Turning Point Arts

Be careful what you put on your desktop

Brad — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:53:58 +0000

I recently encountered some mysterious behaviour in Windows 7 (Home Premium 32-bit). Immediately after logging in (usually right after a reboot), the system would become almost completely non-responsive for about 15 minutes. And just as mysteriously, it would then return to normal until the next time I logged in, which could be several days later. What the heck was going on? Was this a Windows bug or something I had done? In fact, it was both…read on to find out the surprising solution!

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How View > Print Size works; or the mythical “72 ppi”

Brad — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:47:37 +0000

Greetings!

There is a common misconception that the correct “resolution” for images viewed on a monitor or the web is 72 ppi. One of the undesirable side-effects of believing this misconception is that it can lead you to get the wrong display of images with the View > Print Size command in your image editing application.

The problem is that View > Print Size depends on your application knowing the correct screen resolution and your screen resolution is probably not 72 ppi.

For example, the screen resolution of my laptop monitor is 147 ppi (1920 pixels over 13 inches). Let’s say I have an image that will print 6” x 4”. By default, View > Print Size displays this on my laptop at 2.94 x 1.96. Why? Because Photoshop thinks my screen resolution is 72 ppi (the mythical default number). So, by default, View > Print Size displays images at 72/147 = 49% of real size.

In Photoshop, you can set the screen resolution in Edit > Preferences > Units & Rulers > Screen Resolution. Setting mine to 147 results in View > Print Size correctly displaying the image at 6” x 4” on the screen.

To determine your monitor’s screen resolution, just measure the width of the displayed area in inches and divide that number into the pixel width of your display settings. For example, suppose your display settings are 1600 x 1200 pixels and you measure the width of the displayed area as 13.9 inches. Then your screen resolution is 1600 / 13.9 = 115 ppi. Using that setting in Photoshop will produce the correct image size with the View > Print Size command.

It’s a good idea to verify that you have the right setting by placing a 6″ x 4″ photo up to the screen and comparing. If the image on the screen is smaller, then increase the screen resolution setting. If it is larger, then decrease the screen resolution setting.

NOTE: If you’re using a CRT monitor, be aware that the vertical screen resolution can be different than the horizontal screen resolution. Before you measure your screen resolution, you need to use the monitor’s hardware controls to ensure the display is ”square”.

How to make MagicJack work on a server

Brad — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:23:58 +0000

We use a MagicJack USB dongle for long-distance telephone calls over our Internet connection. The price is hard to beat and the unit works amazingly well most of the time. We have a cordless telephone base unit connected to the USB dongle and the handsets can be used throughout the house and deck. Provided of course that the MagicJack software is running.

MagicJack does not operate as a Windows service. It needs its application to be running under a logged-in Windows user. Initially, I had the USB dongle plugged into my desktop workstation. But since I often reboot or run heavy CPU applications, my workstation was not the best place for running the MagicJack.

Recently, I set up another computer on our network as a file server and I also wanted it to host the MagicJack instead of my workstation. This server would run Windows 7 and it would be headless (i.e. not have a monitor, keyboard or mouse of its own). To manage the server, I would log into it using Windows Remote Desktop Connection . The question was: could I get MagicJack to operate in this evironment?

In my initial attempts, the MagicJack software kept crapping out, but…

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Arts on the Avenue a Great Success!

Brad — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:45:53 +0000

Thanks to everyone who came out for “Arts on the Avenue” in Ladysmith on Sunday. The weather was awesome and we think more people came through than ever before. For our part, we sold some stuff and we met a lot of very nice people, many of whom signed up for pottery classes and took printing brochures and business cards. What more could one ask?

Thanks again!

We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Cheers!

Brad & Peggy

Ladysmith Camera Club - August Theme Shoot “Conflict”

Brad — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:23:16 +0000

I’m still catching up but not nearly as late this time! The theme for August 2009 was “Conflict”. I don’t know if it was a case of too many folks in a happy mood or the exceptionally wonderful weather we’ve been having on Vancouver Island last month, but our members had some trouble producing “Conflict” images. Even so, we did get some good ones. Click here to see the top 3 results.

NEWS FLASH!

The first meeting of our second club season will be September 22. To celebrate an awesome first year and to get the new one off to a brilliant start, our guest speaker is Mike Yip, the well-known Vancouver Island nature photographer and author. Mr. Yip will be giving a presentation on Vancouver Island birds, including equipment, techniques, great bird locations and of course, outstanding bird photos. This presentation is sure to be both informative and inspiring for shutterbugs of all levels and interests.

If you’re interested in joining the Ladysmith Camera Club, please click here to send an email to the club to get further information. The club meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at “The Terrace Room” behind “The Printingdun Beanery Cafe” at 341 First Ave, Ladysmith, British Columbia. The public is welcome. There is a $5 drop-in fee for non-members. The LCC welcomes new members, novice to pro.

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Ladysmith Camera Club - July Theme Shoot “Old & New”

Brad — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:25:44 +0000

I am very bad! This post should have gone up a month ago and I apologize to the members of the Ladysmith Camera Club for being so remiss in this duty. The good news is I’ll also be posting the August theme shoot today–two for one! So without further ado…

For July 2009, our members submitted 17 images for the “Old & New” theme shoot. Click here to see the top 3 results.

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Sony Ericsson PC Suite and Windows 7

Brad — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:02:16 +0000

I am a big fan of Windows 7. I am running Windows 7 RC on three different machines now and I am very pleased with the new user interface and greatly improved performance. I will have other posts on my Windows 7 experiences later.

But for now, I just wanted to report that Sony Ericsson PC Suite version 6.007.00 is working fine under Windows 7 RC 32-bit on my Thinkpad T61p. Using the proprietary USB cable, PC Suite can hot-sync my Z710i with Outlook 2007 quickly and consistently.

Hot-syncing the Z710i over Bluetooth is a completely different matter. It is inconsistent, slow and a royal pain to getting working at all, which is very disappointing because I would prefer to use fewer cables. Given the amount of time that Bluetooth has been around, I am amazed that this is still so difficult to get working. If anyone has found the magic method, please let me know.

Cheers!

Brad

Ladysmith Photo Walk - July 18

Brad — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:59:35 +0000

Greetings!

Ladysmith, BC has been registered for the 2nd annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk. This event is open to anyone who wants to join us in documenting our community through photography. You can find out all about it here. If you would like sign-up for the Ladysmith Photo Walk, just click here.

See you there!

Cheers!

Brad

Ladysmith Camera Club - June Theme Shoot “Moving Parts”

Brad — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:18:14 +0000

Shalom and Best Wishes Everyone!
For June 2009, the Theme Shoot topic was “Moving Parts”. Click here to see the top 3 results.

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Ladysmith Camera Club - May Theme Shoot “Hot Stuff”

Brad — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:55:41 +0000

Salutations and Howdy All!
For May 2009, the Theme Shoot topic was “Hot Stuff”. Click here to see the top 3 results.

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