Digital Zoom in cameras VS. Photoshop zoom (crop and resize)

I've had a feeling before that it might be better for me to take a photo in natural state without the digital zoom (I have yet to date ever owned a digital camera with optical zoom >.<) and then zoom it in Photoshop by cropping and resizing or re-sampling. I got this idea because I found that Photoshop could zoom better quality than other cheaper or basic photo editing tools, maybe Photoshop has better algorithms or simple the psychological idea that $1000 software is better at zooming a picture than a free one.

Here is an article for some food for thought next time when your using that digital zoom on that camera. I'll find something interesting to take a photo of soon and show you the differences with a Nokia 6220 Digital zoom VS. Adobe Photoshop 7.0


Article: http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/digitalimaging/f/digitalzoom.htm


Here are the sample pics, can you guess which is which?:

One is taken with

• Digital zoom
  
• Macro mode without d zoom
• Auto mode without d zoom.

(Not in order of appearance), which would you say is best? (DO NOT CLICK THUMBNAILS)


Auto mode without digital zoom, photoshop cropped



Digital Zoomed



Macro mode without digital zoom, photoshop cropped

Press CTRL + A to reveal answers OR Click thumbnails

I will post these on my Facebook and poll my IT and non-It friends and see what their opinions are before telling them the results.

The results are: macro mode without digital zoom, photoshop cropped

The way I see it is the digital zoom adds a soften filter to make the image less grainy and pixey but in turn makes the image less clear and sharp for large screen viewing. So it could be safe to say that not all digital zoom are weak? You could find one that uses the same algorithm as Photoshop and in that way have exactly the same effect?

As you can see the digital zoom one had bad croping from my shaky hands, I will continue to NOT use digital zoom and crop the pictures myself for a safer and better cropping as I can control what I do want and don't want after the picture was taken but if you screw up during the digital zoom the rest of the data is lost at the time you take the photo.

But.. for those who don't want to muck around with software then thats really the whole point digital zoom was invented, that and also it fools unexpecting consumers into thinking it has zoom.

Do you agree?

Nokia 6220

Here is a fix to battery problem for Nokia 6220. How to fix short battery life problem for Nokia 6220. Way to extend Nokia 6220 battery life?

^ that's the type of queries I was searching for in google when I read reviews on the Nokia 6220.


Don't rely on me to do a review on the Nokia 6220, its easy to find ones that really detail all its nice little presents, Try YouTube even, its got a few good ones. also search it up in GSMArena.


So why am I writing up a review if i am not going to review the phone? Well I am but what I am going to do is just clarify all the scary stories about the Nokia 6220 in review sites all over the Internet.

Here are the bad things/Myths people have said about the phone:

So.. Lets do some "MythBusting" on some people's scary reviews. I was scared for one so lets see if I can save people from missing out on a decent phone?

1. The keys are cheap plastic and feels like a toy
   
   I don't think I would have minded the keys too much without reading reviews and noticing them on purpose but it is not as extreme as some people say, saying that the keys feel like it will break off BUT it is in fact a big harder to use than phones with separate keys or keys with a gap in between but I guess it is possible to get use to it but I can see how unlocking the keypad can be difficult at times due to closeness of keys. If you don't have big fingers i don't think it will be a problem at all.
   
   
2. The battery life lasts only 12 day or 3 days if your really lucky
   
   Well I got ti today and played through all the menus and all the apps and camera etc. and its still on full bars, also played games for like 30 minutes and also checked the time like constantly. So this does disprove the reviews about it lasting 1 day only and needing nightly recharges. My theory is they either have new firmware that corrected a battery leak somewhere OR those people who heavy 3G users like sit there hours in park using Internet on phone but for the people who said they made a few 5 minute calls and a few SMSs and the phone died i think they might have a different batch of phones (so not to call them a liar)
   
   It has lasted exactly 3 days for me from morning till night but for me because my phone is new I've been adjusting the settings and personalising it like crazy, also used the blue tooth for hours sending stuff to myself, palyed games for hours, sent multiple sms and also made a few minute calls, not to mention mp3 etc. so putting that into relativity I would say if i used it the same ammount of time for the same purpose as my old nokia 2100 I would most likely get almost a week. P.S. I was also experimenting withthe GPs within those 3 days.
   
   
3. It doesn't have a 3.5mm headphone jack
   Nope, but a 2.5mm headphone is supplied but i rarely use it as an MP3 player so i guess its not a major issue.
   
   
4. Camera actually sucks despite being an awesome 5mp camera with Xenon flash?
   
   Xenon flash is brilliant and very bright making any dark room photography excellent.
   The most impressive thing especially for this price is the modes in the camera as most phone cameras have a night mode and that's about it but the 6220 has a range of photography modes like night mode for dark environments, sports mode for fast shutter speed without blur, close up mode for clearer macro shots and the list goes on for a little bit more.
   A true dream phone for the minor photographers especially due to the shutter speed, I managed to get an ok shot in the car whilst it was moving, even my old digital camera had blur when shooting something moving at all, but thanks the Nokia's anti-shake, stabilisation, fast shutter and focus speed it produces a happy result.
   
   Remember to put it into sports mode first for best quick shot results.
   
   
5. Sound quality is not too good
   
   Its alright for calls and music playback, quite clear and somewhat loud but calling isn't as loud as my old Nokia 2100 (black and white phone, lol), and yes i do know you can change the volume but yeah I usually hold the phone far from my ear because my old 2100 was too loud :\ so no problems again i guess unless you have hearing difficulties and need a very loud phone but this phone even on speakerphone isn't the loudest phone I've heard.
   
   
6. The phone is slow at processing
   
   The phone is a tad slow compared to my old 2100 but I mean putting it into relativity, you are loading up features that are MBs in size. For that I am impressed, longest thing would be taking a photo, it takes a few seconds to process before next photo can be taken but its acceptable level unless your a rapid and advanced photographer in which case i have to question why you don't have a 10MP SLR camera with custom lens....?
   
   
7. Any of your own questions or reviews(or myths) you want me to iron out?
   
   tba

• Summary - If you don't mind the following above you should have yourself one high tech mobile phone at a affordable price.

Remember fellow Australians, This phone is now $229 at Vodafone shop and DSE to my knowledge, with locking to Vodafone though. That's a good buy (to my current knowledge until the phone shows its real colours) Search up specs. because for $229 it really is a big difference to what you can get for around $200 marked phones

Thunderbird sending password Problem (Gmail)

"sending of password did not succeed. Mail server pop.gmail.com responded: Username and password not accepted."

"Sending of password did not succeed. Mail server pop.gmail.com responded: Username and password not accepted."


Solution:

Using MS Excel as a things to do calendar

I just thought of a good application/program/software to use to help me manage my University assignment due dates etc. and my personal things to do list.

Microsoft Excel has a sort function which is all you really need to help sort the dates of things you need to do from closest to furthermost. Excel sorts the dates into date format and data type so it makes adding things to due at the bottom of the list as you think of them efficient.

Say for example you remember that you need to do something about half way in between your things to do list you can add it at the bottom of the list and then go up to the date column and right-click and choose sort ascending and volla, you have sorted all you things to do by date again without needing manual labour to figure out where in the list you should add your new to-do item.

Here is a sample of what i have in my current list that you can copy and use, the tile headings can give you added benefits.

Date due | Subject | Task | Notes | Importance

1/2/2009 ISIT100 Project log PDF version due 1
2/2/2009 ISIT100 Project log Soft copy to tutor 1
4/2/2009 - Buy milk 3



As you can see in my example there are many headings/title you can experiment with like Importance title to sort and filter out the most important and urgent tasks at the top of the list.

Submit your ideas for the use of a title/sorting system, whether its Uni related or not as a comment below.


EDIT:

• Using the books at the bottom of the screen also known as "sheet1", "sheet2", "sheet3" can you divide your things from Uni, Work, Personal, On-going, Once-Off and save it all into one Excel file so its kinda like having a things-to-do application, with all your different lists inside one icon. Great! :P
  

Use Windows Calendar to keep track of things to do

A good application/software to use to manage University assignments and things to do lists.

Launched by:

• Windows + R
• Type in: "wincal"
• Enter

Official location or shortcut locations still begin researched (as I accidentally deleted the ?Start Menu one)

Clearing/Removing MSN Live Messenger Chat logs/history

1. Open up Live Messenger:

• Tools > Options >Messages tab
• Uncheck "Automatically keep a history of my conversations
• Apply
• Re-check it
  

OR

2. Type in the Windows Explorer address bar:

C:\Users\UserName\Documents\My Received Files\MSN Username + random numbers\History

In your case, most likely:

• C:\Users\Username
• Documents\My Received Files\MSN Username + random numbers
• History
• Delete all contents of folder

On second thoughts, it might be easier to just use step 1.

Do I need a wifi in my mobile phone?

I am looking at a phone that has every feature in today's mobile market possible with the exclusion of: Wifi, accelerometer (for auto screen layout and misc uses), 5MP instead of 8MP camera and possibly a projector (Only 1 or a few manufacturers at the moment)

So the question is the phone i am looking at is priced at the same level as a 3mp camera with nothing else meaning it has GPS , large memory, 5mp camera instead of 3mp as bonus for the similar price.

Only critical feature missing is a wifi and accelerometer for luxury.

Do you need wifi, if it meant not having it can save you $500? Here are the benefits:

• Instead of being charged a high price for 3G Internet access you can have it for free, where hot-spots are free just like laptops can.
  
• Use of MSN for free
• Use of MSN's voip and video call can mean you don't get charged for services from your phone operator but still have the functions of your 3G phone.
• Surf the net whilst being bored
• Download games and other applications like a miniaturised laptop
• Wifi hot-spots are becoming more common and also free in public places
• Operators charge high fees for Internet usage over their mobile network
  

Here are some cons though:

• Batteries in most feature filled phones won't last long, it operates like a laptop and hence only has a battery life of one, surfing and voip-ing on MSN will only give you a few hours of battery life
• Surfing the Internet on a mobile phone is bad ergonomics for hand, eyes and neck and wrist
• You need friends who have MSN on all the time to be able to substitute a call or SMS
• You can get mobile Internet data allowance on capped plans so you can use Internet over mobile network without surprising fees which might dependent on usage be cheaper than forking out another $500 for a phone that has wifi.
  

My verdict, unless its critical you get Internet access all the time it might be worth putting that $500 towards a laptop or towards your next mobile phone which should be cheap and have wifi and most likely some other feature not yet invented.

Revealing of the phone i have in mind will take place if i get it, so not to jinx it, LOL.

Why is broadband so expensive in Australia and cheap in Asia?

This is an excellent site to read, it will give you all the ammo to pretend you know what your saying like most of us ;)

http://scott.yang.id.au/2004/01/why-is-broadband-expensive-in-australia/

nVidia 6600GT Can not use DVI

I have had this problem for ages, where only the VGA will work on my 6600GT and LCD monitor. When i plug in the DVI cable I get a "no signal" message or the screen goes into standby mode.

Solution: For Windows XP just go

• Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager (Should be the same in vista)
• Find and click nVidia 6600Gt from the list, should be under the "display adapters"
• Drivers tab > Update driver
• Give it a while and it should be fine (for windows XP)

If it doesn't then you have to go to google or try:
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

Got my DVI up and working and tried on a new 18.5" LCD monitor and like wow at the vibrancy, contrast, colour and size.


EDIT: I talked about problem and solution forgot to mention cause of problem, lol. Well the problem is just that your driver is too old to recognise or use DVI in the correct format and or resolution well to my quick research and memory I think that's what happened.

Can't get DVI working with my nvidia 660gt, DVI no signal on nvidia 6600gt, solved DVI problem with nvidia 6600gt, how to switch DVI on instead of VGA for nvidia 6600gt, use DVI instead of VGA for nvidia 6600gt, how to enable DVi and disable VGA on a nvidia 6600gt

Samsung G800 Black Screen

I brought one of these and set it all up, charged battery, turned it on and hmmmm the LCD screen back light is on so the LCD is somehow working just that there is no pictures, there's sound and all.

My analysis says its a connection from the video card or whatever it is to the LCD screen cause the back light works but no colours are displayed.

Calling tech. support asap but seriously if its a lemon out of the box then the brand and quality control is so so. What gets me more is that Nokia's made in China are better than my Korean-build. Wahh?

EDIT: Returned it Tech. Support said not to bother as it was brought so recently, so now i don't have a chance to review a Samsung phone on this blog for yous. Looking at some Sony Ericsson though.

Can not open battery cover

Some devices like phones and such devices that have slide off lids or coveres instead of traditional stick a screwdriver or fingernail and lift up lides can be at time annoying to open or even near impossible.

The trick is to add more grip to it, a suggestion i have is to apply an elastic band that is fit for size for the device and use the elastic band to grip and slide off lid. Please be careful and thoughtful for when using this, look out of things like LCDS or other things that wouldn't go well with elastic bands and rubbing an elastic band along it because remember if you apply force on the battery luid cover you can apply some of that force also onto the bottom of the device.


this method is also good for opening jars, and food lids and caps. ;)

REVIEW: Dynamo solar-powered & wind-up torch

Just brought this on OO.com.au as well for $20 which i thought was good value as for $20 i can get a wind-up torch only at the local hardware store. This is my first LED torch and i am impressed.

Pros:

• LED bulb
• BOTH Solar and wind-up powered
• Durable and water proof
• Has a cool bluish ting to it
• Has 1 or 3 LED mode so you can adjust brightness and power consumption
• Also has a flashing mode for biking at night or emergencies? not too such of designed usage but is defiantly useful to have.
• Having a back up recharge soruce is excellent for emergencies, if you accidentally snap the wind-up handle at least you can still recharge it during the day, also good for camping etc.
  

Cons:

• There is a centre focal point in brightness where the centre is brighter than the rest of the light, (like traditional torches but you don't notice them as much in trad. torches because its not as bright.

Summary:

• for $20 it is well worth it for the functions provided and is worth spending if you just chuck it in the glove box of the car and never use it, cheaper than any insurance company premium I've seen.
• Worth it still even for the kids to just play around with it
• Amazed at the LED technology
• Just have to see if the warranty or durability lasts out
  

REVIEW: i-Rocks FM Transmitter

I just brought one of these from OO.com.au for like $15. What does it do? Well it modulates your music into an FM signal so you can pick it up in your car's FM radio which allows you to play mp3 music without installing a new CD player which can cost up to $100s.

Pros:

• Plugs into smoke lighter port (bad for those without one in their car)
• Has a USB port so it can read mp3 music from a USB flash drive or HDD, which is good as i didn't want to aary a mp3 player with me but it can also support mp3 player through an analouge jack.
• Cool bright blue LED
• Has an extra USb port for devices like HDDs which need more power to run.
• Easy to use

Cons:

• I brought the model with 4 channels (88.3, 88.5, 88.7, 88.9) and i get somewhat interference with all channels in my car. Could be different with different cars due to aerial placement?
• Due to interference it might be better to just plug in a mp3 player into the AUX jack of the car (If you have one) or burn CDs if your skeptic of quality but if you have a heap of music you want to listen to and can't do that with a mp3 player or a CD amd don't mind a bit of interference this is certqainly worth buying especially at $15 its worth it to just play with the technology.

Summary:

• If you don't mind the quality of the audio then this is good espeically for those with liots of jusic that they want to play randomly because a HDD and thumd drives are cheaper than buying a 10, 20 GB mp3 player or burning 1,000 CDs
  

How can I find out where someone is via their mobile phone?

They will need a GPS enabled mobile phone and also allow you permission to view their location.

Check out: http://www.google.com/intl/en_au/latitude/intro.html

What do I do with my old TV? How do I recycle my old TV?

"How you can dispose of your old TV:

? Take your TV to an e-waste recycling centre.

thegreenpages.com.au or

ewaste.com.au.

? Check out when your local council's next hard rubbish or e-waste collection is.

recyclingnearyou.com.au.

? Alternatively, give it to a stranger. Your rubbish may be someone else's treasure!

freecycle.org."


Quoted from: http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/hometech/tv-off-the-air-but-still-in-our-hair-20090714-dk3u.html?page=2

About AbandonWare (Free Classic Games)

AbandonWare is apparently:

"Abandonware is computer software that is no longer sold or supported, or whose copyright ownership may be unclear for various reasons. While the term has been applied largely to older games, other classes of software are sometimes described as such."

Quoted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abandonware

So pretty much it means you now have a new category of free games besides freeware games, mainly the classic games. Which is good for those who enjoyed classic games and want a memory refresh. Only problem I can se is Incompatible hardware and OS with older games.

Heres a few sites I've found but I am sure if you google Abandonware you'll find more collection/archive sites with abandonware games and software etc.

http://www.squakenet.com/

http://www.abandonia.com/

Google to produce a PC OS

Apparently Google wants to complete with Microsoft Windows and produce its own OS. Google has competed in the past with Windows Mobile with Google's Chrome OS and now its going to attempt to build a LINUX-Based OS to compete against Microsoft's Windows.

More details:

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/googles-plot-to-shatter-windows-20090709-desi.html

Mobile Phone Selector

Help me find a mobile phone that suits all my required features and specifications.
Site to recommend me phones that fit my specific needs?

This site will do:

http://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3

FREE Paper toy/ models

Paper toys, animals, buildings, cars, planes, cartoons, free, fun, cheap, printable. :)

http://www.ss42.com/pt-animated.html

Old Classic games

Wow, a place that has archived all the old classic games such as SimCity 2000, Sim Tower etc.

http://www.abandonia.com/en/archive/2009/07

How to Uninstall Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) 2007

You may have auto update enabled and automatically downloaded the OGA and now for some reason it says your copy of Office is not genuine and you've called up Tech Support and still they can't fix it and now your embarrassed in front of your friends and or colleges because your a honerable man/women and have never ever used non-genuine or fake copies of software (you never buy from markets or online and only at leading retailers)

So what you can do to remove this OGA notice is:

(copied from a comment from this site: http://www.makefriendsandmoney.com/blog/how-to-uninstall-office-genuine-advantage-notifications-kb949810/)

anonymous said,

in March 21st, 2009 at 10:27 AM

"
Run this DOS command at C:\>
MsiExec.exe /uninstall {B148AB4B-C8FA-474B-B981-F2943C5B5BCD}
You will be prompted if you are sure you want to unistall. Click ‘Yes’
This will uninstall the OGA notifier 1.7.0105.35.0 described on this blog.
Works for vista and XP.

This thing worked
"

Extra Info:

To run the Dos command prompt, just use the CMD (Command Prompt) by pressing

1. Windows + R
2. Type in "cmd"
3. Press enter

To get to C:\>, in order for it to work(you can't run it at another other location)

e.g. if it is at C:\PeterWong

1. Type in "cd .." (this brings it up a level, so its = to pressing the up button in Windows XP interface)
2. Press enter