| You made some important decisions. You picked out | | | | What level of experience do you have. |
| the computer that will do everything you want it to | | | | What pictures do you plan to take. |
| do. The basic minimum is usually the computer, | | | | How often will you use the camera. |
| monitor, speakers that were included, and the | | | | Will you use all the complex settings. |
| all-in-one printer/scanner/fax. The keyboard and | | | | What brand will function with your computer. |
| mouse are connected. The speakers are connected. | | | | How much money do you want to spend. |
| After you explore the system and all it has to offer, | | | | If you have never taken many pictures and plan to |
| you are likely to want a digital camera. | | | | take them on holidays or vacations only you'll choose |
| Depending on what online activities you enjoy there | | | | differently than the computer geek who can't wait |
| are other accessories. Headphones with | | | | to get his hands on all the bells and whistles of that |
| built-in-microphone to call friends and chat hands-free. | | | | new D-SLR. It has all the features and accessories |
| Perhaps a web cam if you have distant relatives you'll | | | | used by professional photographers. Needless to say, |
| never see any other way. But the one thing that | | | | the high price tag also. |
| allows you to reach out to all of them at once is a | | | | At the other end of the spectrum is the economy |
| digital camera. With it you can put pictures of your | | | | model that you might consider a good starter |
| life online, make a list of all the people you want to | | | | camera. You might imagine yourself learning to use it |
| send them to and with one click you send an email | | | | then upgrading when you have more experience. If |
| with pictures attached to the entire group. Then by | | | | you go this route it is like tossing $50 or so out the |
| saving the email list you simply send new pictures to | | | | car window. You put batteries in and thats all it tells |
| the same group again and again. You can stay in | | | | you how to do. There may be no instructions, no |
| touch without spending a great deal of time. | | | | manual to describe the features and no helpline or |
| The online Photo Album can serve the same purpose. | | | | chatline to use when you are stumped. Among the |
| Creating one is easy. You can then send the URL to | | | | other bad features, the viewing screen will be too |
| all your friends and relatives. If this is something you | | | | small. |
| will enjoy - the next step is to buy a digital camera. | | | | Your journey from noobie to expert photographer is |
| There are enough choices to make your head spin. It | | | | likely to be more successful using a model that falls |
| can be tempting to choose one with all the settings | | | | somewhere between the two extremes. If you have |
| that you won't know how to use. It'll seem practical | | | | an upcoming event and need a camera for it, why |
| to buy the cheapest model as a learning tool. Either | | | | not buy one of the disposable ones. Then give |
| of these choices may be wrong for you. | | | | yourself adequate time to research cameras. That |
| Before you rush off to the camera store or ebay | | | | way you make an informed choice based on the |
| there are many points to consider. | | | | criteria listed above. |