Recovering a lost file
I'll admit it. I've deleted files (and went so far to even empty the trash) that I wish I could get back. And there's no undo option once you empty the Recycle Bin. DOH!
For me, it's usually clearing a Smart Card from my camera or clearing my USB storage device.

If this has ever happened to you there is hope!

Deleted data stays on the hard drive until Windows uses the space for new files. But Windows won't let you browse these areas of the hard drive or attached storage device to find these files. To do that, you'll need a file recovery program. I've found a wonderful program I now use and love that I'll share with you. Oh, the best part....it's FREE!

Recuva to the Rescue

Recuva works on Microsoft Windows Vista, XP, 2003, 2000 and 98.

Just install this software then tell Recuva if you want to recover a file from your C: drive, USB drive, Smart Card drive etc. Your deleted file will be there in a list for you to select and recover!

Here is a screen shot sample where you would select the files Recuva has found that can be recovered. Date and time information is provided to help determine which file(s) you may want to recover.

To get your own copy of Recuva click here.

I can't tell you how many times Recuva has saved my day. :-)

My video for the month 4 U.
http://videos.komando.com/2008/02/26/
Where do I sign up??

Are you getting the Internet speed you're paying for?
When you surf, do you feel like you're watching grass grow? It could be that things are moving slower than your Internet service provider promised.
It may not by your ISP's fault. There are a lot of connections on the Internet. For example, a slow router could be the reason.

Regardless, you should check your speed. And that's easy to do. Click on the following link to have your connection speed tested for FREE.
http://www.speedtest.net/
After going to the speed test site, click on the yellow pyramid to start the test.
Don't worry that your upload speed is much slower than your download speed. Most of the time you'll be downloading information.
My Road Runner connection advertises "up to 5Mbps downstream" and as you can see by my results, (over 6 Mbps) it wasn't a problem at the time I tested it. The speed of the connection can change depending on demand and time of day.
If your speed is consistently slow, you'll want to contact your ISP service.
You'll also find some neat features like comparing your results with others and displaying previous speed tests you've done over time in a nice line graph by clicking the Results tab.
You can see below that I started testing when I had issues with speed, and my results after several separate tests.

Creating an account with Adobe Photoshop Express
Before using Photoshop's new Express you'll need to create an account. It only takes a few simple steps.

1. Go to http://www.photoshop.com/express
   
2. Click on the “Join Now” button and you'll get the screen shown above.
   
3. Fill in your name and REAL email address (Adobe will send an email to verify who you are)
4. Write down the email address you used and the password. This will be your login and pw for Photoshop Express.
5. The Personal Sharing URL is going to be your address you share with others with your photos. For example you might want to use your name: http://johnsmith.photoshop.com
6. Uncheck that you want communications from Adobe
7. Check the next box that you agree to their Terms of Use and click Continue.
8. Check your email address you gave Adobe and click the link to finish the registration process.

Complete online video tutorials for using Photoshop Express:
http://www.photoshopexpresstechniques.com/

My video pick for the month - Getting straight answers from politicians?

Free GPS for your phone?
If you haven’t plunked out the bucks for a GPS system yet, make sure you check out “Google Mobile”.
I prefer a mobile GPS systems rather than something installed in a vehicle.
First, a mobile GPS system is a lot cheaper. Second, it’s mobile! You can keep track of your favorite fishing spots, keep track of where you are when you go hiking, take it with you when flying somewhere, etc.
We have one GPS unit that my husband takes with him. He can set it on the dash of his car when he needs it for driving, or take it with him when he travels. I don’t have the need for one that often so I use Google’s Mobile map information. You can download Google Maps to your phone or get driving directions from point A to B. Why spend the money on an extra GPS unit when you only occasional help and, you can do it with your cell phone?
For more information:
http://www.google.com/mobile/
Also, check out Google's "My Location" on how cell phone towers can be used as a GPS tool.
http://www.commoncraft.com/mylocation

AT&T becomes AT&T
It's confusing enough for me when Windows went from 95 to 98 and then started using letters like XP and the dreaded VISTA. Latest rumor I heard is that the next OS will be Windows 7. It's back to numbers again. I don't know about you but I have a hard time keeping up with what the latest version actually is.
Speaking of which Adobe Photoshop did the same thing with Photoshop 5, Photoshop 6, Photoshop 7 and then Photoshop CS1 etc. and now I'm using CS3. However, when you look at the About Photoshop after launching the software they let you know it's Photoshop 10. I just wish they would all stick to the same naming conventions to make life just a little easier for us. I'd always know if I had the latest version of software installed.
Guess what, here comes Adobe CS4.
It's not just software versions that keeps my head spinning, take a look at the following video about AT&T.

Photoshop’s Vanishing Point
What is a vanishing point?
A vanishing point is where usually parallel lines meet in a photo.
What does this have to do with Photoshop?
Since CS2, Photoshop has added a filter allowing you to clone and edit in a perspective 3D grid
The Vanishing Point tool is available under the Filter menu. This tool automatically adjusts for the perspective planes in an image as you work. In many images it is very difficult to edit a picture because the angled perspective doesn't work well with the clone tool or healing brush. This is where the Vanishing Point filter comes in.
The Vanishing Point filter opens a new window with it’s own set of tools. You start by defining the perspective planes in the image. Photoshop will show your grid in blue or yellow if it's in correct perspective — if you see a red outline, you will know your perspective plane is not quite right and you can adjust the handles until the red is gone and Photoshop is happy.
Drag the side handles to spread your grid over the image if needed. Don’t grab the corner handles as this will distort the perspective you’ve just created.
Now when you use the clone stamp tool that is included, you’ll be removing or adding edits to your document in perspective planes. This process would be difficult to do with the stamp tool under these circumstances of perspective angles in the photo.
See this video example from “Total Training” by clicking here.


Who do you turn to when you need help? Mom says to call the police.

More on Photoshop Express
Don't throw out your copy of Photoshop or even Photoshop Elements yet. But I have decided that Photoshop Express deserves a little more press time on my blog.
This online image editor and photo sharing site will likely be the first of many competing online photo editing sites.
What makes this site so exciting?

• Simple interface and ease of use
• Awesome slideshow displays
• Tools that can adjust color, exposure, touch up and much more
• Send an album link without forcing the user to sign up for an account
• Decide what albums are available for public viewing

It runs on a Flash-based interface so you'll need the latest version of Flash installed on your computer.

I took the time to create an account which gave me my own URL to share with others. I learned that I can decide which albums that I've created display at this URL and how to share "hidden" albums via email to those that I chose to see the personal albums.
Photoshop Express is just cool enough that I'm going to share my experience with it and how to use it in the following demo.
http://leonabarratt.tripod.com/photoshopexpress_demo/photoshopexpress_demo.htm