Tech Storm

Kodak C1530

2012-02-10T02:16:00.001-06:00

Flickr Tags: review,digital,photography,picture,pic,kodak,kodak easyshare software,c1530,megapixil

Review—Kodak C1530 Digital Camera

Kodak, one of the oldest photography companies still around, doesn’t always hit the highest marks of quality, but they’re nothing to snub you nose at.

Today I’m reviewing a Kodak C1530. This camera has been out for several months. This is the second Kodak I’ve had the opportunity to review.

The first thing I noticed was how lite it is. weighing in at 6.4 oz. (with the batteries in). I purchased a small belt pouch for it, and I could hardly tell I had it. But don’t sell the compact cam short. With 14 million pixels, 3” LCD display, and 3(x) optical zoom, it’s far from a disposable.

Pros: This camera is very fast. If you are snapping pics of children this camera is great. Easy Share® button make sharing to social networks a breeze. In-camera tagging and named [face recognition]. It has a fully functional ‘dummy proof’ , or Smart Capture® mode. A literal point and shoot that won’t let you mess up. It still gives you some manual functions if you decide to use them, if you a bit more seasoned photographer. It’s very lite and compact.

Cons: It only has 3x optical zoom, but it’s reflected in the price. Menu options take some getting used to. Not loaded with tools, aimed at people who want good looking shots and not have to change anything (this could be a plus to some)

1000 Views

2012-02-07T14:12:00.001-06:00

Celebrating 1000 views!

1000

VIEW SLIDE SHOW

DOWNLOAD ALL

This is a wonderful milestone, and I hope everyone is getting something interesting and useful out of our Tech Storm technology blog. I would love to read comments on how I can improve on Tech Storm.

What would you like to see, how can the blog be more readable….what topics would you like to know about; anything tech, from TV’s, to PC’s, Cell phones and anything with a microchip.

I’ve changed the layout a bit, and added about 50 fun new add-ons that will be used in the following posts. Please show your ongoing support by following Tech Storm through Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linked-In, or any of your favorite social networking sites --and please visit our sponsors ads which make this blog possible.

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Thank you everyone for supporting Tech Storm

Flickr Tags: celebrate,1000,views,blog,tech,technology,addon

WINDOWS PHONE

2012-02-07T12:00:00.000-06:00

Window’s Phone

I’ve written a good bit about Apple’s IPhone and the open sourced Linux based Android phones, but I had a friend of mine demanding they did NOT want a Microsoft IPhone or and Microsoft Igadgets.

This made me realize that even though Microsoft is not at the top of the mobile world, their still running the race. Of course most of my readers know that the IPhone is of course Apple’s, but the MS Windows phones are out there in every carrier.

Windows based mobile phones are very functional and user friendly, and of course PC friendly. If you’re trying to decide on a smart phone, list the things you want it to do for you, then start your search. You might be surprised.

emostorm

Flickr Tags: windows,mobile,phone,cell,marketing,android,apple,iphone

Google Music

2012-02-07T05:30:00.000-06:00

Today's cup of tech is about Google Music, Google's new music toy. If you go to the site, which as most of you have probably deciphered, Google Music is out of beta and available to the public. This online app is pretty well put together, and expected. Everything seems to be transitioning to online apps instead of on PC apps. This fits the cell phone operating systems as well as Pads. It also fits online based operating systems on your PC, such as Jolicloud and Google Chromium, which seem to be much faster. In fact as I dabbled through through Google Music's controls, the only think that slowed it down was other programs running simultaneously.

emostorm

Just Cloud

2012-02-06T22:04:00.000-06:00

Frequently on Tech Storm I’ll write reviews on anything from apps to gadgets, phones to cable. Today I’m reviewing an add-on, or extension, from the Chrome Webstore called ‘JustCloud’.

JustCloud uses a small desktop application to backup all of your computers files to the cloud. It promises the world, and at a pretty reasonable rate, but free?

I installed the software and opened the app and BOOM, my trial had expired! I’ve had the app maybe 10 seconds! Ahhh, but if you give more info and post their ad on your Facebook, you get a year free. Free year to backup 15 mb of your data. Wait a minute, 15MB! That’s like 3 songs.

But there’s more, get 2 friends to sign up and you get unlimited backup. READ the fine print. Just below that it says “get 2 paying referrals for unlimited backup”.

Welcome to substandard internet marketing

emostorm

Flickr Tags: cloud,justcloud,backup,addon,extension

Free EBook on Webpage Marketing by Google

2012-02-06T00:45:00.000-06:00

Technorati Tags: e-book,e-books,ebook,ebooks,free,webpage,marketing,google,hubspot

Google and Hub spot have got together and have a free e-book on online marketing than I thought might interest some of the readers in this Genre. Enjoy, I’m about to.

emostorm

http://go.hubspot.com/typ-8-google-tools/?guid=8123cea8-02d6-4bef-ba07-af8224160c10&submissionGuid=b76a1ec0-c9e4-4842-8890-858270fef0d4

Hot Apps ed1

2012-02-01T22:40:00.001-06:00

You just can’t have a tech blog without including apps. For edition 1 I’ve decided to write on Cellular apps. I keep up with all cell phone makers/carriers, but my favorite battle, is between two operating systems./Apple IPhone(IOS) and Android(SDK). According to Jason Hiner of ‘Tech Republic’, the top 20 most useful:

Android apps:

IPhone Apps

Ok, from the apps I see:

Google: G+, Google sky map, Gmail, Google talk, “ chat, “reader”, “docs”, “calendar”, “ market, Google Music, “ goggles– yep, all Google, all good apps.

Safari, Firefox- well know browsers. Then an array of other apps.

What’s the difference. Closed source vs. Open Source, easy vs. selection and quantity. I have both phones, and have used the same apps (some of them) on both. It’s easier to find IPhone apps once you get them on the phone, which is harder. IPhone apps are much more likely to cost money. You have to sign into an IPhone with a credit card, Android…a Gmail address. IPhone tends to run some apps more smoothly, but many times with less features.

SIRI: I have to talk about Siri. Apple's big AI claim to fame. COPIED, as are many apps, from Vlingo, which has been out for years, and has many more features on Android. Good lists, and I hope you enjoyed the spin. Keep trying Apple.

I’d like to hear your opinion; have you used any of these apps and did you like one especially well?

emostorm

Youngest female Microsoft Certified Professional dies at 16 | Microsoft - CNET News

2012-01-27T01:00:00.001-06:00

TechStorm

Youngest female Microsoft Certified Professional dies at 16 | Microsoft - CNET News:

'via Blog this'

You've gotta solute someone with so much ambition. Just heartwarming, and heartbreaking at the same time. d

Wikipedia, Google blackout sites to protest SOPA | Privacy Inc. - CNET News

2012-01-27T00:59:00.001-06:00

Wikipedia, Google blackout sites to protest SOPA | Privacy Inc. - CNET News:

'via Blog this'

Skype - The Big Blog - Sony Announces New Wi-Fi® enabled Bloggie Live™ HD Camera, featuring Qik™ Video from Skype™

2012-01-27T00:59:00.000-06:00

Skype - The Big Blog - Sony Announces New Wi-Fi® enabled Bloggie Live™ HD Camera, featuring Qik™ Video from Skype™:

'via Blog this'
Yep, it’s a mouthful. Basically what this is, is an attempt to bring people closer by making video chat more easily accessible to everyone. No 300 dollar base phones needed or super complicated PC software.

Another interesting thing is that there’s no need for the other party to watch live, they can watch the prerecorded video of there grandkid’s football game at there convenience, with the video stored in the Cloud
d

What is 4K? Next-generation resolution explained | TV and Home Theater - CNET Reviews

2012-01-25T13:37:00.000-06:00

What is 4K? Next-generation resolution explained | TV and Home Theater - CNET Reviews:

'via Blog this'

Here’s the low down on the new 4k format. It’s said to be “the last format you’ll every need”. Ok, I doubt it, but we’ll go with that. It’s 4 times the definition of 1080i, and will be available next year. d

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2012-01-21T12:37:00.001-06:00

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Bandwidth

2011-12-29T17:38:00.001-06:00

Internet speeds and bandwidths are getting faster and larger quickly in this area. Data is still unlimited, and doesn't seem to be changing on the hardline. Mobile broadband however is a different story. Verizon has limited their phone plans to 2 and 4 gig plans and aircards at 5. At 3g speeds of 1.5m/s and 4g at 10m/s, these limits are reasonable for now, but next year with Verizon's proposed release of LTE (Long Term Evolution), speeds are estimated close to 100m/s: what then? How fast is your mobile or hardline connection, and how much data do you consume a month?
Only one thing is constant in the digital world and that is change. I'm interested to hear if these variables are different geographically, and welcome your comments.
Doug

The best test sites I've found are:

Speakeasy.com or google search speakeasy speed test
Toast.net
and
Speedtest.net

Picasa 3.9 and Google+ - a social network slash weekend photographers dream

2011-12-18T01:12:00.000-06:00

Picasa:

'via Blog this'

With the release of Google's Picasa 3.9 photo editor, Picasa 3.9, pictures can be transferred and shared via social networking and back seamlessly. One click in Picasa to import from your SD card and another to share on your Google+ stream (which your already signed into) with Picasa online albums making the middle of the digital sandwich. As with most things, especially concerning Google, even "creatures of habit" find out about the programs that work well like this, because people talk, and information is a dime a library. Throw in some new editing tools and Picasa makes the best, free, digital photographic editing social sharing sandwich.
doug

2011-09-15T10:39:00.004-06:00

Technology, as life it seems, is not without a since of irony. I wright a couple of techblogs, and just as it seems you staying ahead of the curve, you find out your on the wrong road. Chrome has been my browser of choice for a while, but on my latest job, using their software doesn't seem to mesh. Should I start back at the basics? The Chrome Explorer Tab add on is my next course of action.

Tech Storm in a crunch

Speed up your computer with your keychain

2011-08-23T13:40:00.000-06:00

ReadyBoost - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I've decided to postpone the 'Sunc' series for a bit, because of so much information changing right now. And that's what the internet is, 'and exchange of information over multiple computers...' .

I've decided to do this edition on Ready Boost. This is a very useful tool by Windows that is widely underutilized. Readyboost is simply this: periferal devices such as thumbdrives (flashdrives) and SD cards, can be used to speed up your computer. I named this post "...with your keychain" because many people keep their flashdrives there.

The PC (this only works on Windows) uses cache files and normally puts them on your harddrive...which is very slow. If you right click your flash drive or other device and go to properties you will see a Ready Boost tab. Use your device, or part of your devices memory for Ready Boost, and your PC will put these cache file here, where it can retrieve them much faster. Most of the time on flash drives your PC will ask you when you first put it into the machine.

Google Music

2011-08-22T17:04:00.000-06:00

Today's cup of tech is about Google Music, Google's new music toy. If you go to the site, which as most of you have probably decifered, 'music.google.com', it will probably say you need an invite, because it's still in beta. This online app is pretty well put together, and expected. Everything seems to be going online. This fits the cell phone operating systems as well as Pads. It also fits online based operating systems on your PC, such as Jolicloud and Google Chromium, which seem to be much faster. In fact as I dabbled through through Google Music's controls, the only think that slowed it down was other programs running simultaneously. If you'd like an invite I have 4, just msg me.

Jolicloud

2011-08-16T22:43:00.000-06:00

Jolicloud

This little find can be big if the editors can get it out there. Jolicloud...a free version, still in beta, but already available. This app imitates what Google Chromium or Chrome Books claim to be. I have yet to find an easy way to try out Chrome-books, but Jolicloud can be ran right from your browser. If you like it, you can install it on your PC for dual-boot (boot to Windows or Jolicloud at startup). I tried this and it didn't work (still beta). You can install it on a Flash Drive and retool start-up to start off of your Flashdrive to run Jolicloud. Or if you Really like it, you can replace Windows with it. I wouldn't recommend this yet; it's a bit too soon. But some great looking ideas. Try it out as a Chrome extension at the Chrome Store.

I'll give it this, it has achieved it's number 1 goal. IT'S FAST.

Advanced SystemCare Free 4 Download Review for Windows XP/Vista/7 - IObit

2011-08-11T02:08:00.000-06:00

Advanced SystemCare Free 4 Download Review for Windows XP/Vista/7 - IObit

Advanced SystemCare 4, the latest in PC..fixits, cleanits, findits, and just plain speed its, has again taken the top download spot for PC improving software. On top of it's superior performance, it's super easy to use. It has over 20 tools that fix everyday errors and clean things most people didn't even know was in their PC. It also bosts two 1-click cleaners: fast clean and deep clean, but don't just take my word for it. It has a full functioning free edition, with only a few parts that you need 'pro' to use.

Google Groups

2011-07-31T19:17:00.000-06:00

I've recently been searching around the web for new ideas and info, which is pretty much what the web is. I delved into 'groups', which unlike blogs, participation is required. I looked up a couple of Google Groups, being that Google is usually my jumping off point for most things, and was very disappointed. Lots of misleading titles and ads everywhere. I've linked this post to Google's changes proposed to the 'Groups' section. Hopefully this will turn into something worthwile.

Best Specialized Search

2011-07-23T17:54:00.001-06:00

Search ‘engines’ are becoming specialized, so you can get to the information your looking for more quickly and efficiently. I came across one a

Flickr Tags: search,custom,google,find,wdyl,new

couple of days ago that knocked my socks off. Try it out.

www.wdyl.com

Stands for What Do You Love, by Google. Type in the word monkey, and you’ll see what I mean.

-have fun

-d

+emostorm

2011-07-21T16:15:00.001-06:00

More info on Google Plus - very interesting for those concerned with privacy. Facebook Versus Google Plus

And some exciting news. I received an invite into

I'm not sure ho w many people I can invite, due to the fact it's not officially publicly released.Google was letting the few that started with accounts to invite all they wanted, but G+ was spreading so fast Google's Servers couldn't keep up!! If you want an invite, follow my blog: you can do this by clicking

The ‘Follow’ button at the top, and/or follow by email .

After that, send me a request, and I’ll send you an invite (as many as I have until they’re gone. This new social networking experiment is very fun. Post to predetermined circles only, like friends, or family, or coworkers, or post to the stream (all friends).

Google noticed many people were using FB as their man picture handler, viewer etc., and incorporated and to download, and use cloud based (online) picture storage and editing. I’m just getting started reviewing this product, so till next time

-d

Flickr Tags: google+,google plus project,google plus,social networking,invite,exclusive,privacy,competition,networking

Face who?

2011-07-19T18:00:00.000-06:00

As MySpace seems to be going the way of the dinosaurs, Facebook has some real competition – and it’s not even released yet. The Google Plus project is in the hands of a select few, and can give invites to who they want, and these invites are coveted.

Flickr Tags: google,google plus,google plus project,google +,google+,social networking,facebook

Why are people so hyped up about the new social network? Google has a social network right now called Orkut, which is basically the same as Facebook, but not much completion because everyone else is still on Facebook.
Good marketing, limited supply, and a sleek new design have people confident that their friends will join as well. Most of us who use Facebook utilize it’s picture sharing capability more that any of the other apps FB offers. Google took this a step further with their already user friendly downloadable software – Picasa.
The other biggest factor I believe, as do many, that Google Plus will be a real competitor – IT’S NOT FACEBOOK

-d

PC, or should I say Online basics for the new generation of tech

2011-07-16T16:36:00.001-06:00

Flickr Tags: online,browser,browsers,google,google apps,live,live apps,microsoft,firefox,PC,internet

Google Rebranding Blogger and Picassa

2011-07-09T15:11:00.000-06:00

Accroding to CNET (r) Google is planning to rebrand two of its most popular services, Mashable is reporting.Citing anonymous sources, the social-media blog said Google is planning to change the names of its Picasa photo management service and its Blogger blog platform to Google Photos and Google Blogs, respectively.
Google acquired Picasa in 2004 for an undisclosed sum. Its technology, which can be downloaded or used online, helps users edit and manage photos. In 2003, Google acquired Blogger owner Pyra Labs for an undisclosed sum.
According to Mashable, Google's decision to rebrand Picasa and Blogger is the result of its desire to "unify its brand" ahead of the public launch of its new social project, Google+. The search company already has several services that use its Google branding, including Google Docs and Google Apps.
Although Google reportedly plans to rebrand Picasa and Blogger in the next four to six weeks, it's worth noting that Mashable's sources said Google has no plans to rename YouTube, even though it doesn't have "Google" in its name. The search company previously offered a Google Video service but shut that down earlier this year.
Google declined CNET's request to comment on Mashable's report.

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