Favorite Win7 Performance Tips

My favorite Windows 7 tips from Maximum PC

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/25_most_popular_windows_tips

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/21_steps_make_your_pc_betterfasterstronger

Windows, security and success as a photographer

Thanks for all the kind feedback about the latest Rangefinder article on securing your images for online portolios and online proofing. 

Frequently in interviews and computer science classes the rhetorical question gets asked, "Would Windows be so successful if it was more secure from the start?"  I think that's a great question, one deserving more contemplation rather than declaring abolsutely whether it's true or not.  If Windows was more secure, would it have been user friendly enough for adoption by the masses?  (UAC annoyances anyone?)  Of course now that Windows is on practically every desk and lap in the world, there is a bit more to worry about if we don't address the security issues.

Now, I wonder if there are any parallels to the way photographers share their images online.  What is there to be afraid of?  Are you afraid of the embarassment that others will poke fun that your work isn't relevant or compelling?  Are you afraid that someone might get away without paying for a couple hacked up 5x7 prints?  Are you afraid that your clients will get mad if their images are passed around online without their permission? 

Well then, start by addressing all your fears one by one instead of going the opposite extreme and locking them down tight.  Stop using gaudy borders and don't watermark your images to death.  Take away all of the distracting elements and let a person focus on the quality and crafstmanship of your photography.  Go to a couple workshops to improve your digital imaging or photographic skills and get yourself inspired!  Make sure your clients know in advance that you own the copyright to your images (of them) and that you may at your own discretion use the work in a public forum for portfolio and publicity of your photography business.  Restrictions in usage rights due to model release and negotations for privacy should be an exception rather than the rule if you are to keep your business moving forward.  Because if you can't show your work, you can't sell your services as a photographer.

So lighten up on your heavy handed use of watermarks and JavaScript to lock down your images. Really spend the time to think about how you can turn your strategy upside down by creating business oportunities through the way your images are displayed and shared online. 

Securing Images Online (For Photographers)

Here's a little somthing for all my photographer friends and Profitable Website Management fans out there.  I took a couple months break from my regular column for Rangefinder Mag. but I'm back, and this time I have combined two subjects near and dear to me, a smashup if you will.  Web security, web management and photography websites.  So in my June column I dive into some issues facing pretty much every working photographer today who takes their business online.

Here's the link for ya.  (It links to the Rangefinder article, so you can trust where the PDF link comes from.)

http://www.stevetout.com/articles/web-security-for-photographers.php

Special thanks to contributing photographers who graciously allowed me to use beautiful images from their portfolio.  Kenny Kim, The Photographers, Cheryl Savan and Corey Hilz. 

Also, stay tuned, as I am currently collaborating with an Sr. Flash Developer with guru status on the Top 5 performance grading criteria for Flash Websites for photographers, and with evaluations of some of the top vendors specializing in websites for photographers.  You'll have to wait for further details. :P

I hope you enjoy.  Please feel free to leave your comments on the article here in my blog, or you can share your horror stories with me at HowSecureAmI@stevetout.com. 

Today is my last day at Oracle

Today is my last day at Oracle, and it's a bit of a sad day.  I have had the pleasure of working with some of the smartest Oracle professionals on the planet (OCS Security Practice, A-Team, OID gurus and Support team you know who you are) but at the same time I really needed a break from life on the road.  At a time such as this in our country, I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to be leaving on my terms (more about this in a second), rather than being terminated due to downsizing.  I feel blessed in countless ways.

There is a little bit of background to my leaving Oracle.  I remember the excitement when I first got contacted by the recruiter like it was yesterday, although not too surprised since I had been using Oracle (Oblix) software for quite awhile, I did have to reckon with the fact I would have to travel 100%.  I accepted the job at Oracle and made a promise to my wife that I would spend the next 2 years at the job, and then find something that did not require so much travel.  While I wish I could attribute it all to great planning, I submitted my resignation on the week of my 2nd year anniversary.  Sometimes things happen just the way we want them to by pure luck, or is it?.  However you see it, I'm extremely greatful and looking forward to spending more time at home.

Now to the not so happy side of my departure.  Many of you may know that my daughter (Molly) was born with a rare children's cancer called Wilms tumor.  She had a positive prognosis because it was caught early, and had her right kidney removed along with the tumor itself.  After months of chemo, we believed she was 100% cancer free.  Until 2 weeks ago.  On the same day that we were supposed to have 100% confidence that she was cured from Wilms, her scans showed two .6c spots near where her kidney was removed.  My wife and I were crushed.  The Sr. Oncologist thought it perhaps could be swollen lymph nodes, and to come back in 6 weeks for more scans to make sure.  We are hoping and praying that this is the case, and that there is no more cancer.  So with the cloud of uncertainty again visiting the Tout household, my departure from the Road Warrior life was necessary.  I could not very well be the husband and father I was meant to by from 838 miles away. 

What I have learned and need to remind myself of every day is that there are no guarantees and to take each day as it comes.  I have had a truly wonderful experience working at Oracle and with my many colleagues there.  Since my wife and I have had this vision of where we wanted to be on this day, I feel like the decisions have been made for me and I am encouraged that I'm doing the right thing.  Although the path is not as extremely well lit as it once was, there will be new challenges around the corner and I know that the friendships I have made and the life skills I developed at Oracle will be there when they are most needed.

Many thanks to all of you who have helped make mine, Cami's and Molly's life so positive and filled with joy the past two years.  We are looking forward to what comes next and hope you will share in our life's victories and defeats together.

-steve
Bremerton, WA ~ 2009

Updating Your Website (For Photographers)

Hey Everyone,

Heads up.... Yet another article just appeared on the Rangefinder Website a couple days ago.  This time I share my thoughts on the Top 3 Priorities for website updates for 2009.  You may not get the print copy before WPPI so I wanted to make sure you had a chance to read it before this weekend.  If you are like me you are super busy and have a lot on your plate, so to simplify things I reduce your website management to 3 essential ingredients.  If you can do these three things well you will be ahead of the pack, and your results will speak for themselves. 

So here is a link to the article.  Please do me a favor and add this link to your favorite social bookmarks and let all your friends know about if (if you dig it)

http://www.stevetout.com/articles/update-your-website.php

Also just want to give props to Grant and Deb, their awesome website and allowing me to share their work with everyone who reads my column.  If you want to explore their site further, visit them at http://www.grantdeb.com 

It's not too late to nominate your favorite photography website for one of my upcoming articles on Best Of Photography Websites, Spring 2009 Edition.  Send your nomination to bestof@stevetout.com or post your info here.

Have a great time at WPPI this year everyone!!!

Cheers!