Digital signage is perfectly positioned to assist with the relaying of information to large crowds of people in the event of an emergency. Recent events such as the school and university massacres in the United States of America have highlighted the need for authorities to communicate and update people that are trapped in these situations.
Gone are the days when institutions and authorities had to rely on static and prearranged emergency plans hoped that word of mouth and speakerphones would transmit their instructions to an often frightened public. Instead they are now able to transmit up-to-date instructions which can be adjusted to meet a variety of situations and can be delivered as a consistent message to all affected people. This ultimately increases public safety and emergency response times and leads to saved lives.
Institutions and emergency services can use digital signage in a variety of ways:
* Provide visual and dynamic demonstrations of current escape routes
* Communicate with large crowds of people in a consistent and clear manner
* Provide real-time information on the crisis as it unfolds
* Allow for varied messages for people in different areas of the venues
* Use the signage for a variety of other uses and communications during non-emergency times
Essentially digital signage can allow rescue, crowd management and crowd communication efforts to be infinitely more efficient and effective in a cost-effective manner, resulting in increased public safety. These are just some examples of the ways digital signage can be used to increase public safety in times of emergency.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Digital Photography Software
Digital photography has exploded the possibilities available for capturing, sharing and manipulating photos. The increased attention has peaked the interest of many amateur photographers and the market is responding accordingly. There are many software products available for download as well as purchase. These products offer various ways to edit and organize your photos as well as provide instruction. I offer the following review of products that I found to be of good quality.
Kodak Gallery is a free online site for editing and storing photos. They also offer a number of services including gift ideas, personalized products and online tutorials. Shutterfly and Winkflash are very similar to Kodak Gallery offering a number of products such as greeting cards, calendars, mouse pads, etc. that can be personalized using your enhanced digital photos! These sites offer printing services and allow you to create a slide show to be shared via email. You are able to set various controls such as whether or not the recipients can view, print and or order any photos. It is always recommended regardless of which site you use that photos be back up on a disc in case of any server problems.
Before we move on to reviews of software products that have a variety of features that cover the photo taking process from start to finish. I can not resist mentioning, Tourist Remover Software. In the same way that HDR photos can take all the best bits from multiple exposures of the same subject and combine them into a single photo, FutureLAB's cleverly named Tourist Remover Software can remove tourists your travel photos. Simply snap a few shots of a building, statue, etc., happy tourists and all. Their software will combine all of the un-touristed sections of each picture into a single tourist-free photo.
Many software products are being offered that have camera control and recovery tools. I suggest the following software as I find it to be reasonably priced and of good quality.
Digital Camera Photography Professional Edition by Tradetouch Inc.
Features include:
Camera Control Tool which shows the user how to set capture time, control a remote camera, reduce the camera's shudder etc.
Photo Management Tool allows you to classify your photos, record the time, and present them in an album or other format.
Advise and Teach Skills such as adjusting light, choosing shooting time, and managing instruments.
Photo Edit Tool will help you cut or add something fun to photos, change color, compile several photos into one etc.
Recover Tool allows you to recover deleted photos from your PC's disc or camera's RAM.
Drivers for your camera are included with this software.
No Installation or Hard Disk space used, Browser based interface is extremely fast.
Digital Photos by Atari
Digital Photos is interactive software for editing, printing, and organizing your digital photos. The popular series is available for your computer. This is user friendly software that can help you with your everyday computing digital photo needs. Features include:
Educational Features will help you take superior photos by showing you how to adjust the ISO, focus manually or use auto focus, balance your white and colors and catch a moving target.
Printing Tips such as advice on what printers and paper are best for photo printing.
Photo Enhancement Tools which include instruction on how to avoid over compression and how to use the best formats when saving photos for different uses.
Automatic Storage of your photos, simply plug your digital camera into your computer and the software automatically transfers, classifies, and saves your photos.
Creating Fun Keepsakes using your software's wizards, you can create your own digital photo albums and put your albums on Web sites. You also can add transitions and music and turn your pics into slide shows. Or you can print your photos and design your own gifts.
Specialty software is also available! For example;
Secrets to Kids' Photography by Select Soft Publishing
This software introduces professional secrets that can mean the difference between taking an ordinary snapshot and capturing an incredible photo. An instructional video guides you through a real shoot. The user learns about different kinds of poses, how to give instructions, composition, creating a work area, equipment and props, high-key lighting etc.
Secrets to Fashion Photography by ARC Media
Allows you to follow along with the instructional video as experienced top fashion photographer Desmond Williams guides you through a real fashion shoot covering a wide range of assignment types. Learn about working with models, creating poses, makeup, equipment, lighting effects, marketing etc.
Digital photography has exploded the possibilities available for capturing, sharing and manipulating photos. There are many computer software products available for download as well as purchase. These products offer various ways to edit and organize your photos as well as provide instruction. Photography software enables amateurs and professionals to get the most out of their camera and pictures!
Kodak Gallery is a free online site for editing and storing photos. They also offer a number of services including gift ideas, personalized products and online tutorials. Shutterfly and Winkflash are very similar to Kodak Gallery offering a number of products such as greeting cards, calendars, mouse pads, etc. that can be personalized using your enhanced digital photos! These sites offer printing services and allow you to create a slide show to be shared via email. You are able to set various controls such as whether or not the recipients can view, print and or order any photos. It is always recommended regardless of which site you use that photos be back up on a disc in case of any server problems.
Before we move on to reviews of software products that have a variety of features that cover the photo taking process from start to finish. I can not resist mentioning, Tourist Remover Software. In the same way that HDR photos can take all the best bits from multiple exposures of the same subject and combine them into a single photo, FutureLAB's cleverly named Tourist Remover Software can remove tourists your travel photos. Simply snap a few shots of a building, statue, etc., happy tourists and all. Their software will combine all of the un-touristed sections of each picture into a single tourist-free photo.
Many software products are being offered that have camera control and recovery tools. I suggest the following software as I find it to be reasonably priced and of good quality.
Digital Camera Photography Professional Edition by Tradetouch Inc.
Features include:
Camera Control Tool which shows the user how to set capture time, control a remote camera, reduce the camera's shudder etc.
Photo Management Tool allows you to classify your photos, record the time, and present them in an album or other format.
Advise and Teach Skills such as adjusting light, choosing shooting time, and managing instruments.
Photo Edit Tool will help you cut or add something fun to photos, change color, compile several photos into one etc.
Recover Tool allows you to recover deleted photos from your PC's disc or camera's RAM.
Drivers for your camera are included with this software.
No Installation or Hard Disk space used, Browser based interface is extremely fast.
Digital Photos by Atari
Digital Photos is interactive software for editing, printing, and organizing your digital photos. The popular series is available for your computer. This is user friendly software that can help you with your everyday computing digital photo needs. Features include:
Educational Features will help you take superior photos by showing you how to adjust the ISO, focus manually or use auto focus, balance your white and colors and catch a moving target.
Printing Tips such as advice on what printers and paper are best for photo printing.
Photo Enhancement Tools which include instruction on how to avoid over compression and how to use the best formats when saving photos for different uses.
Automatic Storage of your photos, simply plug your digital camera into your computer and the software automatically transfers, classifies, and saves your photos.
Creating Fun Keepsakes using your software's wizards, you can create your own digital photo albums and put your albums on Web sites. You also can add transitions and music and turn your pics into slide shows. Or you can print your photos and design your own gifts.
Specialty software is also available! For example;
Secrets to Kids' Photography by Select Soft Publishing
This software introduces professional secrets that can mean the difference between taking an ordinary snapshot and capturing an incredible photo. An instructional video guides you through a real shoot. The user learns about different kinds of poses, how to give instructions, composition, creating a work area, equipment and props, high-key lighting etc.
Secrets to Fashion Photography by ARC Media
Allows you to follow along with the instructional video as experienced top fashion photographer Desmond Williams guides you through a real fashion shoot covering a wide range of assignment types. Learn about working with models, creating poses, makeup, equipment, lighting effects, marketing etc.
Digital photography has exploded the possibilities available for capturing, sharing and manipulating photos. There are many computer software products available for download as well as purchase. These products offer various ways to edit and organize your photos as well as provide instruction. Photography software enables amateurs and professionals to get the most out of their camera and pictures!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Digital Software Technology In Photography
With digital technology at the forefront of every camera that you will see in the market today, it is not surprising that alongside this trend is the increase in the number of graphic tools for computers.
Now, not only do photographers have the ability to adjust the look of the pictures that they take with their digital cameras, they also have the necessary tools that will help them add more effects and create a whole new picture from the photographs that they have taken.
Below are just some of the best graphic tools and software in the market that photographers, both amateur and professional, will sure love.
Adobe Photoshop
This is perhaps the most popular and most reliable software in the market. It is widely used not only in businesses and commercial establishments but also at home. This software is remarkably easy to use and very useful. Because of its wide range of functions, there are but a few that this software cannot do, if there are any! It is one of the most flexible tools available for photographers.
Among the features that make this a stand out is the layering masks, the adjustment layers, the history brush and the layering effects, which is highly useful especially when doing multiple adjustments. Users can also make adjustments or corrections without changing the original composition of the photograph. The most recent version is the Adobe CS, which will run both in Windows and Mac.
Wacom’s Graphire3 Tablet
Because of its more ergonomic feel, this software is also a winner for digital graphic artists as well as photographers. Although, this is not as easy to use as the Adobe Photoshop, it is still comfortable to work with.
With this software, artists need not use the mouse to make adjustments. They will be using a special pen pointer which will come in handy especially when drawing a particular image or retouching a photo. This is very ideal for digital artists that deal mainly with retouching because the pointer will work best in these situations. Like Adobe, this software will also run on Windows and Mac.
Jasc Paint Shop Pro 9
Although it is often likened to the Photoshop, having basically the same range of functions, Graphic experts feel that it has a long way to go. Still, compared to its earlier versions, the Pro 9 is a definite winners, with its streamlined space and new tools and effects. Another really great feature is the option for personalization. This runs only in Windows.
Now, not only do photographers have the ability to adjust the look of the pictures that they take with their digital cameras, they also have the necessary tools that will help them add more effects and create a whole new picture from the photographs that they have taken.
Below are just some of the best graphic tools and software in the market that photographers, both amateur and professional, will sure love.
Adobe Photoshop
This is perhaps the most popular and most reliable software in the market. It is widely used not only in businesses and commercial establishments but also at home. This software is remarkably easy to use and very useful. Because of its wide range of functions, there are but a few that this software cannot do, if there are any! It is one of the most flexible tools available for photographers.
Among the features that make this a stand out is the layering masks, the adjustment layers, the history brush and the layering effects, which is highly useful especially when doing multiple adjustments. Users can also make adjustments or corrections without changing the original composition of the photograph. The most recent version is the Adobe CS, which will run both in Windows and Mac.
Wacom’s Graphire3 Tablet
Because of its more ergonomic feel, this software is also a winner for digital graphic artists as well as photographers. Although, this is not as easy to use as the Adobe Photoshop, it is still comfortable to work with.
With this software, artists need not use the mouse to make adjustments. They will be using a special pen pointer which will come in handy especially when drawing a particular image or retouching a photo. This is very ideal for digital artists that deal mainly with retouching because the pointer will work best in these situations. Like Adobe, this software will also run on Windows and Mac.
Jasc Paint Shop Pro 9
Although it is often likened to the Photoshop, having basically the same range of functions, Graphic experts feel that it has a long way to go. Still, compared to its earlier versions, the Pro 9 is a definite winners, with its streamlined space and new tools and effects. Another really great feature is the option for personalization. This runs only in Windows.
Use Of Software In Digital Photography
Today people are using digital cameras to edit there photos and make them appear to what they are achieving them to be. Sometimes they don’t get the image they need and they are forced to edit. Since the digital camera was introduced there has been editing in the digital photos which are being taken.
Below are some types of software that you can buy to edit your photos.
Kodak EasyShare Freeware. This may be the most well known type of software it is easy to use with people who have just bought a new camera. My wife has this for her new Kodak digital camera.
Infran View. With this specific type of software you can change the tone of the graphics as well as the way it is taken and you can crop it how you like it. All these features come in one simple and free software program that I have found to be very simple and easy to use.
Image Force. This is another type of free editing software to edit your photos. This software has a tool that will let you transfer pictures from the digital camera to scanners. This software is also made for modifying your photos and enhancing the looks of the photos.
VCW Photo Editor. This other free editing software is just like other free editing software you can enhance looks and modify graphics on the photos which you are editing.
PhotoFilter. This is a simple software program. Though it has limited features, it is elegant in a way that it has a user interface and lots of image adjustments buttons, effects and filters.
Picture Shark. This free editing program will allow you to write on the photo which you are editing you can actually write on the photo. You can do what every other program can do as well. This is really cool if you want to add something like an autograph look to a picture too.
Picasa. This is a freeware from Google. This is most indeed the smart software. It will save your pictures according to size and your ability to name them. This will make it easy to locate the pictures when you need to edit them. You simply take the pictures that are saved on your computer and start editing them with Picasa by just dropping them in the editing area of the software.
Serif Photo Plus. This editing software is most like others you can crop; enhance the graphics, slice, and much more with this editing program.
ADG Panorama Version 5.0. like most other editing programs you can share your photos through this software and edit them as well. You can edit 360 degrees around the photo to which you are editing.
These above are some of the best types of software you can buy and download to edit your photos. So go out there today and download your free software and get to editing those pictures today.
Below are some types of software that you can buy to edit your photos.
Kodak EasyShare Freeware. This may be the most well known type of software it is easy to use with people who have just bought a new camera. My wife has this for her new Kodak digital camera.
Infran View. With this specific type of software you can change the tone of the graphics as well as the way it is taken and you can crop it how you like it. All these features come in one simple and free software program that I have found to be very simple and easy to use.
Image Force. This is another type of free editing software to edit your photos. This software has a tool that will let you transfer pictures from the digital camera to scanners. This software is also made for modifying your photos and enhancing the looks of the photos.
VCW Photo Editor. This other free editing software is just like other free editing software you can enhance looks and modify graphics on the photos which you are editing.
PhotoFilter. This is a simple software program. Though it has limited features, it is elegant in a way that it has a user interface and lots of image adjustments buttons, effects and filters.
Picture Shark. This free editing program will allow you to write on the photo which you are editing you can actually write on the photo. You can do what every other program can do as well. This is really cool if you want to add something like an autograph look to a picture too.
Picasa. This is a freeware from Google. This is most indeed the smart software. It will save your pictures according to size and your ability to name them. This will make it easy to locate the pictures when you need to edit them. You simply take the pictures that are saved on your computer and start editing them with Picasa by just dropping them in the editing area of the software.
Serif Photo Plus. This editing software is most like others you can crop; enhance the graphics, slice, and much more with this editing program.
ADG Panorama Version 5.0. like most other editing programs you can share your photos through this software and edit them as well. You can edit 360 degrees around the photo to which you are editing.
These above are some of the best types of software you can buy and download to edit your photos. So go out there today and download your free software and get to editing those pictures today.
Friday, February 29, 2008
The Best Digital Photo Editing Software
Today people are using digital cameras to edit there photos and make them appear to what they are achieving them to be. Sometimes they don’t get the image they need and they are forced to edit. Since the digital camera was introduced there has been editing in the digital photos which are being taken.
Below are some types of software that you can buy to edit your photos.
Kodak EasyShare Freeware. This may be the most well known type of software it is easy to use with people who have just bought a new camera. My wife has this for her new Kodak digital camera.
Infran View. With this specific type of software you can change the tone of the graphics as well as the way it is taken and you can crop it how you like it. All these features come in one simple and free software program that I have found to be very simple and easy to use.
Image Force. This is another type of free editing software to edit your photos. This software has a tool that will let you transfer pictures from the digital camera to scanners. This software is also made for modifying your photos and enhancing the looks of the photos.
VCW Photo Editor. This other free editing software is just like other free editing software you can enhance looks and modify graphics on the photos which you are editing.
PhotoFilter. This is a simple software program. Though it has limited features, it is elegant in a way that it has a user interface and lots of image adjustments buttons, effects and filters.
Picture Shark. This free editing program will allow you to write on the photo which you are editing you can actually write on the photo. You can do what every other program can do as well. This is really cool if you want to add something like an autograph look to a picture too.
Picasa. This is a freeware from Google. This is most indeed the smart software. It will save your pictures according to size and your ability to name them. This will make it easy to locate the pictures when you need to edit them. You simply take the pictures that are saved on your computer and start editing them with Picasa by just dropping them in the editing area of the software.
Serif Photo Plus. This editing software is most like others you can crop; enhance the graphics, slice, and much more with this editing program.
ADG Panorama Version 5.0. like most other editing programs you can share your photos through this software and edit them as well. You can edit 360 degrees around the photo to which you are editing.
These above are some of the best types of software you can buy and download to edit your photos. So go out there today and download your free software and get to editing those pictures today.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Digital Software Use In Media Editing
No matter what field of media you work in, digital editing software is key. When I first started out as a designer and musician, I thought that the art you created was largely independent of the media. A good artist could create good art, no matter what they were working with. A bad artist, even with the best digital audio editing software, would always produce junk. It has taken me years to realize how naïve I was at that point. The things that I believed simply were not the case. Software digital editing is the future. The way you process the image is more important than the way that you envision it.
I have been working with digital video editing software for years, but it only took me weeks to realize how important it was to the movie industry. Let's face it: movies have gone downhill but no one has noticed. The digital editing software is so good that they can splice things together, add in special effects, alter the dialogue, alter the characters, and generally rework things at the last minute to make them appear passable. The same movies that we make today would not work without digital editing software. Can you imagine seeing the Lord of the Rings without all of the CG? No one would bother. It would be a flop!
The same is the case with most of the music that we listen to nowadays. I have a friend who is heavily involved in the recording industry, so I know what I'm talking about. He says the digital editing software is more important than the actual artists that are picked by the studios. The artists are mostly picked for their looks and their style, not for their musical ability.
All the songs are written by Independent songwriter who contract with the studious anyway. A few vocal tracks are taken from the “recording artists”, and patched together with digital editing software. I would say a good half of the pop stars nowadays don't even know how to play music. At least a third of them could not sing the first time that they came into the studio. It doesn't matter. With the right digital editing software, anything is possible. Digital editing software can make Britney Spears a star, just as analog editing hardware once made the Beatles a supergroup. You can be bitter about it or you can accept it, but the facts don't change. You need the right gear to do the job.
I have been working with digital video editing software for years, but it only took me weeks to realize how important it was to the movie industry. Let's face it: movies have gone downhill but no one has noticed. The digital editing software is so good that they can splice things together, add in special effects, alter the dialogue, alter the characters, and generally rework things at the last minute to make them appear passable. The same movies that we make today would not work without digital editing software. Can you imagine seeing the Lord of the Rings without all of the CG? No one would bother. It would be a flop!
The same is the case with most of the music that we listen to nowadays. I have a friend who is heavily involved in the recording industry, so I know what I'm talking about. He says the digital editing software is more important than the actual artists that are picked by the studios. The artists are mostly picked for their looks and their style, not for their musical ability.
All the songs are written by Independent songwriter who contract with the studious anyway. A few vocal tracks are taken from the “recording artists”, and patched together with digital editing software. I would say a good half of the pop stars nowadays don't even know how to play music. At least a third of them could not sing the first time that they came into the studio. It doesn't matter. With the right digital editing software, anything is possible. Digital editing software can make Britney Spears a star, just as analog editing hardware once made the Beatles a supergroup. You can be bitter about it or you can accept it, but the facts don't change. You need the right gear to do the job.
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