Archive for August, 2007

Panasonic is about to bring a new Digital SLR to the market to fight with the Canon EOS 40D, the Nikon D300 and other Sony Alpha 200 or Alpha 300. We don’t know much about it, and it is still difficult to be sure that they will deliver, but an Italian magazine, Fotocomputer, provided some rough data and a few photos:

• 10 MP sensor, with LiveView capacity
• 11 AF points
• Double AF system (with and witout LiveView)
• Articulated LCD rear display
• Dust cleaning system, vibrating along the lens axis
• Face detection

We have been speaking a lot about Bioshock the newest First Person Shooter (FPS) PC video game from Second Take. We expected a very nice game in a complex environment with varied adversaries and game tactics. But we did not expected the most poweful adversary: The Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection against copy.

The game is using SecuROM protection. Unfortunately, on top of requiring an active Internet connection, it limits the number of installation or re-installations on a machine if you change the hardware. It started by allowing only two installations (if you have to upgrade your PC to run the game, you’re quickly out of legal installations; You must uninstall before upgrading your PC!).

Furthermore, AMD and nVidia had to publish last-minute patches and new versions of their drivers.

Finally, it seems that the management of wide-screen 16:10 displays is insufficient: You get black bands on the side of your lovely LCD display. 2K Games says that a patch/correction will come soon.

All that leads to two comments:

• Even if most video games run to the market with bugs in them, Bioshock is just not ready yet. It is probably better to just wait for it coming out of beta-stage.
• When I buy a $50 video game, I expect it to work onto my machine without having to call secuROM to explain that I am the rightful owner. This is not a $2 song for my Sony MP3 player (and I already consider that DRM on MP3 songs is a pain in the neck). This is just going to push legal players to downloading unprotected versions from BitTorrent or DirectConnect. When copyright-minded marketoids push users to illegality, things must have gone too far…

Update: If that was not enough, it seems that SecuROM is having trouble running when you use AVG antivirus (one of the vest free antivirus software programs for Windows, that I also happen to be using) or Mircosoft’s own Process Explorer (info from The Inquirer who suggests that you should avoid Bioshock like the plague for those problems – I am no longer decided to buy the game; Maybe later…).

The first National Punctuation Day was on September 24, 2006. OK. It seems that it was a hit in many different medias and among the US English teachers.

This is now time to prepare the next one: Only one month left to collect the examples of the worse punctuation and to find ways to improve the situation.

Here it comes! Nikon follows in Canon’s footsteps and announced its new digital single lens reflex camera, the Nikon D300 improving on the foundation of the D200 whose commercial life was quite nice. The job is a tough one: making even better sales than a successful camera and countering the attempts of Canon, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic that are planned for the coming months.

Some technical characteristics:

• CMOS APS-C sensor of 12.3 million pixels (x1,5 crop factor) at 200-3200 ISO (ext. 100-6400 ISO)
  14-bit digital conversion
  Sensor dust clean-up integrated into the camera body
• Sequences of 6 images per second
  Shooting speed of 1/8000s (1/250s and 1/320s flash synch)
• Autofocus with 51 zones, widely configurable
• 3″ LCD monitor (assuredly the new standard size for high-end reflex cameras) with 922,000 pixels (we are nearing a full mega-pixel!)
  LiveView mode to visualize a photo scene on the rear LCD, as on point-and-shoot compact digital cameras
• Body hardened against water and dust like the D200 (internal magnesium-allow structure)
• Compatibility with EL-EN3e batteries, HDNI video to connect to HD video peripherals, USB2, CompactFlash cards and WiFi WT-4 optional base
• Price: 1749€

It looks like an impressive camera. But the price is quite surprising. If we compare with the other products on this market, I think that Nikon will have to lower the price quickly in order to keep it running (even if most of the targeted customers probably already have Nikon lenses that will limit their choice when buying a new camera body). And, the Nikon D300 will not be available before November 2007, which leaves time for Nikon to think it over.

Sources: Site Nikon, Nikon D300.

Additional date: Nikon also announces a Nikon D3 in the higher part of the product line with a full-frame (24×36) sensor in 12 million pixels, that is opening 2008 (next year is expected to really be the year of the full frame).

Some advice provided by Donncha for those who would like to move from PHP4 to PHP5 on a server supporting WordPress exploitation. Nothing big, but it is always good to check the items she points at:

• Location of PHP.INI
• Update to mysql and gd libraries
• Compatibility with WP-cache

It may not be the easiest way to produce the solution to a magazine maze test, but you can do it with Photoshop, using the magic wand.

1. Increase contrast.
2. Select the right wall of the maze using the magic wand.
3. Menu Select > Modify > Expand 4 pixels.
4. Create new layer.
5. Fill with Red.
6. Menu Select > Modify > Contract 2 pixels.
7. Delete. Here’s the solution.
8. Manually clean up the outer edge, and connect the dots.

seen at Taint.org

It has been quite some time that I did not write about the P2P news. They start popping up everywhere and it is time to talk about the wonderful things happening right under our eyes.

First, the Internet users start to find again -in Europe- some protection since a decision from the European Justice Court: the ISPs will not be obligated to deliver the name of Internet users associated to an IP address when merely requested by copyright owners like we see in the US of A (the case was opened when Telefonica denied this right to deliver the name and address of some of its subscribers accused by a Spanish copyright owner of using Kazaa to exchange MP3 files). It means that the legal actions to attack indelicate Internet users copying songs, music or videos will be limited far below the level reached in North America where tens of thousands of such actions have been started. There will be the need to open not only a civil case, but a criminal action.

Furthermore, BitTorrent, the most easily recognized software program running on the BitTorrent network, will no longer be free. This is most probably a consequence of the intent of its developers to entter a new phase where they want to reap benefits from more commercial activities (including less risks of legal actions, too). Nothing new under the sun, since many Internet users already prefered BitComet, Azureus or uTorrent.

You may also remember that AllOfMp3, a Russian web site distributing MP3 files without any trace of DRM protection, had to stop its activities a few months ago after police action and the beginnning of legal procedure. It appears that Denis Kvasov, founder of AllOfMp3, has been cleared by the Russian justice (he was insisting on the fact that his sales were including author’s right compensation even if some Euopean and American companies were after him for selling at low prices and without DRM).

In the spotlight: Sony Alpha 900 Canon EOS 5D Mk II Nikon D700 FX Download Nero for free

Add to it that PirateBay (BitTorrent files search site) have been authorized a few months ago by the Sweedish justice to restart their activity and that they now want to give a new life to the SuperNova web site that closed a couple of years ago, I would try to say that the pendulum is swinging back toward the side most favorable to the Internet users. During months, it seemed that the media producers would be able to force anything they wanted into our throats under the pretense of protecting artists rights. Now, they start experimenting with low-cost without-DRM legal alternatives for music download (even in always-easily-scared France, Neuf-Cegetel intends to start an ISP offer including that kind of possibility: unlimited music and triple-play (Internet+TV+telephone) for 29.90€). Even better, the development of Video on Demand should help film producers and distributors to think in a parallel line.

There is only to find a way to balance the ease of use (requested by Internet users) and artist earnings (naturally expected by the authors). We should find this middle way for the best of consumers and artists, even if it measn suffering for some producers and distributors.

After rumour time, here is reality for the Canon EOS 40D. There are more and more tests (starting with previews) of this nice digital camera.

• Imaging resource (English)
• DC resource (English)
• Steve’s Digicam (English)
• DPreview, review, Phil Askey, October 2007 (English)
• DPreview, preview (English)
• Chasseur d’Image (présentation) (Français)
• The Digital Picture (English)
• Outback Handbook: Canon EOS 40D Review Diary
• PhotographyBlog (English)
• CNET review (English)
• QuestionsPhoto (Français)

As more than 5% of all males have some sort of colorblindness (see also my previous post about colorblindness and software specification), it is important to ensure that software is usable by that large group of users.

Here comes Color Oracle, a freeware application that will let you test your software design against various sub-types of colorblindness.

Via Daring Fireball, via Download Squad.

After the socks with fingers, here comes the sleeping bag with arms and legs: Selk-bag.

After months of intense speculation and many rumours, Canon is finally ready to disclose all the details about its long-expected Canon EOS 40D (the sequel to the successful 20D/30D Digital Single Lens Reflex – SLR).

But it’s Amazon which has shown all the details by starting a page to take pre-orders: Canon EOS 40D on Amazon. It will be a great camera to cover all needs of the most enthusiastic consumers.

Note: The delivery will only happen after 20th of Spetember 2007.

Most of the admirers of Canon will say that it was worth waiting. The others will notice that -once again- Canon did not create a revolution in this technical segment, but ensures that the pace of evolution is very steady: This is a nearly pro camera with its impressive connectivity, and its consumer-like price.

Nikon and their D200 (soon a D300?), Pentax and their K10D (much cheaper and possibly more interesting) or Sony (and their future high-end camera) should take notice and prepare to fight for the customers that the EOS 40D may quickly attract.

After the recent information (or rumour) that Sony is actually preparing a 14-million-pixel digital SLR camera under the name of either Alpha 200 or Alpha 300, and taking into acount that Nikon is in tight partnership with Sony since the Nikon D200, it is time to ask what resolution will come out of the next replacement of the D200.

I would bet on Nikon using the same 14MP+ for the Nikon D300 (as the D200 used a speedier version of the Alpha 100 10MP sensor). If this happens and the Canon 40D still has a 10MP or even a 12MP CMOS sensor, it could mean that the both Nikon and sony will have a nice time beating the Canon 40D just out of launch. Even if you repeat that resolution is not the solution to all problems, Canon would have to fight for image quality (and we know they are at the highest level of the competition) without having any resolution advantage, while users are still driven by mega-pixel figures.

This is quite surprising. After about a month of DRAM memory prices going up (this was quite surprising), the market analyst DRAMexchange tells us that this is now the end and the prices will fall again. Apparently, despite the vows of manufacturers like Nanya whose CEO is confirming that he would not try to limit any price increases, the weak market demand (Microsoft Windows Vista is obviously still very far from creating a bear market) combined with the large manufacturing capacity is going to keep pushing prices down at a pace that will probably become painful for those with small margins.

At least, the end of life of the ageing Canon EOS 30D should be announced on Monday 21st in Canada (along with a similar fate for the G7). There is a very high expectation that this will also mean launch of the Canon EOS 40D.

Complementary note: In the UK, LCE would have started taking pre-orders for the EOS 40D and some of their sales managers would have a launch meeting with Canon on Tuesday the 22nd.

After a few years of good faithful service, my Sony Clié PDA suicided by jumping from the corner of a table flat on the carpeted floor. It survived but is seriously maimed (the screen is partly blackened and operates only very partly). Disappointed by the lack of faithfulness from my grey little friend, I went to the store and bought a new dark blue companion in the form of a nice black little Palm T|X, TX or Tungsten-X. So, now is the time to transfer from one to the next.

I simply moved from one to the next as indicated in the user’s manual:

• Synchronize the old Clié
• Install the new Palm software
• Synchronize the Clié
• Connect the new Palm TX
• Synchronize the Palm TX

It’s as simple as that. It is refreshingly pleasant to see that sometimes things work just as they should.

Major works of classical music are written on musical scores that can be superb (not only musically, but also graphically). Unfortunately, it is often impossible -for those who had not the proper education- to keep reading a score while music plays.

What is offered by KeepingScore.org with Flash animations is simply gorgeous and allows to follow the music of masterpieces of the classical répertoire:

• Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Beethoven
• The Rite of Spring, Stravinsky
• Copland and the American Sound

It is absolutely superb to listen to and to see.

A rather interesting post on the Dyxum forums tells us more about the future of the digital single lens reflex cameras at Sony (provided that we believe what is still only a talk between Internet users who say they know). The first item is about the name of the future cameras: There’s no more Alpha 200 but Alpha 300 (this year) and Alpha 500 (next year). I may have to rename the category where I post thos messages

Let’s look deeper: the most advanced model (Alpha 500, as we should understand) will be the first Full-Frame in the product line (with a sensor of the same size as the old 24×36/35mm film image). So, it would not be usable with lenses specially optimized for the small APS-C sesors. This is quite well in line with the observation already done that Sony developped no lens of this type and stayed ready to switch to Full-Frame cameras. It would give them a very significant advantage if you compare with Nikon and Canon, in a competitive environment where the small compact cameras are starting to put some pressure on the lower end of the D-SLR market.

So, the Alpha 500 would have a FF 20MP sensor and through the use of an intelligent organization of the sensitive zones of the sensor, Sony would claim to be providing a stunning 40MP. Striking!

But this is only about a 2008 camera that is still far from being ready. For 2007, the Alpha 300 (or can I still call it Alpha 200?) would bring no less than 14-15 mega-pixels with a crop factor fo 1.25 that would near the FF target. Think about it: As the Alpha 100 shocked the public with the first ultra-low-cost 10MP when only Nikon could fight on the field of image size (with a Sony sensor, by the way), the Alpha 200/300 could be able to shake down the best oppponents, even without the marketoid-like doubling of resolution through the sensitive site organization of the sensor.

But to stay compatible with the already existing market of compatible low-cost lenses, the Alpha 200-300 would include a menu option allowing the user to switch to a lower resolution (11MP?) and giving compatibility to the cheapest lenses.

Most of the rest of the post is rants and raves about the Sony marketing babble: “We are the world leader in photo sensors; We succeeded in prying 6% market share out of Canon and Nikon hands in a year only, we are ready to overtake anon and leave them the 3rd rank“. All is quite in line with the information recently appeared in the news: Canon has recently left the pole position to Nikon on the Japanese market (many analysts believe that the Japanese are showing the way for the rest of the world with a year of advance).

Such cameras would be able to transform the dreamof Sony into a hard reality and move the market around. Howevern we still do not have a precise launch date for such an Alpha 200 or 300. and even less about the Alpha 500…