Number 16, about dimes and nickels, was centsless.

Yeah, email has a frustratingly low attachments size limit of 20-25MB, mostly (depends on email provider). As an alternative, one that allows me to maintain resolution, I upload photos to a cloud site and send a download link. I can send a link to a single photo or a batch, so nobody but me has access to the other stuff on my cloud account. The link recipient doesn't actually log in to my account, but just downloads the content I choose.

I use Mega for this (and free 20GB of cloud storage). You could use any of a number of cloud storage sites, many of which are free up to specified storage size constraints. I'll upload my files (even short video clips, which are almost always too large for email), then I'll get a link. I email the link to the recipient to download the files. Often it's something from my phone, so I use the Mega app to upload files from my phone.

https://mega.nz

If I still want to reduce photo size, I use Photoshop on my desktop or an app called Reduce Photo Size on my Android phone.

I'd recommend a used card from a reputable eBay seller. Remember, it'll come with a 30-day eBay warranty.

Nothing fancy, just something like an Nvidia GTX 1060, and I'd recommend the 6GB version. You can move up to the GTX 1070, or even the 1080ti, which is still a formidable card with its 12GB of VRAM. Next gen would be the 16-series, such as the GTX 1660. I would avoid anything ending in 50, such as a GTX 1050 or 1650. (The first two digits of an Nvidia card tell the generation, and the last two tell the model -- and higher is better.)

Any of these will run at least 4k ops/second and support DirectX 12.

Jerry and ChrisG, I don't think Bitcoin was ever a factor in GPU scarcity & pricing. It was Ethereum mining that used GPUs and drove the prices to insane levels, but Ethereum has gone proof of stake, meaning that's all in the past and GPU prices have returned to pre-Ethereum levels -- for now, at least. I've heard rumblings that AI will drive up GPU prices just like Ethereum did, as networks of banks of GPU cards will be needed for servers to keep up.

Carl, you might poke around passmark.com to look at and compare GPU benchmarks. Click on one that interests you to see more, including the DirectX version it supports and the number of ops/sec it's capable of.

Finally, anything newer/better than maybe a GTX 2060 would surely be bottlenecked by your CPU, so it wouldn't be better than an older model, such as those I suggested. And TriX is right, you need to consider your PSU (power supply) connector, although many can be adapted, if needed.

I too have a little 4-port USB hub. Nothing wrong with those. But I figured, while building my current PC, why not have something more permanent? And since I set my PC sideways to show off my build and its RGB lighting through a tempered-glass panel, the rear ports are easily accessible.

I'll have to revisit my needs and see what's available for my next build, planned for October -- assuming Amazon has a second 2023 Prime Day, as is rumored. I really like having an abundance of permanent USB ports, but now, since I'll not buy another MoBo that supports fewer than four M.2 NVMe drives (SATA is sooo passé), I might have to sacrifice some USBs.

I need an optical drive, so my case choices are always limited. I love the Antec case I got for my last build, but I don't love that it has only two USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors. I was also disappointed with the I/O panel of my motherboard, but at least the MoBo could accommodate USB expansion.

I ended up buying three USB expansion ... thingies (I believe that's the technical name). Maybe "panel" is a better term. Heck, I'll just show you. These go in empty expansion (or PCI) slots on the back of the PC and plug directly into the MoBo. Now, I have more USB ports than I need (just barely), including the added USB-C 3.2 2x2, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, and four USB-A 2.0. These, along with the case and I/O panel, give me 15 USB ports. Granted, six of those are for snails (USB 2.0), but my keyboard, mouse, and printer don't complain.

Images are from Amazon listings. The USB-C panel runs around $20, while the others are under ten bucks.

USB-C 3.2 2x2 (20Gbps)


USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (formerly called USB 3.1 Gen 1, and USB 3.0) (5Gbps)


USB-A 2.0 (480Mbps, or so slow it moves data backwards)

That's why I keep a couple of inexpensive cards in my truck.

I keep an assortment of small items in a couple of old prescription pill bottles (with the labels peeled off, these have replaced film containers of yore for this task). In them also are a USB-C to Micro-USB adapter; AA and AAA batteries; safety pins, clevis pin, paper clips; nail clippers, pin-on button, needle & thread; and on and on. I've even a card reader and an OTG cable so I can connect it to my smart phone. Basically anything I've ever been caught without during the dozens upon dozens of times I've been out camping or otherwise away from home. I've always got my truck with me, so now I've always got the little things I might need, too.

Under and behind the back seat are another story.

Thanks, Jerry. I was just about to ask you about the lighting in your TV/computer room and whether you had any shipping issues with Amazon.

As already posted, the Sigma 150-600mm is an excellent lens that is more affordable and offers a bit more on the short end. IQ is comparable, better in some regards and not as good in others.

Another option is Tamron 150-500 (the Tamron 150-600 was never available in e-mount, I believe). This one I own and can attest to.

Keep in mind that all these lenses are heavy, and you might not want to hand-hold and shoot with one more than a couple of minutes. The Sony 200-600 and Sigma 150-600 weigh 4-1/2+ pounds, and the Tamron 150-500 weighs just under four pounds.

Quite a bit lighter are shorter options: At just over 2-1/2 pounds is the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3, which is generally reviewed as very good; and at less than two pounds is the Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G, which is rated excellent to good depending on which review you read. My experience with the Sony 70-300mm is fantastic -- I love the lens. It's the lightest of the bunch, light enough to shoot with for hours without any support.

For a wealth of info, have you visited the Dyxum lens database? Just make sure to select e-mount and full frame. https://www.dyxum.com/lenses/results.asp

Finally, I'll add a comparison of the three longer lenses, something I recently saw on Sony Alpha Blog at https://i0.wp.com/sonyalpha.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Sigma-150-600-sharpness.jpg?ssl=1. You can find links to these and many other reviews on the lens description pages on Dyxum.

Kardashians. Is that a Star Trek spinoff?

Could it be you found where all the gremlins that plague you reside?

Rolling shutter

Reboot everything, as TriX said. That's nearly always the best first thing to do. Next, if you're still having selective issues, is to try a different browser or to clear your browser's cache.

BTW if you don't have at least two browsers installed, you aren't serious about the internet (you already got one browser when you installed Windows). I have four.

Sometimes after inability to access a site, a browser becomes biased. It remembers the last failed attempt (from cache) and loads that instead of loading the refreshed page. Grumble and gripe, but 'tis what 'tis, or it's what it's. Alternatively, you can try the f5 key or its more powerful big bro, the [Ctrl]+[f5] combo to try and reload a fresh webpage. That should work, but I've had occasions where this failed and I had to use an alternate browser or clear cache.

My dad used to say, "It's so hot, I saw a dog chasing a cat -- and they were both walking."

Yup, long arm of the law. I shot this with a cell phone. Worst case of rolling shutter I've ever had.

Think about it (but don't think too hard).