Monday, August 16, 2004
Dan's flash recommendations
Dan's Data letters #122 (page 2): "Can't get a 550EX? Consider a 420EX. Can't afford that? Consider a Vivitar 850AF, or Sigma EF 500 DG, or Promaster 5550DX, or something. Anything you can angle up to bounce off the ceiling (assuming the ceiling isn't 30 feet up and dark brown...) is better than on-camera flash, provided it integrates with your camera's auto-exposure, or you've got your exposure act very thoroughly together and can set things up manuall"
Sunday, August 15, 2004
USB powered speakers: save a cord on your PC speakers!
usb powered speakers - compare prices, reviews and buy at NexTag - Price - Review
Great idea, esp for a laptop. Whether sound is better than laptop analog depends on the DAC. SONY SRS-T100PC travel speakers look great, but Amazon user had them die just after the warranty expired. Also, their sound seems less good than the SONY battery powered analog travel speakers.
Great idea, esp for a laptop. Whether sound is better than laptop analog depends on the DAC. SONY SRS-T100PC travel speakers look great, but Amazon user had them die just after the warranty expired. Also, their sound seems less good than the SONY battery powered analog travel speakers.
SendStation - Products - PocketDock Line Out
SendStation - Products - PocketDock Line Out
This is a quite interesting product. The iPod standard analog out amplified to suit headphones. It works for speakers built for a headphone signal, such as most travel speakers. It's the wrong signal strength for a stereo system however, for that one should use the 'line out' signal from the iPod cradle (do not use the line-in for vinyl however, that's apparently an oddball standard).
This device is a more compact and less costly alternative to the cradle. It also allows an iPod to be charged with a standard 6 pin firewire cable. If you already own a Firewire cradle that's not being used, this is a real bargain at $30.
What I want in my next iPod, however, is a digital output option. Then I can bypass all the amplification and DAC issues and take advantage of digital speakers.
This is a quite interesting product. The iPod standard analog out amplified to suit headphones. It works for speakers built for a headphone signal, such as most travel speakers. It's the wrong signal strength for a stereo system however, for that one should use the 'line out' signal from the iPod cradle (do not use the line-in for vinyl however, that's apparently an oddball standard).
This device is a more compact and less costly alternative to the cradle. It also allows an iPod to be charged with a standard 6 pin firewire cable. If you already own a Firewire cradle that's not being used, this is a real bargain at $30.
What I want in my next iPod, however, is a digital output option. Then I can bypass all the amplification and DAC issues and take advantage of digital speakers.
Boing Boing: Recycle your PC equipment at Office Depot -- one item at a time! (until Labor Day)
Boing Boing: Recycle your old electronics at Office Depot
According to the Office Depot web site there's a limit of one item at a time and they really mean PC equipment (eg, what they sell). No TVs and no appliances.
It's a good deal in any case, it normally costs $25-35 to legally dispose of CRT. Of course if I make the trip I'll buy something at Office Depot as well.
Office Depot is doing a promotional event with HP in which the store will offer free electronics recycling through Labor Day for residents of the continental US.
According to the Office Depot web site there's a limit of one item at a time and they really mean PC equipment (eg, what they sell). No TVs and no appliances.
It's a good deal in any case, it normally costs $25-35 to legally dispose of CRT. Of course if I make the trip I'll buy something at Office Depot as well.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Friday, August 13, 2004
Dans Data review of using USB to charge external devices
Review: USB mobile phone charge cables
Written in 2001, updated 2003. A very extensive discussion of using the USB 5V output to charge phones and more.
Written in 2001, updated 2003. A very extensive discussion of using the USB 5V output to charge phones and more.
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