Method #2: The card reader
Most cameras can store up to a few hundred high-resolution pictures in their memory. But if you just want to move the pictures directly onto your computer without using cables, consider a "card reader."

Virtually every mid-range point-and-shoot camera has a little slot inside for a memory card, often called an SD card (for "Secure Digital").  SD cards are about the size of a postage stamp, and they can store up to 8 gigabytes of information, or a few thousand low-resolution pictures.

Benefits: SD cards have no moving parts making them about 10 times more durable than traditional storage media, like hard drives.  SD cards can be dropped from about 10 feet without damaging them, while hard drives break if dropped from more than 1 foot.

Lots of companies make and sell SD cards.  They're inexpensive and available at many retail stores.  A 2GB card, which stores thousands of pictures and/or some video costs about $35.

How to: To get pictures out of your camera, just pop the SD card out of the camera and slide it into a card reader.  You save battery life because your camera is never on when you download photos using this method.

The card reader slides into the USB slot or "port" on your laptop, and the computer will "see" it immediately.  An 'icon' or image that looks like the card reader will appear on your desktop, whether it's a Mac or a PC.  Put your cursor over that icon and click on it.  You'll see the pictures. Then, just click on and drag the pictures you want onto your computer.

(Note: Many new printers are being made with built-in card readers and some PC manufacturers are adding the option of building a card reader right into the computer.)

Method #3: Cell phones
Most people take quick pictures on their cell phones and then have no idea how to get that picture to friends and family.

How to: A) The memory card.  Many mid-to-upper-end cell phones have a "MicroSD" card slot.  The MicroSD card looks identical to a standard SD card, only it's, well, smaller.  Slide that MicroSD card into a card reader (see above), and you're in business.

B) Email.  Some phones allow you to email the photos.  We'll cover that next time.

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