Photo Organizational System

Do you take tons of pictures on your digital camera, phone, or ipod in college?  It is hard to keep track of all the pictures you take on all of your devices.  Here is a great organizational system to keep track of the digital photos you take.  You can learn more at apartment therapy.



Raise your hand if you're like me and your downloaded photo files are a huge, unorganized, hot mess. Yeah, I thought so. Although the digital age has made it so convenient to capture all the moments in life that you want to remember, this also means that there are way more photos to organize and keep track of. So let's band together and start cleaning up the mess with these photo filing tips...
I would start with getting in the habit of downloading your images from your camera or phone on a regular basis. Depending on how many images you take, set up a schedule for once a week or once a month and then set an alarm to remind you. When the time comes, set up a file system to keep them tidy and organized once they are downloaded.

Image Archive Organization: you can try something like this...

• Start with a folder for the year.
• Then a folder for each month — you can even take out the current month and put it on your desktop to make it easier to download to, and then put it back in the year when the month is over.
• Make a few subject folders in the month that you already know you will have, like holidays, celebrations, vacations, etc.
• You can make subfolders if you need to.
• Then, as you download your files, create new subject folders in that month according to your images. At this point it would be good to delete any images you don't want to keep.

Photo Management Software:

• Managing your image library using software allows you to tag and search images with ease. Just tag your images in the program when you import them and never lose an image again. For instance, you can use tags like birthday and Matt, and find every birthday image of Matt that you have ever taken. Or get very specific and search Matt, birthday, 2013, 40th, party hat and get every image you took at Matt's 40th birthday when he was wearing his party hat.
• Some of the top retail management softwares that include import, review, and professional editing capabilites are Lightroom and Aperture.
• Some of the top free or cheap store and display applications are iPhoto, Picasa, Flickr, Shutterfly, Smug Mug, and Photobucket.

Secure Storage:
Ok, so you have all of your images organized and easy to find. Now let's talk about how to make sure they don't just disappear in some crazy computer meltdown. Yes, that means we are gonna talk about the dreaded subject of backing up. Losing precious images is one of my biggest fears. There are a few ways to go about it:

• You can get an external hard drive for a second secure copy. Also, leaving all of your images on your computer's hard drive will eat up a lot of space quickly.
• You can then make DVD's of important images as a secondary backup in case your hard drive crashes.
• OR you can put them in a cloud system online to make sure they are always available in case other systems fail. Here is a review of the best image cloud systems out there.
• And of course, you can always print out important images or create photo books of the year's best.

Medical Grant Awarded to U of M Professor

A University of Maryland professor is working on a vaccine that could be used to treat children with cancer.  It is seen to be a hopeful alternative to the harmful side effects that chemotherapy can cause.  The $375,000 grant was awarded by the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.  The grant will help fund books, equipment, and the trails.  You can learn more at The Gazette.
 
A University of Maryland, College Park, professor is designing a cancer vaccine that could be used to treat children without risking the harmful side effects of chemotherapy, and is now being backed by a national cancer foundation.

Christopher Jewell, a UM assistant professor of bioengineering, received a $375,000 grant in December from Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer to support his research as it applies to pediatric cancer.

“This is a pretty big grant for an assistant professor,” said Jewell of Silver Spring. “It’s really a great opportunity to gain some innovation, expertise and hopefully make a difference for pediatric patients.”

The three-year grant, which began in early January, will help fund equipment, books and materials for the project, as well as vaccine trials on mice, Jewell said.

Jewell’s research aims to create a designer vaccine that will specifically target lymph nodes and help the immune system eliminate cancer cells and prevent their return, he said. Once developed, the technology could be modified to treat various types of autoimmune diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis, he said.

“Cancer vaccines have been studied, because it’s a very promising idea,” Jewell said. “But the problem is the field just hasn’t gotten that to work very well in cancer patients.”

Jay Scott, co-executive director for the Pennsylvania-based Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, said Jewell’s research stood out because it presented a treatment that was safer for children than traditional treatments.

“One of our priorities is obviously find new cures, but also treatments that are less toxic for the kids,” he said. “We’re looking for something that might be innovative. Something that hasn’t been tried before.”

Jewell’s grant was one of the largest awarded by the organization, which receives nearly 400 applications each year, Scott said.

“This is a very prestigious award,” he said.

James Andorko, 24, of Silver Spring is one of around 10 students and post-doctoral researchers working with Jewell and said he is thankful for the chance to participate in the research.

“It’s definitely exciting,” Andorko said. “Winning the grant and getting an opportunity to work on this project opens a lot of doors.”

Yu-Chieh Chiu of College Park is a post-doctorate researcher who has been working in Jewell’s lab since July. He said he was drawn to the project because of Jewell’s energetic and innovative approach.

“At this point everybody is trying to kill cancer. There are hundreds of different ways to kill cancer,” he said. “This project is very different from other approaches. From Dr. Jewell’s primary data, it seems pretty feasible.”

50 DIY Organizational Tips

Are you looking for a new organizational system for the new year?  Buzzfeed has a list of 50 Clever DIY Organizational Ideas.  You can look below and check out Buzzfeed for the complete list.

1. Tea Shelf

Organize all your teas (or coffees or spices or what-have-yous) in this prettified champagne box by Sarah from Look What I Made.

Materials: an old wine or champagne box (you can get it at wine stores or even some delis), two pieces of the lid of the box (you’ll get it in pieces anyway since it breaks when opened), four screws, decorative paper (old wrappig paper will do the trick), and a screwdriver.

1. Take the box and fit the paper in the back. Just fold the edges in to get the right size. No need to glue it- adding the shelves will secure it in place.
2. Take the pieces of the lid and fit them in where you want the shelf to go. Screw them to the sides.
3. Once you have the pieces of the lid set and steady, the little shelf is finished.

2. Book Letter Holder

Don’t let your mail just pile up on the counter this year. Use this tutorial by Renee from Bulb to Blossom to turn an old book into an elegant letter holder.

Materials: a book (a smaller hardcover works nicely), craft glue, a sponge brush, a ruler, and a utility knife.

1. First, after separating the book into equal sections, apply glue to the inside of the seam.
2. Use the sponge brush to spread the glue evenly along the seam.
3. Roll the first section of the book inward and press it into the seam, and hold in place.
4. Continue this process for the remaining sections.
5. After the glue has dried, use your ruler and utility knife to score the cover of several times, removing the excess. Do this for the front and back cover.

3. Address Book

You meant to send out those thank you cards, mail that New Year letter, and just keep in touch in general. However when the “daunting” task of writing that letter, and penning 30+ addresses… sometimes best of intentions is as far as it goes. So create this zero effort address mailing book by Ursula from Homemade by Carmona that takes the scary out of the task! Perfect for Christmas cards, paying bills, sending out party invitations, or just your everyday letter.

Materials: binder, plastic divider pockets and/or sheet protectors, variety of address labels, and stationery materials (cards, envelopes, paper, stamps, stickers, and ribbon).
1. Create address labels. Using the template instructions included with the labels, type up addresses by category. Try categories such as His Side of the Family, Her Side of the Family, Friends of the Family, Business Associates, Church Friends, even Monthly Bills, etc. Don’t forget to create return address labels.
2. Print an address template on paper rather than directly onto labels. Addresses may change over time, and it is better to keep a paper template you can copy off of when you are ready to print your actual labels. Make any necessary changes on your computer and print up a new paper template rather than waste pre-printed labels. (The only exception is return address labels.)
3. Organize and stock the binder. Use pocket dividers or sheet protectors to organize address templates, a variety of label styles (same size), cute stationery, stickers, stamps, etc.
4. Use your address book often!! When it is time to plan that party or send those thank you notes, pull the appropriate address category, print your labels, adhere, and send.

4. Magnet Bowls

Via agirlandagluegun.com

Simply paint some magnetic bowls and use them to store all your metal necessities, such as pins, paper clips, jewelry, nuts and bolts. This simple tutorial shows you how.

5. Cubby Shelf Organizer

Via onceuponherdream.blogspot.com

This post shows you how to secure empty tape rolls to a glitter-covered tape roll to create a storage solution of jewelry and other odds and ends.

6. Screwdriver Coat Rack

Via homemade-modern.com

Turn painted screw drivers into the handles of a modern DIY coat hanger.

7. Six-pack Craft Caddy

Via craftfoxes.com

Easiest DIY ever- use six-pack beer box to store your craft supplies, such as knitting needles, tape measures, and yarn. This blog had the bright idea.

8. Makeup Brush Storage

Via irinascutebox.blogspot.com

This blogger shows you how to weave elastic through a sushi mat to make a nifty makeup brush storage solution.

9. Shoe Ladder

Via diydoctor.org.uk

Paint a wooden ladder and you’ve got yourself a new shoe rack! As seen here.

10. Wire and Hanging Spice Storage

Via freckledlaundry.com

Stacking spices in a cupboard just doesn’t work. But you can easily (and cheaply) make a pretty and practical spice display with small glass bottles, wire, a white Sharpie, and this tutorial.

11. Peg Board Yarn Holder

Via knitsforlife.com

Are you a knitter or crocheter? A peg board make for easy and artful yarn storage. Check out this post for details.

12. Color Block Mason Jars

Via girllovesglam.com

Chalkboard paint and mason jars won’t be going out of style in January 2014. Try this colorful variation to decorate your office odds and ends, as done here.

13. Etched Glass Kitchen Containers

Via marthastewart.com

But if you’re over the whole chalkboard thing, try etched glass instead. These instructions explain how to make glass kitchen containers for keeping your pantry sorted.

14. Wrapping Paper Holder

Via bettercraftideas.blogspot.com

Wrapping paper in disarray after the holidays? Use an wooden stool to organize it, as done here.

15. Earring Rack

Via morningcreativity.com

Simply secure chicken wire to the interior of an empty frame to make a lovely and functional earring rack. This tutorial shows you how.

16. Salt Dough Magnets

Organize your life with these handy little magnets made from flour, salt, and water. Use them to keep track of the dishes, your to-do lists, etc. Check out this recipe.

17. Colorful Hook Hanger

Via living.msn.com

Find a precut wooden base and screw in a jumble of differently colored perfect hooks. Store scarves, purses, keys, etc. by the door. Here are the details.

18. Scarf Hanger

Via gimmesomestyleblog.com

Use a sturdy wooden hanger and shower curtain rings to organize all your scarves. Follow this simple tutorial.

19. Cord Organizer

Via ourthriftyideas.com

Decorate some empty toilet paper rolls with washi tape and use them keep your cords untangled, as done here.

20. Knob Necklace Organizer

Via familyfoodandtravel.com

Screw a variety of door knobs onto a wooden board to make this necklace organizer.

21. Pen Holder

Via creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com

Simply stick a bunch of empty toilet paper rolls inside a decorated shoe box to keep your pen stash neatly organized. As done here.

22. Kitchen Shutter Door Organizer

Via creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com

Spray paint an old shutter door, and use it to hang your kitchen goods. Check out these directions.

Rare Discovery by U of M Undergrads

A University of Maryland astronomy class did not realize what they had discovered in class.  They have made the rare find of a pair of asteroids that orbit and eclipse one another.  There have been less than 100 asteroids identified of this type in the main asteroid belt.  You can learn more below and at UofM.


Students in a University of Maryland undergraduate astronomy class have made a rare discovery that wowed professional astronomers: a previously unstudied asteroid is actually a pair of asteroids that orbit and regularly eclipse one another.
 
Fewer than 100 asteroids of this type have been identified in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, said Melissa Hayes-Gehrke, who teaches the hands-on class for non-astronomy majors in which eight students made the find in the fall semester 2013.

The students' discovery that 3905 Doppler is an eclipsing binary asteroid will be presented in a poster session Jan. 7 at the meeting of the American Astronomical Society in National Harbor, Md., and published in April in the Minor Planet Bulletin.

"This is a fantastic discovery," said UMD Astronomy Professor Drake Deming, who was not involved with the class. "A binary asteroid with such an unusual lightcurve is pretty rare. It provides an unprecedented opportunity to learn about the physical properties and orbital evolution of these objects."

"Actually contributing to the scientific community and seeing established scientists getting legitimately excited about our findings is a very good feeling," said Terence Basile, a junior from Beltsville, Md., majoring in cell biology.

One of hundreds of thousands of pieces of cosmic debris in our solar system's main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, 3905 Doppler was discovered in 1984, but over the coming decades it attracted scant attention. In September 2013, Hayes-Gehrke's students picked it and two other asteroids from an astronomy journal's list of asteroids worth observing because they were well positioned in the autumn sky and were scientific enigmas.

Student teams studying 3905 Doppler met over four nights in October 2013. Each four-person team observed and photographed the asteroid, using a privately owned telescope in Nerpio, Spain, which they accessed and controlled over the Internet. Their main task was to photograph changes in the intensity of each asteroid's reflected light and turn those images into a lightcurve.

A lightcurve is a graph of a celestial object's brightness over time. Variations in brightness are often due to the object's shape, with spherical objects like planets yielding lightcurves that do not vary, and asymmetrical objects like asteroids producing peaks and valleys as the amount of reflected light varies. By measuring the time between maximum light intensities, planetologists can tell how fast an asteroid is rotating. Most asteroids complete a rotation in a few hours to a day.

"When we looked at the images we didn't realize we had anything special, because the brightness difference is not something you can see with your eyes," Hayes-Gehrke said. But when the two teams studying 3905 Doppler used a computer program to chart its lightcurve, they found the asteroid's light occasionally faded to nearly nothing.

"It was incredibly frustrating," said Alec Bartek, a senior physics major from Brookeville, Md. "For some reason our light curve didn't look right."

It was as though the rotating rock had suddenly gone dark – and Hayes-Gehrke suspected that's exactly what was happening. She thought 3905 Doppler was actually two asteroids orbiting one another. When one of the two asteroids blocked the telescope's view of its companion, the result was an asteroid eclipse – and a sharp dip in the light curve.

An amateur astronomer in Italy who was viewing 3905 Doppler at about the same time shared his data with the students. Observations by the Italian, Lorenzo Franco, confirmed the lightcurve came from a binary asteroid.

"Even then I was not fully aware of how special the discovery was," said sophomore economics major Brady Bent of Arbutus, Md. "I thought it just meant we would have to do more work. As we continued to analyze our data, other professors in the Astronomy Department came over to view our work. At this point I understood just how rare our find was."

The two asteroids are probably roughly potato-shaped and pocked with impact craters made by strikes from other space debris, Hayes-Gehrke said. The smaller one is about three-quarters the length of the larger one. They orbit each other end to end. Each orbit takes 51 hours – an unusually long time and one the student researchers can't explain. Now that the students have shown how unusual the asteroid is, it's likely that other astronomers will study it.

"Picking the asteroid was luck," Hayes-Gehrke said. So was the fact that the students' camera happened to record an eclipse. But then the students used the same problem-solving techniques a professional astronomer would use to explain an unexpected finding.

"That's the whole point of the class," Hayes-Gehrke said. "I'm hoping they'll keep in mind, when they read about scientific results, that it's not a cut-and-dried process, but the scientist probably had to go through some kind of struggle to get results."