Image Problems with Sony Alpha Cameras or Lexar CF cards

I'm having a problem that I can't diagnose(yet). I own Sony Alpha line cameras (A100, A350,A700) and I have a reoccurring problem with some of the images.You can see by the examples I've posted that its ugly. But, I don't know the cause. Its occurred on 3 different CF cards and 2 different cameras!  I do have a couple "off" brand CF cards and I'm going to try them them.

Update: I posted on a forum about this problem here

How to diagnose an IP conflict

I haven't posted for awhile but here's a good one. I just had a situation where only one computer could access the internet and not only that, but if any other computer was turned on, both or all got a message about an IP conflict. I think the message was something like "another computer has the same IP" and there was a yellow triangle. Now, the computer that was first turned on could access the internet but the second could not. In trying to figure out the problem I attempted to access the router (type 192.168.1.0 in the address bar and hold the Ctrl button and press enter) and came up empty "the process timed out". I tried different combination's of the last two numbers and got into the modem instead. Then I got smart and hit Start>all programs>accessories>command prompt and typed in "ipconfig" and saw that the IP issued to my computer was close to the IP issued to modem. This was a clue because the network in your house only has a couple of reserved address ranges and this was out of range. I decided to have a look at the router and found the power light blinking while Mary informed me that there had been a power surge or loss earlier in the day. I unplugged the router and waited 1 minute and plugged it back in and the power light quit flashing.
After this, any computer turned on was able to access the internet and go about their business.

Explanation: the router quit working and the modem went default and issued the next IP address to the first computer that was turned on. The modem is not a router and can't handle multiple IP's. Once the router was working again it resumes its duties. The clue was the abnormal IP address at the computer level. When behind a router you should expect an address starting with "192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x or even though obscure 172.16.x.x .

Gin Wigmore

My previous post detailed something that sucked. This post details something that does not suck. "Oh My" by Gin Wigmore is a great song. The video is okay and I'm using it to show off Gin's pipes but that's my opinion.

Titanic 2: why not

On this page you can see the trailer for Titanic2. This is direct to video for a reason. Everybody says it sucks. I believe it does. You decide.

I hate Microsoft Even More!

Why do I hate Microsoft? Let me count the ways!

1. Windows ME
2. Windows Vista
3. Office(any version)
4. Internet Explorer (version 8's okay i guess)
5. Service Packs: XP has 3! Really! Was this software ready for release?
6. Adobe has Flash. Why Silverlight? Why not "Lightning"! Sounds catchy. Therefore, not Microsoft.
7. Did I mention Windows Genuine Advantage? Advantage = them! Us = not so much.
8. Nice website
9. Bill Grates on my nerves
10. All of the above

Actually, I do have a minor gripe with "the empire". I design some websites, not very well thank you, but still I do. One of the "tools" I use is Microsoft Expressions. I originally started with Frontpage only because I'm not notepad website hacker guy. I need WYSIWYG( pronounced "wisseewig" it stands for "what you see is what you get". Anyhow and whatnot, I use Expression 2 and noticed an opportunity to upgrade to version 3 and get a "free" upgrade to Expression 4! Being the dumbass that I am,  I jumped at the chance to go with a company with a great track record of providing quality software at a reasonable price. I bit, HARD! They got me!
The story is that Expression 3 sucked and sucked bad. Real bad! After installing, computers were crashing and nobody could get anything done. This was why they offered the "free" upgrade to version 4. Version 4 would fix everything, right? Wrong!
My situation is this: if I open a website designed in Expression 2 it doesn't look like what I designed, so I went back to version 2 and it crashes shortly after liftoff! What to do, what to do? I guess I may have to reinstall my operating system and the Expression Web 2 and try to hold it together until they tempt me with another great offer. Maybe if I buy Expression 5 they throw in a coupon to Dreamweaver so I can actually design instead of bitch, ya think?

I Hate Microsoft!

I hate Microsoft! And I've paid for that right! I have owned every operating system save for business related ones like Server and such. MS-Dos, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, I've owned them all and still do. The crux of this post is Windows 7 and the problems I'm having with it. Please let me explain.
The back story is that I beta tested it which involves installing an early release of the software and was successful and helped the program and other users.
The story now is that I bought a 3 license upgrade "Home Premium" pack from Bestbuy and installed it over a month ago.
The problem is that the other day I booted it up and got the message that my copy is a illegitimate bastard child! Ooh, I'm sorry! Let me use their terminology: "you may be a victim of software counterfeiting. This copy of Windows did not pass genuine Windows validation".
I'm sorry, I lost my cool there for a moment. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10!
I'm okay. Most other people would not be okay because of the key word "upgrade". If you upgrade your operating system and this happens, your computer will stop working after awhile. 
I won't be affected because the computer I installed this on actually can boot into three O.S.'s: Windows 7, Windows XP and Ubuntu. I still hate Microsoft, but after all this typing and explaining I realize that they are their own worst enemy. I can still use my computer but the average person, their core group of customers, will hate them far more then I do. I think they should call this "the genuine windows disadvantage".

A Casting Call for Lisbeth Salander

Lisbeth Salander, for those fewer and fewer people who don't know, is the main character in the Millenium series of books written by deceased author Stieg Larsson. These three books have sold over 30 million copies worldwide and are said to be selling 50,000 a day in the U.S. The books were initially made into movies in Sweden, Larssons home country, and have now been optioned for the U.S. rights. What that translates to is David Fincher will be the director and needs a leading lady. This is where things get interesting because the wrong choice could spoil what could be a series of blockbuster movies.

As an example, currently there are rumors that Kristen Stewart, of Twilight fame, is interested. This I believe would be a mistake on many fronts chiefly because she doesn't look the part and secondly, not trying to be mean, but no one knows if she can act, yet! It has been said that Fincher would prefer someone in the realm of South Africa's Yo-Landi Vi$$er, a member of Die Antwoord, and someone who, at first blush, delivers the look of a "Salander" type girl, diminutive, yet strong. She's in the video below.



The Swedish series of movies showcased Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander and having only seen the first movie I can only say she was well cast in it.

The second movie opens in the U.S. on July 9th, 2010. July 30th in Cleveland at The Cedar Lee.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage)

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy Bundle: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

LastFM has more on Die Antwoord as does MySpace.

Collider has an article on this subject as well as NYMag.