Design Challenges

Camera Lenses

I recently purchased my first DSLR camera and have been photographing everything and anything ever since. I bought the Nikon D80 because it offered the most for the money. My other choice was the Nikon D200, but for the extra $300 that it was going to cost, I would get very little. As well, after going to the store and testing both cameras the D80 was a clear winner as it provided the best feel and handling for me.

After I purchased the camera, I was most worried about getting the right lens. Been new to DSLR photography, I knew very little about them. I visited my local public library and check out three books which were helpful although a bit old and somewhat out of date, but I wasn't expecting much from them and was looking to learn just the basics. Three months later I know quite a bit about DSLRs and lenses, but today I came across an article I wish was around then, and wanted to share in this entry.

The bottom line is that when you are making a major purchase you want to be an informed buyer. When it comes to digital photography, the Internet provides almost and infinite amount of resources. I'm a Web designer and developer by trade, therefore when it comes to doing research the Web is the first place I turned to, however, sometimes is better to pick up and book and read about the industry first. Books become out of date quickly, depending on the industry, but they provide the basic knowledge needed, where as most sites assume you have a basic knowledge. DP Review is an excellent source for all you ever wanted to know about digital photography. As well, there are many other forums and sites such as Ride Foto where its members are very knowledgeable and not shy to about offering their opinion.

How to get into college

A while back I remember watching a film by with a similar title as this post, How I Got Into College, at the time I thought this was a fairly cheesy movie with a young man stressing over SAT scores.

With today's technology Anthony Edwards character would not have stressed so much about the test and perhaps would have focused his attention more on improving his chances with the girl.

All this pondering came about from reading a story on Reuters where they detailed how three Chinese men design a low tech, by today's standard, way to help a student cheat in the very competitive university entrance exam. Apparently 10 million Chinese high school students compete for just 5.7 million available university sits in all of China.

The plan was simple, use microphones and ear pieces to communicate questions and answers between one student and others hire to sit outside the building with computers handy and ready to provide answers.

Good thing we don't yet have this problem in the states, then again, me being a college professor, I would probably be making much more if we had so many more students in the classroom.

I haven't have the need catch students cheating in exams in my class before since all my test are electronic and questions are individually randomize. However, a while back I heard of other professors having problems with students text messaging answers via their mobile phones.

The bottom line is that we live in a very competitive world where people are always designing new ways to get ahead. I can't say I blame the fellow trying to make his way into college, but I thing it would be easier for the person to apply themselves to studying instead of designing ways to cheat themselves into college. After all, if they have to cheat to get in there, what will they do to ensure a successful college career?

Labels: college, Design, test, university

Why I hate American Airlines

A while back I wrote about my frustrations with American Airlines when the plane I was traveling in caught on fire.

I just received an email that truly is enraging. I was kindly notified that there is a change of a policy change in the way miles are now awarded and also that they will begin to expired within 18 months unless there is activity in my AAdvantage Card.

Since the fire incident I decided that I will not travel with American. About a month after the November 2006 fire incident, my cousin was in route to Miami, FL and her place was forced into an emergency landing as the pilot's windshield cracked open.

Recently, my boss was flying back from Chicago to CT and the right side engine in his place exploded during take off and they were lucky to be able to have a very skilled pilot to safely turn the jet around and land the plane.

It appears to me that this airline is simply bankrupt and they are making further cutbacks with the mileage program. American Airlines should apply this savings to new planes as obviously their planes are simply too old and are falling apart.

The bottom line is that if American Airlines truly wants to retain their customers they should be offering enhancements instead of announcing cutbacks. I have enough miles for several plane tickets and would rather see them go in the trash than to flight this defunct airlines. I recently had the joy of experiencing Jet Blue and let me tell you this folks, regardless of their past delay experiences during the spring ice storms in NY, have customer service down!!! I heard you can use miles to buy goods, but all I keep seeing is how to earn more miles, has anyone a clue as how I can rid myself of this miles and trade them in for some useful goods?

Labels: AA, American Airlines, flight, Jet Blue, planes

Google introduce Street Views

I was just browsing around looking for a street address on Google Maps, my destination for driving directions, etc., when I saw today that there's a new feature added named Street View.

I proceeded to play around with it and although only a few locations are available, I can see this being a great feature, once it goes global, specifically when you look at it from the Web designer's perspective where it can be used to create customs directions to any location and provide a picture of what the final destination is like. I can see many of my clients wanting this so that customers can find their way to the business fully knowing what the place looks like.

I can also see what the buzz is about in regards to privacy as the images do capture people in the streets. However, streets are public domain and if you just don't want your photograph to be taken then don't go out on the streets. After all there are a multitude of satellites rooming outer space constantly snapping photos and monitoring. My heart goes out especially to all those conspiracy theories out there who only see the man oppressing us down, total nonsense. Those folks are the first to cry out freedom of speech when it suits them, so understand that photograph are also a form of speech and Google is only looking to provide for the greater good.

The bottom line is that Google is constantly innovating for the public via its arsenal of free tools. It's time we provide them with the support and respect they have earned and keep them motivated towards providing for the general good of the public. Thanks Google!!!

Labels: Freedom of Speech, gadgets, Google, maps