computers for digital photography
DESCRIPTION
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 PresentationTRANSCRIPT
© 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
© 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.
© 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
© 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
© 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
© 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
© 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.
© 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.
© 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
© 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
© 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
© 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
© 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
© 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
© 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
© 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
© 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
© 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)
© 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
© 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
© 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
© 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
© 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