I have a question for you: Today finally one of my cameras came. It wasn't the one I had first ordered (This was suppose to be the Panasonic one), but due to being on back order for a month I got the Sony Cybershot DSC-H9 instead. So anyway I'm asking you, because I thought maybe you could tell me what the lens hood is for? Like is it for outside pics or long distance pics? I hope you don't care I'm asking you, but I just thought I'd ask since I was talking to you about cameras. The camera came with a CD for the computer and since I have that wonderful vista on my laptop I'm having trouble downloading it to view the instructions on the camera. I'm just so excited that I want to start taking pics.

Here's a couple of pics so you can see what I'm talking about:

The lens hood is for outdoor pictures. I mostly use mine on sunny days to prevent glare. After you install your software (cd) you should be able to do an update over the internet so that it will run with VISTA. If that does not work you may have to go directly to the website itself meaning the software website and look for a VISTA PATCH. This is not uncommon to have to do this at this time.

Congrats on the camera, I am sure you will love it.

Think of it as a "sunbonnet" for your new baby!   HAVE FUN---I'm expecting to see about a ga-zillion photos in the next few days now!