----- Original Message ----- From: "T Rittenhouse" Subject: Re: Just printed the test pictures from the *ist D...
> There is no doubt that digital is currently a fad, especially at the > comsumer level. When that fad goes the way of all fads, then we will see > where digital is in the real world. While I think you are correct about it being a fad at present, I think it will become entrenched. We are selling digital cameras easily as fast as film cameras (single use excepted), and the entire photofinishing industry is gearing up to cater to the digital camera user. The new equipment we installed allows the customer to get prints from his memory card, and order a CD of the files at the same time. This can be done from a terminal on our counter, so the customer doesn't have to leave his card with us either. What this means to the consumer is that the ever present umbilical cord attaching the digital camera to the home computer has been cut, and the digital camera is now as easy to use (from that perspective anyway) as a film camera. There is still, for me, the major issue surrounding digital camera user interfaces, and the level of knowledge needed to operate them, but at some point a smart company (Kodak, I expect) will figure out that the best way to make a consumer happy is to take away all their options. The ideal digital point and shoot will automatically save everything at maximum resolution as a large jpeg file as it's power up default setting, thereby preventing the consumer who knows nothing from making weenie little image files that cannot be printed without artifacting. William Robb
