computers for digital photography

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© 2004 Terry Straehley Computers for Computers for Digital Digital Photography Photography Terry Straehley Terry Straehley Channel City Camera Club Channel City Camera Club Digital Interest Group Digital Interest Group November 23, 2004 November 23, 2004

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Computers for Digital Photography. Terry Straehley Channel City Camera Club Digital Interest Group November 23, 2004. Two Premises. Photographic/Graphic Applications will stress your computer more than anything else you do with it. (If you’re not into gaming) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Computers for Computers for Digital Digital

PhotographyPhotographyTerry StraehleyTerry Straehley

Channel City Camera ClubChannel City Camera ClubDigital Interest GroupDigital Interest GroupNovember 23, 2004November 23, 2004

Page 2: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Two PremisesTwo Premises

Photographic/Graphic Applications Photographic/Graphic Applications will stress your computer more than will stress your computer more than anything else you do with it. (If anything else you do with it. (If you’re not into gaming)you’re not into gaming)

Your Photos will be the most Your Photos will be the most valuable data on your computer.valuable data on your computer. They are costly to replace – If not They are costly to replace – If not

Irreplaceable.Irreplaceable.

Page 3: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Two Major DecisionsTwo Major Decisions

PC vs MacPC vs Mac There is no “right” answer. It depends There is no “right” answer. It depends

upon personal preferences, other uses, upon personal preferences, other uses, previous experience.previous experience.

My personal decision matrix followsMy personal decision matrix follows Desktop vs LaptopDesktop vs Laptop

Laptops are convenient, but are not ideal Laptops are convenient, but are not ideal computers for serious long-term photo computers for serious long-term photo work. work.

Reasons BelowReasons Below

Page 4: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

PC VS MacPC VS Mac

A personal decision – often driven by A personal decision – often driven by previous experience. My decision circa previous experience. My decision circa 19841984AttributeAttribute PCPC MACMAC

Application Application AvailabilityAvailability + (+ (More More

Applications)Applications)--

Client CompatibilityClient Compatibility ++ (Most clients (Most clients used PCs)used PCs)

--

ExpandabilityExpandability + + (Open source (Open source hardware, easy to hardware, easy to

expand)expand)

--

CostCost + + (Much Less – (Much Less – more competition)more competition)

--

SumSum 44 00

Page 5: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Desktop vs LaptopDesktop vs Laptop

More objective decision – whether you use More objective decision – whether you use PC or Mac.PC or Mac.

AttributeAttribute DesktopDesktop LaptopLaptop

SpeedSpeed + (Faster + (Faster components – esp. components – esp.

hard drives)hard drives)

Reasonably fast Reasonably fast CPU, others CPU, others

less so.less so.

ExpandabilityExpandability Some expansion Some expansion room, upgradeable room, upgradeable for a limited periodfor a limited period

Very limited if Very limited if anyany

ErgonomicsErgonomics Full size keyboards Full size keyboards and displays – more and displays – more

devicesdevices

Generally Generally harder to useharder to use

CostCost Less expensive Less expensive parts – more parts – more competitioncompetition

Proprietary Proprietary partsparts

Bottom LineBottom Line Production UseProduction Use Remote use Remote use onlyonly

Page 6: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Intended UseIntended Use

Photography as a hobby – Advanced Photography as a hobby – Advanced amateuramateur

Photography is not a primary income Photography is not a primary income sourcesource

Page 7: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Premises for Rest of TalkPremises for Rest of Talk

PC (Wintel) based SystemPC (Wintel) based System

Desktop SystemDesktop System

Advanced Amateur – Not Advanced Amateur – Not professional use.professional use.

Page 8: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Computer ConfigurationComputer Configuration

Major Computer ComponentsMajor Computer Components CPUCPU MemoryMemory Hard DiskHard Disk Video AdapterVideo Adapter Monitor/DisplayMonitor/Display

All of these affect the usability of a All of these affect the usability of a well-designed system and should be well-designed system and should be balanced.balanced.

Page 9: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Central Processing UnitCentral Processing Unit

Intel Pentium 4 Intel Pentium 4 3.0, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6 GHz Clock Rate3.0, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6 GHz Clock Rate 1 MB L2 Cache1 MB L2 Cache 800 MHz Front Side Bus (FSB)800 MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) HyperThreading (HT) TechnologyHyperThreading (HT) Technology Intel 915, 925X ChipsetIntel 915, 925X Chipset

Page 10: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

MemoryMemory

1 GB Minimum, 2 GB Recommended1 GB Minimum, 2 GB Recommended Dual Channel DDR 2Dual Channel DDR 2 400 MHz400 MHz

Page 11: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Hard Disk (s)Hard Disk (s)

160 or 250 GB160 or 250 GB Serial ATA (SATA) 150 MB/sec Serial ATA (SATA) 150 MB/sec

transfertransfer 7200 RPM rotational speed7200 RPM rotational speed Two disks recommendedTwo disks recommended One for OS, Programs, OS swap fileOne for OS, Programs, OS swap file One for Photos, Photoshop Scratch One for Photos, Photoshop Scratch

FileFile

Page 12: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Two Disk ConfigurationTwo Disk Configuration

Disk 1 – System and Programs 80 GB Disk 1 – System and Programs 80 GB ATA133ATA133 C: Boot Partition – 1GB FATC: Boot Partition – 1GB FAT D: OS and Programs – 20 GB NTFSD: OS and Programs – 20 GB NTFS E: General Data – 5GB NTFSE: General Data – 5GB NTFS F: OS Swap and General Use – 54GB NTFSF: OS Swap and General Use – 54GB NTFS

Disk 2 – Photos and Photoshop Scratch Disk 2 – Photos and Photoshop Scratch 200GB SATA 150200GB SATA 150 G: Photoshop Scratch – 20GB NTFSG: Photoshop Scratch – 20GB NTFS H: - ?? Photos 180 GBH: - ?? Photos 180 GB

Page 13: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Video AdapterVideo Adapter

Use a separate cardUse a separate card Integrated adapter uses memory Integrated adapter uses memory

shared with CPUshared with CPU Not as fastNot as fast Impacts Video and CPU performanceImpacts Video and CPU performance

Video Memory 128 MB to 256 MBVideo Memory 128 MB to 256 MB AGP Port (Requires AGP Port on AGP Port (Requires AGP Port on

Main BoardMain Board

Page 14: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Monitor / DisplayMonitor / Display CRT vs LCD – Parameters for CRT vs LCD – Parameters for

a typical 19” – 21” displaya typical 19” – 21” display

CRTCRT LCDLCD

SizeSize 21” (N), 20” (V)21” (N), 20” (V) 19” (N+V)19” (N+V)

ResolutionResolution 2048x1536 / 2048x1536 / 1200x16001200x1600

1280 x 10241280 x 1024

Dot PitchDot Pitch .21mm H, .25mm V.21mm H, .25mm V ~ .29 mm~ .29 mm

Contrast RatioContrast Ratio N/AN/A 700 :1700 :1

SizeSize 19.6" x 20.0" x 19.2" 19.6" x 20.0" x 19.2" 16.6" x 16.2" x 8.7") 16.6" x 16.2" x 8.7")

CostCost $ 484$ 484 $ 434$ 434

Page 15: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Total ConfigurationTotal Configuration This is a total configuration done for me by This is a total configuration done for me by

my local suppliermy local supplier Intel Pentium 4 3.0Ghz (E) w/ 1MB Int Cache (800FSB, HT) on Intel Pentium 4 3.0Ghz (E) w/ 1MB Int Cache (800FSB, HT) on

Genuine Intel 865PERLX, 6USB 2.0 (2Front, 4Rear), 4DDR (up to Genuine Intel 865PERLX, 6USB 2.0 (2Front, 4Rear), 4DDR (up to 4GB), 1AGP(8x), 5PCI4GB), 1AGP(8x), 5PCI

1GB DDR PC-3200 / 400Mhz (Kingston)1GB DDR PC-3200 / 400Mhz (Kingston) 80 GB Ultra ATA 133 Hard Drive (7200rpm)80 GB Ultra ATA 133 Hard Drive (7200rpm) 200GB Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive (7200rpm, 8MB)200GB Serial ATA 150 Hard Drive (7200rpm, 8MB) ATI Radeon 9800 Atlantis (TV Output, DVI)ATI Radeon 9800 Atlantis (TV Output, DVI) Pioneer DVR108 DVD+/-RW 9-in-1 Drive 32x24x40 CDRW, Reads @ Pioneer DVR108 DVD+/-RW 9-in-1 Drive 32x24x40 CDRW, Reads @

16x DVD16x DVD Integrated 6 Channel SoundIntegrated 6 Channel Sound Integrated 10/100Ethernet Integrated 10/100Ethernet ATX #228 USB 2.0 Mid Tower Case (360W SilverStone heavy duty ATX #228 USB 2.0 Mid Tower Case (360W SilverStone heavy duty

Power Supply)Power Supply) PS/2 Internet Keyboard & Optical MousePS/2 Internet Keyboard & Optical Mouse Win XP Professional CD & LicenseWin XP Professional CD & License Total:Total: $ 1279.00$ 1279.00

Page 16: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Display ChoicesDisplay Choices

Some typical display choicesSome typical display choices 19” KDS XF9i Xtreme Flat CRT 19” KDS XF9i Xtreme Flat CRT

Monitor .25dp, 1600x1200 Monitor .25dp, 1600x1200 $195.00$195.00

21” Viewsonic G220 Flat CRT 21” Viewsonic G220 Flat CRT Monitor .25dpMonitor .25dp

$484.00$484.00 19” AG Neovo F419 LCD Contrast 19” AG Neovo F419 LCD Contrast

Ratio: 700:1 Ratio: 700:1 $434.00$434.00

Page 17: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Part II SecurityPart II Security

DefragmentationDefragmentation BackupBackup Anti-VirusAnti-Virus Firewalls (Hardware and Software)Firewalls (Hardware and Software) Adware and SpywareAdware and Spyware

Page 18: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Disk DefragmentationDisk Defragmentation Deleting Files leaves empty spaces on the Deleting Files leaves empty spaces on the

disk which are then filled with the next disk which are then filled with the next data written.data written.

These spaces may be smaller than new These spaces may be smaller than new data, leading to multiple fragments of next data, leading to multiple fragments of next file.file.

Fragmentation Slows Disk AccessFragmentation Slows Disk Access XP comes with a Defrag Program that can XP comes with a Defrag Program that can

be scheduled with the Task Schedulerbe scheduled with the Task Scheduler 33rdrd Party Programs such as Diskeeper Party Programs such as Diskeeper

(www.diskeeper.com)(www.diskeeper.com)

Page 19: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Memory Memory DefragmentationDefragmentation

Loading and Unloading Programs Loading and Unloading Programs Leads to Memory Fragmentation.Leads to Memory Fragmentation.

This reduces available contiguous This reduces available contiguous memory and sometimes overall memory and sometimes overall memorymemory

No memory defragmenter included No memory defragmenter included with XPwith XP

33rdrd Party Programs Party Programs MemTurbo www.memturbo.comMemTurbo www.memturbo.com

Page 20: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

BackupBackup Backup Protects against mechanical failure, Backup Protects against mechanical failure,

human failure, and disaster (fire, theft, etc.human failure, and disaster (fire, theft, etc. No perfect backup method.No perfect backup method. Right Now – I would:Right Now – I would:

Archive Photos on CD-R or DVD-RArchive Photos on CD-R or DVD-R Backup System, Data and Programs on Backup System, Data and Programs on

Magnetic Tape or External Hard DiskMagnetic Tape or External Hard Disk Long Term Archiving IssuesLong Term Archiving Issues

Media FailureMedia Failure Media ObsolescenceMedia Obsolescence Expect to Re-record archives every 5 to 10 yearsExpect to Re-record archives every 5 to 10 years

Page 21: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Anti - VirusAnti - Virus Current Anti-Virus Program is absolutely Current Anti-Virus Program is absolutely

Essential if you receive E-mailEssential if you receive E-mail AV Program should update automatically, over AV Program should update automatically, over

the Internet.the Internet. AV Programs are sold on a yearly subscription AV Programs are sold on a yearly subscription

basis.basis. Even so Even so

Don’t run your e-mail program with preview window Don’t run your e-mail program with preview window openopen

Don’t open unexpected attachments (esp. .exe, .scr)Don’t open unexpected attachments (esp. .exe, .scr) Text E-mails are generally safe, but not HTMLText E-mails are generally safe, but not HTML

Page 22: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

FirewallsFirewalls

Hardware and Software FirewallsHardware and Software Firewalls Absolutely Essential with “Always On” Absolutely Essential with “Always On”

Broadband connectionBroadband connection Software Firewall for Single Software Firewall for Single

ComputersComputers XP Firewall, McAfee, ZoneAlarm, NortonXP Firewall, McAfee, ZoneAlarm, Norton

Hardware Firewall for Home NetworkHardware Firewall for Home Network Built into RouterBuilt into Router NAT plus SPINAT plus SPI

Page 23: Computers for Digital Photography

© 2004 Terry Straehley

Adware and SpywareAdware and Spyware Generates POPup AdsGenerates POPup Ads Sends Information back relative to your Sends Information back relative to your

web surfing, could do much worse.web surfing, could do much worse. Known to slow down computers Known to slow down computers

substantiallysubstantially RemedyRemedy

Safe Surfing – surf legitimate web sitesSafe Surfing – surf legitimate web sites Safe Installation – Know what “free” software Safe Installation – Know what “free” software

you installyou install Detect and Clean SoftwareDetect and Clean Software

AdAware – Free Manual Scan – AdAware – Free Manual Scan – www.lavasoft.comwww.lavasoft.com Spyware Doctor - $ Auto Scan – www.pctools.comSpyware Doctor - $ Auto Scan – www.pctools.com