Forget the laptop for pictures... Bring the iPod!

[Lewdog]

If your point is that the photo files created by the camera will not have a virus or spyware in them, that is true. But someone can easily preload a virus or spyware on to a flash card. In fact, I don't upload my pictures using the camera software, I just take the memory card out and stick it directly into the computer.

 

Also, cameras are not the only things you can connect to a computer using a USB connection. How is the cruise line going to prevent someone from hooking up something besides a camera to the USB port? I have a 40GB USB hard drive. Any hacker could have one also (I bought mine at Best Buy). Just think of all the damage that could be done by uploading files from the USB hard drive to the computer.

 

Yes, my point is the photo files would be clean, no virus.

 

While you are correct, there are all sorts of devices that utilize the USB port & bus, storage devices, printers, scanners, network adapters, etc. it is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY a hacker would choose a cruise ship computer to load any malicious software onto. One reason is the nature of a ships internet connection which is satellite based and resides behind a NAT (network allocation table) which would tend to severly limit the usefullness of anything installed onto one of the ship's computers.

 

I do believe I clearly stated when I first posted that my thought wasn't feasible (unless you bring your own computer then it is a pretty decent idea), I was merely thinking out loud.

[Cuizer2]

Yes, my point is the photo files would be clean, no virus.

 

While you are correct, there are all sorts of devices that utilize the USB port & bus, storage devices, printers, scanners, network adapters, etc. it is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY a hacker would choose a cruise ship computer to load any malicious software onto. One reason is the nature of a ships internet connection which is satellite based and resides behind a NAT (network allocation table) which would tend to severly limit the usefullness of anything installed onto one of the ship's computers.

 

I do believe I clearly stated when I first posted that my thought wasn't feasible (unless you bring your own computer then it is a pretty decent idea), I was merely thinking out loud.

Again, I agree with you. The problem is, what kind of odds do you believe are extremely unlikely? 1 in 10,000? 1 in 25,000? 1 in 100,000?

 

At 2000 people per ship the odds of 1 in 10,000 are once every five weeks. Even at 1 in 100,000 the odds are once per year - per ship.

 

At 2,500 perple per ship 1 in 25,000 still means five times per year and 1 in 100,000 means more than one per year (again - per ship). Who needs that kind of trouble (you seem to be experienced with computers, so I assume you know what kind of a headache is involved when a virus gets into a computer)?

 

Yes, it is extremely unlikely. Yes it is not very feasible. And if I was in charge of the ship's computers, I would not allow anyone access to the computer except via the keyboard and mouse.

 

There are alternatives for those that want to store their pictures:

 

1) Buy more memory cards.

2) Bring your own computer.

3) Buy a storage devise for this purpose (they are out there).

 

Each menthod has its advantages and disadvantages. I bring my own computer - that is my choice.

[mluzzy1]

As a pc turned Mac user....I can tell you that the Ipod - Iphoto Software (standard on all Mac's)exchange is seamless. No problems with resolution,viruses or other. In fact ....since Microsoft has decided to stop all support for Windows OS come 2007...maybe more of you will switch to a MAC and realize control-alt-delete is not normal...lol. :)

[Lewdog]

As a pc turned Mac user....I can tell you that the Ipod - Iphoto Software (standard on all Mac's)exchange is seamless. No problems with resolution,viruses or other. In fact ....since Microsoft has decided to stop all support for Windows OS come 2007...maybe more of you will switch to a MAC and realize control-alt-delete is not normal...lol. :)

 

"Microsoft has decided to stop all support for Windows OS come 2007"

 

Right, because they are launching a totally new OS, kind of like Mac did when the old programs wouldn't work on OS X ;)

[Lewdog]

BTW Cuizer2, I enjoyed your very thorough review of your cruise on NCL

[bruce-r]

As a pc turned Mac user....I can tell you that the iPod - iPhoto Software (standard on all Mac's)exchange is seamless. No problems with resolution,viruses or other. In fact ....since Microsoft has decided to stop all support for Windows OS come 2007...maybe more of you will switch to a MAC and realize control-alt-delete is not normal...lol. :)

You forgot to mention the lack of spyware that affects the Mac OS, along with the lack of viruses.

 

I just can't believe that storing an image file on an iPod would change anything about the photo. All you are doing is downloading information to a hard drive. If you plug it into your computer, doesn't it appear on the desk top as a mass storage device?

 

[Cuizer2]

BTW Cuizer2, I enjoyed your very thorough review of your cruise on NCL

 

Thank you. :)

[Cuizer2]

You forgot to mention the lack of spyware that affects the Mac OS, along with the lack of viruses.

 

Both of which are do to the lack of computers available upon which to launch a spyware or viruse attack. Now that of course is a good thing (the lack of spyware and viruses - not the lack of Mac computers). However, another issue related to the lack of computer is the lack of positive software available for the Mac computers. While all the basic business software is available (word processing, spreadsheet, data base) other fun software is lacking. My favorite games do finally arive on the Mac, but not until much later than for Windows.

[Lewdog]

You forgot to mention the lack of spyware that affects the Mac OS, along with the lack of viruses.

 

I just can't believe that storing an image file on an iPod would change anything about the photo. All you are doing is downloading information to a hard drive. If you plug it into your computer, doesn't it appear on the desk top as a mass storage device?

 

As Cuizer2 stated the fact there is no virus or spyware problems for the Mac is due to market share. If roles were reversed and Mac had the 98% market share, then Windows was be the viruse free platform.

 

I am not real up on the iPod as i don't own one but I understand there is some serious compression utilized, not due to storage space but due to the small physical size limiting the processor that can be used whic has to handle all the OS, hardware and display functions.

 

And...if you guys are looking for an OS fight, you picked the wrong guy. ;)

 

My main work machines use Win2k, my laptop has Win Xp, my web servers run FreeBSD and from time to time I will have a box set up to play with Linux or BeOS on. My next purchase will be some sort of Mac laptop.

 

But if you want to talk OS, BeOS, if the company would have survived, very well could have been the Windows killer.

[mluzzy1]

"Microsoft has decided to stop all support for Windows OS come 2007"

 

Right, because they are launching a totally new OS, kind of like Mac did when the old programs wouldn't work on OS X ;)

 

 

Lew,

 

Off topic now...but It's my understanding that Microsoft is getting out of the OS business and returning to it's core business....Office. Windows OS will stop shipping in 3 yrs. It will be Linux,Unix, Mac OS and who nows what else.

 

I was afraid to switch to Mac for years because I had heard so much about "software" availability issues. Man...I'm SO glad I took the plunge. No joke...one of the best moves I ever made...simpler,easier, and flat out better design than just about anything in the PC world.

 

To each his own ...Happy New Year everyone!

[Lewdog]

Lew,

 

Off topic now...but It's my understanding that Microsoft is getting out of the OS business and returning to it's core business....Office. Windows OS will stop shipping in 3 yrs. It will be Linux,Unix, Mac OS and who nows what else.

 

I was afraid to switch to Mac for years because I had heard so much about "software" availability issues. Man...I'm SO glad I took the plunge. No joke...one of the best moves I ever made...simpler,easier, and flat out better design than just about anything in the PC world.

 

To each his own ...Happy New Year everyone!

 

Could you point me to more info on that? All I am aware of is they will belaunching Longhorn (sometime) and they are changing over to support only 64 bit.

 

I need to start my switch soon if what you say is true, hard to keep up my production scehdule while learning a new OS and software.

 

Thanks

Doug

[Bill N]

Lew,

Off topic now...but It's my understanding that Microsoft is getting out of the OS business and returning to it's core business....Office. Windows OS will stop shipping in 3 yrs. It will be Linux,Unix, Mac OS and who nows what else.

 

Hang on a sec while I try to stop laughing.

Ok, I'm composed now.

I don't know where your "understanding" came from, but it's completely and absurdly off base. You really shouldn't post ridiculous rumors like this without facts to back it up.

What's next, Toyota decides to stop building engines and focus on their core business, cars? :)

[tinkerme1]

I always use my iPod to transfer photos. It is seemless, easy and does not change/alter the photo. I photographed over 2000 photos in Europe, and used my iPod the whole trip. Absolutely NO problems. Where do people get this info??? Use a Belkin Reader with it and you'll be happy.:D

[LonW]

Will it work for RAW images, or just jpg. I take my laptop and download every days pic's on to a CD. RAW image size for my camera is about 45meg. The card I use is a 4gb hard drive.

[Treven]

The only reason I am planning to bring my laptop on my cruise in Feb is that we are traveling with friends from NH (we're in FL) and we plan to burn the pictures onto CD as the trip progresses so that they can take them home at the end of the trip. Otherwise the memory cards are the way to go.

 

My other thought is this, I don't own an ipod and really don't have a use for it so for right now I'll take the thing I own instead of buying something new :D That's just me and I make no judgements on anyone else.

What I've done each cruise is that on the last full day of the cruise I set up my laptop in a very busy area on the ship and set it for slideshow for all of the pix I'd taken over the previous weeks time. I have a small notebook with me and anyone who wanted a cd copy of the pix would write down their name/address. I, essentially, become their photographer for the cruise.

 

After getting home from the cruise I would copy all the photos from my laptop to my desktop computer. Then I would run all the pix through Photoshop to correct any problems, crop out any undesirable portions & adjusting whatever I felt needed it. Then would put my copyright logo on each photo. Fortunately there are several steps in Photoshop that I've automated so it doesn't take more than a few days to do everything.

 

Then I'd mail out a cd to all the names I had in my notebook.

[nettieskitchen]

I have the 30 Gig ipod video plus 2 laptops and 2 digital cameras. Cameras have over 3 gigs of memory. The small laptop (14 inch widescreen) is going so that we can burn our pics to DVD and refresh memory cards for each day. Ipod will be used to store memorable pics from excursions to show our new friends on board and to listen to music while leaving money in the casino.:eek: Have fun:)

Myke

[Treven]

Yes, I couldn't go anywhere for any length of time i.e. vacation without my ipod. Just to sit out on deck reading, or simply watching the waves go by & listening to my own music is pretty much ideal.