Members present were:
Bob Bolter, Sharon Conroy, Nancy Curtis, Myrna Dirk, Darlene Femrite, Arlene Frolick, Marian Grider, Ed Heimiller, Bill Kautt, Mel Kramer, Sharlene Langdale, Clare Manz, Peter, Hal Miller, Char Miller, Claire Morris, Jack Prasloski, Pat Prasloski, Stanton Rickey, Rich Russo, Tamara Ryan, Chic Wray and Trix Wray.
Peter opened the meeting by announcing commercial services to transfer VHS tapes, 8mm film, photos and slides to DVD are available locally. The work is done by SOLTEC STUDIOS at 2860 E. McKellips Rd, Ste 1, Mesa, AZ 85213. Tel: 480-985-2733. go to: http://www.soltecstudios.com/ for details. Not cheap.
This opened a technical discussion of the shelf life of CD and DVD disks. Manufacturers’ disks are of a much higher quality and longer lasting than disks we create on our home computers. All are urged to BACKUP and SAVE data and photos on CD or DVD, however be aware that they deteriorate over time. Best you redo onto new disks every 3 years, and added protection can be achieved by making multiple copies.
Peter displayed website at: www.godaddy.com This firm provides domain registry for a nominal fee. You can setup your own personal E-mail and website names by subscribing to their exclusive service. About 4 years ago this startup company was launched when they spent $2 Million (nearly their entire capital) on a SuperBowl commercial. Its risqué production of an over-endowed female caused a media sensation and they benefited from much more free publicity.
This year they posted two separate commercials starring NASCAR racer Danica Patrick on their website, and asked viewers to vote on which one would be broadcast during the 2009 Superbowl. At the last minute they actually bought airtime for both.
Your new digital camera comes with a software disk. Do NOT install the PICASA program for processing your photos. It is too proprietary and seizes control of your system.
Peter demonstrated the various SHOOTING MODE settings on digital cameras:
AUTOMATIC averages everything for light and dark settings.
PORTRAIT is preferable for snapshots because it emphasizes the near view subject.
LANDSCAPE is for postcard type subjects.
MOVIE (or VIDEO) is usually the last setting. ONE PUSH of SHUTTER BUTTON starts both movie and microphone recording. SECOND PUSH stops movie.
To FOCUS press SHUTTER BUTTON halfway to measure distance and wait for a beep. Press SHUTTER BUTTON all the way to shoot.
MODE SWITCH has two positions. Slide UP to SHOOT and DOWN to PLAYBACK images on screen. Latter uses lots of battery.
MEMORY CARD is best left in camera to prevent injury to card and/or computer. Use CABLE to transfer images to computer. Alternatively you can put MEMORY CARD in a CONVERTER READER and attach it to the computer. For photo printing, take the card to CVS Drugs.
When transferring images to computer, select the SCANNER & CAMERA WIZARD option. Select images you want to transfer and give a meaningful name to the group, replacing the camera assigned numbers.
WIZARD offers 3 storage options: INTERNET, PRINT, NOTHING. Choose NOTHING. Use the camera's menu to delete the pix later.
FLASH is only good for about 10 feet. MOVIE (or VIDEO) works better in dim light conditions.
When asked to FORMAT CARD NOW. The answer is always NO.
We WILL be meeting next Thursday 5 Feb 2009; 1:30 PM at our Village clubhouse.
See you there,
STANTON RICKEY, Club President
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