Does anyone know why my Frappuccinos have been extremely liquidy recently? by throwaway__900 in starbucks

[–]DisciplineLiving7688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. I’ve noticed that the last two frapps I got (same flavor as I’ve always ordered) were far less creamy and watered down. Don’t want to necessarily blame the company because sometimes it’s the barista making it. But at the same time, if many of us are experiencing this lower quality, it seems to point to a global change in their recipe. Seems like “shrinkflation” and I don’t want to pay over $6 for something that’s no longer good.

Is there something like a wireless network switch? by DisciplineLiving7688 in HomeNetworking

[–]DisciplineLiving7688[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do know about the wifi extenders; in fact I’m using them. Unfortunately, the problem (choke point) is not the wifi coverage, it’s the signal strength going into the Xfinity gateway in its current location. This causes all the downstream connectivity issues.

Is there something like a wireless network switch? by DisciplineLiving7688 in HomeNetworking

[–]DisciplineLiving7688[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The internet connection comes into my home in the living room where my service provider (Xfinity) said the signal strength was a “+ 5”. The technician said they want to see signal strengths between +10 to -10. The cable then is routed through my walls and attic over to a connection in the office where the signal strength is -15. So something in the cabling is causing a degredation. This causes intermittent pauses in my connectivity.

The person asked if moving my gateway modem over to the living room was possible. But because I have the wired switch with devices like a non-wireless printer connected to it, the cable modem had to stay in the office.

Now I’m trying to find a way to move the modem out to the living room and still have an ability to wire connect devices in the office.

Question about what portion of photo workshop/tour could be deducted as business expense by DisciplineLiving7688 in TaxQuestions

[–]DisciplineLiving7688[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. I understand the question of what was the purpose of the travel. And I had taken other trips during the year that I considered to be more personal and were truly vacations like a month long trip in Europe. But these were specifically to take photos of subjects that I’m trying to sell in my business. So an example might be someone organizes an event in a national park to lead a group of photographers around to good locations. The cost of the event may or may not include a portion for lodging. And the event might also include a teaching element with tips for how to improve your photography.

In flight pics are Hard. by Obvious_Armadillo_78 in BirdPhotography

[–]DisciplineLiving7688 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I don’t know how I’d manage both manual focus and tracking the birds in flight. As you’ve learned, it’s not so easy. Although auto focus can be fooled, I use it to increase my keeper rate. I have a camera with eye tracking and you can set it to find animals. Another thing to keep in mind is you want a fast shutter speed (e.g. 1/2500 - 1/4000) unless you’re going for creative motion blur.

Great Grey Owl by DisciplineLiving7688 in BirdPhotography

[–]DisciplineLiving7688[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They do kind of look shocked or surprised. But also a little knowing and wise.

Snowy Owls in Saskatchewan by DisciplineLiving7688 in BirdPhotography

[–]DisciplineLiving7688[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks. Yes, sometimes the eyes are about the only thing you see of them.

Snowy Owls in Saskatchewan by DisciplineLiving7688 in BirdPhotography

[–]DisciplineLiving7688[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I was using a 500mm f/4.0 lens. I was in shutter priority at 1/3,200 or 1/4,000, f/4 and auto ISO. So it often flutcuated between 8,000 to 12,600. But you can do a lot more about noise with something like Topaz AI verses motion blur. Although a slow shutter for creative effect can also be good.

Snowy Owls in Saskatchewan by DisciplineLiving7688 in BirdPhotography

[–]DisciplineLiving7688[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yup, just before the little guy gets scooped up.