1. Don't use the flash.  I WISH I could say NEVER, but sometimes in very low light conditions its the only option.  Check out this fantastic post on Gizmodo (look at all those poor suckers who just took a crappy photo) for more info.  This is typically the number 1 reason your pictures pretty much suck.

2. Don't use Zoom.  Your point and shoot CAN zoom, just like it CAN flash.  But again, you shouldn't.  Instead, try moving closer to your subject.  Most compact digital cameras only have digital zoom.  This uses the software to blow up the image, and increases pixelation, discoloration all other kinds of nasty things.  Read more at Lifehacker.

Hopefully those will help get you on the road to better quick shots. Got another tip? Post up in the comments.

• Assassin's Creed 2
• Borderlands
• The Saboteur
• Fairytale Fights

I already finished the story in Assassin's Creed 2.  I really enjoyed the game play much more than the first one.  They kept all the great things about the first one (the free-run system is fantastic) and added more variety to the missions.  There is SO much to do in Italy in the 15th century.  Pickpocket, rob chests, collect eagle feathers for your Ezio's little brother, shop for some new duds, or my favorite: just explore. UBI did a great job immersing you in Renaissance Italy.  Scale the inside of the Duomo, climb St Mark's basilica, or row around the famous grand canal in a gondola: all while finding interesting ways to dispatch of your target.  Loads of fun.  The Story took me about 22 hours to complete (though thats including much of that exploring and side missions).

Borderlands is a ton of fun too, however at this point I've spent most of my time with Assassin's Creed.  I really like the cell shading style in Borderlands, which is odd because I've never liked that style in any other game.  Apparently this game really shines with online co-op play, which I have yet to try.

The Saboteur also seems like fun, but again I've only dipped into the surface of this game.  I'm a fan of WWII, so this game seems like a great new story to tell.

Fairytale fights is a pretty mindless, but entertaining game in the same vein as the Xbox 360 arcade hit "Castle Crashers".  Pick a famous fairytale character, and your weapon and have at it.  

However, I've put the most time into the easy shoe-in for game of the year: Modern Warfare 2.  I actually have already completed the first player campaign (which took me over a year to even TRY with the first Modern Warfare), and have over 4 days worth of time into multiplayer.  So much fun, and it was hard to not play this game while I was playing Assassin's Creed.  Loads of new weapons, new perks and new combinations.  Easily the best game period for any console (if you like FPS).

So I'll leave you with some links to things I've been enjoying recently:

• Fringe
• iTunes LP
• Shadow Complex
• MUSE
• Snow Leopard
• Wenatchee Wild
• Iwa Sushi (good lookin' logo if i do say so :-D )
• Gist

Peep it.

After 6 years with Saggezza/Flint/Firefly/DDSBrand, I've decided to start my own business and freelance.  My primary focus will be web design, however I'm also offering full service branding solutions.  I've designed and developed over 30 websites and pride myself on effective, and approachable design.  My branding solutions include everything their brand will need to get started on the right foot.  

Another service I plan to offer is Technology Consulting: helping clients figure out what tech tools they need to make their business more efficient, and the training to use those tools.

Head on over to the digital digs for the next chapter in my design career: DesignByDempsey.com

Official Press Release

Infamous electronics duo Ryan Block and Peter Rojas of Gizmodo, Engadget and RCRDLBL fame have finally gone live with their new gadget social-networking site. I had a few minutes to register and start adding gadgets to my profile before the site was utterly crushed by an onslaught of gadget fans. At this point, it sortof works, but both Ryan and Peter have been tweeting about getting it worked out, saying they were getting "is roughly 3-5x our "even-that-will-never-happen" estimates".  Good for them.  The small preview of what I saw was pretty awesome, and I can't wait to delve in further.

In the mean time, check out this video featuring gadget babe Veronica Belmont about gdgt.

visit gdgt

Nambu Interface

I've been using Nambu for a couple of days now to tweet, and it wipes the floor with Twitterific. Some of my favorite features:

• Auto URL shortner
• Easy replies, direct messages and re-tweets
• Multiple viewing options
• Clean and simple interface

Nambu is currently in beta for OS X 10.5, but is pretty stable and highly recommended.

My Bulldog

After falling in love during a test drive late last year, I knew I had to have a MINI Cooper S.  My friend Justin in DC has one and just raved about it.  After seeing one on a local car lot here in Wenatchee a month ago, my interest piqued again.  The one on the lot was overpriced and had fairly high miles.  After talking to Justin about the aforementioned MINI he sent me a ton of links on NAM for private party sales.  I found the one.  Red, just like my beloved tC (which I sold so we could go to Europe) and matte black rims. Perfect.

I feel I really lucked out on this bad boy.  Its F A S T.  202 whp to be exact (my tC was heavier, and had at least 20 less whp).  Thanks to the previous owner's (known by his peers as Baxter) well thought out upgrade process and a tune from RMW. Baxter needed to sell it to give him an edge in a contest he was selected to participate in with his (and now our) Credit Union.

So I met Baxter on a Saturday 3 weeks ago in Leavenworth, drove the MINI, and came home with it on Tuesday.  Its been a total blast, and I've even installed Cravenspeed's short shifter.  I've joined PSMini.org owners club, and have a few drives already planned as well as an install day in Olympia.

Its the beginning of a beautiful relationship! (yes, Sarah loves it too!).

MOTOR ON!

Allow me to help:

Firefox: Fast, safe, updated all the time. Most popular alternative to IE.

Chrome: My new favorite browser for PC (when I am forced to use one). VERY fast, simple and Google.  I posted about my first impressions in September.

Safari: My browser of choice.  Also very fast, safe and a wonderful Apple experience.

If you must, download IE 7 or use your Windows Update (found in the start menu).

Have a favorite IE 6 alternative? Post up in the comments.

Friday I recieved my acceptance email into the NXE preview program. Phew, the last wave too!.  Sure the New Xbox Experience will be available to all on November 19 (Wednesday), but I got to play with it over the weekend. 

A few months ago the NXE was announced, and everyone got to drool for a few months while MS put the final touches to the most recent dashboard update.  Apparently this update came a bit late.  Upon reading about this announcement and some subsequent price drops, I decided to curb my Playstation 3 fanboyism and dive in to the dark green side (yes, I still LOVE my PS3).  

The update includes some pretty drastic UI changes, and new features, which are most welcome.  The new UI seems to tie closely into MS's Zune, which makes one wonder what might be in store.  Among the new features you'll find:

• Netflix "Watch it Now" video streaming
• Avatars- lets just call them what they are: Miis (mine pictured above)
• Parties- play games together, and have private party voice chat
• Game Installation- install complete game data on your HDD for supposed performance boost

Plus a few other neat tweaks , quick launch being one of my favorites- press the guide button, select quick launch and jump into a game while in another game or video.  There's plenty more info at Joystiq, including videos.

So after a weekend of playing with it, I am extremely pleased.  The Netflix streaming being the 'Killer App' for me.  Videos added to your instant viewing queue show up near immedieately on the 360.  You get great "box art" to flip through, in a coverflow-esque fashion.  

The other major upgrade is the overall UI, which is simpler, sharper, better looking and most of all, intuitive.  I found the old "blades" to be quite cluttered.  However the blades aren't totally gone- they've been downsized to the text-only Xbox Guide, for quick access to key functions.  The other carry over from the old interface is the notifications.

Overall, the NXE is a phenomenal update- a real revitalization to a stale UI (even though its only 3 years old). It should help sell more consoles- Heck, its why I bought mine.

Hopefully I can keep somewhat connected to see what we get at the Sept 9 Apple event. At any rate, keep stopping by for the latest while Sarah and I take a Rick Steves tour of Europe!