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Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983

D r .   G i z m o
Getting your digital pictures into your editing program the easy way; was the doc being unkind by making fun of the 'Williams Mako' e-mail scam?


April 2, 2003


By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2003, Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2003, The Post-Standard

   I am trying to get Photoshop Elements 2.0 to work with my Olympus C730uz digital camera. I cannot figure out how to get the camera recognized on Photoshop. It works with iPhoto and Camedia. Any advice on what to do? -- S.E., via Road Runner
   The doctor recommends staying away from the built-in photo acquisition methods used by various photo editing programs. Dump your photos onto your computer in whatever way you want -- usually, all you need to do is connect a USB cable or place a memory card in a reader and the computer takes over the job -- and then edit them separately.
   Just import the photos into your computer, then, when they are stored in a folder, drag them to the icon that represents your photo editor (in this case, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0). It will open them for editing.
   
   I recently was contacted by a Mr. Williams Mako regarding the same proposal that was sent to you (see below). I was wondering how you came to the conclusion that this was fraudulent.
   His letter began this way:
   "You may be surprised to receive this letter from me since you do not know me personally. The purpose of my introduction is that I am Williams Mako, the first son of Zuma Mako, one of the most popular black farmers in Zimbabwe, who was recently murdered in the land dispute in my country. I got your contact through network online hence decided to write you."
   Your response included these remarks:
   "Yeah. Right. For a small fee, held in escrow for the doctor. But the doctor, who was not born yesterday, continues to hear of people who are fooled by such scams as yours, 'Williams Mako.' The good doctor is too gentle to recommend a thoroughly adequate punishment, but banishment to a remote planet might be a good start."
   Why do you say this is fraudulent? -- N., via an Australian Internet service
   The doctor says it's fraudulent because it is. There are dozens of Web sites that track this fraud alone. The doc suggests starting with http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/.
    Dr. Gizmo diverts all e-mailed scams to Al Fasoldt's inbox. You can send a can of Spam but not a hint of scam to the doctor or his altered ego to Technology, Box 4915, Syracuse, NY 13221. Or send e-mail to afasoldt@twcny.rr.com.