need helpful information

[jenny]

my mom is buying me a new computer for xmas.... and as bad as I hate to convert, a digital camera (I still use film) but I know I need to convert soon....
as far as the computer.... I will still use dial up... I don't need anything fancy as I only use the computer for email mainly and only visit a couple websites ..I will use it mainly for pictures as well.... Also, how do I get old pictures from the old computer to the new computer and a few other things without getting the bad stuff (viruses, etc) from the old computer...I would rather have windows XP than vista. and would only need a med size amount of memory....I work at a tv station and they have where we can get a great deal with DELL...... any helpful advice on the computer or digital camera will be a great help....as far as the camera I would like to get something that has changeable lenses.....
Jenny

[aabram]

These days they call it a mobile phone.... :p :D

[RedjackRyan]

For the computer, given what you want to do with it (Photo editing) drive space is going to be more important than any other bells and whistles. I'd suggest a minimum of 250gigabytes for the drive(s) . For the camera, you might consider http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3111167&CatId=2452 A good camera for those transitioning from the SLR world to digital.

[Amy in Vermont]

If you decide to go with a Dell, be sure to get the Complete Care Warranty. If you are getting a desktop, put your extra $$ into a bigger monitor (19" or more). This is, after all, your major interface with the computer. For a Dell desktop, I prefer the Optiplex line over the Dimensions. For la[tops, I prefer the Latitude over the Inspiron.

As to the Camera, if you are really into photography, and want interchangeable lenses, look at either Nikon, Minolta, or Canon Digital SLR's. There's a chance that some of thelenses you may already have will work with a digital.

But be forwarned, these are NOT CHEAP.

[paularoid]

I can't really add much to anything that hasn't already been said by everyone else except perhaps in one area, and that is how to transfer files from the old system to the new system. What you can do if there aren't too many files and they're not too big is to simply mail them to yourself. Send them all off to yourself from your old system and then hook up your new system and retrieve your mail.

That's another really nice thing about some of the freebie online email accounts. I really enjoy my GMail (Google) account for that very purpose. They've expanded their mailing capacities to 20meg attachments and storage capacity is now over 5gig (and growing) worth of storage space.

If you have a CD burner on the old system (the new one will most likely have one as standard equipment) then just burn a CD with all the stuff on it and transfer that way. You could also hook the two computers up together in a mini-network and transfer between the two by cable.

[jenny]

...everyone for your helpful advice..... I work at a tv station so I spoke with some of our engineers and that helped as well...
I went with the NIKON SLR and am really excited about that more than the computer...so I have some reading to do as to how to use ALL the options I have etc....
The computer I got is a gateway, which is what I have now and has worked very well for me... it is just old and needed to update, get more memory, and when I first got it, I was computer stupid (and still am to a point) and didn't have firewalls,etc... so this experience will be better for me as I will be more prepared....if I remember correctly I have 400 giga bites... a cd/dvd player and burner I believe....the computer itself is still at the store having the anti virsus and firewall **** installed.. I wanted NOTHING to do with it... my guys as work said the best way to go to get my pics off the old computer would be to get a thumb something and put my pics on that, then I can put them on the new one using that thumb thing... see I told you I KNOW nothing.. but if someone tells me what and how to do it, I CAN do it... shut up redjack.. no smart comments from the peanut gallery or I will get you!!!!!
It will be the weekend before I have time to switch over so I will let you know how I do.. thanks again for all your advice.... keep it coming....
Jenny ;-)
shut up redjack.... I heard what you said.....and I know what you are thinking

[RedjackRyan]

Jenny my luv, would I *EVER* say anything like that?? see my halo!!? I'm innocent I tell ya!

Congrats on your upgrade and new camera, you'll have to let me know how you like it. I'm looking to upgrade to a serious digital Slr in the near future.

[paularoid]

Ah yes.... a thumbdrive. Even though I have and use one a LOT it completely slipped my mind. :rolleyes: "Couldn't see the forest for the trees" type of thing I guess. Yeah, that's the easiest way of all as long as you have one big enough.

[DaveM]

Thinking of a digital SLR myself, though the price gives me serious pause. During the past two years I have had to realize that the film camera equipment which has been my constant companion since the late 1970s is becoming obsolete.

For the moment, I am using a Canon A540 digital which has a 4X optical zoom and 6.0 megapixel resolution (roughly the equivalent in sharpness to good quality 35mm film). The Canon "A" series can be fitted with an adapter which allows them to accept many of the older film camera accessories--at least SOME of my "old stuff" is still usable.

Eventually I know I'll be going the digital SLR route, but at the moment, I'd have to see a doubling in resolution and a 50% price drop in order for it to be worth my while. And I must say, no matter how perfect a digital image may be, there's just no imitating the warm glow of a nicely-exposed Kodachrome. I suppose that's the latest incarnation of the analog vs. digital debate....

[Bat]

Marcia presented me with a Nikon Coolpix L11, 6 Megapixels, ISO800...looks like a very sweet little camera, 3x/4x digital zoom, panoramic option, just really nice. Seems simple enough, but the book is thick enough to make me think there is a lot that can be done with it! I will read it soon, you can bet.
It's the only thing I wanted for Christmas, so I'm very pleased. I took one picture so far, of her on the couch looking very disheveled, having just gotten up...I promised her faithfully that I wouldn't ever publish it on the web, (cute though it is), and I won't...just took it to see that everything would transmit and get into the computer as it ought to. It does, the software that came with it seems to be quite comprehensive and beyond my scope, actually-- for the nonce, anyway. Just thought I'd share my good fortune with you guys. :D

[Chet]

Bat & Marcia

Good choice on the Nikon CoolPix! You won't ever go wrong with a Nikon.

I have the CoolPix 5900, which I used to take pictures during the UK LRC 2006 at Rowy's, plus the Brighton concert, plus all the pictures on my various panda holidays.

Size is just right for me, with a little handhold on the right side of the camera.