Quickly Annotate Graphics With FastStone Capture

Sometimes I just need to draw a quick circle around something, draw a red arrow and type a couple words. I don't want to whole Gimp scenario or even Paint.net for additional formatting.

FastStone Capture to the rescue (the old free version from here). Start FS Capture and drag/drop the graphic onto FS. Choose "draw" and do it. On Win7 I need to turn off anti alias in the draw module to keep FS from freezing (small check box on lower right). The "off" sticks so you only need to set it once and FS will remember the setting. I previously thought I would need to re-capture and only just discovered I could drag and drop the graphic to open it in FS.

Another handy thing FS can do is take a scrolling capture of an entire web page (6th icon over on the FS bar).

FS Capture of all the capture programs I have tried still remains my default capture utility. With Launchy running, I type alt-space, fs and bingo the little FS bar is up and running. How could beat that? You see, I don't like more things running than necessary and like to keep them closed unless I really need them.

PicPick is more robust but also not as slick and quick.

Raspberry Pi "My Notes"

Edit Nov. 2016
6 things to do after Rasp 3

I bought a Raspberry Pi some time ago and installed the standard Linux for RP. Then I tried the XMBC version which was underwhelming compared bo Roku but I only gave it a few minutes. Then, after months of inattention, I lost track of how to install the RP OS. I should have left some notes for myself.

When I get back to RP I need to start here. This shows what all the ports are but the OS links don't work.

Get the latest version of Raspian and use Win32 Disk Imager to write the  img to the SD.

When using Win32 Disk Imager use a USB SD reader. An internal reader may lock up and cause you fits - it happened to me. I know, it sounds crazy but it worked.

When you first boot Pi it may take awhile but make sure your monitor is set to HDMI input. Also while it was booting and my monitor was black, I swear I saw some color flashes on the Pi board next to the red light. Maybe seeing things but would give confidence things were happening.

This video will help you with the raspbian config. There are more settings needing alteration than one might imagine.

If you need to set an the network settings this site will help. Or maybe this is better.

Maybe visit the Mothership at Element14.

User name: pi
Password: raspberry
Terminal type: df
startx

If I get totally lost I can go here.

Blue Snowflake USB Microphone

I just landed a new Blue Snowflake USB microphone off eBay for $21.50. The price on Amazon right not is $34.98. I use Google Voice all day long as my phone and the Logitech USB desktop mic I grabbed for $10 some years ago lacks quality at a comfortable distance. The Logitech works and I've used it to death but a little better quality would be appreciated by my listeners. It will be interesting to hear the difference. I'm considering going whole hog and getting a Blue Yeti.

Yes the Blue Snowflake is good to very good depending on how close you are to it.

I don't want a bunch of mic posts so here is what to do if mic volume keeps resetting. At least I think this is what did it. I fixed it awhile ago but don't remember how exactly. The mic levels were changing wildly as I used it and this is my setting. Uncheck allow applications to take control.

Be sure to have updated audio drivers . Reaktek here. New drivers improved the quality of the Snowflake.

There are many ways to tell if your microphone is working. You can always go online and test it here. Volume and quality will still be a mystery but at least you will know if it works.

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920

I don't have it yet but here are some links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5WcWKGnJiI
Is a video explaining the checking the "auto" boxes for default for camera start allows the camera to calibrate and then you uncheck them for video recording. No one else mentions this.

It is currently $69 on Amazon which is $4 from its bottom price. I may need to pull the pin.

Yep, waited too long and it is up to $79 so still waiting.

Finally got it for $68 and it is every bit as good as the reviews say. The mic sounded a little hollow but picked up well. I use the Blue Snowflake which is the best mic I have at the moment. I'm still trying to get a deal on a Blue Yeti. The webcam software allows you to select the mic and that overrides the Windows default. I like this but didn't realize which mic I was using right away.

Here is my first YouTube test of the C920. A miserable attempt but shows good quality before any adjustments (whatever those might be).

The software is outstanding. Upload to YouTube, send to email, go to video folder - everything is obvious and easy.

Birds

With distance behind the object and telephoto, the depth of field is good, bokeh.

I'm loving my Canon SX50 and found a great forum of bird guys using the camera.

I'm going to need some resources for bird identification.

Bird recognition poster

Adding Subtitles To Video Clips

Adding Subtitles To Video Clips

Use Format Factory

Set up the font and color for the subtitles in FF under options/subtitle font

Make a *.srt file with Notepad with this format:
1
00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:24,400
Howdy!

2
00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:27,800
Why, hello there!
What's your name?

You will need to view the clip in software that will give you the times while you are creating the *.srt file.

Save the clip with "name.srt" and use UT-8 Encoding.

Select the clips output while encoding in FF, MP4 or AVI or whatever and under "settings" expand the "Additional Subtitle" and search for the file. FF will insert the subs when it encodes the MP4 or AVI. I'm not sure how many formats while accept the srt.

Canon SX50 For South African Safari in April?

Camera for safari?

This page got a ton of hit so let me say I bought the camera and it is fantastic. I would not hesitate to buy an SX50.

I would jump on the Canon SX50 right now if Canon Rumors hadn't said the new model was being announced Aug. 21 2013. Anyhow, I need a place to keep my notes.

Oh, I know, It's not an SLR and the only thing it has going for it is the 50X optical zoom. But it does have a 50X optical Zoom! Those who love them post great pictures and I am not one to juggle a bunch of lenses while bumping around in the rear of a land rover.

Here are detailed video tutorials on the SX40 that would be similar to the SX50

$369.00 Canon SX50 (ordered today)
$019.95 Lensmate 58MM Lens Conversion Adapter Ring
$035.00 HOYA 58mm Pro-One Digital Filter (to protect lense) Digital does not need UV
$022.99 2 Pack Of NB-10L Batteries And Rapid AC DC Charger
$005.95 Aiptek ZAC-STD-5 Tripod (Oh, please - $6?) Light and recommended by Ken Rockwell. Didn't notice not Prime eligible so pd $14 darn it.
$006.00 Shutter Release from eBay for that zoomed moon shot on the Serengeti (North of where I'm going but I like the sound of it).
$005.25 Hippie Camera Neck Strap from eBay Hope it doesn't clash with my Buff.
$003.00 Lens Cleaning System clean Pen eBay
$003.59 Flexible Grip Bubble Monopod eBay The little octopus thingy. ordered
$014.58 Case Logic DCB-304
Need a case as holster to keep camera around neck from banging on things.
$023.99 Transcend 32 GB Class 10 SDHC Need a few. ordered one to see.
$009.99 Monopod great reviews and so cheap! ordered (need ball and plate) no Prime item

The lens is 67mm but everyone does 58mm adapter without negative effects to save money.
Many hate filters as protectors and I may hold off but the idea always appealed to me. I will use plain glass.
With stabilization I should only need tripod for low light and extended exposure. Hey, throw it in.

High UV Buff here.
TAG Safari Clothing
REI Packing Cubes
Our African countries use electrical adapters M, D, G C with M being South Africa.

Removing purple camera aberrations with Canon software. And here and here.

I suppose I should post the obligatory free hand moon shot. Mosquitoes were eating me alive so I'm surprised it went even this well.

Uninterruptible Power Supply

I have normally used APC uninterruptible power supply (ups) units like this one, currently $120, for mission critical pc units.

The key phrase is "line interactive" which levels out the power stream in addition to simple surge protection.

LastPass Not Logging On To UPS Site

I copied this from the LastPass site. It works. I may try it for other unruly sites. Proof again that if it bugs you, someone has likely already solved it.

1. I got frustrated enough with UPS.com's multiple-page login (seemingly) not working with lastpass, that I put a little effort into figuring it out. It almost works perfectly (few caveats).
   
   Go to: https://www.ups.com/one-to-one/login?loc=en_US (change "en_US" to your language and country codes if applicable. For example, "fr_CA" would be for French Canadian)
   Type in your username and then choose Save All Entered Data from your LastPass toolbar (this is where you say to yourself, "yeah, yeah... heard it before. But keep reading")
   Click OK
   Now go to your LastPass again and edit the site you just saved.
   Delete every field except "uid"
   Click Add Field
   Enter "password" for name
   Select "Password" for Field Type
   Enter "passCollect" for Form Name
   Click OK
   Type in your password into the newly created password fieldord field