I am certainly behind the eight ball with this digi/compu stuff though.  Now that I’m back in Ocean City and slowly converting from a lei’d back nomadic life style to a stationary one, my technology challenged state is becoming evident.  There’re few technology challenges where there’s no electricity and I’m out of cell phone range as I wandered through the Florida Keys, camped in the Everglades, then in southern Texas and Arizona from January to the end of April.  I didn’t miss all this technology there, but here it’s necessary to deal with our world.
    Recently I had a very technology challenging day.  Long ago I accepted I wouldn’t ever grasp enough knowledge to really get an understanding of this stuff, especially since I avoid it as much as I can.  Shortly after I got up, I brought both my computers back to life.  The screen on the laptop said it had a virus, and the desk top screen said its virus program had expired.  Also, I had issues with cameras to resolve and needed to call the manufacturers.  I thought it would be easier if I used an older phone, so I could hold it between my cheek and shoulder (a cell phone is too small for that) and have my hands free to write or push buttons on the camera, etc., as I talked to technical support.  As I had one upside down jiggling the wires and listening for a dial tone, I heard a voice.  Hopefully it was a recording since I had my hands full. I cut them off. As the day progressed I think things worked out, so I rewarded myself with a 1⁄2$  pound of steamed shrimp at Seacrets.  All’s well that ends well!
     I decided to deal with the laptop first and clicked the box to eliminate the virus.  It said doing it might make it crash, so I closed all the open programs.  Then clicked a box that would describe the virus and its threat.  The program had no information about it so, I took the plunge and clicked the box to eliminate it again.  The “alarm screen” disappeared and the laptop seemed to operate normally.  I guess it did what it’s supposed to do.  In the last couple months several viruses showed up while I was traveling and using networks in motels on my laptop.  The program I have was installed by a local computer repairman and Kim Komando (noted Radio Digital/Computer TalkShow Host) recommends it.  It doesn’t give me any trouble and I guess it works.
    After the laptop seemed OK, I went to my desk top and clicked on the virus program screen to get a new one.  I had two options: pay the $35 or get one free if I picked one of the “gifts.”  Each was described as inexpensive and vaguely, like kinda being behind a curtain.  I didn’t really want any, but I did want the free program, so I chose a trial speed reading program for $3.95 and went through many screens to get it.  As I finalized the purchase my phone rang.  I almost hung up because I could hardly understand what was said; I thought it was just another telemarketer, but I heard the words credit card and it was the card I used to make the purchase. The transaction must have sent up a red flag. I told them it was a legitimate charge.  Then they asked if another, a $14.95 charge from about a month ago, was OK.  I told them I didn’t know what it was and had considered disputing it, but hadn’t gotten around to it yet.  They said it was a credit monitoring service that would be a monthly charge, and would be glad to dispute it.  They were very hassle-free as their ads say!  I had agreed to receive a free credit report when I renewed the virus program on my laptop a couple weeks ago.  I didn’t realize I would get a report and be charged monthly.  I made the necessary calls and cancelled it.  Then I thought of the speed reading program and went back and read the fine print.  I found out what really was behind the curtain was a $70 charge for the next 4 months!!!  I immediately cancelled it too.  If that virus program is highly recommended why does their marketing involve these scams?  After hours of computer time and telephone calls I still didn’t have the virus protection I needed, so I clicked on the virus program’s icon on the desk top and down in the left corner in very small print it said, “It can always be downloaded free from here,” so I did.  It was quick and easy.  I hope I remember next time I need it!
    Then I went to my great little point and shoot camera, a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 that I wore out during my trip.  I got the manual, went to troubleshoot and reset it to original factory settings. The manual said that would solve lots of problems.  That didn’t work, nothing else applied, so I called Panasonic. Their Tech Support said it sounded like I was not at fault and would fix it for a flat charge of $90, so it’s on its way to them now.
    The other camera issue, my 100-400mm lens, isn’t working out so well yet.  The auto focus had failed as it has twice before.  I’m still negotiating to get it fixed without paying again.  This lens had been my primary lens but it being out of commission redirected the emphasis of my photography.  I’ve always wanted to concentrate on close-up photography and I have a superb lens for it, a 180mm macro lens.  I can photograph an insect’s eye, flowers and birds, and it also functions as medium telephoto.  Particular attention must be given to the settings that create the depth of field or range of focus, though.  The focus is concentrated on a small area of the subject if an Fstop (1.2-5.6) which is a large lens opening is used, but if a small one (F16-32) is chosen, more of the object is in focus.  Using this lens demanded that I get closer, be more patient (especially for wildlife, because the closer you get the more likely they will be gone), and a tripod may be helpful.  Tripods can be cumbersome though, so I usually used a fast shutter speed of 1/400 of second or more that was made possible by using fill flash set on ETTL minus a stop or two. The benefit is superbly sharp detailed photos.  I’ll be showing them in my columns this summer and there’s lots more in my photo galleryat http://picasaweb.google.com/o.c. fotoguy.
    Some point and shoot cameras have a macro function too; mine does.  The photos of the Reddish Egret, bee and spider eating a pollen-seeking insect on this page were taken with the 180 lens.  Each was shot with a Canon Rebel xti at ASA 100. Other tech info:  Reddish Egret- shutter 1/400, no flash, Fstop 5.6 -1; Bee- shutter 1/640, no flash, F 5.6 -1/3; & Spider- shutter 1/500, flash, F 5.  Any questions?  Look for my straw hat around OC or email at ocfotoguy@aol.com and look at the fascinating bugs in flower blooms.