Luminar 3

Proof that the previous version is more versatile for me. Now I know so many people whined about Luminar having no Digital Asset Management, but that was never an issue with me.  I would always make folders on the day, by category etc etc. 

Don't get me wrong, Luminar 3 is a powerful editing tool, but I find it's layout, slow and clunky. The DAM slows the program down to a crawl.  I guess you could point where your images are to an empty directory so there’s no gallery to build, navigate to the photos you want to edit,  THEN do your edits.  I'd rather know where my raw file is, and open it that way, than wait to slog through Luminar 3, or wait 5 minutes for it to be re-indexing the gallery! 

However,  using Luminar 3 as a plugin in either Photoshop or Lightroom is a a lot quicker than trying to use Luminar 3 FROM Luminar three, but it seems to take an unduly long time for the splash screen to go away.

I haven't seen any real difference between Luminar 2018 and Luminar 3 when being used as a plugin, so if you're happy with Luminar 2018, stay with it, because the cobbled together DAM built into Luminar 3 is more a pain in ass, than as asset.

Well, that sucks.

I have been using Cyberfox in place of Firefox for years. I wanted to check to see if there was an update, only to keep getting errors trying to get the the website.

With a bit of Google research, I found out that the programmer of Cyberfox, due to illness, has suspended all work, indefinitely (maybe forever, maybe not). Understandable, and I wish him a speedy recovery.

I don't like what Firefox has turned into, it's become an Echo of Chrome.  And if I wanted Chrome as as my primary browser I'd use Chrome.  After FF's huge overhaul, 90% of my tried and trusted addons/extensions no longer worked.  And there was no longer a way to use Nightly Testers Tools to make them compatible, so really Mozilla, why do you even bother to have than neutered version of Nightly Testers Tools as an addon?

Chrome is ok, but this crapola with Flash ...  really?  I had disabled updates to prevent the issue with flash, but Google forced an update regardless.  I want to customize my Browser, not have the browser customize itself.

I have managed to download the latest and last version of Cyberfox (52.9.1) and am currently backing up my profiles on both Win 7 and Win 10, just in case of a screw up. (ie extensions suddenly no longer working sort of screw up)

Holiday Cheer?

I'm trying to get into it, I really am. But it's more stressful than cheerful. I miss being around family. I know I have Wing and Alan here, but there's Paul and the children, my cousin Mark, Marilyn and Rob... I miss my Aunt Elnore, and Uncle Al.

I probably wouldn't be feeling as bummed out if things had gone differently this year, but for me, I can't wait until it's back to business as usual. And business wasn't so great, but there wasn't all this saccharine smiling going on all the time.

I had a good long talk to my GP

I had a good long talk to my GP regarding my upcoming MHTP. Baring's one soul and life is an exhausting process. I had Wing there, with the pre-warning to NOT take any of it personally.

After explaining childhood, and how I was treated and raised, it was surprising I'm as well adjusted as I am (that should clue you to the f**ked up childhood I had). I told him about my 6+ month drunk I went on after my sister died, and how after one morning, I woke up with a pounding head, a nasty taste in my mouth, and my sister was still dead... and I just stopped. I took alternating hot and cold showers, up-ended the booze bottles into the sink and just stopped.

Took me a few days to feel entirely human, but I managed it. Dr H said it showed just what a strong personality, and person I was, and I have a very good chance of beating this.

I talked about how I felt guilty, angry, and then guilty for being angry regarding Wing. Guilty because of all he has had to take on that I can't do, then angry because and I can't do it, and the depression part of my brain tells me he showing off, then guilty for thinking that. It's truly a vicious cycle.

So, Ignore the feelings, and think: Is it really a good idea for me to be handling sharp cooking knives, or being around boiling water at this time? Oh HELL no, so THANK you Wing for doing the cooking. (this is just one example)

I have been giving, and been using, tools and methods to put the brakes on the cycle. Doesn't always work, but of often enough to make a difference.

#depression

After much key pounding

And experimenting with different programs, I have managed to boot back into Windows 7.  I will have to go back into the bios and make sure that the NEW boot configuration is selected. 

Now, I will be deactivating certain programs on Win 7, so they can be installed on the Win 10 drive. Yes, with the press of F8  at start up, I will have a dual boot system.

It has been several days of frustration and things just not working right. Mega Thanx to Alan for all his patience and assistance.

The Great Phone Re-Contracting!

Alan's phone was dying, it was also a waste of money to spend on portable Wifi devices, and Wing ‘s phone and my devices were out of contract.

Went to Telstra Shop in Garden City, and it was quiet. Got seen to right away. Wing's phone had ownership changed to me, canceled the portable Wifi devices, gave Alan my Galaxy S7, and so he and Wing signed up under the BYO plans. I got the Galaxy S9. By doing this, we have decreased total Telstra billing a month by almost $160.

Galaxy S9. Not too thrilled with it, but that could just be teething pains/getting used to a different set up. So far 11 of my tried and true apps and tools no longer function. ADW, and LauncherX Pro, were two of them that I used to customize my phone. You can make these tiny 'folders' (bubble) and label it, and add what apps you want in it (example A folder called "Astronomy" and all my astronomy apps go into it), but it's SMALL, even at the lowest resolution. It would be great if you could elongate the folder and make the app icons more visible. The Edge app is good but could be better. App Edge only allows 10 apps, or People Edge 10 people. No scrolling it up or down like I did with app on the S7.  Also, the Favorites bar on the bottom, you're restricted to 5 icons only. No more scrolling left or right. I don't know what bright spark at Samsung thought making these thing NON scrollable was a good thing, should be flogged.... or at least demoted.

Smart Switch was a semi-failure, as it did NOT transfer all data as it was supposed to have done. So if you get one, back up your app settings and data, even if you have to copy and paste.  I lost ALL my bird spotting records from my trip to Broome. 

On the positive side, what they've done with the camera and camera controls is amazing. I'm trying to get accustomed to pressing the power button twice to bring up the camera, rather than the home button twice.  This is causing me problems because of the scaphoid fracture I got 3 years ago. My thumb doesn't always press fast enough.  Put camera icon on the screen, problem solved.

Bixby: This reminds me of that excellent Assistant App I had with my S5 and S7, before Google bought it, took what parts they wanted from it, and the original programmers shut it down.  Been playing around with it, and it's not too shabby.

More later when I’ve had it more than one day.

Mini Whine

For the past several years, I seems to be in a constant state of 'recovering' from something or another.  And I'm so tired of it.  Recovered (and rehab) from a spinal fusion, recovery from gall bladder surgery, non- recovery from hyper extended knee, recovering from a mass removed from my back and the time it took for it close up,  recovering from total knee replacement surgery, recovering from a car accident, recovering from pneumonia. 

Sunday, a root canaled tooth sheered off, and I had to have the roots removed as it couldn't be repaired. Now recovering from tooth extraction, and look like a chipmunk on one side of my face and it hurts like hell.

Oh, not to mention the FND still throwing out the occasional seizure.

I'm tired. I'm tired of not being able to DO.  I'm tired of being afraid to move as it could (and often did) trigger a seizure. I'm tired of the pain, but I can pretty much deal with that, but it's EVERYWHERE lately.  And I'm tired of having to stay medicated to make some pretense at living.

Visit to Dr G

It's a good feeling to know I'm not insane, nor am I imagining things, or making things up. I am a text book check list of FND.

Dr G had some good information.  He told me that this can and often does go away as suddenly has it appears. He also said that the best course of action is to medicate the symptoms away for a goodly amount of time.  Then slowly reduce, and I mean SLOWLY, the dosage. Try that for one week and if no symptoms show up, reduce dosage again for one week, and if any of the symptoms show up, go back to previous regimen for a few weeks, then reduce again.  Repeat as necessary.

Oh, his office personnel were quite pleased at how organized I was. I had downloaded and filled out on my computer the Patient information form.  And got a chuckle out of one of my favorite terms for the bathroom.

Here's hoping...

I have an appointment to see the neurologist tomorrow morning, and Mr S and Doctor H have said he will want to witness one of the episodes/seizures.

I've been slowly reducing the dosage of my medications. Today, I have only had the one dose for the morning. My leg feels so heavy, twitchy, sore, and not quite under my control. Sometimes it feels like it's right on the verge of seizing up.

No night dose. Not sure if I'll get woken up by a seizure or not. Trying to not think about it.

Tomorrow, as I typed, I see neurologist.  I know there are certain things that has triggered an episode, and I know Dr G is going to want to see it up close. 

Excelsior. RIP Stan Lee

Stan Lee, Marvel Comics' Real-Life Superhero, Dies at 95

The feisty writer, editor and publisher was responsible for such iconic characters as Spider-Man, the X-Men, Thor, Iron Man, Black Panther and the Fantastic Four — 'nuff said.

Stan Lee, the legendary writer, editor and publisher of Marvel Comics whose fantabulous but flawed creations made him a real-life superhero to comic book lovers everywhere, has died. He was 95.

Just finished up home visit from Neurocare services

 

We now have a proper name for what is wrong: Functional Neurological Disorder.  It's not all in my head, I'm not making it up.

FDN is as common as MS and Parkinson's with similar levels of disability and impairments with quality of life, but they don't involve the brain.  FND with me presents with: weakness, sensory changes, movement disorders, seizures, gait and balance difficulties, chronic pain, sleep disturbances.

To put it bluntly, I'm a mess.  But a fixable mess. After giving her the traumatic/stress filled* events I've had just in the past 5 years alone, it's a wonder my body didn't rebel earlier.

Having to be brutally honest about things goes against how I was raised.  It was "If asked, don't tell".  No joke.  To discuss thing that I had kept deliberately buried, had me in tears. Not of shame of what happened, but shame for TELLING someone.  Go figure!

 

*those in the know know what a shit storm it's been.

People keep asking me how I feel

I really don’t know how to answer it without worrying people.

I go to bed terrified that I will be woken up in the middle of the night, having a dystonic seizure just from trying to get into a comfortable position. I’m afraid that if I roll out of bed, putting my feet to the floor a seizure will start.

I, who used to be able to walk for hours, can barely walk for 15 minutes.  When I walk in public or in the house, I am unsteady on my feet. 

I used to be able to heft Canon body, with the 100-400mm lens on all day photowalks.  Now, I can barely lift the rig for 5 minutes

Cooking?  I can get a bowl of cereal ready, using to hands like a 10 year old.  Boiling water, using sharp knives around someone who could have a seizure?

I feel useless. I still get to do the ‘dirty jobs’ (the cats litter boxes) and can manage laundry if hung up on inside rack.

The medications:  The hardest thing is staying awake. I feel as if I’m in a perpetual  drowse.

Depressed?  Yeah.. you could say that.

Where to begin

After a week of the proscribed medications, I was still having the dystonia seizures. I can't describe how it feels to have your body trying to force itself into geometrical angles where there shouldn't be.

I did what I was instructed to do, I went back to the Emergency Department (why? Because the soonest I could get to see a Neurologists is December 12th)

While waiting to see a doctor, I had a seizure.  My son, and a ward nurse were there to help immediately. After waiting another hour, I got to see a doctor.  Or should I say he brusquely spoke to me.  Then he left, saying he was getting some information for me.

While I was waiting, I was asked if I could move to the ambulatory waiting room, as they were swamped.  No problem.  Alan and I went there, each of us sitting in a chair waiting.  The doctor showed up, and asked us to follow him. I stood up, took three steps and started having another seizure.  The 'doctor' saw what was happening, said "Oh, I'll be back when when you're finished." and walked off and left me there, in extreme pain, with my son preventing me from falling to the floor.  After the seizure was over, my heart was racing, and I was gasping for air. 

The 'doctor' showed up and gestured for us to follow him, and then disappeared again.  I presumed he was getting me information.

He was. He handed me a fucking POST-IT note with a web address.  And then he just walked away.

Wing  and I had a conference call with two friend, filling in some of the details of the useless visit to Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Yes, I had a seizure while waiting to be seen, but I also had another one when the doctor asked me to follow him, and when he saw what was happening, he said "I'll be back when you're done." No offer of assistance, help not even a comment. He just walked off. If it hadn't been for Alan, my son, I would have landed on the floor.

This is NOT acceptable behavior, and Wing, Daryl, and Meegan said I should lodge a complaint.

So, I have lodged a complaint against the 'doctor' that was treating me, watched me having a seizure and said "I'll be back when you're finished'. Person taking the complaint said that behavior was unprofessional and unacceptable.

Complaint has been written up, and filed. Maybe he will learn to be a bit more empathetic.
I still don't feel any better. If anything, emotionally, I feel worse.

Visit to the GP.

After a lengthy discussion, and some pointed questions, a course of action has been set up.
As it's not the brain, but nerve pain, I don't have to ditch other medication, but it will be shelved for a while.

For now, I am on a regimen of Lorazepam and magnesium. I might end up a bit groggy, or in need of a nap on occasion, but you know something, i can live with that. 

Within an hour from taking the first dose, I noticed that the tingling and tightening feeling had faded, and two hours later, I took a nap. AND I didn't have an seizure/episode when I changed position or got up.

2nd dose will be later this afternoon. And if I sleep through the night, fine. If not, the next day take one lorazepam prior to going to sleep.

Will be on this protocol for 4 weeks.

After this, I will be seeing a counselor, along with the medication, because stress, lack of sleep, and a few other non-neurological/brain issues can cause dystonia.  

Dear Fuq Up Fairy, find someone else to bother, please?

About two weeks ago, I woke up with what I thought was just a bad cramp/charley horse, from my right foot, straight up to my right hand. The pain was intense. My foot arced and the toes curled, and my fingers dug into the palm of my hands.  As I was 'stuck' in one position by closely snuggling cats, I thought it was just because I was in one position for too long. 

Then, 5 days later,  it happened twice. Once when I got out of bed, and the second time when I was walking out to the car.

Two days later, Monday, it happened 4 times.  I called GP, and was informed I would be told to go to the ED/ER, so I called a cab.  Had another 'cramp' before the cab arrived, and another when the cab dropped me off at the hospital. The ED doctor got to witness one of the 'episodes', and I was admitted to the Neuroscience wing of the hospital for a possible seizure disorder.

Four days, lots of blood tests, (geeze, people how many times do I and the tests have to tell you that I am NOT diabetic!) a CAT scan, an MRI, and having the daytime floor staff seeing a 'seizure',  I was hooked up to an EEG and a seizure was recorded and videoed.

The goodish news: Dr B, the neurologist, told me I don't have any tumors, lesions, clots. Nor do I have any signs of Parkinsons, Alzheimer's, or other degenerative brain disease. EEG didn't record any epilepsy or other seizure disorder.

What I do have i 'idiopathic hemidystonia'.  Something, for whatever reason, is causing these seizures-not-seizures. It's my brains' way of handling.. something. They are painful, and outright frightening. That feeling of loss of control is terrifying.  But I remain alert, aware, and even during them, if given a phrase or question, I can answer it or repeat it back.

There is also this wonderful (sarcasm there) kenetic component. In other words, certain body movements can bring one on. (Example, after reflex testing in both the ED and my hospital room, getting up and sitting back down would cause one) I've been having a few every day since being discharged from the hospital.

As awful as these are, they aren't life threatening, so I was allowed to go home. I made an appointment to see my GP, to see what the next step should be.

Recovering from Pneumonia and Battling Tendinopathy

The biggest issue right now, is the smoke from controlled burn offs making my chest all tight, and being short of breath again. Asthma, pnemuonia and smoke.. not a great combination.

After three visits with the physio (ow) and some targeted exercises (again, ow) I have been slowing getting back up to the time I was logging in on my stationary bike. Matt said don't try to do 30 minutes. He recommended (and I followed the recommendation) I start with 10 minutes, and then add a minute a day. After two weeks, I'm up to 25 minutes.  I’m also using my rolling pin as a massaging tool on the tendons around the knee.  It seems to help with over tight feeling around the kneecap.

A year ago today, on Sept 11th, 2017

I was signing into Mount Hospital, to have a total knee replacement. I was scared, worried, almost in tears, but knew it had to be done.

The recovery has been a bit of ups and downs.  Doing too much one day, then taking a week to get over it. Restless nights, nausea, pain, depression. The frustration at not being able to just DO.

Then there was the improvements, getting better, easier to walk around, getting out. 

5 Months in, broadsided in a car accident, setting my recovery back a few months. Fighting my way back to where I was prior to the accident, and then beyond.

The knee joint is all healed, and now working on getting the tendons that were injured in the car accident healthy and strong.

I'll get it done... I'm too stubborn not to!

Ah, Matt, you torture so well!

Saw Matt the Physiotherapist aka Torturer today. He confirmed diagnosis of tendinopathy.  He also agreed that the pain from the healing knee replacement disguised the injury caused by us getting T-Boned and my knees impacting the dashboard.

Had some really intense massage and manipulation of the affected area.  I called it "being well tenderized". Ouch.

Have an exercise regime to gently work the tendons and to strengthen the quads. 
The good news is, the total knee replacement is healed. It will be a full year tomorrow since I had it done. I probably would have been fully recovered sooner, had we not been in that car accident.  This is just a bit of a delay, not the end of the road. :)

RIP “Bandit”

Burt Reynolds, THE BANDIT, dies at the age 82 of a sudden heart attack.

Knee Replacement 1 year Post Op.

Knee joint replacement is great. I managed to dodge a bullet when I caught pneumonia, as it's common for infections to spread from one area of the body to the joint replacement area.

The acute pain I've been having. Mr S said that since I was still experiencing pain from the knee replacement at the time, I didn't feel the damage/injury sustained on the anterior of my knee when we were T-boned. The pain of the surgery lessened, making the pain just under the knee cap causing me to gasp in pain if I stood in one place too long, or causing me to limp a lot first thing in the morning.

Tendinopathy, treatable, but painful. It's also the reason I get pain going across the top of my foot, just below shin. Treat the tendinopathy, and the ankle/foot issue *should* self resolve. Had ultrasound and TENS treatment. Also wearing compression tape under the knee, on top of the tendon.

Knee bend, unassisted, 125 degrees. 130 is considered perfect. Not too bad. Hayden was quite impressed (he was my Pre-Op physio). I see Matt the Torturer on Monday.

Might have overdone it just a bit this weekend

Three photoshoot sessions, different locations.  Lots of walking, lots of standing in one place.  And when I stepped off, the knee really freaking hurt.  It could be that it was just too soon after recovering from pneumonia, but I was getting cabin fever. Got some excellent images, though.  Was great to give the Sigma 150-600 Sport a workout. It performed wonderfully.

 

Yesterday, I refilled prescriptions for Moxicam (anti-inflammatory) and Tramadol.  Yesterday was the first time I have dosed myself with Tramadol in over two months.  Was short or breath several times during the sessions. Had the inhaler to counter that.
Slept fairly well last night, but still feeling a bit tired all day.  Managed to get some laundry done, so very basic tidying. Scrubbed and refilled the bird feeders.

Trying to stay awake now.

Got some work to do

I have been using Forte Agent since version 3.  Now it's up to version 8.  When I had a tech problem with it, I used to be able to submit a ticket, explain everything I had tried, and get good tech support.

Last year, the person I suspect was the programmer/owner of the program retired. Now, if you have a support issue, you are shit out of luck. Even if you tell them you've read the FAQ, surfed the net, checked forums for hours with out any result, what you get is copy paste BS from the FAQ. (most recent was an issue with a problem removing old addresses from address book. The useless advice was a direct copy and paste from the FAQ, even though I told her I had already read it)

Why? This excuse really rankles:  Since they don't charge much for the software, they will no longer provide second tier (aka info not on the useless FAQ).  There is no plans for any updates, either.  Sooner or later, this email program, without any updates, will no longer be usable with email services.

Switch to another email program? Sure, but the only way you can export your address book is in a convoluted XML file, which can't be imported into another program with any semblance of order. 

So, I have some work to do, to manually input all the address from one email program to another.  I'll have to keep forte agent on my system though, because of years of correspondence, and Forte only IMPORTS messages, it doesn't export them.

Made appointment to see Dr A

The cough wasn't going away. Add being tired all the time, falling asleep sitting up, shortness of breath, breathing shallow, feeling pressure and coughing when laying down.
Have to go for chest xray, and blood tests, but Dr A is fairly certain what the result will be.  I have atypical pneumonia.
Have an inhaler to help with the breathing and coughing, and a different antibiotic that targets pneumonia. 
Saw Sharna, osteo nurse practitioner, and she told me to keep watch on the knee replacement, to make sure there's no involvement. 

Lens ‘test’

A few weeks ago, I got a Sigma 150-600 Sports.  Unfortunately, circumstances kept me from giving this lens the test run I wanted.  Well, today, I got to mount it on my 7DmkII.

First off; the Sigma 150-600 is a beast of a lens. It’s heavy. And unless you’re used to curling 20lb dumbbells on a daily basis, you will need to use a monopod when using it it to photograph birds or anything else you will be walking around to do.  If you’re going to be standing in one spot, you will need a tripod.

Onto image quality.  Wow… just wow.

 

 

The lens is very quick to focus, and the images are sharp, without any distortion, even when shooting multiple subjects.

This Sigma is a great piece of glass. I wouldn’t use it every day, but for specific birding or sporting events, it’s a winner.

Called Wacom support

Since I have already done all the troubleshooting (different port, different cable, different computer, and even trying a different tablet) my Intuos Pro 5s' USB charge port needs to be replaced.
Hoping it will be less expensive than getting a new tablet!  Also, found out I can get a new drawing surface for my OLD Intuos 5.

Rather glad I kept the old Intuos 5

Even though it has scratches (compliments of Wing 's cat, Ziggy) I kept the old tablet when I replaced it.  A good thing, too, because for some bizarre reason, the new one, after almost a year of using, isn't charging up, nor is it recognized by Windows when plugged in via USB cable.

Yes, I've tried a different cable, port etc etc. No joy.

So, what I'm doing is charging up the old I5, and when the battery on the new one goes flat, swap it out, until I can figure out why the newer one has decided to not play nice.

Well, isn't this special

For some bizarre reason, that borders on Trumpian logic, Facebook has decided that WordPress blog posts can no longer auto-shared with my Facebook profile.  BUT if I made a business page, it can be auto posted there.  Uhh, no, my profile page is not a business or organization page.
Then, I discovered that FB did the same thing to Twitter.  I followed the instructions on the Twitter page, but not sure if it worked or not.
Oddly enough, it seems that the connection with the Russian based LiveJournal can still have access to post on Facebook.
Well, Facebook CodeMonkeys... you've got some 'splaining to do!

Oh joy

Caught a nasty cold last week. It's not the flu, but a cold that has flu-like symptoms.  Unfortunately, it led to bronchitis, ear, sinus infection.  Went to see GP, and on some strong anti-biotics. Dr B was right, after being on them for 48 hours, I feel somewhat better.
The coughing, though. I don't know which is worse; the sore ribs from all the coughing, or the coughing induced headache. Either way, the coughing has been keeping me awake, and I can't wait for a full nights' sleep. Or even just more than an hour asleep, two hours awake, rinse and repeat.

I got them Software Update Blues

So does my son.  I'm currently using older versions of Firefox/Cyberfox because the newest releases not only disable all my tried and true plugins/addons without any replacements for them, the new formats are freaking UGLY!  My son is getting the "We will be disabling this version of Skype, so update now!"  Problem is the version he's using now works better than the "new and improved" version.

I get fed up with all the excuses/reasons "To ensure your security" or safety. Bollix! It's up to ME to take care of that, not Microsoft, not Mozilla. That is what 3rd party security software is for.

So, until Microsoft releases a better version of Skype, one that doesn't have that gawd awful Facebook Messenger layout, or gives one with a customizable layout, and until there are updates, or REAL replacements for current browser extensions, I will stick with the 'old and lousy' over the 'new and improved.

I'm not one for doing things last minute

I've been sorting and packing what camera gear I'm planning to take to Broome.  Although I'm taking less than I did last time, it weighs more? 2 camera bodies, three lenses, two extenders, Surface Pro. Puts the bag 2kgs over.  My choices are put a camera body or a lens, along with the extenders, into checked baggage.

It doesn't help when the camera bag itself is 2kgs!  Wing  said that since his Olympus gear is lighter, I might be able to put some of my gear in his carry on bag.  If not, I have a lightweight camera bag I can safely stow my gear, and put it in the checked in baggage.

Surface Pro installations Checklist

Photoshop and Bridge.. Check.
DxO Photolab.. Check.
Google NIK Collection... Check
My old tried and true LViewPro image viewer.. Check.
Mailwasher.. Check.
Google Chrome.. Check.
Trillian.. Check
yLaunch.. Check.
VLC.. Check
That pretty much does the whole installation and set up.  Now, it's the tweaking that needs o be done. The loathsome nannyware that refuses to let me save txt files in certain areas, or the whining about not being the Administrator when I am.  Got the bluetooth pen and mouse set up, too. Wing  Told me that On1PhotoRaw 2018 works on his surface pro, so installed it on mine, also. Had to reset the activations as we wanted to make sure we didn't exceed the number of seats activated. You can have 5 running at one time, but if you need more, you deactivate on one computer, and activate on the other. Easy peasy!

I Tech, therefore I am.

During our Albany trip, Wing  saw first hand the issues I had been having with my Sony laptop. It works great once it's in Windows, but not joking, (and no, not asking for tech advice (been there, done that, it is what it is)  can take up to 15 minutes before I can do anything with the computer.  But once in there, it works great..most of the time. But not only that, when traveling by plane, weight matters. That laptop is heavy, taking up 3.4kgs, and I need that for the tripod.

He took us to Hardly Normal, and after some comparing different makes and models,  for trips, I will be using an i7 Surface Pro.  Spent a few hours setting it up last night. 

One of the issues I have with the surface pro is the itty bitty menus. Because it has such a high DPI, programs are scaled to fit.  My choices were to use the magnifier, which annoyingly follows my mouse cursor around, or to find another way.

NERDZ ROOL! I did a bit of internet searching and found how, with a registry edit, and a simple manifest file, I can have all the programs scaled to an actual readable size.  I also tweaked the registry to get rid of those 'short cut arrows'. Never liked them from way back.

The Canon Collective Australia South West Road Trip

Last week, Wing and I headed out on a photography trip. To be honest, I wasn't sure I would be up for it, as there was some hiking involved.

We got to the Bunker Bay Resort, and that place was just a beautiful as I remember from years ago. When the concierge was informed of my knee issue, coupled with the fact we were about as far from the reception/parking area as we could be (we had the bungalow near the lake), we had golfcart transport to and from our bungalow.

Moving on.

Thursday. First stop was Sugar Loaf Rock, one of the most photographed rock formations in Western Australia.  I looked at the ‘overlook’ area and was started the slow climb up. Yay! Made it!

Everyone takes a photo of the formation with the water and waves all around it durning sunrises or sunsets, and they’re lovely, but I wanted to do something a bit different.

Sunset at Sugar Loaf Rock.

 

Also had a Nankeen Kestrel keeping watch over our activities.

 

Friday: Next stop was the Albany Wind Farm. Due to some misinformation, I was told the person I was looking for to return a lens was at the very top of the trail.  I managed to go almost to the very top, only to find out the person I was looking for was at the bottom  

Also revisited the Canal Rocks, and first time visit to The Reflecting Pool.

 

 

Saturday: We went back to the Albany Wind Farm at Dark O’Clock to get some shots of the Milkyway over the wind farm. Then we headed to “The Gap and Natural Bridge” later in the day for some sunshet shots. And also got a great shot of the “Albany Brig” with almost perfectly still water reflecting.

 

Sunday: We got up again, at O’Dark O’Clock to get some Astrophotography at The Gap and Natural Bridge.

 

After sunrise, we got some photos of the harbor, the shipping port and other local points of interest.

 

And then it was time to head home.  Took a while to get all the photos culled and processed.  

 

It was a great road trip.   Here’s hoping the next one is just as much fun.

Yeah, it's getting better

Today, I washed, hung out, dried, folded three large loads of laundry.  I also not only cooked dinner tonight, I cleaned up afterward.

Seeing as these simple tasks might not seem a big deal, but after total knee replacement, and then the following accident, these simple tasks are actually damned good thing.

My knee is a bit sore after all I've done today, but sore.. not painful.  

Tired now.

Interesting results

Yesterday, I went out to get some stormy skies photography, and brought the 7DmkII paired with Canon 400mm f/5.6 prime lens.  Don't get me wrong, it's a good lens, but without stabilization, I found most my photos had some variation of motion blur, as it was low light, focusing on a distant subject, hand held. Not the best lighting for a non IS lens.

Today, I took the 400mm, mounted it on the Kipon EF to MFT adapter, and put it on an Olympus OMD EM1.  I swear this lens and body were made for each other.  Even though the lens is an f/5.6 on a full frame, the equivalent on the EM1 is an F/2.8.  Couple that with the in body stabilization, the lens being Non IS is no longer an issue.

You have to remember this when using this combination, because if you don't your images will probably be a bit dark, and when shooting at ISO 800 or above, that can lead to excess noise.  You will see 5.6 flashing in your viewfinder. You have to ignore that. I know, goes against everything you’ve learned.

I shot this at f/6.3 +0.7, ISO 800, 1/120 exp. 

The image is sharp, colors are great, and even the bokeh is sweet.

DxO has Released a 'New' version of NIK

I got an email from DxO about how they've re-released a "New and Improved" version of NIK software.  Well, I downloaded the demo and tried it out.

If you already have the free version that Google put out, or even the older paid version before Google appropriated it,  and it's working, don't bother paying for this one.  I installed it to Adobe products, and even installed in in Corel PaintShop Pro.  I saw NO difference between this new one (which says it's $49 USD but when you add it to your 'cart', it goes to $69 USD) . 

Now I have read that certain Mac systems, after an OS update, NIK no longer functioned, and this new version has rectified that, but if you're running a Windows PC, this isn't an issue.

Unless they make all the NIK tools work in other than just Adobe, if yours is working, you can skip this one.

6 Month Post Op (plus 4 months post accident) check up

Had an appointment with Mr S, the osteo surgeon that did my total right knee replacement.  I still have some residual bruising and pain on both tibia from the car accident, but he was thrilled when I said my left knee is hurting me more than my right knee does now.

I do still have a few issues. If I stand too long without moving, or even when laying down sleeping, and shift my right leg, I get a quick stab of pain on the inside top of the right tibia. Mr S that is more from the car accident, and will go away, not as a gradual fade, but more like a switch off. One day, I will get up, and it just won't hurt.  Looking forward to those good times.

Oddly enough, we also got our Subaru back. 

It looks showroom new, and after seeing the list of repairs and new parts, I still am wondering if it would have been less expensive to have replaced the car! 

Oh well

Skylum Luminar 2018 is a great photo editing software and also great to use as a plugin with Adobe. There is slight boo hiss on this.

I've tried to use Luminar as a plugin with Corel PaintShop Pro X9 and 2018. No joy. Luminar starts but doesn't load up anything. Won't open the image, filter windows are blank/black with nothing in them.

The good news is, Luminar does work with Affinity for Windows.  Yeah yeah, Affinity doesn't have "Digital Asset Managing", but go old school, and make your own folders, with names and dates or what the subject is about. Ta da! Manual Digital Asset Managing.

I do wish that other photo editing software makers, especially those who make plugins for editors, would get it through their heads there is MORE than just Adobe products out there. 

I remember exchanging emails with NIK before they sold out to Google (I still have the emails to prove it) about developing their plugins to be 100% compatible with Corel (and other) products, that I would be glad to be a tester. They kept saying Oh Sure! Great idea! Then sold it to Google, who gave me same song and dance.  And we know how that ended, don't we? Given away for free, no further development.

Might have to start using VPN to order from Amazon

I got an email from Amazon. Because of Australian gov't wanting to get in on Amazon money, have changed the GST laws, and now Amazon had to change how it handles overseas customers.

I will be forced to shop on the Amazon AU site, even though the prices will more than likely (even factoring in the exchange rates) close to double the price of what the Amazon US site charges. (I have so many examples of this being true. A book, local to me $100. Ordered from Amazon, even with shipping and exchange rate, $45 for one).  I can understand Australia wanting their 10% but not at the expense of close to doubling the price of the items listed.

Then there is the 'promise' of having access to ALL of Amazon US products on the Amazon AU site.  Odd, because when I search for things on the Amazon AU site, I typically strike out. But find it quite easily on the Amazon US site.

The only way I see around this is to shop using a VPN. Transfer money to trusted people in the US and have them get me US gift cards. I already moved my credit card to Australia so I wouldn't be late paying a bill, and I can't reverse it unless I go BACK to the US and into the bank to do so.

On an aside, if the Australian Tax Offices and Aussie Gov't need revenues, how about stopping politicians from taking luxury vacays on the tax payers? Stop giving huge corporations huge tax breaks, instead of scraping a petty S.50 from a book sale.

Yes, it does make a big difference

The past several months, I have been on very short rations of sleep due to knee and car accident related pain.  I had a meltdown last week, crying, ranting, and just nuts. But sleep deprivation can do that. 

Last night, I went to bed very early, and made sure my back was to the door, I was under the blankets, dim reading light. I read for about 15 minutes, put book away, shut off the light, and I was out cold. 

Woke up, check the sleep log and I had been in bed for over 9 hours, asleep for 8hrs and 35 minutes.

I got up, and wow, my knees weren't anywhere near as sore as they had been.  The swelling of my right knee was gone.  It was the first morning in weeks that not only wasn't I hurting, I felt rested and able to get up on stationary bike first thing after feeding the purr kids.

So yes, getting enough sleep does make one helluva difference.

Audible.. WTF??

I have been trying to get the 2 Books for One credit special going on at Audible the past few days. I kept running into errors during the purchase. Either "You already own this title", or "Not Authorized to sell this".  It would depend if I refreshed the browser (I tried Chrome, IE, Firefox) and kept getting the erroneous messages.

So, I finally contacted Audible support. Of course I was run through the obstacle course of "do this, do that" that I had already been doing for the past two days, only to be told that they know about this error, and it will be solved in 24 to 48 hours, and I can buy them after it's fixed.

Uhhh, the 2 for 1 special runs out in 5 hours, meaning I will be paying full price.

Good scam, Audible.

Yet another great software tanks itself

But in a very underhanded and sneaky way.

Siber Systems AI RoboForm password manager.  I have been using it for years, and it has saved logins, generated passwords, without fail. 

The latest update; to say it's a disappointment is an understatement.  Although the new interface is 'prettier', and it saves passwords, too, they sneaked something into it.  I have been using two licenses for two different computers (a laptop and a desktop) for what was the latest version of RoboForm Desktop Pro, v7x.  When you get the notice there's an update, what they don't inform you is that there is no longer a standalone Pro user, but subscription only, for the convenience of 'syncing' your data between more than one computer.

But what if you don't want, or have any use for this feature?  Sure, you can keep using Roboform, but you will get constant nag screens that your 'trial' has expired and to upgrade.  They claim it's only once in a while, but so far, I get the nag twice a day. Once when I logon to the computer, and at some random time throughout the day.  If I leave my system running overnight (full system scan for malware or other problems) the nag screen to upgrade will show up.

This continual nagging is nothing short of bullying. I have read in forums that Roboform's nag screen has gotten to be such an annoyance, that people pay the $20 ransom just to make it stop!  Shades of "Gimme your lunch money and I'll stop picking on you."  How so very grade school of their company.

So, unless you enjoy having software that bullies/nags you to update to get a feature you don't want or need, stick with your version 7x of AI Roboform.

Back to being tired of being tired

Over the past 4 weeks, I've been getting between 4 to 6 hours of sleep a night if lucky.  I got up this morning, and I admit it, I lost it. Weeks of sleep deprivation, and surgery recovery, car accident recovery had me angry and crying.  I try to go to bed early.. seriously, I try. But it seems that everyone wants to come in and talk, get the cats riled up, or just keeping me awake.

Last weekend, I managed to get 8 hours, and what I noticed was my knees didn't hurt when I got up. That is because I was horizontal and off my feet. This morning, after 4 hrs 17 minutes, my knees are sore and stiff.  And I'm yawning non-stop. 

A nap? No, once I'm up, I'm awake. And sleeping during the day will just reinforce my not sleeping through the night.

Noticeable RE-recovery

7+ months total knee replacement post op, and 2 months after the car accident where my knees impacted on the dashboard.  The swelling is just about gone, and  pivoting or walking sideways, the left knee doesn't make me come to a screeching halt, gasping in pain.

I would say I'm back to where I was 6 months post op. Only taking the anti-inflammatory in the morning, and occasional OTC strength paracetamol/ibuprofen if needed (aka I over did it).  Still have the prescription strength, but just going to shelve those.

Now, I just have to make sure that just because I feel better, that I don't over do it.  I would rather take a bit of care now, and not have another setback.

I find it so shocking at how people in the U.S. are given pain management medication for just a few weeks, 4 if they're lucky.  Why won't the doctors prescribe the kind that can't be used to get stoned?  No withdrawal when I stopped taking them after 3 months. 

Someone emailed me asking for step by step

With photos after installing/copying On1 to CS5.

After you've installed CC, and On1PhotoRaw, copy the plugins to CS5 Plugin directory/folder.

Launch On1PhotoRaw.

It will start in the BROWSE module. Select the image you want edit/develop. When you’re finished with your edits, click on EXPORT on the bottom right

Export as high res jpg.  Skip the ‘show in explorer’. You won’t really need that.

 

After the export has finished, go back to the BROWSE module.  Right click on your edited JPG and select SEND TO Photoshop CS5 12 (if you haven’t selected CS5 yet, go to Send To Other Application. Once you’ve selected CS5, it will remain in the drop down list) . As you can see, this image was taken with Canon 5D4, so CS5 wouldn’t have been able to open the CR2/RAW file.

CS5 will start.

You can then use O1PhotoRaw Effects and Develop in CS5

Edited Image:

Thanks for stoppin’ by. Hope this clears things up!

I was Over-thinking it

Easier way to use On1PhotoRaw 2018 with Photoshop CS5.

Yes, still install trial version of CC, but don't subscribe , and leave it on  your system, as the TOS says nothing about removing it if you aren't going to use it. (I know, I read the entire boring thing) Install On1PhotoRaw 2018. It won’t install the plugins to CS5, so you have to copy all the plugins from CC plugins directory to the CS5 plugins directory.

Don't even bother with Adobe Bridge. This way you will avoid the "can't open javascript missing" error I posted about earlier, thereby using all the On1 Plugins. Use On1PhotoRaw only.  If you really want to use Bridge, open it by using a short cut. But you won't really need to.

Instead, using On1PhotoRaw as you would bridge. It will open on Browse module. Go into the develop, do whatever you want or need to do, then go to the bottom right corner of On1 and select EXPORT. It will automatically default to the folder/directory the RAW image was opened. Don't bother with any of the presets at this time, with the exception of may not having it open the directory it was saved to. Export it as a full sized, high res JPG. 

Go back to the BROWSE module. Right click on your JPG, select SEND TO OTHER APPLICATION, and navigate to the CS5 Photoshop.exe file.  Do this once, and CS5 will be listed in the drop down menu.  Then when you click on Photoshop CS5 12, select ORIGINAL image, because you've already done all the edits. It will open in CS5, and you can use all your familiar Photoshop tools and plugins, and use all the new On1photoRaw plugins too although I do have a problem when I try to use the RESIZE plugin in CS5.

So, your CS5 Bridge might not be able to read the newer Camera Raw formats, but On1PhotoRaw can.

Since when?

I have been getting an odd message when I send certain emails with Forte Agent.  And I scoured the internet for about a week, looking for a solution. Didn't find one, so did what any person would have done.

I submitted a support request.

To say I was shocked at the reply is an understatement.

Hello Sandra,

Sorry, I haven't seen this error message before so I am unable to help you and unfortunately we no longer provide second level support.

You could try posting your question on the following group: alt.usenet.offline-reader.forte-agent

Regards, A** B***

Agent Team

My reply:

Yes, it is unfortunate. And rather shocking, as I have gotten tech support for other issues with Forte Agent. Nor did I ever receive any notice (and you have my email address) regarding this. Rather shoddy on Forte's part.

I don't subscribe to any Usenet services. I've used Forte Agent since v3x or what it 2x, and this is the first time I have heard that you no longer provide tech support for your own software. As someone who used to provide tech support, I find this rather... well, insert any term you want.

Just have to make the time to do it

The 500gb HDD has arrived, and I have my windows 10 ready to install on it. Just have to find the time to do it. 

I get irked when people try to brow beat me into just upgrading the OS on my Windows 7 desktop. Everything works. Why the hell would I want to overwrite it?

But, with the advent of many software makers making things for Windows 8 on up (yes, there are still some that make software compatible for Windows 7) I have to so something. But I want to keep working with software that is no longer sold or supported, and the same thing with some 'legacy' hardware. I still use Windows Media Center for watching and recording free to air TV (wish I had the older version that would also stream Netflix, but alas)  

Enter the Dual Boot system. 

I guess I'll have to set up my laptop to do things while the installation is going.

Playing around with On1 and Alienskin with CS5

I know quite a few people who still use CS5, don't want to rent CC, and didn't get CS6 because they didn't need it, and they feel left out because too many software makers aren't including it in their new plugins and tools.

Because I actually still have CS5 (and CS6, which is still being supported) I test and experiment to find ways to make things works.

I posted before on how to use On1PhotoRaw 2018 as your default RAW editor.  It slams Adobe Camera Raw to the sidelines when it comes to what it can do.  But you do have to go through a few hoops to get it to work with CS5 as a plugin, but there is a way.

But moving on to Alienskin.  I had been using OnOne Focal Point 2, but with the installation of On1PhotoRaw plugins, it doesn't work. You get a JAVASCRIPT error. 

 

If you remove the photoraw plugins, it will go back to working. That is rather fiddly to have to do. 

Enter Alienskin Bokeh.  I installed it to CS5 years ago, and have kept it updated. It's one of the few Adobe compatible plugins you can SELECT what host program you want to install it to.  It works just as well as OnOne Focal Point 2. I really liked Focal Point, but seeing that AlienSkin can pick up where FP left off, means I still have that tool as part of CS5.

I declare Monday "The Menagerie Day"

With the help of Alan, the cats' food and water dishes have been scrubbed and refilled. Their sandboxes cleaned and refilled.

I went outside, took down, scrubbed and refilled the hummingbird feeders.  I had a chorus of Wattlebirds, and at least two varieties of honey-eaters while I worked.  When I was finished I counted 5 adult (young and resident) Red Wattlebirds, and I heard the unmistakable sound coming from the Jacaranda tree of a young fledgling Red Wattlebird begging to be fed.

Windows 10 or not to Windows 10...

Simplest answer.. yes and no.

My Windows 7 box works great. As long as I don't install those "Quality Rollups". I do keep on top malicious software/malware definitions, but I'm fed up with Microsoft disabling what they deem is outdated software.  I also have 'legacy' hardware that Windows 10 will not even recognize, and there are no drivers for said hardware/devices.

But many things will not function unless I'm running Windows 10.

So, my solution is this: I'm getting a 500gb hdd, and I will install Windows 10 on it, and create a dual boot system.

I'm quite sure some of my programs will be migrated, or duplicated on the Win10 drive, but I will treat it like a really buff "Virtual Machine".

Back to the sort of beginning?

It's no secret that I have been recovering from a total knee replacement (chromium cobalt, no less!) had a few setbacks during rehab (my fault for overdoing it) and one helluva set back when an L Plater t-boned us on the passenger side of the car (three guesses which side I was sitting on) No injuries needing hospitalizing, but did have MRI on head and neck, and xray of left knee.  No fractures..yay.  Bruised and sore, boo hiss. Mild concussion means on and off headaches.

I would say today I am almost back to where I was prior to the car accident. Left knee is still sore, but manageable with just panadol and ibuprofen combined. Right knee, the chromium knee, is back to just feeling 'thick and heavy' (I've been told this is normal)

The forced inactivity has been a bit wearing. The not sleeping is really a downer. Being tired all the time.. not fun. (Here it is, 10am and I'm already yawning.)

My stationary bike and I are getting reacquainted since the car accident. Have to take it slowly, 10 mins, and work that to twice a day, then three times a day again.

I see Dr N for the compartment syndrome testing next Monday. Not looking forward to that, though.

The art of the polite complaint

I have been ordering from one certain online store on a regular basis for several years.  And typically, within two business days after I've submitted and paid for said order, they would send out "FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $100".   Seeing as every order I have submitted has been over $100, this timing got very annoying... and I told them so, politely.

I got a response.. and a $15 gift certificate for my next purchase, good for one year.

Well fooey

I got an email from the makers of XMarks. It was the best way to back up and sync bookmarks.  They will be discontinuing their service on the 1st of May.  I paid for this service and now they're pulling up stakes and will just be doing LastPass. But I already have an excellent secure password saving/generating program.

I guess I will just have to go back to backing up/exporting bookmarks once a month as an HTML file.

Bets on whether or not I get a refund for my purchase as I did pay for the program.

Since I won't be installing those "Windows 7 Rollups"

I have reinstalled CryptoPrevent.  Between that, and MalwareBytes, I probably have better security on my system than if I installed those program disabling Windows 7 Security/Maintenance Rollups.  Especially when I have read what those rollups are 'fixing',  have nothing to do with my computer.

The only annoyance I will have, is that if I need support from MalwareBytes, they will try to tell me to uninstall CryptoPrevent. I will flat out tell them did that, and it didn't solve the problem.

When will I ever learn?

I stupidly updated Firefox so I could update one of my much used addons (blurb on page said it wouldn't work with anything older than v56.) I made a backup archive of my version of firefox, downloaded and installed the new version.

Not only was the new version of Firefox FUGLY, not only did it disable my tried and true addons, THIS version no longer allows you to re-enable those plugins with Nightly Testing Tools. I prefer my drop down menu for search engines, not that hard to read box of itty bitty icons. Can't change it with customize.

*grump*

Ok, I will just restore the archived early version. Uhh, where did the archive go? It seems the update deleted it. Grrrr. So, I just downloaded the version that worked, installed it. That worked. Sort of.

All boomarks were gone. I tried to restore them. "Unable to process backup file". Fine, tried to download them from Xmarks.. nope, errors. Did a little digging, deleted the places.sqlite, restarted and tada!

I think I will keep the latest version of firefox on my VM, and then use that to download newer versions of my addons, export them with FEBE, and then import them into my desktop browser.

If it ain't broken, I am NOT going to fix it.

It's been at least 3 years of full on suck

There was a mass on my left shoulder. It got all inflamed, and scheduled to have it removed.  The surgery for that went ok, but it left a deep deep hole in my back. It took over 9 months for it to fill and heal. 

About a month after it had healed, I tripped over some shoes someone left in a doorway, hyper extending my knee.. or so I thought.  After months of pain, and it not healing,  I had an MRI. Turned out I had shredded what was left of the meniscus and had bone on bone grinding. 

Tried two synovial treatments, 5 months apart, and although they did work, my body broke them down too fast, leaving me limping badly. 

Total knee replacement surgery was only option.   I had a few set backs, from over doing things during the recovery process. A possible case of compartment syndrome (scheduled test for it), but over all it was going great. I was just starting to be able to DO things again.

Until last Sunday.  A L Plater panicked, stomped on his accelerator, and t-boned us on the passenger side.  I was in the passenger seat. 

Whiplash, mind concussion, and a swollen bruised left knee. Fairly sure I didn't screw up the new knee, but will have it checked out next week. Had to cancel the test for compartment syndrome, as I can't walk on a treadmill without limping, which will not work for the test. Has been rescheduled.  Pain from my eyebrows down to my ankle.

I must have pissed off the "Fcuk up Fairy" big time, but I have no clue as to how or why. 

I gave up on the Great Alternate BluRay player.

I read up on what the Windows 7 Security Rollup entailed, and everything it 'fixed' or patched had nothing to do with my computer.

So, I uninstalled that Rollup that disable ArcSoft TotalMediaPlayer.  I will keep using it until there is another viable alternative.

Security?  I have security software that will protect me from Malware, RootKits, hijackers etc etc.  I prefer to have my computer and the software I bought to work properly.

Making On1PhotoRaw* your default RAW Editor in CS5 and CS6

This is for CS5 and CS6 users who want to use Bridge in their workflow, but want to launch On1PhotoRaw* as their default Camera Raw editor.

If you follow these steps, which sound a bit complicated, but aren't, this will work for you.

First, download and install trial version of CreativeCloud.  I have gone over their TOS and it says nothing about uninstalling if if you aren't going to use it.  Keep it there, for reasons that will follow.

Install On1 PhotoRaw.  It will automatically find CreativeCloud, and install the plugins. Go to C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop CC\Plugins. Copy the On1 plugins from that to the Photoshop CS5\Plugins folder. On1 will install in your CS6 directory.

Go to Adobe Bridge.  Open up Edit Preferences and select which ever raw format your camera shoots in, click on SELECT, and navigate to On1 folder and choose the on1 photoraw 2018.exe. Click on Ok, then save. 

In CS5, I don't know why, but I can't double click on the RAW files to get it to launch. BUT I can right click, and select OPEN WITH and choose the now default On1PhotoRaw.  CS6 users, once you have made On1photoRaw2018 your default Raw Editor, it will launch from Bridge.

You will notice it opens the RAW image in Layers module, but just click on Develop and process your Raw image, then either let On1 save it as a PSD, or export it as a JPG. To prevent ON1 from making a PSD after you've exported it, go back to layers module, File/Close and discard changes made. On1 will then just shut down.

And since you have the trial version of CC on your computer, navigate to C:\Program files\Common Files\Adobe\Plugins\CC\File Formats.  You will see  CC and CS5 (or CS6). Rename CameraRaw8li that is in CS5 (or CS6). To CameraRawCS5.8li.  Copy The CameraRaw.8li from CC into your C:\Program files\Common Files\Adobe\Plugins\CS5 \File Formats or CS6.  This way you can at least view the image files you want On1PhotoRaw to edit in CS5 Bridge.

*You can also do this method to use Skylum Luminar as your default RAW editor.

6 Month Post Op - Good news, bad news.

Good news first: Although I had a hypertrophic scar, and over did it a few times during the past few months, setting me back, the TKR is great. I have 126 to 130 bed depending on the day.

Bad News: Dr "Just call me Ian" is almost 100% certain I have compartment syndrome, not sciatic pain, which was what Matt my physio was hoping for. I go for tests Monday, and from what I was told, they're going to be somewhat more than just 'a little uncomfortable'. Depending on the results I may have to go back under the knife to relieve the pressure and rather acute pain. :(

Rather bummed out about this.

Another Alternative to Adobe Rentals

Now that even Adobe Lightroom has gone to subscription only, even more people are looking for alternatives for RAW processing and photo editing.

Skylum Luminar - The latest program I tried.  I downloaded and installed the 14 day, fully functional, trial version. 4 days into using it, I was sold!  Luminar makes Adobe Lightroom in all its' incarnations look clunky and sluggish.  The "Categories" (or presets if you prefer) are eminently adjustable to the look you want. For those accustomed to Adobes' "Transform" tools, there is a bit of new language learning, but nothing overly difficult to do.

I took this lackluster photo

 

and turned it into something I would have printed and framed.

A lot of people complain that it doesn't have "Digital assets management", but for me that isn't an issue, as I always make descriptive and dated folders for my photo shoots.

Luminar works on both my low end laptop (Sony Vaio 16gb ram) and on my custom built box.

Again, some will find the lack of Digital asset management a problem, but as I typed above, not an issue with me. The only things I had to do after developing and editing was export the image as a high res JPG, open it in Photoshop, and use a "Purple Fringe Remover" action, as Luminars' lens correction doesn't have that option.  After I did that, I put my watermark on it, and saved it.  Another good thing about Luminar, like the others above; you buy, it's yours. And it's not that expensive. For less than what it would cost you to rent Lightroom, you can own Luminar.

Why 'friends' can sometimes be a bit of a downer

I joined a "Total Knee Replacement" group on Facebook. Why? Because there are certain well meaning people that are clueless. Or at least I hope they're well meaning but clueless.

I had one person tell me that 4 weeks after a total knee replacement,an uncle (or someone) was back to mountain climbing. Kind of intimated I was faking or slacking. I passed this information to my physio and he said that claim was (and I quote) "F&&king bullshit." Seeing as part of the tibia is sawed off, a titanium peg hammered into the tibia, and a titanium cap clipped onto the femur, it would take at least 6 weeks before the surgery part healed. Then comes the swelling and rehab.

Then there is battling the scar tissue. The same collagen that makes my skin so nice an not so wrinkled is the same reason the scar on my knee is so thick and deep. Lotions won't fix this. Breaking the adhesions is the only method, and it frigging hurts like hell for days afterward.

Then, there is the sciatic shin pain, that no pain meds can touch, because it's a pinched nerve, not muscular.

The members of the TKR group know about all of this, and when I say "Wow, today I managed to wash and hang the laundry outside! Cooked dinner and even cleaned up the cat's sand boxes." they know what an achievement that is. I can walk around without limping for over a half hour, longer if the sciatic shin pain stays away.

I don't marathons, but that's fine, because I didn't run them before. But I'm getting back to doing... even the mundane things, with a cheerful demeanor.

Oh yeah, and I cooked a 3+ hr prep and work turkey dinner for Wing... and yes, It was a bragging moment for me.

Why 'friends' can sometimes be a bit of a downer

I joined a "Total Knee Replacement" group on Facebook.  Why? Because there are certain well meaning people that are clueless. Or at least I hope they're well meaning but clueless.

I had one person tell me that 4 weeks after a total knee replacement,an uncle (or someone) was back to mountain climbing. Kind of intimated I was faking or slacking.  I passed this information to my physio and he said that claim was (and I quote) "F&&king bullshit."  Seeing as part of the tibia is sawn off, a titanium peg hammered into the tibia, and a titanium cap clipped onto the femer, it would take at least 6 weeks before the surgery part healed. Then comes the swelling and rehab.

Then there is battling the scar tissue. The same collegan that makes my skin so nice an not so wrinkled is the same reason the scar on my knee is so thick and deep. Lotions won't fix this. Breaking the adhesions is the only method, and it frigging hurts like hell for days afteward.

Then, there is the sciatic shin pain, that no pain meds can touch, because it's a pinched nerve, not muscular.

The members of the TKR group know about all of this, and when I say "Wow, today I managed to wash and hang the laundry outside! Cooked dinner and even cleaned up the cat's sand boxes." they know what an achievement that is.  I can walk around without limping for over a half hour, longer if the sciatic shin pain stays away.

I don't marathons, but that's fine, because I didn't run them before. But I'm getting back to doing... even the mundane things, with a cheerful demeanor.

Oh yeah, and I cooked a 3+ hr prep and work turkey dinner for Wing... and yes, It was a bragging moment for me.

Beware of Aurora BluRay Media player

I had posted that I had been looking for an alternative to ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater because of Windows Rollup screwed the pooch.

Enter Aurora Blu-Ray Player

Now, Aurora claims to be "Try before buy", but you really can't tell if blu-ray playback is good as their HUGE frigging watermark covers the playback, giving you no clue as to whether it works well or not.  Only option is to fork over $39 to see.

Now, what it does is play the BluRay MTS file, not really the entire disc, just the movie file.  It makes a rudimentary ‘menu’ that allows you to select language and scenes. That would be fine by me, HOWEVER...

Even though it does work, this program keeps making Windows system changes. I have AutoPlay for all media set to TAKE NO ACTION. But every time I start Aurora, it changes that to auto open BluRay/DVD/Video Discs.  I have gone into the autoplay menu, and have manually selected TAKE NO ACTION, then saved. Launch Aurora, and it overwrites those settings.

There is nothing in the Aurora preferences that prevent it from being chosen as default, and it keeps changing Windows settings.

Any program that makes unwanted system changes is malware.  I have been sending messages to them about this, but have yet to get even one reply.  I think they know of this, but can't or won't do anything about it, so their program has earned the label of Malware. And I’ve uninstalled it using YourUninstaller to remove all traces.

It's never ending!

Turns out I might have yet another reason to remove the Windows 7 Rollup.

%#&$%# Cinavia encryption.  The only DVD/BluRay player on my computer that didn't have an issue with it was ArcSoft Total Media Theater. Leawo, DVDFab Player, PowerDVD 17, WinDVDPro 12, even when using AnyDVD or DVDFabPasskey, playback would be interrupted and audio muted.  And this is on commercially purchased DVDs and BluRay discs, NOT copies or rips, or downloads.  Playing the boxed version of a series of movies. The first 3 discs, no Cinavia, but the last one, yup!

I might have to see about installing earlier version of PowerDVD.  :/  As much as I understand the reason for copyright, this sort of crap is what makes people hack and crack copy protection.

Fed up with Gunhumping Ammosexuals

I laid into one that kept up with I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS! only section of the 2nd amendment. Then he insulted me and my family's military service by saying 'probably the type to sign up for the paycheck'.

I let him have it.

Robert K**** Pookums, my DD214 says Honorable Discharge. And I am a multi generational military  family. So, no, you sanctimonious git, none of us did it for a paycheck. I'm quite sure your  military service can compare to mine? Or were your separated with a OTH or DD? Or maybe just a  General discharge?

What we have said, oh so dense one, that they have no business in civilian hands, and should be  banned as they are only designed to kill as many as possible in the most brutal way (the bullets  penetrate and tumble, shredding internal organs, and in small targets like Sandy Hook, tear off  body parts), just like the M-4 and M-16 (BTW, I ranked as a "Sharpshooter"). The only differences  is the Bushmasters firing pin(semi-automatic rather than full auto), the sights, and a few parts  on the stock. Again, it does NOT belong in any civilian hands.

You want to adhere to an 18th century rule, fine. Single action bolt, or how about a flint lock,  as that was all the rage. And just what part of a 'well regulated militia' were you part of?

And you want to cite only PART of the 2nd amendment...

Here's all of it : "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,  the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

This was intended for Good Farmer Joseph with his Ball and Shot Musket, not Crazy Neighbor Joe  with an AR-15 or an UZI. It was written when the U.S. didn't have a standing military. Guess  what? Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Naval Reserves, and during times of war The  Coast Guard. Good Farmer Joseph isn't required to take up arms to fight off invaders anymore.

Moving on....

I now cite a document that predates your tunnel vision view of the 2nd amendment:
"We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable; that all men are created equal and  independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among  which are the preservation of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"

Our right to life outweighs your needing to feel the joy in your groin to shoot a military grade  weapon. And if you really have such a hard on to do so, trot your North American Gunhumping  Ammosexual ass to the nearest recruiters office and enlist.

Ok, I give up

I tried installing TotalMediaCenter on my Windows 7 VM, XP VM and 8 VM.

It installed ok on Win 8 vm, but would crash when I tried to load any sort of video.

Installed on Win 7 VM, but like with Win 7 desktop, it would launch, then shut down in a few seconds.

It wouldn't installed properly on XP, and wouldn't uninstall, so had to restore from a VM snapshot.

*sigh* So, my choices are keep my computer safe and find another alternative to TMT, or don't install the Windows Rollup, which will allow TMT to access the kernel.  

So long, ArcSoft TotalMediaTheater. Was nice knowing ya.

Oh well

Another Windows update, and it again disabled TotalMediaTheater.  And since ArcSoft is no longer supporting or updating it, there is no solution from that avenue.

I have one option left to keep using is. Try installing it on one of my VMs.  Yes, I have Cyberlink PowerDVD17 but it's bloated, and sometimes, even with AnyDVD and Passkey, certain BluRays and DVDs won't play in it, so need another. TotalMediaTheater was the best. Didn't hog system resources, stable, never a problem, and fully integrated in Windows Media Center.

WinDVDPro by Corel is integrated in WMC, but it has issues that Corel support can't seem to figure out.  Leawo.. hmm, yeah, it works but is a bit touchy. DvdFab 5 player, also works but has a few problems.

Who knows, maybe someone will figure out how to hack/patch TMT, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Today, the part of a pincushion was played by me

Saw Matt the Physio as scheduled. But before I went in, I marked on my shin and ankle where I was having pain.  It's no where near as bad as it was after Christmas last year, but it's enough to slow me down and stop me from doing activities.

He poked, prodded, twisted and flexed.  After all of that, acupuncture on the piriformis, and down the right side of my shin.  He pressed on one area and the pain spiked where the lowest needle was inserted.  Gave that one a bit of a ping to get it to vibrate.   After 15 minutes, i did have relief, but it didn't last.

Matt said the soreness along the top of the foot is a symptom, not the cause, of the shin pain. Because the shin hurts, I'm not holding my foot quite right, so it hurts when I walk. My shin hurts because I'm doing more.. more walking, more time on the bike, more domestic chores, and gardening.   But as it's no longer level 7 pain, but 5 that drops to an annoying 3, it is improving. 

Also, today, I was able to bend my knee to 127 degrees.  Matt's holding out for 130 degrees.

Microsoft did it again

Latest "monthly rollup" (KB4074598) prevented some tried and true programs from starting. As much as I would prefer to have the updates, I am tired of Microsoft updates disabling programs that I use.

Yes, I know the programs aren't sold/updated/supported by their original company, but I use them, and don't care if there are more updates for them.

Currently uninstalling the damned ‘rollup’.