Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a method and an apparatus for facilitating communication between a potential customer and a potential provider of goods and services, and further provides a method for the financing of the method and apparatus. This method and apparatus are particularly applicable to expensive and/or personalized services where a traditional website does not communicate the quality of the services well or establish the trust needed for such a relationship while retaining the applicability to small or non-personalized purchases. This method and apparatus is likewise applicable to services which can be provided only within a certain distance from the provider. The potential customer uses the internet or other devices to enter a request for goods or services. This information is used to generate an audio file and telephone the potential provider to determine if the potential provider would like to have an initially anonymous telephone call with the potential customer.

Abstract: A system and method for processing digital pictures is disclosed. The system and method allow a user to use traditional dark-room-type techniques with digital photographs. The system and method allow for the batch processing of multiple images based on a user's preferences indicated on a single picture. The system and method provide a portable digital picture processing station.