photo credit: Grel A

Watch the music video for Coffee & TV

About a month ago I gave up coffee and TV. For years I had been drinking 1 large coffee every morning M-F and it was delicious but I didn’t like feeling jittery and crashing in the afternoon. So I quit cold turkey, got some extra sleep the first week and started feeling better pretty quickly. Not waking up with caffeine withdrawal symptoms means not wanting to kill the world every morning and that’s a win for everybody.

The other prong in my plan was to replace Time Warner Cable TV with free Over-The-Air network TV via an antenna. I got a small indoor antenna which, according to Antennaweb.org, would allow me to pick up all the networks. But when I hooked it up I only got 1 channel… Telemundo!!! in stunning high definition.

So, I’ll be getting the DVD for the final season of LOST when that comes out. I hear the show is getting even crazier and fans are increasingly wondering how they’re going to tie it up. I have no doubt I want to finish what I started. It’s the same rationality that got GW re-elected in 2004. The war was already a crazy mess but the public wanted him to finish what he started. We know how that turned out.

Kidding aside, I’ve become quite fond of the characters and the storytelling in Lost. And as a David Lynch fan I don’t mind some loose ends as long as it’s a good ride getting there.

BTW, I put a new theme on the blog… what do you think?

Doughnut Plant

Humongous delicious awesome doughnuts and not just your typical flavors!  For something different try the peanut butter and jelly or the intensely sweet creme brulee.  The coconut doughnut tastes like fresh coconut and is the very best doughnut I’ve ever tasted, hands down.  This game changer is not to be missed!  End of story.

Kosar’s Bialys

I’m told my great grandparents lived in Białystok, Poland.  Here lies the oldest Bialy bakery in the US. You want a baguette? English muffin? Loaf of anything? Sorry.  Want a Bialy?  You got it!  I was here recently and the Bialy wasn’t bad but not as great as I remembered.  Even though the shop is under new ownership, it could have been a fluke.  Anway, until I find a better Bialy… it’s still awesome!

Pickle Guys

Pickle stores are awesome because they have so many kinds of delicious pickles!  Obviously.

photo credit: Desmond Kavanagh

Boardgames!  Tens of thousands of boardgames you’ve never even heard of!

There’s a sub culture of board game lovers who aren’t playing Monopoly or Scrabble.  Check out the top rated board games at boardgamegeek.  I just found out about this from my coworker, Phil.  He and his friends have a new board game to play pretty much every week.  w0000000000000!

You can change a BoltBus reservation!

I booked my return trip from Maryland for next Sunday and then remembered that I have Monday off for President’s Day.  Well it turns out you can change a BoltBus reservation by calling up customer service.   A $3 booking fee + $0.50 transaction fee later, you’re back in business  This is a nice surprise because Bolt started out with no phone number, non-transferable, non-refundable, etc.  Sure beats spending an additional $20-$25 on another bus ticket.  Try doing that on China-town-bus. #bolting!

Them doctors are crooked vultures!

This is not a sweeping generalization.  I like most doctors.  But somehow, the only people on this earth who I seem to have disputes with are certain specialist doctors.  I now know to question everything at the dermatology office on 57th street IF I go back there.

Vulture: “Would you like me to clean your pores while you are here?”

Me: “What does that entail?”

Vulture: “Oh, nothing much…I’ll just apply some pressure, it only takes a minute.”

[And then I bill your insurance $170 for "acne surgery", they pay part of it and we bill you for the rest... but I won't mention that part because I don't want to spoil the surprise]

When I cancelled my Time Warner Cable TV service last month I dropped off my cable box at the Time Warner Center on 23rd street.  Since that’s just up the block from Shake Shake, I had the opportunity to snag a delicious burger for lunch!  In the winter there’s almost no line whereas waiting 45 minutes is standard in the summertime.  They have outdoor space heaters so it’s not even that cold.

In addition, Madison Square park is home to some of the most fearless urban wildlife in the city.  All the little squirrels, rats and pigeons are so cracked out on shake shack leftovers, fear of humans is the last thing on their little critter minds.  I took this picture with my cell phone, no zoom, just got right up next to the furry French fry eater.

Now I’m just waiting for my Tuner Box to come in the mail so I can get Network TV over the air for free with an antenna.  That, along with Netflix should do the trick.

A couple of weeks ago my PC got a virus.   AVG Free didn’t detect anything suspicious but my web browsers were redirecting me to spammy sites.   MBAM (a free malware scanner) found something and removed it but my web experience was still funky so I reinstalled windows for peace of mind.

Since AVG let me down I decided to search for alternatives.  A lot of people in forums like Alwil Avast and Avira AntiVir.  A respected site for ratings of AV programs is http://www.av-comparatives.org/.  According to their reports the big brand guys like McAfee and Symantec (Norton) do not have very good detection rates. Apparently those companies are more skilled at marketing than they are at virus detection.  Avira has the best detection rates but also has a lot of false positives and I’ve read that the free version will nag you to upgrade.   Microsoft recently released its free Security Essentials product which looks like a solid option as well.

I decided to try Avast free.  Although its detection rates are less than Avira, it’s lightweight, doesn’t detect many false positives and doesn’t nag much.  When I ran a file scan, Avast detected the virus in a program I had recently executed before the infection, the one that AVG missed.   So far Avast has been great and my 5+ year old computer feels faster than ever.  I also haven’t reinstalled iTunes (that bloated behemoth), Java or Adobe Reader.  More on that later.

photo credit: somegeekintn

Ever wonder why Google’s GChat only has 12 kinds of emoticon buttons while Gmail has many more? Well, taking a page out of Skype’s playbook, GChat actually has a lot of hidden emoticons that you can employ by typing in certain combinations of characters.  Here’s the list of secret / hidden emoticons for GChat.

Here are the secret emoticons for Skype.  And here are hidden emoticons for Yahoo Messenger.

Top Entry Level DSLRs

photo credit: heliosphan

Comparing entry level DSLRs can be a daunting task. Here are some of the best choices on the market right now. Most if not all of these cameras are highly recommended by dpreview.com and other reviewers. Prices based on current street prices for new camera with kit lens (as of Dec 3, 2009).

• $440.00 – Nikon D40 (which is being discontinued and replaced by the D3000)
• $469.00 – Nikon D3000
• $569.95 – Canon Digital Rebel XSi (650D)
• $642.46 – Nikon D5000
• $719.00 – Canon EOS Rebel T1i (500D) *
• $1,032.99 – Nikon D90 *

* You might assume that a higher number indicates a better model but that is not always true. It seems that the camera manufacturers like to keep us on our toes.

Find them at Amazon… and if this post is helpful to you then please show your thanks by clicking on my link to get there, especially if you might buy something.  –> Click Here to go to Amazon.com

Nikon vs. Canon

photo credit: Steve Tolcher

Nikon and Canon are the top two brands today. The general consensus is that Nikon and Canon both make excellent entry level DSLRs and you really can’t go wrong with either brand. Most people recommend that you go to a large store where you can demo the specific cameras, hold them in your hand and see which one you like better.

Since I’m in NYC, I went to B&H where they have all the new cameras available to demo. They don’t have memory cards in them but you can still power them on, take pictures and see the preview in the LCD screen.

My impressions were that the Nikons seem to have better build quality and ergonomics compared the Canons. The grip was definitely more comfortable in my hand. For what it’s worth Nikon’s shutter also sounded quieter and more refined.

From all the various reviews and sample pictures of entry level DSLRs, I’ve gathered that Canon and other manufacturers default settings tend to boost the contrast, saturation and sharpness to make the pictures look more punchy while Nikon has a more realistic neutral look by default. Take a look at this comparison and see if you agree:

http://gizmodo.com/379634/entry+level-dslr-battlemodo-canon-rebel-xsi-vs-sony-alpha-a350-vs-nikon-d60-vs-olympus-e+420

Either can be tweaked to look a bit more like the other but that involves some degree of difficulty. For example, you could take pictures in RAW mode which would allow you to adjust the sharpening level, contrast and saturation settings, color temperature / white balance, and so on. However, this would probably be a burden for a lot of people, particularly first time DSLR owners.

If this is your first DSLR keep in mind that you’re not just buying one camera. You’re buying into the system. Each manufacturer has their own lens mount and the lenses are not inter-compatible.  Once you start accumulating Nikon or Canon Lenses you will essentially be investing in that respective platform.  Read more about the Nikon lens system @ http://photo.net/equipment/nikon/

Let the pictures do the talking

photo credit: DanDeChiaro *made with a D5000

Flickr and YouTube are great ways to check out samples of photos and videos from specific camera models.  See photos taken with d5000 @ http://www.flickr.com/cameras/nikon/d5000/

Since the d5000 has the same sensor and nearly identical abilities as the D90 in terms of picture quality, we can also look at pictures from the D90 which was released first and is much more prevalent on Flickr @ http://www.flickr.com/cameras/nikon/d90/

Video samples from d5000

Awesome time-lapse video made with the d5000

D5000 Reviews

Dpreview.com provides excellent in depth reviews on many cameras including the D5000. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD5000/

YouTube has become an invaluable consumer resource for video reviews of all sorts of products. Cameralabs.com has a great video review of the D5000 here.

More Video Reviews from What Digital Camera @ http://www.youtube.com/user/WhatDigitalCamera

Ken Rockwell has a great free User’s Guide for the D5000 as well as most other popular Nikon DSLRs @ http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5000/users-guide/index.htm

Head-to-head: Canon EOS T1i (500D) vs Nikon D5000

photo credit: daveynin

Dxomark.com offers a very technical comparison of the sensor in each camera and the Nikon scores higher in their tests but the sensor performance alone doesn’t tell the whole story… http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Insights/Canon-500D-T1i-vs.-Nikon-D5000/Color-blindness-sensor-quality

Here’s gizmodo’s comparison of the Canon EOS T1i (500D) vs Nikon D5000. http://gizmodo.com/5234607/canon-rebel-t1i-vs-nikon-d5000-entry+level-dslr-battlemodo

Gizmodo always seems to prefer Canon because they’re more “gadgety” which isn’t surprising since they are a gadget site. In this case they picked the canon by a nose mainly because of “the video and the better Live View focus technique, as well as the slightly better high-ISO performance.” These are certainly valid points if those features are important to you. But in looking at those sample shots I prefer the pictures from the Nikon.  Picture quality is my top priority and in my eyes the Nikon’s pics look more life like with superior exposure and color tone.  Keep in mind that the Nikon is also about $80 cheaper right now.

Nikon D3000 Vs D5000

A feature comparison between the 2 models can be found here http://www.dpreview.com/news/0907/09073004d3000handson.asp

Here are some of the features in the D5000 that you don’t get in the D3000 (or the older D40, D40X, D60)

• More Pixels - The D5000 has a better sensor and more mega pixels
• Bracketing – The ability to automatically take 3 shots with 3 varying exposures. This is very helpful for creating HDR images.
• Movie mode – People have commented that the movie mode is actually smoother on the D5000 than the more expensive D90, which was Nikon’s first DSLR with movie mode.
• Intervalometer – This is an interval timer which can be used for time lapse photography.
• Vari-angle viewfinder – The D5000 is the only Nikon DSLR with this feature. It was not a big deal for me but it will probably come in handy for self portraits and shooting over crowds at concerts or parades.

Size-wise the D5000 is a little bigger and heavier than the D3000 but still smaller and lighter than the D90.

Nikon D5000 Vs D90

photo credit: yoppy

Compared to the D90, the D5000 is almost identical in terms of picture quality and capabilities but there are other upgrades that come with the D90. They include:

• Higher resolution LCD screen
• Bigger viewfinder
• More external controls – experts like this because it gives you quicker access to manual controls
• A better kit lens – the 18-105mm Nikkor lens that comes with the D90 has a greater zoom range than the 18-55mm Nikkor lens includes with the D3000 and D5000.
• Better lens compatibility – Because the D90 has a built in AF motor, there are more lenses available which can autofocus with it

The D90 delivers the goods but is it worth the additional $390 to you?

Nikon Lens Compatibility

photo credit: josh.liba

The D40, D40x, D60, D3000 and D5000 need lenses with built-in motors to autofocus. Nikon designates these lenses as AF-S. Older AF lenses can still be used but only with manual focus.

The D90 and D300 as well as the older D50, D70, D70s, D80, D100, and D200 will AF with any AF Nikon lens because they have an AF motor built into the camera body.

This is a big deal for people with a collection of older AF lenses and could be important if you plan on buying older AF lenses used.

On the bright side, all the new lenses being released by Nikon are AF-S. Some other manufacturers are making AF-S equivalent lenses as well. Sigma calls theirs HSM (hyper sonic motor) and Tamron calls theirs BIM (built in motor).

D5000 Nikkor lens compatibility chart

Conclusions

photo credit: Nozee Le Snoop

I personally decided to go with Nikon over Canon because I like the build quality, ergonomics and mostly because I prefer the picture quality. The Canon just didn’t feel right for me, particularly when I held it in my hand. While Canon has a few cheaper lenses I question their durability and most lenses from Nikon are competitively priced. Canon has a few advantages such as in video quality but none that are particularly important to me. I ordered the Nikon D5000 yesterday.

Nikon D5000 Best Price

I ordered mine from Amazon.com where it’s $642 with free shipping (as of Dec 3, 2009). This is the lowest price I could find from a reputable retailer and authorized Nikon dealer. –> Click Here to go to Amazon.com

Be sure to check the Special Offers listed on the product page. Along with free shipping, I got a free “Nikon School” DVD and camera system case and a free subscription to Wired Magazine with my purchase.

Tip: “Items sold by Amazon.com LLC, or its subsidiaries, and shipped to destinations in the states of Kansas, Kentucky, New York, North Dakota, or Washington are subject to tax.” All other states won’t be charged tax and remember it’s the shipping address that counts, not the billing address.

Before You Buy

photo credit: Christina Welsh (Rin)

It’s wise to buy from an Authorized Dealer in order to make sure that your warranty will be honored and so on. You can check the list here at Nikon’s website.

If you’re going to buy the D5000 you should be aware that there was a recall advisory on this model.

Recent comments on Amazon suggest that they are already past the affected serial numbers but if you do get a defective camera you should be covered since Amazon.com is an Authorized Nikon Dealer.

The D90 has had a similar advisory. Google it if you’re interested in that model.

Other Nifty Links

Sources for used gear @ keh.com, bhphotovideo.com, craigslist.org and ebay.com

An excellent tutorial explaining aperture @ http://www.photoxels.com/tutorial_aperture.html

What is “bokeh”? –> See example of bokeh

“In photography, bokeh is the blur, or the æsthetic quality of the blur, in out-of-focus areas of an image, or “the way the lens renders out-of-focus points …” – wikipedia.org

Prime Lenses (which are normal fixed lenses as opposed to zoom lenses) are known for having a better bokeh.

Learn about different types of lenses @ http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lenses.htm<

This clever tool shows you what perspective you can expect to see from various types of lenses  http://www.tamron.com/lenses/learning_center/tools/focal-length-comparison.php (click on “close window” inside the grey box at the bottom)

photo credit: donjd2

I overheard this hypothetical conversation at Google HQ:

Developer: I have a new product idea. Imagine an online tool for real-time communication between groups of people!

Colleague: You mean a CHAT ROOM, a technology that’s been in use for over 20 years?

Developer: Yes but now imagine mashing in more features like embedable Youtube videos!

Colleague: So it’s a bloated chat room?

Developer: That’s right. Except that we won’t call it a chat room. We’ll call it a WAVE_-_-__ and pass it off as an entirely new concept that’s going to revolutionize the world!

Colleague: A bloated and glorified chat room.  Brilliant!

I’ve been using the subway map from onnyturf.com/subway for years and while that is basically the same thing, a NYC subway map layered over Google Maps, there are some differences. Below I’ve included a comparison of each map showing an identical area around times square.

In my opinion, the onnyturf.com maps is cleaner and easier to read.   It also shows more information about pedestrian pathways and subway entrances (when you zoom in) and it includes the PATH train.

onnyturf.com subway map

The Google Maps Transit layer shows more detail in terms of buildings, landmarks and station names which could certainly be helpful to some.  However, it looks a bit cluttered and doesn’t show pedestrian pathways, subway entrances or the PATH train.

Google Maps Transit Layer

photo credit: angela n.

The music we listen to is the soundtrack of our lives.  I’ve spent years branching out and exploring lots of different music, 160 gigs / 1,700 albums / 22,000 songs if you count what’s on my hard drive.  The process of music discovery has been a fun and rewarding one.  But lately I’ve been showing all the signs of something… and just now have I put it all together and realized what it means. I have a favorite band again and I think that’s a wonderful thing to have.

Seven years ago I loved this review and consequently, the album.  I relayed their music and sang their praises to friends. And furthermore, I’ve been reading Pitchfork ever since.  But one great album doesn’t make for a favorite band and many listens and seven years later I rarely listen to Neon Golden anymore.

Of course, I have all the Notwist albums.  I’ve even looked up all of their extensive side projects which I’m thoroughly enjoying. I anxiously awaited “The Devil, You + Me” for months before its release date and while I liked the new material, it didn’t initially meet my high hopes for it.

Earlier this year when the Notwist went on tour in Europe, I emailed them to see if they would be coming to NY. They responded positively that they would be. I was excited to have gotten a personal response and doubly excited at the prospect of seeing them in concert.

When they played Webster Hall I enjoyed it so much that I was just blown away.  The new songs were given new life and the old songs sounded updated and upgraded.  It was all so beautifully executed.  Satisfied but wanting more, I returned to the new album with an enhanced appreciation for it.

When I listen to the Notwist it does just what I want it to. It is beautiful, dynamic, calming, involving and reflective. I can get lost in my own thoughts with it.

In the coming months they’re touring in Europe with an Orchestra, the Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra… and I’ve actually considered heading over there to see it even though I’d really rather see other parts of the world.

Yup, all the signs are there and I have to admit that I’m deeply in like with this band. In fact, I like them more than any other in ten years.  Being so enthusiastic about having this music in my life feels like a gift and I’m thankful.