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The Digital Photography Book, Part 4
by Scott Kelby
Publication Date: March 10, 2012

Buy new: $24.99 $14.49

(Visit the Hot New Releases in Photography list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.) Details

Product Description
Scott Kelby, author of The Digital Photography Book, Volume 1 (the world’s best-selling digital photography book of all time), is back with yet another follow-up with an entirely new book that picks up right where he left off with Volume 3. It’s even more of that “Ah ha, so that’ s how they do it,” straight-to-the-point, skip-the-techno-jargon stuff people can really use today to make their shots even better.

This book truly has a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: “If you and I were out on a shoot and you asked me, ‘Hey Scott, I want the light for this portrait to look really soft and flattering. How far back should I put this softbox?’ I wouldn’t give you a lecture about lighting ratios, or flash modifiers. In real life, I’d just turn to you and say, ‘Move it in as close to your subject as you possibly can, without it actually showing up in the shot.’ Well, that’s what this book is all about: you and I out shooting where I answer questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I’ve learned, just like I would with a friend–without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak.”

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 4 follows in the footsteps of the wildly successful previous volumes, giving photographers nearly two hundred more closely guarded photographic “tricks of the trade” to get them shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with their digital camera every time they press the shutter button.

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Popularity: 44% [?]

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ASUS A53E-EH91 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Black)
by Asus
(5)
Date first available at Amazon.com: October 1, 2011

Buy new: $449.99 $399.99
21 used & new from $384.98

(Visit the Hot New Releases in Notebooks list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.) Details

Technical Details
- 2.1 GHz Intel Pentium B950
- 4 GB DIMM
- 320 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
- 15.6-Inch Screen, Intel GMA HD
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Product Description
Not Just another Pretty Face
Smart, Reliable & Efficient

Powered by an Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core B950 Processor with Intel GMA HD Graphics, the ASUS A53E-EH91 delivers responsive multi-tasking and rich, built-in visuals on its brilliant 15.6″ LED-backlit HD display. HDMI ready, supersize your high-definition media to an HDTV for up to 1080p visuals and 8 channel surround sound support. Experience faster data transfer with SuperSpeed USB 3.0. ASUS Infusion Technology gives this notebook a scratch-resistant coat with eye-catching style. ASUS IceCool technology with hairline brushed aluminum helps maintain a low temperature on the keyboard and palm rest area for comfortable computing even after the longest sessions. Key Features

• Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core B950 Processor with Intel GMA HD Graphics for better multi-tasking and rich, smooth, built-in visuals (Learn more)
• ASUS Power4Gear optimizes system performance for increased performance and longer mobility (Learn more)
• IceCool Technology makes use of superior component engineering combined with the aluminum surface to keep the palm rest and typing surfaces cool (Learn more)
• ASUS Palm-Proof Technology prevents accidental input by intelligently distinguishing between palm and finger contact (Learn more)
• SuperSpeed USB 3.0 for quicker device charging and up to 10x faster transfers than USB 2.01 (Learn more)
• Altec Lansing speakers enhanced with SRS Premium Sound produce crisp, clear audio reproduction

Learn More Reliable Multitasking Performance

View larger Powered by an Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core B950 Processor with Intel GMA HD Graphics, A53E-EH91 delivers seamless and responsive multi-tasking along with smooth and rich built-in visuals. With the built-in visual capability, users can forgo the costs and power consumption of discrete graphics cards. Equipped with ASUS Power4Gear, select from an assortment of power profiles via the Power4Gear hotkey above the keyboard that optimizes the system for your task at hand—giving the most performance or maximizing battery life. Enjoy the convenience of faster data transfer with the notebook’s SuperSpeed USB 3.0. Comfort and Control Included

View larger The A53E-EH91 has an array of built-in features that are specialized for ease of use. It features a Wave keyboard with numeric keypad and multi-touch trackpad to effortlessly type documents or navigate through your mobile world. The A53E-EH91 also has a spacious palm rest with ASUS Palm-Proof Technology where the trackpad intelligently distinguishes between your palm and finger to prevent errors for a worry-free typing experience. Using an exclusive dual-sided motherboard design, ASUS Ice Cool Technology places heat-producing components away from users to keep the palm rest and typing surface cool for utmost user comfort.

With its sunken-hinge screen design, you will be able to enjoy wider and more ergonomic viewing angles, enabling greater clarity and comfort. Plus, the ASUS Power4Gear utility controls the fans noise level so you can relax with a virtually silent computing experience anywhere you go. Head-turning Style and Convenient Portability

View larger Compact and light, the A53E-EH91 shows off a new streamlined design with ASUS Infusion Technology to give this notebook a scratch-resistant coat with eye-catching style. Opening this mobile wonder, you will notice a new streamlined design and texture made with ASUS Infusion Technology to retain the A53E-EH91 looks and quality even during extensive, prolonged use. The power button also has a built in light indicator so whether you’re in light or dark areas you always know where to find it. Relax, ASUS Has You Covered Ranked as the #1 most reliable Windows-based PC brand in survey after survey2, readers and editors alike choose ASUS as their trusted notebook and netbook. ASUS tirelessly strives to exceed expectations of quality to ensure you an unmatched peace of mind every time you start your PC.

Pin web sites with Internet Explorer 9 (view larger). Windows 7 Home Premium The Best Entertainment Experience On Your PC

Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. You can even watch, pause, and rewind TV or record it to watch whenever and wherever you want. For the best entertainment experience, choose a PC with Windows 7.

* Additional hardware may be required. Not available in all countries. (See windows.microsoft.com/products/windows-7/system-requirements/ for more information.)
** Requires a compatible microphone, speakers or headset, webcam, and broadband connection.

© 2011 ASUS Computer International. All Rights Reserved. ASUS is a registered trademark of ASUSTeK Computer. All specifications and terms are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not be available in all markets. Product may not be exactly as shown in photos.

1All figures are theoretical values compared to USB 2.0 benchmarks for reference purposes. Actual speed depends on the device and system status.
2http://commercial.asus.com/promos/ASUSReliability/
3ASUS reserves the right to exclude certain SKUs; check with your retailer to confirm coverage of specific models. Valid for notebooks purchased in the US and Canada only. Certain retailers do not participate in ADP coverage. For complete details, please visit: http://completewarranty.asus.com/.

Check Out Other Great ASUS Products

ASUS A53E-AH51 Versatile Entertainment Laptop

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ASUS U31SD-AH51 Thin and Light Laptop

ASUS Eee Slate B121-A1 Tablet PC

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Popularity: 37% [?]

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Nik Software Captured: The Complete Guide to Using Nik Software’s Photographic Tools
by Tony L. Corbell, Joshua A. Haftel
(5)
Publication Date: November 15, 2011

Buy new: $39.99 $24.68
27 used & new from $22.94

(Visit the Hot New Releases in Photography list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.) More info

Product Description
Learn all the features and functionality of the complete Nik family of products

Styled in such a way as to resemble the way photographers think, Nik Software Captured aims to help you learn to apply all the features and functionality of the Nik software products. With Nik Software Captured, authors and Nik Software, Inc. insiders Tony Corbell and Josh Haftel help you use after-capture software products easier and more creatively. Their sole aim is to ensure that you can apply the techniques discussed in the book while gaining a thorough understanding of the capabilities of programs such as Dfine 2.0, Viveza 2, Color Efex Pro 4.0, Silver Efex Pro 2, Sharpener Pro 3.0, and HDR Efex Pro.

• Helps you learn all the features and functionality of the Nik family of products
• Shares tips and techniques on retouching and exposure
• Offers a solid understanding of the importance of light
• Explores ways to save time in the digital workflow
• Answers the demand from readers to compile a variety of techniques conceived to help when using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, and Apple’s Aperture

With Nik Software Captured, you’ll quickly benefit from the array of helpful techniques featured in this single resource.

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Popularity: 46% [?]

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Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis
by David Wills
(2)
Release Date: November 8, 2011

Buy new: $40.00 $24.56
22 used & new from $21.17

(Visit the Hot New Releases in Photography list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.) More info

Product Description

There have been many Marilyn Monroe photo books—but nothing like this.

Curator and photographic preservationist David Wills has amassed one of the world’s largest independent archives of original Marilyn Monroe photographs. Now, in Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis, he has gathered spectacular, museum-quality work from Marilyn’s key photographers—Richard Avedon, George Barris, Cecil Beaton, Bernard of Hollywood, Andre de Dienes, Elliott Erwitt, Milton Greene, Philippe Halsman, Tom Kelley, Douglas Kirkland, Willy Rizzo, Sam Shaw, and many others—to create this dazzling portfolio of images from every period of Marilyn Monroe’s adult life, from her wedding day in 1942 till just weeks before her death two decades later. Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis pays homage to her continually evolving style and extraordinary beauty.

Among the highlights:

• Previously unseen Kodachrome, dye transfer, and Carbro prints of Norma Jeane from her modeling career.
• Classic portraits and pinups in luscious full color, digitally restored from the original transparencies.
• Never-before-seen photos from the sets of The Seven Year Itch, Some Like It Hot, The Misfits, and Something’s Got to Give.
• Rare candids of Marilyn with Marlon Brando, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Queen Elizabeth II, Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller, and others.
• Previously unpublished photos by Richard Avedon, George Barris, Cecil Beaton, David Conover, Elliott Erwitt, John Florea, Tom Kelley, Richard C. Miller, Frank Powolny, Willy Rizzo, Zinn Arthur, and many others.

Pairing more than two hundred first-generation photos with reflections on Marilyn from her friends, work associates, and admirers—and including her last interview, in which she reflects on her life and fame—Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis is an unforgettable showcase of the actress’s transformation from an unknown factory worker to one of the most recognized faces in history.

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Popularity: 100% [?]

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LADY GAGA x TERRY RICHARDSON
by Lady Gaga, Terry Richardson
Release Date: November 22, 2011

Buy new: $50.00 $28.52

(Visit the Hot New Releases in Photography list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.) Details

Product Description
In this book of original, behind-the-scenes photographs, acclaimed photographer Terry Richardson follows superstar Lady Gaga during one year of her life, from Lollapalooza through the final show of her Monster Ball tour. During the time period he followed Gaga, Richardson took over 100,000 images and attended more than 30 Monster Ball dates around the world. From the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards to the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal rally in Portland, Maine, to the Thierry Mugler show at Maxime, Paris, Richardson captures Lady Gaga as you’ve never seen her before. A year-long global odyssey- -all access, nothing off limits–this is the book Lady Gaga fans have been waiting for.

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Popularity: 5% [?]

According to a USA Today/Gallup poll conducted last week, two-thirds of Facebook users overall were unaware of the new features recently adopted at the social networking site. However, 87 percent of the respondents using Facebook on a daily basis said they were up to speed with the Web site’s latest update.

Consumer advocacy groups have raised concerns about the latest additions to Facebook and how they might be used by criminals. Nevertheless, just 26 percent of the new poll’s respondents who said they visit Facebook every day were “very concerned” about their online privacy, USA Today reported in an article published Tuesday.

A majority of Facebook users (56 percent) disapproved of the latest changes while only 36 percent said they liked them. Nevertheless, 30 percent indicated they visited the popular social networking site several times a day, and with 29 percent using Facebook on a daily basis.

“If there’s one thing Facebook is not afraid of, it’s change,” said Forrester Research Senior Analyst Sean Corcoran.

Laying Claim To Users’ Lives

For Facebook the goal is to radically change the online social networking game by laying claim to the entire life experience of each and every participant using its Web site, according to Corcoran.

For example, Facebook has been testing a new Timeline feature that “recaps in one fell swoop everything you’ve ever posted and lets you feature the highlights,” Corcoran wrote in a blog. There are also “new apps that let you discover and share real-time experiences like watching movies and listening to music.”

The principal benefit for Facebook is that the new features will deliver highly granular data on individual users that Facebook’s advertising clients can harness to more precisely target their marketing efforts at the social networking site. With the latest changes, for example, advertisers will be able to launch innovative… Read more

Popularity: 2% [?]

Amazon is the current tech-media darling after the smashing successful unveiling of its Kindle Fire, complete with its Silk browser and cloud services. Now, some speculate that Amazon will buy what remains of Palm from Hewlett-Packard.

According to media reports, Amazon is in deep negotiations with HP to buy Palm, creator of the webOS operating system that runs on HP’s failed TouchPad. HP paid $1.2 billion for Palm and has decided to kill webOS hardware projects after failing to execute on its strategic plan for the assets.

“Amazon has one device that’s based on Kindle OS and one that’s based on Android. They need to focus on getting all their devices on the same OS so they can have some fun and games with applications,” said Michael Disabato, vice president of network and telecom at Gartner. “It’s possible that Amazon is looking at webOS because Google is taking Android out of the public domain.”

Amazon-Palm Connections

The rumors around Amazon buying webOS aren’t completely far-fetched. Palm CEO Jon Rubenstein sits on Amazon’s board of directors. And Rubenstein has publicly stated that Amazon would make a great partner in expanding the webOS ecosystem. And that’s just the problem: the lack of a robust webOS ecosystem.

“WebOS still doesn’t have as much of an ecosystem as Android or iOS. So without any apps why would anyone want it? People are buying the iPads because they look sleek and they are fancy, but when you come down to it they don’t care about what’s inside it,” Disabato said. “It’s all about the applications.”

In fact, Disabato reasoned that a lack of apps is one of the reasons HP decided to shutter its tablet business. From his point of view, the only reason the HP TouchPad flew off the shelf at $99 was because many consumers believe they can find… Details

Popularity: 57% [?]

With the iPhone 5 about be unveiled, the rumor mill is working overtime. In fact, even the invitation for the Oct. 4 event, which reads “Let’s talk iPhone,” has sprouted rumors that the new model will offer new voice-recognition features that could transform the way smartphone interaction works.

Previous Apple invitations have included hints about the coming product. If the “let’s talk” invitation is a hint, the voice-recognition features could represent a fully integrated voice-control interface that accompanies, and in some cases replaces, the touch interaction.

iPhone, Come Here

This new voice control could include the ability for a voice-based virtual assistant to access data stored in calendar, contacts, music files and other locations, and use them in conversations between the device and the user. The possibility of new voice features is supported by the fact that Apple bought voice-recognition application provider Siri in 2010. The company has previously released some voice-to-text features.

Various Apple-watching sites are describing the voice-recognition features as a dramatic change, not only allowing the user to schedule an appointment or find a retailer, but offering a revolutionary voice-based interface that once again changes the expectation for smartphones. The aptly named Assistant, according to some reports, will also be able to ask the user questions if, for instance, it’s not clear which phone number to use.

Hopes that the newest iPhone could support 4G transmission technology are not high, given reports that the company is waiting for smaller and less power-hungry 4G chips that won’t be available until 2012. There have been reports in past months that the company was testing iPhones with 4G Long-Term Evolution support, but the consensus is that, for Apple, elegant style will triumph over speed, at least until the new LTE chips are available.

A research vice president from China Unicom was quoted this week… More info

Popularity: 2% [?]

In a move to beef up Oracle’s hardware line, CEO Larry Ellison has introduced the concept of the all-in-one data center. Ellison offered his take on the new products at Oracle OpenWorld on Sunday that combine the server, storage and network in a single, highly integrated box.

In his talk to 40,000 conference-goers, Ellison spelled out the advantages of parallel computing and demonstrated the latest and greatest Sparc Solaris computer. He also took the lid off Oracle’s new Exalytics Business Intelligence Machine.

“How do we make this thing to go 10 times faster? Parallel everything,” Ellison said. “Lots and lots of parallel network connections moving enormous amounts of data in parallel. That’s how you make this thing go faster.”

Parallel Computing Power

Oracle is positioning Exalytics as the first engineered system featuring in-memory software and hardware and an optimized Business Intelligence platform with advanced visualization. Internal tests comparing Oracle Exalytics with standard BI software and off-the-shelf hardware show relational online analytical processing (ROLAP) reporting and dashboard performance improvements of up to 20 times, and multidimensional OLAP (MOLAP) modeling performance gains of up to 79 times.

“Oracle has been doing a lot of work in parallel computing, which has improved performance, particularly in the T4 Sparc systems that were announced last week,” said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT. “With the Exalytics solution, Oracle has a product it can put up against the IBM Smart Analytics System that has been out for two years now.”

As King sees it, IBM, as well as other vendors, have demonstrated that improving data throughput and database performance is a viable business model. With Exalytics, Oracle is working to carve out a bigger piece of the market. But King isn’t sure Ellison is taking the right approach with his OracleWorld presentation.

Ellison’s Engineering Rhetoric

“What’s interesting about it is that the rhetoric coming… Read more

Popularity: 2% [?]

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Kindle Fire, Full Color 7″ Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi
by Amazon

Buy new: $199.00
2 used & new from $199.00

(Visit the Hot New Releases in Electronics list for authoritative information on this product’s current rank.) Read more

Product Description
Movies, apps, games, music, reading and more, plus Amazon’s revolutionary cloud-accelerated web browser – 18 million movies, TV shows, songs, magazines and books – Amazon Appstore – thousands of popular apps and games – Ultra-fast web browsing – Amazon Silk – Free cloud storage for all your Amazon content – Vibrant color touchscreen with extra-wide viewing angle – Fast, powerful dual-core processor – Amazon Prime members enjoy unlimited, instant streaming of over 10,000 popular movies and TV shows

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Popularity: 3% [?]