Manufacturer : Vivitar
Model : 2655
ASIN : B00004U108
Price : 199.99$
Last Price : 125$(Discount 37.4968748437422%
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Product DescriptionItem number 6120-45, Grading is cover/record: VG using Goldmine standards. Please see seller profile for abbreviation descriptions.Amazon.com Product DescriptionFor those who want to publish photos to the Web and for other uses, the ViviCam 2655 features 640 x 480 optical resolution, supports USB/RS232/TV output, and has 2 MB built-in flash memory. It stores 16 high-quality images or 32 normal-resolution images, the two-way auto flash helps low-light conditions, it boasts shutter speeds of 183 microseconds to one minute, is focus free, and has a 10-second electronic self-timer. You also get MGI PhotoSuite, a photo editing software package.
The pros are that the camera is lightweight and compact to carry anywhere. The upload speed from the camera to pc is not that long and the software that you can edit from is pretty useful as well.
The cons are simply the camera is not advanced enough to shoot anything that moves. My friend and I sat as still as humanly possible and all we got back was a blurred image of where we think our heads should have been. Also the color is not as good as I had hoped and the lag time between taking pictures seems to be forever. Some instructions in the booklet are a bit vague and took some creative juices to get the camera properly set up.
All in all if you are just shooting stuff for an auction site and color clarity isn't important grab this camera. Also this could be good for kids to mess around with if bought used.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Agfa ePhoto CL18 0.3MP Digital Camera
Manufacturer : Agfa
Model : CL18
ASIN : B00004THMA
Price : 89.99$
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Product DescriptionYou've been waiting for a while. For a digital camera that does what you want - nothing more and nothing less. A digital camera that lets you take up to 32 images and download them right into your computer. Plus software that helps you e-mail images directly to your friends. Agfa ePhoto CL18 does it all: digital photos to e-mail, digital images to print, video conferencing, and more! With an internal memory similar to a roll of film, ePhoto CL18 doesn't have the hassle and expense of external memory cards. This digital camera works the way you do - fast, easy and electronic. Agfa has added a bit of a surprise: this sleek, little, palm-sized unit also doubles as a quality video conferencing camera for your on-line chats. So forget that extra purchase.Agfa ePhoto CL18 is small. Very small. So don't be afraid to throw it in your pocket or bag and take a few shots of your day about town to share with friends the next day. With a built-in flash and 2 MB internal memory, you can take up to 32 640 x 480 pixel pictures in one go. Plus when you're back home, just plug in the camera using its fast USB connection and download those shots. You don't even have to worry about a power supply since the ePhoto CL18 takes full advantage of USB's capability to supply the camera with power. Or the next time you feel like chatting on-line with a friend, just whip out your ePhoto CL18, mount it on the camera mount, plug in the USB and off you go. Quality images of each other on-line! You can even use the universal mini-video output plug to display your shots on a TV!Amazon.com Product DescriptionAgfa's CL18 digital camera can be used as both a digital camera and a Webcam. Connect it to your computer's USB port, and you can use it to video conference over the Web. As a digital camera, the CL18 features 640 x 480 resolution (great for e-mails and Web images) and a built-in flash with red-eye reduction. The camera's 2 MB of internal memory let you store up to 32 photos. You'll be able to download your images quickly for editing and organizing with Agfa's software bundle. The package includes two AA batteries, USB and video cables, a camera case, a camera mount, a CD-ROM, and a user's manual.
The resolution is adequate for point and shoot pictures, nothing can get damaged, my 4 yr old Granddaughter can use it easily, as can any one else who has used it.
Down loading is very quick and easy, I very seldom modify any pictures, resizing if anything. About 1400 photos have been taken
Best quality photos are head & shoulder pict. inside in fairly even light. The flash is ok just read up on it's range.
Outside landscapes lack detail, low pixel count doesn't help. Easy on batteries ,I use nicad recharables and carrry an extra 2.
Check out some photos at http://ca.photos.yahoo.com/pl1988
Monday, October 24, 2011
Polaroid i-zone 0.3MP Digital and Instant Combo Camera
Manufacturer : Polaroid
Model :
ASIN : B00004X036
Price : 99.99$
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Amazon.com Product DescriptionThe Polaroid i-zone digital and instant Combo Camera splices together the popular i-zone instant camera with a basic digital camera. You can take an i-zone postage-stamp size picture, and then turn the camera over and take the same picture with the digital camera at a resolution of 640 x 480. This device is essentially two separate cameras that share one set of batteries. The digital camera has 1 MB of built-in memory and can store up to 18 images. Both the i-zone and digital camera use fixed-focus lenses, so you never need to worry about taking out-of-focus pictures. A serial cable is included to download your images to your PC. Software is included to spruce up and modify your digital images. Included in the box are a serial image transfer cable, batteries, sticky film, and assorted software.
One thing I became aware of... a couple of times when trying to transfer the digital pictures to my computer, I got a "No camera connected" error. In each case it was just that the plug wasn't all of the way plugged into the camera (it took me awhile to figure this out because it appeared to be plugged in well, but wasn't). I was relieved to find that it wasn't a fault in the camera, because I was having so much fun with it!
The biggest drawback I find with this camera is that it seems to be made somewhat cheaply (though I haven't had time to either prove or disprove this impression). For example, the battery compartment cover on mine doesn't fit really well, and made me that much more aware of the concern about breaking the plastic when closing the compartment. I don't think the plastic will be a problem as long as it's not rough handled. I also found that, while a lot of instruction isn't so much necessary, I think the manual is lacking. For example, I had no idea if I should pull out the film right after I made the exposure, or leave it in the camera (I don't have instant camera experience, yes, you can pull it right out) and all I found in the instruction manual about that after the camera's operation instruction was "press the shutter button to take the picture" DUH! (no, I'm not from Florida <j/k!> <grin>)...
I should also say that the "troubleshooting" part of the manual was very helpful!
The quality of the pictures, both digital and instant, is good! I just had to be sure not to get too close because the flash will blast out the image if it's less than... maybe 4 or 5 feet away. So resist the temptation to get in close because the picture is so small on the instant shots.
The software that comes with it is a blast! Lots of fun stuff to do with that!
I like the camera A LOT and am so far VERY happy that I bought it! This really is a positive review, I just wanted to give a very honest review of the product. I'd buy it again in an instant (no pun intended)!
It only comes with a 6 exposure non-sticky "roll" of film (but everything else you need), so you might want to get some extra of that right away. ;)
The digital part of it has basic features, but still allows you to take great pictures that can be printed out on photo paper (and if they turn out a bit fuzzy any basic photo program will allow you to manipulate it and clear it up.) This camera has come in handy quite a few times since I got it because if there's a picture you want to take really quickly, you don't have to waste time looking around for film.
So far I haven't had to replace the batteries yet, and I've used it every day for almost three weeks so far. Contrary to what another reviewer said, the time that it takes for the digital pictures to download to the computer is just seconds!
I would absolutely, DEFINITELY recommend this camera! After seeing how awesome mine was, my boyfriend decided that he now wants one of his own! The best part of all is that it's so light and can be carried anywhere!!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Polaroid PDC-640 0.3MP Digital Camera Creative Kit
Manufacturer : Polaroid
Model : PDC-640
ASIN : B00000J48G
Price : 229.99$
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Amazon.com Product DescriptionThe Polaroid PDC 640 Creative Kit includes an easy-to-use digital camera and software for image editing and special effects. With a top resolution of 640 by 480, the Polaroid PDC 640 won't give you stunning images, but it's fine if you want to post your photos on the Web or send them via e-mail. The kit is geared toward beginners or even children who want to get started with digital photography. It includes a carrying case, strap, batteries, a removable storage card, and the cables and software to download photos to your PC. Polaroid offers a one-year warranty on this item. Product DescriptionPolaroid PhotoMAX PDC 640 digital camera makes digital photography easy and affordable while delivering outstanding image quality. It has an improved resolution for crisper, more professional looking photographs, point-and-shoot simplicity and all of the features normally associated with much more expensive cameras. The PDC 640's features include a 1.8" LCD monitor/viewfinder, a built-in flash and a self-timer. It has a storage capacity at 640x480 resolution of 12 images in superfine, 24 images in high resolution and 36 images in standard resolution. In 320x240 resolution, the PDC 640 will hold 96 images. Plus, the camera comes with an easy-to-use image-editing software for manipulation, resizing and retouching of images.
I would swear this is an Agfa. Looks EXACTLY like it. Same price. For the price, it is a great deal.
You can "frame" your picture with the viewfinder, or the LCD display in back. You can display pictures on the TV (video in, not RF in), and load into a computer using any RS232 COMM port. The Camera's software is ok. The "TWAIN" driver (connection between camera and photo software) attaches to all photo software in the computer, not just the Photomax program that comes with it. Just select the source in your program.
It resembles a 35mm "Point and Shoot" camera in many respects. It has a nice cover that slips over the lens and turns the camera on and off. If you can use a P&S, you can use this.
Resolution using the 12exposure mode (high resolution, just 12 pictures) is just about as good as 100ISO or 200ISO camera print film. Looks tolerable on a 32" TV!
I have many GOOD 35mm SLR's, and am happy with this little jewel. No more stacks of negatives stored away. Just a few recordable CD's, and I can put the images on a floppy to give to family, or email the pictures. It' won't, of course, replace the SLR's, but for many uses it's great.
The only downside I see with this product is the annoying green indicator light in the viewfinder. And this camera doesn't really do well with close-up shots. You have to be at least three feet away. Also only use the video screen when you are using the AC adapter. If you don't, then your batteries will drain fast.
Bottomline is I am happy with this product and I got my money's worth.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Polaroid Fun Flash 640 0.3MP Digital Camera Kit
Manufacturer : Polaroid
Model : FUN! Flash 640 Digital Camera Kit
ASIN : B00005B13M
Price : 119.99$
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Amazon.com Product DescriptionThe Polaroid Fun Flash 640 is a basic point-and-shoot digital camera with automatic focus and a fixed lens. It takes photos up to 640 x 480 pixel resolution--perfect for posting shots on the Web or sending images via e-mail. The Fun Flash 640 has 2 MB of internal memory (no external memory slot), 1.8-inch color LCD, built-in flash with three flash modes, self-timer, and is serial compatible for simple hookup to your PC. PhotoMAX image manipulation software is included, which lets you easily edit and enhance your images, add special effects, and create slide shows and greeting cards. This kit also includes four AA batteries, an AC power adapter, wrist strap, carrying case, and instructions. Product DescriptionDo you need a camera to create Web site images, document student work in digital portfolios, or incorporate student generated images into reports and presentations? The PhotoMAX FUN! Flash 640 makes it possible to get digital cameras where they belong - into the hands of students. The camera, the accessories, and the software are all in one kit and at one great price!The Polaroid PhotoMAX Fun! Flash 640 digital camera is your complete creativity kit! It includes the PhotoMAX Fun! Flash 640 camera, as well as PhotoMAX 3.0 Image Maker software, an AC adapter, 4 AA batteries, a camera-to-PC serial cable, wrist strap, carrying case, and more! The Fun! Flash 640 camera itself is remarkably easy to use, with a 1.8" color LCD, multiple flash modes, automatic power-saving mode, and self-timer. The included PhotoMAX 3.0 software offers you a full range of photo-editing and enhancement tools, plus tons of fun special effects and paint tools to choose from!
I've always had bad luck with cameras of any kind, but my constant yearning for pictures has not stopped me from using them. So I always stuck with disposables until I bought a digital. Well, until I bought a digital and had to take it back the first day because the flash quit working after I had taken two pictures. Yes, I'm talking about this camera, the FunFlash (aw..breathe the irony of it). I don't think it's a problem with the quality of the camera, my particular camera was just defective, especially after it sensed my camera-cursed aura. So I no longer own this camera, needless to say, but the three or four hours I spent playing with it was enough to learn enough about it to tell you a little something.
My dislikes: Limited photo storage on its internal memory (15 pics at high (default set) resolution, 20-30 at its low resolution). It also does not have the smartmedia feature where you can insert more memory if you want. This wasn't good for me, because I take alot of pics when I go on vacation, and only being able to get less than 30 would have been a very bad thing.
The only way to retrieve the photos off your camera is with the software. So if you're at a friends house and take some pics and want to show them off, don't forget your CD.
The LCD screen, not very clear or sharp at all. In my opinion, the LCD screen that comes with this camera isn't worth the extra $20 you pay for it because you can't really tell if the picture you just took will be a keeper since you can't see it very clearly. Which brings me to my next dislike...
The fact that you can only delete the LAST photo taken. So if you take a pic and it seems like it will be decent and then you take another right after it and it's even better, you can't go back and delete the one before without deleting the last one taken. Again, this would be a bad thing if you're wanting to save as much memory as possible while on vacation or something.
Default settings. Each time you turn off your camera, the settings return to default. And if you're anything like me, you'll take alot of pics with the default settings (high resolution, no flash) without realizing it till it's too late and you're downloading the pics on your computer.
Only one cable, the serial cable. WAY slow. Downloading takes FOREVER. Even on a jazzed up, custom built computer w/tons of memory like mine.
No zoom, but I didn't really see this as a problem.
No redeye reduction, we still ended up looking like demons.
My likes: The picture quality. If you're just looking for an inexpensive digital camera that takes good pictures, then I recommend this one for you. The pictures turned out very sharp and very clear.
Small. Personally, I would rather have a compact digital camera w/a lot of memory than a massive digital camera w/a floppy drive. But that's just me...
Attractive, sure to catch someone's eye.
The LCD screen is still somewhat of a plus, because it gives that Digital Camera kind of feel, and you can sort of get an idea of how your picture turned out in the way of centering, distance, etc...
The software. Some may not agree, but I had more fun with the software than the digital camera itself. I don't have any other photo editing software on my computer, but I've used some that have come with scanners and I still think Polaroids PhotoMax tops them.
Self-timer. Great if you're bored and want to take pictures of yourself to see what your best look is. Also good for taking group pics without having to leave someone out.
Three different flash settings (if you remember to change it from default (flash off) when you start taking pics).
The joy of being able to take a ton of pictures that you can see immediatly on your computer, and getting rid of the bad ones, without spending any extra money.
So overall, if you just want an inexpensive digital camera that will give you the digital camera experience then this one really isn't half bad. But if you're wanting an inexpensive digital camera with effective features as well as good pictures, I would spend $50 more on something a little more up to par, and they are out there. AND, if you're going to buy this camera, I would suggest you (shop around....)
LCD - I agree that the LCD is not clear enough, but I think it's good as it is. I mean, the LCD is pretty useful since it allows me to have a good idea on how the picture looks like. I really enjoy this feature.
Self Timer - This is another fun feature and I'm glad that it came along with. I think self-timers are essential in any camera.
640 x 480 - This is resolution is really THE resolution to get average results. This resolution size is another essential in digicams and I'm glad it's w/ this camera.
Anyway, I enjoyed using this camera. It's very easy to use and not to mention, the software is top quality! I've printed out several photos and the smaller size ones aren't bad at all. You could minimize your photos and use them in your greeting cards, works better than very poor quality scanned pictures! Pictures posted on websites/sent through emails are very good quality.
As for the battery issue, I guess it does drain the battery. My hint is, use an AC adapter if possible, like when you're taking pictures indoors.
Overall, I'm glad I bought this camera :) I just hope it doesn't break (as another reviewer mentioned).
Sony MVC-FD73 0.3MP Mavica Digital Camera w/ 10x Optical Zoom
Manufacturer : Sony
Model : MVC-FD73
ASIN : B00000JYLO
Price : 499.99$
Lowet Price : 200$(Discount 59.9991999839997%
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Product DescriptionGet into digital photography the easy way with the Sony Mavica. This digital darling eliminates drivers, cables and adapters. The 350k pixel image sensor produces razor-sharp pictures you can see immediately on the built-in 2.5 inch color monitor.Just shoot, store and show with the Sony Cyber-Shot Mavica digital camera. View dazzling 24-bit color images on a 2.5" LCD color display viewfinder and store up to 40 images per 3.5" floppy disk in a universal JPEG format. View and manage your images on a PC or Macintosh system and use with virtually all current software applications to enhance your multimedia presentations. The Mavica also features 1/60 to 1/4000 second shutter speeds, built-in flash and PhotoStudio software from ArcSoft.Amazon.com ReviewSony deserves much of the credit for bringing digital photography to the masses. Americans have purchased more Mavicas than any other line of digital camera--and with good reason. The Mavicas feature high-quality optics and excellent battery life in an easy-to-use package. Yet the camera's biggest asset--floppy-disk image storage--is also its biggest liability.
In some ways, floppy disks are great: they're inexpensive and available virtually everywhere, and transferring images to your computer is a snap--just pop the disk into your PC's floppy drive. Floppies act as both "film" (for recording the image) and "negatives" (for archiving your shots), saving the expense of the CD recorder most digital camera owners eventually purchase for long-term image storage.
On the other hand, floppies and floppy drives are big, making Mavicas some of the bulkiest of digital cameras. In addition, disks have moving parts and tend to be more prone to failure than solid-state memory. But the biggest problem with floppy disks is that they hold only 1.44 MB of information--a fraction the capacity of the solid-state cards most cameras use.
To compensate for this shortcoming in storage capacity (and to keep prices low), Sony uses a lower-resolution image sensor (640 x 480 pixels, or 0.3 megapixels) and higher levels of compression than you'll find on other similarly priced cameras. The resulting images look great as e-mailed attachments or on a Web site but lack the detail to produce quality prints at sizes beyond 3 by 5 inches.
With the exception of the low resolution, the MVC-FD73 Mavica is a great digital camera. Its 10x optical zoom lens is more powerful than that of any other camera in its price range. Compared to most other digital cameras, its battery life is fantastic, and the InfoLithium system even displays an estimate of remaining battery charge (in minutes). Sony includes a battery and charger (many manufacturers don't). The big 2.5-inch LCD screen is bright and clear, though we'd love to see an optical viewfinder on the camera, too. For ease of use, it's hard to beat--even digital photography neophytes will be able to use this camera in a matter of minutes.
Bottom line? If you're taking pictures to share with friends via e-mail or are posting your photos online, the MVC-FD73 is an excellent choice. It's well made, easy to use, and the battery life and zoom lens are both excellent. However, if you want the ability to make prints from your images, we'd recommend either a higher-resolution Mavica or a non floppy-based camera. --John Frederick Moore
Pros:
- Floppy discs make image transfer and storage simple
- Extremely easy to use
- Superb battery life
- Powerful 10x optical zoom lens
- Big, bright 2.5-inch LCD
Cons:
- Low-resolution images lack detail for prints
- No optical viewfinder
After using the MVC-FD73 for this long there are many pros and cons that I have come up with.
Pros:
1 - easy to use
2 - nice LCD viewer for scrolling through previous shots
3 - floppies are a very convenient reusable medium
Cons:
1 - LCD viewer gets scratched easily
2 - Viewer LCD hard to see in very strong outdoor light (a better camera would have an interchangeable regular viewfinder AND an LCD viewer)
3 - Flash always seems too strong - a lot of red eye incidents indoors
4 - Has a hard time focusing in low light
5 - Floppies, while convenient, are FAR too small for high res pics. Why Sony hasn't made a Zip Drive or Super Disk drive version is beyond me.
In the future I will buy another camera that clears up the problems listed above. It probably won't be a Sony since Sony's pushing proprietary media in their future digital cameras.
If you want this camera for the long haul I'd suggest doing a little more homework and being fully aware of the 5 problems I mentioned above before buying this one.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Stopping Spam: Stamping Out Unwanted Email and News Postings
Manufacturer : O'Reilly Media
Model :
ASIN : 156592388X
Price : 19.95$
Lowet Price : 0.91$(Discount 95.4385964912281%
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Amazon.com ReviewIf unwanted advertising is filling your e-mail and clogging up your favorite newsgroups, or if you're a system administrator plagued by spammers, you'll love this book. Schwartz and Garfinkel examine the growth of spam and give readers the tools to help end the problem.
The authors first explain why spam is more than just a mere annoyance and offer solutions that anyone with a basic knowledge of how the Internet and e-mail work can understand. Readers without such knowledge needn't worry--the chapter on Internet basics can get them up to speed.
Schwartz and Garfinkel demonstrate technical, political, and social approaches to keeping spam out of your mailbox and off your system. They discuss the many ways spammers falsify their mail, using fraudulent techniques to disguise where they come from. The authors show you how to avoid being fooled and what you can do to help catch abusers and make them responsible for their misbehavior. --Elizabeth Lewis
Product DescriptionThis is a book about spam -- unwanted email messages and inappropriate news articles -- and what you can do to prevent it, stop it, and even outlaw it. It's a book for people who have seen their mailboxes fill up with useless messages and unsolicited advertisements, and who are tired of footing the bill for them in their Internet service charges. It's a book for people who are upset that they can't find the on-topic postings in their once-helpful newsgroups, and fear that the community of newsgroup readers will dissolve in disgust.
Stopping Spam looks at the problem of spam and explains ways you can eliminate unwanted messages and news postings. It provides information of use to individual users (who don't want to be bothered by spam) and to system administrators (also news administrators, mail administrators, and network administrators, who are responsible for minimizing spam problems within their organizations or service providers). It covers:
- Introduction to spam: what is it, why is it a problem, who are the spammers and why do they do it, what are the types of spam (spam that sells things, spam that contains political messages, spam that hurts people's reputations), what is its history, what is its impact on the Internet now and in the future?
- Internet messaging: a brief look at the technical underpinnings of Internet messaging to explain how email and spam work.
- User's guides to email and news spam: how to protect your email address, filter email and news articles, and respond to spam.
- Administrator's guide: how to trace spam, make policy choices for your site, block both incoming and outgoing spam, and select the right technical tools.
- Community responses: how to join forces to defeat spam. There are many possible responses to spam: simply delete it, complain to spammers and/or their service providers, share information, trap spammers, litigate, campaign for legislative solutions, use the media.
- Other resources: offline and online documents, tools, mailing lists, and more.
However, I have to admit: This book is for intermediate users. An absolute beginner would get lost and a sysadmin already knows MOST of this stuff. Also, it is quite Unix-centric and gives zero advice on how to use MS-based mail servers and clients. However, IMHO it's good for anybody, if just for the URL's of important antispam sites and software download sites.
Another "Animal Book" masterpiece here.
This book offers many options for combatting spam on the user and system levels, and makes sure to present the best way to stop spam: by teaching responsible system administration and shutting down open mail relays and public NNTP servers that allow posting.
I have had to admin mail and news servers for clients in the past, and I personally receive about 30 pieces of unwanted email daily. I've been particularly interested in the Procmail-based "friendly sender database", and the book presents the solution in a clear, concise fashion.
If you're tired of receiving more spam than real email, or having to really look hard for high quality, on topic postings in your newsgroups, then I strongly recommend this book.
However, it is good for a historical perspective and it gives an ok overview of the whole concept.
It will not give you answers to what you need to do as much of the spamming techniques have changed since it's publishing.
For example HTML based spam, spam fighing software, and Baysean formula came after this.
It was a book for its time but it has passed.
The book was written in 1998. Parts of it are heavily outdated. Especially one new antispam method that arose in 2003/4.
Yes, ORDB does recommend this book for server administrators with open relay. However, this server administrator found no information in the book that would be helpful in closing...
Heavy on pressenting and summarizing issues without many praticalities. It should be titled - Techniques to use in reducing Spam.
The title of the book, and the introduction make one beleive that you will find all you ever need to know about putting an end to spam.
Though I took copious notes on reading headers, reporting mail fraud, and tracing spammers back to their sources, this book solved my problem with one simple piece of advice.
Stopping Spam by Alan Schwartz and Simson Garfinkel (no, not Simon & Garfunkel), provides the background history on the practice know as "spamming", insight into the...
I bought this book a promptly returned it! It is useless for trying to stop spam. It contains little useful information for actually "Stopping Spam", just lots of...
This book covers the problems with Spam- and what one can do to stop it- quite well. However, it isn't of much use to the system administrator trying to implement anti-relay...
Stopping Spam is a good introduction to the major issues, but despite its claims has little to offer the system administrator.
This is a great book for dealing with all kinds of spam, but it can be especially helpful with the kind of spam that most people find most objectionable: pornography solicitation,...