Ronald Su dot Com

Good Compact Camera For Your Blog

For those of you who are still using plain text for your blog posts, you need to change now! Since John Chow is already using videos into his blog posts, if you don’t act now you will be left very behind. Most likely your blog will fail too. Who wants to read just plain text nowadays? So do the good thing for your readers and get a good digital camera now!

Compact DC Is Your Blog’s Best Friend

Some of you already know I have a digital SLR and you may ask why I need a compact DC too. A SLR is good for enthusiasts photographers or photo blogs, but doesn’t really do the job for a more general blog. Reason being is because it is quite big to carry around. For a blogger, you want to carry a camera with you to anywhere you go to. Have a quality pocket size DC allow you to take pictures of those you find interesting and the food you eat. Readers love to see what you eat! Also, you can take video with your DC too, so don’t just look for image quality in a camera, look for video quality as well.

Nikon vs. Sony vs. Casio

I’ve used many different brands of digital cameras and I found Nikon, Sony, and Casio to be my favorites. I am really talking about the Nikon S52, Sony T300, and the Casio EX-V8. If you know a little bit about cameras, you may know they all all ultra-compact cameras. As the name may tell you, they are very slim and their lenses do not extend out. They are also at the high end of the price range. However, you really need something light and compact for your blog because it should be in your pocket all the time.

Casio EX-V8 For The Win

I am currently using a Nikon S51 and have used the Sony T300 and Casio EX-V8. I bought mine 6 months ago and simply didn’t do enough research for an overall best camera for blogging. If I am going to buy a new camera now, I will get the Casio EX-V8. Below are the reasons and comparisons. These are the most important specs and my own opinions, I am not going to have all the specs to bore you.

Nikon S52	Sony DSC-T300	Casio EX-V8
Resolution: 9 MP Image Size: 3456×2592 Manual Settings: No Zoom: 3x stabilization: Yes Video: 640×480 30fps	Resolution: 10.1 MP Image Size: 3648×2736 Manual Settings: No Zoom: 4.3x stabilization: Yes Video: 640×480 30fps	Resolution: 8.1 MP Image Size: 3264×2448 Manual Settings: Yes Zoom: 7x stabilization: Yes Video: 848×480 30fps
Comment: Using S51 and they are pretty much the same. Overall best image quality as details and lights are very accurate. Focusing a bit slow. Face detection feature sucks. Worst video quality. Very grainy video especially in low light conditions.	Comment: Good image quality. Focusing is fast and details are sharp. Exposure can be inaccurate sometimes. Best video quality. Very detail videos and more than enough for Youtube. Also best looking with sleek slider. Expensive.	Comment: Excellent image quality. Very detailed and sharp. Also very fast both startup and focus. Great zoom for size. Good screen and good grip. Very good video quality. Can also capture in wide screen mode. Very good value for money. Best for smart bloggers.
		Ronald’s Pick

I hope this post will help you choose the best DC for your blog. Remember to keep your readers entertained with good pictures and high quality videos. Feel free to drop a line if you want to share your thoughts.

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Tags: blogging, camera, dc

Nokia N95 Internal GPS w/ Garmin Mobile XT

Since my last post on the Nokia N95 Internal GPS, a lot of people emailed me about what they should do and how to get the files. It is quite simple to find files on some mobile forums and websites, but it requires a lot of reading and digging.

So now I am going to post this information here so people don’t have to struggle for days to make their Nokia N95 Internal GPS work for free. Last time I talked about the Route 66 software, but now I have found a better solution for your N95 GPS. It is the Garmin Mobile XT software for Symbian S60. It will also work on N82’s internal GPS too. It is far quicker and more detailed than the Route 66 that I recommended before. So here are the files and step by step guide:

Before you go at it, I have to make it clear that I did not make the files or promote the use of pirated software. This is a collection of information and intend for sharing and learning. If you like what you are using, please buy it.

1) Download the main files here.
You will need WinRAR to unpack the files. If you don’t have it, download it here.

2) Download the maps that you need. (Torrent files and they may take a while to download)

North America Map
Europe Map
Australia Map (David’s request)

After you have finish downloading the map, install the map program. (On your PC. Later you can select which
parts to transfer to phone)

edit: The map source unlock code is (GNG55 - L8WSA - S7YET - 9U246 - GJFQT) for North Ameria.
not sure about others. May also work? Google around to find others. You need to unlock the map to be able to use internal GPS.

3) Connect your Nokia N95 to your computer via USB cable, and set your phone as mass storage mode.

4) Run the support files installation that you have downloaded in the pack. It should install on your phone.

5) Run the free base map file. It should install on your phone.

5) Run the main file that says XT for Symbian S60. It should also install on your phone.

6) Now unplug your USB and run Garmin XT on your phone. The icon should be under applications some where.

7) Within the program, navigate to About page and find the CARD ID. Write down the number.

8 ) Exit the program and connect your phone again to the computer.

9) Now open keygen in the first package and enter the CARD ID and generate 2 keys. One for program, and one for map.

10) Open SW.UNL with notepad and paste your device unlock code. Save and close.

11) Open GMAPSUPP.UNL and paste your map unlocked code. Save and close. (Make sure you choose the right map that you want to install)

12) Go to your phone’s memory in My Computer. Copy the 2 files SW and GMAPSUPP inside the Garmin XT folder.

13) Open the map program on your computer while your phone is still connected. Choose the regions that you need and copy the maps to the file by following the instructions. (May take a while)

14) When that’s done, disconnect your phone and it should say Garmin XT detected, do you want to run. Choose YES.

14) Inside Garmin XT, disable bluetooth GPS and choose to use internal GPS only. Also disable GPRS support. Wait a few minutes and you should have a fully functional up to date GPS system. (Make sure you are standing outdoor if you want signal)

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Tags: garmin, n95 gps

Wedding Photo Shoot During Earthquake

I did my first wedding photo shoot in the beginning of this month. It went by smooth and safe despite a little rain. Thank god. Imagine you are doing a photo shoot and everything start shaking… Things start to fall and the church you are in is falling apart… Scary right?

Chinese couple getting married in Sichuan, China

A Chinese couple went through this terrible experience 2 weeks ago during the deadly earthquake in China. Their shocking wedding pictures were published on the Internet recently. The photographer was very professional because he didn’t stop taking photo even though he was brought to the ground by the quake and falling debris.

Everything collapsed, but atleast none of them were hurt

Picture taken when photographer was on the ground

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Tags: china, earthquake, wedding

Driven To Perform 2008: Vancouver

The 7th annual Drive To Perform 2008 is coming to Vancouver on May 31, 2008 Saturday in B.C. Place Stadium. The show is a one day event start at 1pm to 11pm. Every year the modified car show attracts thousands of youth and car enthusiasts. It’s going to be a crazy day as tons of hot cars and hot girls are featured in one place.

I am not so much into modified race cars but they do look attractive. A lot of show girls look attractive too and it will make a very good photo day for me.

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Tags: dtp 2008

First Wedding Photo Shoot

This month I did my first ever paid wedding photo shoot. It allowed me a chance to show my true potential at being a enthusiast photographer. It was actually a friend’s wedding and I was willing to take pictures for the event. However she insisted to pay me. The amount was a fraction of what professionals would charge, but I am happy because it is my first commercial work. I am officially a Vancouver freelance wedding photographer!

I don’t look into being a professional photographer. However, I don’t mind some freelance work. I simply love taking photo!

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Tags: photo, wedding

Abalone Instant Noodle

Last night I got a hold of 2 abalones. They were cooked using extremely high quality ingredients. Personally I have no idea how to cook them. All I know is they are quite expensive if you get one in a Chinese restaurant. I felt like eating one today for lunch but had no idea what to eat it with. So… I had matched this expensive seafood with instant noodle…

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Tags: abalone, instant noodle, seafood

Designers Will Kill You

Stumbled upon the website of Gallery 1988. The gallery will open on May 20 in LA and ends on June 1. It is a gallery of very interesting art pieces. The most interesting of is The Revolution Will Be Fabulous: A Weapons Of Mass Designer Show by Peter Gronquist. The show features many crossover pieces of combat weapons and premium designer brands. My favorites of all are the Louis Vuitton chain saw and the Paul Smith missile. All the pieces are for sale and most of them are already sold out! Check it out!

Louis Vuitton chain saw for $3250

Paul Smith missile for $500

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Tags: crossover, louis vuitton, paul smith, weapon

Congratulations To Tzu Chi Foundation Canada

Tzu Chi Foundation had done a great job in raising money for China earthquake relief. I’ve never seen a relief fund set up so quick. On May 13, which was the day after the initial quake, I heard them asking for donations on radio already.

They have partnered up with local Chinese radio station AM1320 and T&T Supermarket to raise money as quick as possible. They have also set up donation booths in all major shopping malls in Vancouver. I am really impressed by their efforts. I’ve checked their website and since May 15 they have raised a total of $700,000 CAD. That is almost 5 million Chinese yuan. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

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Tags: china, donation, earthquake, tzu chi

Fairchild Radio Open House

Today is Fairchild Radio’s open house day. Fairchild Radio is Canada’s most listened to Chinese radio station. Actually they have more than one stations to target Cantonese and Mandarin listeners in different major cities in Canada. Today’s open house in Vancouver is to promote its radio hosting classes that are coming up in July. Every year they put up classes around summer time to train potential future radio hosts. If you live in Vancouver and wants to get professional training from Canada’s #1 Chinese radio, then visit their website at am1470.com.

Want To Be A DJ?

There’s another session which trains you to becoming a radio news reporter. I am totally not interested in becoming a news person, so I only filled out the radio host training registration form. It costs $10 CAD to register and also need to attach a 4R recent photo. I have no idea what 4R means but I guess a 6×4 is good enough.

My First Radio Commercial

During today’s open house, a professional radio hosts showed us how it is like to talk and mix for radio. It was fun and I got to record a short commercial as demonstration. My first ever radio commercial was very choppy and embarrassing. The demonstrator said it’s very good for the first time. Hopefully the training class will teach me how to record a perfect commercial.

Registration Ends On June 14

The whole courses should last for about 7 weeks. The cost is $265. There is going to be an exam at the end and if you can show good potential, you get to go on to phase 2 of the training and a step closer to becoming a professional radio host.

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Tags: open house, radio host, training

Let’s Help China

Let’s put away your political views and bias for a minute and focus on the tragedy that happened in China a few days ago. For those who didn’t know, there was a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in southwest Sichuan China. The government had put a great rescue effort but more help is needed. Death toll is almost 15,000 now and most of them are children as a lot of schools collapsed during the quake.

A Picture > A Thousand Words

If you don’t know how bad the situation is, just head to Reuters.com and look at the image gallery of the quake. You will see how bad it is for the victims and their families. Your tears will start to drop as pictures are better than a thousand words.

Donate Now!

Because the quake erupted in a mountainous area and many roads were destroy, rescuers had a hard time reaching the victims. The first rescuers walked for hours to each to the critical areas. You don’t have to do the same to help those victims, all you need to do is contact your local Red Cross now and donate. The latest news from China is that it is badly in need of bottled water. Donate now and help get those water to the victims! If doesn’t matter if you are Chinese, Japanese, or American. Save some lives before it is too late!

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Tags: china, earthquake, sichuan