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CNN Sunday Morning

Interview With Kim Komando

Aired December 22, 2002 - 09:45   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's check in with Kim, Kim Komando, the digital goddess.
So good to see you. It's been awhile.

KIM KOMANDO, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: It has been a while.

O'BRIEN: Merry Christmas to you, happy holidays, all that stuff.

KOMANDO: And to you.

O'BRIEN: All right. Let's get some tips, first of all, on shopping.

KOMANDO: OK.

O'BRIEN: Of course, it's a little late right now, if you're shopping on the Web right now you'd have to pay kind of through the nose for shipping, wouldn't you?

KOMANDO: Well, you know, that's always the problem, because you're talking expedited shipping, which could be $40, $50, $60 or more.

But there is an alternative; it's called online gift certificates. And so you could go to, like, Amazon.com or Walmart.com. And what you do is you buy an online gift certificate and you type in the recipient's e-mail address and then lo and behold, just seconds later, they get an e-mail that says you sent them a $25, $50 or $100 gift certificate.

O'BRIEN: That's a good idea.

KOMANDO: It's nothing like a real present, though. It doesn't really warm the heart if you know what I mean.

O'BRIEN: Well, you know...

KOMANDO: Well, it does work. But if you don't find anything at Amazon.com or Walmart.com or those other places, you can go to Visa or American Express and they'll sell you an online gift certificate for six bucks a pop. The other ones are free.

O'BRIEN: It's better than a pair of socks or gloves.

KOMANDO: Well, I guess, but, you know. O'BRIEN: What other online tips do you have to share with us today?

KOMANDO: Well, as far as shopping, is that what you're talking about?

O'BRIEN: Yes, let's talk shopping.

KOMANDO: Well, we already mentioned once here about naughty codes and current codes and some people are still not tapping into it.

O'BRIEN: Naughty? I missed that.

KOMANDO: The naughty codes?

O'BRIEN: What's that?

KOMANDO: Well, if you go to naughtycodes.com or currentcodes.com. These are placed that collect all the different shopping codes. So you know when you go to check out and it says, "Do you have a promotional code?" And if you're like me, you sit there and go, no, but I really want one.

And then if you go to naughtycodes.com or currentcodes.com, they collect all these things so you can save, like, 30 percent, you can get free shipping, you can save 10 percent. It really depends.

And just about every retailer out there has some type of naughty code if you know what I mean.

O'BRIEN: Naughty code. OK. And this is OK for family consumption?

KOMANDO: Exactly.

O'BRIEN: Not that kind of naughty.

KOMANDO: You know what's funny is, I did type it in and my husband was like, what is that on the computer? And I'm like no, really, it's good, it's good.

O'BRIEN: Really, it's for research purposes, you know what I mean?

Let's talk about digital pictures. I've gotten more heavily into digital photography this past year. I think a lot of people have because it's finally getting to the point where it's a little more manageable, there's some good software out there for managing it all. The quality is good.

KOMANDO: And the cameras are more affordable.

O'BRIEN: What's that?

KOMANDO: The cameras are now more affordable than ever. I mean, you can pick up great camera for a couple hundred buck. O'BRIEN: Yes. So what's -- what are your words to the wise for those who are testing the waters of the digital world? I'm sure a lot of people will probably open up a digital camera under the tree in a couple of days. What's the words to the wise for them?

KOMANDO: Well, when you start taking digital pictures, what's really great about it is that you're not paying per print so take as many as you want, because they're stored on memory cards.

And then you have to really -- and I know it's bad, but you might want to actually read the manual.

O'BRIEN: Oh, no, please, not that.

KOMANDO: I know. Because when you start looking at the computers -- pardon me, the digital camera, is that you have all these neat things, like red eye reduction. And so if you turn on the red eye reduction, people won't have those blazing red eyes that make them look like an alien.

In addition to that, the photo editing software is just phenomenal. So if you take a picture and somebody does have red eye, you can fix it. If you take a picture and somebody's too far to the right, you can fix that.

O'BRIEN: Now, wait. Who's this cutie?

KOMANDO: That is, I think -- which one is it, because I can't see it?

O'BRIEN: That's a little boy with a red vest. A handsome fellow.

KOMANDO: That's my little guy.

O'BRIEN: He is? How old is he?

KOMANDO: He'll be 2 this coming Saturday.

O'BRIEN: He is adorable.

KOMANDO: Well, he takes after his mom, what do you want?

O'BRIEN: Oh, gosh what a cutie. Anyway -- God, he looks like a little man there with that vest on -- But you've got two pictures side by side. What's the purpose?

KOMANDO: Well, that's where you can go ahead and you can crop it so if he's too far to a certain side you can do that in your photo editing software so it will look better.

O'BRIEN: Yes. Great shot, too.

What other things can you share with us as you get a little -- there's a couple other images here.

Oh, the red eye. Let's do the red eye reduction.

KOMANDO: Yes. The red eye reduction, what happens is maybe the room is too dark and so that's what happens when pupils don't dilate. And so that's where you can go ahead and fix it in the software as well as, as I mentioned, on the camera. There's usually a button that says red eye reduction, and so you want to make sure that you go ahead and turn that on.

But remember, the software is just phenomenal to fix this stuff.

O'BRIEN: There we go. Now we're looking at -- this would not probably be your daughter, I'm guessing. This is a woman in a red shirt, and on the left side, there's no red eye. On the right side, there is red eye.

I've got this software. Have you heard of Picasa? Have you heard of it?

KOMANDO: Well, you know what? There's tons of them out there.

O'BRIEN: Yes, there's tons of them. And all you have to do is put the pointer on the eyes and it automatically just takes it away. It's great.

KOMANDO: And you know what? If you don't have the software, you can still do this, because many online services that will print your photos, such as Ofoto.com or Shutterbug.com, what they'll do is go ahead and when you upload your pictures there, because that's where you're going to have them printed from and mailed to you via U.S. mail, is that they can sometimes fix it for you or they will give you the tools online.

So even if you don't have the software, you shouldn't worry about it. Because you can fix it if you choose to have your pictures printed that way, which is more expensive, by the way, than if you take to it a local retailer.

O'BRIEN: Well, wait a minute. What about just getting a fairly good color printer and some glossy paper and printing it yourself? You don't ascribe to that?

KOMANDO: You can do that, but you know, if you don't have a lot of time, and it does take time, or if you don't have the inclination to go buy the special glossy photo paper, which is what you need, by the way, and really, it's just a convenience to be able to upload them.

Like, for example, at Ofoto.com, it's not cheap. Each print is about 50 cents apiece.

O'BRIEN: Yes, and I believe Kodak is involved in that outfit. Obviously, they're a little nervous about the...

KOMANDO: Oh, sure.

O'BRIEN: The coming end of film, which seems to be on its way. KOMANDO: But what's interesting is Kodak is now changing their business practices. So you could go down to, say, your local drug store with your smart card, your compact flash card or even a Sony memory stick and hand them the card and say print all the pictures on this card.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

KOMANDO: So they're changing.

O'BRIEN: I like to take the drug store out of the whole mix and print it myself, but I guess that's a personal decision that everybody has to make.

KOMANDO: Well, you know, you're a geek of the week, that's why.

O'BRIEN: But you know, really, those printers, you can get printer just a couple hundred bucks will give you enough resolution for good pictures.

KOMANDO: Yes, and when you do buy the printers, keep in mind that the ink, you blow through it pretty fast.

O'BRIEN: That is the thing. It's kind of like buying razor blades, right?

KOMANDO: But that's where -- you remember that you don't have to go out and buy new cartridges every single time. You can refill the cartridges and it's not a bad deal.

O'BRIEN: Talk about spare time issues, Kim.

KOMANDO: Well, no, it takes about five or ten minutes. It's not a bad deal, really.

O'BRIEN: Yes, really, it's like you have to get a little lab project going to do that. It will be all in my lap.

Kim Komando, thanks for sharing with us your insights and the picture of your wonderful, handsome son.

KOMANDO: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Hope you and he have a wonderful Christmas.

KOMANDO: You got it. You too, Miles.

O'BRIEN: Take care.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired December 22, 2002 - 09:45   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's check in with Kim, Kim Komando, the digital goddess.
So good to see you. It's been awhile.

KIM KOMANDO, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: It has been a while.

O'BRIEN: Merry Christmas to you, happy holidays, all that stuff.

KOMANDO: And to you.

O'BRIEN: All right. Let's get some tips, first of all, on shopping.

KOMANDO: OK.

O'BRIEN: Of course, it's a little late right now, if you're shopping on the Web right now you'd have to pay kind of through the nose for shipping, wouldn't you?

KOMANDO: Well, you know, that's always the problem, because you're talking expedited shipping, which could be $40, $50, $60 or more.

But there is an alternative; it's called online gift certificates. And so you could go to, like, Amazon.com or Walmart.com. And what you do is you buy an online gift certificate and you type in the recipient's e-mail address and then lo and behold, just seconds later, they get an e-mail that says you sent them a $25, $50 or $100 gift certificate.

O'BRIEN: That's a good idea.

KOMANDO: It's nothing like a real present, though. It doesn't really warm the heart if you know what I mean.

O'BRIEN: Well, you know...

KOMANDO: Well, it does work. But if you don't find anything at Amazon.com or Walmart.com or those other places, you can go to Visa or American Express and they'll sell you an online gift certificate for six bucks a pop. The other ones are free.

O'BRIEN: It's better than a pair of socks or gloves.

KOMANDO: Well, I guess, but, you know. O'BRIEN: What other online tips do you have to share with us today?

KOMANDO: Well, as far as shopping, is that what you're talking about?

O'BRIEN: Yes, let's talk shopping.

KOMANDO: Well, we already mentioned once here about naughty codes and current codes and some people are still not tapping into it.

O'BRIEN: Naughty? I missed that.

KOMANDO: The naughty codes?

O'BRIEN: What's that?

KOMANDO: Well, if you go to naughtycodes.com or currentcodes.com. These are placed that collect all the different shopping codes. So you know when you go to check out and it says, "Do you have a promotional code?" And if you're like me, you sit there and go, no, but I really want one.

And then if you go to naughtycodes.com or currentcodes.com, they collect all these things so you can save, like, 30 percent, you can get free shipping, you can save 10 percent. It really depends.

And just about every retailer out there has some type of naughty code if you know what I mean.

O'BRIEN: Naughty code. OK. And this is OK for family consumption?

KOMANDO: Exactly.

O'BRIEN: Not that kind of naughty.

KOMANDO: You know what's funny is, I did type it in and my husband was like, what is that on the computer? And I'm like no, really, it's good, it's good.

O'BRIEN: Really, it's for research purposes, you know what I mean?

Let's talk about digital pictures. I've gotten more heavily into digital photography this past year. I think a lot of people have because it's finally getting to the point where it's a little more manageable, there's some good software out there for managing it all. The quality is good.

KOMANDO: And the cameras are more affordable.

O'BRIEN: What's that?

KOMANDO: The cameras are now more affordable than ever. I mean, you can pick up great camera for a couple hundred buck. O'BRIEN: Yes. So what's -- what are your words to the wise for those who are testing the waters of the digital world? I'm sure a lot of people will probably open up a digital camera under the tree in a couple of days. What's the words to the wise for them?

KOMANDO: Well, when you start taking digital pictures, what's really great about it is that you're not paying per print so take as many as you want, because they're stored on memory cards.

And then you have to really -- and I know it's bad, but you might want to actually read the manual.

O'BRIEN: Oh, no, please, not that.

KOMANDO: I know. Because when you start looking at the computers -- pardon me, the digital camera, is that you have all these neat things, like red eye reduction. And so if you turn on the red eye reduction, people won't have those blazing red eyes that make them look like an alien.

In addition to that, the photo editing software is just phenomenal. So if you take a picture and somebody does have red eye, you can fix it. If you take a picture and somebody's too far to the right, you can fix that.

O'BRIEN: Now, wait. Who's this cutie?

KOMANDO: That is, I think -- which one is it, because I can't see it?

O'BRIEN: That's a little boy with a red vest. A handsome fellow.

KOMANDO: That's my little guy.

O'BRIEN: He is? How old is he?

KOMANDO: He'll be 2 this coming Saturday.

O'BRIEN: He is adorable.

KOMANDO: Well, he takes after his mom, what do you want?

O'BRIEN: Oh, gosh what a cutie. Anyway -- God, he looks like a little man there with that vest on -- But you've got two pictures side by side. What's the purpose?

KOMANDO: Well, that's where you can go ahead and you can crop it so if he's too far to a certain side you can do that in your photo editing software so it will look better.

O'BRIEN: Yes. Great shot, too.

What other things can you share with us as you get a little -- there's a couple other images here.

Oh, the red eye. Let's do the red eye reduction.

KOMANDO: Yes. The red eye reduction, what happens is maybe the room is too dark and so that's what happens when pupils don't dilate. And so that's where you can go ahead and fix it in the software as well as, as I mentioned, on the camera. There's usually a button that says red eye reduction, and so you want to make sure that you go ahead and turn that on.

But remember, the software is just phenomenal to fix this stuff.

O'BRIEN: There we go. Now we're looking at -- this would not probably be your daughter, I'm guessing. This is a woman in a red shirt, and on the left side, there's no red eye. On the right side, there is red eye.

I've got this software. Have you heard of Picasa? Have you heard of it?

KOMANDO: Well, you know what? There's tons of them out there.

O'BRIEN: Yes, there's tons of them. And all you have to do is put the pointer on the eyes and it automatically just takes it away. It's great.

KOMANDO: And you know what? If you don't have the software, you can still do this, because many online services that will print your photos, such as Ofoto.com or Shutterbug.com, what they'll do is go ahead and when you upload your pictures there, because that's where you're going to have them printed from and mailed to you via U.S. mail, is that they can sometimes fix it for you or they will give you the tools online.

So even if you don't have the software, you shouldn't worry about it. Because you can fix it if you choose to have your pictures printed that way, which is more expensive, by the way, than if you take to it a local retailer.

O'BRIEN: Well, wait a minute. What about just getting a fairly good color printer and some glossy paper and printing it yourself? You don't ascribe to that?

KOMANDO: You can do that, but you know, if you don't have a lot of time, and it does take time, or if you don't have the inclination to go buy the special glossy photo paper, which is what you need, by the way, and really, it's just a convenience to be able to upload them.

Like, for example, at Ofoto.com, it's not cheap. Each print is about 50 cents apiece.

O'BRIEN: Yes, and I believe Kodak is involved in that outfit. Obviously, they're a little nervous about the...

KOMANDO: Oh, sure.

O'BRIEN: The coming end of film, which seems to be on its way. KOMANDO: But what's interesting is Kodak is now changing their business practices. So you could go down to, say, your local drug store with your smart card, your compact flash card or even a Sony memory stick and hand them the card and say print all the pictures on this card.

O'BRIEN: Yes.

KOMANDO: So they're changing.

O'BRIEN: I like to take the drug store out of the whole mix and print it myself, but I guess that's a personal decision that everybody has to make.

KOMANDO: Well, you know, you're a geek of the week, that's why.

O'BRIEN: But you know, really, those printers, you can get printer just a couple hundred bucks will give you enough resolution for good pictures.

KOMANDO: Yes, and when you do buy the printers, keep in mind that the ink, you blow through it pretty fast.

O'BRIEN: That is the thing. It's kind of like buying razor blades, right?

KOMANDO: But that's where -- you remember that you don't have to go out and buy new cartridges every single time. You can refill the cartridges and it's not a bad deal.

O'BRIEN: Talk about spare time issues, Kim.

KOMANDO: Well, no, it takes about five or ten minutes. It's not a bad deal, really.

O'BRIEN: Yes, really, it's like you have to get a little lab project going to do that. It will be all in my lap.

Kim Komando, thanks for sharing with us your insights and the picture of your wonderful, handsome son.

KOMANDO: Thank you.

O'BRIEN: Hope you and he have a wonderful Christmas.

KOMANDO: You got it. You too, Miles.

O'BRIEN: Take care.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com