If you're in the market for a new or better digital camera, The July '09 issue of CR has an eight-page in depth analysis of 77 point-and-shoot and SLR (single-lens reflex) models, including pricing comparisons, features, reliability, buying tips, their recommendations for best buys, manufacturer claim verifications, common consumer mistakes to avoid and more. They've put up some samples of the information from the article on their web site here, but of course you have to buy an online subscription or pick up the print issue to get the entire enchilada.Also among the other interesting articles in this issue is a lab test comparison of two e-book readers: Amazon's Kindle 2 and the Sony Reader PRS-700BC. CR says overall Kindle beats Sony; naturally your mileage may vary.
Connecticut software developer Jake Luciani has run 10k items on Del.icio.us, Digg, Reddit and Mixx through the API of popularity ranking engine AideRSS to analyze the connection between popularity and timing. He determined the best days and times for a blog post to be submitted to those sites if its author wants it to receive the maximum number of votes, comments and inbound links.
ReplyDeleteLuciani's conclusion: between 1pm and 3pm PST (after lunch) or between 5pm and 7pm PST (after work) are the best times and Thursday is the best day. The worst time to post? Between 3 and 5 PM PST on the weekends - nobody cares.
Randi Shannon
That's interesting, Randi. Not sure what is has to do with Consumer Reports, Digital cameras or e-readers, but thanks for passing that along.
ReplyDeleteI don't post for popularity, hits or to attract the most traffic. I'm still pretending only a dozen people come here to read the blog. :)
Thanks, Lynn. I've been thinking about getting a new digital camera, so this post hits at just the right time for me. That Nikon on the cover is so pretty. :drool:
ReplyDeleteI keep meaning to take more pictures, but the camera I have now is a pain to work with. Especially since my last one was so easy. (Both HPs btw. They really screwed something up between the 2000 model and the 2007 model.) I'll definitely be picking up a copy of this mag.
Thanks for this post Lynn. I'll check the bookstore for a copy of CR. My husband wants to get a digital camera and we don't know the first thing about them - I think we still have a Polaroid Instamatic!!
ReplyDeleteWe used to subscribe for a long time, but finally gave it up when we realized how little we bought.
ReplyDeleteBut I followed their advice on digital cameras (the Canon A530) and have been very happy with it. Even after dunking in into a creek during a fossil-hunting expedition, it survived and is still taking great pictures. (Note: this ad not paid for by Canon.)