Dropbox: Practical Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is the buzzword for the next generation of web applications that interact directly with users at the system level. The term has been bandied about for the last couple of years but no one has really developed anything that crystallizes the idea. Until now. The folks at Dropbox have come up with a novel way to solve an age-old Internet problem: secure file sharing with yourself, your friends and family. By combining web services, Amazon's S3 storage clusters and some clever programming, Dropbox plugs into Windows Explorer and Mac Finder to create a drag-and-drop interface for easy file sharing. Create shared folders between yourself and your friends/family, drop files in and a Mac-like sync occurs between all parties involved. Have to collaborate with a group of people? Add names to the share folder and when you drop the file in there, all participants get a copy.

Best of all, Dropbox is free. Currently in beta, you can surf over to the Dropbox website and apply. If you know someone already on it, they get 10 beta invitations. The free accounts are limited to 2GB of data so don't get any wild ideas about using it to create the next Napster. Also there are plans for a Linux client as well. The current client does not support proxies, but that is in the cards before the final release. There is a forum where you can find a list of upcoming features.

Zeiss announces a new SLR lens - Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f3.5

Zeiss 18mm Distagon f3.5 - Side Originally uploaded by Carlos Echenique

On June25, 2008 without too much fanfare, Carl Zeiss Company announced yet another lens for the Nikon (ZF) and Pentax (ZK) DSLR mounts. The Distagon T* 3,5/18 is a super-wide lens with 99 degree field of view (on film and FX sensor Nikons like the D3 and recently announced D700 - on DX cameras this lens is equivalent to 27mm). This lens is of rectilinear design and provides dramatic perspectives for architecture, landscape and close-up photographers. The all-metal body houses eco-friendly lens elements all sporting the Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating to minimize flaring and other stray light artifacts. The lens also includes Zeiss Color Matching Technology which provides homogenous color renditions. The lens takes 82mm filters on the front. A non-CPU, manual focus lens, the 18mm Distagon can be programmed into newer model Nikons (D300, D700, & D3). The lens will be available in early July 2008 (ZF mount) and Q3 2008 in ZK mount. Suggested list price is 960 Euro ( about $1500 USD ). Technical Specifications Focal length: 18 mm Aperture range: f/3.5 - f/22 (1/2 stop intervals) Number of elements/groups: 13/11 Focusing range: 0.3 m (0.98 ft) - inf. Angular field* (diag./horiz./vert.): 99/90/67 ° Coverage at close range: 44 x 29 cm (1.7 x 1.1") Image ratio at close range: 1:12 Filter-thread: M 82 x 0.75 Length (with caps)**: 84 mm (3.3") Diameter**: 87 mm (3.4") Weight**: 470 g (16 oz.) Camera mounts: ZF (F bayonet), ZK (K bayonet) Scope of delivery: Lens Shade included

Nikon Releases D700 Ahead of Schedule

Ending many months of speculation, Nikon has announced the existence of the long rumored D700, an FX sensor DSLR in a compact body. Aimed squarely at the Canon 5D, the D700 has several features that surpass the current Canon 5D:

Features

12.1 megapixel FX (full-frame) CMOS sensor with high signal-to-noise ratio, wide dynamic range, and built-in self-cleaning sensor unit that minimizes dust.

ISO 200 – 6400: extendable up to 25600 (equivalent) and down to ISO 100 (equivalent).

5fps continuous shooting (8fps with optional MB-D10 battery pack with lithium-ion battery EN-EL4a or 8 AA batteries).

EXPEED image processing engine with 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image processing for superb detail and tonal gradation.

Advanced Scene Recognition System combines the camera’s metering and AF sensors for precise exposures and sharply defined images.

Multi-CAM3500FX 51-point AF system. Individually selectable or configurable in 9-point, 21-point and 51-point coverage settings.

Picture Controls streamline in-camera image processing by enabling the pre-set customization of image parameters such as sharpening, contrast, brightness, hue and saturation in various color modes.

920,000 dot 3-inch VGA LCD monitor with wide, 170-degree viewing angle.

Live View with Autofocus enables composition of images by use of the LCD monitor. Two modes are supported: Handheld or Tripod.

DX Crop Mode can be automatically enabled when a DX format lens is attached.

Quick response: approx. 40 ms shutter-lag.

Active D-Lighting enables superior high-contrast images by automatically applying tone compensation at the moment of capture.

HDMI video output interface enables connection to high-definition video systems.

Intuitive ergonomics with optimized button placement for fast and comfortable handling.

Durable Magnesium alloy body: moisture and dust resistant.

Wireless LAN and Ethernet support via optional Wireless Transmitter WT-4.

Specifications

Effective pixels	12.1 million
Image sensor	CMOS sensor, 36.0 x 23.9 mm; total pixels: 12.87 million; Nikon FX format
Image size (pixels)	FX format (36 x 24): 4,256 x 2,832 [L], 3,184 x 2,120 [M], 2,128 x 1,416 [S] DX format (24 x 16): 2,784 x 1,848 [L], 2,080 x 1,384 [M], 1,392 x 920 [S]
Sensitivity	ISO 200 to 6400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV; can be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 (ISO 100 equivalent) EV below ISO 200, or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1 (ISO 12800 equivalent), or 2 (ISO 25600 equivalent) EV over ISO 6400
Storage media	CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA)
Monitor	3-in., approx. 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing-angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Exposure metering	3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-Weighted and Spot Metering
Exposure modes	Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program, Shutter-Priority Auto (S), Aperture-Priority Auto (A), Manual (M)
Interface	Hi-Speed USB
Power sources	One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (optional) with one Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/4/3e, or eight R6/AA-size alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or nickel-manganese (ZR6) batteries
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Approx. 147 x 123 x 77 mm (5.8 x 4.8 x 3.0 in.)
Weight	Approx. 995 g (2.19 lb.) without battery, memory card, body cap or LCD monitor cover