If you're like me, you get your news online. It's more convenient than a newspaper. It's there when you need it, and you don't get ink on your fingers.
But, as with a lot of things, there is a downside to online news. You don't always get the classified ads. Sure, some online newspapers have a classifieds section.
But in larger cities, there are numerous papers that run ads. And tracking the ads down on different sites can be tedious.
If you want an easy way to search your local classifieds, visit Oodle. It is a search site dedicated to classifieds. It gathers them from local papers and puts them in one convenient place!
TO VISIT TODAY'S COOL SITE, GO HERE: www.oodle.com
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Hungry Pioneers Take A Wrong Turn
A wagon train was lost and low on food. But the pioneers saw an old Norwegian man sitting beneath a tree. "Is there some place ahead where we can get food?" "I think so," he said. "But don't go over that hill. Someone told me there's a bacon tree over there."
The lead pioneer went back and told the others what the man said. They decided to ignore the man's advice and go over the hill. Suddenly, Indians attacked them. Only the leader survived. He told the old man what happened.
The man picked up an English-Norwegian dictionary and thumbed through it. "Oh, I made a big mistake! It wasn't a bacon tree. It was a ham bush."
The lead pioneer went back and told the others what the man said. They decided to ignore the man's advice and go over the hill. Suddenly, Indians attacked them. Only the leader survived. He told the old man what happened.
The man picked up an English-Norwegian dictionary and thumbed through it. "Oh, I made a big mistake! It wasn't a bacon tree. It was a ham bush."
Kim Komando Q&A: "Buying DLSR camera lenses"
QUESTION: My wife bought me a digital SLR for Christmas. She doesn't know much about lenses, so she didn't buy one. I'm trying to decide what lenses I should buy. I want a general-purpose zoom lens. I don't need a really powerful zoom at this point, though. I'm also thinking about buying a wide-angle lens. Can you help me out?
Steve in Joliet, IL, listening on WLS 890 AM
ANSWER: Digital SLRs are becoming increasingly popular. So I bet more and more people will face this question. And it can be a confusing situation. With a 35mm film camera, choosing a lens is fairly simple. A 35mm lens captures images as you see them. Shorter lenses take wide-angle pictures. For example, 28mm, 24mm and 20mm are common focal lengths for wide-angle lenses.
Lenses with focal lengths greater than 35mm are telephoto lenses. They allow you to take close-up photos without getting closer to your subject.
Unfortunately, choosing lenses for a digital SLR is more complicated. That's because the sensor that captures images is usually smaller than a frame of 35mm film. Lenses, on the other hand, are still labeled for 35mm film cameras. That is, unless you buy a digital-specific lens. I see few of these advertised.
Because digital sensors are smaller than film frames, images are magnified. This is called field of view crop.
Field of view crop is also called the focal length multiplier or multiplication factor. Common values for field of view crop range from 1.3 to 2. You multiply a lens' focal length by the multiplier to determine its 35mm equivalent.
Finding the focal length multiplier can be difficult. For my camera, I found it on a camera review site on the Internet.
Say, for example, your camera sensor's field of view crop is 1.5. A 50mm lens will give you a focal length of 75mm.
With a digital SLR, you'll probably want lenses with shorter focal lengths. This is particularly true when it comes to wide-angle lenses. On a digital, 28mm and 24mm lenses may not produce wide-angle photos.
When you look at lenses, you'll see two different types: fixed-length and zoom. Don't confuse zoom lenses with telephoto lenses. Zoom simply means that the barrel of the lens extends to change the focal length. You'll find both wide-angle and telephoto zoom lenses.
Which is better? A zoom lens will give you more versatility; it is also cheaper than buying many different lenses. But some people believe zoom results are less crisp.
If you're just starting out, I'd recommend a standard zoom lens. About 28-105mm is good for beginners. This allows you to take pictures from a variety of perspectives. Of course, you'll probably miss out on wide-angle shots.
If you like to take landscapes, pick up a wide-angle lens. A focal length shorter than 16mm will give you the fisheye effect, though. This distorts the image, causing it to curve around the edges.
When you pick out a lens, you'll also see f-numbers. They refer to aperture, or how wide the lens opens. Aperture affects shutter speeds and field of view.
F-numbers are confusing; they're really a fraction, but rarely expressed that way. You'll see lenses labeled f/2.8-4, for example. This means it has aperture openings ranging from 1/2.8 to 4.
A large f-number gives you a wide depth of field. Shutter speeds are slower, as the aperture doesn't open very far. Small f-numbers give you a shallow field of view and fast shutter times.
Ideally, the lens should have a wide range when it comes to f-numbers. But it is more important to have a lens with a small f-number (for example 1/1.4 as opposed to 1/2.8). The smallest f-number is often referred to as the lens' speed. That's because it will dictate the fastest shutter speed you can get with the lens.
And finally, make sure the lens will fit your camera. Manufacturers such as Tamron and Sigma make lenses that fit other manufacturers' cameras. If you buy a third-party lens, make sure it is compatible.
I would spend a little more for a lens made by the camera manufacturer. You shouldn't have compatibility issues, and all the features should work. And, if you have problems, you only have to deal with one company.
If you're thinking about upgrading to a digital SLR, check out my buying guide.
You may be able to use lenses from your old film SLR. I have a tip that covers what you need to know.
Still using a point-and-shoot camera? You can also add lenses to it.
Steve in Joliet, IL, listening on WLS 890 AM
ANSWER: Digital SLRs are becoming increasingly popular. So I bet more and more people will face this question. And it can be a confusing situation. With a 35mm film camera, choosing a lens is fairly simple. A 35mm lens captures images as you see them. Shorter lenses take wide-angle pictures. For example, 28mm, 24mm and 20mm are common focal lengths for wide-angle lenses.
Lenses with focal lengths greater than 35mm are telephoto lenses. They allow you to take close-up photos without getting closer to your subject.
Unfortunately, choosing lenses for a digital SLR is more complicated. That's because the sensor that captures images is usually smaller than a frame of 35mm film. Lenses, on the other hand, are still labeled for 35mm film cameras. That is, unless you buy a digital-specific lens. I see few of these advertised.
Because digital sensors are smaller than film frames, images are magnified. This is called field of view crop.
Field of view crop is also called the focal length multiplier or multiplication factor. Common values for field of view crop range from 1.3 to 2. You multiply a lens' focal length by the multiplier to determine its 35mm equivalent.
Finding the focal length multiplier can be difficult. For my camera, I found it on a camera review site on the Internet.
Say, for example, your camera sensor's field of view crop is 1.5. A 50mm lens will give you a focal length of 75mm.
With a digital SLR, you'll probably want lenses with shorter focal lengths. This is particularly true when it comes to wide-angle lenses. On a digital, 28mm and 24mm lenses may not produce wide-angle photos.
When you look at lenses, you'll see two different types: fixed-length and zoom. Don't confuse zoom lenses with telephoto lenses. Zoom simply means that the barrel of the lens extends to change the focal length. You'll find both wide-angle and telephoto zoom lenses.
Which is better? A zoom lens will give you more versatility; it is also cheaper than buying many different lenses. But some people believe zoom results are less crisp.
If you're just starting out, I'd recommend a standard zoom lens. About 28-105mm is good for beginners. This allows you to take pictures from a variety of perspectives. Of course, you'll probably miss out on wide-angle shots.
If you like to take landscapes, pick up a wide-angle lens. A focal length shorter than 16mm will give you the fisheye effect, though. This distorts the image, causing it to curve around the edges.
When you pick out a lens, you'll also see f-numbers. They refer to aperture, or how wide the lens opens. Aperture affects shutter speeds and field of view.
F-numbers are confusing; they're really a fraction, but rarely expressed that way. You'll see lenses labeled f/2.8-4, for example. This means it has aperture openings ranging from 1/2.8 to 4.
A large f-number gives you a wide depth of field. Shutter speeds are slower, as the aperture doesn't open very far. Small f-numbers give you a shallow field of view and fast shutter times.
Ideally, the lens should have a wide range when it comes to f-numbers. But it is more important to have a lens with a small f-number (for example 1/1.4 as opposed to 1/2.8). The smallest f-number is often referred to as the lens' speed. That's because it will dictate the fastest shutter speed you can get with the lens.
And finally, make sure the lens will fit your camera. Manufacturers such as Tamron and Sigma make lenses that fit other manufacturers' cameras. If you buy a third-party lens, make sure it is compatible.
I would spend a little more for a lens made by the camera manufacturer. You shouldn't have compatibility issues, and all the features should work. And, if you have problems, you only have to deal with one company.
If you're thinking about upgrading to a digital SLR, check out my buying guide.
You may be able to use lenses from your old film SLR. I have a tip that covers what you need to know.
Still using a point-and-shoot camera? You can also add lenses to it.
Lauren goes horseback riding!!
Sienna Stables
Originally uploaded by JetMan777.
Lauren got to spend the day horseback riding - an all day camp on Fri Dec 29 at Sienna Stables.
How to help adult kids stand on their own two financial feet
“If your child is buying a better car than you or taking better trips, it's time for them to move out.”
http://money.cnn.com/2006/12/29/magazines/moneymag/boomerangkids.moneymag/index.htm?section=magazines_moneymag
http://money.cnn.com/2006/12/29/magazines/moneymag/boomerangkids.moneymag/index.htm?section=magazines_moneymag
Aviation History - Charlie Brown's Story
Charlie Brown was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot with the 379th Bomber Group at Kimbolton, England. His B-17 was called 'Ye Old Pub' and was in a terrible state, having been hit by flak and fighters. The compass was damaged and they were flying deeper over enemy territory instead of heading home to Kimbolton.After flying over an enemy airfield, a pilot named Franz Steigler was ordered to take off and shoot down the B-17. When he got near the B-17, he could not believe his eyes. In his words, he 'had never seen a plane in such a bad state'. The tail and rear section was severely damaged, and the tail gunner wounded. The top gunner was all over the top of the fuselage. The nose was smashed and there were holes everywhere.
Despite having ammunition, Franz flew to the side of the B-17 and looked at Charlie Brown, the pilot. Brown was scared and struggling to control his damaged and blood-stained plane.
Aware that they had no idea where they were going, Franz waved at Charlie to turn 180 degrees. Franz escorted and guided the stricken plane to and slightly over the North Sea towards England. He then saluted Charlie Brown and turned away, back to Europe.
When Franz landed he told the c/o that the plane had been shot down over the sea, and never told the truth to anybody. Charlie Brown and the remains of his crew told all at their briefing, but were ordered never to talk about it.
More than 40 years later, Charlie Brown wanted to find the Luftwaffe pilot who saved the crew. After years of research, Franz was found. He had never talked about the incident, not even at post-war reunions.
They met in the USA at a 379th Bomber Group reunion, together with 25 people who are alive now - all because Franz never fired his guns that day.
Research shows that Charlie Brown lived in Seattle and Franz Steigler had moved to Vancouver, BC after the war. When they finally met, they discovered they had lived less than 200 miles apart for the past
50 years!!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Sienna Stables Training Arena
Sienna Stables Training Arena
Originally uploaded by JetMan777.
Lauren starts her riding lessons today!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Runaway alarm clock debuts
Get one at www.nandahome.com
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Fly through Google Maps
From Kim Komando's "Today's Cool Site" (www.komando.com)
I'm a big fan of Google's mapping site. It's a great way to find driving directions and the location of businesses.
But, the real draw for me is the satellite imagery. You can zoom in on countries and cities all over the globe.
Fortunately for us, Google lets other sites use its mapping software, along with its satellite images. Take Goggles, for example. It's a flight simulation game.
It may be simple in its design – there aren't a lot of complicated controls. But it is fun to fly a plane over London, the moon or even Mars.
I had a lot of fun exploring cities across the world by taking an aerial tour. I'm sure you'll find this game as fun as I did!
http://www.isoma.net/games/goggles.html
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Is It Raining or Snowing?
A couple was walking down the street in Moscow. The man felt something hit his nose. He turned to his wife and said, "I think it's raining." "No," she replied. "That was snow." They started to argue about it, but then they saw a communist party official walking towards them. So the husband asked him, "Comrade Rudolph, is it raining or is it snowing?" "It's raining," he said, and continued walking. Still, the woman insisted it was snow. The man quickly replied, "Rudolph the red knows rain, dear.”
Kim Komando: "Move Photos From Your Phone To PC Via Bluetooth"
Jay wrote in to ask about USB Bluetooth adapters. He has a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone. He wants to transfer pictures from the phone to the computer. He wants to know if a Bluetooth adapter (or dongle, as they're properly called) will work.
The answer is yes and maybe. Bluetooth is a wireless technology similar to Wi-Fi. However, it is generally used for connecting personal gadgets. It has a much shorter range. It is ideal for Jay's situation.
Bluetooth accessories should all be compatible with one another. I've never encountered problems connecting Bluetooth gadgets. However, there have been reports of compatibility issues.
Also, some cellular providers have been known to disable Bluetooth features on phones. They do this because they don't want you to be able to transfer your photos to your computer. They want you to pay to use their download service.
Before you buy a USB dongle, check with your service provider to see if Bluetooth transfer is enabled. If so, go ahead and buy a dongle. They're fairly cheap online. And I've seen them for about $15 at my local electronics store.
The answer is yes and maybe. Bluetooth is a wireless technology similar to Wi-Fi. However, it is generally used for connecting personal gadgets. It has a much shorter range. It is ideal for Jay's situation.
Bluetooth accessories should all be compatible with one another. I've never encountered problems connecting Bluetooth gadgets. However, there have been reports of compatibility issues.
Also, some cellular providers have been known to disable Bluetooth features on phones. They do this because they don't want you to be able to transfer your photos to your computer. They want you to pay to use their download service.
Before you buy a USB dongle, check with your service provider to see if Bluetooth transfer is enabled. If so, go ahead and buy a dongle. They're fairly cheap online. And I've seen them for about $15 at my local electronics store.
Kim Komando - Today's Cool Site: "Need a human?"
Unfortunately, many companies' customer service departments are lacking. In the drive for profit, they often overlook the customer.
One way they can cut profits is to scale back their call centers. Instead, they opt for self-service telephone systems. I like to refer to this as voice jail. You get trapped in menus with no hope of talking to a real person.
No doubt today you'll have plenty of questions about your gifts. You may need some help figuring out how something works. Hopefully, though, you won't be needing any help with repairs.
Anyway, before you call the customer service number on the back of the box, visit Gethuman. It features a database of companies. For each one, you'll find the secret for getting to a live person.
TO VISIT TODAY'S COOL SITE, GO HERE:
www.gethuman.com
One way they can cut profits is to scale back their call centers. Instead, they opt for self-service telephone systems. I like to refer to this as voice jail. You get trapped in menus with no hope of talking to a real person.
No doubt today you'll have plenty of questions about your gifts. You may need some help figuring out how something works. Hopefully, though, you won't be needing any help with repairs.
Anyway, before you call the customer service number on the back of the box, visit Gethuman. It features a database of companies. For each one, you'll find the secret for getting to a live person.
TO VISIT TODAY'S COOL SITE, GO HERE:
www.gethuman.com
Holiday Eating Tips
| 1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're 6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
|
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Retailers in the Christmas spirit
Oh, isn’t this nice.
Bust a cap in your tree with this super glittery ornament in the shape of a handgun, complete with a satin ribbon for hanging.
Bust a cap in your tree with this super glittery ornament in the shape of a handgun, complete with a satin ribbon for hanging.Due to overwhelming popularity, this item has sold out online. We're sorry for the inconvenience.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Joel & Victoria Osteen on Larry King Live TONIGHT
Joel Osteen: He's the "smiling preacher" who leads E-mail your questions for Joel Osteen!
Show details at http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/
"Larry King Live" is CNN's longest-running interview program. Premiering in June 1985 with its now-famous mix of interviews and topical discussions, the show features guests from across the gamut of business, entertainment and politics. Across the nation and around the world, viewers have made "Larry King Live" a part of their nightly television routine. Telecast each weeknight at 9 p.m. ET, the program also features phone calls from viewers around the globe. CNN's "Larry King Weekend" airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Santa Groaner
As you know, it is very important for Santa and his reindeer to be very quiet when they deliver presents on Christmas Eve so no one will know they are there. One Christmas Eve as Santa Claus landed on a rooftop, he suddenly heard a very loud "Snort sniff honk honk snort!" coming from one of his reindeer.
Since he was in the sleigh behind them, he didn't know which one it was. It happened again, only louder this time: "Snort sniff honk honk snort!"
Dogs in the neighborhood began to bark. "Shhh!" Santa hissed. "Please be quiet!"
He went to work lifting the sack of toys out of the sleigh when he heard it again, only a lot louder this time. "SNORT SNIFF HONK HONK SNORT!" Lights came on all over the neighborhood and some people even stuck their heads out of their windows.
Santa was horrified. Jumping back into the sleigh, he drove quickly back to the North Pole. He lined up all the reindeer and announced, "We are not going to deliver another present until the reindeer who is making funny noises with his nose steps forward and apologizes!"
None of the reindeer stepped forward.
Santa held up a piece of paper. "I know who it is, and I have written your name on this paper. But I want to give you a chance to do the right thing on your own."
Still none of the reindeer came forward. So Santa did the only thing he could do. Read off the rude-nosed reindeer...
Monday, December 18, 2006
An Amateur With Real Talent
(from Kim Komando)
Lasse Gjertsen has made a real splash on YouTube. He's created a stunning music video featuring himself on drums and piano. He's titled the video Amateur, which is a bit of an overstatement: He doesn't know how to play either the piano or the drums.
But it is clear that Lasse is very talented. The music sounds excellent. But it is his method of creating the music that is most surprising. He rearranged video clips of himself banging the drums or tinkering with the piano. Hmmm, creating music through video editing? You've got to see (and hear) it to believe it!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
CBS, Charlie Sheen bash Christ, Christmas and Christians
Charlie Sheen makes Joy to the World into a cheap sex song
CBS and actor Charlie Sheen have used the Christmas season to ridicule and mock Christ, Christmas and Christians. CBS approved actor Charlie Sheen’s vulgar adaptation of a favorite Christian Christmas carol. On the December 11 program, the network included in their Two and a Half Men an episode featuring Sheen singing about his sexual activity to the tune of the traditional Christmas hymn "Joy to the World."
CBS and Sheen knew that the lyrics would greatly offend Christians, but did not hesitate to air them.
Click here to see the episode on CBS.
The episode opens with series star Charlie (Sheen) singing:
“Joy to the world, I’m getting laid; I’m getting laid tonight. We’ll light the yule log, deck the halls, and then we’ll play some jingle balls. It’s been a real long wait – this is our second date! It’s Christmas Eve and I’m getting laid.”
His housekeeper/cook comes in and asks:
“Hey, I’m mixing up the egg nog. You want this broad lit up or just slightly glowing?” “Well,” Charlie says, “let’s see, we’re celebrating peace on earth and good will towards all mankind, so let’s get ‘er plowed!” “Hallelujah!” says the cook.
Charlie returns to singing, “Glo-oh-oh-oh-oh-ria, tonight I’m boinking Gloria!” CBS punctuates every single line with a laugh track.
Take Action |
| Such actions send a signal from CBS and |
Why We Homeschool...
Teacher accused of classroom assault
The parents of a junior high school student file a formal complaint against Magnolia ISD after a teacher allegedly struck their son in the face with a closed fist during art class. (Story)
Friday, December 15, 2006
Grandpa Green's Houston Photos
Grandpa Green just sent back some photos from his visit with us here in Houston:View album (1 of 84 pictures)
Thursday, December 14, 2006
A new airport for Houston!
Houston Executive Airport inks fuel contract with Chevron (Houston Business Journal)
Packing Tape and You
There you are. All that free time. All that packing tape.
What are you going to do now?
But oh wait! There's more....
Rover
What are you going to do now?
But oh wait! There's more....
- More
- Even more
- Even more more
- Even more more more
- Even more more more more
- Even more more more more more
- Even more more more more more more
- Even more more more more more more more
- Even more more more more more more more more
- Even more more more more more more more more more
Rover
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Holy Crap!
Ah man -- I'll sure miss this guy!'Raymond' Dad, Peter Boyle, Dead at 71
Am I the only one that didn't know that he HE was the monster in Young Frankenstein?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
