A couple weeks ago, the Deep Zoom Composer Team announced an update to Deep Zoom Composer that was first released at MIX this year. You can download the new version here (version 0.9.0.2).  I decided to use Deep Zoom Composer myself to create my very own Deep Zoom Collections.  

If you recall, I took a roadtrip around the Pacific Northwest with a friend and took quite a bit of photos with a Canon Digital Rebel XTi  (a Certified for Windows Vista camera). I used many of the photos to create some panoramic shots with Windows Live Photo Gallery. Click here to view the shots as well as the post about my trip. However I still had tons of photos left over from the trip. I decided to use some leftover photos taken from the top of the Space Needle in Seattle, WA to create my very first Deep Zoom Collection.

Deep Zoom Collection*: Top of Space Needle in Seattle, WA

* Silverlight 2.0 Beta is required to view Deep Zoom Collections. If you don't have Silverlight 2.0 installed, it will ask you to install it to view the Deep Zoom Collection.

Creating a Deep Zoom Collection is really easy with Deep Zoom Composer. Almost anyone can create their own Deep Zoom Collection.

All I needed to do was import the photos I wanted to include in the collection into Deep Zoom Composer and compose them onto what is called the "artboard". I can drag and drop photos I imported from the image selector on the right-hand side onto the artboard and arrange the photos however I want in variety of sizes and alignments. Deep Zoom Composer includes alignment presets (located on the toolbar at the bottom of the artboard).

Once I was done composing my Deep Zoom Collection, I went to the Export tab and exported my project out as a Silverlight Project. In exporting out a project, be sure to export as a collection and not a composition. If you export out as a composition - it flattens your entire arrangement of images into one giant image. Exporting as a collection is like a collection of "compositions" - with each image being a composition. You'll notice things look better when you export as a collection. I made this mistake the first time.

After the export of my project is finished, I am presented with several options - such as being able to preview my Deep Zoom Collection in a browser.

So how did I get my Deep Zoom Collection onto the web? All I needed to do was FTP all the files within the "DeepZoomOutput_Web"  directory which is under the Project Folder (see above screenshot on how to quickly access your Project Folder) into a directory here on the Windows Vista Team Blog.

Give Deep Zoom Composer a try yourself. I would love to see some of your Deep Zoom Collections. Leave a link in comments. Let me know what you think of mine. I hope to regularly do Deep Zoom Collections here. Special thanks to the Deep Zoom Composer Team for helping me with my first Deep Zoom Collection!

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Part 1

When you talk about computers, you are talking about speed, quality and of course specifications. You will note that there will be the stronger processors and the advanced peripherals such as new memory chips and higher specs of video cards and accelerators that would normally come with a brand new computer. But while these are given presentations each time you canvass for a new computer, you have to consider how long they would last under your wing.

Most people embrace technology in such a way that they want to be up to date with the latest computer hardware requirements. Sometimes, it is not about using a computer to the best of its abilities. New specs will always come out probably each year and at that rate you would find it silly to buy a new one every year.

With that said, the matter of maximizing your computer is put under scrutiny. Going back some years ago, a Pentium IV computer is still competitive if you think of it. Sure there is the new Dual Core series of processors which allow you to work and process commands faster but would the difference be noticed?

It would depend on how you use your computer. Some specs are overrated and while they only come naturally with the evolution of technology, you just have to be practical. It is no longer a matter of working with new computers. It is about identifying how long you can make do with your computer and ignoring annual releases of new hardware. Define how long you can use your computer before entertaining upgrades or buying new ones.

As far as using memory chip modules are concerned, you have to make sure that they are recognized by the motherboard you are using. Once you install them and you hear a long beeping sound, it is one of three things:

1. You have installed it incorrectly
2. They are not compatible
3. They are defective or damaged

Most computer technicians would know this. For most, it is like a puzzle where you have to make sure that they are placed in the proper slot. But while most memory modules seem the same and fit into these slots, you just have to leave some allowance with regards to how they are installed.

Actually, you don’t have to be a computer genius to upgrade you memory. Some people hesitate because they might botch up the job. The best way to add or upgrade your memory modules is to take them out and then show that sample to the computer parts vendor. That way you will eliminate incompatibility issues and just limit it to two possibilities.

But before you do take out those chips, make sure you know where they are at and how you can take them out. Do not forcefully pull them out since other nearby chips, cards or modules might get affected in the process. There are proper ways to take them out and this includes checking if there are locks from the motherboard slot or perhaps taking out some other things to get them out.

But if it all sounds too technical, it would be better to bring the whole unit to the technician. That way, if something gets busted, you will not be to blame.

As far as using memory chip modules are concerned, you have to make sure that they are recognized by the motherboard you are using. Once you install them and you hear a long beeping sound, it is one of three things:

1. You have installed it incorrectly
2. They are not compatible
3. They are defective or damaged

Most computer technicians would know this. For most, it is like a puzzle where you have to make sure that they are placed in the proper slot. But while most memory modules seem the same and fit into these slots, you just have to leave some allowance with regards to how they are installed.

Actually, you don’t have to be a computer genius to upgrade you memory. Some people hesitate because they might botch up the job. The best way to add or upgrade your memory modules is to take them out and then show that sample to the computer parts vendor. That way you will eliminate incompatibility issues and just limit it to two possibilities.

But before you do take out those chips, make sure you know where they are at and how you can take them out. Do not forcefully pull them out since other nearby chips, cards or modules might get affected in the process. There are proper ways to take them out and this includes checking if there are locks from the motherboard slot or perhaps taking out some other things to get them out.

But if it all sounds too technical, it would be better to bring the whole unit to the technician. That way, if something gets busted, you will not be to blame.