Lightroom 3 and Windows 7 file association problem

Lightroom 3 (LR3) file association bug in Windows 7.

This screenshot shows what happens when Adobe Lightroom 3 (LR3) is properly installed and has the capability to open image files.  However, I found a bug where this particular option would disappear.  Here's how to replicate it or in case you are experiencing the problem, this is how to fix it:

Problem Summary:

1. Paid $99 to upgrade LR3 Beta to LR3 official release
   
2. In the past, I was able to right click on images and load it in LR3 Beta directly
   
3. When I upgraded, that option to right click disappeared, LR3 or LR3 Beta was not in the choices.
   
4. Attempts to manually add it using typical 'associate with' method in Windows was futile.
   

Solution:

1. Go to your registry (run 'regedit')
   
2. Go to Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\lightroom.exe\shell\open\command
   
3. Modify it to reflect the new path of the new LR3 version that you installed. This key when I opened it still had the LR3 Beta file path, which the installer failed to update.
   

Conclusion:

It seems like the upgrade installer does not properly fix the old registry keys for the LR3 beta version. This causes a conflict and Windows simply removes LR3 from the open with dialog box.

I have highlighted the correct path in the registry to what it should look like.

Please note it is dangerous to mess around with your registry keys if you don't know what you are doing. Back it up before doing anything, but if you have no clue how to do it .... just don't do it.

There have been some talk in the Microsoft troubleshooting forums that this happens to upgrades. Someone mentioned it occurred in a Photoshop 7 to CS3 upgrade. I have suggested this to Adobe as a bug fix.

Red Theater's Kungfu Show in Beijing

Red Theater's Kungfu Show in Beijing
Originally uploaded by Don Sausa

A Chinese boy meditates at the Red Theater lobby in Beijing.

While the story portrayed in the show has opportunities in developing the plot, the show itself and the martial arts techniques it employs is incredible. At one point, small children roughly the same age as the one pictured conduct hazardous back flips and they purposely land their heads consecutively, 4-5 times in a row.

A most impressive feat, not only because these kids are so young and talented, but the fact that child labor laws allow them to do this?

"Sea House" Published on CNN Travel

"Sea House" Published on CNN Travel
Originally uploaded by Don Sausa

My photograph, "Sea House", was published on CNN Travel. The picture was taken on April 11, 2010 near Bacolod, Philippines and was awarded as "Travel Photo of the Day" by producers.

My caption, "These structures can sometimes be very elaborate, but most of them are small and are designed as holding areas for fish or mussels. Some structures have makeshift beds for fishermen that want to take a nap."

Access this link for details on the gear that was used and a full picture.

Put Fraudulent Call Center Employees in Jail

Case study: A true zero tolerance policy terminates employment and seeks imprisonment for fraudulent call center activity. 


What do I think of pastors and priests that abuse children? Scum. What do I think of doctors that abuse their patients? Worst that sewage. What do I consider call center agents that defraud their customers? Deserving nothing less than jail.

So this story is about a Capital One agent, who does activations. The short story is this: my wife calls to activate her card. A Capital One agent activates it but then attempts to do an upsell for payment protection. Payment protection is simply put, if you lose your job, or you suffer an injury that causes you to be disabled, the bank keeps paying your bill. Obviously not needed when you hardly have any balance on the account!

So why does this call center agent keep insisting? For one, in this type of work, Capital One may require him to make rebuttals at least two to three times on a refusal. Secondly, this agent's job performance maybe dependent on these types of metrics along with average handling time (AHT), and customer satisfaction (CSAT). Third and the most likely scenario, he may get monetary incentives in upselling these sales packages.

Whatever the case maybe on why he has pressure to perform, whether it be for financial gain or for performance obligations, when a customer clearly says no, you stop. But instead of stopping and letting the call end, he proceeds to add this package to my wife's account.

Fast forward to May 2010's statement, I see the payment protection added to my wife's account.

So what if you were a victim of fraud like my wife? The first step is to let the bank know through their abuse and fraud department. Thankfully Capital One made this easy. Their email address is abuse@capitalone.com. Second, let them know that you are willing to press for criminal charges.

In my wife's case, when the agent committed the fraudulent act in the Philippines, there are laws in the Philippines that applies, specifically Access Device Regulation Act of 1998 which calls for six to ten years of jail.  The message that I want to send to the outsourced vendor and their agents in Cebu that's handling Capital One transactions?  Before you commit an act of crime because you want to get a little incentive or want to please your supervisor with your scores, just remember, nobody cares about that when you land in prison.

7/15/2010 Update: CEO said they'll take care of it and refunded the money.

Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana) @ Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China

Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana) @ Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China
Originally uploaded by Don Sausa

This long tailed, beautiful Azure-winged Magpie or the Cyanopica cyana was collecting raw materials for its nest. Taken at Beijing, China near the gate entrance of the Temple of Heaven.

Shot using a 300mm f/4L IS + 1.4x teleconverter.

Kite to Heaven

Kite to Heaven
Originally uploaded by Don Sausa

"Kite to Heaven"

A Chinese man shows off his kite flying skills in Houhai (后海/後海), a popular area in Beijing home to a park with a lake and boats, several restaurants, and bars. Very popoular with foreign tourists and the expatriate community.

The Great Wall @ Badaling, Beijing

The Great Wall @ Badaling, Beijing
Originally uploaded by Don Sausa

Qin Shi Huang conquered and united China in 221 BC establishing the Qin Dynasty. He wanted to protect the empire against intrusions by the Xiongnu people from the north, so he ordered the building of a new wall to connect the remaining fortifications along the empire's new northern frontier.

Pictured here is the "North Pass" of Juyongguan known as Badaling. In ancient times, this is one of the most well guarded areas of the Wall as it was the gateway to the capital: Beijing.

This picture was taken on top of a guard tower and this would be what a Chinese soldier would see in ancient times.

The Silent Rebel

The Silent Rebel
Originally uploaded by Don Sausa

You often hear about the strictness of Chinese discipline and how the Party exerts an incredible amount of control...when I finally came to visit the country, I found out these guys are as normal as the rest of the world. There's still plenty of ways they get away with things.

For instance, in this picture, a communist guard uses his cell phone while at work and was hiding in a corner away from surveillance cameras. Check the top left of the picture and you will find the camera he's hiding from. I initially thought he was sleeping.

Lonchura punctulata cabanisi aka Scaly-breasted Munia or The Spice Finch (Philippines endemic subspecies)

Lonchura punctulata cabanisi aka Scaly-breasted Munia or The Spice Finch (Philippines endemic subspecies)
Originally uploaded by Don Sausa

Shot on Negros Island, photographed at the Bulata village in the municipality of Cauayan, Negros Island on May 31, 2010. He was attempting to get the leaves from this branch. This specific subspecies can only be found in the Philippines (endemic).

This location is about 10 minutes away by boat from Danjugan Island Marine and Wildlife Reserve, a known sanctuary for birds.

This is sometimes called the Scaly-breasted Munia or The Spice Finch. It is also one of the birds mistakenly called "maya" in the Philippines. They will call almost any small brown bird as "maya" down here.

Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis), Negros, Philippines

Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis), Negros, Philippines
Originally uploaded by Don Sausa

This is a Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) I photographed at the Bulata village in the municipality of Cauayan, Negros Island on May 31, 2010. He was sun bathing.

This location is about 10 minutes away by boat from Danjugan Island Marine and Wildlife Reserve.