City Chicken’s Neighborhood

We went to see this movie on Saturday night. The much-hyped Paranormal Activity starring two previously unknown actors and a supporting cast of unknowns, as well. It was sort of a "Blair-Witch-Style" production - one of the lead characters films everything on a home video camera, although, the film got so much exposure before-hand there was no question as to the authenticity of it - I don't think anyone was misled to believe that these were actual events "caught on film" - but then I frequently overestimate the intelligence of my fellow-movie-goers, so I could be wrong.

I remember watching previews that included footage from inside a theater during a pre-release screening - and everyone in the audience was screaming and jumping up out of their seats. Now I wonder if they didn't load the audience up with caffeine before the show - because there wasn't a single squeal in the theater on Saturday night.

I was expecting to be really frightened by this movie - but It barely gave me the creeps.

If you're thinking about going to see this in the theater, wait for the dvd - and even then - wait until you're in the mood for something mildly creepy and you've exhausted all of your other dvd possibilities.

You have to hand it to the movie execs and marketing people in this case - they did a bang up job of promoting this film - which cost only $15k to make - and it has, thus far made over $65M. That's a rate of return on investment of 433,000%. Marketing was mostly done by word of mouth. Insane. It has beaten Blair Witch Project. Wow.

Touch Screen

bookchick50
6 days ago

clipped from www.pcmag.com

Windows 7: Inside Multitouch

what makes Windows 7 so exciting is that no computer operating system ever incorporated native support for multitouch before. The new breed of multitouch laptops and desktops with touch screens don't need extra downloads or plugins-- multitouch just works

Vista offered single-touch capabilities in tablet mode, and pen input is quite common as well. But as much as Microsoft would love to paint multitouch as a natural progression in its operating systems, its Apple that was the real democratizer of multiple-input touch screens.

Optical sensors are set up around the screen creating a grid. The screen reacts when your finger, pen, stylus, or any other implement break one of the beams

pen, stylus, or any other implement break one of the beams; you don't actually have to physically touch the surface to get a response.

there's no question that this interface can change the way we look at computing.

Holy Lumix!

bookchick50
6 days ago

Pocket cameras not always easy on the pocket book. Been following Panasonic Lumix cameras for awhile. Don't own one but maybe some day.....

I still wouldn't trade it in for a DSLR.... yet.

clipped from www.pcmag.com

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

CHECK PRICES

$900 - $1500
Amazon $899.95

Amazon Marketplace $1499.99

EditorVery Good

By�PJ Jacobowitz

With image quality that rivals capable D-SLRs and a body not much larger than a super-zoom camera, the 12.1-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 ($899.95 direct, with lens) is the most compact model in Panasonic's line-up of Micro Four Thirds cameras. Panasonic's first two entries into the space, the $799 Lumix DMC-G1 and the $1,499 GH1, weren't much smaller than traditional D-SLRs. The GF1 is more comparable in size to the $800 Olympus E-P1, which features great image quality but a painfully slow autofocus. The GF1 doesn't perform as well as the E-P1 or D-SLR competitors in low-light conditions (ISO 1600 and higher), but in brighter shooting situations, image quality is top-notch.

yogurt.

Saucy!
Nov 3, 2009
2 comments

Yoplait Light Thick & Creamy Key Lime Pie flavor.

the best yogurt flavor EVER.

ZOMG I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

Phone texting reveals sensitive new "metrotextual"

Red Mosquito
Nov 3, 2009
1 comment

Phone texting reveals sensitive new "metrotextual"

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/2009110...

Men have become so openly affectionate with each other using mobile technology they've taken to signing off text messages to male friends with a kiss (x), giving rise to a new generation dubbed "Metrotextuals."

1 comment

I'm speechless. x

The Amazon Conduit is Fixed

Team Vox
Nov 2, 2009
19 comments

Go forth and fill your libraries with media.

Seriously, thanks to everyone for being so amazing and patient. You are the reason I love Vox.

~daisy

Lockdown.

Saucy!
Jun 22, 2010
10 comments

Well, I've managed to avoid any "Vox-drama" for 2 years, now, I guess my peaceful reign has come to an end. Gotta put the Vox-Blog on lockdown, now - so - anyone new to my blog - or anyone who found me via facebook or twitter and wants to continue reading my posts, you'll have to join vox and drop me a comment here so I can add you to my Neighborhood.

I really dislike having to do this sort of thing, but, some people don't know how to mind their own business and that is just sad - for them. I'm still happy, though - just a little bit more cautious is all.

Hugs to friends and neighbors.

Neighborhood Only

Death of a DSLR? Phooey!

bookchick50
Nov 1, 2009

Author predicts the death of the DSLR based on historical events with cameras. In my opinion, many SLR users did not give up the SLR for a pocket 110. I hardly see a DSLR user giving in totally to a rangefinder or (point and shoot) camera regardless of its upgraded features.

I will say however, that the article sheds a new light for me on a question that I've had. As a SLR and DSLR user, I've been wondering why Nikon (specifically) has chosen to upgrade their 10 and 12 mp cameras (and with video) rather than come out with a new camera with say... 15mp. There are point and shoots out now that are capable of 12mp at a price in the same neighborhood as a DSLR with 10mp. It's an uneasy feeling waiting for that 15mp DSLR and watching everything around it 'upgraded' for image quality. Is Nikon trying to appease the masses and draw in crowds of people to DSLR by offering their old flagships as new flagships with video capabilities? Thereby keeping the DSLR alive?

If so, it could be a long wait for that upgraded D90

clipped from www.gearlog.com

Here's a news flash: Cell-phone cameras be damned, because a significant segment of the population is actually prioritizing sharp, well-exposed images over ultimate convenience. Since the introduction of the first Canon Digital Rebel in 2003, this quality-conscious segment has been turning to interchangeable-lens digital SLRs (DSLRs) to take the best possible photos.

Wednesday�October 28, 2009

Death of the DSLR Camera

In the past few months, digital camera manufacturers have finally begun to ship non-DSLR cameras that can meet the needs of the quality-minded photographer. This has been largely driven by Olympus and Panasonic and their Micro Four Thirds system, which obviates the need for the mirrors in SLRs that are used for the optical viewfinder.