Photoshop Elements 4.0 Released

Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 is now available directly from Adobe or from Amazon.com.

I've used PE3.0 for some time and recommend it highly for those who need both an editor and file management system that is powerful, yet relatively inexpensive.

Version 2.0 of Premeire Elements will release on October 5th. I will wait until then and attempt to purchase an upgrade combination package of PE4.0 and PreE2.0 at a better price than the two upgrades individually.

Once I run them through their paces, I will post a review geared toward laboratorians.

Ovation for PowerPoint

As part of my work involves education and presentation of material, I use PowerPoint. The slides I create are used for traditional PPT presentations and for use in digital video creation.

I've been involved in the beta testing of a new PowerPoint tool called Ovation. This product is the work of Serious Magic, a California technology company that produces software for those who work with digital video.

While I can't discuss details of the product, I would like to suggest that all PowerPoint users seriously consider adding this tool to their presentation toolbox. It transforms your existing PowerPoint presentation into glorious renderings that feature smooth movement and animation unlike any PowerPoint tool I have used.

It will likely be available later this fall. As you may note on the Serious Magic website, most of their products are available to download in a trial version. I suspect that a trial version of Ovation will be available at launch and, if so, I encourage PowerPoint users to give the application a try.

Remember, Ovation is not available at this time -- it should release sometime this fall.

Converting Mac PICT Images to PC Format

I've come across a collection of Gram stain images in Mac PICT format and have been looking for a batch tool to convert them to an image format that is workable on a PC.

The tools I've found and tried can't recognize the file type. I even tried to insert the PICT files into Word and let Word work it's internal conversion magic, but no joy. I'm beginning to suspect that perhaps the files are corrupted in some way.

I've spent a couple of hours so far on this project.

Next week I will ask a colleague at work if he can bring in his Apple Powerbook. I've give him the PICT files on a CD and see if he can convert them into a PC-friendly format -- such as JPEG or TIFF.

Long Time No Blog

Been busy with various activities:

1. Home construction projects.
2. Club volleyball with daughter.
3. Misys training in Arizona.
4. Preparation of digital video student training materials.
5. Software beta testing.
6. Evaluating video-blogging options.
7. Digital SLR macro and microphotography using Canon Rebel XT.
8. Working with new CLS students.
9. Did I mention home construction projects?

Will post updates nearly daily from now on. Yeah, well, we'll see, won't we?