11/01/2009

Rembrance Day November 11 2009


Veterans' Week 2009: How Will You Remember?

Why Remember?

Why Remember?

Canada's service men and women have served this nation from the First World War to current missions. They step forward in our time of greatest need — because they believe in peace and security around the world. They have left their villages and cities, their farms and fishing communities, to make a difference. And they did. And today's service men and women are carrying on the tradition.


Students access this website by double clicking on the link to the right. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/

1. View the site and send an e-card to your friends and family so they can also remember.

2. Send an e-card to your instructor at aquariuspink@hotmail.com

10/25/2009

Timeless Myths



It's that time of year again.......................HALLOWEEN................

Visit the Link below and read about old urban myths and legends.
Which superstitions or old wives tales do you remember from your childhood. Do you know a different legend that is not mentioned on this website.


In a new document such as word or office word type a paragraph or two to describe some of the urban legends or superstitions you have read on this website also list any superstitions or old wives tales that your were told as a child.

Don't forget to write your name at the top of the page and insert today's date.
Print it out a copy for your portfolio and save it. You can also include clip art.

Have a fun filled Halloween Terrie.

10/04/2009

Happy Thanksgiving Day


Read and see information about the first Thanksgiving.
Take note of the Scholastic Word Wizard box in the lower right hand corner.
Post a comment.
Check mark the one of the reaction boxes.
Your instructor will give you a project to complete after you complete this task.



9/13/2009

WELCOME BACK


Our new 12 week session has begun September 14th is our first day. I am so happy to be back and I am looking forward to working with new and old students. I hope you all had a very good summer in spite of all the rain we had. So tell the cat to get off of the computer it's time for you to get back to using it.
Let's have a great learning experience together.

Terrie

6/07/2009

10 Common Digital Camera Questions

Digital cameras provide several differences and benefits over film cameras. Before buying a digital camera, it's important to learn the basics about digital cameras, including the differences between point-and-shoot digital cameras and digital SLR cameras.

For beginning photographers, finding the right digital camera can be a chore. With so many point-and-shoot models and brands, all at varying price points, shopping can be confusing. Sort out the confusion by reading answers to these 10 common digital camera questions in our digital camera FAQ.

1. How Much Resolution Do I Need?

Most of the newer digital cameras have plenty of resolution for beginning photographers to make reasonably sized prints, which means the maximum resolution in a digital camera isn't as important as it used to be. Although resolution amounts are important in determining image quality, keep in mind that all digital cameras of a particular resolution aren't going to yield the same image quality. Lens quality, image sensor quality, and response times of the camera all affect image quality, too.

2. What Is the Cost of Printing Photos?

For the most part, printed digital photos are similar in cost to printed film photos, averaging 15 cents to 50 cents per print, depending on size.
Although it might seem as if printing photos at home is very inexpensive, you do have to remember the cost of ink and paper, and that cost can increase quickly if you use specialty inks or papers, made specifically for photos.

Some stores allow you to print photos from a kiosk, simply by inserting a memory card. You also can send your photos to various companies on the Internet, where they can be printed and either sent to you or picked up on location. In most instances, printing photos at a store is less expensive than printing at home.

3. What Do the Zoom Lens Numbers Mean?

The zoom lens measurements for a digital camera signify the amount of magnification the lens can produce. The numbers can be confusing, however, because some manufacturers highlight different measurements, including optical zoom, digital zoom, and combined zoom. Keep this in mind: Optical zoom is the most important zoom measurement because it measures the focal length of the lens.
For more information on zoom lenses, click here.

4. Why Does My Camera Have a Delay When I Take a Photo?

When using auto-focus mode, your digital camera may need a fraction of a second to focus on the image. In low-light conditions, this delay, called shutter lag, can last a full second or more, which could cause you to miss a spontaneous photo or which could cause blurry photos, if you can't hold the camera steady during the shutter lag. When large zoom lenses are fully extended, shutter lag increases. Most point-and-shoot models allow you to pre-focus by pressing the shutter button halfway before taking the shot.
When using a flash, you may experience shutter lag, too, because the camera's focus-assist light needs to fire to allow the camera to focus before it fires the main flash.

5. Why Does My Camera Have a Delay After I Take a Photo?

Such delays, called shot-to-shot delays, occur when the camera must transfer the image to the memory card and clear the sensor before shooting another photo. You can overcome shot-to-shot delays by shooting in burst mode, where the camera snaps several photos at a preset image size within a couple of seconds.

6. Is Image Stabilization Important?

Image stabilization, sometimes shortened to IS, helps prevent blurry photos from camera shake. IS can be optical, digital, or dual. Image stabilization is especially important for cameras with large zoom lenses.
Optical image stabilization is the best type of IS because it involves actually moving the parts of the camera to compensate for camera shake. Many recent point-and-shoot models now contain IS, although not all of them offer optical IS.
For more information on IS, click here.

7. Will Certain Types of Memory Cards Increase Transfer or Performance Speeds?

Memory cards, for the most part, all perform at similar levels, especially with beginner, point-and-shoot digital cameras. Some memory cards are labeled as "professional" or "high speed," but, with point-and-shoot cameras, you won't see enough of a performance boost from such memory cards over standard memory cards to justify the higher cost.

8. Are Image Quality Settings Important?

With almost every point-and-shoot digital camera, you can set various aspects of the image, including resolution and quality. Resolution refers to the number of pixels in the image. Quality involves the amount of compression used on the photo.
Images with more compression and fewer pixels will have less overall image quality, requiring less storage space. Images with less compression and more pixels will have more image quality, but they will require more storage space. Because memory is so inexpensive these days, you'll rarely want to shoot at settings that results in low image quality. Once a photo is shot, you can't go back and add pixels, after all. Images that you plan to print should be of a high image quality.

9. What Type of Battery Is Better?

Point-and-shoot digital cameras typically use either proprietary rechargeable batteries or disposable off-the-shelf batteries. Both types have some advantages.
Proprietary rechargeable batteries cost less to use in the long run, but, once their power is gone, your camera is useless until you can recharge. You can buy a second, backup battery, but it can cost $40 or more.

Disposable batteries typically add more bulk to the camera, and they're more expensive in the long run because they sometimes run out of power quickly, especially if you use the LCD quite a bit. However, if you're traveling and run out of power, picking up two more AA batteries at a local store is an easy process. You also can use rechargeable AA batteries.

10. Which Digital Camera Should I Buy?

The final question is one that, unfortunately, has no specific answer. The right camera for you likely isn't the right camera for your best friend. Everyone's photography needs are a little different.

The best way to figure out which digital camera you should buy is to do your homework. Determine how you'll use the camera, search for a model that has strengths you want, talk to family and friends

Software Programs.

* Photoshop Elements, which runs on both Macs and Windows, is worth investigating. Have at least one computer set up with Elements and such plugins as PhotoGraphicEdges to fix up the images.

* Consider having pictures printed locally at a one-hour processing center; it's less expensive and produces much better quality than using ink-jet printers. In our area, I pay reprint prices of 29 cents for a 4-inch by 6-inch print, and bring the images to them after burning just the ones we want on a CD-ROM. Make sure photos are cropped to the 4-inch by 6-inch ratio before taking them to be printed.

Charge the Battery

A light on the camera or charger should tell you the status of the battery charging procedure.
When charging the battery, either in a separate charger or inside the camera, you must make sure you load the battery properly. Follow the directions on the charger, on the camera, or in the user guide or Quick Start Guide.

If you're using a battery charger, you should just connect the included electrical cord to the charger, insert the battery, and plug the charger into the wall outlet. If charging the battery inside the camera, you may have to connect the electrical cord to a port on the camera, such as a USB port.

Check the user guide for information specific to your camera.

When you start the charging process, you should see a light indicating that the unit is receiving power. While the battery is charging, the light often is a red, yellow, or orange color, depending on the model of camera. When the battery is fully charged, the light may change to a green or blue color, or it may shut off completely.

Insert The Battery

The biggest problem people encounter with this step is incorrectly inserting the battery. When inserting the camera battery in the battery compartment, it fits only one way.

Most rechargeable batteries are marked with "positive" and "negative" posts, and you simply have to line up the posts with the proper areas inside the charger. Other rechargeable batteries have a unique shape or a notch on one end that must be lined up perfectly with the charger.

Most of the time, the battery will have a notch or a curved edge that will only allow it to fit in one direction. You'll need to use a little force to fit the battery tightly into the compartment, and it should almost click into place.
However, you don't want to use too much force. The pressure from one finger should be sufficient.

If a memory card slot is behind the battery compartment door, you'll want to insert the memory card in a similar manner. It will fit only one way.

Use the notches or curved edges on the memory card to align it properly. (Keep in mind that not every camera ships with a memory card, and you may have to purchase one separately.)

With most camera models, to remove the battery or memory card, you simply press the battery or card in another fraction of an inch, and the battery or card should pop upward a little bit, allowing you to pull it out of the slot. Pinch the battery or card between your thumb and finger to lift it out of the slot.

The compartment door should swing closed again with an audible click. If the battery or memory card is not properly inserted, though, the door may not close properly. It takes a little bit of force to close the door, but excessive force could cause the door to pop off the hinge.

Always check the user guide or Quick Start Guide to ensure proper insertion and removal of the battery or memory card.

Open the Battery Compartment


With this Olympus camera, the battery and memory card fit behind the battery compartment door.
With most battery compartment doors for cameras, you have to flip a small lever or toggle switch to open the door.
The toggle switch unlocks the compartment door and allows it swing open. The toggle switch can be embedded in the compartment door, or it can be next to the door. Again, the Quick Start Guide should give you the exact location, if you can't find the door.

Find the Battery Compartment

The battery compartment on this Olympus model is on the bottom of the camera.






Find the compartment for the rechargeable battery. Most of the time, the compartment is on the bottom panel or on a side panel of the camera. Use the Quick Start Guide to find the compartment door.
The memory card slot also might be hidden behind the battery compartment door.

Setting Up Your Camera


Begin setting up your camera by finding the Quick Start Guide. With some models, it's a printed card or poster that's separate from the user guide. With other models, the Quick Start Guide may be printed inside the user guide.


The Quick Start Guide should provide easy-to-follow instructions for charging the battery, for inserting it correctly into the camera, and for inserting the memory card.
Most Quick Start Guides include both illustrations and printed instructions.
Just be certain to follow the instructions in order. Don't skip around.
The initial battery charging process can require anywhere from one to three hours, so don't expect to use the camera immediately after taking it out of the box.
If your camera uses disposable AA or AAA batteries, you simply have to insert the batteries in the camera. If, however, your camera requires a rechargeable battery, you'll have to charge it before you can use the digital camera. Some cameras use a separate charger

Digital Camera



Taking the Camera Out of the Box

When you purchase a new digital camera, following the correct initial setup procedure is important. With most point and shoot models, it isn't overly difficult to learn to use your camera correctly, but it can be a little tricky if you've never done it before.
This set of articles will show you how to run the initial setup on your camera and how to use your camera correctly. By following the correct steps in the beginning, you can avoid problems later.

Keep in mind that every model of digital camera is a little different. This set of articles will not exactly follow every step you need to use with your particular brand and model of digital camera. The articles are designed more to provide general guidance in working with your new camera. For exact instructions, look toward your new digital camera's user guide or quick start guide.

As you open the camera's box, you'll notice it is packed tightly with components, user guides, and even a few advertisements. Find a large flat surface and lay everything out carefully. The camera's user guide or quick start guide should have a drawing or a list of all of the items in the box. Make sure you have everything before you begin charging the battery. Save all of the plastic bags and packing material.


4/19/2009


WEDNESDAY APRIL 22ND 2009
Check out this website and learn some interesting facts about the place we call HOME.
Is there anything we can do to keep our HOME beautiful and healthy?

4/12/2009

The Top Six Alternative Search Engines

The Top Six Alternative Search Engines
(About .com)

Looking for a new search engine? There are literally hundreds of really great search engines on the Internet that focus on specific topics: images, jobs, blogs, etc. You can find all sorts of great stuff using these alternative search engines that you might not be able to find on the more well-known search engines; plus, many of these search engines have really interesting


1. Blinkx

Blinkx TV is a search engine that helps you find audio, video, and podcasts using not only keywords and phrases, but also content in the actual clips that you're looking for. For example, if you wanted to find Kermit the Frog's "It's Not Easy Being Green", you could type in "having to spend each day the color of the leaves", and Blinkx would be able to fetch what you're looking for using not only your content, but the concept behind your content - the spoken word (or in this case, the lyrics).


2. IMDB

The Internet Movie Database is the biggest movie database on the Web. Featuring top movies, movie news, movie reviews, movie trailers, movie showtimes, DVD movie reviews,celebrity profiles,etc., the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is a mammoth depository of movie information.


3.Healthline

Healthline.com is a medical information search engine. Healthline is solely dedicated to finding medical information online, and it offers medically filtered results developed by trained medical personnel. It's really an excellent tool for finding all kinds of medical information.


4. BrainBoost
BrainBoost is an automated question-answering search engine. Here's how it works: you type in a question, any question, and instead of merely matching your search query in page text and titles like other search engines, BrainBoost actually goes the next logical step and sorts through the search results for you.


5.National Geographic's Map Search Engine

National Geographic's Map Machine is a gigantic collection of all the National Geographic maps in a searchable online database. There is so much to the Map Machine that it's best to look at it piece by piece. Start with the Map Machine categories to get a big picture view of all that National Geographic map search has to offer. There's a lot here, and it's all searchable: world maps, satellite maps of Mars, Globe Explorer aerial imagery.


6. Technorati

Technorati is a real-time search engine dedicated to the blogosphere. It only searches through blogs to find exactly what you're looking for. At the time of this writing, Technorati was tracking over 22 million sites and over a billion links, a mind-boggling amount.
Dogpile is a meta search engine, meaning that it gets results from multiple search engines and directories and then presents them combined to the user. Dogpile currently gets its results from Google, Yahoo, MSN Search, Ask , About, MIVA, LookSmart, and more.