CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2012-06-12 09:13:17 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

2012-04-03 18:05:35 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Just a reminder that this profile is no longer used. Please un-circle this one and instead circle +Brian White in its place. Thanks!

2012-04-03 15:22:16 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Just a reminder that this profile is no longer used. Please un-circle this one and instead circle +Brian White in its place. Thanks!

2012-04-03 13:07:12 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Just a reminder that this profile is no longer used. Please un-circle this one and instead circle +Brian White in its place. Thanks!

2012-03-29 12:41:28 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Just a reminder that this profile is no longer used. Please un-circle this one and instead circle +Brian White in its place. Thanks!

2012-03-20 14:24:53 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Just a reminder that this profile is no longer used. Please un-circle this one and instead circle +Brian White in its place. Thanks!

2012-03-09 15:58:23 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Just a reminder that this profile is no longer used. Please un-circle this one and instead circle +Brian White in its place. Thanks!

2012-02-13 17:38:10 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Just a reminder that this profile is no longer used. Please un-circle this one and instead circle +Brian White in its place. Thanks!

2012-02-13 15:51:47 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

A great read by +MG Siegler and I'm glad that this message is getting out there.

The only thing I can offer is the advice to take everything you read in the technology press with a grain of salt. Perhaps several. The likelihood that at least part of it is nonsense is very strong. And stronger by the day.

I don't have inside information about most companies but I do have some inside information about Google and I can confirm that there's a lot of "bullshit" in what the press writes. And surprisingly, it continues to surprise me. It wouldn't take much thought for the authors to catch a glimpse of the truth. But perhaps then the headlines wouldn't be as interesting.

2012-02-11 22:03:54 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

#SunsetSaturday (curated by +TJ Kelly)

The Greek island of Santorini is famous for its sunsets. Sadly, I didn't experience any of them during my visit but I think this one turned out interesting because of the boat in the foreground.

2012-02-08 20:15:25 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

#WideWednesdayPanorama (curated by +Charles Lupica & +Jason Dell)

2012-02-08 18:47:23 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

D800 Lossy Raw Compression

I thought I'd move a discussion in the comments of another post to post of its own. We're discussing "lossy nef compression" on Nikon cameras with regard to the high pixel count of the D800.

First, you have to think how many bits you need on any single pixel. The dynamic range of the image is not relevant because the lossy-ness is only per-pixel.

Second, you can't display or print with a resolution higher than 8 bits per channel.

Third, of all mathematical operations only subtraction loses significant bits. Note that clipping (i.e., increasing the brightness beyond maximum value) and contrast enhancements are a kind of subtraction.

With those in mind, you can keep only 9 bits of information for any pixel and still be able to create a full-detail image. A 9-bit number can hold values from 0-511. The... more »

2012-02-08 14:56:13 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

For Nikon enthusiasts deliberating between the D800 and the D800E, here's a good read. I've already made my choice and ordered a D800.

While there are methods to effectively reduce moiré, there is no easy way to completely remove it in post-processing software.

Please share if you know others wondering which to choose.

2012-02-07 20:09:51 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

#TuesDecay (curated by +Ian Ference)

When I shot this, I was worried that the fog would soften the image and make it uninteresting. Instead, it only softened the background which would otherwise be distracting.

2012-02-07 20:06:40 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

#MyTownTuesday (curated by +Melanie Kintz & +Eric Leslie)

2012-02-06 23:02:09 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Reminder: Today Tuesday

Tomorrow is yet another "Today Tuesday". I encourage all photographers on Google+ to participate and tag qualifying shares with #TodayTuesday (and +mention me). All such images must be shot, developed, post-processed, and submitted within the 24-hour period that is Tuesday in your time-zone.

Here are the submissions from last week. Thanks to +Isabel FeistPhotography, +Nina Agi Bende, +Jose Vazquez, +Richard Daugherty, +Fabrice Denise, +Mauro Gauna, +Mim Eisenberg, +Sherrie von Sternberg, +Charles Lupica, +Joseph Belcher, +Carlos Duarte, +Mick Brown, +Jasbir S. Randhawa, +Rune Alnervik, +Mark Steven Lewis, +Bob Baxley, +Heidemarie Kueck, +Keith Dixon, +Jeff McDonald, +Todd MacNinch, +Matt Menzenski, +Stuart Dyckhoff, +Daniele Brands, +Sarah Hribar, +Trisha Standard, +Dado Molina, +J.L. Btwee, +Tom Golson, +James Wilson, +Kana Yamashita, +Claudia... more »

2012-02-06 19:42:35 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

It seems likely that tomorrow (Feb 7th) will finally bring the Nikon D800 to the public. I expect I'll be ordering one almost immediately. I've been waiting for this camera for over 2 years now, since the first speculation about the D700x. Here's why:

1) My existing D80 is showing its age. Not only has it been technically obsolete for almost 3 years, but it's starting to have some problems, too. There are a number of stuck/dead pixels and the images seem to be more noisy now than they were when I bought it in late 2006. If I had a more recent model, I probably wouldn't bother.

2) I want an FX camera. Many lenses simply aren't sharp enough to give high-quality images at high resolution on a DX sensor. It's no good having more pixels when they don't reveal any more detail.

3) My main lens, the 18-200 VR also has a huge dust spec in it... more »

2012-02-05 21:19:59 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

#SquareSunday (curated by +Matt Soave)

On the Harbor Bridge is no the only place to get a great view of Sydney's iconic structure.

2012-02-04 17:17:42 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

#FatherDaughterFriday (curated by +Jason Kowing)

This is a day late, but came across this today and had to post it. This is the very first father/daughter shot I have of me and my daughter. She was one week old at the time.

2012-02-03 20:59:26 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

#SaturdayNightLight (curated by +Dirk Heindoerfer)

I always find that the Golden Gate Bridge looks out-of-focus in photographs like this but it's really not. It's just something to do with the colors and angles of the bridge supports.

2012-02-03 20:55:30 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

#ChildrenSaturday (curated by +Susan Southard)

This was taken in Barcelona during a side-trip through some park in search of a bathroom. :-)

2012-02-03 19:58:14 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#StreetSaturday (curated by +Siddharth Pandit)

From the Zurich Photowalk on 2011-11-26.

2012-01-31 15:20:31 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Reminder: Today Tuesday

Today is yet another "Today Tuesday". I encourage all photographers on Google+ to participate and tag qualifying shares with #TodayTuesday (and +mention me). All such images must be shot, developed, post-processed, and submitted within the 24-hour period that is Tuesday in your time-zone.

Here are the submissions from last week. Thanks to +Stephen Krieg, +Sarah Hribar, +Stuart Dyckhoff, +Sherrie von Sternberg, +Brian Joergens, +Myrna Weinreich, +Richard Kralicek, +Risto Talman, +Scott Gust, +Noze P. Photography, +Enrico Bautista, +Rebecca Weaver, +Tiina Niskanen, +Craig Szymanski, +Jeff Moreau, +Melissa D Johnston, +Anne Durand, +Doug Peabody, +Melissa Kester, +Daniele Brands, +Alex Lapidus, +Amy DangRabbit, +Shantha Marie Fountain, +Pat Kennedy Corlin, +Mick Brown, +Ulf Bjolin, +Carlos Duarte, +Mark Esguerra, +Stephen Thackeray, +Mark Steven Lewis ... more »

2012-01-30 19:07:49 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Just realized I hadn't transferred my "Favorites" album from my old account. If you haven't seen these before, enjoy!

2012-01-30 07:42:22 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Just a reminder, please un-circle this profile and instead circle my new profile: +Brian White

Thanks!

2012-01-29 23:17:36 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Skiing for an afternoon is great, especially when giving lessons to a ~5yr old girl.

However, don't fall asleep on a chair after dinner or you're likely to awake until the wee hours of the morning.

2012-01-28 21:56:14 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

#ChildrenSaturday (curated by +Susan Southard)

The start of a 4-hour hike with friends and the kids. Amazingly, they all made it up and back down though they were pretty exhausted by the end.

2012-01-28 13:46:12 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 9 +1s)

#SunsetSaturda (curated by +TJ Kelly)

2012-01-27 20:43:43 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

#FranceFriday (curated by +Noze P. Photography & +Peak Ness)

Take a couple years back while visiting the city for a weekend.

2012-01-27 20:39:27 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

#FatherDaughterFriday (curated by +Jason Kowing)

This was the very first time my daughter was on skiis. It was just a few days before her 3rd birthday (two years ago). I just pulled her around for maybe 15 minutes but it was a good introduction. This year I've been teaching her how to turn and stop.

2012-01-27 20:31:26 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

#FortressesFriday (curated by +Benjamin Dahlhoff)

Found this off on a side road of a side road in the region of Chianti, Italy.

2012-01-27 20:21:07 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Continuing along with my previous post...
(https://plus.google.com/107188281763279197751/posts/3HMwy9qzxn8)

If you go and edit your profile, you can set information like phone number, email, etc. Be selective with whom this is shared because that information will get pushed to their GMail contacts. If you change the information, people in those circles will receive the change, too. I'm told, though I haven't personally tested it, that if you delete info or remove the circle they're in then the information will automatically get removed, too (unless they've copied it while it was visible).

I think this is great. I can share my phone number with my friends & family and not worry about them having one that is out-of-date when my phone number changes.

2012-01-27 17:50:17 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

After speaking with someone yesterday about having an old email address as part of their contact information for me, I remember this. (see shared post)

Google can now automatically update your contact information for me when I change my contact information. Any contact info I set that is shared with you will automatically flow-through to you with no effort on your part.

Bring up my contact information (select "contacts" from the "Mail v" menu in the upper-left-corner of GMail), find my name, opet, and verify that it shows "bcwhite@.....com" as a Connected Profile.

2012-01-27 07:17:26 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

This Google account is very old and full of cruft from countless merges of Google products and it was causing me problems. As much as a pain-in-the-butt it is to start over (especially with 12,000+ followers), I've decided to do that now before the problem gets any worse.

Please remove this me from your circles and add the new me (+Brian White) to those same circles. Eventually there should be an automated way to do that, but not yet. <sigh>

Now, I know you're asking yourself, "Is this for real or some sort of spam/scam?". (You are asking, right?) Well, it's real and I've got the scars of moving hundreds of photo albums and contacts to prove it. If you're not convinced, you can view my personal blog (http://www.backgroundexposure.com/blog/) and follow the Google+ profile link from there... if you are willing to believe that both accounts have... more »

2012-01-26 19:29:31 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

This Google account is very old and full of cruft from countless merges of Google products and it was causing me problems. As much as a pain-in-the-butt it is to start over (especially with 12,000+ followers), I've decided to do that now before the problem gets any worse.

Please remove this me from your circles and add the new me (+Brian White) to those same circles. Eventually there should be an automated way to do that, but not yet. <sigh>

Now, I know you're asking yourself, "Is this for real or some sort of spam/scam?". (You are asking, right?) Well, it's real and I've got the scars of moving hundreds of photo albums and contacts to prove it. If you're not convinced, you can view my personal blog (http://www.backgroundexposure.com/blog/) and follow the Google+ profile link from there... if you are willing to believe that both accounts have... more »

2012-01-26 10:12:32 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

I'm changing my photo back to the one from Hallowe'en in an attempt to scare y'all into uncircling this profile and instead circling the new one at +Brian White that retains the more familiar profile photo.

See my profile/about for why and how to verify that this is all true and not somebody attempting to take over my account. :-)

2012-01-26 07:43:57 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

This Google account is very old and full of cruft from countless merges of Google products and it was causing me problems. As much as a pain-in-the-butt it is to start over (especially with 12,000+ followers), I've decided to do that now before the problem gets any worse.

Please remove this me from your circles and add the new me (+Brian White) to those same circles. Eventually there should be an automated way to do that, but not yet. <sigh>

Now, I know you're asking yourself, "Is this for real or some sort of spam/scam?". (You are asking, right?) Well, it's real and I've got the scars of moving hundreds of photo albums and contacts to prove it. If you're not convinced, you can view my personal blog (http://www.backgroundexposure.com/blog/) and follow the Google+ profile link from there... if you are willing to believe that both accounts have... more »

2012-01-26 07:40:06 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

This Google account is very old and full of cruft from countless merges of Google products and it was causing me problems. As much as a pain-in-the-butt it is to start over (especially with 12,000+ followers), I've decided to do that now before the problem gets any worse.

Please remove this me from your circles and add the new me (+Brian White) to those same circles. Eventually there should be an automated way to do that, but not yet. <sigh>

Now, I know you're asking yourself, "Is this for real or some sort of spam/scam?". (You are asking, right?) Well, it's real and I've got the scars of moving hundreds of photo albums and contacts to prove it. If you're not convinced, you can view my personal blog (http://www.backgroundexposure.com/blog/) and follow the Google+ profile link from there... if you are willing to believe that both accounts have... more »

2012-01-25 10:49:26 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 5 +1s)

Notice anything strange about Microsoft's new social network So.cl?

"The So.cl search experience is powered by Bing; we use the public Bing APIs to display search result data. As students work together, they often look for the same content, and discover new shared interests by sharing results. These results can be web pages, images, or videos found through Bing. We see this trend today on many social networks, such as Twitter, where shared links spread virally and amplify popular content." via: www.so.cl/about/faq

2012-01-28 11:08:21 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

This is breakfast when our executive chairman visits.

2012-01-24 15:00:59 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Reminder: Today Tuesday

Tomorrow is yet another "Today Tuesday". I encourage all photographers on Google+ to participate and tag qualifying shares with #TodayTuesday (and +mention me). All such images must be shot, developed, post-processed, and submitted within the 24-hour period that is Tuesday in your time-zone.

Here are the submissions from last week. Thanks to +Anne Durand, +Jasbir S. Randhawa, +Keith Seiffert, +Myrna Weinreich, +Mary Bedard, +Craig Szymanski, +eva-louise fowler, +linda stokes, +scott merrihew, +michelle vitard, +Lucretia Yeh, +Nicolas Vitori, +Photogenix, +Bill Wood, +Tom Golson, +Kent Lorentzen, +David Heath Williams, +Donna Jordan, +Irmgard Hartmann, +Randy Ortiz, +Rob Mcilroy, +Dave Renz, +Jason Kowing, +Randy Scherkenbach, +Tim Kerr, +Cheryl Cooper, +James Wilson, +Tiina Niskanen, +Arved Gintenreiter, +Jose Vazquez, +Richard Kralicek, +Greg... more »

2012-01-24 07:21:29 (1 comments, 3 reshares, 1 +1s)

These give me the chills just thinking about swimming in them.

2012-01-23 22:11:14 (5 comments, 4 reshares, 6 +1s)

Reminder: Today Tuesday

Tomorrow is yet another "Today Tuesday". I encourage all photographers on Google+ to participate and tag qualifying shares with #TodayTuesday (and +mention me). All such images must be shot, developed, post-processed, and submitted within the 24-hour period that is Tuesday in your time-zone.

Here are the submissions from last week. Thanks to +Anne Durand, +Jasbir S. Randhawa, +Keith Seiffert, +Myrna Weinreich, +Mary Bedard, +Craig Szymanski, +eva-louise fowler, +linda stokes, +scott merrihew, +michelle vitard, +Lucretia Yeh, +Nicolas Vitori, +Photogenix, +Bill Wood, +Tom Golson, +Kent Lorentzen, +David Heath Williams, +Donna Jordan, +Irmgard Hartmann, +Randy Ortiz, +Rob Mcilroy, +Dave Renz, +Jason Kowing, +Randy Scherkenbach, +Tim Kerr, +Cheryl Cooper, +James Wilson, +Tiina Niskanen, +Arved Gintenreiter, +Jose Vazquez, +Richard Kralicek, +Greg... more »

2012-01-22 12:41:04 (4 comments, 3 reshares, 15 +1s)

Early morning airport.

2012-01-25 09:33:12 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

What is the world coming to when we have to warn people about spinning tops.

2012-01-18 12:04:18 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Everyone is talking about the "internet blackout" today. I'm actually getting kind of tired of it, but here are my thoughts on it: (copied and extended from one of my own comments on another post, with permission of course :-)

Piracy is a problem and needs to be controlled. SOPA/PIPA is not the right way to do it. First there has to be a reasonably clear definition of what constitutes "piracy" because some reproductions are not (fair use, etc.). Then there needs to be a way to remove the offending content at the source and punish those responsible for putting it there.

Of course, none of this will actually stop piracy just like the war on drugs hasn't stopped drug use. The only real way is to change the hearts and minds of the people receiving the material. I don't begrudge anyone their success but it's hard to take a tour of Beverly Hills and... more »

2012-01-17 15:21:03 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Reminder: Today Tuesday

Tomorrow is yet another "Today Tuesday". I encourage all photographers on Google+ to participate and tag qualifying shares with #TodayTuesday (and +mention me). All such images must be shot, developed, post-processed, and submitted within the 24-hour period that is Tuesday in your time-zone.

Here are the submissions from last week. Thanks to +Dave Speicher, +Asaki Abumi, +Jason Kowing, +Dave Renz, +Lupe M. Luevano, +Jose Vazquez, +Mick Brown, +Ann B., +Lucretia Yeh, +Heidemarie Kueck, +Nina Agi Bende, +Michael Earley, +Josh Bailey, +Ron Kroetz, +Vinay Bikkina, +Richard Franco, +Kevin Jones, +Marilou Aballe, +Michiel Valk, +Johannes den Boer, +Jenny Smith, +Moon Lee, +Anne Durand, +Bob Baxley, +Jon M, +Jasbir S. Randhawa, +Randy Scherkenbach, +Doug Peabody, +eva-louise fowler, +Stuart Dyckhoff, +Rune Alnervik, +Yahir Elamour, +Carlos Duarte,... more »

2012-01-16 21:59:21 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 6 +1s)

Reminder: Today Tuesday

Tomorrow is yet another "Today Tuesday". I encourage all photographers on Google+ to participate and tag qualifying shares with #TodayTuesday (and +mention me). All such images must be shot, developed, post-processed, and submitted within the 24-hour period that is Tuesday in your time-zone.

Here are the submissions from last week. Thanks to +Dave Speicher, +Asaki Abumi, +Jason Kowing, +Dave Renz, +Lupe M. Luevano, +Jose Vazquez, +Mick Brown, +Ann B., +Lucretia Yeh, +Heidemarie Kueck, +Nina Agi Bende, +Michael Earley, +Josh Bailey, +Ron Kroetz, +Vinay Bikkina, +Richard Franco, +Kevin Jones, +Marilou Aballe, +Michiel Valk, +Johannes den Boer, +Jenny Smith, +Moon Lee, +Anne Durand, +Bob Baxley, +Jon M, +Jasbir S. Randhawa, +Randy Scherkenbach, +Doug Peabody, +eva-louise fowler, +Stuart Dyckhoff, +Rune Alnervik, +Yahir Elamour, +Carlos Duarte,... more »

2012-01-13 15:47:24 (0 comments, 6 reshares, 12 +1s)

Very cool! I just gave a small certificate award to Donald Knuth who is currently visiting the Zurich Google office. What did we give him? His own, personal gmail address. Why? Knuth famously does not have one as he dislikes the interruptions... So we configured it to automatically forward all incoming messages to Trash. :-)

If you don't know who Knuth is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Knuth

If you don't know about Knuth and email:
http://www-cs-faculty.stanford.edu/~knuth/email.html

2012-01-12 16:00:11 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

If you missed my Christmas posts on Kids and Money, I've collected them and put them up on my own site. Share and Enjoy!