GPS (Global Positioning System) Navigation

“I wouldn’t go anywhere without my GPS” said a friend of ours. GPS (Global Positioning System) units are popular devices that accurately display your location on a map and also provide precise directions to other locations. GPS devices are loaded with road maps and are invaluable tools for travelers, commercial and military purposes and even gaming fun.

Car navigation is the most common use, but GPS capabilities are found in hand-held units for hiking and biking, and in newer smart phones and in some digital cameras for geo-tagging the location of a photo (although this feature can be disabled if security is a concern).

GPS units commonly provide voice prompts and a map to track your position as you travel. Additional functions on some units are a display of locations of nearby hospitals, police stations and gas stations, updates on area weather, traffic reports, entertainment news, restaurant, shopping and hotel information. Some units will play MP3 music through the GPS speakers or your car radio/audio system, provide Bluetooth hands-free cell phone calling or password anti-theft protection.

Choosing the GPS that’s right for you can be bewildering, so we recommend looking at one of the Internet product comparison sites, such as www.buzillions.com, to see what users like or dislike about any specific unit. Once you find a GPS that suits your needs, you’ll likely become a believer and not leave home without one.

Video Editing

Those video clips you have can make a terrific movie that includes music, narrations, titles, special effects and more. The process can be easy if you use a video editor (such as VideoStudio Pro X4, Corel, www.corel.com, $99.99), which will create a complete movie for you or lets you fully control how your movie looks, also supports HD.

First you need to capture your video clips into your computer (the program helps with this). To have the program guide you in creating your movie, use the three-step Movie Wizard: select your desired clips, choose a design template, and create your movie.

For more editing options and control, use the VideoStudio Editor. Trim individual clips for time or content, select transitions, add sound (including narration), choose from a wealth of special effects, and add a title and end credits (a Timeline lets you trim audio to match scene length and adjust music and narration volume separately). That’s it!

Either way, you’re then ready to burn your project as a DVD movie complete with menus, chapters and such, or upload to Facebook, YouTube and other online sharing sites or transfer to your iPod, smart phone or other video devices.

Tool tips and online tutorials are there to help. Spend time learning the features, and you’ll have some great movies.