LET'S COMMUNICATE
Agriculture Communication Newsletter
August 2006, No. 128
Contents
How Many Megapixels Do I Need?
Write the Right Word
PowerPoint Templates Available Online
Former Press Operator Dies
How Many Megapixels Do I Need?
The number of pixels in a digital image, for the most
part, determines the quality of that photo. One way to evaluate the size or
megapixel (thousands of pixels) you need is to consider your printing needs. If
all you want is to display your images on a computer, a 3 megapixel camera will
do just fine. However, if you make a lot of prints (hard copies), you may want
to consider a 5 megapixel camera.
Here are some approximate prices and the quality of the printed image you can
expect.
3 Megapixels - A good camera for the money. Expect to pay about $200. A 3
megapixel camera will produce good 4x6 prints and not bad 5x7s.
4 Megapixels - Perhaps the most common size digital camera. Average price is
about $300. The quality of a 4 megapixel file will print a very nice 6x9 and a
decent 8x10.
5 Megapixels - Costing around $400, 5 megapixel cameras are nearing the
"professional" level. A great 8x10 and a nice 11x14 can be printed at this
level.
6 Megapixel and Up - Professional photographers use digital cameras in the 11
megapixel range. Some brands can be purchased for less than $500, but you can
spend several thousand dollars depending on the brand and features. This size is
for you if you print a lot of large ( 8x10 or 11x14 ) prints.
Most users will be satisfied with a 4 to 5 megapixel digital camera. The quality
of picture they produce is far more than you need for computer slide shows and
Web pages, but it will produce a high quality 8x10 print for those favorite
shots.
Keep in mind that bigger is not always better. The more megapixels, the more
storage space required.
Dave Rice, (701) 231-7381,
David.Rice@ndsu.edu
Write the Right Word
Try to avoid awkward sentence constructions that stick an
adverb between words such as �to,� �is,� �are,� �will,� �have,� �has,� �had� and
�can� and their accompanying verb form. Among grammarians, that�s known as
splitting infinitives.
Here are some examples of how not to split infinitives:
He never has visited Mt. Rushmore (as opposed to has never visited).
Even though the ground is muddy, she still will go to the outdoor concert
tonight (not will still go).
Producers needed to plant their crops quickly (not to quickly plant).
Noxious weeds can spread rapidly if they are not controlled (as opposed to can
rapidly spread).
Some people will argue the correct way doesn�t sound right, or it�s not how we
speak. My philosophy is just because we slaughter the English language when we
speak doesn�t mean we should perpetuate the errors in written form, which will
be a much more permanent record than the spoken word.
Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391,
ellen.crawford@ndsu.edu
PowerPoint Templates Available Online
Part of marketing is providing visual identity to your
audience. One way to do that is to use the Agriculture and University Extension
PowerPoint templates available at
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ext-emp/emp-ppt.htm .
Bison Athletics has given Ag Communication permission to use the bison logo in
these PPT templates.
Former Press Operator Dies
Jon Rolie, who retired June 1 as a press operator in the
Ag Communication print shop, passed away Sept. 3 after a major diabetic seizure.
Though few of you had the opportunity to work personally with Jon as those of us
in Ag Com did, you probably saw his work. Since joining the print shop in 1981,
Jon printed nearly all the green NDSU letterhead, envelopes and other materials.
Our sympathies go to Jon's family.
LET'S COMMUNICATE
If you have questions or comments, or would like to submit information or
make a suggestion, contact:
Agriculture Communication
Attn: Becky Koch
7 Morrill Hall
Phone: 231-7875
FAX: 231-7044
e-mail: bkoch@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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