Photo Accesories Hold in the Custom Office

I received a letter last week from the German Post Office about the delivery of my order in Amazon.com. They said that it was hold by the Zollamt or Custom Office in Regensburg and I have to pick it up no later than 14 days.

This is the disadvantage when you order goods outside the European Union countries. In Germany for example, the Custom Office will surely hold the goods. If I am not mistaken, I need to pay for the taxes levied in that items according to German rules and regulations. I guess I need to pay the 19% Merhwertsteuer or value added tax. I will see how it is going when I will pick-up the photo accessories tomorrow.

You can find here the details of my order in amazon.com from the United States seller.

Finally Got My Adobe Photoshop Elements 10

I always love to take pictures but never edit them. I wrote a post last week here that I ordered a photo editing software from Amazon.com. The Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and Adobe Premier Elements 10 finally arrived last Friday. I hope I can have more time learning and practicing photo editing. I have thousands of photos especially from my travel and trips but never had the chance to edit them. I hope this time since I already have the software, I can already make some of the pictures better through this photo-editing software.

Thanks to online shopping services in the internet.

Thanks to a dear friend for the postage service. I truly appreciate it.

I Need Another External Hard Drive

How are you peeps? I hope you are all doing fine especially to all my friends around the world. I am doing good so far and I am quite happy and contented at the moment. I am quite busy for the past days with a lot of things to do both online and offline.

Anyway, back to main topic..I have been window shopping for another external hard drive online. I need another extra one for my files and photos. This is one of my projects during the first quarter of the year 2012. I guess I am getting a 2 terabyte this time. I am just waiting for a perfect timing to find one which is on sale. I am monitoring this from time to time. Hopefully before I fly to Madrid, Spain next month, I can already order another external hard drive. I am already eyeing one in internet. This is the advantage of online shopping because you can just look at any items at the comfort of your home without driving somewhere especially when it is very cold outside.

See you later folks!

Uploading Pictures from Spain Trip

I am very thankful that I am feeling very better now. I had some colds after the trip we had in Spain. It was a wonderful trip and so far the best one for me this year. I am back home now and I have a lot of things to do and finish before Christmas day comes.

I mentioned yesterday that I am just done unpacking my luggage. This weekend I need to start downloading all the pictures I took during our 8-days trip to Spain. I have around 15 SD cards for downloading. I already downloaded it in my netbook, the one that I bought with me in Spain. Since I want a back-up of all my pictures, I will download it again in my 1500 GB external hard drive. This is where I have all the travel photos I took during my trips. I just want to make it sure that I always have a back-up of it.

After downloading all those pictures, for sure you will find some in my travel websites. Feel free to click the links below,
See The World
Travel Euroasia
Europe Travel Pad

Featured Article

The Simpsons Game is an action/platformer video game based on the animated television series The Simpsons, made for the Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable. It was developed, published, and distributed by Electronic Arts. Similarly to the show, the game pokes fun at popular culture, other video games, and Electronic Arts, its publisher. In the self-referential plot, the five Simpson family members—Homer, Marge (with Maggie), Bart, and Lisa—discover that they are forced to participate in a video game and are given superpowers to resolve several situations. Eventually, they must save their 8-bit predecessors from Will Wright, the game's antagonist, and the creator of their video game character selves, Matt Groening. Released in 2007, the game received mixed reviews.
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My New ASUS X70AF - TY013V

I was thinking last time whether to order a DSLR camera or a new Desktop or laptop. I decided to order a laptop last week because I always use it everyday. just need a new one because the old one desktop that I have is processing very slow now. I am currently using my small ACER Aspire One netbook. I don't like it that much because the screen is so small. Hubby has an HP laptop with Windows Vista program but I also don't like it. The solution to my problem is the new Asus laptop that I ordered last week. I believed I am very lucky because I have it for a cheaper price. It normally cost 1,169 euros but I had it for 666.00 Euros. Today, I took a look at it again in the website where I ordered it and it is no longer available. I hope to have it in the next days.

Here are the infos about ASUS X70AF - TY013V laptop;

43.9 cm (17.3 " ) 640 GB hard drive , 4 GB RAM , 0.3 megapixel webcam
Windows ® 7 Overview

Simplifies daily tasks
• Common Webaufgaben have accelerated so you can even faster surf the Internet
• Open files faster using the improved system tray
• Manage multiple open browser windows using just your listings and Full ScreenPreviews
• Instantly find your files on the improved Windows Search

Works like I want it
• Windows 7 designed to your PC start faster, shuts down, to sleep goes and wakes up
• Improved battery life and less system messages
• Many Windows XP applications run in Windows XP mode

opened new possibilities
• The simple connection to wireless networks , and printing on the spot , you can work easily in multiple locations
• Send child's photos and music from your PC to other devices on your home network
• Thanks to Windows Touch ® PCs with Touchscreen easier to use and intuitive
• The DirectX ® 11 technology delivers stunning games video

Model name X70AF - TY013V
Hard disk capacity GB 640
Clock frequency in MHz 2300
Amount of memory (RAM) In MB 4096
DVDBurners
DVD Burner ( 8x DVD -Super Multi D / L Double Layer)
Remote Control no
Integrated TV tuner card no
Integrated video editing card no
Number USBPorts 4
Wireless LAN yes
Bluetooth no
TV output no
Processor AMD Turion II M520 (2.3 GHz, 1 MB Cache)
Number of processor cores 2
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit (OEM)
Video Card ATI HD 5145 512M VRAM
Graphics Memory in MB 512
Screen Size in cm (Customs) 43.9 cm (17.3 ")
Screen resolution 1600 x 900
Aspect ratio 16 : 9
Color (00 ) black
Guarantee in years 2
Extras German QWERTZ keyboard
Test result no
Webcam yes

What Happened to My Eexternal Hard Drive

Happy first day of March! I am not really happy this morning because as I was opening my 1000 Gb external hard drive where I saved all of my pictures, it won't open anymore. I was really afraid about it because all my important pictures, files and documents are stored in there. What happened was, I was trying to insert another USB stick so that I can transfer pictures from my external HD to the USB stick for developing. After I inserted the USB stick or flash drive, my 1 terabyte HD stop functioning already. I tried to plug and unplug it for some times but still it won't open thoroughly. It will open for some seconds but later on it will also turn-off. I am getting scared already afraid that I will lose all my important files. What I did was, I unplugged the USB stick and turn-on again the External HD. After around three times of restarting it all over again, it finally works. Until now, I am browsing some pictures from it. Thanks goodness, it is working again. If the same thing happened to you, you might try what I did.

Still Waiting for My Lens Camera

Good evening guys! I am expecting and waiting today for my new lens camera to be delivered. I even wrote a message on a paper outside the door that the Postman need to knock our door louder so that I can hear him. We don't have a doorbell anyway. This is an assignment for HB for next year. I also ordered online some batteries for this new camera. I am also hoping to get it anytime this week. I guess I can have better pictures with this new camera soon.

Ordered A Sony DSLR A230

I finally ordered another camera online. This time it is a lens camera. It is a Sony DSLR-A230. It cost around 500.00 Euros. I read a lot of reviews that it is good for a beginner like me. Despite of HB's objection not to buy it (because I am going for a long vacation back home and needs a lot of finances) I was still able to order it. Hopefully, I can have the gadget this week before I fly home. I am happy to have one of my wishes. I guess, I can make great photos in my vacation. Below are the features of this lens camera.FEATURES
SteadyShot INSIDE™ in-camera image stabilization
10.2 megapixel resolution for ultra-fine detail
Smallest, lightest α series body
Integrated on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display
HDMI™ terminal with BRAVIA® Sync™ compatibility
2.7” (diag.) Clear Photo LCD Plus™ display
High sensitivity (ISO 3200) for superior noise reduction
Eye-Start Autofocus
9-Point AF Sensor
Up to 2.5 fps continuous shooting
Creative Style settings
Dynamic Range Optimizer
Built-in Pop-Up Flash
Anti-Dust Technology
Stamina® Battery power
BIONZ™ image processor
PhotoTV HD compatibility
Index and Slide Show Display
Function Guide Display
Dual slot Compatiblity for Memory Stick® and SD media
Included SAL1855 18-55mm standard zoom lens

General

* Camera Type : Sony α Digital SLR camera with built-in flash and inter-changeable lenses
* Color Filter System : RGB primary color filters
* Effective Picture Resolution : Approx. 10.2 megapixels
* Imaging Sensor : APS-C size CCD sensor (23.6x15.8mm)
* Lens Mount Type : Sony α lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens
* Pixel Gross : Approx. 10.8 megapixels
* Processor : BIONZ™ image processor
* Recording Media Type : Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media / , SD and SDHC memory card,
* Recording Mode : RAW, RAW+JPEG, Fine, Standard
* Still Actual 16:9 : L size: 3872x2176 (8.4M) M size: 2896x1632 (4.7M) S size: 1920x1088 (2.1M)
* Still Actual 3:2 : L size: 3872x2592 (10M) M size: 2896x1936 (5.6M) S size: 1920x1280 (2.5M)

LCD Display

* Brightness Control : Selectable in 5 steps
* Coverage : 100% (Playback)
* Type : 2.7” TFT Clear Photo LCD (230,400 pixels)
Flash

* Flash Compensation : ±2EV (in 0.3-stop increments)
* Flash Coverage : 18mm in focal-length of lens attached
* Flash Metering System : ADI flash (automatic change for Pre-flash TTL)
* Guide Number : 10 (in meters at ISO100)
* Modes : Auto, Fill-flash, Red-eye reduction, Rear sync, Slow sync, Hi-speed sync*., Wireless
* Recycling Time : Approx. 4 sec.
* Type : Auto Pop-up

Software

* Operating System Compatibility : Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Windows XP*SP2 Windows Vista Mac OS X(v10.1.3) or later
* Supplied Software : PMB (Picture Motion Browser) Image Data Converter SR Image Data Lightbox SR

Operating Conditions

* Operating Temperature : 32 - 104 degrees F (0 - 40 degrees C)

Inputs and Outputs

* HD Output : HDMI
* Memory Card Slot : Dual memory card slot: Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media SD and SDHC memory card
* Tripod Mount : Yes, 1/4"-20
* USB Port(s) : USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage, PTP)

Control

* AF modes : Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF, (AF/MF selectable)
* Drive Mode : Single-shot, Continuous, Self-timer, Self-timer Continuous, Bracketing, Remote Commander
* Exposure Compensation : ±2EV (in 0.3 EV steps)
* Exposure settings : Auto, Auto Flash Off, Program Auto (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter priority (S), Manual (M)
* Focus Area : Wide (Up to 3 active focus points glow), Spot, Local (9 local areas selectable)
* Focus Features : Predictive control, Focus lock, Eye-start AF, AF illuminator (Built-in flash, Range: approx. 1-5m)
* Focus Points : 9 points
* Focus Sensitivity : EV0 - 18 (ISO100)
* Focus System : TTL phase detection system
* ISO : Auto, 100 to 3200 (in 1 EV steps,Recommended Exposure Index)
* Metering : TTL metering w/ 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC
* Metering Modes : Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
* Metering Sensitivity : EV1 - 20 at ISO100 with F1.4 lens, (EV3 - 20 in spot metering mode)
* White Balance : Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom

Returning the Finepix S2000HD

Wow! another weekend is here. Some more nights of sleep and I will be flying home for a long vacation. I am quite excited about it. I guess, you had already read my title above. I am returning the camera that I ordered in neckermann.de. I just mentioned it in my previous post. The reason is, there are articles that were missing in the order. The battery charger and the rechargeable batteries were not delivered until now. I already received the Finepix S2000HD camera last Wednesday. As I opened and checked the box if everything were there, the articles I mentioned were missing. I immediately sent an email the same day I received the camera but what I only got are automated emails. I waited until Friday, that was yesterday but still no right email was replied to my inbox about the status of the missing articles. I decided to call the customer hotline of neckermann and was asking about the status of the missing items but the their customer service representative cannot give me an answer or any info or alternative about the status of the said missing items.

The worst experience I had was when I heard the voice of the customer service representative who named Mario S. to be unfriendly. I burst out to anger and frustration after hearing his bad tone. I believed, I deserve a good and friendly customer service. To make the story short, I will will be returning the said camera this coming Monday. No wonder, I also decided yesterday not to make orders anymore in www.neckermann.de shopping site. I already had some troubles before in this online shopping site some months ago. I was billed for a printer that was not sent to me. I made a lot of follow-ups both through emails and telephone calls but still it did not worked. Honestly, sometimes I don't understand about German customer service. Do they really understand what does this means? I am sorry guys but I am just talking about my experiences about customer service in Germany. I am not generally talking that everybody don't understand customer service in this country but most of my experiences were very frustrating. Is it also one of the reasons why Quelle in Germany went bankrupt now because of bad customer service? I am also a customer of this shopping site and believe me because of the bad customer service that I had also experience, I never ordered to this site anymore. Since this is my blog, I believed I can express all the personal experiences and thoughts that I have. More frustrating shopping experiences to come in my Explore Germany site.

I am also happy that after the bad experience yesterday I was able to find another shopping site that sells electronic and gadgets in a cheaper price compared to Neckermann. Cheers! I am waiting for my new Sony lens camera in a couple of days. Thanks to google and yahoo for giving us a free services for anything that we want to search in the web. Happy weekend to all!

Bought A FinePix S2000HD

I just think of buying a super zoom camera yesterday. I am trying to find the most affordable one that I can buy since I need money for my long vacation to my home country. I was trying to compare prices and offers from different shopping websites. I guess I have a cheap one. I don't know if I can find the cheapest one that will be delivered to me in a couple of days. I bought this in one of the shopping site where I always order and buy electronics and gadgets. I just need another camera with higher pixel for my vacation this month. My Canon Powershot S5IS has only 8.0 MP. I am not really a professional photographer but I just love to take pictures of anything that catches my camera. Hopefully next year, I can already buy a good lens camera..wink! Here are the features of my camera for my own record. Sorry guys this is in German language.

This camera I ordered already include a battery charger, 4 rechargeable batteries 2600maH, camera bag, 8GB SDHC card, wrist strap, USB cable, CD Rom, Lens Cap and of course the FinePix S2000HD. The cost for all of this is 237.00 Euros. That is around $353.00.
FinePix S2000HD + Tasche Bridge + SDHC-Speicherkarte 8 GB Klasse 6 + Ladegerät 8H LR6 (AA) + LR035 (AAA) V002 + 4 Akkus NiMH LR6 (AA) 2600 mAh

Details:
Abmessungen HxBxT in mm 1/2,3 (6,16 x 4,62 mm)
Autofokus ja
Batterie- / Akku-Typ LR6
Besonderheiten Selektive Wiedergabe -Modi Bracketing -Zoom
Bildstabilisator ja
Brennweite in mm 5,0 - 75
Chip-Typ CCD
Digitaler Zoom (x-fach) 5,7 -fach
Effektive Pixel (in Millionen) 10,0
Foto-Auflösung in Pixel 3648 x 2736
Gewicht in Gramm 386 g
Größe des LCD-Monitors in Zoll 2,7 (6,9 cm)
Integrierter Blitz nein
Interner Speicher in MB 55 MB
Lieferumfang 4 Alkalibatterien Typ AA, Objektivdeckel, Handgelenkschlaufe, USB -Kabel, CD -ROM
Manueller Weißabgleich nein
Max. Lichtempfindlichkeit in ISO Auto / Äquivalent ISO 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 (bei voller Auflösung) und ISO 3200 / 6400 (bei 5 MP)
Maximale Blende Weitwinkel Weitwinkel: F/3,5 - F7,0 - Teleobjektiv: F/5,4 -F7,0
Optischer Zoom (x-fach) 15
Software FinePix Viewer
Speicher-Typ Micro SD/SDHC
Speicherkarteneinschub Bei ISO Auto Reichweite des Blitzes mit Weitwinkel von 50 cm bis 6,4 m Reichweite des Blitzes mit Teleobjektiv von 50 cm bis 4,1 m Reichweite des Blitzes mit Makro von 70 cm bis 3 m
Sprach- und Videoaufnahme nein
Sucher-Typ k.A.
Tonabnehmer nein
Typ Bridgekamera
Video-Auflösung in Pixel 1280 x 720 bei 30 Bildern/Sek.

Shopping For Electronics and Gadgets

How was your weekend peeps? I hope you had a lovely one. I mentioned in one of my blogs that we will go to Neumarkt on Sunday which we did yesterday. We drove there after attending the Kirchweih or Patronal Fiesta in HB's twin sister's town in Lengenfeld. It was already late in the afternoon as we arrived in Neumarkt. We went to some shops like Tevi, a store that sells household equipments, electronics and gadgets and a lot more. I ended up buying two Nokia cellphones which I will give as presents for my family. I also bought some cables and adaptors for my Iphone and computer. I tried to look for good cameras but there are still quite expensive. I saw one with 15 MP that cost around 699.00 Euros. I still need some money for my long vacation to my beloeved Philippines this month. I wish to buy a better camera next year. HB was also looking for desk top computers. We are hoping to buy one early next year. We had a great weekend after spending with some friends who stayed during the weekend in our house.

Chaos In The House

We got some chaos in the house the past weeks. Two weeks ago the faucet in our kitchen is not functioning well. The water keep on dropping and HB have to do something to fix it until we buy a new one. We are not looking for bar faucets but just a simply one that can replace our old one. I am thankful that it was finally replaced with a new one last weekend. Our cooking plate was also malfunctioning last time. I am happy that it is back to normal now. Another chaos was, my netbook don't start anymore. I am thankful that through the help of an expert, it was fixed now. I almost send it to Acer company for fixing since it is still in guarantee period. We just have to do some minor repair in our house next year.

Problems With my Keyboard

I was surprised last Wednesday night after opening my computer. It processed very slow and it won't open thoroughly because a message was flashing on the screen telling something like,"there is no attached keyboard in your computer. I also noticed that the Num lock light is not flashing. I checked its connection but still it won't go through. I ended up buying a new keyboard. I guess not all electronics and gadgets are safe products. Right guys? If you are also looking for safety products especially for work needs, you can try to browse it in the net. I also read a warning in my keyboard that says, "Warning: To reduce risk of serious injury, read safety and comfort guide provided with product. So people out there including me of course, we have to be very careful when buying electronics and other gadgets. Never forget to read the safety instruction before using it. I am happy that my keyboard worked again. Cheers!

IP Security Camera

The day is almost over again. HB said that we are almost in the middle of October. Time truly flies by so fast. Before I sign-off tonight, let me share first this short story. I guess I already mentioned part of it in my other blog. Last December, there was an old man in Munich Underground station who was attacked and hit by two kids who are around 16 and 17 years old. Thanks goodness that he survived after being brought and treated in the hospital. The old man almost lost his life due to the fatal injuries that he had especially in the head. He was in comatose situation for some days. Thanks to the ip security camera who caught these young criminals. I can't understand why some people do this kind of act.

Just last month a businessman in Munich was also held-up and was brutally hit by four young men. He was dead after some hours in the hospital due to severe injuries. Happenings like these can be very tragic especially to the family of the victims. We are just thankful that at this time, technology like the ip security cameras can help track and find people who are at fault. Without this gadget, it might be very difficult for police and security personnel to find the so-called "bad men". For more information about this kind of camera and how to choose them if ever you need one, you can try to visit 247 Security Cameras. If I win the lotto two weeks ago, I might install one in our house. just kidding guys! Goodnight for now and have a great one tomorrow!

My Cam Battery Finally Arrived

Good morning! Monday is already here! I am just happy to know that the rechargeable batteries I ordered the other Tuesday finally arrived last Friday. I guess it took too long for the items to be delivered. I expected it to come within five days but it didn't. The important thing is that, it did came! Anyway, anybody who is looking for a tuxedo vest for use this coming holiday season? No more stopping for this holiday. HB even played last night some Christmas songs already. I can't wait to be home this coming Christmas. I guess that's all for now! It's time to go to bed. I wish everyone a very wonderful week!

Bought Cellphones As Christmas Gifts

Good evening peeps! Midnight is almost here again and I want to share give you more updates before I sign-off! I bought two cellphones last time for my youngest brother and for my father. This will be my Christmas presents to them when I go home for vacation this year. I also have an unlocked phone for my other sister. I guess they will be happy for the presents that I will be giving them. I will start to pack up my Balikbayan boxes starting next month and will send it on October. Before Christmas comes, the boxes are already in the Philippines! I hope it will not be delayed. It's time to say goodnight!

Custom Flash Drives, Great Presents In Today's Tech World

Anybody looking for unique presents to their customers, friends or colleagues? We are almost done with the middle of the year. Tomorrow is already the last day of the month, then comes July. See how time passes by so quickly! Some more months and Christmas holiday is almost here. To all business owners and companies out there, do you start to think of some great presents especially to your valued customers in the coming holiday? How about custom flash drive for your clients! You might already think about this but don't know where to get it. I can suggest a site for you.

FlashDealer.com is the answer to all your question. They offer customize flash drives in any design, styles, forms, colors and material. You can have anything you want. Whether you want your company name or logo to be engraved to these gadget, they can also do it for you. I believed this can be a great form of promotional gifts not only to please your customers but also as form of advertisement to your company. Custom usb drives are great presents to your high technological clients especially to businessmen and individuals who often use it. They can use it to save important information, data photos, videos or any business related data. Just remember, you can have anything you want with regards to custom flash drives at FlashDealer.com. Don't hesitate to visit their site and fill-out their order form of anything you wish! I love a lot of stuffs in this site!

Also remember if you are looking for any other promotional products like custom MP3 player, digital photo frames and a lot more, they also have it! Have fun shopping!

Happy With My 30G Ipod

Time runs so fast! I was just updating my other blogs and now I notice that it is almost midnight already. I have to slowly sign-off too because we are going somewhere tomorrow. I am happy to tell you that I have a 30G Apple Ipod. My sister in Las Vegas gave it to me. I also see a lot of ipods that are on sale now in the internet and some shopping catalogs that are send to us every week. I guess I am already contented with my IPod. For those who are still looking, you can try to browse the net to find the cheapest ones. happy shopping.. It's time to say goodnight!

Finally Found A Custom Flash Drive

Hello everyone! I guess I'll be kicking online till midnight! I was just browsing a while ago for some great gift stuffs! I have some friends who will be celebrating their birthday soon and I want something unique as gift. I was trying to find a custom usb drive for birthday presents and for early Christmas gifts. I am also a bit gadget geek. I already have a lot of usb flash drives of different styles and brands but I'm still buying more. I just need them guys! One good thing I browsed a site for the first time that sells custom usb drive. I guess this is not only a good site for me but to business owners as well.

FlashDealer.com is a perfect site to go when you are looking for custom flash drive. Whether you want to engrave your company name on the flash drive in any form, style or color, they simply have everything. You can choose whatever own style you want in a very reasonable and cheap prices. This is especially great for businesses and companies who want to have the flash drives as promotional items or give-away to customers. They also offer a lot of customized products such as MP3 players, digital picture frames, MP4 Video players and a lot more.

You can also get a price quote for whatever custom flash drives that you wanted. You can simply fill-out their form or contact them through email or by phone. I want to visit this site tomorrow again! I have to get ready for some birthday presents and early Christmas gifts when I go home for vacation! This site is simply amazing!

fyi: see those custom flash drive in the picture here...sounds unique and awesome as presents...photo courtesy of FlashDealer.com