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Prize-Winning Amounts Announced in $10 Million Powerful Answers Award
Educational app creation, portable vision exams, clean energy investment platform take top prize
Jan 08, 2014, 05:40 ET
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The three $1 million winners of the first Verizon Powerful Answers Award were revealed today by Verizon Chairman and CEO Lowell McAdam at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The prize amounts for the other 12 winners, who each took home between $850,000 and $285,000, were also announced.
TinyTap, based in Israel and the top prize winner in the education category, is simplifying app development and creating the world's first user-generated content (UGC) educational app store. Smart Vision Labs, of New York City, the top prize winner in the healthcare category, is creating a portable vision examination device that, with a single snapshot, measures refractive errors of the eye and generates prescriptions, all without patient interaction. Mosaic of Oakland, Calif., the top prize winner in the sustainability category, is creating an online platform for individuals to invest in clean energy projects.
"The winners of the Powerful Answers Award show what happens when the passion of technology entrepreneurs meets the power of our mobile and broadband networks," said McAdam. "We are so inspired by these visionary people and their life-changing innovations. We can't wait to see what they do next."
McAdam also announced that the company will continue the Powerful Answers Award program in 2014.
The winners are:
- TinyTap - $1 million – a growing social platform where children, parents, schools and special needs teachers can easily create and share educational games that can be tailored to suit a child's unique learning needs.
- Zapatalism/LavaMind - $850,000 – a financial literacy app from LavaMind that specializes in creating business simulation games.
- BridgingApps/Easter Seals Greater Houston - $700,000 – an initiative that provides access to the mobile technology and applications needed to enable children with special needs to communicate for the first time, participate in the classroom and exceed educational goals.
- WebTeam Corporation - $500,000 – a solution that uses mobile and touch-screen computing to create new products and autism intervention services for the education and healthcare industries.
- WomenLEAD, Inc. - $285,000 – an online educational platform designed to accelerate women's advancement as leaders using social networking, online training and mentorships through an online "Personal Advisory Board" platform.
- Smart Vision Labs - $1 million – a portable vision examination device that, with a single snapshot, measures refractive errors of the eye and generates prescriptions – all without patient interaction. The pocket-sized and low cost Smart Aberrometer uses a smartphone's flashlight and camera, combined with an add-on microlens array, to improve the way people get their vision evaluated.
- Seratis - $850,000 – a patient-centric mobile platform that allows doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers to communicate more easily and request and share patient-specific care data.
- Freenome - $700,000 – an innovative and cost-effective solution for monitoring patients and populations over time to better detect disease.
- Solar Ear - $500,000 – a hearing screening program for those in developing countries where there is limited access to hearing testing, hearing aids and hearing-care facilities.
- Factor 14 - $285,000 – a fully integrated warfarin management solution that gives patients and healthcare providers the ability to efficiently and accurately make warfarin dosage adjustments, helping to produce improved patient outcomes and substantial savings to insurers.
- Mosaic - $1 million – an online platform for individuals to invest in clean energy projects.
- Good360 - $850,000 – an e-commerce and crowd-funding technology that assists nonprofits working in disaster areas with submitting product needs and enables donors to fulfill these critical needs.
- Bandwagon - $700,000 – a real-time taxi-sharing software and mobile app.
- Smartster/BigBelly Solar – $500,000 – a sensor technology for monitoring waste management that uses wireless connectivity to remotely monitor dumpster fullness and collection activity.
- Semios - $285,000 – an automated pest management system that integrates pheromone dispensers with camera-enabled pest traps, all connected wirelessly across fields and centrally managed from any online device.
When Verizon announced its Powerful Answers Award contest nearly a year ago, the company challenged innovators, developers and entrepreneurs to create ideas that would leverage Verizon's cloud, broadband and wireless networks to deliver great solutions and social good. In addition to the cash, the winners are connected to a wide variety of network, business development and marketing experts across Verizon to explore ongoing collaborations.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE and 3G networks. The company serves 101.2 million retail customers, including 95.2 million retail postpaid customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 72,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE,NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE,NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://www.verizonwireless.com/news or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWnews.
SOURCE Verizon


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Service is OUTSTANDING. The owner, Chris, calls me if he can't fill my full order or if there will be a delay. We stopped into the store one day, and he was friendly and helpful then, too...
~ Order 1599
I think Natures Nibbles is a fabulous undertaking in a world full of mainstream PETCOs and PetSmarts. Not only does Natures Nibbles offer supremium quality foods and treats for the animal in your life, they also have free DC delivery... Thank you, Natures Nibbles!!!!
~ Order 966
Natures Nibbles was prompt, reliable, and very accommodating, even special-ordering a product for me.
~ Order 501
Instinct Chicken Meal Formula 13.2lb
INSTINCT GRAIN-FREE NUTRITION FOR DOGS May provide relief from most food allergy symptoms Helps your dog reach and maintain an ideal weight Exclusive freeze dried raw coating for great taste and nutrition Specially formulated for rotation feeding Perfect kibble size for small to large dogs Complete and balanced for all life stages and all breeds
Chicken Meal, Tapioca, Chicken Fat, Pumpkinseeds, Menhaden Fish Meal, Sun-Cured Alfalfa Meal, Montmorillonite Clay, Natural Chicken Flavor, Vitamins (Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Ribo?avin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Carotene, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Sea Salt, Dried Kelp, Direct-Fed Microorganisms (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Yeast Culture, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract), Inulin, Flaxseed Oil, Apples, Carrots, Peas, Cottage Cheese, Chicken Eggs, Mixed Tocopherols with Citric Acid (a natural preservative), Rosemary Extract, Freeze Dried Chicken, Freeze Dried Turkey, Freeze Dried Turkey Liver, Freeze Dried Turkey Heart, Ground Chicken Bone, Butternut Squash, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Salmon Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Parsley, Honey, Blueberries, Alfalfa Sprouts, Persimmons, Olive Oil, Duck Eggs, Pheasant Eggs, Quail Eggs, Rosemary, Sage, Clove.

subset: commoncrawl


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Man..............could this series be between two more scumier teams???
Who do I hate more............... = The Mormons.................No!!! The Fakers...............NO!!!................The Mormons.
Just from our point of view Id like to see The Mormons fall on there ass.............damn its tough saying I want the Fakers to win.
Fakers vs Mormons...............Who Do You Hate More?
Talk about anything general in the NBA here.
Moderators: Mr. Crackerz, JREED, Guybrush, 32
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- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:59 pm
All Star
I hate both.....
i hate see Fakers dominate this league for while....we need to do something.....Wake up COHAN
i hate see Fakers dominate this league for while....we need to do something.....Wake up COHAN
- Posts: 2557
- Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:53 am
All Star
I'd rather see the lakers win the series just because I don't think Utah deserves the undue press coverage they'd get if they got to the conference finals again and people tried to create a (dismal) spurs-jazz rivalry.
- Posts: 2325
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 12:33 pm
All Star
I hate them both, but I like watching Deron Williams, where Kobe just makes me gag.
id rather the jazz win, no matter how much i hate them. i just cant stand rooting for the lakers. all my life i have hated them, and i hated myself for rooting for them when we needed them to beat dallas for us. the fact that we missed out on the playoffs anyway made me pissed. i hope the jazz win and lose to the hornets in the conference finals.
I dont use the word hate about any sports teams with the exception of the Raiders. It is not that I am all high and mighty and say "you should never use the word "hate", it is just that I dislike the Raiders SO MUCH, that I dont want anyone on the same level as them...
So that being said, I much prefer the Lakers to Utah. I will root for the Lakers.
So that being said, I much prefer the Lakers to Utah. I will root for the Lakers.
as a warrior fan i have a vendetta against the jazz cause of last years playoffs, I mean I dont want to see the spurs win it, and that leaves me with either NO or the Fakers. I kinda do and dont want the celtics in the championships, but for the west, Lakers are most deserving because pre-Gasol, they over achieved and surpassed all expectations.
I kinda like the Jazz actually. They play very exciting ball and Deron/Boozer is one of the best young combos in the NBA. I hate the Lakers and sincerely hope Kobe never gets an MVP or a Finals MVP. He's the biggest douchebag in the league. Go Jazz!!!!


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A place where you'll find an adventure like no other
Visit the Top End and take a refreshing swim in crystal clear waterholes before relaxing on a sunset harbour cruise with a glass of bubbles in hand. Take a scenic 3-hour drive from Darwin to the stunning, World Heritage-listed Kakadu. Get up close with the unique wildlife of Yellow Water Billabong and discover the dreamtime stories of the Indigenous rock art found at Ubirr.
In the Red Centre you could fly high in the sky on a hot air balloon over Alice Springs or ride camels across the desert at Uluru before enjoying an unforgettable dining experience under the Outback sky at the famous Sounds of Silence dinner. The sights of this extraordinary landscape appearing to change in colour with the setting sun will have you pinching yourself.
Fly with us to the NT
Darwin, NT
Visit Australia's smallest capital city, where the living couldn't be bigger. If you're having 'one of those days', you'll find a remedy here.
Uluru, NT
The majesty and splendour of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Ayers Rock and The Olgas) has be seen to be understood. Plus see the world famous Field of Light.
Alice Springs and Red Centre, NT
Alice Springs is far more than the gateway to the Red Centre – it's a thriving, spirited outback town famous for the personality of its locals and natural wonders.
The Field of Light
What else is on?
The Territory hosts some of Australia's best festivals and events. From sporting events, theatre and cabaret to dance, live music, art and cultural experiences. The events calendar is full of exciting treats.
Take a look and see what's going on across the region.


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Ultimate fireball pyromancy. Hurl a giant fireball.
Salaman the Master Pyromancer, also called the Great Fireball after this spell, believed pyromancy was rooted in an adoration of fire. Those who acquire this spell usually agree.
Quelana - 20,000 Souls
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|Fire Attack, Ranged AoE
Dark Souls - Great Fireball
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Lindsay Lohan has proved once again she's not a prude as she agreed to pose seductively for LOVE Magazine. The mastermind behind Lindsay's racy photoshoot for LOVE is acclaimed fashion photographer Terry Richardson, who is known as having a penchant for sexually graphic photography, and the result of the photoshoot is indeed spectacular. Lindsay Lohan, who has also done a spread for Playboy, channels her inner diva and strips down into sexy lingerie for the shoot, donning stylish designer items including Unique for Topshop, Versace... Read More


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Behind The Brush
(Maori, Tuesday 8pm) is my new favourite show.
After enjoying a weekend full of TV sport, (which included New Zealand playing test cricket like test-cricketers, and a super thrilling Super 15 match between the Chiefs and the Highlanders) I was ready for a little cultural dessert.
Smacking my lips, I sat down to watch the recorded backlog from the week, which included the final installments of The Hour and Girls and the first episode of local series, Behind the Brush, which immediately became my new favourite.
The brush that they're getting behind belongs to Gottfried Lindauer, the celebrated portrait painter whose work with late 19th century Maori has become somewhat of a national treasure. We get some of Lindauer's backstory, but this series is really about the people in the paintings, starting with a woman called Pare Watene, whose ancestor; John McEnteer, is on hand to offer his own portrait of the woman that Lindauer 'captured' in oil. We're shown the black and white photo that he based the painting on and immediately see some detail has been glossed over. Pare looks like royalty in the painting - beautiful, glowing, healthy. The photo and McEnteer's description of her circumstances, paint a different story. And that's probably the point of the series, not to castigate Lindaur for his romanticism - the works themselves are loved by the descendants - but to allow a window into a world that usually only lives on as oral history. These pictures and the detail applied by the ancestors are worth a million words.
A further 21 sitters for the painter will have their stories told by the end of the series, and I won't miss a moment of it.
As for the finals of The Hour and Girls, even getting to the end of a series these days means that you really like it. (Yes I'm still watching Banshee, yet to watch the finale.) After getting over my initial disappointment that The Hour was to be no match for Madmen, which it has understandably been compared to, it's still been a rewarding watch, helped greatly by the addition of Peter Capaldi of The Thick of It fame. (Though I'm disappointed that his potty mouth has been potty trained, and keep expecting him to unleash a Malcolm Tucker-like tirade.) The super cast and artful art direction help you get over the flimsy story, the noir naffness.
Girls, series two has been hilarious, annoying, shocking and painful. At worst it's been a little predictable. At best? Well, there's no competition really. It's star and creator Lena Dunham is absurdly talented, and her collaboration with Judd Apatow has delivered one of the greatest comedy/dramas of the era. But the final had me wondering if they can keep it up for a third time round?
Here's another question:
If your TV looked back at you what would it see?
That's the tagline for a new UK show. It answers the question by filming people watching TV. So it's a TV show about TV, showing people talking about and reacting to TV, and it's made for other people to watch on TV. It's a bit like looking into one of those mirrors in an elevator that seem to go on forever. Or when you point a video camera at a telly. No doubt it's a clever way get some of the pathos and magic we see on shows like the Royale Family without having to pay for actors or writers. The Channel 4 show, Gogglebox is probably unlikely to surface here, after all, the viewers are reacting to programmes we may never see, but the idea's a good one, which could mean a local copy in a couple of years. There's a trailer for it here.
And do you mind if I blow my own trumpet?
I was lucky enough to get to work on a story for 60 Minutes, (Prime, Monday, 9.35pm, & Tuesday 7.30pm) in which my colleague and mate Jeremy Wells gets to riff on the state of NZ cricket, and sit down and chew the fat with Brendon McCullum. I can't give too much away but the story also features a taxi ride with 80s cricket legend Ewen Chatfield, who now operates a Corporate Cab in Wellington.
As is always the case, much of what we talked about didn't make the cut.
Does he get jealous of current day players with all their money? "No, you just don't think about that. There's nothing you can do about it." We also filmed Ewen watching a Youtube clip of the famous incident in which he 'died' after being hit by a bouncer while playing England. He hadn't seen the clip as he didn't know about the "Youtubes and all that." Naturally we showed it to him.
What surprised me most is that he doesn't reckon that the 80's team was the best. "The ones in the 90's and 2000's have probably had better results." He also dispelled another myth. Apparently there were no ciggies in the drinks trolley after all. As for getting into trouble like the bad boys of today? Thankfully, back in the day "there were no camera phones or any of that nonsense."


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Justin Bieber Banned From Skydiving Facility… For Life
Oh Biebs, what did you do THIS time? Justin Bieber and his crew are said to have acted like fools and as a result, they've been banned from Las Vegas Indoor Skydiving for life. That's a far cry from the Four Seasons, which paid for damage his friend Lil Twist did to the singer's car when peeling out of the hotel's parking lot.
Biebs and his pose hit the skydiving facility on June 16 but sources told E! that the teen and his goons were such bad customers that he is no longer welcome. A rep for the establishment confirmed this fact.
Here's what allegedly went down. The Biebs showed up with six people right before closing and agreed to pay after flying. When approached about settling the bill, he was given the option of paying up and handing over the required $1,600 or posting an Instagram shot of himself midflight with positive comments.
The latter would likely have gone WAY further than a cash payment, since The Biebs' social media reach is far and wide.
He agreed to drop a selfie on Instagram but someone claimed that he never did it. A source says he "faked" it. His posse didn't pay nor did they tip. The group was dubbed "disrespectful" as well, leaving the bathroom in crappy condition. Another insider said that The Biebs was standoffish to anyone who wasn't in his crew.
There's a bit of a discrepancy, though. We just checked his Instagram feed and there are a few videos and photos, so there seems to be some disconnect here. Something else must have happened to get Biebs barred from the indoor flight facility.


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LSC-O promotes employment at annual career fair
Lamar State College-Orange is hosting the 2011 annual Career Fair on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the LSC-O Student Center. LSC-O students and alumni of all majors are invited, as well as a number of local employers.
The career fair will provide a forum for employers to discuss career opportunities with a diverse group of approximately 150 technical and associate degree students and graduates. All are urged to use the career fair to distribute job applications so prospective candidates may complete them that day, so as to not burden current personnel or disrupt daily business.
Judy Choate-Rumby, job placement coordinator at LSC-O and event coordinator, says that employers will have ample time and space to discuss career opportunities with students.
"Employers will benefit from cost-effective recruiting, maximum visibility and the ability to network and obtain knowledge of available training programs," she said, "as well as gain access to qualified minority, traditional, nontraditional and special population candidates."
Any employer with full and/or part-time co-operative education programs, internships or employment opportunities is invited to attend the career fair.
For those LSC-O students and alumni seeking employment, the career fair will provide an opportunity to network with numerous area employers. Job seekers are encouraged to bring resumes with them, as some employers may be interviewing on the spot, eliminating the need to schedule interviews at a later date. Some of the employers scheduled to be at the career fair include BBVA Compass Bank, Firestone Community Federal Credit Union, Acadian Ambulance Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services, KBMT, K-JAC, KUIL, Primerica, Workforce Solutions of Southeast Texas, area school districts and multiple health care services, just to name a few.
Admission is free and parents of students are welcome to attend. Employers will be eligible for door prizes and will be served a light breakfast and lunch. Booth space is limited. Participants may reserve tables by calling Judy Choate-Rumby at (409) 882-3379, email at Judy [dot] Choate [at] lsco [dot] edu, or by fax at (409) 882-3049.


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A detail of the sculpture Cap and Gloves by Chris Scott, given to Scottish Poetry Library
Ten mysterious sculptures, meticulously created out of books, which were left around Edinburgh last year can be seen in Scotland's national book town, Wigtown.
The sculptures were found in ten cultural institutions in Edinburgh between March and November last year. The artist behind the sculptures is unknown and the pieces were left with a message that included the words 'in support of libraries, books, words, ideas ...'
Read more here, and visit our Wigtown Book Festival Page and the festival website herePicture: CHRIS SCOTT


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Lawrence County
mu extension > Lawrence County > faculty and staff > C. Tim Schnakenberg
C. Tim SchnakenbergFIELD SPECIALIST IN AGRONOMYMU Extension in Stone CountyStone County Extension Center Courthouse, Second Fl108 E 4th StreetGalena, MO 65656Phone: 417-357-6812Fax: 417-357-8442Email: email@example.com
Counties served: Barry, Christian, Greene, Lawrence, Stone, Taney
Responsibilities focus on addressing the needs of residents by helping commercial and part-time farm producers improve their profitability and quality of life. Agronomic programming centers primarily on pasture and hay management, crop production, pest management, pesticide training, soil fertility, soil conservation and general horticulture.
Extension career
Ongoing educational efforts
C. Tim Schnakenberg
Monday, July 8, 2019
Monday, July 22, 2019
Monday, Aug. 5, 2019
Monday, Aug. 19, 2019
Monday, Sept. 16, 2019
Monday, Sept. 30, 2019
Monday, Oct. 14, 2019
Monday, Oct. 28, 2019
Monday, Nov. 11, 2019
Monday, Nov. 25, 2019
© 1993
to Curators of the University
of Missouri, all rights reserved, DMCA
and other copyright information
University of Missouri Extension is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer.
University of Missouri Extension
© 1993
to Curators of the University of Missouri, all rights reserved


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What differentiates the E-420 from the E-450?
The E-450 and the E-420 share some of Olympus' groundbreaking features, including a Live View LCD monitor; a powerful, 10-megapixel Live-MOS sensor; the patented Supersonic Wave Filter (SSWF�) dust-reduction system that makes it easy to change lenses anywhere without worrying about dust ruining a shot; and a high-resolution, 2.7" HyperCrystal II� LCD screen for superior visibility at wider angles (even in direct sunlight).
Of course, they are each also precision-engineered to work perfectly with Olympus' Zuiko� Digital Specific Lenses� for pixel-perfect, edge-to-edge clarity.
The E-450 features a Digital Image Stabilization shooting mode that boosts the light sensitivity of the imaging sensor and increases the shutter speed to reduce blur, particularly in low-light situations. This technology not only minimizes distortion due to camera shake, but is also capable of freezing a moving subject.
Both cameras offer a Scene mode with a variety of preset scenes calibrated to produce excellent shots in a variety of shooting conditions. The E-450 also has three Art Filters. Art Filters offer the photographer the ability to expand the narrative of a given subject and create an impressionistic view of reality. The E-450 uses the new stunningly fast TruePic� III+ processor.
The cameras are each powered by one Olympus BLS-1 rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Is the E-450 body splashproof?
No, the camera is not designed to be used in severe environmental conditions. The Olympus E-3 would be more appropriate for use in severe conditions.
The E-450 features Live View. What is it, and how does it work?
The Live View feature allows you to use the LCD monitor as a viewfinder to compose shots or to shoot while viewing an enlarged display on the monitor.
Live View uses one of three available AF systems to determine when and how focusing is performed. Selection of the AF system is made via the following menu: > AF/MF > LIVE VIEW AF MODE. The characteristics of the Live View AF systems are as follows:
In all Live View AF modes, it is possible to preselect a specific AF target. Doing so reduces shutter lag because the camera does not need to search for a subject in all AF targets. When selecting an AF target, choose one that contains an area of contrast. If the camera is unable to detect contrast (for example, if the selected AF target is directed at a stark white wall), it may not be able to take a picture.
To select a specific AF target, while the camera is in Live View mode, press the [OK] button to access the Super Control panel. Use the arrow buttons to select the AF Area icon.
While in Live View mode, it may be desirable to enlarge the display of the subject on the LCD monitor. This is especially useful when using MF (manual focus) because it makes focus confirmation and adjustment easier.
To view an enlarged display using Live View, press the [INFO] button repeatedly until a green box is displayed in the center of the monitor. Use the arrow buttons to move the box around the screen, select the area to enlarge. Press the [OK] button to enlarge the selected area by 7x. Press [OK] again to return to normal magnification. Press [INFO] to exit the enlarged display function.
�To view a list of compatible lenses, click here. Depending on the date of purchase, a compatible model may require a firmware update in order to support IMAGER AF. In the future, Olympus may add IMAGER AF support to other Zuiko Digital lenses via firmware updates.
�When composing shots using Live View, the shutter lag will be slightly longer than it would be when composing shots using the optical viewfinder, although the delay can be minimized by acquiring and locking the autofocus prior to pressing the shutter button. Live View is not recommended for photographing fast-moving subjects and where a quick response is required. Continuous AF is not supported when Live View is enabled.
Can I preview the adjustments I make to camera settings on the Live View LCD monitor?
While setting up a shot, changes you make to the Exposure Compensation and White Balance (WB) settings are previewed on the Live View monitor so you can see their effects before shooting. The effects are previewed in all shooting modes, including those in which the camera automatically adjusts exposure and/or white balance, such as Scene mode. If LIVE VIEW BOOST is enabled, the effects of exposure compensation adjustments will not be displayed on the LCD screen and the image color will diminish in low-light situations.
Does the E-450 haveimage stabilization?
Yes. The E-450 features Digital Image Stabilization via DIS Mode. When the Mode Dial is turned to ART/SCN, the Scene Select menu is displayed on the LCD monitor. Use the arrow buttons to select DIS Mode, and then press the [OK] button.
When DIS Mode is activated, the camera boosts the ISO sensitivity of the sensor as well as the shutter speed in order to minimize blur due to camera or subject movement. This is particularly useful in low-light conditions when the camera would otherwise set a longer exposure in order to let more natural light reach the sensor. The downside of long exposures is they offer more opportunity for camera or subject movement. With DIS Mode, it is possible to minimize or eliminate blur because the shutter is open for a shorter duration.
What is the origin and meaning of the Supersonic Wave Filter (SSWF)? Where does the dust go?
The filter is so named because it shakes the dust off the sensor by using supersonic wave vibrations. The dropped dust is affixed to a dust-collection component under the Supersonic Wave Filter. There are also dust-collection components on either side of the filter to catch dust when the camera is turned on in a vertical orientation.
Is it necessary to clean or change the dust-collection components?
It is not necessary to clean or change the dust collection components under normal use for several years. The dust collection system can easily deal with particles that are a result of the dust-reduction system. If the camera is used constantly in severe conditions, Olympus recommends that the camera body be sent to an authorized Olympus repair service center approximately at an interval of three to five years. As part of Olympus' normal camera service maintainence, the dust-collection components are replaced.
What are the advantages of lenses that are designed specifically for digital camera usage?
Although the small size of the individual pixels in CCD, CMOS and Live MOS image sensors enables them to capture even more detail than film, the sensitivity of the sensor elements is highly directional. That is, they respond best to light that strikes the elements straight on. With lenses designed for use with film, the light rays passing through the periphery of the lens strike the image sensor at an angle, and this tends to degrade picture quality at the periphery of the image area.
On the other hand, lenses developed specifically for digital camera use are designed to match the imaging characteristics of CCD, CMOS, and Live MOS sensors, ensuring high image quality at both the center and the periphery of the frame.
What are the purposes of the different record modes?
Record modes allow photographers to quickly and conveniently vary the quality settings used to capture and save images in-camera. While it is possible to always shoot at the higher-quality settings and then process the images down into smaller file sizes later with a computer, it may be more convenient in some situations to use other than the higher-quality settings. For example, it may be preferable to shoot using a lower-quality setting when the shots are intended for use on the Internet, where small file size is more important than rich detail.
Record modes can be selected using either the Super Control Panel or the Camera Menu. The E-450 offers nine record modes, whose benefits are outlined below.
Why isn't there a TIFF Record Mode like in my other Olympus cameras?
TIFF files are very large files that take longer to write to the memory card and fill up the memory card more rapidly than RAW or JPEG files. A TIFF file in the E-450 would be about 30 MB. It is more efficient to shoot in RAW and save the RAW conversion as a TIFF file in the OLYMPUS Master� or OLYMPUS Studio� applications.
What is the purpose of the Scene mode?
The E-450 has a Scene mode that optimizes the camera settings for specific shooting conditions. All of the settings applied in the 18 available Scenes can also be applied via controls in the camera menu, but applying them manually can be time-consuming. In addition, amateur photographers may not have a deep enough knowledge of photography to select the appropriate settings for some situations that advanced amateur and professional photographers would employ. For example, here are the settings applied by the FIREWORKS Scene:
These are the optimum settings for shooting fireworks. Selecting the FIREWORKS Scene sets the camera up with appropriate settings tailored to the subject matter, all in one step.
Some scenes can be selected directly from the Mode Dial and also via the Scene Select menu in Scene mode. Is there a difference?
Whether a scene is activated via Easy Shooting mode (by turning the Mode Dial to its respective icon) or via the Scene mode (by turning the Mode Dial to ART/SCN and then using the arrow buttons to select it from the Scene Select menu), the camera initially applies the same default settings, optimized for the selected scene. However, Easy Shooting mode offers additional options for the most frequently used scenes.
In Easy Shooting mode, the Super Control Panel remains active so that the photographer may change certain settings. The Super Control Panel is accessed by pressing the [OK] button.
In Scene mode, most settings are controlled by the camera and so are fixed. The Super Control Panel is not available. Instead, pressing [OK] invokes the Scene Select menu so that a new scene can be selected.
What are Art Filters?
Art Filters are creative filter options that offer the photographer the ability to expand the narrative of a given subject and create an impressionistic view of reality.
Which Art Filters are available on the E-450?
The table below lists and describes the available Art Filters.
Can more than one Art Filter be applied to a single image?
One Art Filter can be applied to an image at the time an image is captured.
How are Art Filters applied?
Select the ART/SCN option on the Mode Dial on the top left-hand side of the camera. The ART FILTER menu options will be displayed on the LCD. Scroll to and select the desired art filter using the navigation keys on the back of the camera, and then press the [OK] button to activate the selection. To re-enter the ART FILTER menu, simply press the [OK] button again.
Note: When the Mode Dial is set to ART/SCN, using the right/left navigation keys on the back of the camera will shift the display from ART FILTER to Scene mode.
Why would I want to apply an ART FILTER at the time I take the shot instead of applying a filter effect later using image-editing software?
ART FILTERS are applied and combined along with the exposure value for the subject. This intelligent method of applying filter effects is similar to exposing an image through an optical glass filter that has been attached to the front of the lens. This approach saves time otherwise spent in post-production editing. It also enables the camera to accurately calculate the parameters of the filter effect, along with the exposure for the subject, so that distortions do not occur in individual color channels. Using filters at the time the image is captured allows the photographer to immediately render a creative idea and capture a more diversified array of image content.
Is there a way to save a copy of the original image without the Art Filter effect? In other words, can two versions of the same image be captured?
Yes. If the camera's Record Mode is set to RAW+JPEG, the Art Filter effect will not be applied to the RAW image. Only JPEG images will show the effects of the Art Filters.
Can the effects of each Art Filter be customized?
The effects of each Art Filter are fixed; however, photographers can adjust aspects of the exposure - such as white balance, exposure compensation, ISO, flash intensity and wireless flash control - to enhance the filter effect.
In the White balance (WB) menu, what do all those numbers followed by a "K" mean?
The color balance of different light sources in the color spectrum is rated numerically by color temperature in the standard Kelvin (K) temperature scale. A color temperature value is expressed as a number followed by a "K," for Kelvin. The chart below shows approximate values of different light sources in the E-420 White Balance menu:
The E-420 White Balance menu displays icons to the left of the color temperature values to illustrate the relationship of the type of light to its Kelvin value. The Custom White Balance (CWB) settings in the White Balance menu allow photographers to select more accurate color temperature settings. Many commercially available lamps are labeled with color temperature ratings that fall between 3000K and 4000K, so a photographer is able to set up the camera for more accurate color rendition.
With so many White Balance settings available, why and when should I use One-Touch White Balance?
There are many light sources and situations that are not covered by Auto White Balance or the other settings in the White Balance menu. There are many noncontinuous light sources that do not have all of the colors of the spectrum, such as fluorescent, mercury vapor, and sodium vapor lights. There are also situations in which many different types of lights are used in one environment. These do not neatly fit into what the camera firmware knows about white balance, so it is necessary to �educate� the camera about the specific light balance by shooting a white reference subject such as a white card and saving the data in the White Balance menu as a One-Touch White Balance.
In the PICTURE MODE > MONOTONE menu feature, what is the purpose of the B&W Filter options?
In black-and-white film photography, different colored filters are placed in front of the lens to modify the tones in the final image. These are called contrast filters. One popular effect created with contrast filters results in a landscape photograph with majestic clouds against an almost black sky. This effect is obtained by shooting through a deep red filter, which makes the blue in the sky darker.
A general rule of thumb regarding the use of contrast filters is: The filter makes its own color lighter in tone and its opposite color darker in tone.
The E-420 is able to create these effects without using physical filters by modifying the performance of the red, green and blue color channels in the MONOTONE mode.
The functions of the B&W filters are described below:
The B&W Filter effects can be previewed on the Live View screen before shooting.
Is it possible to take time-lapse photo sequences with the E-450?
The E-450 can take time-lapse photo sequences when connected to a computer running the optional OLYMPUS Studio� 2 application software. Unlike built-in intervalometers found in some digital cameras, OLYMPUS Studio 2 offers very detailed computer camera control over preset time periods.
To use this functionality, connect the camera to a computer using the USB cable bundled with the camera. Set the camera�s USB Mode to CONTROL. In the application, open the Camera Control window and choose Time Lapse from the menu or click on the Time Lapse icon on the Camera Control window�s toolbar. The following dialog will be displayed:
Configure any or all options, and then click the Start Shooting button to begin the time-lapse sequence. The images will be saved on the computer � not the memory card.
My 35mm SLR had a mirror lockup to let the vibration settle down before the shutter tripped. Does the E-450 have this?
The E-450 has an ANTI-SHOCK function that diminishes camera shake caused by vibrations when the mirror flips up. This feature can be useful in astrophotography, photo microscopy or other applications where a very slow shutter speed is used and camera vibration needs to be minimized. The interval between the mirror flipping up and the shutter opening can be preset from one second to 30 seconds via the menu.
Does the E-450 have a programmable custom function button?
Both the Left Arrow button and the Remote Control/Self-Timer/Sequential Shooting button can be programmed with alternate functions.
To change the function assigned to the Left Arrow button, do the following:
The default factory setting for the custom function button is Fn FACE DETECT.
The Remote Control/Self-Timer/Sequential Shooting button is located on the left-top of the camera. It looks like this:
To change the function assigned to the Remote Control/Self-Timer/Sequential Shooting button, do the following:
How do I update the firmware in the E-450 camera body and Olympus E-System lenses?
Firmware updates of Olympus E-System digital SLR bodies and Zuiko� Digital lenses are performed using OLYMPUS Master� or OLYMPUS Studio� software. Each version of the software has an Update Camera function that is used to initiate the update procedure.
Below are the locations of the update functions in the various software versions:
Before updating, mount an Olympus Zuiko Digital lens to the camera body and set the camera body�s USB MODE to STORAGE. Connect the camera to a computer via its bundled USB cable. The computer must be connected to the Internet because the download and installation are managed online from an Olympus server. The camera battery should be fully charged. When these prerequisites are met, launch the software and click on the update function.
The update process will first poll the camera and lens to determine what firmware versions are currently installed. It will then ask if you want to search for newer versions. If a newer version is found, you will be prompted to perform the update. Step-by-step instructions will guide you through the process.
Follow the on-screen instructions carefully. If you deviate from the instructions, the firmware installation may not complete and the firmware may become corrupted. If this occurs, the camera will have to be sent to an Olympus Repair Service Center to have its firmware replaced. Do not do a firmware update during a storm or when there is a risk of losing power because this will also cause a corrupted firmware installation.
Once the firmware is updated, it is not possible to go back to a previous version.
You can check the firmware version of your camera and lens at any time when the camera is not connected to a computer. Open the camera menu, go to the menu, scroll to FIRMWARE and toggle right. The LCD will display the firmware version for the camera body and the currently mounted lens.
Lenses can be upgraded individually using the same update process even if the camera body already has the most current firmware. Mount a different lens on the body and repeat the update process as though you were updating the camera body.
How do I insert the memory card in the camera?
To insert the memory card into the camera, do the following.
Can I use my OM-Series 35mm SLR lenses on the E-450?
Olympus OM- Series lenses can be mounted on Olympus E-System DSLRs with the optional MF-1 OM Lens Adapter. OM- Series lenses are unable to communicate with the firmware in E-System camera bodies. Therefore, their use in this fashion has the following restrictions:
Because the OM- Series lenses were designed for use with film rather than with a digital sensor, the image quality may not equal that produced by Zuiko� Digital lenses.
The MF-1 OM Lens Adapter is available from authorized Olympus dealers and online directly from The Olympus Store. To purchase the MF-1 (Item #260231), click here.
Is it possible to view the Live View image on a computer?
Using the Olympus Software Development Kit, Pinetree Computing LLC has created software that provides computer camera control and the ability to view the Live View image on a second computer monitor or on a television screen.
To use this software with the E-450, set the camera�s USB MODE option to CONTROL and then connect it to the computer and second monitor or television using the USB AV/PC-2 �breakout� cable. The cable (item #200874) may be purchased online from The Olympus Store by clicking here.
The Pinetree Computing Camera Controller can be purchased online and downloaded at http://www.pinetreecomputing.com/camctl.asp.
Instructions and technical support for the Pinetree Computer Camera Controller are provided by Pinetree Computing LLC.
How do I activate Image Stabilization in the E-450?
The E-450 offers image stabilization via the DIS Mode Scene mode. DIS Mode reduces the blur caused when the subject or the camera moves during image capture.
To activate image stabilization, do the following:
To choose a new Scene after shooting an image, press the [OK] button to access the Scene Select menu. Use the arrow buttons to make another selection, and press the [OK] button again to activate it.
Exit Scene mode at any time by turning the Mode Dial to any other icon.
What are the P, A, S and M modes on the Mode Dial and how are they used?
The P, A, S and M modes are the Advanced Shooting modes. These are essentially non-AUTO modes that allow the photographer more creative control by enabling more control over shutter speed and f-stop settings. The Advanced Shooting modes also allow total access to the menu options. They are also the modes required for use with E-System flash accessories. Briefly, the Advanced Shooting modes and their applications are as follows:
When the Mode Dial is set to AUTO, why are some of the menu options deactivated (grayed-out)?
In the AUTO shooting mode, the camera operates with a minimum of input from the user. Many shooting functions are controlled entirely by the camera; the photographer cannot change their settings. Therefore, the menu options that control those settings are deactivated (grayed-out) in AUTO mode.
The E-450 has five focusing modes. Which should I use?
The five focusing modes are provided to offer the photographer greater flexibility in setting up the camera for diverse shooting situations. Any of the focusing modes that have an MF in their designation allow the photographer to adjust the focus by turning the focusing ring on the lens.
My 35mm SLR had a depth-of-field preview button so I could check the focus before shooting. How can I preview depth-of-field on the E-450?
The E-420 lets you preview the depth-of-field either by looking through the viewfinder (PREVIEW) or by using Live View (LIVE PREVIEW). To use the preview functions, they must be assigned to the Left Arrow button via the Camera Menu. To do so:
The left arrow key will then become the depth-of-field preview button. Holding the button down will close the aperture to the set f-stop to provide a view of the depth-of-field. The image will appear lighter or darker in relation to the set f-stop. Enlarged Display is not available in Live View when using the LIVE PREVIEW function.
The subject I want in focus doesn't line up with any of the AF targets in the viewfinder. How do I get the camera to focus on the subject?
The Focus Lock function enables the photographer to pre-focus on a specific subject, lock the focus, and then re-compose the image and shoot the picture.
At first this may seem to be a cumbersome procedure, but with practice it can become a fluid movement.
I shot in the RAW format and I need a JPEG image, but I'm away from my computer. How can I convert the RAW files to JPEGs in the field?
The E-450 has a RAW data editor in the camera menu that allows the photographer to not only convert the RAW file to a chosen JPEG record mode, but also apply white balance, sharpness, contrast and color adjustments in the converted JPEG image.
To edit a RAW file in camera:
A JPEG copy of the RAW image that reflects the settings selected in the menu will be saved to the memory card. The RAW image remains unchanged.
When and why should I use the Eyepiece Cover?
During normal shooting, the photographer�s face and the camera�s eyecup work together to shade the viewfinder and prevent light from entering the metering system of the camera through the viewfinder. When the camera is on a tripod, light can enter the viewfinder from behind the camera because the photographer may be standing away from the camera. This is most likely to happen if the sun is low and behind the camera or the photographer is shooting a night shot and street lighting is shining into the viewfinder. In both cases, this extraneous light can shine into the metering system and can skew the exposures, resulting in under-exposed images. Removing the viewfinder eyecup and replacing it with the eyepiece cover blocks extraneous light from entering the viewfinder so the exposures will be more accurate.
How do I use the different metering modes?
The E-450 provides several metering options that allow the photographer to have greater creative control over exposure. The metering modes can be set in the Control Panel screen or the camera menu. Descriptions and applications of the metering modes are detailed below:
What is the purpose of Exposure Compensation?
Metering systems in cameras measure light but do not have a way of determining what the subject matter is, so the exposure decisions the metering system makes may not always be appropriate for the subject matter. This phenomenon is called subject failure. As with Spot metering, the human touch may be required to arrive at correct exposures. Exposure Compensation allows the photographer to set up the camera to under- or overexpose in specific situations.
The Exposure Compensation scale is shown on the LCD�s control panel. It looks like this:
In the example, Exposure Compensation is set to underexpose one f-stop. The function can be set to under- or overexpose up to three f-stops in 1/3-stop increments.
It is important that you set the compensation back to 0 before shooting subjects in other conditions so the subjects will be properly exposed. When the Exposure Compensation is set to 0, the scale is not displayed in the Control Panel screen.
The Exposure Compensation value is also displayed in the viewfinder.
How do I select which ISO setting to use?
Think of the ISO values as film speeds. Low ISOs such as 100 and 200 are better suited to situations in which there is a lot of light � outdoors scenes. Higher ISOs, such as 400 and 800, would be used outdoors where there is plenty of light and fast shutter speeds are desired � sports and air shows, for example � or indoors for available light shooting. ISO 1600 would be used where there are very low light levels, such as indoors or at night.
The AUTO mode and Scene mode automatically set the ISO.
How does the E-450 combat noise commonly found at high ISOs?
Digital cameras vary the light sensitivity of the image sensor by varying the gain voltage applied to the sensor, much like turning up the volume on a stereo. When the gain voltage is increased, as it is when shooting with higher ISOs, the sensor becomes hot. Hot pixels perform differently under extreme conditions. The result is a graininess known as �noise.�
Noise occurs whenever sufficient heat has built up on the image sensor. Therefore, it can also be seen in images with long exposures, such as night photographs, due to the additional heat generated by charging the sensor for an extended period of time.
All digital cameras include technologies to minimize the effects of noise. The E-420 combats noise with two methods: NOISE FILTER and NOISE REDUCTION.
The NOISE FILTER is found in the Camera 1 menu, represented by an icon of a camera followed by the number 1. The noise filter function has four options: OFF, LOW, STANDARD and HIGH. The majority of digital cameras have a default noise filter that is always on. Some photographers feel that this reduces detail, so Olympus has included the option to not use a noise filter at all.
NOISE REDUCTION can also be enabled from the Camera 1 menu. After the first exposure, the camera makes a second exposure of equal length with the shutter closed. It then, in effect, overlays the two images, finds the hot pixels in the second image (essentially, any pixels that aren't black), and deletes the corresponding pixels from the first image. This doubles the shooting time. If the first exposure is 12 minutes 30 seconds, the second, black exposure is also 12 minutes 30 seconds, for a total exposure time of 25 minutes.
The ON option enables Noise Reduction to be applied in all situations. Using the AUTO option activates Noise Reduction when the camera determines that an exposure is of a duration that will generate hot pixels.
What do the fractions in the Manual Flash settings represent?
The photographer has the option of using different power settings in the Manual Flash mode to balance the fill flash with available light exposure. You may have seen TV clips of celebrity and news photographers using fill-flash outdoors. Fill-flash throws a little extra light into shadows to �open� them up to get a more pleasing image. You can also use this technique in landscape and travel photography to show a little more detail in the shadows of foreground subjects.
The fractional settings (FULL, �, 1/16, 1/64) allow the photographer control over how much light is needed to fill the shadows at varying distances. The sync speeds used are between 1/60 and 1/180 second.
In the CARD SETUP menu, the options are ALL ERASE and FORMAT. What is the difference between these settings?
ALL ERASE deletes all of the images from the memory card directory except for those that have been protected. FORMAT deletes all of the images from the memory card directory and overwrites the directory. In both cases, the actual digital images are still on the memory card until new images are shot that overwrite the old images. Therefore, if images are inadvertently erased or formatted, it may be possible to retrieve them via image recovery software.
If ALL ERASE is used exclusively to delete images, over time a buildup of artifacts in the directory may corrupt the memory card. The FORMAT option is recommended to preserve the integrity of the memory card and extend its useful life.
What does the optional OLYMPUS Studio 2 software do, and how can I get it?
OLYMPUS Studio 2 is imaging software for personal computers that allows photographers to speed up organizational and post-processing tasks associated with the photography workflow, such as examining and selecting the best shot from a large number of images; searching disparate folders and albums for a desired image; comparing similar images side-by-side on a virtual lightbox; batch processing edits and print jobs; etc. It also has a camera control function that lets photographers operate Olympus E-System cameras remotely or save images directly to a computer instead of a memory card. (These operations require that the camera be connected to the computer using its bundled USB cable.) The software can also be used to update the firmware of Olympus digital cameras or to change the language of the camera's menu system and LCD displays.
The software is supported on the following operating systems: Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional (32-bit), Windows Vista (32/64-bit), Windows 7 (32/64-bit, but please see these caveats), and Mac OS X 10.3 ("Panther") through 10.5 ("Leopard").
To download a free, 30-day trial of the latest version of OLYMPUS Studio 2, please click on the appropriate link:
For information on obtaining a permanent license key, please send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Does the E-450 support the Olympus wireless RC flash system?
The E-450 supports the Wireless Flash System in which the camera's built-in flash acts as a controller that sends data commands to FL-36R and FL-50R electronic flash units
The system can control up to three groups of flash units. The camera and flashes have four control channels to choose from so the flashes and camera will not receive signals from other Olympus wireless RC flash systems operating nearby. The photo below shows the main setup screen for the wireless flash system in the E-450.
The flash group, channel and settings are then set up on the flash units. When the camera shutter is tripped, the camera�s built-in flash emits a very high-speed burst of data in a pre-flash that commands the performance of the flash units.
This diagram shows a placement of three flash groups using the Olympus wireless RC flash system:
For details on the operation of the wireless RC flash system operation, please refer to the manual for the FL-36R or FL-50R.
Olympus wireless RC flash system flashes can be purchased from authorized Olympus dealers or online directly from The Olympus Store. To order the FL-36R (Item #260115), click here. To order the FL-50R (Item #260116), click here.
Can I use my Olympus FL-40 external flash on the E-450?
The Olympus FL-40 external flash is not compatible with the E-450 because it was was not designed to work with the TTL firmware in the camera.
I have a third-party electronic flash. Can I use it on the E-450?
Flash units that are not part of the Olympus E-System may pose problems if used on the E-450.
Thyristor-type flash units can be used with the E-450�s Manual shooting mode as long as the sync voltage does not exceed 6 VDC. Third-party TTL flash units will not have TTL capability because the contact pins in the camera hot shoe probably won�t align with the contacts on the flash. In addition, the TTL communication with the E-450 may damage the camera circuitry or corrupt the camera firmware.
How can I use the E-450 with my studio flash equipment if the camera doesn't have a PC connector?
The E-450 uses an electronic rather than mechanical sync circuit that is rated at 6 VDC maximum sync voltage. Because some studio flash systems have a sync voltage that exceeds 6 VDC, a PC sync jack was not incorporated into the camera to prevent users from accidentally damaging their cameras. In addition, the polarity of the studio flash sync pulse may be opposite the polarity of the E-450 sync circuitry.
Studio flash equipment should be connected to the E-450 using the Safe Sync Hot Shoe to PC Sync Adapter. The adapter protects the camera from excessive sync voltage up to 400 VDC, and automatically corrects sync pulse polarity. This item (#200329) may be purchased from The Olympus Store. To order, click here.
Do I need a voltage converter to use my battery charger outside the U.S.?
The BCS-1 Battery Charger for the EVOLT E-450 is rated at 100-240 VAC and automatically adjusts itself for the local electrical current. However, you may have to get a set of plug adapters for the different wall outlets used in foreign countries. Plug adapter kits are available at electronics and luggage stores.
What size CompactFlash cards can the E-450 accept, and does it support the benefits of Write Acceleration cards?
The E-450 accepts CompactFlash cards up to 8 GB capacity and supports both UDMA and Write Acceleration technology. When the camera polls the card at power up, if it detects Write Acceleration technology it enables its own Write Acceleration firmware.
Can I use Microdrive storage media in the E-450?
Microdrive storage media that support the CF + Type II (CompactFlash extension standard) are compatible with the E-450. Because Microdrive media use a spinning hard disk drive (HDD) as the recording medium, they are susceptible to damage from impact, vibration, and strong magnetic fields � especially during recording and playback. Be sure to carefully read the instructions that come with Microdrive media.
Note: The data on Microdrive cards will not be erased completely even after formatting the card in-camera or deleting the data. When discarding Microdrive cards, destroy the cards to prevent leakage of personal information.
What accessories are available to remotely control the E-450?
Two optional remote controllers are available for the E-450: The RM-UC1 Remote Cable Release (item #260237) and the RM-1 Remote Control (item #200597).
The RM-UC1 connects to the same USB port on the camera that is used to connect the camera to a computer. The RM-1 is a wireless controller.
Both devices remotely trigger the camera's shutter button, and both can be used for long (BULB) exposures such as night photographs. The camera can be set to release the shutter immediately or two seconds after the shutter button on the remote control is pressed. The response time is set by pressing the Remote Control/Self-Timer/Sequential Shooting button, located on the top of the camera to the left of the viewfinder, and then using the control dial to select the setting.
Both remote controllers are available online from The Olympus Store. To order the RM-UC1, click here. To order the RM-1, click here.
The E-450 can also be remotely controlled from a computer using the bundled USB cable and the Camera Control feature of the optional OLYMPUS Studio� 2 application.
How can I take long (BULB) exposures using the optional RM-UC1 Remote Cable Release?
The RM-UC1 has a sliding lock to lock the cable release for BULB exposures such as night photographs. When the lock is in the "Up" position, the camera shutter will remain open after the shutter button on the remote control is pressed. Slide the lock to the "Down" position to close the shutter.
The RM-UC1 is available from authorized Olympus dealers and also online from the Olympus Store. To order the RM-UC1 from The Olympus Store, click here.
How can I take long (BULB) exposures using the optional RM-1 Remote Control?
The procedure is as follows:
The RM-1 Remote Control is available from authorized Olympus dealers and online from The Olympus Store. To order the RM-1, click here.
When I look through the viewfinder, the image does not appear to be sharp. Why?
You may need to adjust the viewfinder's diopter to your vision. To the right of the viewfinder eyepiece cup is the diopter adjustment dial. While looking through the viewfinder, rotate the diopter adjustment dial until you see the AF target clearly in the center of the viewfinder.
I can't get a sharp image using NIGHT SCENE. What am I doing wrong?
The NIGHT SCENE and NIGHT+PORTRAIT scenes are meant to take time exposures of skylines and city streets by leaving the shutter open for several seconds. Therefore, it is necessary to stabilize the camera by bracing it against something solid or � ideally � by using a tripod or camera clamp.
After I attach a lens to the camera body, my camera seems unable to secure autofocus. The problem is intermittent but affects multiple lenses. Why is this happening?
If the problem occurs with every shot taken with every accessory lens, the camera may be broken. However, if the problem occurs sporadically -- and chiefly only after attaching or switching lenses -- then it is possible the lens(es) may not have been attached properly.
Remove the lens from the camera and look at the silver mount. Nine gold-colored pins are arranged below the mirror in an arc. These pins must make firm contact with the gold-colored touch points on the back of the lens. This happens naturally when the lens is attached properly, but if the lens is not locked into place then one or more pins may not receive sufficient pressure to maintain contact during use.
To attach a lens to the camera body, align the lens attachment mark (red circle) on the camera mount with the alignment mark (raised red knob) on the side of the lens. Then insert the lens into the camera�s body. Rotate the lens clockwise and listen for a click. The click is an audible indication that the lens lock pin has snapped into place on the back of the lens and has secured the lens in the proper position. The lens lock pin is the small silver pin on the lens mount in between the mirror and the lens release button.
Do not press or hold down the lens release button while attaching a lens to the mount. The lens release button forces the lens lock pin to retract into the camera so that the lens can be removed without breaking the pin. If the button is held down while attaching the lens, it may not align with the hole on the back of the lens after the button is released. This will result in a situation in which the lens is attached to the camera mount but is not locked into place. It is possible that this condition will prevent the lens from making and retaining a firm connection to the camera. This will inhibit autofocus and may increase the lag time between shots.
Sometimes when I'm shooting in dim light I have difficulty getting the camera to focus. What can I do?
Digital cameras autofocus by detecting differences in the contrast between light and dark areas of the image projected onto the sensor. If the light is dim or the image has somewhat flat contrast, the camera may have difficulty focusing. The E-450 has an AF Illuminator feature that uses the flash to illuminate the subject just before the exposure is made, thereby assuring autofocus.
When I'm shooting near subjects, I can hear the lens trying to focus and see it trying to focus through the viewfinder, but it does not secure focus. What can I do?
If the lens seems to be unsuccessfully searching for a focus point, you may be too close to the subject matter for that particular lens. Lenses have a minimum focusing distance, and zoom lenses have different minimum focusing distances at different zoom settings. If you back away from the subject, the lens will be able to focus.
If you intend to do macro or close-up photography, you may want to invest in a macro lens or the EX-25 Extension Tube.
The E-System has two macro lenses:
The EX-25 Extension Tube mounts between the lens and the camera body and reduces the minimum focusing distance of E-System lenses by moving the lens 25 mm away from the camera sensor. Lenses mounted with the EX-25 are not able to focus to infinity. It is necessary to manually focus lenses mounted with the EX-25 for more accurate focus. A table of the adjusted focusing distances of E-System lenses when mounted on the EX-25 can be found here.
When I press the shutter button, the camera doesn't shoot immediately. What can I do?
In the default AUTO AF target selection setting, the camera measures the distance to the subject using the AF targets in the viewfinder and selects the most appropriate AF target. If the subject is complex or the camera is moving, it may cause the camera to take more time selecting which AF target to use. The camera will respond more rapidly if only one AF target is selected.
To change the AF target selection from AUTO to a selected AF target:
When my images are displayed on the E-450's LCD screen, there are blinking black areas in the image. How do I get rid of them?
>What you are seeing is a part of the histogram feature. In the lower right corner of the LCD screen, you will see a little box that says either SHADOW or HILIGHT. The blinking black regions identify areas in the image that have no detail due to overexposure (HILIGHT) or underexposure (SHADOW).
The blinking display doesn�t mean there is anything wrong with the camera. Like film cameras, digicams have a limited brightness range within which they can capture images. If the camera metering is weighted toward the highlights, there will be a lack of shadow detail. If the camera metering is weighted toward the shadows, there will be a lack of highlight detail. In bright sunshine, a picture may have areas lacking both highlight and shadow detail. On a grey, cloudy day, there may be detail throughout the image. The purpose of the black blinking areas is to give the photographer feedback about the exposures. If necessary, the photographer can apply options such as AE Bracketing or Exposure Compensation to reshoot the image.
The SHADOW and HILIGHT views are among seven options that can be selected by pressing the INFO button while displaying images on the LCD screen in Playback mode. Pressing INFO repeatedly cycles through the views, each of which displays different image information.
When I try to use the AE Bracketing function, why do I only get one frame instead of three?
The camera�s Drive mode is set to Single Frame shooting. Configured this way, which is the default setting, the shutter button must be pressed for each bracketed frame. When the Drive mode is set to Sequential Shooting, pressing and holding down the shutter button will cause the camera to shoot all three bracketed frames in one burst.
To change the Drive mode, first press the (Remote Control/Self-Timer/Sequential Shooting) button, located on the top of the camera to the left of the pop-up flash. Use the control dial to move the cursor and select either (Single Frame Shooting) or (Sequential Shooting). Finally, press the [OK] button to activate the new Drive mode.
Note: It is possible to assign alternate functions to the button. If another function is assigned to the button when you need to change the Drive settings, you must first set to (Sequential Shooting/Remote Control Shooting/Self-Timer Shooting).
When I try to shoot in the PANORAMA scene, I get a message on the LCD screen that says "PANORAMA xD CARD REQUIRED." Why?
The PANORAMA scene in the E-450 requires an Olympus xD-Picture Card� memory card to function. When a series of panoramic shots are captured in the E-420, the images are �tagged� with information that the bundled OLYMPUS Master� software uses to Auto-Stitch the images together into an almost seamless single image. There is software in the Olympus xD-Picture Card media that is part of the data algorithms the camera uses to save the images to the card as elements in a panoramic image. Therefore, non-Olympus xD-Picture Card, CompactFlash� or Microdrive� media will not enable the PANORAMA Scene.
After inserting an 8 GB Hitachi Microdrive memory card, the card access lamp blinks and I am unable to shoot. Why is this happening?
When using an 8GB Hitachi Microdrive cards in the E-450, the card access lamp may blink for up to two to three minutes the first time the card is inserted into the card slot. When the card access lamp stops blinking, the camera is ready to shoot.
When I put a formatted CompactFlash card in my E-450, the display shows a capacity of RAW files that doesn't appear to be accurate. Why?
The manual for the E-450 shows that a RAW file is approximately 11 megabytes. However, this is just an average; the size of individual RAW files will vary widely.
When the E-450 saves a captured image and writes it onto the memory card, it performs complex mathematical calculations to convert the image to binary data that can be saved and later retrieved. One of the ways it does this is by sampling some of the factors in the image. Because images are unique, each calculation is unique and the product of the calculation will vary. For example, a winter landscape consisting of predominantly white snow and blue sky will produce a smaller data file than a scene such as Times Square at night. The richness of the latter scene will result in a larger file.
When the E-450 polls a formatted memory card, it is looking at a blank slate. It has yet to do the math for any images and is programmed to start out with a conservative capacity estimate. As the camera shoots more images, it recalculates the capacity as it �learns� about the image files it is creating. As the card fills up, the estimated capacity of RAW files on the display will become more accurate.
It is good practice to carry multiple memory cards in the event that the memory card in the camera should fill up. The E-450 also features an xD-Picture Card� slot to hold a second card. If the capacity of the CompactFlash card is nearly exhausted, the photographer can switch to the xD-Picture Card media or can transfer files from the CompactFlash card to the xD-Picture Card media to free up more capacity on the CompactFlash card.
I went on vacation and used several memory cards. Now, when I'm downloading the images onto my computer and trying to save them, I get a message that says, "Image file_name.jpg already exists.Replace it with the new file?" What's going on?
The E-450 has two settings for creating file names for the images it captures:
In this scenario, if images from multiple cards are downloaded to the same computer, then at some point the computer will be asked to download an image whose folder/file name is identical to one that was previously transferred to the computer. When this happens, each duplicate file name will have to be renamed individually or else the like-named files will overwrite their predecessors when they are saved to the computer. The original images will no longer be viewable.
On the LCD screen, I see the message "Internal camera temperature is too high. Please wait for cooling before camera use." Then the camera shuts off. What causes this message to appear?
As a safety measure, the E-450 issues this message and shuts itself off whenever its internal temperature climbs too high. This may happen after frequent or continuous use of Live View or a shooting mode that captures many images in a short time, such as the Sequential Shooting drive mode. In these situations, the image sensor may not get a chance to cool off between shots. The heat of the sensor raises the camera's internal temperature. If it gets high enough, the camera must turn itself off. Once the camera has cooled for a few minutes, you will be able to resume shooting.
Why doesn't the flash automatically pop up when I shoot?
In its default operation, the E-450 flash will automatically pop up and fire in low light and backlit conditions when any of the following shooting modes are active: AUTO, Portrait, Night + Portrait, Children, Macro, Nature Macro or Beach & Snow. This functionality is governed by the AUTO POP UP setting.
If the flash does not pop up as expected, make sure the camera is in a shooting mode that supports AUTO POP UP. Then verify that AUTO POP UP is enabled. To set AUTO POP UP, do the following:
My camera is connected to my TV with the video cable to play back my photos, but I don't see any images.
TVs have AV (Audio Visual) input channels (usually found below Channel 2) to play images and videos from digital cameras and camcorders. Using the TV channel selector, move downward through the channels until you see the camera menu on the TV screen.
If the image quality on the TV screen appears to be distorted, the camera may be set to a video output format that is incompatible with your TV. In the menu, check the VIDEO OUT setting. In North America, the setting should be NTSC.
I cannot control my camera with the RM-1 Remote Control although the camera is set up correctly for remote control shooting. Why not?
Other than the battery being exhausted, the frequency of the RM-1 may need to be changed for the remote control to be recognized by the camera. With the camera on, point the RM-1 at the Remote Control lamp on the front of the camera. On the RM-1, press the [CH] button and the [W] or [T] button simultaneously until you see the camera Remote Control lamp blink. The RM-1 frequency will then be compatible with the camera.
When attempting to install OLYMPUS Studio on a computer running Macintosh OS X 10.5.x ("Leopard"), I get the following error: "The current user does not have administrative privileges. Log on as an administrator." What should I do?
Download the latest version of OLYMPUS Studio by clicking here. Run the installer file (OS222EN.dmg). This will overwrite the previous installation of OLYMPUS Studio and allow you to use the application in your environment.
When attempting to install OLYMPUS Master 2 on a computer running Macintosh OS X 10.5.x ("Leopard"), I get the following error: "The current user does not have administrative privileges. Log on as an administrator." What should I do?
Download the latest version of OLYMPUS Master 2 by clicking here. Run the installer file (OM211EN.dmg). This will overwrite the previous installation of OLYMPUS Master 2 and allow you to use the application in your environment.


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Hello, everyone! I have the lovely distinction of hosting Friday Fiction this week. I'm gearing up for NaNoWriMo, starting next month, so hopefully, there will be some fun excerpts to share in the next few weeks.
To join in the Friday Fiction fun, just add the link to your story to the linky widget below. Don't forget to read and comment. We love feedback.
A/N: I think this is the very first ghost story of any kind that I've actually tried my hand at. This was done for a prompt line, "she couldn't put the spider down his shirt, so she stuck it in his lunch" and it could be any length, but preferably under one page. I managed to fit it in one page, but the story itself is probably pure fluff, as I cannot seem to write anything vaguely "terrifying" on demand. Hehe. Thanks for reading and happy weekend!
"Should we scare them?" Lesa's silvery form hovered in the corner outside the door of the Men's locker room. "Quit hiding in there and come on out."
"I'm not hiding!" Eric floated through the door a second later, twisting and tugging at his wispy white jersey. "What is it now—aw, really? More of them?" He scowled down at the huddled group of students picking their way through the darkened hallway of the abandoned school wing. "We just did this."
"I know, Boo." Lesa swirled up next to him, planting a kiss on one cheek. "But it's such fun to scare them. I wish they'd come every month, the year is boring except for Halloween."
"Only you would think it was fun," Eric said. He sucked in a breath, preparing to blow it out in a frosty gale that would send the student trespassers running for home.
Lesa clapped her hands in glee. "Ooh, do let me help, please?"
Eric rolled his eyes skyward, but waved a hand to encourage her. She grinned, a wolfish gleam in her eyes as she drew in a healthy breath and blew out in the same instant that he did. Every flashlight in the group flickered. Dangling posters along the wall fluttered wildly, helpless in the sudden gust of icy wind.
Nearly every girl shrieked, along with a few yells from the startled boyfriends. Seconds later, first round of bickering broke out amongst the coupled pairs.
Lesa and Eric watched with curious, unseeing eyes, as the group leader seemed to be having it out with his petite girlfriend. "They're so much like us," Lesa sighed. "The poor darlings. They don't know what they have, not everyone can be a ghost you know."
"Not quite like us. I'm pretty sure she didn't stick bugs in his-"
"It was once and it was a spider and it was my lunch that I gave you! How can you still be harping on this? It's been fifty years!"
"You were going to let me eat it!" He snapped at her. A distinct chill settled in the shadowed corridor, his ghostly aura expanding as his arms crossed over his chest. "You wouldn't have said a word. You were going to let me-"
Lesa sniffed. "Fine, so what if I was? It was your fault, you started it. If you hadn't put one on my head, I wouldn't have had to-"
"Oh, so now it's my fault?"
"It's always your fault. Just because there was an itsy bitsy spider in your lunch, didn't mean you had to come tromping along in all your muscly glory to shove me down the stairs for it! You could've picked it out."
"It was an accident!"
"Oho and by accident you just happened to tumble after me?"
Eric slapped a hand on his forehead. "That was the real accident, look, babe, just-just let it go, huh? Let's have some fun tonight." He held out a hand. "There's what, eight of them there? One who gets them out of the building first, wins."
Lesa sniffled, then reached over and grabbed his hand. They ghosted through the arguing pair below, shutting them up in short order.
(c) Sara Harricharan


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Blue blue sky :)
posted by Melani A on photos, wordless wednesday
posted by Melani A on photos, wordless wednesday
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There are few methods of saving energy that are quite as simple and effective as installing a programmable thermostat, also known as a setback thermostat or clock thermostat. When you install a programmable thermostat, you can set it to the most energy efficient temperature based on the time of day (when you're asleep, when you're at work, and when you come home), meaning it can help save you money 24/7—and you won't even have to think about it!
Take control of your home temperature today. Call All Seasons Heating & Cooling now to schedule programmable thermostat installation in Rosedale, MD!
When you first install a programmable thermostat in your Rosedale area home, you'll need to set your daily temperature presets. This is fairly easy to do—but if you need help, your All Seasons Heating & Cooling technician can help you out. Aim for no more than four settings a day—any more than this and your air conditioner will need to constantly adjust to keep up with your programmable thermostat, compromising its efficiency. Here's a hint: Most people set one preset for when everyone is at work or school, one for when they are home, and one for when everyone is asleep.
Many programmable thermostat models also allow you to set different presets for different days of the week, meaning you can have a more efficient setting during the work week when the house is empty and more comfortable settings during the weekend when everyone is home.
Then you can sit back and just let the thermostat run! It will automatically adjust the temperature to your presets, keeping the temperature under control on its own, while you go about business as usual.
Studies show that adjusting the temperature up in the summer or down in winter can save you 3 – 5 percent per degree on your HVAC costs over the course of the season!
Looking for even more flexibility? Certain models include a "vacation override" setting, allowing you to set your thermostat to a more efficient constant temperature so you won't waste any air conditioning while you are away. But it doesn't end there. The programmable thermostat offers an array of benefits that include:
For even more control, you can opt for a Nest Learning Thermostat, which is self-programming and can learn your preferences on its own or easily connect to a Wi-Fi enabled device when you're on the go.
Are you ready to take control of your home temperature and maximize efficiency with a programmable thermostat in Rosedale, MD? At All Seasons Heating & Cooling, we provide digital programmable thermostat installation services in Rosedale and surrounding areas to help clients like you live more comfortably, and more affordably. Our expert heating and cooling technicians are also happy to walk you through the selection process to ensure the model you choose is the perfect fit.
Don't wait to start saving money. Call today at 443-304-2379 to schedule programmable thermostat installation in Rosedale, MD and rest easy knowing your home temperature is always under control.


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Obama's commitment to Asian-Americans
President Obama knows that America is and always will be a Pacific nation and that, in the 21st century, it is more important than ever that the United States play a role in shaping the future of the Asia-Pacific region. No other U.S. President in history has had such a deep understanding of the vibrancy of Asia. But that's no surprise. As he said earlier this year: "When I think about Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, I think about my family."
The president carries a deep personal connection to the Asia-Pacific, from his birth in Hawaii to the time he spent in Indonesia as a young man. As he has said, "This is a community that helped to make me who I am today. It's a community that helped make America the country that it is today."
Story Continued Below
President Obama believes the U.S. must play a larger and long-term role in the Pacific region. And since taking office, he has put words into action. In recognition of the region's influence on the direction of world politics, economics and security in the decades to come, he ordered a "rebalancing" of America's foreign policy toward Asia. To support American exports, growth and jobs, he won passage of a major market-opening agreement with South Korea and initiated negotiations on a high-standard Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement that will create new export opportunities across Asia – and jobs here at home.
To deepen and strengthen ties, President Obama became the first American president to attend the East Asia Summit and also the first to meet with the leaders of all 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He inaugurated the annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue with China and met with China's president more than 10 times. He honored India, the world's largest democracy, in the first State Dinner of his presidency. And he came to the aid of U.S. allies Japan and Korea during times of need – following a tsunami, nuclear meltdown and belligerent actions from North Korea.
At home, his decisions reflect his belief in embracing the diversity of America – and fostering opportunity for all Americans. He has appointed an unprecedented number of Asian-American cabinet members, such as Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, as well as the nation's first Chief Technology Officer. The president appointed Ambassador Gary Locke to serve as the first Chinese-American ambassador to China. Furthermore, he more than doubled the number of Asian-Americans sitting on the federal bench to 17 federal court judges.


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crochet designs inspired by the colours, country side, wild life and way of life of Australia. My goal is to liven up crochet, make it fun and relevant to today and include environmental message. Patterns can be used for personal use, creating gifts and limited charity fundraising. You can not sell or copy my patterns, nor are you licensed to sell finished items made from my patterns. I want my projects to cheer your day - cockatoo, kangaroo , didgeridoo, hooroo! (c) crochetroo
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Remembering Grandma
This is my mum in law, or grandma as the kids call her. Grandma left us in the early hours of the morning after a very sudden decine. We will miss her dearly. She could never crochet, but she loved the things I made and would wear them with pride. She was the mum I never had, and a most wonderful grandma to our kids.
She is at peace now. I will be taking a break from my blog while we sort things out.
I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
Posted by crochetroo at Sunday, June 01, 2008
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TOKYO, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Japan, hurt by falling exports and tensions with trading partner China, said Thursday its 2012 trade deficit hit a record 6.93 trillion yen, or $78 billion.
The numbers included a trade deficit of 641.53 billion yen, or $7.2 billion, in December, the sixth straight month of such negative numbers, the Finance Ministry reported on its web site, making 2012 the second straight year of such deficits.
Japan and China are locked in a growing territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which both claim. The dispute has led to violent protests in China, hurting Japanese exports and adversely affecting bilateral trade of over $345 billion annually.
Japan, the world's third largest economy after the United States and China, also has been hurt by a rising yen which makes its exports more expensive. The country, which has been enjoying surpluses for decades, suffered its first annual trade deficit in 2011 of 2.56 trillion yen, blamed also on the debt crisis in Europe and the economic slowdown in the United States.
The latest announcement comes on the heels of the Japanese central bank's announcement for monetary stimulus and doubling the inflation target to 2 percent to bring the country out of its chronic deflation, a priority set by the new government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Analysts told the BBC exports are expected to rise, which should improve the country's trade picture.
"As exports pick up due to gradual recovery in the global economy, Japan's trade deficit is likely to shrink in the coming months," Tatsushi Shikano with Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan in Tokyo told the BBC.
"Although it is unlikely to swing to a surplus this year as the export recovery will be modest and imports are likely to remain high due to elevated oil import costs."


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GSA Plans for Recovery Act Funding Increase
February 20, 2009
February 20, 2009
Public Buildings Contact: MaryAnne Beatty, 202-501-0768
GSA Services and Fleet Contact: Robert Lesino, 202-501-1231
WASHINGTON — President Obama's signature on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act significantly increases resources for the U.S. General Services Administration to green federal buildings and buy more alternative-fuel vehicles, GSA officials said Tuesday.
The legislation includes $5.55 billion for building projects and $300 million for fuel-efficient vehicles. In addition, GSA will play a prominent role in advancing the goals of the legislation through its pre-existing contracts and energy-efficient product offerings.
"GSA is in terrific position to connect agencies with cost-effective, high-quality and environmentally friendly commercial products and services," said acting Administrator Paul F. Prouty. "We are thrilled by this unique opportunity to be a part of the solution to our nation's economic crisis."
The agency also announced that it will create a nationally managed, regionally executed program management office staffed with experts in various fields to support regional teams delivering the projects.
GSA's Public Buildings Service is responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of thousands of federally-owned facilities for more than one million civilian employees of the government at 60 different agencies.
The Recovery Act directs $750 million to renovate and construct federal buildings and courthouses, $300 million to renovate and construct land ports of entry and $4.5 billion to convert federal buildings to high-performance green buildings.
"We can help get people back to work," said Anthony Costa, acting Commissioner of GSA's Public Buildings Service. "We can help stimulate the economy by getting money flowing to the building industries – to construction workers, electricians, plumbers, air conditioning mechanics, carpenters, architects, and engineers."
By creating jobs, GSA is contributing to one of the major objectives of the Act.
Vehicle acquisition is another service GSA provides for federal agencies through the Federal Acquisition Service. The current GSA fleet contains about 80,000 alternative-fuel vehicles. GSA will work with federal agencies to determine the best method to evaluate vehicles eligible for replacement and fund those that would provide the largest benefit through decreased use of fuel and emission reduction.
GSA also stands ready to help all agencies acquire goods and services at best value through existing contract vehicles such as Multiple Award Schedules (MAS), Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC) and Multiple Agency Contracts (MAC).
"GSA is moving forward to meet the President's goals by delivering on our assigned responsibilities under the Act and assisting all of our federal, state and local customer agencies with best value products, services and assisted acquisition support," said Jim Williams, Commissioner of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service.
Lastly, GSA is taking the lead to launch, manage and support recovery.gov – the official recovery website of the federal government – to track recovery spending. Recovery.gov will report the progress on the reinvestment funding for the American public.
GSA does not anticipate significant increases in permanent employees. Some personnel will be redeployed within GSA, or contracted, to reduce the need for permanent staffing.
GSA provides a centralized delivery system of products and services to the federal government, leveraging its enormous buying power to get the best value for taxpayers.
• Founded in 1949, GSA manages more than one-fourth of the government's total procurement dollars and influences the management of $500 billion in federal assets, including 8,600 government-owned or leased buildings and 213,000 vehicles.
• GSA helps preserve our past and define our future, as a steward of more than 480 historic properties, and as manager of USA.gov, the official portal to federal government information and services.
• GSA's mission to provide superior workplaces, expert technology solutions, acquisition services, purchasing and E-Gov travel solutions and management policies, at best value, allows federal agencies to focus on their core missions.