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Digital Cameras the easy way – Reviews

“There’s plenty in this book to justify it’s modest cover price to anyone starting out in digital photography.  and if you’re putting off buying a digital camera because it all seems to complicated this is the book for you” Jeremy Rose – Scoop Review

“Aimed at people who do not wish to read large manuals to try and understand their camera  – and are keen to learn to use the key controls on their compact digital camera, and improve their photos.” Circle Web

“Full of simple, sensible advice and numerous tips , –  but without wodges of unnecessary information to wade through.” Otago Daily Times

“The little handbook – is quite wonderful. – Has the approach of a master teacher and it feels throughout that [the author] is beside the reader and sharing his journey with him  – challenging yet accessible and friendly.” Prof. Graham Hill

“Helps demystify digital photography – essential tips to improve your photographs. Never overly technical, it’s aimed at the average person who just wants better images.” NetGuide

“Chock-a-block full of great stuff” Don Lousley

“All you need in this simple little book” Independent Booksellers

“Nothing intimidating here – keeps things to a simple minimum – Starts from scratch – what to do for maximum pleasure and productivity without having to feel daft – Reassuring, like lessons from your favourite teacher” Wairarapa Times

“Thanks – it’s really great –  this 72 year old nana Lis, can [now] use her wee digital and have lots of fun and laughs” Lis Prouse

“The tips for better family photography and simple computer enhancement are particularly helpful” Greypower Magazine

“Well thought out and great for people on my [beginners digital] course” Andrew Miller

“Reading this great little book with its coloured photos as examples has given me the confidence and encouragement to try the techniques suggested” Marlborough Express

“The only book I have ever seen that lays out the problems most people have with starting [digital] photography in such a well thought out and easy to follow manner” Brian Drew – Seniornet – Digital Camera Interest Group – Green Island.

“ There will be few who would not profit from reading, and owning a copy”Stuart Strachan Dunedin Public Libraries review.

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Reprint planned due to demand for rail trail guide

By YVONNE O’HARA

AUTHORS Brian and Diane Miller, of Dunedin, have just launched a pocket•sized guide to the Otago Central Rail Trail and it has been so popular they are planning a reprint before Christmas.

The couple previously owned Tapui Children’s Books and have spent 20 years visiting schools throughout the South Island, selling children’s literature.

The couple thought there was a need for a compact booklet which provided plenty of information

More via >> Reprint planned due to demand for rail trail guide.

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Lifelogs publishes innovative pocket bikers guide to the Otago Central Rail Trail

When the Department of Conservation bought 150km of unused rail corridor in Central Otago 1993 and proposed a bike trail, many people laughed at the idea. Who would use it they said?

Well 10 years after the full track was finished more than 10,000 people a year cycle the full trail and many thousands more enjoy day trips. A few years ago some friends finished the trail ands said they would have liked a lot more information about the area and sidetrips, so Brian & Diane Miller have spent many months developing a new pocket guide.

The book – Otago Centrall Rail Trail – easy guide was published this week and should change the way people use the trail by making them more aware of the surroundings and side trips.

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Rail trail still proving popular | via Otago Daily Times Online News

Otago Central Rail Trail
Omakau resident Stephen Wood , a member of the Cycling Advocates Network, arrives on his bike for the first Otago Central Rail Trail workshop. Photo by Lynda Van Kempen and courtesy of The Otago Daily Times.

The popularity of the Otago Central Rail Trail shows no signs of waning, despite anecdotal reports of demand dropping or levelling off during the past season.

More than 120 people attended the first workshop on the future of the trail, held at Omakau on Friday, and were told user numbers had increased for the past two years.

The 150km walking and cycling trail from Clyde to Middlemarch is maintained and developed by the Department of Conservation and the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust.

Doc Central Otago manager Mike Tubbs said electronic counters along the trail recorded user numbers. Figures for the use of the whole trail were based on an average over four “remote” locations, where people were likely to travel if they were completing the entire trail.

The number of people using the trail in the year ending June 30, 2010 was 12,157, compared with 10,058 the previous year. In the past seven years, an increase was recorded each year except 2008-09, when the number declined by 880 on the previous year. Mr Tubbs said the most recent figures, until the end of March this year, showed an increase in patronage.

People from throughout Otago attended the forum, with local authorities, trail business operators, tourism and promotion groups, Chamber of Commerce, cycle groups, environmental organisations and service groups all represented. A strategic plan for the future of the trail, based on the feedback at the forum, will be prepared.

Trail trust chairwoman Daphne Hull was delighted at the diversity of groups represented and the views aired.

“I look forward to seeing the report, which will highlight the common ground. The general feeling from the forum was that people are happy with the trail as it is – there was no push to seal it, for example. The next challenge will be promotion and marketing and there’s very differing views about who should be responsible for that and how it should be funded.”

The trust and Doc fund the maintenance and development of the trail, which costs about $316,600 a year.

Mrs Hull and Mr Tubbs told the forum that although their respective organisations promoted the trail, they did not have a budget for marketing.

“The website is our main marketing tool and our trail passports are another strong promotional tool,” Mrs Hull said.

The trust funded brochures and publicity material and contributed to the upkeep and ongoing development of the trail but there was a limit to how often it could “go back to funding trusts with our cap in our hands”, she said.

Those at the forum were asked about customer service, the positive and negative effects of the trail on the communities along it, marketing and promotion and their long-term vision for the trail.

“It’s more than just a bike ride and we need to plan for people to spend some time in the area,” Kath Thomas, of Naseby, said. Many at the forum said the aim should be to encourage rail-trail users to stay longer.

Positive effects of the trail included the boost to the economy, the creation of jobs and providing an opportunity for businesses to develop. Negatives included a loss of serenity in some places and the potential for overcrowding.

Concern was expressed about the lack of cellphone coverage at points along the route.


Trail statistics:

• The number of rail trail users (whole trail), year ending June 30, 2010: 12,157

• The number of users five years ago: 8923

• Most popular section of trail: Poolburn Gorge (Lauder to Auripo)

• Number using that section, year ending June 30, 2010: 24,062

• Trail users from July 1, 2010 to March 31 this year: 8347

• Trail users for the same time 2009-10 year: 8148

• Annual maintenance and development cost: $316,612

• Money spent on maintenance and development since inception (17 years): $4.72 million


via Rail trail still proving popular (page 1) | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News.

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Children’s book launched | Otago Daily Times Online News

The launch of a children’s book on the history of the gold rush in Lawrence has been well received by the community.

The book, Stars of Orion, was written by Diane Miller and lays out the history of Gabriel’s Gully through the eyes of a child…

More via Children’s book launched | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News.

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Scoop Review Of Books » Photography: Digital Death or Liberation?

Brian Miller has a chapter in his sixty four page Digital Cameras The Easy Way
 titled, “Cull, File and Backup.” It’s far from the only good advice in this handy little book which covers everything from choosing a camera to composition, and creating your own travel blog.

There’s plenty in the book to justify its modest cover price to anyone starting out in digital photography.

And if you’re putting off buying a digital camera because it all seems too complicated this is the book for you.

More via Scoop Review Of Books » Photography: Digital Death or Liberation?.