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Why You Need Protection
by Bill Hopkins
Against lightning
strikes, that is. Better to spend a few extra bucks and get a good surge
protector and/or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for your computers.
(A UPS not only protects from surges
and spikes in the supply line, but also against brownouts
and blackouts, by switching to internal batteries to power your attached
electronics for a short time.) My favorite choice for protection is American
Power Conversion (APC) products. The typical surge protector will conform
to UL standard 1449 (check the label), and have an SVR (suppressor voltage
rating) of around 300 volts (a lower SVR rating is better). And while you're
at it, don't forget to protect those expensive plasma TVs, stereo systems,
and home theater equipment. You can also elect to have surge suppression
installed at your meter box, which normally requires the services of an
electrician, and must meet local and national building and safety codes.
Many of the nation's largest insurance companies report results similar
to Hartford Financial Services Group. Hartford reports that for the period
between 2001 and 2006, the cost of claims relating to lightning strikes
rose 77%, yet the number of lightning claims was down by nearly 50%. Why?
We're crazy for techo-gadgets, and because so many of our modern appliances
are run (internally) by fancy electronics. And remember, protectors do wear
out, and should be replaced after a significant surge.
Virus Warning
Some Apple video iPods shipped after Sept. 12th of 2006 contained the RavMonE.exe virus, which affects Windows operating systems. The virus can be removed with anti-virus programs. On their website, Apple says that less than 25 reports of virus infections have come in. For more information and help with removal, see http://www.apple.com/support/windowsvirus/.
Keywording
Very
important, in targeting searches and in relation also to your own online
presence, either through
your own website, your agency, or
one of several of our products, such as PhotoSourceBank, PhotoSourceFolio,
PhotoSourceGroup, etc. And while you’re at it, why not give the Smithsonian
a hand? Yep, you can help them keyword their vast collection of photography
at http://photography.si.edu. A recent study by the Metropolitan Museum
of Art found that over 92% of the keywords contributed by volunteer keyworders
(the Met called them "taggers") weren't in their database. Something to
keep in mind when working on your own words. (A typical example: What you
may call a rug, someone else will call a carpet.)
Platter or Spool?
Planning on keeping your digital photos, videos, and songs over the long haul? Don't count on burnable CDs or DVDs. The typical life of today's products is about 2 to 5 years. The biggest offender? Heat. Commercially prepared discs fare much better, and we're talking about the pressed ones with the very shiny recorded surface. Your best bet today? Magnetic media, such as tapes and hard drives, which may last up to 30 years.
Bill Hopkins is the Webmaster of PhotoSourceFolio* (www.photosourcefolio.com) and a regular contributor to PhotoStockNotes. Send comments via e-mail to wh@photosourcefolio.com. Fax: 1 818 831-0916. For on-line questions, contact Bill on the Kracker Barrel at www.photosource.com/board.
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