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ATPM 7.09
September 2001

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About This Particular Web Site

by Paul Fatula, pfatula@atpm.com

Digital Photography Review

There are many good sites devoted to reviewing digital cameras, but this one has one really terrific feature the others don’t—a learning section. I feel this is a must-read for anyone who’s just getting into digital photography. The large learning section includes image-editing techniques, photography and lighting techniques, and my favorite, a glossary of all the terms used in digital camera specs and reviews which beginners might not understand. It’s extremely well organized, including cross-references and illustrations.

File Not Found!

How many times have you clicked excitedly on a link, only to be disappointed by a “404 file not found” error? Well, selfish reader, have you ever considered how the poor file server feels? If you look for a nonexistent page on homepages.karoo.net, the Web server will share with you the full force of its existential angst.

FTC: Sharing Your Personal Information: It’s Your Choice

Much too little is being done to protect personal privacy these days, and my days of idealistic daydreaming of an industry responsible enough to regulate itself have long since faded, and lie buried under an ever-growing pile of junk mail. While we may never see legislation requiring “opt-in” rather than “opt-out” for direct marketing or information sharing, this page from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gives clear instructions for opting out those credit card offers that result from credit bureaus playing it free and loose with your information. There’s a phone number you can call (entirely automated) to opt out of their mailing lists, as well as ways to opt out of other kinds of direct marketing via the Direct Marketing Association (DMA).

The Online Joke Book

In addition to displaying a monthly cartoon, this site hosts several volumes of downloadable joke books in DOCMaker and PDF formats (what do you expect from an ATPM contributing editor?). The PDF of the latest tome weighs in at 55 pages, so you’re sure to find plenty to laugh at. I especially like the real classified ads from the latest volume, including: “For Sale: Tickle Me Elmo, still in box, comes with its own 1988 mustang, 5L, auto, excellent condition $6,800” and “Found: Dirty white dog. Looks like a rat. Been out awhile. Better be a reward.”

Ars Technica

Though this site focuses mostly on PCs, it’s my favorite site for tech news, providing links to interesting articles as well as commentaries and reviews on subjects ranging from business news of technical companies to science news. On the Mac side, the site published the best OS X review I’ve seen anywhere. Not dwelling on the new Aqua interface, the review delves into the internals of the system. On a somewhat lighter note was a recent article (loaded with “edgy” digressions) reviewing a few different mice. It’s well worth a read if you’re looking for something completely different.

appleCopyright © 2001 Paul Fatula, pfatula@atpm.com.

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