The Wisconsin Skier

Yet Another Android Application Review (YAAAR)

By: The Wisconsin Skier In: Media, Non-Fiction, Skiing, Writing

At one time I had the HWK Waxing Guide installed on my Android device. The description reads:

Become a wax specialist with HWK ski wax! HWK ski wax has been trying to find all the answers for you and is now proud to present the first ski wax App.

I found this application to be so-so. I think it is too in depth for the average skier and too superficial for the professional. I found it to be more about pushing HWK waxes than anything else (I know that shocks you).

However, the application does come with an instructional guide on waxing skis, not that it is a terribly complicated affair, but it is good for people new to ski waxing. Once I got over that, I removed the application, as the only factor I consider when choosing a wax is the anticipated air temperature we will be skiing in. I do not need a wax tree to help me decide what (ahem, Swix) was to use, however, I do need every megaabyte of phone storage I can get.

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XM-Sirius Review

By: The Wisconsin Skier In: Media, Writing

A Review

I have had the XM-Sirius radio service for a number of years now. In this review I want to share with you all, what I like and dislike about the service; and what I view as the strengths and weaknesses of XM-Sirius. I hope this will enable you to make a decision on whether or not to subscribe to XM Sirius programming.

This article is not about investing in the company and it is not meant to be a rant or a rave, but what I hope will an even handed review of the service.
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Sony A55 Criticism Clarification

By: The Wisconsin Skier In: Media, Photography

In this post I register a criticism of the Sony A55 camera. I say:

That problem is in the middle of the sweep the camera decided to change the exposure and that exposure shows up as the line visible in the tree. The line is even more obvious in the full photo

This elicited a response from a Facebook (on facebook too, this would have been a great comment on the article!) friend:

I’ve read your article “Sony A55 – One Defect. [sic] Was the camera on Manual mode that time or at Aperture mode?

Ron raises a good question and here is the answer.
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Sony A55 — My Initial Impressions

By: The Wisconsin Skier In: Media, Photography, Videos

I just picked up the Sony A55 camera body. It is isn’t quite right to call it an DSLR as it isn’t really one, but it is close enough. SLRs have mirrors that allow the photographer to sight the photograph directly through the lens and when the button is tripped the mirror is pulled out of the way and photograph is recorded. Most DSLR style or class cameras have retained this. However, the Sony A55 has a fixed mirror that allows some of the light through to the exposure plane and causes a bit of the light to go to sensors that drive the view through the eyepiece or the screen.

Initially, that difference shied me away from the camera, but a big boss piece of glass — a 300 mm F/2.8 lens told me to get over those objections or else! That lens is one I purchased years ago for my Minolta Maxxum 7000i (film) camera. Of course my 50 mm macro, and a 70-210 zoom (all with a 2x teleconverter) joined in chorus and I finally broke down and bought the camera.
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Iron River’s Riverside Pizza

By: The Wisconsin Skier In: Après Ski

Ahhhh, a hard day of bending boards gets a guy hungry, even if they have a great big Youper Omelet for breakfast.

I have dined in Riverside Pizza in the past but it was years ago and have long forgotten about that experience and about the only thing I could remember was thin crust pizza.

Anyway, Riverside Pizza was easier to find than the breakfast joint. How was it?
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