Expressing Opinions

Do you have a DSLR camera? Do you get dust specks on your images? Even though I have handled my camera with extreme care when changing the lens, I have managed to get dust on the sensor. I checked into having the camera clean, but a local camera shop wanted $105 to clean it. I did some research and decided to do it myself, so I purchased my cleaning kit through Amazon for $33. The kit I bought came with instructions and enough supplies to do several sensor cleanings. And most importantly it was easy to do.

Now that I am on vacation I can appreciate not having those annoying dust specks and thus no longer need to Photshop the specks away. In case you are interested here is a link to Digital Camera Cleaning Kit w/SensorWand & Rocket Blower for Nikon and 1.6X Sensor on Amazon.

And no this is not a paid endorsement or referral. Thank you for visiting Expressing Opinions.

Cruising along off the coast.

Thank you for visiting Expressing Opinions.

I have used Adobe Photoshop for a long time. Many friends have shown interest, but in the end they do not want to spend the money or deal with the learning curve. Now it looks like Adobe is starting Web-based Photoshop Express, available for free with 2 gigabytes of storage at www.photoshop.com/express.

The MyPhotos page of Photoshop Express, a Web-based application for editing and sharing photos. (Image from Adobe)

Only time will tell how it stacks up with other services available on the web, but it is nice to see another choice available from a reputable company. You can read a full review of the application at Webware.

Thank you for visiting Expressing Opinions.

Here is another photo I came across today, this one is from the Seattle Times. The senior 777 pilot for Cathay Pacific Airways decided to do an unauthorized flyby with 50 to 60 people on board, one of the people on board was company Chairman Christopher Pratt. The pilot was fired.

You can go to YouTube to view the video which caused the pilot to lose his job.

Thank you for visiting Expressing Opinions.

This photo and caption is from the BBC’s Day in Pictures. When I saw it I thought the smog really made the blue in the photo stand out. That air is really dirty, I would not want to be an athlete competing in a city with such horrendous pollution.

Beijing’s National Aquatics Centre, known as the Water Cube, where swimming events will be staged during the Olympics, is seen lit up with the National Stadium in the background.Beijing’s National Aquatics Centre, known as the Water Cube, where swimming events will be staged during the Olympics, is seen lit up with the National Stadium in the background.

Thank you for visiting Expressing Opinions.

I guess the cab driver did not read the sign on the back of this truck.

How many of you have digital picture frames? Did you know the Insignia 10.4-inch photo frame has a virus built into it during the manufacturing process? During my morning reading I came across a posting on Engadget about the problem. Here is a portion of a memo Best Buy sent out to it’s stores regarding the problem.

Earlier this month, it came to our attention that some units of the Insignia 10.4-inch digital photo frame (SKU 8483866) have a known Trojan virus. This virus was pre-installed during the manufacturing process. It affects only Windows applications and will only be initiated if the digital picture frame is connected to a PC via a USB cable. Customers who have not connected the digital picture frame to a PC, or those who have updated anti-virus software should be fully protected.

While the virus is old and is easily removed from the picture frame by up-to-date anti-virus software, all units were pulled from shelves the first week of January as a precautionary measure to protect our customers. Those units will be returned via the standard warehouse send back process and the model is now discontinued. Once a solution has been tested and confirmed, a letter will be sent to customers who purchased the product. Geek Squad employees have instructions to resolve the issue in the meantime. If a customer returns one of these units to your store or has questions or concerns about a virus, please direct them to the Geek Squad. Please note: No other Insignia digital picture frame products are affected by this issue.

What kind of crap is, “Once a solution has been tested and confirmed, a letter will be sent to customers who purchased the product.” In the meantime you may have a virus on your computer and who knows what kind it is or what kind of damage it will cause? Do think Best Buy could be more pro-active and go public immediately?

So much for customer service! Thank you for visiting Expressing Opinions.