The CES show, the gold standard in the world of Tech Geeks, was here to ring in 2012 with a splash. Sony, a leading manufacturer of cameras for everyone from amateur to professional, unrolled a selection of groundbreaking new cameras at the show. The Sony camera forum features a full run-down of Sony’s latest and greatest products.

Sony Alpha NEX Camera

The photography world has been buzzing since mid-2010 about Sony’s latest collection – the Alpha NEX series. The camera’s compact size is revolutionary, and it doesn’t carry the SLR’s in-body stabilization units. The NEX cameras also use E-mounts, or new electronic mounts. The camera also features metal-bodied lenses and a built in user manual in addition to Sony’s standard description of settings. The NEX-3 and NEX-5 saw so much success that Sony is now producing the newest addition to this collection, the NEX-7. Its basic specifications include 24.3 megapixels, up to 10 fps shooting, sweeping panorama, and other features. The Sony Alpha camera forum has the entire rundown and expert opinions on Sony NEX cameras.

Sony Cyber-Shot Camera

For the average amateur who snaps pictures in order to preserve memories, Sony offers the Cyber-Shot, an excellent point and shoot camera. They have unveiled four new inexpensive compact models for 2012: the W670, W630, W620, W610, and S5000. The W670 and W630 offer 16.1 megapixels, while the rest offer 14.1 megapixels. The W670 and W630 also feature image stabilization technology, which the other cameras don’t.

The new point and shoot cameras all offer Sony’s excellent sweep panorama technology. This allows the photographer to take a 360 degree panoramic photo by holding down the shutter while sweeping the camera around. Photos taken by these cameras are kept sharp with features such as face detection and others. Users can also add some creativity to their photos with color settings including Partial Color, Soft High-Key, Toy Camera, and Pop Color. As with all of today’s cameras, all of these models also take videos, with varying quality. As to pricing, the W610 will go for $110, the W620 for $120, and the W630 for $150.

Sony is also hinting at some more surprises for 2012 with camera models DSC-HX10, DSC-HX20, and DSC-HX200. As of yet little information has been released about these proposed new Sony cameras.

Sony is making a strong imprint on the photography community and consumers as a whole with their selection of new cameras that look to please every user. Tech geeks and photographers alike will anxiously await more details of new cameras as they are rolled out.

Do Check: Hot Gadgets of 2012

Author Bio:

Penny Talbot is a photography lover and fan of Sony cameras. She finds great information and discussions on the Photography Talk Sony camera forum. They have information on the Sony Alpha camera, and many other cameras, lenses, and accessories.

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I present to you one of the most famous images of Steve Jobs. It always makes me wonder.

It is not the eyes and that very subtle smirk on his face. It is that hand. That hand in front of his face, which seems to be supporting his chin. I have stared at it, and wondered, and questioned it. It baffles me. I have no answer to it, but I present to you a few theories:

– He just had a zit on his chin and wanted to hide it.
– He was developing a bald patch on his chin, and wanted to hide it.
– His hand is making the motion ASIAN (desi) people make to indicate the word ‘money’.
– His hand forms a triangle, which signifies the pyramids and the all seeing eye on top of the pyramid, and hence only fuels all the conspiracy theories about his products having a single ‘i’ in front of them.
– His beard is not real, and it is a wig, and was falling off and he is trying to hold it in place.
– If you look closely, it is evident that this is not his own hand. It is somebody else’s hand. This is the only way he could allow his secret love-child to become a part of history.
– Following on the other hand theory, Steve Jobs was asleep and the hand was required to keep him up.
– He had just hurt his thumb using a hammer and had been sucking it. He only took it out for the picture.
– He was giving a thumbs up and the picture was taken a few precious moments before, but turned out so good they decided to keep it.
– He had ripped his shirt or dropped something on his shirt and was trying to hide the stain.
– He had a coffee and the seat was steaming up his glasses, so he held his hand over it to stop it from doing so.
– He was really mad at the photographer and was just forming a punch.

I leave you with these thoughts. Feel free to add some of your own.

PS. And yes, I know the Steve Jobs posts have been and gone, but here is my piece on it, which should hopefully be taken in the right spirit.

Hakim  Muhammad Said

 9^th January 1920 is a hall mark in the history of subcontinent.  A great man was born inDelhiIndia.

A lot has been read, written and spoken about shaheed Hakim Muhammad Said locally, nationally internationally at all levels and   on all forums. There was not one single quality of a good human being that hakim sahib did not comprise of.

I saw him for the first time inHamdardPublic Schoolin 1991 on his birthday celebration.  He was tall, fair with straight posture dressed in white sherwani, smiling face and with brows of a shrewd man. I liked him.

Time passed swiftly. It was his routine to pay a visit to school every Wednesday morning and greet children when they got down their buses. He used to tell a story with a moral in the assembly which children enjoyed and waited anxiously to listen to. Often he would board any bus carrying Hamdard school children just to check personally if every child got a seat.

If the window panes were there fitted properly. The vehicle was in proper running condition and conductor was there to look after children.

The teaching staff was facilitated to travel free. Hakim sahib had great respect for teachers.

Hakim sahib often used to sit on the pavement with primary class children to share jokes and chat with them and get know how about their studies. Children loved him dearly.

Once he came to school other than Wednesday. Children were having a party after their exams. Hakim sahib joined the party joyfully. I gave him a plate and a spoon to eat something. He didn’t take anything. Children were so happy that hakim sahib was having party with them that they didn’t ask him to take anything. So I offered to put anything he likes in his plate but——- he told me quietly that he was fasting. He also asked me not to disclose it otherwise children will stop eating too. He kept pretending throughout to be eating. Oh my God! How much he loved and cared for children.

Photographer Mr.Afzal always accompanied him as hakim sahib loved everything to be saved and recorded. Once I said to him that hakim sahib you have been photographed with almost all kings, queens, presidents and the leading dignitaries of the world. It’s an honor though but why don’t you get photographed yourself unnoticed with children who are so honest and pure in their feeling of love and respect for you. He agreed.

Next time when he came he brought his personal camera which he gave to me and asked to take photos. Believe you me dear reader that it was fun to take photos of that scenario. Children unaware of being photographed gathered around him sat with him, talked to him laughed with him touched him shook hands with him and did what ever they liked. It was such enriching experience for us all and also for hakim sahib.

As a Governor of Sindh he was to pay a formal visit to his own school. A bed of rose petals was laid for him to walk on. I just can’t bear flowers specially roses to be crushed under feet so I quietly requested him not to walk on the petals but walk alongside. It can be seen in one of prospectus of school that he walked beside but did not step on the petals. This was his character. I was only an employee but he honored my request.

There is so much to say about him. He was the man of the century.

The news of his martyrdom was heart breaking. Phone calls poured in to confirm. None of us wanted to believe it——— but— it was trueL

When we went to his funeral I saw him lay straight like all bodies that die, but what surprised me was a small triangle of radiance on his forehead between his brows and a little up.  It was utter signal from heavens that he was innocent and that he WAS a shaheed. He was pious, honest, dedicated and a practicing Muslim. He was fasting that day when he was martyred.

He had selected his place for his grave just 2, 3 days before he was killed. He knew it.

My heart never ached as much as for him, more than it ached on my father’s demise. My father was just my father but hakim sahib was father of generations.

I am very thankful to the killers who helped him attain the title of shaheed. Every living being is mortal and has to pass away. Hakim sahib was in his 70’s so how long would he live a physical life more? May be up to the age of 100 years, then pass away!

As Muslims we believe that shaheed never dies.  It is said in Quran that, we do not know but shaheed is fed and is living.

All my warm deep and heart felt best wishes for his soul to rest in the best of best heavens above. Amen ameen ameen

While throwing your child a first birthday party may seem like a silly idea to some as he or she will probably have no memory of it in the future, it’s not about that. Your child is the most important part of your life and you simply want to celebrate his or her first year of life in the presence of your family and friends. Having said that, here are some tips for throwing a fun and memorable 1st birthday party:

1. Keep it simple. While it is natural to want to bring out the big guns and make the party as lavish as possible, understand that it is a children’s party you are throwing and that children and babies can get overwhelmed very easily. If you are planning a program, remember that you don’t have to make everything happen all at once and be sure to tell the entertainers (if any) to be gentle with the kids when it comes to the fun and games.

2. Serve child friendly food. These include potato salad, mini burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, French fries, Russian salad, ice cream sundaes, root beer floats and finger sandwiches. If there are going to be babies present at the party, be considerate enough to serve jarred baby food. Organic is always a good choice. If you have enough time, you can even prepare the food yourself. You can also find out beforehand if any of your guests have any allergies or special dietary needs and make adjustments accordingly.

3. Keep the guest list small. Throwing parties can get very stressful at times and one way to avoid this is by limiting the number of guests that you invite. You don’t have to invite every single person that you know. A medium sized group composed of close family members and friend should suffice. An intimate set up also makes it easier for everyone to get to know one another.

4. Secure the venue. If you are planning to throw the party in a place that requires renting or reservations, be sure to make the reservation well beforehand. This will save you the trouble of panicking over where to throw the party should you find that the date that you want has already been booked by somebody else.

5. Decide whether you want to hire a caterer or prepare the food yourself. It is necessary to decide on this well before the date of the party as if you are going to prepare the food yourself, you need to pick out what food you want to serve and pick up the necessary ingredients. On the other hand, if you choose to hire a caterer, you also need to sit down with him or her and let them know what your preferences are.

6. Send out Save the Dates early. Whether you are planning to send invites the traditional way, via email or what have you, the point is to let you guests know about the party at least one month before the date. This is proper etiquette as your guests may need time to clear out their schedules, pick up a present or set an appointment at the salon.

7. Map out the program/activities. If you are planning to contract the services of a clown, a magician or a puppeteer, you will need sufficient time to call and make a booking. Understand that these guys are busy and your child’s birthday party may not be the only one being thrown that day. You can also rent a trampoline, an inflatable jumping castle or whatever you think the kids might enjoy.

8. Decide on the theme and the favors. Seeing as your child is still too young to think of the theme that he or she wants for the birthday party, the choice will be yours to make. Teddy bears, balloons, or baby blocks are all cute themes for children’s parties. Get as creative as possible and don’t be afraid to be unorthodox. After all, your child will only turn one once.

9. Create a gift registry. This is always a good idea as it is a win-win situation for both you and your guests. You get to pick out the gifts that you know will be useful or enjoyable for your child and your guests will be spared the hassle of deciding what to give. Everybody wins. Just be sure to be considerate with regard to budget and pick out a variety of items that fall within different price ranges.

10. Hire a photographer and/or a videographer. The main reason you are throwing your child a birthday party on his or her first birthday party is to commemorate that special day. All this is meaningless if it isn’t captured on film or on video. If you are concerned about the budget, ask a close relative or a friend to do it for you. Another idea is to have some professional shots taken before the birthday party. The pictures of your little one can then be displayed during the party.  Not only would this be a great addition to the birthday party, but these pictures are a treasured keepsake capturing your child at the 1 year mark!

The tips mentioned above are only a few of many you can take into account to ensure that your child’s first birthday party will be a happy one. Feel free to add your own or to customize the tips to make it more personal and meaningful for your child. Lastly, don’t forget to have fun. After all, it’s a celebration of your child and your family!

Citations:

• Photo Credit

Olivia Nicholas is a writer and busy mom. She is always happy to share experiences through her work, and in her spare time works as a freelance writer for Storkie.

Guido Mantega (Photographer: Renzo Gostoli / Bloomberg )

Brazil 2011-2012: Vamos Lá!

Summary of the past year: Well, in summary, from soaring to just plain growing. Economists surveyed by the Central Bank expect GDP to grow 3.0% in 2011 (adjusted real terms) versus 7.5% in 2010. As a recent Reuters report on Brazil puts it: “…corporate leaders, investors and government officials already express nostalgia for the boom years. They will have to scale down their expectations…” A continued Eurozone crisis could hamper exports such as soy, iron ore, and coffee. Domestic air traffic was up 18.5% in the first 9 months of 2011, versus a 27.4% increase in the same period of 2010. Still, domestic demand remains stronger in Brazil than in many developed economies.

Most unexpected event: For me, it’s got to be the Faxina (“housecleaning”) that President Rousseff has embarked upon to oust corrupt government ministers. As discussed in my previous post, 5 of Dilma’s ministers have exited disgracefully since June. Under-fire Labor Minister Carlos Lupi may be the sixth. Lupi may offer a test to Dilma’s mettle – he said he would only quit if he were shot, “and it would have to be a big bullet, because I’m a big guy.”[1]

However, analysts believe Dilma is only ousting Ministers whose guilt has been made public, without tackling the system in which ministry control and government jobs are political currency. Dilma’s challenge is that her party needs allies in the Chamber of Deputies, and as the price for friendship, other parties want their slices of bacon. One argument says that because Dilma’s legislative priorities (education, health care, infrastructure) do not require congressional aid, Dilma could crack down harder on corruption. Alberto Almeida of the Instituto Análise notes that the faxina has made bribery of government officials a lot tougher. This may prompt smaller political parties to merge with bigger ones, a positive result if this makes government coalitions smaller.

Person of the year: A tough call, but I’m going to go with Finance Minister Guido Mantega. A recent report in Bloomberg suggests Dilma will retain Mantega during the pre-election Cabinet reshuffle next year.[2] In a sense, this is not surprising given Mantega’s handling of the post-crisis economy. After the Lehman crisis, Mantega handled tax restructuring and state-lending initiatives that fostered 7.5% GDP growth in 2010. However, news of Dilma retaining a Cabinet official deviates from the norm these days. Mantega was never seen as close to Dilma; he was appointed Finance Minister in 2006 by Lula. Brazilian inflation around 7% and threats to demand for exports provide ample pretexts for Dilma to replace Mantega, but Dilma has kept faith with him. Mantega’s skill will be put to the test in the next 6 months. Brazil GDP contracted in the third quarter and inflation remains high compared to its target range. The jobs market, though, remains healthy.[3]

Prediction:  Hard to say where the economy will go, but economists expect real GDP growth of about 3% in 2012. This still beats the developing world. Investors in Brazil are hoping for a better year as well, and may well get it. The Ibovespa is currently down about 17% year-to-date (source: Cap IQ), though expected to appreciate next year. The real, on the other hand, may not be appreciating. As I type the real is at 1.87 versus the dollar, sky high compared to its post-Lehman low of 2.60. The real is seen by many as overvalued, especially given that Brazil’s trade balance is expected to decline.

On a sporting note, World Cup 2014 will also have a sharp effect on Brazil’s politics and economics. In the runup, Dilma’s government has disagreed with FIFA on issues such as cracking down on merchandise piracy, allowing beer sales inside venues, and ticket pricing. Hammering out these agreements along with completing infrastructure development could lead to a game of chicken between Dilma and FIFA. The risks are huge for both Brazilian taxpayers and anyone set to profit from the World Cup (players, sponsors, travel agencies). Also, I wouldn’t be surprised by the resignation of Ricardo Teixeira, President of the Brazil Football Confederation and 2014 World Cup Local Organizing Committee. Teixeira is facing money laundering and bribery allegations, and from what I understand, he and President Rousseff are not on speaking terms.