Personal Health - medical, fun

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As a medical doctor I am very pleased with this book. The authors have done something very unlikely -- they wrote an fun, entertaining book that is also scientifically and medically excellent. Well researched, well-referenced and easy to use. Quite a public service!



CEC Don't Swallow Your Gum!: Myths, Half-Truths, and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health

Using solid medical research and some really funny storytelling, these two doctor-authors debunk so many commonly forwarded myths that it can save the internet. I get so many email forwards that could have been easily nipped at the bud if the sender has just read this book. Think of how much more time we'd all have, and how the internet would be free and clear of such dispelled myths!



So the next time someone sends you an email about the evils of antiperspirant, organ donations, or the advantages of peeing on jellyfish stings, just send them a copy of this book! The short chapters make for easy on-the-go reading, and the numerous citations in the index make for some interesting follow-up research.

Do you want to be able to correct your mother on the myths about citrus when she foists vitamin C tablets on you when you have the sniffles? Perhaps just rattle off some interesting tidbits of knowledge at a summer BBQ when everyone is slathering themselves with spf 1000 sunblock? This book is rife with great nuggets of medical information presented in bite-size chunks. A fun and informative collection of essays on commonly believed medical myths that will occasionally make you feel smarter than your doctor.

About: Doctors Vreeman and Carroll tackle common beliefs about health and the human body including the Five Second Rule, double dipping and how much water one should drink. The book is organized into six groups of myths: the body, diseases, sex and pregnancy, babies and children, what we eat and drink, and myths that spark debate and controversy.



Pros: Quick read, interesting, lots of myths tackled, well written, references in back.



A Few Things I Found Interesting:



* Yellow urine doesn't mean you are dehydrated, neither does being thirsty



* You can't "beat" a breathalyzer



* A mosquito's buzz is just the flapping of its wings



* Once the irritating oils are washed off, you can't get poison ivy from someone's poison ivy rash



* Putting butter on a burn is a bad idea



* Green mucus from your nose doesn't mean you need antibiotics



* Poinsettias aren't that poisonous. No people have died from poinsettia poisoning



* Vitamin C doesn't prevent colds



* Sugar does not make kids hyper



* Twins don't skip a generation



Cons: No in-text citations, would have liked to see a further reading and other resources section.



Grade B+

Just purchased this book last night and can't put it down. I sat on the couch reading and sharing these extremely interesting and witty short descriptions of misconceived myths with my unbelieving husband! I love my mother-in-law but I must admit it was fun to remind him that she is not always right! Who would have thought two research docs could be so funny!

As a healthcare provider I had originally thought I wouldn't learn anything from a book like this but was pleasantly surprised to see longheld healthcare beliefs effectively debunked in a very entertaining fashion through this book. I've also passed on this book on to my non-healthcare provider friends and they have not been able to put the book down. The simple conversational tone makes this book an enjoyable, quick read while also providing easy to understand information about your body and health.

My best friend just bought me this book to prove that the things I constantly complain about are just not true!! Once I started reading, I could not put the book down. It is easy to read, not too technical, very well researched and best of all, funny!!



I recently heard that the book was featured in USA Today and that the authors appeared on Good Morning America. If anyone has those links, please reply to this review.



Great book, I highly recommend it!

Fantastic read and a great conversation starter! We recently received this book as a gift and set set it on our coffee table- it's been sparking an incredible amount of laughter and debate ever since.



You would not believe some of the myths that we've believed as truths for so long... who knew that sugar doesn't make kids hyper or that turkey really doesn't make you tired? The research to back up each busted myth is easy to read and very interesting!



We love the book and can't wait to give it to our friends and family for upcoming birthdays and holidays. Happy Myth Busting!

Dr. Carroll and Dr. Vreeman, both from the Indiana University School of Medicine, have written a number of articles about medical myths and misunderstandings. Two years ago they explored seven myths and their historic and medical backgrounds:



People should drink at least eight glasses of water a day.



We use only 10% of our brains.



Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death.



Shaving hair causes it to grow back faster, darker, or coarser.



Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight.



Eating turkey makes people especially drowsy.



Mobile phones create considerable electromagnetic interference in hospitals.



Now they have published this delightful update to their past reseaches. The book is well written and informative -- and a joy to read. I loved it.



Robert C. Ross 2009

I was at my local book retailer recently and the great title of this book caught my eye. After reading the first several pages and paging through some other chapters, it really grabbed my attention! Two days later I purchased 6 copies (one for myself) and the rest for a doctor friend and family. This makes for great talking points and is also VERY USEFUL! Great read that I highly recommend. - Myths - Fun - Colbert Report - Medical'

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Sustainable Agriculture - homesteading, urban gardening

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I've read various books on self-sufficiency in the past ten years, but this one is different. First, it doesn't tell you how to recreate a 19th-century homestead, which is beginning to seem to me like another version of faux chateaux, but which also is not going to work very well if it is not surrounded by other 19th-century homesteads. And it doesn't describe what you can do "some day" when you get your five acres and independence. Instead, it focuses on what you can do right now in your own city to become more self-sufficient and sustainable. That makes it unique.



The reviewer who said that this is not a compendium of how-tos is right. It is more of an idea book, although there are many references to sources of detailed info about, for instance, raising ducks. But the problem with other self-sufficiency books I have run across is precisely that they are NOT idea books--that they become absorbed with one particular way of growing food, for instance, or one particular way of heating your (19th-century farm) house. There is nothing about woodstoves or woodlots in here.



This is the first book on self-sufficiency I have seen that directly addresses the fear that underlies the desire many people have to become more independent of the economy--the fear of some apocalypse, social collapse, disaster, etc., which they here dub "when the zombies come." I loved that they use humor to address that fear. There is a LOT of humor in this book; it's almost worth reading just for that.



Other books on self-sufficiency focus on being isolated and seeing other people as the enemy. I read one that recommended you get a house in a dip that no one can see from the road. They'll tell you how much ammunition to squirrel away with your self-heating lasagne rations. This one tells you to get to know your neighbors, because there is strength not in isolation but in community, where we can trade not only stuff like food, but our skills. In that way, it is similar to Food Not Lawns, but much as I admire the ideas in that book, this one offers ideas that are much more doable, I think, for most people.



It is a bit strange that Amazon is bundling this book with Gardening When It Counts, since that book recommends using extra-wide spacing to grow vegetables in situations where you do not have irrigation, and space is a real problem when you are growing on a city lot. Gardening that is a bit more intensive works better in that situation. But Gardening When It Counts is good in the way it ranks veggies by growing difficulty. The Urban Homestead (Expanded & Revised Edition): Your Guide to Self-Sufficient Living in the Heart of the City (Process Self-reliance Series)

I was so excited to receive this book-- as someone who has had some experience farming and who hopes to continue in the future BUT who will be living in a city for the foreseeable future, I couldn't wait to get my hands on my guide to sustainable homesteading in the city.



While this book is full of great concepts, it fails to deliver on the instruction side of things. This is not a Guide Book as the cover proclaims-- it is an Ideas book. The authors suggest planting fruit trees in your yard, and to save space, prune them into "an espalier". How do you do that? The authors kindly refer you to another book.



I understand that covering all the skills involved in Urban Homesteading in-depth would require a tome many times the length of this paperback. But an Urban Wild Edibles section with no pictures? Seriously?



This is a great tool for people who haven't gardened before and who have the motivation to seek out the actual technique elsewhere. But this is nowhere close to a guidebook, and most of the sections were wildly uninspiring, under-explained, and uninformative. If you had the foresight to seek out this book, you can probably figure out on your own that you can bake bread even in the city (!), red lettuce and green lettuce look pretty together in your garden, and composting may help reduce some of your soil woes.



To be fair, the cooking section and home cleaning supplies section, while not very enlightening in terms of ideas, has a slightly more complete informative style. But really, this is a basic, basic book, and while some of the book caters to those of us in tiny apartments with no yard space, the majority deals with ideas best tackled with large kitchens, some sort of yard/roof, and owners (or at least tenants of some very permissive landlords) of their own place. There was nothing particularly urban about most of these instructions, and this book doesn't even go near anything I would call homesteading.



In the end? If you won't do any growing of your own food if you don't buy this book then BUY IT. But, if you're like me and you are hoping for something to really make your apartment more sustainable, you may be better off reading Gaia's Garden and making the necessary adjustments yourself.

For those of us city-dwellers contemplating the fundamental lifestyle adjustments demanded by the looming global socio-economic reorganization, this book provides a detailed, lucid, step-by-step, blueprint that takes what seems to be an overwhelming task of historical reversal and transforms it into an open-ended series of tangible, human-scaled projects. The writing and design make it easy to browse, read straight through, or use for reference, and it brims with an infectious curiosity and enthusiasm for the exploration and reclamation of our culture and species' relationship to the land. The longest journey begins with a single compost heap.

I've been reading the authors' blog, HomegrownEvolution.com for more than a year, so I had a pretty good idea what to expect from this book, and I was not in the least disappointed. I think perhaps even more than all of the practical advice and specific directions in The Urban Homestead, Coyne and Knutzen's perspective and approach are what I value most. There's an overriding attitude--almost philosophy, really--that the authors convey so well. It's positive yet somehow never sappy. They recommend doing what you can and doing what you like.



They also warn: "Work makes work" in the gardening section, and to me that perspective is more valuable than knowing how frequently to water my sweet peppers once they've flowered. (Which brings up another thing I've enjoyed so much about reading this book and the H.E. blog: The blog pointed me to Pat Welsh's Southern California Gardening for more specific and advanced gardening advice.)



The Urban Homestead is laid out in a way that makes it easy to pick up and read a little bit here and there. And I've been picking up my copy every chance I get, rereading sections, too, both for knowledge and enjoyment. It's really oriented toward people with a new or recent interest in living more like their great-grandparents did, more engaged in the world around them, even if that world is a major metropolis. It's less about preparing for disaster than thwarting it.



If you want to ditch your TV, buy less crap at the supermarket, learn how to use a bicycle to transport your self and your stuff, conserve, reuse, bake, make and otherwise reject so many things that until recently our society believed were progress, this book will get you going on the right path. - Gardening - Urban Gardening - Sustainability - Homesteading'

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Ipad Keyboard - ipad keyboard, bluetooth keyboard

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I ordered two of these timbuk2 bags. One for my iPad2 and one for my wife's iPad1. They were by all accounts on the description the same, and i bought from this link--I accessed this page from my accounts and prior orders on both purchases. Both said fit the iPad1 and iPad2. The first one I ordered from a third party seller on amazon (ebags) because amazon didn't have any. The second I ordered from amazon. When they came, they are slightly different sizes.



The ebag one fits my ipad2 is about a half inch smaller than the amazon one. It fits perfectly my ipad2 with a smartcover--a leather one if that makes a difference. My wife's iPad1 with the apple case doesn't fit in it.



The amazon one (I.e., the one sold directly from amazon) is bigger and fits the iPad1 with the apple case. There's just a touch of extra room, but it is a great fit. The iPad2 if a little loose in it.



Overall, both bags are great. Good padding. I like the look. There is cushion but it is not overly thick. But there is a little bit of buyer beware out there. If you have an ipad2 in all likelihood you want the smaller bag, but there is no real way to tell from the ordering system.



Edit: If you look at some of the more recent reviews above, it seems as if they might be sending out the smaller one now (as opposed to the larger one discussed in the older comments). So if you have an iPad1 and want to use the apple case, this may not be the sleeve for you. Timbuk2 iPad Envelope Sleeve (Village Violet/Barley/Barley, X-Small)

This will fit an iPad2 with the smartcover. This sleeve is nice and thin and should offer a little more protection in addition to the smartcover. The "hook and loop" fastener system is very strong and won't come undone easily.



I bought a smaller sleeve this past fall for my Kindle and liked it so much I wanted to get one for my iPad2.

The sleeve is well made and has the right amount of padding while maintaining a thin profile, but as another reviewer had mentioned, there's an issue with the sizing. I ordered two sleeves both directly from amazon and I ended up getting two different sizes. The first one fit the iPad2 + smart cover perfectly, but the second one is really loose (almost half an inch of wiggle on both ends). I'm getting a replacement from amazon soon, so we'll see if it was just a fluke or maybe their supplier has an older stock of the larger sleeve...



Update:

After 2 more replacements, I was unable to get the smaller sleeve that fits the iPad2 snug for my second sleeve. The sleeve is still great, but unfortunately, it's hit or miss with the sizing. I'm happy with my first one, but unfortunately I can't keep asking for replacements until I get the right one for my friend. I'm still rating this 5 stars because the sleeve I'm keeping works great and fits perfectly, and amazon customer service has been exceptional.



If you want to see the size difference between the cases, take a look at the photo I uploaded on the product page.

I bought this because I have one of their laptop cases with which I am very pleased. The laptop case is thickly quilted and very protective. The iPad case is also very protective, although not quite as thick/padded as the laptop case. Still, it is thick enough and wonderful for what I wanted it for: Protect the iPad from scratches and dents when I toss it in my backpack. It's hardy and well-made with tough, rigid seams all around the outer edge. The flap closes with three large velcro strips - maybe too much, but better too much than too little.

Fast Delivery. The color of the Sleeve is attractive. But seriously, i would not recommend anyone to get this sleeve for iPad2. The flip is hard. The width of the sleeve does not have any extra space left which means that you got to use a slight force in order to fit it in. (Ended up getting scratches on the side of my iPad2. The material inside the sleeve does not provide a sense of secure. (It's abit rough). Would like to return the item if possible.

The Timbuk2 iPad envelope sleeve is perfect for what I was needing. After getting my iPad I went and bought a keyboard case to go with it-ZAGGmate with Keyboard, but still felt that I'd need something else in case I didn't need to take the keyboard case with me. I was pleasantly surprised that not only does my iPad fit perfectly in this case, and although it's a little snug, I can put the iPad into the Zaggmate keyboard case and then put the entire thing into the Timbuk2 sleeve! Got the baby blue/grey/white and it looks pretty stylish too, if you're into that. Good padding, without being overkill and also looks great when carrying it as well!

Been looking for a sleeve to fit my Ipad2. This looked light weight, I liked the style and looked easy to carry (which it is) but when received, it was too small. When I tried to slide my Ipad2 in the sleeve, it wouldn't fit. I returned it, ordered a second, one as the representive told me that with this item, the size can vary. After receiving the second one - I give up - this one is smaller than the first, about 1/4 inch smaller. Needless to say, this one is being sent back. - Bluetooth Keyboard - Ipad Keyboard - Ipad Case - Ipad 2'

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Walkie Talkie - motorola, 2-way radio

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This radio works very well in hilly terrain and is easy to use. Reception is clear. One suggestion: the online product information should indicate that the "R" in EM1000R refers to the fact that the pair of radios comes with a recharging bay (with a slot for each radio). This will make comparison among products clearer. Motorola TalkAbout EM1000R 20-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair)

The EM1000R radios are very good. They are good for short range 2-way radio general usage. You must remember that there is NO scramble mode on these radios, so absolutely no possibility of any privacy at all (000%). Motorola refers to the CTCSS & DCS codes correctly as Eliminator Codes. Too many manufacturers refer to them as Privacy Codes (which is INCORRECT). CTCSS/DCS do not offer any privacy at all. They help keep out unwanted conversations from being received by the radio. But do not block or prevent anyone else on any other FRS/GMRS or SCANNER radio from hearing you. The EM1000R has all 38 standard CTCSS tones. And has 83 DCS codes available.



Here are a couple of things I really like about the EM1000R radios:



- Very good pickup on the built-in MIC

- Very good audio on the built-in speaker (perhaps the best)

- the QT mode is very cool. When ENABLED, it prevents other

radio users using the same CHANNEL and QUIET CODE from being

heard by blocking reception of those radios. Very very cool

feature. It blocks the other non-motorola radios even if they

are using the same CTCSS/DCS code. Again, very cool feature.

- the ALERT button is cool. Its very similar to EMERGENCY

buttons used on Motorola Trunk and Conventional Radio Systems.

It activates the PTT with an ALERT for 8 seconds, then turns ON the MIC

automatically on the affected radio for 22 seconds. And turns

the VOLUME UP all the way on any and all other Motorola EM1000R

radios that are receiving the signal. Then cranks the VOLUME

back down to the regular level after the 22 seconds. Very cool

function/feature. Very well thought out Motorola. Congrats!

- Weather Radio Alert is always nice, thank you Motorola

- LED flashlight is very cool, thank you Motorola

- The many, many ways to recharge the batteries. Way to go Motorola.

- The END Squelch Tail is eliminated when using either CTCSS or DCS codes on any channel. Hooray, glad to see the END Squelch Tail finally eliminated. Motorola, you are the BEST, thank you. I have been wanting radios that eliminate that darn END Squelch tail. It is so annoying. Thank you Motorola for including this feature in the EM1000R radio!



Now for the things I do NOT like about the EM1000R:



- No basic SCRAMBLE mode (Inversion Mode would have better than none)

- Power output is at fixed level while on GMRS channels. Would of

liked to have either HI/LO or HI/MED/LO options while on GMRS channels.

FRS channels 8-14 are locked at 1/2-watt power output on all radios, of course, per the FCC.

- There is a SCAN/SEARCH feature. No FRS/MURS/GMRS radio should have ever been manufactured with a SEARCH/SCAN feature. It is the reason we have so many problems/complaints with these services. If you want to SCAN, get a SCANNER radio. That is what they are designed to do. FRS/MURS/GMRS radios should have never been made with SCAN/SEARCH feaures. One of the biggest mistakes ever made to these radio services.

That is why we have so much on-air HARRASSMENT and RF STALKING that takes place by your snooping neighbors.



To summarize, I really really like the QT mode. It keeps out non-EM1000R radios from being heard on your radio even if they are using the correct CHANNEL and CTCSS/DCS code. Having a RF power setting would have been nice while on the GMRS channels, to control the power output. And no SCRAMBLE mode means there is <Zero> privacy from other FRS/GMRS and SCANNER radios. Of course, Audio-Inversion scrambling does not offer much protection from ease-dropping anyway. But it offers at least alittle bit. So, when operating these or any FRS/MURS/GMRS radio, make sure to use CODES, NICKNAMES and do NOT give out REAL NAMES, PHONE NUMBERS, EMAIL ADDRESSES and try not to give out your location. Use abbreviations when possible, and use CODED-LOCATIONs, if you must. Say things like: I am on the A street, or B street, or similar. Remember, there are KIDDIES-PUNKs listening. There are OLD-FARTS and CROOKS listening too, just waiting to use your personal info against you.

These are very nice radios. I am very happy with the purchase.



Pros:

- These radios came with a free car charger in the box! The sticker on it said it was for a limited time..

- They look nice. They have a high quality feel to them.

- The rechargable batteries included are the 3 AA cell batteries. That's a plus because I can easily use AA alkaline Batteries from the shop if I run out of juice.

- It comes with built-in LED flash light.



Cons:

- The batteries are only 650 mAh Ni-Cd, which are a bit low compared to current NiMH. Maybe I'll throw in a trio of eneloops in if I start running out of battery.

- The stand alone charger is a dumb charger which I think keeps on charging once full (potentially dangerous). The manual is a bit confusing regarding this fact. - Two-way Family Service Radio - 2-way Radio - Motorola - Two-way Radios'

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Highly Recommend - hdmi, highly recommend

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I have an Apple TV and Blu-ray player but only one HDMI port on my TV and I was getting tired of manually swapping the HDMI cable between the them. I was also worried that over time the HDMI cable/port would degrade from the constant handling so I began hunting for a HDMI switch.



After comparing HDMI switches, I finally decided to go with the 3 port HDMI smart switch from Mediabridge. My main reason was based on price and the reviews. I'm very happy with this device (I don't usually go through the trouble of writing reviews so that says something)! It's not as expensive as a lot of the others I found and does exactly what I need it to do. It's compact and silent so I can discretely tuck it behind my TV with the rest of the cables and doesn't require an external power source (yay one less cable).



It includes an IR receiver and remote to manually switch between the 3 ports but it's a 'smart' switch so I was happy to discover that I didn't have to bother with using those accessories since it switches between my devices automagically. Apple TV owners will discover that it constantly outputs a signal (even if you put it to sleep), so the switch will constantly make the port the Apple TV is plugged into the active port. I put my Apple TV on port 3 and my Blu-ray player on port 1. When I power up my Blu-ray player, port one automatically becomes active without any intervention from me. After I power down my Blu-ray player, the Apple TV resumes making port 3 active. I love how it seamlessly switches between the two without me needing to do anything. The only caveat is I have to power on/off my Blu-ray player, which I do anyway so not a big deal. The switch also has a button on it you can press to cycle between the different ports if you need to, but as I already mentioned it switches automatically for me so I don't use that feature.



I'm also very happy with the video and audio quality I get with using this switch. It claims to have full HD 1080P Support and supports HDMI 1.3 which I can't verify since my TV only supports up to 720p but I can say that I have not noticed any degradation in video or audio quality while using it.



Keep in mind that you may need to purchase additional HDMI cables as none are included with this switch. You need one cable from the switch to your TV and an additional HDMI cable for each port you use on the switch. I picked up 2 Mediabridge HDMI cables for about $10 each with my order and they work great with my setup. Mediabridge - 3 Port Smart HDMI Switch

I purchased this switcher because of the set up I have at my house. I have my 52 inch Sony wall mounted with my Verizon Fios and Blue Ray about 35 feet away from the TV. I wanted to get a switcher to eliminate pulling a new HDMI cable and fishing the walls again. This product is very easy to install and is very user friendly.





I strongly recommend this product to anyone that wants a quick and easy solution that produces great results!!



Checking out and Shipping were great also!!

Hello I'm a PC Enthusiast/Gamer for most of my life and the reason I purchased this switch is because I own a 32" Samsung LCD TV that has 3 HDMI inputs but for some reason beyond me Samsung decided to make it so that you can only use this television's native resolution which is 1360x768 on HDMI input 1. On the other two HDMI inputs you can only use the conventional resolutions such as 480i/p or 1280x720. So I already had my PC using up HDMI slot 1 but I wanted to run my Xbox 360 at the tv's native resolution instead of 720p because I'm so picky about the image quality being perfect.



So I just received the switch from shipping a few hours ago and so far I'm absolutely loving it. I just plugged my PC and Xbox 360 into slots 1 and 2 on the HDMI switch and then ran my third cable to the tv from the output slot and it was ready to go. I can be on my PC and if I decide I want to play some Xbox I just turn on the console and the switch automatically jumps right over to my 360. Then when I power off the 360 the display goes right back to my PC, I love that I don't even have to bother getting up to press any buttons and if I do decide that I want to switch back over to my PC while I still have my 360 powered on I can just grab the handy little remote that comes with it and switch back and forth to my hearts content, lol. Oh and I haven't even mentioned how impressed I am with the picture quality, everything is pixel perfect as if you're doing a straight HDMI connection to the television, no signal loss or problems whatsoever and audio through the switch is perfect.



I also want to mention that before I purchased this switch I bought the same thing except Philips brand at Walmart for $35 that did not have a remote or auto switching and it was junk. It only had the button switches on the front and when I switched through sources it would sometimes leave artifacts on my screen and if I had my PC and Xbox 360 plugged in at the same time my PC would only display if I had my 360 turned on which made no sense at all so I returned it to Walmart and ordered this switch and I couldn't be happier, $10 cheaper and works 10x better.



I highly recommend this switch to anyone that just needs more HDMI inputs or on the rare occasion has a tv like mine and is picky with their resolutions and needs it for that reason. I wanted something like this ever since I bought my TV a couple years ago but every time I shopped around for one they were always priced so high at $100 and over, I think I actually saw some for around $200 which I think is ridiculous. I can't believe how amazing this one performs considering it's only around $20. I'm seriously thinking about ordering another to put up for later. - Mediabridge - Hdmi - Hdmi Switch - Highly Recommend'

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Micro Four Thirds - micro four thirds, camera guide

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By far the best camera guide I've ever seen. Whereas most competing books do a quick overview of the options and then launch into generic how to take pictures advice (which is likely too simplistic and therefore not useful to someone who shells out for an advanced camera like the E-P2), Busch's book concentrates almost exclusively on the various sundry options for this Olympus camera. The book is clear and absolutely essential for those who have bought (or want to buy) a Pen E-P2.



The owner's manual that Olympus provides with the Pen E-P2 is clear but doesn't help decide when the various options might be useful. Unless you're already an advanced photographer you'll find yourself asking the question, "Sure I now know how to change that setting, but why would I want to?" This is where David Busch's book comes in. It is a comprehensive guide to the E-P2 and explains clearly in large color pictures and text how to get better photos from what is already a fantastic camera. I found it to be a superb book, well laid out and, at the price, excellent value for money. I highly recommend it and suggest that, along with your tripod, alternative lenses and flashgun, it forms an essential component of every Pen photographer's kit.



Because I own this camera, I was already aware that it doesn't have a built-in flash, and chalked the reference to such as a typo, rather than some humongous technical error. (The introduction of the book lists a URL for an errata page where reader-submitted corrections will be posted.) I also own one of Busch's previous books, and think it makes sense to share descriptions of basic concepts like shutter speeds and f-stops, rather than reinvent the wheel each time. When a new version of Photoshop comes out, I don't expect different descriptions of how to use the Selection tools. Beyond the basics, everything in this book relates directly to the Olympus camera and its use. I thank the author for taking the time to come out with the first, and so far only book written specifically for Pen E-P2 owners. David Busch's Olympus PEN EP-2 Guide to Digital Photography

This book is essential for any EP-2 owner and generally excellent.



There is so much to the EP-2 that it is almost impossible to fully grasp all the camera can do without reading this book first.



I would seriously recommend this book to those contemplating buying into this camera system. I would have bought the camera as soon as it came out if I had seen this book.



The photos in there help you grasp what the options can do; many options are near impossible to grasp without this photo visualization.



The flash section is particularly informative.



This book resolved practically every question I had.



Olympus should put the book on the CD that came with camera.

This book is exactly what I was wishing for. I'm a relatively experienced photographer, but the many options on my Olympus PEN E-P2 had me rather mystified. This book explains everything and tells me WHY I might want to use all the various settings. I've learned a ton!

This is a very helpful book. It is much clearer than the Olympus manual, which contains a lot of information but is marred by tiny type and imperfect English grammar. Rather than simply repeat what the manual says -- and there are several long tables in the manual that are quite reasonably referred to by cross reference -- the authors try to explain how and when various camera features are most useful. Some of this explanation occurs in the chapters on general photographic technique in the second half of the book. More experienced readers may be tempted to skip over these chapters, but I'd advise reading or at least skimming the entire book. An avid amateur, I've owned a variety of Olympus cameras before the PEN E-P2, starting with my beloved OM-1 some 35 years ago as well as several compacts and two Olympus DSLRs, and I still learned more than expected from this book. Yes, novice and intermediate users will gain the most, but IMHO this book is a worthwhile read for all but the more seasoned pro. Recommended.

I purchased three of David Busch's books over the years - Nikon D-200 (hardcover) and the Nikon D-90 and Olympus PEN E-P2 for my Kindle. They are very elementary books with about 80% of the material basic, first-time digital user dialog. The balance improves on the users manuals for these cameras, but only slightly. Touted as books to teach you "why" certain settings should be used, they lack any real substance in this regard with the majority of text devoted to lengthy passages devoted to step-by-step instructions to activate certain features; i.e. such as which direction to press the multi-selector to move through menus. I'm not certain, but I could swear these three books are "cut and paste" copies of each other with the names changed to sell more books. I am also disappointed that some of the instructions are just wrong. For example, in the chapter on using flash by "Connecting Multiple Non-dedicated Units to Your Olympus PEN E-P2", Mr. Busch says, "Finally some flash units have an optical slave trigger built-in, or can be fitted with one, so that they fire automatically when another flash, INCLUDING YOUR CAMERA'S BUILT-IN UNIT, fires. The E-P2 does not have a built-in flash. - Pen - Camera Guide - Photography Book - Micro Four Thirds'

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We took this backpack on vacation to Utah and this pack did the trick. It's a durable product and the photo is very accurate. My only complaint was that the the flap was a bit of pain when trying to get in and out of the main zipper compartment. I would still recommend this product. Picnic Time Turismo Insulated Backpack Cooler, Olive

Love this bag. Only been using it for a couple weeks but my job is 12 hrs or more on the road and with all the pockets in this thing I have a place for everything. Love all the pockets and the reach-through on the top flap. Zippers, stitching and material seem heavy duty and of high quality. Love the water holder, I can get a large bottle in there and it stays cold surprisingly long. Very secure. It comes with an inexpensive water bottle but I'd just as soon drop in the store-bought. Keeps everything very secure. A great bag at twice the price.

My wife picked this up for me as a daily lunch carrier since I tend to carry books and other items besides my lunch. It was a bit larger then expected but since I work in an art field no one seemed to make fun of it since some of them carry truly strange things. Although it's larger then I'd like it is good for what it is and therefore I recommend it.



Pros:

Rugged, thick canvas.

Strong zippers, though plastic.

Thick insulation.

Plenty of zippered pockets.

Large capacity.

Good for a day trip on the trail.

External bottle carrier.



Cons:

Cheapest water bottle ever made. Leaks. (You'll be replacing it.)

Velcro on small side pockets is worthless. Should be magnetic snaps.

Pocket inside main compartments lid is very awkward to use.

Main flap has small velcro strip. Not a secure fastener.

I have been using this all summer to take me lunch to work. This is three times the size of my old lunch bag, which has caused a lot of jokes because I got it because I decided to eat healthier. But it really carries three meals, not just lunch (small meal more often.) Breakfast (which I use to skip), fruit and oatmeal( my first break). Lunch, a piece of fruit and a salad (and of course water.). And some yogurt and a apple for my last break. Before, I would have a sandwich (sometimes two), chips and desert for lunch. So the bag did not have to be very large to carry a lot of calories. And I would hit the vending machines for my breaks. The bag has plenty of pockets for knife, fork and spoon. Not to mention napkins and other doodads. I had a bubble gel icepack that fits perfectly in the bag. My only complaint is that the removable water bottle carrier sometimes comes out with the bottle when you don't what it to. The toggle that holds it comes loose a little bit each time you pull the bottle out until it is loose enough that the whole thing comes out. You have to check the toggle once in a while. I would prefer it if you could put a bottle in without the carrier, since I never use the carrier by itself.

Cooler is well made and appears durable. Product shipped quickly. Plenty of room for meals for a 12 hour shift worker. I did not receive a water bottle with it. I like the cooler but will give the company a thumbs down for not sending entire contents of purchased item, and I will not buy from them again.

I searched 'world wide' for this backpack cooler and am extremely happy. I love all the extra compartments, the insulation is great, good space in main compartment. Product is strong and sturdy. It is exactly what I was after for a family backpack cooler..... to take to parks, beach, picnics. I would recommend this product. Shipping info was good too - quick service. Go for it!

I bought this as a gift for my daughter who does a lot of hiking, biking etc. , outdoor activities. She was delighted with it becasue it is insulated, has many compartments and seems very durable. I'm probably reviewing prematurely since it's winter and the use will come more in other seasons but all indications are that it is a top pick. She was really excited about it and she does a lot of outdoor days so knows a lot about equipment. We both wish there were more color choices but that is not the point of the equipment.

I started looking for a new lunch box/bag about a month ago. I wanted something larger; I wanted something that would fit one of the larger Lean Cuisine boxes, some veggies and a breakfast muffin, had a water bottle holder, and a separate pocket or enough space for my Nook. Eventually I stumbled on backpack coolers. I was definitely getting closer. Finally I found this backpack. I actually got mine off of E-Bay because I really liked the Vista Blue color.

I absolutely love this backpack! There are pockets everywhere...including one that fits my Nook like a glove so it's nicely protected from the weather as it gets colder. I love the large insulated pocket and the smaller insulated pocket (actually I think all of the pockets have at least some insulation). I can put my breakfast goodies in the top pocket and my lunch in the main compartment and still have room for, say, books if I stop at the library after work (after all, the Nook simply can't replace some books!).

I like the sort of rugged rubber bottom and backing on the straps. The backing on the straps is ingenious...if you're carrying the bag slung over one shoulder it doesn't slip down your arm like the typical backpack. I also like how the pack stands upright on its own.

About the only complaint I have about the backpack is the water bottle pocket. It is quite large and designed to fit the large water bottle that is included (with a nifty insulated pouch you can take along without the bag). I have a smaller bottle I fill with milk and I've got the water bottle pocket cinched as tight as I can so hopefully there won't be any milk disasters while I'm commuting on the train!

Yes, this backpack is large and in reality I don't need quite as much room (3-4 inches smaller would've been perfect), but I like how much space I have. I like that everything I need to carry during the day has a spot without me carrying it in a separate bag or in my pockets.

I'm planning on taking this backpack with me on a trip to Baltimore. It'll be filled with my knitting stuff and I'll save some room to bring back some wine or other goodies. I'll also have plenty of space for snacks since it seems like airlines don't give free snacks anymore. - Insulated Bag'

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