Apr 30

After data is retrieved from a hard drive, is it reassembled to once again become a working drive?

Typically all source media is returned in the same condition as it arrived. Our objective is to get the drive functioning just long enough for us to acquire an image from it, not to repair the drive for future use.

Reassembling the failed source drive is part of the recovery process, but we would never recommend that a customer use that drive again after data has been recovered from it. Source drives are returned to their original state with their original parts and sent back to the customer as “nonfunctional”.

In the case of a logical recovery, however, the drive does not have to be opened and can be reformatted for future use.

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Apr 30

Encrypted data storage devices are extremely common for businesses, government and individuals storing highly confidential or personal information on them. To understand and overcome the challenges of recovering data from encrypted drives, DriveSavers engineers have worked in partnership with all leading encryption software manufacturers and have been trained and certified by government-approved vendors to recover file and disk-level encrypted data safely and successfully.

As a result, government agencies with encrypted systems regularly rely on DriveSavers to recover their lost data. Recently, a US Army employee almost lost all his confidential data. His laptop over heated and began clicking, a symptom of electro-mechanical component failure. To complicate matters, the drive was encrypted.

To recover the data, the mechanical components in the 2.5″ hard drive first needed to be rebuilt by engineers in our Class 100 cleanroom. Once the mechanical repairs were completed, a file system engineer-certified in encryption data recovery protocol-successfully created a sector-by-sector image of the data on the drive.

“I can’t say enough about the professionalism that was exhibited throughout EVERY step of the recovery process,” remarked the owner.

In special cases, data is so sensitive that we return the sector image back to the customer fully encrypted. The customer can then enter the decryption key to verify the recovered data in their own protected environment.

Certain customers and data loss situations require extra security procedures. DriveSavers provides customized data recovery solutions that meet the most stringent data security requirements, including the successful recovery of data from encrypted drives.

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Apr 30

The updated all-in-one iMac introduced today offers the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors and the most powerful graphics ever available in an iMac. The ultimate all-in-one desktop computer includes faster processors with 6MB L2 cache, a faster 1066 MHz front-side bus across the entire line, and 2GB of memory standard in most models. And the 24-inch iMac now offers a 3.06 GHz Intel processor and the high-performance NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics as options. Available immediately, the new iMac starts at just $1,199.

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Apr 25

3G iPhone

As usual, the rumor mill is hard at work with the release of the second-gen iPhone in July.  According to Engadget’s source:

  • The first thing people will notice: the 2nd gen iPhone will be about the same size and shape as the first gen.
  • It will, of course, have 3G. And proper GPS!
  • The most noticeable physical difference is back of the phone is no longer metal — the whole thing is glossy black, from top to bottom. The volume buttons are now chrome.
  • Because it’s got a little less metal to deal with, it doesn’t have quite as many angular edges. The battery is (still) not removable.
  • The phone itself will be slightly thicker than the first gen device.
  • The headphone jack will no longer be recessed, and will finally be flush with the body.
  • The device itself uses roughly the same size and resolution screen as the first generation product.
  • No solid word on battery life or storage capacity.

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Apr 15

Open Road Podcast

Episode #028, BMW M3 – Lexus IS-F Comparo, Part 3

BMW M3

More is discussed and compared between the BMW M3 and the Lexus IS-F.

Duration: 15:44
Size: 13.08 mb
Format: Enhanced AAC
Direct download: ORP-Episode028.m4a

Duration: 15:44
Size: 14.44 mb
Format: MP3
Direct download: ORP-Episode028.mp3

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Apr 14

353_26114_P80_34l.jpg

NIKON “ZOOMS” IN ON PERFORMANCE WITH THE NEW COOLPIX P80, AN 18X ZOOM COMPACT CAMERA

MELVILLE, NY (April 10, 2008) – Nikon Inc. is pleased to announce the COOLPIX P80, a high-performance compact camera built to satisfy the needs of camera enthusiasts and family photographers alike. The P80 harmoniously integrates a 10.1 megapixel CCD image sensor with Nikon’s innovative EXPEED™ digital image processing concept and an 18x optical Zoom-NIKKOR lens designed with the compact and comfortable styling of the Nikon COOLPIX brand.

“The COOLPIX P80 addresses a need from consumers for an ultra-zoom compact camera that offers unrivaled Nikon performance and clarity,” said Bill Giordano, General Manager, Marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. “Nikon is proud to continue delivering the highest quality imaging products for photo enthusiasts and aspiring photographers with a broad range of creative control options and superior imaging ability.”

Packing the power of 10.1 megapixels, the P80 captures fine detail with the creative freedom to crop and edit. The P80 features Nikon’s legendary NIKKOR optics, ensuring quality images even while at a distance to subjects. The P80’s 18x Zoom-NIKKOR lens covers focal lengths from 27-486mm (35mm format equivalent). To ensure steady shots while utilizing the camera’s versatile zoom capabilities, the COOLPIX P80 is equipped with Optical Vibration Reduction (VR).

In line with other COOLPIX P-Series cameras, the P80 includes intuitive controls via dedicated command and mode dials, providing easy access to shooting controls and exposure mode settings. The P80 offers Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-priority Auto [S], Aperture-priority Auto [A] and Manual [M] modes granting users the ability to tap into the creativity of D-SLR functions while maintaining the simplicity of COOLPIX functionality. What’s more, the P80 has the benefit of an all-new Sport Continuous Mode, allowing users to shoot as many as 30 consecutive pictures at four, six, or a quick 13 frames per second.¹

Capturing photos in lower light conditions is no problem for the P80. With a light sensitivity range up to ISO 6400², users can now create new opportunities to capture more natural-looking photos with minimal light, or fast moving subjects with unparalleled clarity.

Composing and reviewing photos is an enjoyable experience on the large, 2.7-inch LCD monitor with anti-reflection coating, wide viewing angle and 230,000 dots of high resolution. An eye level electronic viewfinder is available for quick easy viewing in challenging lighting conditions.

The P80 also offers quick access to a selection of 15 different scene-optimized and movie modes including the ability to shoot pictures in both black and white and color simultaneously. The new graphical user interface has an enhanced pop-up design allowing for more precise menu navigation and interaction.

Nikon has incorporated its user-friendly Imaging Innovations into the P80, designed to make the photo-taking process easier and more intuitive. These technologies, referred to as “Nikon In-Camera Innovations” include In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™, D-Lighting, and Face-Priority AF. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™ automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography. In playback mode, D-Lighting compensates for excessive back-light or insufficient flash in images. Nikon’s enhanced Face-Priority AF automatically finds and focuses on one person’s face or up to 12 people’s faces within one frame. Face-Priority AF provides faster and sharper focus to produce clear, crisp portraits wherever the subjects are positioned in the frame.

The COOLPIX P80 comes packaged with Nikon’s COOLPIX Software Suite for organizing, editing and sharing photos. It also has PictBridge support and is compatible with SD/SDHC cards. The COOLPIX P80 will be available nationwide beginning April 2008 and has an MSRP of $399.95**. For more information about the P80 and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

** Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price. Actual prices are determined by Nikon Authorized dealers and are subject to change at any time.

¹At 3MP and smaller resolution.
²At 5MP or smaller resolution

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Apr 12

Adobe LightroomAdobe has released updates for both Lightroom and Camera Raw. According to the Lightroom team’s blog, the updates include all the changes of the previous releases, but also correct a few issues. Lightroom 1.4.1 will keep the EXIF time date field of images from being incorrectly modified, and has fixes for Olympus JPEG files and also DNG conversion. And the Camera Raw plugin update also fixes the EXIF problem as well as the Olympus JPEG features. They also released ram file support for the latest batch of camera bodies including the Nikon D60, Sony A350, Canon EOS 450D, and more.

You can download the updates for both Mac and Windows from Adobe’s site or check for updates from within your Lightroom or Camera Raw software.

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Apr 02

Episode #027, The Bourne Identity

ishot-69

Mr Black and Mr Blonde are joined by the one and only, and apparently infamous, Scott Bourne, the man who created Internet radio. Scott talks about his adventures with World Class Driving, an event company that rents time in exotics. The three also discuss his new purchase, an R-class Mercedes. You can view the photos and video that Scott took of this event on his web site, TWIPPhoto.com. Scott also produces various podcasts including our favorites, The Apple Phone ShowThis Week in Photography, and MacBreak Weekly. You can subscribe to them in iTunes or can visit his site links here.

Duration: 44:17
Size: 37.80 mb
Format: Enhanced AAC
Direct download: ORP-Episode027.m4a 

Duration: 44:17
Size: 40.60 mb
Format: MP3
Direct download: ORP-Episode027.mp3

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