Google Street View photographers ( if we can call them that ) have certainly regaled us with pictures that are funny and unexpected — street photography at its best, says Jon Rafman.

[ Read the article at: NPR ]

OK, that takes the cake! A reader makes a stupid (not criminal) comment on an article and, instead of simply deleting that comment, an editor goes overboard to track the IP address and eventually gets the author of the comment fired.

The editor probably thinks he’s a hero; he was pretty proud of what he accomplished.

That raises a number of questions:

• Why was the offending comment published if it was offensive? Don’t they have filters that automatically reject these type of offensive posts?
• Why not simply delete the comment? The problem with most blog software is that once you post a comment you cannot delete it, even if you immediately regret posting it. So, the correct reaction is to simply delete the comment.
• If the commenter is a repeat offender (because you went to the trouble to track his IP address — which is probably illegal, as far as privacy issues are concerned), then block the IP address.

Offensive comments and spam are a fact of life if you run a site. No need to go overboard in your reaction. That was real mean.

[ Read the article at: Gawker.com ]

[ via Strobist ]

A study at the University of California suggest that bringing loved ones’ photographs to painful procedures may be beneficial, particularly if those individuals cannot be there.

[ Read the article at: PDNPulse ]

Canon PowerShot S90

“The Canon PowerShot S90 is an excellent high-spec compact camera.”

TrustedReviews has published their review of the Canon PowerShot S90IS [QuickPrice Check], with 10MP resolution (1/1.7-in CCD), 3.8x wide-angle optical zoom (28-105mm equiv.), optical Image Stabilization, bright f/2.0 maximum aperture, customizable Control Ring (around lens), large 3.0-in. LCD (460K dots), PASM modes, Scene Modes, RAW, High Sensitivity System (ISO 12,800), and Movie 640×480 @ 30fps.

[ Read the Canon S90 Review at: TrustedReviews ]

Sigma Corporation of America is pleased to announce
our first-ever scholarship contest!

The Sigma Corporation of America Scholarship will award a cash gift of $5,000 and $1,000 in Sigma products to one talented high school senior to advance his or her education and goals toward obtaining a career in the photography industry.

Applications will be accepted from November 19, 2009 to February 15, 2010. Online voting will occur Feb. 16, 2010 to April 23, 2010, and the winner will be announced May 3, 2010. To apply, click here.

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Here is an amazing x-ray movie of a speaking mouth!

[ View movie at: Alltop ]

Love your Samsung digital cameras? Wanna share your experience with others? Want a free flight ticket, hotel room, meals, Samsung Digital camera, and one day trip (tour around Las Vegas)? Become a Samsung Buddy! (Canada and US residents over 18)

[ Apply to become a Samsung Buddy ]

A Google Map showing where Leica is delivering all their M9s (dealer location). Up to the street view in some cases.

View the map ]