Ran across this “hack” to determine the tcp/ip port used by MS SQL Server 2005 -


declare @ports varchar(256)
exec master.dbo.xp_instance_regread
'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE', 'Software\Microsoft\MSSQLServer\MSSQLServer\SuperSocketNetLib\Tcp\IPAll\',
'TcpPort',
@ports OUTPUT,
'no_output'
select @ports


For 2000 –

declare @ports varchar(256)
exec master.dbo.xp_instance_regread
'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE',
'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSSQLServer\MSSQLServer\SuperSocketNetLib\Tcp',
'TcpPort', @ports OUTPUT, 'no_output'
select @ports


If you’re at all a “photo enthuasist”, you would have heard the news by now that Lightroom 2 has been replaced. Tom Hogerty, the senior product manager for Lightroom, has an excellent description at Lightroom’s official blog at http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/2008/07/lightroom_2_now_available.html

Some thoughts:

• They did an excellent job coordinating their release with 3rd parties that have partnered/supported them in the past. For example, NAPP/Kelby Training, Jeff Friedl, Victoria Bampton and others.
• NAPP has obviously put a lot of effort into this release with the training materials they’ve put together.
• Overall, I’m very impressed with the updates and felt the upgrade price of $99 was fair.
• I do understand the international community’s concern that they are paying a higher price for the product. This is largely a function of the weakness of the american dollar.
• I’ve had mixed results from a performance standpoint. The applicatuon can get a bit sluggish on the target adjustments. Also, I’ve continue to notice that my Windows XP laptop outperforms my Windows Vista machine, despite the fact they are both dual core and the Vista machine has another 1 gig of RAM (for a total of 3). Screen size for the Vista machine is larger as well, which may contribute to the problem.

At the end of the day, if you are shooting in “RAW” format, Lightroom is one tool you must own. The exceptions to this are Apples Aperture 2 and Capture NX 2 for Nikon shooters. Those users need to try out the different trial versions and decide for themselves.

Overall, I like angle and view point. Semi-interesting sky. What I really dislike is that the column blocks Lincoln’s face. I should have walked closer for a better angle.

Looking at the Washington Monument in this photo, I realized how easy it is to forget how massive the monuments are on the mall. Seeing the people and flags around the bottom puts the height into scale…

Although, I’ve got to admit I prefer this photograph (the moon was truly amazing to see) -

Over the weekend, my wife and I drove to DC to return her sister’s dog.  And, of course, I had to bring along the camera to take photographs.   After making the escape after dinner, I was dropped off at the Washington Monument about an hour before sunset.   My first thought was where did all of these tourists come from?  I didn’t remember them from 10 years ago when I lived here.  Then I realized, that I really didn’t go to the mall much (if at all) during the summer months.

Generally, I don’t like shooting around a lot of people – I’m definitely not a street photographer.   It was rather difficult to think and contemplate shoots. 

Couple of thoughts:

• Be considerate where you use your tripod.  Just because you can use it does not necessarily mean that you should.  The best research I’ve seen on tripod policy is on the “DC Photo Rights” group on Flickr by user name “Erin_M” – Here’s the thread -http://www.flickr.com/groups/dcphotorights/discuss/72157604136623417/ .   To summarize, there’s five places where you’re not supposed to use tripod -
  • within the ring of flags of the washington monument
  • anywhere on the grounds of the vietnam veterans memorial
  • within the jefferson memorial
  • on the marble at Lincoln
  • in front of the stars at WWII memorial
• I was able to use the tripod at the first and fifth locations, but it was well after sunset when the crowds where starting to finally then. Be polite.
• Choose a couple of locations to spend time – the monuments and sights in DC are more spread out than you think.
• You’re best bets for avoiding people are going to be sunrise and then several hours after sunset in the summer time.

Here’s my favorite image from the evening – I felt like it was the only one that was somewhat unique and could classify more as “art” than a snapshot -

Once again after updated iTunes on Windows Vista, I had yet another occurance of an issue I had to deal with on previous installs -

Every time iTunes starts, I get the following dialog box – “Please wait while Windows configures iTunes.”

UGGGHH!!!  It’s really more of annoyance, but I shouldn’t have to deal with crap like this. 

I’ve found a couple of items on the Internet.  The most promising seems to be SoulManX’s post at http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5440570

However, this never seems to fix it for me.  After searching a bit more, I usually run across a thread to run the program directly from the installed location under “Program Files”.  This works and I can create a new short cut to it.

I’m not whether or not to blame this on Vista’s poorly engineered security model or Apple’s laziness to fix the problem.

Well the third doping incident has occurred now within the 2008 Tour de France.  I can only hope that it’s last, but I seriously doubt it.   The sport is cleansing itself and it was encouraging to read how the WADA is partnering with pharmaceutical companies to develop drug tests.

Well, Project Rumway Season 5 started this evening and, being the reality-show junkie that I’ve turned into, I had to watch the premeire.  Looks to be very much a repeat of past seasons, but that will still turn out very well.

The first “auf” was somewhat predictable.  A nice, safe design that showed little originality/creativity was voted off in place of a contestant who was sure to provide more ratings potential.

What have I become?  (my mind is wasting away …)

The Federal Appeals Court of Richmond VA ruled in an extremely fractured (and quite frankly partisan) ruling that Bush had the legal power to order the indefinite military detention of civilians captured within the United States.

The administration argued that a 2001 Congressional authorization to use military force after the Sept. 11 attacks granted the president power to detain people living in the United States.

Look and the Bill of Rights and, specifically, the Fifth Amendment -

No person shall be held to answer for any capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

A strict, constitutionalist reading of this passage gives the right to detain in times of “public danger”. My concern is that this is a very slippery slope that our country has started down. Once we deny ourselves (including those who wish harm upon us) what the vast majority of Americans consider basic rights, then further rights are easily eroded.

We need to set the example to the world. Ignoring our own defined rights because its convenient weakens us dramatically in the long run.