Blogging misconceptions, let’s get rid of stereotypes!

Is blogging a lethal activity?

Maybe this post arrives a bit late, I have to admit I wanted to read the opinions of other people that are heavily involved with blogs. It all refers to a recent article by the New York Times that describes the blogging profession with pessimism and a stereotypical view. I am still new to blogging and do not do it professionally, but here is my 2 cents:

• Blogging is a way of expression that is partly playing the role of news, entertainment, you name it. There is millions of people worldwide blogging, some of them do it professionally. The view presented in the New York Times can only be described as myopic, simply because it is a warped vision of blogging as a concept.
• Even refering to blog in strictly professional terms, it is like any other profession. Working long hours is anyone’s choice. Lazy people work very little, workaholics work all the time except when they are sleeping. What is the difference to any other profession? Are there no reporters that go home just for sleep and then start next day all over again?

SpeaQualiser graphic equalizers to remember good old times

If you are old enough you will remember the time of hardware graphic equalisers as discreet components with loads of vertical slider settings and enough lights to impress virtually any friend.

FlashWear now is offering the SpeaQualiser. You cannot control frequencies in any way, it is just a passive but cool looking representation of the music you are listening to.

Favourite tech picture of the day – 8th of April 2008

Cherry blossom keyboard for blossoming spring computing! Where from? Where else? Japan… For models ckeck out Akihabara.

Reviews of Olympus 12-60mm/f2.8-4.0 & 14-42mm/f3.5-5.6 lens by dpreview

In DSLR systems, lens is as important as the body. Professional choices are largely based not only on megapixels and body features, but also -sometimes mainly- on what lens ranges have to offer. Olympus understands this very well and given that its DSLR system was built from the ground up, a lot of good lens had to be developed to fill all requirements. The two lens reviewed by dpreview are the 12-60mm/f2.8-4.0 and the 14-42mm/f3.5-5.6, both belonging to the all-useful middle range for everyday use.

Without a doubt the 12-60mm/f2.8-4.0 is the star of the new Olympus lens, with a compact high-tech design that is in 35mm terms equivalent to 24-120mm. This means that it covers very satisfactory wide angles and also gets in telezoom fields, covering an incredibly rich range for a wide range of photographic applications. Designed to accompany the new E-3, it is no surprise that its quality of assembly, super-wide range and high quality results get it a review rating of ”highly recommended” and a description of “superb lens”.

Minolta 58/f1.2 converted with ROM Chip to AF for Sony A700

Source: Dyxum

Some people are plain create and come up with stuff and conversions that would more likely be expected from factory engineers. As Engadget reports, the moderator of the Dyxum photographic forum has managed to convert an old 58 mm/f1.2 Minolta lens from the 60s to AF for a brand new Sony A700!

The forum post describes the process which involves both mechanical and electronic intervention. A custom ROM chip was added and the mount was reworked, both to ensure compatibility with the A700’s characteristics.