Do your pictures know who you are?

While taking a picture of this fine Cappuccino container, i remembered that most modern cameras take JPEG images and embed so called metadata in them.This metadata is called EXIF, the data is extensive and contains specific information about your camera as well as the exact time and date. but what is most disturbing is that almost all modern cameras including your phone adds your exact GPS position to the picture.

Many times a picture has been posted innocuously and the posters identity was quickly revealed by the metadata and has, on occasion, ruined lives.

Obviously this is a problem, but it is easily rectified. I have tested several programs that do this and while there are many most have a clunky, hard to navigate user interface and are burdensome to use. I finally found a freeware called BatchPurifier that removes all metadata from your picture and can do it from several at a time. It is easy to use and fast as a fox, i very much recommend it.
You may find it here: http://www.digitalconfidence.com/downloads.html

In conclusion, whenever you post one of your own pictures on the Internet, be it facebook, twitter, flickr or any other place please consider what you are revealing without deleting the metadata. I advise you delete the data from all of the pictures you intend to share, no one really needs your exact GPS coordinates. Be safe out there!

My Coffe and Cognac Experiment

Being a somewhat recent but ardent cognac aficionado i recently got the idea to add some to my coffee. I love my coffee, I mean who doesn’t? I would love to spend a lot of time and money brewing my coffee but being a poor student I rarely get the opportunity and I end up drinking instant coffee. I have recently tried the instant Cappuccino from Nescafé® which is surprisingly good, though not as authentic as a cappuccino in Rome. Nevertheless, I decided to use it.

The results were surprisingly good, 6 teaspoons of cappuccino powder adding boiling water and about 3 teaspoons of cognac. I used my VSOP Du Peyrat cognac and I got a pleasant smooth result. I repeated it once, this time with just a bit of honey, which enhanced the taste further.

I’m going to continue this practice varying the amount and brands of cognac as well as honey. I will also try it with espresso which I expect will taste wonderfully.

To anyone else that enjoy cognac and coffee I heartily recommend blending the two, I will continue doing it and will report the results.

Virgin Post

This is my first blog post of many to come, I’ve wanted to become a writer for several years but have lacked the conviction and strength. I will write about anything I want, perhaps the latest uprising in the middle east, a tip or my latest TV addiction.

Welcome all and enjoy!