Viewing Nikon RAW NEF Images in Windows Explorer

At the time of this post, raw photos (Nikon RAW NEF format) taken from any of the following cameras can be viewed directly in the Windows Explorer.  This allows for quick previews within the use of Lightroom/Camera RAW/etc.

Supported Cameras	Digital SLR Cameras	D4, D3X, D3S, D3, D2XS, D2X, D2HS, D2H, D1X, D1H, D1, D90, D80, D70S, D70, D60, D50, D40X, D40, D700, D300S, D300, D200, D100, D7000, D5100, D5000, D3200, D3100, D3000
	advanced camera with interchangeable lens	Nikon 1 J1, Nikon 1 V1
	Digital Compact Cameras	COOLPIX 8800, COOLPIX 8700, COOLPIX 8400, COOLPIX 5700, COOLPIX 5400, COOLPIX 5000

In order to have the OS handle NEF files in the same manner as JPEGs (or any other common file format), download and install the following Nikon application for Windows.

Download Nikon NEF Codec

Breadboard Mk. I

In attempts to have an organized location for building electronics projects, I assembled the following parts into my first attempt at an organized breadboard:

The base is actually a kitchen cutting board (hdpe) purchased on Amazon.com, and the remaining electronics components were ordered via Mouser.com.  The binding posts and Arduino Rev3 were mounted via drill holes in the cutting board (and since the board is plastic, the drilling was a quick process), and the Arduino is mounted on 3/8 inch standoffs to keep it isolated from the board.

1 x 12x18 Cutting Board
7 x 830 point breadboards [510-GS-830]
3 x 60 point bus strips [510-GS-060]
4 x binding posts, red [164-4205]
1 x binding posts, black [164-4201]
1 x nylon handles, 4", black [546-M250-1003]
1 x arduino rev3 [782-A000066]
4 x 3/8 inch standoffs, 4-40 [761-2102-440-N]
4 x 1/4 inch fiber washers [534-3368]
8 x 4-40 steel screws [534-9401]

Where the board is a little on the large size, it was designed to fit into an available desk drawer, so it could be easily put away to clear up desk space when needed.  There should be more than enough prototyping space to support a few projects going on at once, if needed, as well as some room to grow (where the multimeter is currently sitting).

Bathroom Lights

After replacing the shower door, the builder installed light bar was the next to go.  As usual, I forgot to take a picture before I started, but here is a similar light from another room:

After getting out the stud finder, I realized that the cheap bastards at Ryan Homes decided not to frame this wall on 16" centers like we paid for (the boards are actually 24").  Since the placement of the left light was not close enough to a stud, I had to cutout a large drywall section and use electrical boxes on long hanger supports.

After the electrical went it, I threw in some scrap lumber for support, cut replacement pieces of drywall (the originals did not survive the removal process), and got the wall ready for mud.

A few coats of mud and sanding to cover things back up.  Needed 3 coats in the process, here is a picture after the 2nd coat went on.

After final sanding, I threw up the new wall paint on this section of wall before hanging the lights.  Here is a final shot of the wall.

Workshop Desk

After languishing for a decade in an uncompleted state, the workshop desk area was completely cleaned out and prepared for construction:

After a few trips to Lowes and a few evenings and weekends of work, the desk was completed.  As it turns out, the final picture was apparently shot before I attached the drawer pulls, but you get the idea.  The desk is entirely too messy to take another shot at this point...

With 11 feet of desk surface to use, the workshop is now ready to support a few hobby projects...