Yes, Virginia, there is a magenta

Posted in: General, blog by Jack on 19 February 2009

There is a nasty rumor making its way around the interconnected series of tubes we call the Internet. The rumor was sparked by an article on The Neurostimulation Technology Portal by Liz Elliott entitled “Magenta Ain’t A Colour,” which has since had people exclaiming, “Fact: Magenta isn’t a color,” or, “Magenta is a lie.” The truth is a little more complicated than that, but I assure you that magenta is not a lie—or at least not any more a lie than any other color.

See, what we call the “visible spectrum” is really a very narrow band in a much larger spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. It is visible because our eyes have cells called “cones” in the retina that are sensitive to these wavelengths—in the range of about 400–700nm—to varying degrees. Some of the cones are sensitive to longer wavelengths, some to medium wavelengths, and others to shorter wavelengths. These wavelengths correspond to (roughly) what we call red, green, and blue light, and form the basis of the RGB color model used by digital images, TVs, flat panels, and more.

As visible light enters the eye and strikes the cone cells, the cells send electrical signals along the optic nerve to the brain. This is how our body “senses” light. Our brain interprets those three separate sensations to produce the perception that we call “color.”

So back to this rumor that magenta somehow isn’t a color. Elliott’s thesis centers on the argument that magenta appears nowhere on the spectrum of visible light, so it therefore isn’t a “real” color. If you look at a standard CIE chromaticity diagram, which maps wavelengths of light according to human perception, you’ll note that every point along the curve corresponds to a single wavelength of light. Magenta, as it were, lies along what’s commonly called the “pink-purple line” that runs across the bottom. All colors along this line do not exist as single wavelengths. But, all points inside the “color bag” above that line do not exist as single wavelengths, either.

The truth is, no color actually exists outside of our brain’s perception of it. Everything we call a color—and there are a lot more than what comes in your box of Crayolas—only exists in our heads. We define color in terms of how our brains process the stimuli produced by a mix of wavelengths in the range of 400–700nm hitting specialized cells in our eyes—”one, or any mixture, of the constituents into which light can be separated in a spectrum or rainbow,” says the OED. Elliot’s article might be better titled, “Magenta is not a single wavelength of electromagnetic radiation in the ‘visible’ spectrum, but our brain perceives it anyway.” (Source-Ars Technica)

New store hours

Posted in: store by Jack on 9 February 2009

Starting immediately we are going to be open more days and hours in order to serve you better. Our new schedule is:

Monday – Friday  9am-6pm

Saturday & Sunday  10am-5pm

A green printer for coffee drinkers

Posted in: Conservation, Printers, blog by Jack on 5 February 2009

The RITI printer is an eco-friendly printer based on the concept of a
new ink system. We focused on the ink cartridge since it is one of the
problems when using a printer: it’s often difficult to replace, costly
to refill, and can stain your hands if mishandled.

The RITI printer uses coffee or tea dregs. The user places the coffee
or tea dregs into the ink case located on the top of the printer, then
insert a piece of paper in the middle. Moving the ink case left and
right will print your image, and as you draw on the paper, dregs
inscript on the paper just like ink.

Using coffee or tea dregs as ink saves the cost buying ink, the burden
of wasted things, and users’ work. Furthermore, since the user moves
the ink case in order to make a print, the device doesn’t need
electricity. Of course, you can smell a whisper of coffee or tea
incense from the paper printed by RITI.

Use:

1. Insert a paper in the middle of the printer
2. Put the coffee or tea dregs into the ink case on the top of the printer
3. Move the ink case left and right as you draw on a paper
4. When the print finishes, pull out the paper from the printer and wash the ink case

(Source-Greener Gadgets Design Competition)

“Return Program” cartridges

Posted in: blog, inkjet, laser by Jack on

Both Dell and Lexmark offer laser and inkjet printers that take cartridges marked “Return Program”. Other manufacturers may soon follow in their footsteps.

What does this mean to you? What is this “Return Program” anyway?

The cartridge return program allows you to buy standard fill cartridges at a reduced price with the provision you return the cartridges to the printer manufacturer when they’re empty. You are usually supplied a postage-free envelope to return the cartridges in.

When you purchase these cartridges, similar to buying software with its Terms of Agreement, you are entering into a legally binding agreement with the developer/manufacturer. Because of this, our lawyers have advised us not to refill “Return Program” cartridges.

There are, however, alternatives. The manufacturers offer identical non-return program cartridges, usually designated with an “A” after the cartridge number (e.g. Lexmark 15 return program & 15a non-return program), that we can legally refill. Since Lexmark is selling their new printers without ink cartridges included, be sure you’re buying the “A” version of the cartridge and not the Return Program version. Then, when the ink in those is exhausted, we’ll be able to refill them for you at a savings of up to 50%.

Choosing a new printer

Posted in: Printers, blog, inkjet, laser by Jack on 3 February 2009

We are frequently asked to recommend a printer by our customers. Here’s what we tell the majority who ask:

It all depends on what sort of printing you do the most. Let’s break it down this way:

Inkjet printer

Epson Stylus Pro 4800

Pro…

• Best for printing photographs
• Best for printing CD/DVD labels on disks
• Most affordable way to print color for the average home office/small office (SOHO) and home user
• Less expensive printers on the market, often free with a new computer
• Affordable multi-function printers (all-in-one printers)

Con…

• Most expensive cost-per-page printing solution
• Must be used at least every 2 weeks to prevent printhead drying
• Inkjet printers are not designed to be repaired
• Leaking ink can permanently stain many materials

Laserjet printer

Pro…

• Lower cost-per-page than inkjets
• Doesn’t have to be used frequently to avoid printhead drying (no printhead!)
• Average 2000 pages per cartridge as opposed to less than 200 for an inkjet cartridge
• Generally faster printing speed, less setup time
• Usually has drivers for Windows, Mac and Linux

Con…

Samsung ML-1710

• Higher initial cost for printer and supplies
• Color laser printers are generally still too expensive for the average SOHO user
• Personal laser printers rarely offer duplexing or other advanced features
• All-in-one laser printers are still quite expensive

Just as when you consider buying a new computer or even a new car, how you intend to use it should be your primary consideration. If you think you might someday want to print photos or holiday cards, you need an inkjet printer. If all you plan to do is print out forms or receipts, consider a laserjet. If you need an all-in-one machine (printer, copier, fax and scanner) you should buy an inkjet printer.