Traveling with expensive camera equipment

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I'll be heading out to parts of China where I've never been.  Even though I look Asian, I'm sure my clothing, my travel partners and the gear I carry will make me stick out like a sore thumb.  Not to mention the camera gear which I will be carrying.

So I happened across this article about how someone disguised his camera so that it looks like something nobody would want.

It's ingenious really, more out of necessity than anything else.  While I won't go to such extremes, I will definitely consider older bags, beat up camera markings, stickers and tape in future adventures where travel can be risky.

Microsoft recommends that people install SP3 for XP now...

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I hope nobody out there is still on SP2, you should have moved to SP3 over a year ago!

"

Dear Windows XP Customer,

 

We have released a free update for Windows® XP called Service Pack 3 to make your PC with Windows XP run more securely and reliably.  Support for Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) is coming to an end on July 13, 2010..." 

 

 

Gas station secrets - things they won't tell you.

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MSN has posted an article about little gas station secrets worth checking out.

I'll add to it the following - what they won't tell you:

1. My gas may be clogging your engine.  Gas stations have to change their tanks every few years to clear out the dirty deposits.  If you happen to be filling up around the time I have to change, you're getting those deposits into your engine.

2. Our gas is all the same, just how we market it.  My super unleaded octane 92 is the same as the gas station across the street's super unleaded octane 92.  

3. Your car doesn't need super unleaded to run, but we thank you for purchasing it.  All cars are required by law within the USA to run on 87 octane without exception.  Older cars may benefit from higher octane if they start to ping, and only new cars that are designed for higher octanes can benefit from it.

4. We provide you with squeegees and window detergent.  But you should check to see how dirty it is before you use it, as it may do more harm than good.

5. The absolute worst times to fill up is right when my tank is getting filled up by a tanker, or when the tank is getting empty.  All those deposits that have settled to the bottom are now swarming throughout the tank of gas.  As the tank approaches empty, the deposit concentration gets higher = dirtier gas.

Police apparently seized Gizmodo Editor's computer equipment in iPhone 4.0 investigation

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PCMagazine reports that the police, under authority of a warrant, broke into Jason Chen's house and proceeded to confiscate his computer and technology gadgets.

Jason Chen had posted about a week ago regarding the leak of a real iPhone 4.0 prototype which he paid a sum of $5000 USD to acquire and be the first to uncover on gizmodo.

I know this much for sure:

1. The iPhone 4 prototype was real - there was sufficient evidence for this, but this pushes it beyond any reasonable doubt what-so-ever.

2. Apple is making an example of the whole ordeal.  It takes its leaks very seriously.

How I try to be green every day

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Happy Earth Day!

Here's a random list of ways that I try to be green every day.

 

  • I telecommute.  A lot of work I do is done 'remotely' or online as much as I can.
  • I carpool as much as possible.
  • I drive an old car. There are significant environmental costs to both manufacturing a new automobile and adding your old car to the ever-growing collective junk heap.
     
  • I do a lot of walking.
  • I recycle.  Cans, paper, bottles, computers, electronics, water, etc.
  • I use solar energy (directly from sunlight) to charge my every day batteries that power my portable electronics, cell phone, laptop, and lights in my computer room.
  • I turn off lights when the room isn't being occupied.
  • I switched to high efficiency fluorescent tubes and LED lights.
  • My servers are on a timed schedule and power down when unused for a long period of time.
  • I vote for energy star rated efficiency products when I make my purchases.
  • My web-server is completely powered by solar and wind energy.
  • I use the dark google.
  • I use rechargeable batteries instead of disposables for almost everything except a watch or two, and those last for years before they need to be replaced.
  • I take short showers.
  • I eat home grown vegetables and fruits.
  • I unplug AC adapters when the electronics won't be used for a while.
  • I put on an extra layer when it gets cold at home vs using a heater.
  • I try to pass out virtual contact/business cards vs paper cards.
  • I don't ask for a receipt at starbucks.
  • I mulch my grass clippings to use as fertilizer.
  • I pay with e-bills and use virtual statements.
  • I use re-usable water bottles made of aluminum, which itself is completely recyclable.
  • I refurbish old computers.
  • I re-use my plastic bags.