[This](http://mprnotes.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/changing-background-image-of-latex-beamer/) post shows how one can change the background image in a Beamer presentation: The above method spans the image to cover the entire page size. To include a smaller image and center it, do [this](http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/26458/beamer-background-image-centered): (I asked this question on the [Tex.SX](http://tex.stackexchange.com/) since `\hspace{4.5cm}` works but `\vspace{4.5cm}` did not.)
In GIMP, to adjust a picture’s brightness, go Tools > Color-Tools > Brightness-Contrast and adjust the brightness. I did this to get a picture to lighten up for use in a LaTeX Beamer presentation.
I wanted to convert some raster images (bmp, png, etc.) to vector images (svg, pdf, eps) so that they can be rescaled easily. I found [Vector Magic](http://vectormagic.com/), which used to be free from Stanford University but now cost a grip; however, they do allow some free conversions. [This](http://superuser.com/questions/88415/is-there-an-open-source-alternative-to-vector-magic) post let me know that [Potrace](http://potrace.sourceforge.net/) is read more
I recently wrote about the [GNU Public License](http://blog.nguyenvq.com/2010/11/02/gnu-general-public-license-gpl/) (GPL). All of my software that I write on my own will most likely be licensed by GPL so others can use and modify it freely. I really think this benefits society. What about content, such as text, image, audio, or video? Analogous to the GPL, there read more
I never had the habit of taking pictures and using them to cherish memories. I recently realized its importance when my mom passed away and I was scouring to find pictures. Luckily my siblings had some (I had to scan the the older, non-digital ones). These days, a camera is cheap, portable, and digital storage read more
