Google Reader Shared Items

I regularly hit the share button in Google Reader when I come across something interesting.  If you're interested you can add me as a contact and my items will show up in your Google Reader.  Alternatively, you can head to my shared items page or use the list of recently shared items I've added to the right of the blog page

Very straightforward with the 'Text' widget in Wordpress 2.7 (maybe this existed in earlier versions, but I've not had cause to use it before)

WordPress 2.7

Just updated to WordPress 2.7, total upgrade time (including backups and download) was about five minutes

I don't spend a lot of time on my blog these days, but I have to say I'm impressed with the new Dashboard

Good work WordPress team!

Camera straps

Made a little list of interesting-looking camera straps...

Most of the time I don't carry a camera around my neck; instead it sits on my shoulder, or slung across my chest/back

The camera strap that comes with the Nikon D3 is really not bad... it's wide, very thin and doesn't do too badly at gripping.  The biggest problem I have with it is the colour... bright yellow screams 'steal me'

So, here's my list:

• http://www.upstrap-pro.com/straps UPstrap Professional; different sizes/widths with very grippy rubber; absolutely not for use around the neck


• http://products.lowepro.com/product/Speedster,2043,41.htm LowePro Speedster


• http://products.lowepro.com/product/Voyager-S,2076,41.htm LowePro Voyager S (unlike the Voyager C this is a straight strap with no curve); Neoprene with inlaid rubber for grip


• http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/DK6500/ Domke Gripper; thin strap with braided rubber for grip


• http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/TQ0157/ Tamrac Anti-Slip Quick Release


• http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/RM2002/ Calumet AirCel


• http://www.optech-online.co.uk/lst67.htm Op/Tech Pro; Neoprene with rubber dots for grip

Of all of these the both the Op/Tech and the UPstrap have many excellent reviews.  It's clear from these that you shouldn't consider the UPstrap at all if you carry your camera around your neck.  My experience with the Op/Tech is that it's not brilliant if you carry your camera on your shoulder... the flex of the Neoprene makes it difficult to control and the wide thick strap can't be wrapped around your wrist.  The other annoying part is the length of the quick-release straps... these are just the right length to obscure the viewfinder when you hold the camera vertically

I've put in an order for a quick-release UPstrap and wrist strap.  I'm also interested in getting the LowePro Speedster (I've added it to my wish list (link over at the right)) as well as the Tamrac, but finding a source in the UK is a bit more difficult

Firefox localised search

In a foreign country?  Getting pissed off that the Google search bar redirects you to the local-language Google?

Visit the Mycroft Project and add the Google UK search engine

http://mycroft.mozdev.org/search-engines.html?country=GB&language=en