Behind-the-scenes blog update: Until recently, I was using this Automator script to process my digital photos for posting on the blog. This script uses the image manipulation tools built into OS 10.5 / Core Image.  These included tools are nice, and easy to use, but the result is an image file that is larger than it needs to be.

In an effort to reduce file sizes, I started using the free/donation-ware Photoshop CS3 Automator Action Pack from Complete Digital Photography.  These scripts use Photoshop for image processing, and as a result, the image files can be made smaller than those created using Core Image.  These scripts also allow the use of many of the tools in Photoshop, like adding watermarks and applying filters.

The obvious drawback of using these new scripts is that you need to have Adobe Photoshop CS3, which isn’t free or donation-ware.  While scripts for other versions of Photoshop are also available, CS4 isn’t one of them.  This isn’t a big deal for me, as paying to upgrade from CS to CS3 was traumatic enough that I haven’t even considered CS4.  Aside from that, the only other drawback I’ve noticed is that the processing time for each image is considerably longer than with the original script.  That said, the processing time for the above image was only about 20 seconds on a Mac Mini 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo and Nvidia GeForce 9400 (256MB).  Processing multiple images isn’t as bad as it appears, as the time per image in a batch process is much less than the time required to process a single image.

I have reprocessed all of the images from 2010 on with this new script, and the results are better than those made with the old script.  I may make some changes to the watermark, but overall, I’m happy with the results.

I’ve been a MAKE Magazine subscriber for several years. Out of all of the logistics and details that come with an international move, my MAKE subscription has been the easiest and least problematic to deal with.  Not only did MAKE forward my subscription across the planet at no cost, they also mailed out an issue I missed (also at no cost).

What else?  MAKE also has great tips like converting that useless PC into a Baby Rocker.

Welcome to Crossgeared.com, the new home for my blog.   My blog has existed under a few domains, on more than a few platforms, and as part of some of my other sites.  Here you will find my complete blog archive back to early 2006 as well as the various bits of information from my other sites.  As of this post, Crossgeeared.com is based on WordPress 2.8.3 and a theme developed by Eric and myself.

While some of the pages loosely resemble content from my other sites, all of the content has been imported into WordPress.  This may seem lazy, and it is, but WordPress is a very good content management system and makes site management far simpler than my old mix of php scripts and static code.  Anyway, enjoy the new site.  Don’t bother looking at the old sites, I’ve deleted the content and they just point here.  For those looking for the old VW-related 251.org, I’m sad to say that after over thirteen years it is no longer available online.  251.org will be back up at some point, but don’t expect much VW content.