Electronics Discussion Board

Electronic Devices that Drive You Nuts

Katrena — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:56:22 GMT

I feel your pain, Fardreamer!

Electronic Devices that Drive You Nuts

Fardreamer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:17:49 GMT

Katrena said…

How many of you have electronic devices that drive you nuts. It looked simple enough when you bought it but adjusting settings, etc. is not at all user friendly? Please tell me that some of you guys have problems with at least one electronic device.

I have a stopwatch, of all things. Somehow, one of the kids pushed enough buttons to make it beep about once an hour. I've resorted to storing it in a far room in the house because I cannot seem to get it out of that mode.

Anyone else?

I have a Casio watch that I bought for my one trip to Colorado. It works okay but setting the date and changing the time during Daylight Savings Time are two tasks I have never mastered, and it has a stopwatch function that doesn't stop or reset when I want to.

Electronic Devices that Drive You Nuts

Katrena — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:30:57 GMT

I have a cell phone that I rarely even turn on unless I'm going to be out and the kids are at school. I only give the number to family and people that might need to contact me for an emergency, but I think I'm very much in the minority in how I use my cell phone.

Cameras

Jo — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:00:46 GMT

So I have a Casio Exilim and have loved it but it's getting tired. We are going to Israel for 3 weeks and I want a new camera. I'll read reviews everywhere but sometimes just asking people is the best way to go. I'd love a more sophisticated camera but then it gets into heavy. I had a Fuji Fine Pix but gave it to our daughter because I couldn't throw it in my bag. Anyway, any ideas?? And I don't really have a budget but maybe on the lower end price range - up to $300?? Jo

Electronic Devices that Drive You Nuts

extramom2000 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:43:16 GMT

One of the most irritating things around now is the cell phone. They are taken to class, they are used on the road, in church, and a million other places they have no business.

Holiday Gifts and Gadgets

GrandmawsOpinion — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:25:10 GMT

What electronic gift or gadget do you want find in your Christmas stocking this year?

Cell phone company bullies.

jlowe308 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:53:41 GMT

I love cell phones dont get me wrong but i hate cell phne companies who have what is known for cell service bullying.There the ones that call you over and over after you have politely told them to stop.I found a way to combat them.Confuse them and dont add any features.When I get repeated calls I know they are not fully traine so I annoy them back by asking tech qustions i know they cannot answer and when I stump them up on something and thei tongue tied I tell them why I want add the service.I eman why should I add a servie they dont even know how to use?They dont know what to say and usually give up.This works for all telemarketers.I love them.I use to hate them until I took a job as one,one time and learn the trade and most telemarketers have minimum knowledge about what they are talking about and are reading a script so when you ask them to many questions then they hang up and dont call back.I also add them to the Donot call list.Cell phone service bullies are the worst.Who hates them?

I like tune up utilites for my computers mishaps.

jlowe308 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:12:15 GMT

I like tune up utilities for all of my computer mishaps which is few and it optimizes too and it is just a super cool thing to have.

Is a Camcorder really needed anymore?

bkovacs — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:54:28 GMT

vivasuzi said…

For the soccer game scenario, I think I'd prefer my digital and being able to switch to record real fast and tape a few minutes before going back to pics. I think for me I'd rather tape small clips that do not need to be edited then tape for 30 minutes and then edit out the boring parts.

That's what I do, too. The neat thing about using the video capability of a still camera is that it's so easy to import the video into your computer, then touch it up with Windows MovieMaker. Many newer camcorders make this easy as well, letting you store video on an SD chip that's easily plugged into the computer.

Sounds like you did the right thing!

--Bob

Is a Camcorder really needed anymore?

vivasuzi — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:29:56 GMT

As far as dance recitals are concerned - ours were always recorded professionally and purchasable for a small fee and any time we even TRIED to video ourselves, it turned out crappy because of all the heads and people getting in the way. So for me, that's not a good reason to get a camera.

For the soccer game scenario, I think I'd prefer my digital and being able to switch to record real fast and tape a few minutes before going back to pics. I think for me I'd rather tape small clips that do not need to be edited then tape for 30 minutes and then edit out the boring parts.

Is a Camcorder really needed anymore?

vivasuzi — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:26:58 GMT

Well my mom taped a lot of us growing up and I think we watched the videos.... like 3 times? Anyway, I make those mini videos with my digital camera and all my friends and family sees the videos on my website or facebook. Whereas with all the videos my mom made, only people who see them are people who come over.

I think I prefer the 2 minute video clips and will stick to this. I like to share video quickly and easily and it is very quick and easy right now. Plus, I rarely feel the need to record more than a few minutes because I'd rather take pics most of the time :)

Is a Camcorder really needed anymore?

vivasuzi — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:24:26 GMT

I just bought a camera that also takes HD video. I think this will be plenty for us even after we have kids. My sister pulls out her video for her kids, but then they usually don't do much with the videos. On the other hand, I take 1-2 minute clips of my nephew and then share them on my website and facebook instantly :) I think that is the way to go. I do plan to make some DVDs where I combine ALL the short clips I took over the years.

I too prefer taking pictures.

Canon PowerShot SD960 IS

vivasuzi — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:21:13 GMT

Seems the camera has no reviews on that site either :( Well, you can only learn so much from reviews anyway. Like I said 3-4 of them really sold me on this because they mentioned the features I wanted which the product info didn't really list. I've been comparing the features to my current camera and it is ahead in pretty much every aspect - so I'm guessing I will be satisfied.

*Actually when I googled reviews the first result was from that site you mentioned. Funny that it didn't come up when I searched the site.

Canon PowerShot SD960 IS

vivasuzi — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:18:24 GMT

Thanks Rudi! Usually I don't read too much into the bestbuy reviews b/c a lot of times they sound like a consumer who just fell in love with it, or a consumer who is overly picky. But there were about 3-4 really good and detailed reviews of the camera that pointed out the pros and cons and the pros far outweighed the cons.

I will check that link. And wait to see if anyone else comes along here to say they owned this or used this camera before. I think I might be buying it tonight. It's the best price for the best features. I gotta check it out in person again first because it has been awhile since I saw it in the store.

Canon PowerShot SD960 IS

RudiXeno — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:50:06 GMT

It's hard to go wrong with any Canon SD camera. I don't particularly put much stock in Best Buy reviews. My go-to place for camera reviews is digitalcamerareview.com.

Canon PowerShot SD960 IS

vivasuzi — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:55:12 GMT

I am actually seriously getting a camera now. I know I've been talking about it for months! But decided i just have to dive in or else I'll never buy one. Plus I've read reviews and learned that many of these cameras DO have Panorama even if the website says it doesn't! That's one of the fav features of my current cameras.

Anyway, I want to get this one, but there are no reviews on here so I'm requesting reviews from anyone who has used it :) If you haven't used it, maybe you can review the link and give your input based on your experience with cameras. I can get it for $226 so I think it's a good price. It has a lot of good reviews on BestBuy.com, but I want to hear from my VP people!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+PowerShot+12.0-Megapixel+Digital+ELPH+Camera+-+Silver/9224092.p?id=1218062133047&skuId=9224092

Thanks for any help!!

What do you think the appropriate age is for a child to have a cell phone??

Fardreamer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:13:02 GMT

RudiXeno said…

At my daughter's Middle School, students are not allowed to use their phones during school hours. If caught, the phone is confiscated and may only be returned to a parent. Amazing how well this system works.

As fror my daughter I think it only fair to say that she is extremely responsible when it comes to using her cell phone. I have yet to experience an end of the month surprise from her. My wife could take a lesson from her.

When I was in middle school, it was called "junior high" and cell phones, if they existed at all, were in cars owned by the rich and famous. The small ones we have now would have seemed to have been straight out of Star Trek.

Is a Camcorder really needed anymore?

AngiBowman — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:32:53 GMT

As a parent - no. Our kids are young, but I never found a use for our new camcorder. Most cameras now offer the toggle possibility, plus I am too busy taking photos to do anything else. I'm sure as they get older we may find more use for the camcorder though.

My parents, their grandparents, LIVE by their camcorder. They bring it everywhere and record everything. Then again, they don't use a digital camera for anything either. It really is nice to be able to watch video of our kids from ages ago - our son (4 yrs) just pulled out his personal video to watch it and loved it.

What do you think the appropriate age is for a child to have a cell phone??

AngiBowman — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:30:45 GMT

My opinion has always been that kids only need phones when they start driving - pay-as-you-go phones make it easy to give them a limit and let them deal with the consequences. Before that...eh, not really necessary. I didn't get a phone until college, mainly because we didn't need them.

If we needed to call my parents for whatever the reason, we had to use either a calling card/money from a payphone.

What do you think the appropriate age is for a child to have a cell phone??

RudiXeno — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:40:56 GMT

At my daughter's Middle School, students are not allowed to use their phones during school hours. If caught, the phone is confiscated and may only be returned to a parent. Amazing how well this system works.

As fror my daughter I think it only fair to say that she is extremely responsible when it comes to using her cell phone. I have yet to experience an end of the month surprise from her. My wife could take a lesson from her.