Changing black and white photo into color in a photoshop

Photoshop is a wonderful tool and if you are a little creative you can play with images to your heart's content. I was having some old black and white pictures of my father's childhood, and when I had time I sat with Photoshop and transform all of them to color. I thought I will let you know how I did because it is an interesting tutorial of Photoshop indeed in which you actually color the Black and White photographs.

Actually there are two methods to color a picture and you may use either of these per your needs. The first method is rather simpler in which you have to select the color you wanted to color a certain portion of the picture and then select the brush tool and paint the selected area. But this simpler method doesn't yield in a realistic picture and rather provides you with cheapo results.

Second method is relatively tougher one but end of it the pictures looks more realistic. I tried with this method. In this method you have to select a picture which you wanted to color and then change the image to color mode by image -> Mode -> RGB color. Zoom the picture to about 200% and select the magnetic lasso tool. Now click on the edge of any portion seen on the picture and after selecting a particular portion move the cursor around the edges of the object to make it a complete selection. Then press Ctrl+J to do “Layer via Copy” and then go to Image -> Adjustments -> Hue/ Saturation {Colorize: Yes}. Adjust the Hue/Saturation and Lightness until the object looks realistic and then set the blending mode of the layer to ‘color’.

You have to continue to do the same process with every portion/object in the picture. For coloring the background, just don't worry, as the objects are already colored and put them over the top of the background. So just select the background which includes the objects by clicking on the background layer and apply directly “Hue/Saturation” to it. Then click on Layer -> Flatten Image and after that Image -> Adjustments -> Auto Levels & Auto Contrast & Auto color. Save the picture. This way, you can color almost any number of B&W images.

My 16GB USB 2.0 Data traveler sucks!

It was during the last week that I bought a 16GB USB 2.0 Data traveler for a supposedly good deal. The USB drive is a Kingston make and the deal I struck was 450 Rupees (a little less than $9) for, it though came after some bargain. I was almost feeling that the deal for Kingston 16GB USB data traveler made my day.

It was in a gray market shop that I bought the USB. However, the misery struck soon after coming home when I realized that it is a fake Kingston USB pendrive and not original. When I transferred files, it showed no problems up to 5GB and when I tried to transfer further it started showing its true colors (err...... I mean fake colors). The USB hangs beyond 5GB push. And, in fact, to retrieve the data too it gave me hell of a problem.

Even after I stopped transferring data the files and folders that were existing got corrupt and they don’t seem to be stored in the same name I’ve wanted. The file names changed, and I was surprised to see some odd symbols as names.

Me, along with few other friends who purchased one each are trying to work out on the ways to resolve the issue. But more than that now I know that I cannot buy these knock offs no matter how cheap they come. After all you don’t want to land in a problem within the next hour you buy an electronic.

OS X in your pocket when you have an iPhone

As most people know, the iPhone is one of the most advanced handheld devices ever to be released for public consumption. Not only is there access to an iPod and cellular phone, but people have the option of accessing the internet in virtually the same fashion that they do at home. But surely, some sort of application must be utilized to properly keep track of and execute all of the software and accessories housed within the tiny device. As such, Apple utilizes the operating system iPhone OS X to make sure everything runs the way it is supposed to.

However, for the technologically advanced users (or potential users) of the iPhone reading this, there is a difference between Apple’s Mac OS X, used for their home computers and the OS X that is running on the iPhone. It boils down to the fact that the iPhone does not use an Intel processor, but rather an ARM processor. This leads to the OS X on the iPhone becoming a slightly less capable version of the Mac OS X so many Mac users have been accustomed to using.

While it is not nearly as capable as its Mac OS X brother, the iPhone OS X uses many of its predecessor’s abilities to make the iPhone work. The Mac OS X’s core animation has been programmed into the iPhone OS X, for example, to ensure that the dragging and touching of the screen will run as smoothly as possible. Other animation touches have been implemented into the iPhone OS X so that it will run as close to the Mac OS X as possible.

And while it may not be as powerful as the Mac OS X, the iPhone OS X still does plenty for what its device is trying to do. It allows iTunes 7.3 (and later versions) to run seamlessly on the device. It let’s people perform the tasks that are associated with the most high-tech of cell phones. And, of course, it allows ladies and gentlemen to surf the internet on a gadget that fits in the palm of their hand.

Also, we should not forget that the iPhone OS X is helping to execute an unprecedented touch-sensitive device. The iPhone is more than just a touch-sensitive organizer that operates under a stylus. The iPhone exclusively utilizes the fingers and sensors to navigate through programs and multitask when important issues arise (such as a call received during the navigation of the internet).

Yes, it is very easy to harp on the iPhone OS X for all of the things it’s not. Admittedly, it is no Mac OS X. And while there are surely going to be many who fret about the capabilities of the iPhone’s operating system, they should take heart in the fact that Apple has rarely let them down before. If the company is confident enough to release a product that runs under a new operating system, then chances are that it will be productive. It may not be Mac OS X, but the revolutionary iPhone is worth the risk that is taken when trying to run a new operating system

Fix your bad quality videos

If you happen to be just like me obsessed with shooting videos using cell phone and digital cameras, then here is something that I wish to share with you. In all likelihood I know that the videos would be of poor quality, but then you still want them and in case you are viewing the same lousy videos, there is this good news for you. You can now fix the quality, at the site FixMyMovie.com. Go to the site and upload your poor-quality video. The site takes about less than 15 seconds to process the video and improvises in the areas of brightness, grains as well as resolution. Additionally, you can take an improved still image from the video and it comes to you without an extra dime. But there is no guarantee that the service would come free forever.

A thing to note of, indeed extremely poor quality videos cannot be improved at the site, but yes poor ones are definitely made to worth watching videos. FixMyMovie.com is the video sharing website of California-based MotionDSP.

What’s New In Old School Video Game Technology?

Are you a video gamer who yearns for the good old days of 2D gaming? Buck up, my friend, as a new advancement in third-party game technology has extended the life of three classic systems: The original Nintendo, the Super Nintendo, and the Sega Genesis. I refer to the FC Twin, as well as some sister systems, all of which provide an inexpensive and advanced way to replace the old systems.

The initial FC Twin, launched in late 2006, features the ability to play your NES and SNES games all-in-one console. Later variations were released to bring the old-school controllers into the 21st century by adding a wireless component. In the past year, alternate versions (and knock-offs) of the FC Twin have been released, featuring different console lineups within the system. The most popular of these has been the NES/Sega Genesis combo, but an even cheaper NES only version has also been a top seller.

In addition to these console remakes, independent development (often referred to as garage development, in reference to the rudimentary means these developers have to create games) has allowed the library of these systems to grow once again, albeit at a snail's pace. Last year was a particularly banner year for the Sega Genesis. The once-cancelled RPG Beggar Prince was re-coded and brought back to life by Super Fighter Team. The game proved to be so popular, that a third line of production will open up in the coming months to combat sell-outs.

As much of an achievement as Beggar Prince was, another pending release for the Genesis promises to be more impressive. Pier Solar and the Great Architects, developed by members of the website Eidolon's Inn, is a made-from-scratch RPG that will clock in at 64MB, easily the largest cartridge ever released on Sega's 16-bit console. An official release has yet to be announced, but a demo is targeted for a release later this month.

With these games pending and the access to new and inexpensive hardware becoming more and more common, resurgence in old-school gaming seems possible. While it will never be practical for Sega or Nintendo to re-open the production of games for a decade-old system, independent development opens up myriad possibilities for new titles. Technology will only become cheaper and more accessible as time goes on, so get ready to dust off those cartridges—a renaissance is on its way.

La Play Generation

Another development in classic gaming augments these dusty old machines even more. At least two websites on the web (NES Reproductions and Play Generation) have begun creating authentic cartridges for modified, rare, or unreleased games on each respective system. Read about a game that never made it state-side? These custom-made cartridges might be able to make this game a domestic possibility.

The way that these reproductions work is rather simple. The internet is riddled with emulators (computer programs that "trick" your computer into operating like a particular video game system) and ROMs (computer files of video games that you open through your emulator). ROMs can vary from a copy of a game as basic as Super Mario Bros. to as rare as Snatcher, with custom hacks and "lost," unreleased games littered in between. In years past, it was only possible to play these ROMs via emulators, but reproducers have changed everything.

Utilizing flash technology, those who create the reproductions do either one of two things: Take the route of NES Reproductions and use pre-existing game carts, stripping out the old game and modifying the cartridge to play the game on the ROM. Or, specific flash carts can be used, again allowing the cartridge to tap into the ROM (a la Play Generation). Neither method is better or worse than the other.

As far as the particular vendors go, each website has its pros and cons. NES Reproductions gets the nod in terms of library of titles. They are more open to utilizing custom games and hacked titles (for example, they offer a version of classic Tecmo Super Bowl with rosters updated for the present NFL season) and they have a higher quality selection of unreleased titles to work with. However, the lack of any sort of packaging and the fact that you have to supply your own cartridge detracts from NES Reproductions.

On the other hand, Play Generation has its own positives and negatives. This site details with the Sega Genesis and they have less of an unreleased or custom library to work with. They also refuse to make copies of hard-to-find rarities, which is commendable in that it does not cheapen the value of the games. This limited selection is made up by the fact that each game has its own professional packaging and manual. Where NES Reproductions feels very much like a used game vendor, Play Generation would have to be considered a source to purchase new games.

It should be noted that the pros for both websites far outweigh the cons. They provide yet another source to add to your old-school gaming library. In fact, visiting these sites should be a prerequisite for anyone who fancies him or her a classic gamer.

Try Your Hands At Music Download Competition

Look out iTunes! The Amazon.com mp3 store is approaching with a head of steam. And judging by their latest ad campaign, they are prepared for a back alley brawl. You see, unlike most online stores, Amazon's download service works within iTunes and iPods. In fact the Amazon download service have also begun utilizing cheaper prices and aggressive advertisements in order to give the Apple giant a run for its money.

If you own an iPod (or any mp3 player for that matter), you really should give the Amazon download service a look-see. Knowing that they would be fighting an uphill battle from the start, Amazon decided to provide lower prices that reward the repeat customer. Three factors have allowed the website to offer a desirable alternative and they all deal with pricing and packaging.

To start, almost all songs are priced at 89 cents, as opposed to 99 cents on iTunes. While the savings aren't drastic, purchasing from Amazon is the equivalent of getting a free song from iTunes for every ten you buy. And at the end of the day, money is money; if you are a habitual spender on iTunes, your interests are better served via Amazon at this point. Granted, the library is not as impressive, but most of the popular acts from iTunes are available on Amazon.

Secondly, Amazon has chosen not to get greedy when pricing older artists or albums with only a few songs. For instance, in the past month, I purchased two albums off the Amazon store: Sticky Fingers, by the Rolling Stones and Wish You Were Here, by Pink Floyd. A Stones album will run you at least ten dollars on iTunes, but almost all of the band's records came to me at only eight dollars at the Amazon store. Wish You Were Here, on the other hand, costed less than five dollars. The album has only five tracks, so instead of pricing it as an album, Amazon store chose to charge it as if they were offering five individual songs.

It is these minor details that will allow Amazon store to stay in the hunt with iTunes. Also, when you consider the high profile ad campaign with Pepsi (five bottle caps constitutes a free song), Amazon download service is getting its brand out into the mainstream conscious. While no one will probably ever fully overtake iTunes, it is nice to see a competitor that will prevent a monopolized market and keep prices down.

LED lights and let them be

God said let there be light and there was light everywhere, but thanks to Thomas Alva Edison, we have light during nights as well. For how long the same dull tungsten-filament bulbs. Thankfully, fluorescent tube lights came into existence and they are preferred to incandescent bulbs, and you still have to pay good amount for electricity your fluorescent bulb consumes.

Thanks to the innovations by lighting solution experts whose pursuit is to give us brighter light with little consumption of electricity. We are now using CFLs which are power efficient lighting solutions. We are paying much less as compared to fluorescent lights. What about the new light-emitting diodes or LED lights? These LED lights have been doing wonderful jobs in traffic signals and indicator lights of automobiles. But what if they are used as a lighting solution instead of CFLs? The LEDs could be fit in a bulb instead of filaments and gas and the resultant light will still be cool and takes in very little power.

However, the difference between LED lights and conventional incandescent bulbs is this: Light is produced after the filament is warmed. In the LED lights there is very little generation of heat and large percentage of electric power is used in producing only light (it implies the demand for electric power). Yes, the world is slowly switching on to the latest LED lights and it will pick up the pace once the technology to make brighter LEDs for domestic purposes picks up.

Philips Lumileds with their advanced Luxecon technology to use LEDs will soon be offering LED lighting solutions alternative to CFLs but with their brightness matching that of CFLs or conventional sources but with enviously low power consumption. With the price pf semiconductor devices coming down (as seen through the last decade or so), we should be able to use LED lights as best alternatives even in homes. Eventhough they could be more expensive than incandescent bulbs, they will be soon ruling our lights and will probably play bigger part than mere lighting alternatives.

A small comparative chart to say it all about LED lights:

Incandescent bulb CFL LED
Life 1500 hrs 10k hrs 60k hrs
Wattage 60 14 6
Bulbs for 60k hours use 40 6 1