Google Gears in conjunction with WordPress.  It’s meant to speed things up – good from Thailand where international internet connections aren’t known for their speed. It also says I can work offline but i have not tried that.

I am way out of date on the technology so I don’t claim to understand what exactly is going on. I am sure it is a huge security vulnerability – but in theory only sites that I explicitly allow, like WordPress, can use Gears.

If anyone has any advice on using Gears with WordPress please let me know.

Image Stabilization Rules!

Nissan Diesel Crane

Originally uploaded by Ian Fuller

I love the image stabilization in my Nikon Coolpix P6000.

This shot of a crane was exposed for 1/5 of a second and it looks good to me – at least for web use.

I like the colour cast from the street lamps and the slightly embarrased driver. This machine is massive up close. I think it said on the jib it can lift 36 tonnes.

The Limits of Control

I know this is nothing to do with photography, computers or Thailand. I thought this article is very interesting about our need for control. Read it here.

Actually, there may be a link. One of the reasons I use computers and enjoy cataloguing my images is that it’s one area of my life where I am in total control. If the computer malfunctions I can turn it off or delete the offending software (ACDSee!). I can’t do that with family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and so on.

An amateur psychological point…

The Photo Geek

I received a useful comment to my first post about backing up the Lightroom database (catalog). The Photo Geek blog has an add-in to compress the backups and also to back up Lightroom’s configuration files.

It’s just what I needed. I am using it now.

Sad Really

I have been sending Flickr-mail to friends with whom I’ve been corresponding telling them about my new blog. Today I received a message from a friend in China who said:

Great thanks for your invitation, but I think I have met some problem. My country always put a variety of bans on exotic websites and I am concerned that the link you sent me is among the banned one. Very sorry for being not able to enjoy your blog!

I very much doubt this blog could be objectionable to the authorities in China but his caution is understandable given the attention being given to the internet in China. Perhaps my comments on “green dam” could be considered dangerous. But from what I have read in the western press, it’s much discussed in China too.

My friend’s caution makes me remember how fortunate I am not to have to worry about this kind of thing.

Massed Motorcycles

Massed Motorcycles

Originally uploaded by Ian Fuller

Every time the lights change it is a like a motorcycle race as the motorcyclists who’ve crept to the front of the queue blast off – until they get to the next light.

It’s quite exciting to watch but completely discourages me from riding in Bangkok. The motorcycle training I received in England is worse than useless here – it’s survival of the fittest.

I took this photo from the new overpass from Asok Skytrain Station to the Exchange Square building. It’s not a crop – I zoomed to include as many motorcycles and as little else as possible.

Camera Works – Shutters & Sync Speed

I thought I understood how a camera shutter works until I read this. Now I truly do understand. Highly recommended, not only for its content but also for the clear way it is written.

http://www.penmachine.com/2008/09/camera-works-shutters-flashes-and-sync