Nikon Coolpix S6600 review

<Nikon D5300 Discountp>What's great?
The vari-angle screen, photo filters and glamour effects make it seriously fun to use.

Gesture control doesn't work, it's a bit slow to process effects and image quality is not top priority.

The bottom line:
Not a camera for enthusiasts but as fun as your mobile and better at photography.

Nikon Coolpix S6600: Review

The concept of the selfie photograph has become so huge in today's world of social networking profiles that the word made it into the Oxford English Dictionary in August 2013. So then, it should be of little surprise that imaging company Nikon has dreamed up a compact to perfect the art of the digital self-portrait.

This is the Nikon Coolpix S6600. It's a device with a £199 price tag that buys you a 16MP image sensor and a 12x optical zoom lens. More importantly, though, its 2.7-inch LCD screen is a full, flip-out vari-angle display which you can turn all the way back on itself to the point where you can be looking straight at the lens and also at the shot that's about to be taken at exactly the same time. Throw in eight glamour retouch features and built-in Wi-Fi for photo sharing, and you've got a compact born and bred for parties and social networking. Sounds good on paper, so how does it fare in real life?

Nikon Coolpix S6600: Pocket camera

That screen aside, there's very little either noteworthy or novel about the Nikon S6600. It's small and light. It weighs just 165g and measures 97 x 57 x 27mm. So, it's something like the size of a stubby mobile phone and, just as one would hope and expect, it fits in your pocket nicely enough with the added bonus that you can turn the screen around and when you stow it so that your keys and coins won't scratch the display.

In the aesthetics department, it's certainly classy enough. The plastic finish of the front face is smooth and modern, and the back has a matte metal look. There's nothing freakish or awkward about the position of the battery, memory card slot or the basic controls on the back but it does take a little getting used to that both the scene selector and the playback mode controls are on the top of the camera next to the shutter release, power and zoom.

There's only two things that would make this compact easier to use. The first is a video record button on the top. The vari-angle screen means that you end up shooting from the hip and even lower quite a lot and the switch on the rear isn't always easy to find. The other modification is that the S6600 is screaming out to be touchscreen controlled. All the retouching functions would work fantastically well. It's just a pity that it would probably end up pricing this device out of the market if Nikon had ended up including one.

Nikon Coolpix S6600: Selfie style

The flip-out, full spinning, 2.7-inch LCD screen on the Nikon S6600 absolutely makes this camera. It's a worthy and welcome inclusion in a compact and far from typical in these kinds of models. Even at its most basic, it's superb for taking to parties or grabbing a two-shot of you and your buddy out and about wherever you are without having to ask some random to grab the pic for you. This screen means that you can compose it just the way you want and capture a moment while it's still there. Given that much of photography is about trying to do just that, it's not something that we credit lightly.

The fun begins when you decide you wish to take things a bit further. The S6600 has eight beauty effects to make any one or more of your subjects even prettier than they already are. You can whiten teeth, whiten eyes, widen eyes, remove bags, smooth skin, make cheeks rosier, brighten faces and make faces smaller too. You can take any one of these to the extreme or, more effective is just to select one or two of them at their lower settings. Ultimately, none of these will turn you into Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie but they're highly effective at removing the odd flushed face, smoothing out a bad skin day or making a 6am snap look a little less wired.

Finally, there's also a gesture control mode that Nikon has squeezed in to help out with those times when you want to prop your camera up on a wall but would rather not have to make the self-timer dash. Instead, the idea is that you raise you palm and then tell the device whether you want to take the shot or zoom in or out a bit first by moving your hand around to select some on-screen options. It's a really nice idea but sadly it doesn't work. It's quite good at sensing your palm but not much cop at any functions beyond that. It's a pity but certainly not an experience-ruiner.

Nikon Coolpix S6600: Effects and filters

Everyone loves a bit of post-production these days with preset filters all the rage over the more laborious and painstaking boredom of spending your life in Photoshop. Like all good camera manufacturers, Nikon has shown its customers that effects aren't just for mobile phones and there's a very healthy selection indeed available inside the S6600. It's all the usuals from Pop Art, Cross Process and Toy Camera all the way to colour selections, Fisheye and Miniature mode too. You can even set the camera to offer up these settings straight after you've captured each shot just like Instagram although that does slow things down a bit.

Speaking of which, that's one of the major issues we have with this compact camera. Yes, it's great to have all these fun features, filters and beautifying effects but the image processor insides isn't quite up to the task. It can do the job but it takes half a second or two too long. If only Nikon had put a more powerful computer inside to crunch those graphical numbers, then this would be a very impressive compact indeed.

Finally, there is one mode that will offer hours of fun and it's not one we've come across before. Hidden between the high and low key options is Mirror which captures a symmetrical image. You can get lost in patterns and funny faces for quite some time.

Nikon Coolpix S6600: Picture quality and video

If you're used to using a CSC, DSLR or even a high end compact camera, then the results from the S6600 are a bit disappointing. The colours are well handled and, when sharp, photos look excellent but the reality is devices like this one are more about the fun than they are about pure image quality. They're simply not built with big enough image sensors and the manual settings to ensure that your snaps are perfect every time.

Things are mostly good outdoors but, as soon as you get into artificial light situations, you really need the flash to get anything that's neither too noisy nor too blurred to use. It's also not that good at keeping up with your subject when in motion in daylight either. In the majority of the family snaps that we grabbed, the young kids tended not to come out as clean as they could, and that's pity. Our advice would be to shoot in Sports mode where possible to avoid this kind of problem rather than rely on the Smart Scene selector to do it for you. Ultimately, though, one shouldn't expect the Earth in terms of image quality from a device like this one.

That said, we would like to give a quick nod to the video at this point which was largely excellent. The sound recording is a bit tiny, naturally, but footage was always well focused and the vari-angle screen makes it really good to use.

Nikon Coolpix S6600: Wi-Fi and uploads

As with just about every camera we're seeing this year, the Nikon S6600 comes with a Wi-Fi module built in. You can't use it to hop onto your home network or any other local loop out there. It's all about broadcasting a mini-system of its own. The idea is that you can then set your tablet or smartphone to hook up with it and use the Nikon Wireless Mobility app to transfer images, take remote control pictures or add a geotag from your device's GPS.

As ever, it's a nice touch but perhaps not vital. The best uses are for sharing pictures with others while out and about as well as uploading to Facebook and Twitter. It would be nice to have the facility in the app to go straight to these social networks but that's not the case. You need to transfer the pics first and then go to your mobile or tablet's image library and take it from there. It's not super smooth but it certainly works.

Nikon Coolpix S6600: Verdict

Photography purists should stay well away from the Nikon Coolpix S6600 but then photography purists have no business in the the mid-to-low-end compact market. This is a party camera, a people's camera and a self-portrait camera and of that there should be no mistake. The image quality could be better and it really needs to process the funky effects a lot quicker but, if you're after something to take on a night out, touch up and then post to Facebook while you're still revelling, then the S6600 is a really good option.

Source: Msn

Nikon Unveils D5300 DSLR With WiFi, GPS

By Greg Tarr On Oct 17 2013 - 10:59am

Nikon's Nikon D5300 Discount ($799 body only) is the company's first DSLR to incorporate WiFi and GPS geotagging.

Melville, N.Y. - Nikon introduced Thursday its D5300 D-SLR, offering an enhanced 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and a Nikon-first built-in Wi-Fi and GPS.

The company also added an AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G lens prime lens.

Nikon's D5300, which will be available in October for a $799.95 (body only) suggested retail price or $1,399.95 for a kit including the camera and an AF-S Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens , is the company's first D-SLR with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS functionality to provide instant photo sharing with smartphones or tablets, and to enable geotagging images.

The camera incorporates a 24.2-megapizel DX-format CMOS sensor and is features a compact, lightweight ergonomically body design.

Other key features include a 3.2-inch swiveling Vari-angle LCD display; a 39-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors; 5 fps continuous shooting, FullHD 1080p video capture with built-in stereo microphone; intuitive scene recognition and a variety of image efects and in-camera editing tools.

The D5300 will be available in a choice of black, red and gray body colors.

The AF-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G lens, which will be available in October for a $1,699.95 suggested retail price, will accommodate both FX and DX format cameras offering high quality low-light shooting performance.

Nikon said the unusual 58mm focal length is ideal for portraits, landscapes and street photography.

Source: Twice

Nikon Releases Cryptic Teaser for New DSLR Camera

<Nikon D5300 Black Friday Dealp>A man stands in an open field, a soft breeze rustling long strands of green grass around him. He gazes out at the landscape.

Though that scene might seem like a perfect opener for a gritty, independent film or a self-reflective novel, it's actually the beginning of Nikon's new teaser ad. Viewers watch a mysterious man, clad in a beige trench coat, as he adjusts something unseen with a couple of clicks. Right when he lifts what we know to be a camera to his face, the scene changes back to him in the midst of the gloomy landscape.

That teaser doesn't show the camera but it includes a very important sound that excited many camera fiends online - the distinct click of an old-school shutter. That small clue paired with one line of dialogue at the end - "It's in my hands again" - seem to hint that Nikon will release a retro-styled DSLR camera.

Little else is known beyond hearsay, with Nikon Rumors conjecturing that the full-frame camera will be called the Nikon DF, for "digital fusion." The post also claims the camera will include the same autofocus system found in the D610 and that it will offer settings for aspect ratios of 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9.

On its official site, Nikon explains the short video as the first in a series called Pure Photography. The videos follow a photographer traveling through Scotland as he "reunites with his creative self during this uniquely ambitious trip."

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Image: YouTube, Nikon Asia

BONUS: 5 Fun DIY Camera Kits

Source: Mashable

Nikon D5300 comes with built-in GPS and wi-fi - Hindustan Times

<Nikon D5300 Couponsimg src="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/2013/10/731ee0d9-a11a-47f6-8a2c-67e0442e762eMediumRes.JPG">

The Nikon D5300 will be available from this month for $1,400 with an 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Photo: AFP

Nikon's latest middle-range Nikon D5300 is its first to offer built-in wi-fi connectivity. The D5300 will hit US stores before the end of October, with prices starting at $800.

The Nikon D5300 is equipped with a 24.2MP CMOS sensor, maximum ISO of 12,800, and an articulating

3.2-inch TFT display. The camera can shoot images with up to 6,000 x 4,000 pixels or film 60fps sequences with resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels.

Compared to its predecessor, the D5200, the most notable upgrade for the D5300 is its built-in wi-fi connectivity, which allows users to transfer their photos and videos directly to a mobile device or to social networks via the Wireless Mobile Utility app (available for Android and iOS). The new integrated GPS is also an interesting addition, giving users the possibility of automatically geotagging photos.

The Nikon D5300 will be available in grey, red or black from this month at $800 for just the body, or at $1,400 with an 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens.

Source: Hindustantimes

Nikon announces D5300, its first DSLR camera with built-in Wi-Fi

Nikon has a new camera announcement for this month and this one is the upgrade to its famous D5200 consumer-grade DSLR. The new camera will be known as the Nikon Nikon D5300 Coupons and it is not much of an improvement over the previous model.

The Nikon D5300 does pack some nifty features which would most likely place it against the Canon 70D, which is quite an impressive feat for this camera. However, we feel it is unlikely that it could beat its competitor.

There are a few updates tot he camera, but the key new feature is that the D5300 has built-in Wi-Fi capability. This makes this DSLR camera the first from Nikon to feature built-in Wi-Fi, it is also the first DSLR from Nikon which is packed with built-in GPS.

The D5300 further includes a 24.2 megapixel DX sensor without an anti-aliasing filter (this means sharper images and potential for moire) and the powerful EXPEED 4 processor. The DSLR can achieve the ability to shoot 1080/60p video, 5fps continuous shooting in live view as well as viewfinder, a maximum ISO of 25,600 and improved battery which provides 700 shots after full charge.

The DSLR also includes a 3.2-inch 1.04M-dot articulating display and an impressive 39-point AF system which works with Nikon's Scene Recognition System used for metering.

This new camera is certainly one mean device. The Nikon D5300 will be available sometime later this month and will come in Black, Red and Gray colors. It will be priced at $800 body only and for $1,400 in kit which includes a AF-S 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 ED VR lens.

Source: Nikon USA

Source: Gigjets

Community Calendar: Heart of Glenview Halloween Festival, library events

Submissions for the Community Calendar are required 10 days preceding the date of publication. Send email to bthomas@pioneerlocal.com; fax (312) 321-9310. Pioneer Press office is at 350 N. Orleans St., Chicago, IL 60654. Benefits

Heart of Glenview halloween chicago il Festival

The Glen Town Center will host the Heart of Glenview Halloween Festival with two days of fun, family activities on Oct. 27 and 28. Festivities include a Pet Costume Parade, Zombie Run for the Heart and the Kids' Heart of Glenview "Dinner and a Movie." Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Glenview Giving Foundation.

The festival kicks off at 2 p.m., Oct. 27, with the Pet Costume Parade at the Glen Town Center Navy Park. Pets (and their owners!) will parade through the park in creative Halloween costumes. Prizes will be awarded to the pets with the best and most creative costumes. There is a $25 registration fee per pet; register online at glenviewgivingfoundation.org.

The "Zombie Run for the Heart" takes place at 4 p.m. on Oct. 27 in the Glen Town Center. Run as a Zombie (or from them!) in this 5K run or one mile walk/run around Lake Glenview. Registration is $40 for the 5K or one mile walk/run; $60 for the 5K or one mile walk/run with a Zombie hair and makeup makeover (provided for the first 100 registered participants). Register to race at glenviewgivingfoundation.org.

After the run, the Zombies and survivors are invited to partake in an apocalyptic party with live music and fire pits in Navy Park. Cold beer, pizza and ice cream will be available for purchase.

The festivities conclude with the Kids' Heart of Glenview "Dinner and a Movie" on Oct. 28 at the Regal Glen Stadium 10. Start with great dinner selections from 30 participating restaurants with food stands located throughout the theatre. The film festival includes ten screens, five showing classic Halloween movies and five screens with new releases. The film festival begins at 3 p.m. and runs until 12 a.m., ending with a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Dinner is provided by local restaurants from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for kids and include dinner and one film. Receive free entry for a child by bringing a decorated pumpkin and a paid adult ticket. Register online at glenviewgivingfoundation.org.

Community

OLPH 32nd Annual Holly Fair and Shop 'Til You Drop Night

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Women's Club announces Shop 'Til You Drop Night' to kick off the holiday season 6-10 p.m. Oct. 24, with a chance to win a diamond from Daniel's Jewelers. Gigi's Closette fashion show of the latest Fall/holiday apparel modeled by OLPH parishioners. Excerpt from the hilarious standup comedy show Mamaphobia. Fabulous Get Merry premium raffle which includes two nights at the Grand Hotel, a Tory Burch purse, monogramed necklace and spa packages.

Make-up demonstrations by beauty expert Laura Gorman; Wine, Harvest Organic Vodka Merrytini and delicious food from local purveyors available for purchase.

Admission is $10 per person, which includes a Holly Fair raffle ticket with all of the above fun.

OLPH Holly Fair is open noon-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m., Oct. 24 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 25 at the OLPH Playdium, 1776 Glenview Road, Glenview. General admission is $5 for adults, $1 for students, and children 6 and younger are free.

The OLPH Holly Fair is a quality mart that features artisan's works and specialty items for women, family and friends. There are more than 50 booths. In addition to the vendors there will be the Extreme Candy Cane Café and the ever-popular Cookie Walk.

For more information, contact Karen Daniels, Holly Fair Chair at karendaniels99@gmail.com or (248) 210-3811.

The Holly Fair raffle is separate from the Get Merry premium raffle. The Holly Fair raffle will be drawn Friday and winners need not be present.

HEALTH

The Medicine Mix: Learn what you need to know about prescription and over-the-counter medications

North Shore Village and Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter are presenting an informative program, which is free and open to the public, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Oct. 25 at Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview. There will be an opportunity for an individual consultation. Bring all medications as well as supplements, topical creams, ointments, shots you may be taking, and over-the-counter remedies. To reserve a seat, call Linda Rockwell (847) 556-1778 or email to info@northshore-village.org, with "Medicine Mix" in the subject line.

Library The following programs are offered at the Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Road. Call (847)729-7500. Library Announcements

* Library Closing - Oct. 25. The library will be closed for Staff Training Day. Book drops will be locked; no materials will be due.

Library Highlights

* Peek-A-Boo Halloween Parade & Party (up to age 6 with an adult) - Oct. 26, 10-10:30 a.m. Trick or Treats; 10:30-11:30 a.m. Parade & Party. Gather in Youth Services 10:15 a.m. Trick-or-Treat your way to Youth Services, and then gather for the parade. Costume Parade kicks off promptly at 10:30 a.m. followed by stories, craft, games, and a visit from Little Red Riding Hood. Don't forget your camera. Register at the Youth Services Desk, (847) 729-7500 x 7900, or glenviewpl.org/register.

Friends of the Glenview Library

* The Friends of the Glenview Library Annual Meeting & Luncheon Program: The History of Glenview - 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Nov. 13. Local historian Beverly Dawson will delve into the history of Glenview from its early settlers and homes to the major changes that ushered in modern day Glenview, including the Library, Glenview Naval Air Station, and The Glen. Get to know fellow library supporters and learn about the organization's mission. $15 for members/$20 for contributing members & guests. RSVP: (847) 657-8870.

Art in the Library

* Barnscapes: Land, Sky & Silo - through Nov. 3. This series of paintings takes on a subject that is solidly Midwestern. The barn is viewed as an iconic structure, placing it center stage and exploring its subtle relationship to land and sky. In artist Anne Kauff's words, "Walking out to the fields to paint as the sun was coming up was a transformative experience. I fell in love with the empty land and simple dignified structures associated with farm life." Gallery Talk - 6:30 p.m., Oct. 29. Meet artist Anne Kauff in the Library Lobby for a tour of the exhibit.

Adult Enrichment Please register at glenviewpl.org/register, call 847-729-7500 x 7600, or visit the Readers Services Desk. & Concerts

* Lyric Opera of Chicago Lecture Series - 7-8:30 p.m., Oct. 30. Tales of intrigue, love, and death from the 2013/14 Lyric Opera season. Moderated by Lyric Opera docents. The selection for Oct. 30 is Parsifal by Richard Wagner and for Nov. 13, La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi..

* Smooth Sounds &Mellow Moments: The Soundtrack of a Generation - 7 p.m., Nov. 5. Music defined the Sixties. Our Sixties mini-series begins with The Oracles, a duet showcasing memorable soft rock & folk tunes. Performing artists Rick Esser and Tony Delgrosso will treat you to special arrangements for acoustic guitar, piano, and vocals. Sponsored by Viccino's Pizza of Glenview. Enjoy a tasty slice of pizza.

Special Adult Services

* Frightfully Delightful: An Old-Time Radio Spooktacular - 7 p.m., Oct. 29. Conjure up the dark side with vintage vignettes from old-time radio. Those Were the Days Radio Players provide the tricks with authentic sound effects and original scripts - treat will be provided. Great entertainment for all ages; families welcome.

Adult Book Discussion Groups Book selections are available at the Reader Services Desk one month prior to meetings. New members are always welcome; just drop in.

* Free Adult Literacy Class - 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays, through Nov. 26 at Glenview Library. A unique opportunity for native and non-native English speakers to improve their reading and writing skills. A small, friendly group, led by a teacher and volunteer tutors. Conducted by Oakton Community College. Call (847) 635-1426 for details.

* Page Turners - 1 p.m., Nov. 4. The November selection is A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. Meets monthly.

GlenVIEWINGS Film Series

* Book Bites * Reading Social - 7 p.m., Nov. 7. Location: The Glenview House, 1843 Glenview Road, Glenview. The November selection is Room by Emma Donoghue. Co-sponsored by the Niles Public Library. Visit facebook.com/nilesglenviewbookbites for details. Meets monthly.

Computer Workshops Registration and Glenview Library card required unless otherwise noted. Visit or call the Reference Services Desk at (847) 729-7500, ext. 7700 to register.

* Before Sunrise (101 min/R/1995) - 2 & 6:30 p.m., Nov. 1 & Before Sunset (80 min/PG-13/2004) - 1:30 p.m., Nov. 3. A chance meeting on a train in Budapest between Celine, a student from Paris, and Jesse, an American backpacker, is the innocent beginning of a film trilogy that has now spanned two decades...and an acting/writing/directorial partnership that has developed, like the aging of a fine wine, in tandem with the characters. November is a chance to catch up on the originals, then save-the-date for the newest chapter, Before Midnight (148min/R/2013), 2 & 6:30 p.m., Dec. 20.

* Company & Investing Information Online -2-3:30 p.m., Oct. 30. Research company profiles and investment information using the Library's online resources - from the comfort of your own home.

* Introduction to WORD 2010 - 10-11:30 a.m., Nov. 5. Overall introduction to this popular word processing software.

* Intermediate Internet Searching - 6:30-8 p.m., Nov. 12. Spend less time searching and more time finding what you need. Basic search skills required.

Exploring eBooks Workshops Please register at (847) 729-7500 x7600, the Reader Services Desk, or glenviewpl.org/register. Glenview Library card required. & Tutorials

* Files & Folders - 10-11:30 a.m., Nov. 13. Master file organization and storage.

* MyMediaMall & Zinio in the Lobby - 6-8 p.m., Oct. 24. Explore the Library's digital book and magazine collections, MyMediaMall and Zinio. Learn about downloading eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines to your portable device. Sessions will be held in the Library Lobby. Just drop in.

Genealogy Please register at glenviewpl.org/register, (847) 729-7500x7700, or the Reference Services Desk.

* MyMediaMall Individual Appointments - 10 a.m.-noon, Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and Nov. 11. Meet with trained Library staff and/or volunteers for a 30-minute one-on-one session to learn how to download an eBook or eAudiobook to your portable device. Glenview Library card required. Register at (847) 729-7500 x 7600 or the Reader Services Desk.

* Introduction to MyMediaMall: The Website & eReaders - 2-3:30 p.m., Nov. 12. Learn how to access MyMediaMall, browse the collection of digital materials, and checkout/download eBooks to a computer or eReader.

For Teens Register at glenviewpl.org/register, call (847) 729-7500, ext. 7600 or visit the Reader Services Desk.

* Genealogy First Tuesdays - 2-4:30 p.m., Nov. 5. Genealogy First Tuesdays is designed to help genealogy enthusiasts break down their "brick walls." Informal, unstructured meetings allow participants to explore topics and tools in genealogy, including books, library databases, and websites. Share tips and tricks with others in a relaxed environment.

* Discover FamilySearch.org - 10-11:30 a.m., Nov. 8. Discover the impressive free database and extensive online services offered by this nonprofit genealogy organization. Glenview Library card required.

Unless otherwise noted, registration required at glenviewpl.org/register, call (847) 729-7500, ext. 7900, or visit the Youth Services Desk.

* Top Gourmet - Battle of the Teen Chefs - 1-3 p.m., Nov. 2. Test your competitive cooking skills in a professional kitchen - at Whole Foods Market Northbrook. Demonstrate your culinary prowess with a chance to win great prizes. Register with a team of three or sign up as an individual and we'll place you on a team. Spectators welcome - cheer on your favorite team or just watch our chefs battle head-to-head to win the title "Champion of the Kitchen." Special thanks to Whole Foods Market Northbrook for sponsoring this event. Location: Whole Foods Market, 840 Willow Road, Northbrook. Limit 24 participants. Grades 9-12.

* Gamer's Paradise - 5-9 p.m., Nov. 8. Play with the Library's Nintendo Wii, XBOX360, Playstation 3, and game collection. Big screens and boomchairs make this a gamer's paradise. Special thanks to Village Inn Pizzeria and Jake's Pizza for generously donating pizza to fall teen game nights. Register by Nov. 7. Ages 13-18.

* Northern Lights Fall Homework Help Center (grades 1-8) - Sessions: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 10. High School volunteers can help shine a light on your student's homework. Thirty-minute sessions for homework, reading, and math skills practice will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Children may be grouped by subject and grade level. Just drop in.

* Character Counts Week (grades K-8) - Oct. 20-26. Visit Youth Services to tell how you show good character and be entered in a prize drawing.

* Drop-In Chess Club (up to grade 8) - 7-8:30 p.m., Nov. 1.

Volunteer chess instructor Steve Levenson lends his excellent instruction and advice. Children ages 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

* Kids Club Special Event: Steve Beno Live! - 10:30-11:15 a.m., Nov. 2. Singer/Songwriter Steve Beno strums his guitar with lively original tunes and old favorites. Especially for ages 2-6. Co-sponsored by the Glenview Public Library and The Glen Town Center. Location: The Book Market at Hangar One, 2651 Navy Boulevard. Registration required; space is limited. Registration: theglentowncenter.com.

* Craft Club (grades 3-6) - 4-5 p.m., Nov. 7. Make a fun craft and hang out with friends. The November craft is Worry Dolls. Space is limited.

* Game Central (grades 3-5) - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 2-4 p.m., Nov. 8. Calling all gamers! Play with the Library's Wii, XBOX 360, and PS3 on our GIANT screens. You may bring your own games with an ESRB rating of Everyone or E10.

* Minecraft Club (grades 4-8) - 6-8 p.m., Nov. 15. "Get your game on" by entering the many worlds of Minecraft. Come with your favorite servers, your own accounts, and get ready to build.

parks

* Baby Signs®: FAMILY SIGN, SAY & PLAY™ (ages birth to 5) - 11 a.m.-noon, Nov. 16. Pre-readers learn sign language with their families-new vocabulary, songs, and play activities each month. Led by Jamie Stevens, ASL interpreter and certified Baby Signs® instructor. Just drop in.

* Fall Book Discussion (grades 4-8): How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous - 2-3 p.m., Nov. 17. Poisoned? Drowned? Death by dirt? Find out the real scoop on how Cleopatra, King Tut, Albert Einstein and others met their final end. Nominated for the 2014 Rebecca Caudill Award.

* Support Perk Center Cafe! Participate in the Heart of Glenview Halloween Festival Weekend Oct. 27-28.

The Heart of Glenview Halloween Festival is happening Oct. 27 and 28. This year, Glenview Giving Foundation is hosting its community wide Halloween event benefiting four charities including Perk Center Cafe. 100% of the proceeds are given to the charities. Below is a list of the ghoulish events:

Enter your pooch or other favorite animal in the pet costume parade being held on Oct. 27 starting at 2 p.m. at Glen Town Center Navy Park, 1951 Tower Drive. There is a $25 entry fee per pet. Prizes will be awarded to the top three best dressed pets.

Love to RUN or WALK! Participate in the Zombie 5K Run/Walk for the Heart on Oct. 27 beginning at 4 p.m. at the Glen Town Center, 1951 Tower Drive. The entry fee is $40 and includes a T-shirt. Or, $60 to be a zombie with hair and makeup done for the first 100 zombie participants.

Dinner and a Halloween Movie! Enjoy dinner and a movie at the Kids' Heart of Glenview Halloween Film Festival from 3 p.m. until midnight on Oct. 28 at Regal Glen Stadium 10 Theatres, 1850 Tower Road, Glenview. Dinner will be 5-7 p.m. Movies as scheduled 3 p.m.-12 a.m. Five screens will feature Halloween movies and five screens will feature first run movies. This is a great opportunity to taste signature dishes from more than 30 local restaurants and watch current and scary Halloween movies. There will be a midnight viewing of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show." Tickets to the event are $40 for adults and $20 for kids (through high school age). Child entry free with decorated pumpkin and a paid adult.

Tickets or entry fees must be purchased in advanced. Purchase all tickets by either visiting Perk Center Cafe in-person or buy online at www.perkcentercafe.org. Email perkcentercafe@gmail.com with any questions about the event.

Perk Center Cafe, located inside the lobby at Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave., is a non-profit food service concept whose focus is to train and employ individuals with disabilities.

* Interested in Paddle Tennis? American Platform Tennis Association (APTA) Free Pure Beginner Clinic and Exhibition at Glenview Prairie Club, 5:30-9 p.m., Nov. 1. Stop by to learn more about playing the game of paddle tennis and also watch some of the best players in the country during an exhibition. The first sixteen people to RSVP will participate in the pure beginner clinic from 5:30-7 p.m. If interested, contact Tony Marino at tony.marino@glenviewparks.org or (224) 521-2025. Following, around 7:15 p.m., four pros will exhibit their skills in a fast-paced match. The exhibition is open to the public. Food and beverage will be available for purchase at the Glenview Prairie Club.

* FREE Pumpkin Smash and Bash, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Nov. 2. Don't throw Halloween pumpkins away! Bring them to the Flick Park Sled Hill, 3600 Glenview Road, for the first-ever Pumpkin Roll competition. Afterwards, have fun smashing your pumpkins and turning them into compost that will help nourish plants in the spring. This is a "green" activity for the entire family. Please remove any candles and glow stick beforehand. Call the Weather Hotline at (847) 724-3337.

* The Grove's Arts & Craft Faire, Nov. 7-10 and Nov. 14-17. The annual Craft Faire features more than 55 juried artisans from the Midwest displaying a selection of handcrafted items for Christmas, Hanukkah and fall. Visit the magnificent selection of contemporary crafts, distinctive accessories, unique seasonal decorations, personalized items and creative gifts. Admission is $5 per visit for adults, $1 for children age 12 and under. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The Holiday Craft Faire is sponsored by the Glenview Park District and the Grove Heritage Association to benefit The Grove. For more information, visit www.groveartscraftfaire.com.

* East Wing Holiday Bazaar, Nov. 6, 7 & 8. Find a unique sampling of heirloom skills and handcrafts. Choose from handmade gifts and crafts, art work, baked goods and more. There will also be a raffle! Hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 6 & 7 and 9 a.m.-noon on Nov. 8. Lunch is available on Wednesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Call the Glenview Senior Center at (847) 724-4793 for more information.

Activities and events at Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave., GlenviewRegistration for programs at Park Center is going on now. Call (847) 724-5670 or go online to glenviewparks.org.

* Fieldhouse reservations - The Glenview Park District's 13 fieldhouses are ideal for hosting birthday parties, family reunions, picnics, Scout troops and meetings. They are conveniently located right in the neighborhood, plus there is always plenty of parking! Reservations for dates through April 30, 2014 are being accepted now and must be made in person at Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave. For information on park hours, rental rates and usage rules, call (847) 724-5670.

Activities and events at Glenview Park Golf Club, 800 Shermer Road

* Last Chance! Join Park Center Health & Fitness in October and Initiation Fee is Waived! That's a savings of up to $75 depending on the type of membership purchased. Offer valid for first-time memberships only and some restrictions may apply. For information, call (847) 657-3249.

Activities and events at Glenview Prairie Club, 2800 W. Lake Ave.

* Baby sitting Clinic, for ages 11-15, Nov. 9-Dec. 7. Registration is going on now. Learn how to be the safest and most dependable baby sitter in the neighborhood. Get the knowledge and confidence you need to safely and responsibly provide basic child and infant care as well as first aid. Participants receive a CD-ROM with templates for business cards and resumes, a database for organizing client information and a booklet of activities, games and much more. The fee is $108 for residents and $135 for nonresidents.

* Register now for the Together We Tri Indoor Triathlon, 7 a.m., Nov. 10 at Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave. This fun fitness challenge includes a 10-minute swim, a 20 minute bike ride on spin bikes and a 15 minute run on the indoor track. Race in 1, 2 or 3 waves! Suitable for all levels age 14 years or older. For one wave, entry fee is $35 for TWT alumni and PCHF members; $45 all others. For double challenge, entry fee is $55 for TWT alumni and PCHF members; $65 all others. For triple challenge, entry fee is $70 for TWT alumni and PCHF members; $80 all others. All participants receive fantastic giveaways, a post-race expo and a chance to win a 12-week summer training program. For race registration and information call 866-88-WE-TRI or visit www.togetherwetri.com.

* Golf-toberfest all month long at the Glenview Park Golf Club. Visit the course through the end of October and check out the festive decorations. Find clearance merchandise in the golf shop, food and beverage specials in The Cafe and other online specials at www.golfglenview.com. Reduced Green Fees are now in effect. Call the Glenview Park Golf Club at (847) 724-0250 or visit golfglenview.com.

Activities and events at Glenview Ice Center, 1851 Landwehr Road, Glenview Registration for programs at the Glenview Ice Center is going on now at Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave. or online at glenviewparks.org. Call (847) 724-2800 for details.

* Fall Green Fees are underway! Get a round of Fall golf in and save money. For further information, call (847) 657-1637 or visit golfglenview.com.

* Paddle Tennis prime season is underway. Hours of operation are Mondays through Sundays, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Subject to change based on facility demand. Introductory/Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Fall lesson sessions are underway and Session 2 begins the week of Nov. 11. Don't forget to purchase your 2013-2014 membership at glenviewpaddle.com or stop by Glenview Prairie Club. For information, call (847) 657-1637.

Activities and events at Glenview Tennis Club, 1800 Wagner Road, Glenview

* Junior Paddle & Pizza, for ages 8-12 years old. Kids are the future of this great game and never too young to learn paddle tennis. This is a weekly, 90-minute class focusing on basic fundamentals and stroke production through fun drills and games. Pizza and pop is provided each week. Fall session 2 is held 4-5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning Nov. 12 and 4-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning on Nov. 13. The fee is $200 for residents and nonresidents.

Activities and events at Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie/The Tyner Center, 2400 Compass Road, Glenview. Registration for programs at Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie/The Tyner Center is going on now at Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave., or online at glenviewparks.org. Call (847) 299-6096 for details. The Tyner Interpretive Center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through October. Exterior exhibits and walking trails through the prairies are open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset.

* Friday Night Meltdown, 8:15-10:15 p.m. through Dec. 13 at the Glenview Ice Center. Come to the coolest spot in town for a night of public skating to top dance hits. A live DJ will host on scheduled Fridays throughout the fall and winter. The Glenview Ice Center is also open for public skating sessions from noon-2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday and Thursday; 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $6.50 on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, $7.50 on Friday nights and Holidays. Or, purchase a season skating pass. Children ages 5 and under skate free when skating with an adult. Skate rental is $4.50.

* Open Hockey "Rat Time" - 12:15-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Glenview Ice Center sets aside time for pickup hockey games. Players must be at least 18 years old and wear full equipment to participate. Admission is $9 or $80 for a 10-time Rat pass. Goalies play for free!

* Get Into the Swing of Things This Fall with Cardio Tennis, 6:30-7:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Looking for a great new way to get in shape, burn calories and get your heart pumping? Try Cardio Tennis, a fun fitness workout for adult intermediate to advanced players that combines aspects of a regular tennis workout with aerobics. The drop-in fee is $16 for members and $20 for non-members. Call the Glenview Tennis Club at (847) 724-1570 for information and to reserve your spot.

Activities and events at Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Road Registration for programs at Wagner Farm is going on now at Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave., or online at glenviewparks.org. Call (847) 657-1506 for details.

* Restoration Work Day - 9 a.m. Dec. 14 in The Tyner Interpretive Center. Anyone ages 8 and up is welcome. No advance registration necessary. Bring work gloves if you have them. Note: work parties may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Air Station Prairie is located at 2400 Compass Road.

* Free Trail Walk - 11 a.m. Oct. 26, guided trail walk at the Air Station Prairie, ideal for families and individuals. Registration not necessary.

* Along Came a Spider for ages 4-adult, 10-11 a.m., Oct. 27. Discover the secret lives of spiders and why they are so important to have around. Our spider investigation will include a draft and an outdoor trail walk, so please dress for the weather. Advance registration required. The fee is $12 per resident adult-child pair ($6 for each additional child) and $15 for non-resident adult-child pair.

* The Heritage Center and grounds are open daily. Stop by between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sundays. The Heritage Center features interactive stations, milking parlor, greenhouse, authentic 1930s store and museum store.

The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Ave. Registration for programs at The Grove going on now at Park Centall (847)299-6096 or go online at glenviewparks.org.

* Wagner Farm Sweets & Treats! Wagner Farm's old-fashioned soda fountain, located inside the Heritage Center is open on weekends only, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and noon-3 p.m. Sundays. Call (847) 657-1506 for details.

* Autumn on the Farm Sales Going On Now! - Purchase your fall merchandise. Pumpkins, cornstalks, Indian corn, gourds and more are for sale. Sale hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. & Sun.

* I Scream...You Scream...We All Scream for Ice Cream! Dairy Detectives for ages 4-adult, 3:45-5 p.m., Oct. 24. Do you love dairy products? Check out Wagner Farm's milking parlor and participate in a live milking demonstration and explore the many ways people use dairy. The fee is $12 for residents and $15 for non-residents.

religion

* Natural Science Classroom - Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, celebrating dinosaurs/fossils in October.

* The Grove Restoration Work Day, Nov. 2 - Help the Grove's restoration team collect seeds and make way for native wildflowers, grasses and trees by removing invasive, non-native plants. Anyone ages 8 and up is welcome. No advance registration necessary. Meet in The Grove's Interpretive Center at 9 a.m. and bring work gloves if you have them. Please note work parties may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.

Seniors The following activities sponsored by the Glenview Park District Senior Center are held in the east wing of Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave. Call (847) 724-4793. FRIDAY

* Hay Rides at The Grove, Oct. 26. Take in fall's splendor from a tractor-drawn wagon filled with bales of hay. Then roast some marshmallows and pop corn over a roaring campfire. Advance registration required. The fee is $7 for residents and $8.75 for non-residents. Call The Grove at (847) 299-6096 for specific times.

Congregation Ahavat Olam

Is an all inclusive Reform congregation without walls, where all are welcome. Erev Shabbat Services are held at 7:30 p.m. the second Friday of each month at Christ United Methodist Church, 600 Deerfield Road, led by Spiritual Leader/Rabbinic Student, Cantor Nancy Diamond Landsman. For more information, including membership, contact Alan Posner at ahavat-olam@hotmail.com or call (847) 409-4848.

9:30 a.m.: Depart Senior Center for Jewelry Show in Rosemont

MONDAY

10:30 a.m.: Men's Roundtable discusses current events in the Senior Center game room (until noon)

Noon: AARP Driving; Men's Pinochle

1 p.m.: Scrabble

9:30 a.m.: Cribbage (until 11:30 a.m.)

10 a.m.: Advisory Meeting

TUESDAY

11 a.m.: Poker (until 4:30 p.m.)

noon: Halloween Event

1 p.m.: Woodcarving in the craft room (until 3 p.m.); Chess

9 a.m.: Crafts/Charity work (until noon)

9:30 a.m.: Drop-in glucose testing

10 a.m.: Drop-in Bridge, 50 cent fee, no partner needed, Senior Center membership required (until 3 p.m.)

WEDNESDAY

10:30 a.m.: Advanced Mah Johngg ($5 fee, until 3:30 p.m.)

11:45 a.m.: Duplicate Bridge. Senior Center membership required (until 3:30 p.m.)

Noon: Pinochle ($1 fee, until 2:45 p.m.); Rummikub

9:30 a.m.: Gin rummy (until 11:30 a.m.)

10:30 a.m.: Poker (until 4:30 p.m.)

THURSDAY

10:45 a.m.: Depart Senior Center for Drury Lane Oak Brook

Noon: Pinochle (until 4 p.m.)

1 p.m.: Woodcarving (until 3 p.m.)

11 a.m.: Blood pressure testing (until 11:55 a.m.)

Support

11:30 a.m.: Rummikub; Drop-in Bridge, 50-cent fee, no partner needed, Senior Center membership required (until 3 p.m.)

noon: Canasta, Room 108A (until 3:30 p.m.); Poker (until 4:30 p.m.)

1 p.m. Social Service

Helping Hands of Glenview

Celebrating 25 Years of Service to Glenview's Seniors. They are always in need of volunteer drivers to provide rides. If interested, visit www.helpinghandsofglenview.org.~.

Source: Suntimes

Briefly: Samsung Note 3, Gear arrives; iPhone 5s,5c

Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 and Gear smart watch are now on sale in New Zealand. If you just want the giant screen, stylus driven Note 3 phone you can get it from either Telecom NZ or Vodafone for $1200. For the next month, the $450 Gear watch, which is designed to work with the Note 3 is only available from Telecom NZ. Vodafone will start selling it on November 10. For now Telecom NZ only has the black version of the watch but another colour, oatmeal beige, will be in the country from the end of next week.

• Meanwhile both Telecom NZ and Vodafone say they will offer the Apple 5s iphone iphone 3 cases otterbox hybrid 5C and 5S models when they arrive in New Zealand on October 25.


• Notification came yesterday that Vodafone has officially applied for Commerce Commission clearance to buy 700 MHz spectrum management rights. Under the auction rules Vodafone is allowed to bid for three 2x5 MHz blocks, if the total isn't sold first time around, carriers will be able to bid for an extra 5 MHz block. Vodafone says it will initially bid for 15 MHz, but will go for 20 MHz if the additional block is available.


• Telecom NZ's Gen-i division says its information security controls have been assured by Ernst & Young to meet the ISAE 3402 standard. Gen-i is the first NZ IT company to make the grade. The company says the assurance means customers can know their data is protected by "robust, secure systems and practice".


• Trading in Xero shares has been halted ahead of an announcement about a capital raising.

[digitl 2013]

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Source: Scoop

Kelly Slater and Ben Howard to deliver St Agnes-based Surfers Against Sewage petition to PM

<bigp>ELEVEN time world champion surfer Kelly Slater and award winning musician Ben Howard will join a St Agnes-based charity to deliver a petition to the Prime Minister calling on the government to protect the UK's waves.

Slater, hailed as the greatest surfer of all time, and BRIT award winner Ben Howard will join members of Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) to hand in a petition with over 60,000 signatures calling to Protect Our Waves (POW).

​

It marks the culmination of SAS's global campaign to make MPs recognise the importance of waves in the UK.

They will deliver the petition on October 22.

The champion surfer, hailing from Florida, has been a long-time supporter of SAS.

Andy Cummins campaigns director at SAS said: "Kelly and Ben will join us as we hand in the petition at Downing Street.

"Before that, a talk will be given at Westminster Palace on the value of surfing in the UK. MP for Newquay and St Austell will give a talk in support of this followed by Hugo from SAS, me and Kelly.

"We will then walk together to deliver the petition to 10 Downing Street.

"Lots of people know who Kelly is, from his stint on Baywatch to becoming the most iconic surfer in the world. There's no one better to talk about the value of waves than him."

Ben Howard is just one of the many high profile celebrities to have signed the petition. Jack Johnson, Ed Sheeran and Gabrielle Aplin have all put pen to paper.

The petition aims to highlight the value of surfing waves and locations to the UK government and encourage MPs to debate legislation in order to recognise the importance of waves as a cultural, social, economic and environmental asset to coastal communities.

SAS believes that waves and surf spots deserve to be seen as part of UK heritage and should be afforded greater recognition and protection through debate and legislation.

To sign the petition visit www.protectourwaves.org.uk/

Source: Thisiscornwall

OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet Arrives for iPhone 5s/5 and Galaxy S4

OtterBox is best known for making some of the most popular rugged 5s iphone cases otterbox kindle fire for the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4, and today they are adding to that line with a new OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet case.

The OtterBox Commuters Series Wallet case combines the protection of the popular Commuter series with a slot that holds up to three cards and one bill in a small slide out partition on the back of the case.

OtterBox boasts that this allows you to access your cards without flipping the case over like many other wallets and notes that the wallet compartment includes an audible click when opened and closed so you'll know your cards are securely tucked away.

Read: Best iPhone 5s Cases

OtterBox sells two models of the Commuter Series Wallet. The iPhone 5s and iPhone 5 model comes in black, white and grey and pink and light grey and fits both phones. Unlike the Defenders Series iPhone 5s case there is no need for a special version with a cutout for the Touch ID sensor. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Commuter Series Wallet is available in the same colors.

OtterBox sells the Commuter Series Wallet case for $44.95 for the iPhone 5s/5 and Galaxy S4 models with sales live on OtterBox currently.

OtterBox sent the iPhone 5s Commuter Series Wallet Case over and we've been using it today to get a feel for the new case option. The case is slightly thicker than the iPhone 5s Defender Series case we recently reviewed, but not too thick to use. The front of the case protects the edges of the device, and keeps any case parts away from the screen so it's easy to use the new iOS 7 gestures and the Touch ID on the iPhone 5s.

The case features a two piece design with a silicone inner and hard plastic outer shell. The only complaint about the back is that it is very slick and slides around much easier than a Defender case when on a hard surface. Flipping the phone face down solves this minor issue.

Three cards and one bill fit tightly in the wallet compartment, but removing them is easy enough to master. Three cards is the essential amount of space for most users as it can cover a ID, credit card and a debit card. While some users may have trouble slimming down to three cards every day, it will at least put your most used cards within reach. The wallet section opens easily and with a click. There is enough pressure that the wallet shouldn't open accidentally.

Read: Best Galaxy S4 Cases

The case covers the volume and power buttons with rubber covers for easy pressing and leaves the mute switch uncovered. The headphone and charging ports are covered with the soft inner layer and work with most headphones and charging cords.

OtterBox includes a self adhesive screen protector in the bundle which may offer some added protection from scratches. The OtterBox Commuter Series Wallet Case is not waterproof.

Source: Gottabemobile

Easy way to check iPhone 5s in-store availability near you

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If you are in the USA and trying to buy an iPhone 5s, head over to http://iphone-check.herokuapp.com/, enter your zip code, cellphone carrier and pick a color, and then it will show you availability at Apple Stores "near you."

I used the site to find a Verizon, 16 GB, Space Gray iPhone 5s in my area. I placed an order for in-store pickup, and about two hours later I was walking out of the Apple Store with a new iPhone.

Two caveats: First, "near you" is a relative term. The site seems to always show 20 Apple Stores, but some of them might be quite a distance from you. For me, the last store on the list was about 350 miles (and nearly a six-hour drive) away. Each result is linked to an Apple Retail Store, so if you aren't sure where it is, click on it to get the address. Second, availability can change fast. My local Apple Retail Store said that they were only filling orders through http://store.apple.com, which had been designated as "in-store pickup." The good news is that I knew I had an iPhone waiting for me before I got into the car. I definitely recommend using that method rather than driving to the store and hoping that they still have what you want in stock.

Source: Tuaw

5 questions you should be asking about big data

Big Data is a vague term so business user beware. You have to understand what big data can actually do and what are its limitations. As you map your strategy, it's critical to ask the right questions to ensure you ultimately net useful information.

Businesses are right to be concerned about being left behind as competitors and colleagues leverage big data to achieve a variety of business goals. But before being swept up in the wave, take a step back and consider these five questions to ensure you set on the right path:

1. What's your problem?

This seems like an obvious question, but companies feeling pressured to become "data-driven," may race ahead without first properly defining the problems (or opportunities) at hand. Are you a business analyst who can't fit the data you require into Excel? Are you unable to access your company's big data in the first place? Are you a chief information officer charged with reducing the wait time for query returns? Are you a non-technical user tired of waiting days or weeks for query results? Is your data structured or unstructured? All of the above?

Of course, one of the problems you might face is budget, particularly at startups and small-to-medium-sized businesses. The price of data warehousing and proprietary hardware can be prohibitive. If affordability is an issue, map out a strategy based on software that runs on commodity hardware and does not require data warehousing.

Editor's note: Our upcoming DataBeat conference, Dec. 4-5 in Redwood City, will focus on the most compelling opportunities for businesses in the area of big data analytics and beyond. Register today!

2. What's the price you pay for free (open source) software?

There's been a lot of hoopla over Hadoop and, while it serves as a fantastic open source solution for some business needs, free doesn't mean there's no price to pay. Hadoop runs on commodity hardware and that requires an investment, as does the power and connectivity it requires.

The core Hadoop distribution is free and open source software, when obtained from a few key Hadoop vendors. But some vendors have proprietary Hadoop distributions, and even the open source distributions have proprietary add-on management tools. Unless you're downloading your Hadoop components from the Apache Software Foundation, you're on the road to the same software license and lock-in concerns you have with commercial.

And let's not forget the salaries of the data scientists required for deployment and management. If you've got a big wallet for IT and the hardware to boot, Hadoop might be right for you. But not everything is "Hadoopable."

This leads me to the next question.

3. Does size matter? (Your businesses' size and the size of your data).

The conversation around Big Data has lingered largely around petabytes. However, most businesses use terabytes of data. When working in the terabyte range, the overhead of a big cluster of machines may not pay off. You might find that legacy solutions are unnecessarily super-sized for the needs of your business.

If you fall within the TB scale, you are within single server range. You can keep cost down and simplicity up by aiming for a single server solution. Just a short ten years ago, a single computer could only handle gigabytes of data but now commodity hardware can handle terabytes, opening up a range of options that were previously unavailable.

4. Where is your data?

If most of your data is on-premise, your strategy should be different than in situations where the majority is in the cloud. For example, if your data is sitting on the Amazon or Rackspace cloud, then running a big data solution within that framework makes sense because the data is easy to move within that environment. However, if most of your data resides on-premise and you're considering running your big data queries in the cloud, think again. Big data is difficult to move around and keeping it synced when uploading to the cloud poses many challenges. Better to remain within the on-premise environment in such 5s iphone cases boot pipe with holder vintage.

5. What is the distinction between the various technologies?

There are three types of technologies currently utilized for big data analytics: software database appliances, hardware database appliances, and distributed databases.

Software database appliances are deployed on commodity hardware, generally on a single computer so they are generally affordable and architected simply. Examples are relational databases such as SQL server or MySQL, as well SiSense's ElastiCube technology.

Hardware database appliances are comprised of proprietary software bundled with proprietary (i.e. expensive) hardware. Proprietary hardware has more powerful specs than commodity hardware but can cost 50 times more.

Distributed databases refer to software that is deployed on a cluster of computers, allowing it to "parallelize" resource-intensive processing operations. This involves complex architecture.

Other technologies you may encounter, such as in-memory or OLAP cubes, are smaller scale technologies that do not directly tackle big data. The data loaded into these data mart technologies has been significantly trimmed down prior to being loaded, typically by one of the big duata technologies mentioned above.

VentureBeat is creating an index of the top 'arms merchants' of the cloud. Take a look at our initial suggestions and complete the survey to help us build a definitive index. We'll publish the official index later this month, and for those who fill out surveys, we'll send you an expanded report free of charge.

Source: VentureBeat

Review: The iPhone 5S really is the best iPhone yet

With cutting-edge architecture, a better camera and a motion coprocessor, the 5s iphone cases new life for girls york pa offers a lot of hardware for the money

Computerworld - The iPhone 5S and 5C arrived last month to a record-smashing first weekend of sales - 9 million were sold, with the iPhone 5S proving more popular than the less-expensive 5C. I was among those waiting in line for the new iPhone before dawn on Sept. 20 -- specifically the top-end 5S model. As a technology writer, getting the more expensive 5S made sense for me. But is the new iPhone 5S worth it for the less tech-centric?

Let's look at that question using logic and context: If your wireless carrier contract is up and you are looking for a new phone, then yes, the iPhone 5S is worth owning. With the addition of Apple's new fingerprint sensor called Touch ID, the phone's new 64-bit A7 processor, a refined camera system and the M7 coprocessor, the iPhone 5S's cutting-edge features match its still-sharp design.

Like last year's iPhone 5, the new 5S sports a glass front and aluminum back, weighing in at a svelte 3.95 oz. And like the iPhone 5, the 5S has a 4-in. fingerprint-resistant oleophobic-coated multitouch screen with an 1136-x-640 pixel resolution and a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch. Below the screen is the now-familiar Home Button with integrated Touch ID, on top of the phone is a lone sleep/wake button, and on the left side you can find the silent switch and the volume up and down.

In other words, aside from the three color schemes offered this year - Space Gray, Silver and Gold -- the 5S looks virtually identical to the old iPhone 5. The Space Gray is a lighter version of last year's black iPhone, the Silver version looks pretty much like the old white model - with the addition of the silver Touch ID ring - and the Gold iPhone 5S is more of a champagne color. It's actually much less gaudy than many Apple fans feared when it was unveiled, and it has proved to be a popular option. Two weeks after launch, all iPhone 5S models -- especially gold -- are still hard to come by.

The box contains a minimal set of accessories, including a set of Apple ear buds with built-in mic and controls, a USB/Lightning cable, a wall plug and very sparse documentation.

Pricing is unchanged, with the iPhone 5S starting at $199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 32GB model and $399 for the 64GB model. (Those prices require a two-year contract with your wireless carrier.) The new price leader is the iPhone 5C, which comes in five colors and costs $99 for a 16GB model and $100 more for a 32GB version. In addition to the new plastic shell, the 5C has an upgraded battery and camera system, though the camera isn't as full-featured as the one in the 5S.

I ended up purchasing the 64GB iPhone 5S in smoke gray (the only color still available for sale at the local Apple Store on opening day).

Touch ID

The most obvious new feature of the iPhone 5S is the new Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which is ingeniously built into the Home button and allows you to easily unlock the phone using your fingertip. Far from just a superfluous addition, this new feature has already prompted me to change my security habits.

Source: Computerworld