Have you experienced problems such as turning on your PC, just moments before seeing the desktop, it restarts automatically? Problems such as this in which a computer experiences endless rebooting is usually caused by a computer virus. The signs are obvious. Your machine shuts down for no reason at all, without even touching any of the keys of your keyboard.
Though situations like this is commonly blamed to a computer virus which most likely has successfully invaded your computer hard drive, there are other reasons. In order to know the real problem, cover things one by one; create a checklist to figure out what's going on.
In order to determine the computer problems specifically and carefully, make a checklist like the one I enumerated below:
(a) Check the computer power supply
(b) Check the CPU for dust particles or dust cakes
(c) Check for viruses and worms through trusted virus scanning software
(d) Check the memory and other computer hardware stuff
Aside from computer viruses, bad power supply is the reason why some times your computer experiences rebooting that keeps on repeating. The common situation you would experience in having a bad computer supply is the shutting off of your PC once in a while; then, it seems okay for a couple of hours but in all of a sudden, your computer restarts over and over again. Check your power supply if it gives enough electricity to have your computer run efficiently. Another culprit of recurring computer restarting is the dust. When dust particles start to settle on your CPU, in which lots of them are caked underneath the CPU fan, your computer would experience unexpected rebooting. According to computer experts, this is the usual cause of problems especially to newer computers with 1 Ghz CPU and above. Computers this types run very hot so they need excellent ventilation. More flow of air encourages dusts to settle on your CPU, and to some corners inside it such as CPU fan. In order to fix the problem, you should do regular checking of your CPU at least once a year and clean the dust off. Computer hardware issues can also be other causes of experiencing this kind of problem. Perhaps, your PC has bad memory or bad video card that makes the running of your computer fail.
Try also booting your computer in Safe Mode. If the problem persists, the cause maybe the software installed in your computer. If not the software, then other reason for booting failure might be the newly installed drivers. To resolve the problem, try restoring the system if you are using Windows XP. Also, try Window registry cleaner. Perhaps, your window registry is too crowded because of some stored unnecessary files in the hard drive. Ask the assistance of computer experts such as those people you find in the nearest computer stores or computer equipment rental hubs. Computer experts are the doctors of sick computers. Figuring out the cause of a problem and solutions for that problem is easy for them. If you think you can't handle computer problems all by yourself, computer experts exist to help you.
Visit TR Vidcom, the leading audio visual equipment rental hub based in Australia. The company offers specialised solutions and caters clients from commercial and government establishment across the Asia Pacific, recently working on its product and service availability to other countries of the world.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Difficulties in Telling the Time!
Precision in telling the time has never been as important as it is now. Ultra precise atomic clocks are the foundation for many of the technologies and innovations of the twentieth century. The internet, satellite navigation, air traffic control and global banking all just a few of the applications that is reliant on particularly accurate timekeeping.
The problem we have faced in the modern age is that our understanding exactly of what time is has changed tremendously over the last century. Previously it was thought that time was constant, unchanging and that we travelled forward in time at the same rate.
Measuring the passing of time was straight forward too. Each day, governed by the revolution of the Earth was divided into 24 equal amounts - the hour. However, after the discoveries of Einstein during the last century, it was soon discovered time was not at all constant and could vary for different observers as speed and even gravity can slow it down.
As our timekeeping became more precise another problem became apparent and that was the age old method of keeping track of the time, by using the Earth's rotation, was not an accurate method.
Because of the Moon's gravitational influence on our oceans, the Earth's pin is sporadic, sometimes falling short of the 24 hour day and sometimes running longer.
Atomic clocks were developed to try to keep time as precise as possible. They work by using the unchanging oscillations of an atom's electron as they change orbit. This 'ticking' of an atom occurs over nine billion times a second in caesium atoms which makes them an ideal basis for a clock.
This ultra precise atomic clock time (known officially as International Atomic Time - TAI) is the basis for the world's official timescale, although because of the need to keep the timescale in parallel with the rotation of the Earth (important when dealing with extra terrestrial bodies such as astronomical objects or even satellites) addition seconds, known as leap second, are added to TAI, this altered timescale is known as UTC - Coordinated Universal Time.
UTC is the timescale used by businesses, industry and governments all around the world. As it is governed by atomic clocks it means the entire world can communicate using the same timescale, governed by the ultra-precise atomic clocks. Computer networks all over the world receive this time using network time servers ensuring that everybody has the same time to within a few milliseconds.
The problem we have faced in the modern age is that our understanding exactly of what time is has changed tremendously over the last century. Previously it was thought that time was constant, unchanging and that we travelled forward in time at the same rate.
Measuring the passing of time was straight forward too. Each day, governed by the revolution of the Earth was divided into 24 equal amounts - the hour. However, after the discoveries of Einstein during the last century, it was soon discovered time was not at all constant and could vary for different observers as speed and even gravity can slow it down.
As our timekeeping became more precise another problem became apparent and that was the age old method of keeping track of the time, by using the Earth's rotation, was not an accurate method.
Because of the Moon's gravitational influence on our oceans, the Earth's pin is sporadic, sometimes falling short of the 24 hour day and sometimes running longer.
Atomic clocks were developed to try to keep time as precise as possible. They work by using the unchanging oscillations of an atom's electron as they change orbit. This 'ticking' of an atom occurs over nine billion times a second in caesium atoms which makes them an ideal basis for a clock.
This ultra precise atomic clock time (known officially as International Atomic Time - TAI) is the basis for the world's official timescale, although because of the need to keep the timescale in parallel with the rotation of the Earth (important when dealing with extra terrestrial bodies such as astronomical objects or even satellites) addition seconds, known as leap second, are added to TAI, this altered timescale is known as UTC - Coordinated Universal Time.
UTC is the timescale used by businesses, industry and governments all around the world. As it is governed by atomic clocks it means the entire world can communicate using the same timescale, governed by the ultra-precise atomic clocks. Computer networks all over the world receive this time using network time servers ensuring that everybody has the same time to within a few milliseconds.
How to Speed Up My Computer, Tips and Tricks to To Speed Up Your Computer Performance
Over time all the computers tends to slow down and this leads us to buy new hardware equipments to maintain the current speed flow and performance of the machine. These upgrades over time can turn to be very expensive and this is why I want to share with you guys some of ways that you can speed up your computer performance with a fractions of the price.
So are you ready?
First of all let me tell you why your computer is slowing down, I think this very important to know the reason behind the slow downs. You see over time your machine gets saturated with useless data, what I mean is that your computer is getting cluttered with garbage.
What do I mean by garbage?
Well, every time you install and uninstall any programs there will be always files left behind, mainly registry files. And these files will get cluttered over time. This is the main cause of the problem so to fix it you must remove the entire "garbage" registry left over files.
To do that you must use a Registry Cleaner software program, these kinds of programs will search and remove all the invalid, corrupted and left over registry files.
For more information about registry cleaners I strongly suggest visiting the link below.
Another way to speed up your machine is to remove the startup programs that you do not use often. To do this just go to home -> run and type "msconfig" and under the startup tab uncheck all the startup programs that you do not use often (restarting system may be required). By removing these startup programs you can free your computers memory by 30%.
A good way to use computer memory is to perform a disk defragmenter, this will organise your computer files and folder making it very easy to the machine to find the proper information. By doing this you will increase your computer speed by 20%.
Smit Chacha is a computer expert with over 8 years in the industry. He has an intimate knowledge of the windows registry and various register repair software.
After testing some of the top registry cleaners on the marker he has created a comprehensive review site that details his findings. Here is the website best registry cleaner to read his professional report.
So are you ready?
First of all let me tell you why your computer is slowing down, I think this very important to know the reason behind the slow downs. You see over time your machine gets saturated with useless data, what I mean is that your computer is getting cluttered with garbage.
What do I mean by garbage?
Well, every time you install and uninstall any programs there will be always files left behind, mainly registry files. And these files will get cluttered over time. This is the main cause of the problem so to fix it you must remove the entire "garbage" registry left over files.
To do that you must use a Registry Cleaner software program, these kinds of programs will search and remove all the invalid, corrupted and left over registry files.
For more information about registry cleaners I strongly suggest visiting the link below.
Another way to speed up your machine is to remove the startup programs that you do not use often. To do this just go to home -> run and type "msconfig" and under the startup tab uncheck all the startup programs that you do not use often (restarting system may be required). By removing these startup programs you can free your computers memory by 30%.
A good way to use computer memory is to perform a disk defragmenter, this will organise your computer files and folder making it very easy to the machine to find the proper information. By doing this you will increase your computer speed by 20%.
Smit Chacha is a computer expert with over 8 years in the industry. He has an intimate knowledge of the windows registry and various register repair software.
After testing some of the top registry cleaners on the marker he has created a comprehensive review site that details his findings. Here is the website best registry cleaner to read his professional report.
Fed Up With Intermittent Wi-Fi? Read On!
What are powerline plugs? Well they've been around for a few years. Powerline adapters allow you to use the electrical wiring of your home or office to extend your network into unwired or wirelessly problematic areas, not unlike the way DSL uses your phone line to deliver an Internet connection.
The usually come in packs of two (but many more can be added if needed) One connects to your router via an Ethernet cable and then to a wall outlet (i.e. it plugs straight into the plug socket on the wall). The other plugs into a power outlet wherever you need it (usually by the computer that needs an internet connection). They then stream data between each other using the electrical wiring in your house. Simple.
What are the pros to having powerline plugs? Well for starters they are incredibly easy to setup. No messing around with searching for wireless networks etc. then moving your PC about trying to get a signal. Just plug them in, wait for the lights to stop flashing and you're done.
They are also incredibly reliable. Basically if you get them connected that's it. They won't cause you any more bother, unlike Wi-Fi, which constantly cuts out unless you are very lucky. In the 2 years I've had mine I've only had to turn them off and on once. No more getting cut off in the middle of a game or losing that important document you've been working on for the last 2 hours.
The speeds they transmit data over are phenomenal in comparison to Wi-Fi. Say you have a 10mb/s internet connection. Chances are you'll only really get about 7mb/s, now if you add your Wi-Fi connection into the equation that may well drop to 3-4mb/s. Even though they quote the latest Wi-Fi speeds of 108mb/s, this it only theoretical and rarely gets anything like the speeds quoted. With powerline plugs however the speeds quoted are a lot more like the reality. So if you're getting a 20mb/s connection through your router then providing you've got a 54mb/s or above powerline plug. That's what you'll get.
So far as I am aware there doesn't seem to be any limit to the amount of powerline plugs you can have. So every computer on your network can have a solid connection to your router that's as good as having it wired directly into it, without the need to run Ethernet cable all over the place.
They are not limited to computers. Anything with an Ethernet point can use one. PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Sky HD box...the list is endless. They are just as secure if not more so than wireless. Basically the only way someone could intercept any of your data would be to buy an identical plug to the one you're using, come into your home and plug it in. They only work on the same ring main. And if that bothers you still you can set up encryption just like a wireless router. This only takes a minute.
They can work better over longer distances and are not affected by thick walls, lead roofing or boilers, like wireless. Well they sound pretty good. What are the downsides if any? Well at the time of writing this article they are still fairly expensive, more than twice that of a typical wireless setup.
If you want to add more to your network I believe you have to buy the same make as the others. With Wi-Fi you can move freely around your home or office with your laptop and providing you have a good signal you can keep your wireless connection to the internet. With powerline plugs you'd have to unplug the one you are using and physically move it to the location you wanted to move to. So these are more suited to desktop PC's and other static peripherals rather than laptops.
They may not work in some large buildings with more than one fuse box. The only other issue I can think of is they use up a plug socket in each location you have one and for the best speeds you cannot plug it into an extension lead. It must be plugged directly into the plug socket.
What's the future for powerline plugs? Well the speeds they are capable of have increased very quickly 14mb/s, 85mb/s and now 200mb/s. Already way faster than Wi-Fi. And the later 200mb/s versions are capable of streaming a HD signal. So imagine you want to stream your HD signal from your Sky HD box in your living room to TV in your bedroom 2 floors above without running any cables and with no loss of signal. Get yourself a couple of 200mb/s powerline plugs and a couple of HD over Ethernet boxes and you're done.
This technology is so good I suspect you'll see these popping up as actual wall sockets in the not too far distant future and the prices and speeds are only going to improve.
The usually come in packs of two (but many more can be added if needed) One connects to your router via an Ethernet cable and then to a wall outlet (i.e. it plugs straight into the plug socket on the wall). The other plugs into a power outlet wherever you need it (usually by the computer that needs an internet connection). They then stream data between each other using the electrical wiring in your house. Simple.
What are the pros to having powerline plugs? Well for starters they are incredibly easy to setup. No messing around with searching for wireless networks etc. then moving your PC about trying to get a signal. Just plug them in, wait for the lights to stop flashing and you're done.
They are also incredibly reliable. Basically if you get them connected that's it. They won't cause you any more bother, unlike Wi-Fi, which constantly cuts out unless you are very lucky. In the 2 years I've had mine I've only had to turn them off and on once. No more getting cut off in the middle of a game or losing that important document you've been working on for the last 2 hours.
The speeds they transmit data over are phenomenal in comparison to Wi-Fi. Say you have a 10mb/s internet connection. Chances are you'll only really get about 7mb/s, now if you add your Wi-Fi connection into the equation that may well drop to 3-4mb/s. Even though they quote the latest Wi-Fi speeds of 108mb/s, this it only theoretical and rarely gets anything like the speeds quoted. With powerline plugs however the speeds quoted are a lot more like the reality. So if you're getting a 20mb/s connection through your router then providing you've got a 54mb/s or above powerline plug. That's what you'll get.
So far as I am aware there doesn't seem to be any limit to the amount of powerline plugs you can have. So every computer on your network can have a solid connection to your router that's as good as having it wired directly into it, without the need to run Ethernet cable all over the place.
They are not limited to computers. Anything with an Ethernet point can use one. PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Sky HD box...the list is endless. They are just as secure if not more so than wireless. Basically the only way someone could intercept any of your data would be to buy an identical plug to the one you're using, come into your home and plug it in. They only work on the same ring main. And if that bothers you still you can set up encryption just like a wireless router. This only takes a minute.
They can work better over longer distances and are not affected by thick walls, lead roofing or boilers, like wireless. Well they sound pretty good. What are the downsides if any? Well at the time of writing this article they are still fairly expensive, more than twice that of a typical wireless setup.
If you want to add more to your network I believe you have to buy the same make as the others. With Wi-Fi you can move freely around your home or office with your laptop and providing you have a good signal you can keep your wireless connection to the internet. With powerline plugs you'd have to unplug the one you are using and physically move it to the location you wanted to move to. So these are more suited to desktop PC's and other static peripherals rather than laptops.
They may not work in some large buildings with more than one fuse box. The only other issue I can think of is they use up a plug socket in each location you have one and for the best speeds you cannot plug it into an extension lead. It must be plugged directly into the plug socket.
What's the future for powerline plugs? Well the speeds they are capable of have increased very quickly 14mb/s, 85mb/s and now 200mb/s. Already way faster than Wi-Fi. And the later 200mb/s versions are capable of streaming a HD signal. So imagine you want to stream your HD signal from your Sky HD box in your living room to TV in your bedroom 2 floors above without running any cables and with no loss of signal. Get yourself a couple of 200mb/s powerline plugs and a couple of HD over Ethernet boxes and you're done.
This technology is so good I suspect you'll see these popping up as actual wall sockets in the not too far distant future and the prices and speeds are only going to improve.
How Can You Tune Your Computer Up to Get the Most Out of It?
My computer had been running slowly for quite some time and I was beginning to consider buying a new one. I was looking through the usual computer sites like Dell and PC World and they had some really good offers on. The thing that did strike me though was that the specification on the new computers was not so very different from that of my current computer and in order to upgrade it significantly it would cost me a lot of money. Once I had realized this I decided to pursue a different course of action and find a way to get my current computer running faster.
I began my research on how to make the computer run faster online. I typed "fix a slow computer" in to Yahoo and it produced a lot of results, most of which were for software programs which I didn't want to rule out as an option, but before I used these I wanted to find an unbiased guide to other free steps I could use. I eventually located this a few pages down the search results.
The guide began with a few simple steps such as removing unused items from the desktop and getting rid of programs such as I tunes which run as soon as you load the computer up. This did make the computer load faster but didn't really change the overall running speed of it. After that the guide suggested that I defrag the hard drive of my computer. This took a long time to do although I didn't actually have to do much it was more of a case of set it running and then go and make a drink. After I had defraged the hard drive I did notice an improvement in performance but I still felt that I could get more out of the computer so I went on to the next step, The next step was to repair any windows registry errors on the computer. These errors cause the computer to run slowly. Fixing them involved getting a free scan and then once the errors have been identified paying a small amount of money to get them fixed. Fixing the errors did make a big difference although I still think a new computer would have been better.
Tony Hilton has written this article about how he got his computer to work better without buying a new one so that other people can do so to. Most of the steps listed above are totally free and you may never need to go through all of them if you do need to look for windows registry repair software you should check out this guide to fix the windows registry
I began my research on how to make the computer run faster online. I typed "fix a slow computer" in to Yahoo and it produced a lot of results, most of which were for software programs which I didn't want to rule out as an option, but before I used these I wanted to find an unbiased guide to other free steps I could use. I eventually located this a few pages down the search results.
The guide began with a few simple steps such as removing unused items from the desktop and getting rid of programs such as I tunes which run as soon as you load the computer up. This did make the computer load faster but didn't really change the overall running speed of it. After that the guide suggested that I defrag the hard drive of my computer. This took a long time to do although I didn't actually have to do much it was more of a case of set it running and then go and make a drink. After I had defraged the hard drive I did notice an improvement in performance but I still felt that I could get more out of the computer so I went on to the next step, The next step was to repair any windows registry errors on the computer. These errors cause the computer to run slowly. Fixing them involved getting a free scan and then once the errors have been identified paying a small amount of money to get them fixed. Fixing the errors did make a big difference although I still think a new computer would have been better.
Tony Hilton has written this article about how he got his computer to work better without buying a new one so that other people can do so to. Most of the steps listed above are totally free and you may never need to go through all of them if you do need to look for windows registry repair software you should check out this guide to fix the windows registry
Seven Characteristics of a Good IT Vendor
You may be thinking about hiring an information technology vendor to manage and support your business computer system. Maybe you have grown tired of doing the work yourself, or maybe the vendor you now have isn't satisfactory. Here are seven characteristics to look for in your technology support partner:
1. Technical expertise
Of course, your IT partner must have a sufficient level of expertise to recognize and resolve problems on your system. Certifications and experience demonstrate that your partner has a basic understanding of the concepts and applications necessary for solid support. As a test, your prospective partner should be able to spend up to thirty minutes reviewing your system and give you a solid explanation of the condition of your system and maybe a recommended improvement or two.
2. Strong communication skills
You may not need to know the details of everything your vendor does on your system, but you do need to know the overall condition of your network and what expectations to set for the future. It won't help if your partner has a vast knowledge of all things technical, but hasn't the ability to explain the technology in terms that you can understand. Communicating effectively can mean the difference between frustration because an issue isn't resolved immediately and understanding all of your options in addressing a system problem.
3. Shares your perspective
Most likely you don't have an unlimited budget for technology for your company. You need a partner who recognizes this fact and recommends solutions that will enhance your system, while keeping your costs manageable. Sometimes, you need to make choices based upon factors other than technology, and a partner who shares your perspective will know how to balance the need for an optimal solution with your available resources. There are times when your IT partner must be creative to help you achieve your objective without insisting that you invest in the latest and greatest solution.
4. Keeps one eye on the horizon
Technology is constantly evolving, with new technologies appearing almost daily. Not all of those will be relevant for your business, or at least may not be relevant today. A good IT partner watches these emerging technologies and recommends them if and when the timing is right for you.
5. A partner, rather than a contractor
Every system experiences failure at some point. It is only during the emergency or major failure that you will see how good your IT partner really is. Do they share with you the same urgency to restore your operation? Will they spend whatever time is necessary to get your system functional again? Are they looking to place blame, or do they focus on the problem at hand? Once you're system is operational again, do they present their analysis along with recommendations or do they just advise you to hope and pray it doesn't happen again? Or worse, are they overextended and must rush to their next emergency?
6. An observant troubleshooter
Though your IT partner may have years of experience, no one knows everything about everything. There will be times when your vendor is stumped. Successful troubleshooting is a combination of determining the real cause of the problem and applying the correct solution. Many an hour has been spent solving a symptom, rather than a cause. The best way to determine if your IT vendor is an observant troubleshooter is to contact their local references. Maybe not every reference has a story to tell, but if your partner is proud of his work, you will have the opportunity to speak to at least one customer who has seen your IT partner in action during a crisis.
7. Willing to support all of your technology
You don't want to manage multiple vendors for each piece of your system. That takes additional time and effort and can lead to a disjointed support solution as the server vendor blames the telephone vendor, who blames the programmer, who blames... you get the idea. Look for a vendor who is able to support all of your critical operations, including communications, computer networks, and software programming. If you have support contracts for specific software or equipment already in place, your IT vendor should be willing to work directly with each provider on your behalf.
Does your IT vendor measure up? If so, congratulations - you've found a good partner for your business. If not, contact us. We would love to show you the difference between an IT vendor and a strategic partner. We manage your computers - so you can manage your business.
Jeff Harrell founded Advanced Business Solutions Inc. (ABS) in Colorado Springs CO in 1994. ABS provides technology support for businesses along the Colorado Front Range. As the sole IT provider for its customers, ABS offers a wide variety of services, including Microsoft and Linux network administration, web development and hosting, system monitoring and remediation, and technology consulting services. Creating and successfully operating a computer consultancy has given Mr. Harrell a unique perspective on the technology needs and solutions for small businesses across the industry spectrum.
1. Technical expertise
Of course, your IT partner must have a sufficient level of expertise to recognize and resolve problems on your system. Certifications and experience demonstrate that your partner has a basic understanding of the concepts and applications necessary for solid support. As a test, your prospective partner should be able to spend up to thirty minutes reviewing your system and give you a solid explanation of the condition of your system and maybe a recommended improvement or two.
2. Strong communication skills
You may not need to know the details of everything your vendor does on your system, but you do need to know the overall condition of your network and what expectations to set for the future. It won't help if your partner has a vast knowledge of all things technical, but hasn't the ability to explain the technology in terms that you can understand. Communicating effectively can mean the difference between frustration because an issue isn't resolved immediately and understanding all of your options in addressing a system problem.
3. Shares your perspective
Most likely you don't have an unlimited budget for technology for your company. You need a partner who recognizes this fact and recommends solutions that will enhance your system, while keeping your costs manageable. Sometimes, you need to make choices based upon factors other than technology, and a partner who shares your perspective will know how to balance the need for an optimal solution with your available resources. There are times when your IT partner must be creative to help you achieve your objective without insisting that you invest in the latest and greatest solution.
4. Keeps one eye on the horizon
Technology is constantly evolving, with new technologies appearing almost daily. Not all of those will be relevant for your business, or at least may not be relevant today. A good IT partner watches these emerging technologies and recommends them if and when the timing is right for you.
5. A partner, rather than a contractor
Every system experiences failure at some point. It is only during the emergency or major failure that you will see how good your IT partner really is. Do they share with you the same urgency to restore your operation? Will they spend whatever time is necessary to get your system functional again? Are they looking to place blame, or do they focus on the problem at hand? Once you're system is operational again, do they present their analysis along with recommendations or do they just advise you to hope and pray it doesn't happen again? Or worse, are they overextended and must rush to their next emergency?
6. An observant troubleshooter
Though your IT partner may have years of experience, no one knows everything about everything. There will be times when your vendor is stumped. Successful troubleshooting is a combination of determining the real cause of the problem and applying the correct solution. Many an hour has been spent solving a symptom, rather than a cause. The best way to determine if your IT vendor is an observant troubleshooter is to contact their local references. Maybe not every reference has a story to tell, but if your partner is proud of his work, you will have the opportunity to speak to at least one customer who has seen your IT partner in action during a crisis.
7. Willing to support all of your technology
You don't want to manage multiple vendors for each piece of your system. That takes additional time and effort and can lead to a disjointed support solution as the server vendor blames the telephone vendor, who blames the programmer, who blames... you get the idea. Look for a vendor who is able to support all of your critical operations, including communications, computer networks, and software programming. If you have support contracts for specific software or equipment already in place, your IT vendor should be willing to work directly with each provider on your behalf.
Does your IT vendor measure up? If so, congratulations - you've found a good partner for your business. If not, contact us. We would love to show you the difference between an IT vendor and a strategic partner. We manage your computers - so you can manage your business.
Jeff Harrell founded Advanced Business Solutions Inc. (ABS) in Colorado Springs CO in 1994. ABS provides technology support for businesses along the Colorado Front Range. As the sole IT provider for its customers, ABS offers a wide variety of services, including Microsoft and Linux network administration, web development and hosting, system monitoring and remediation, and technology consulting services. Creating and successfully operating a computer consultancy has given Mr. Harrell a unique perspective on the technology needs and solutions for small businesses across the industry spectrum.
The Next New Toys - NetBooks With Solid State Drive! Comparing Sony VAIO Z520 to ASUS Eee PC 1000HE!
For some reason when people think of LCD monitor or TV, the biggie size ones are always more attractive and sexy compare to the small couch potato in the corner on the store. Unfortunately for laptop, things are going smaller as nanotechnology developed and became more popular. The new invention of man kind, NetBook, has been an astonishing catch for many workers, students, families and children as you can see them populated around cafes, campus, and even break rooms.
The major difference between the SSD (Solid State Drive) and a regular hard drive is the price and capacity vs. faster start up,faster reading time from the memory to the user interface, and reliability as the lack of moving parts almost eliminates the risk of mechanical failure. The disadvantages for SSD is the write cycle, which seems to runs out after 1,000 to 10,000 write cycle. SSD also requires more power since it has to be power-driven unlike hard disk can be turned off during operating.
Apparently Sony VAIO Notebook came out with N series before, but the pricey gadget was way too high for anyone to own one. Now with the Z series which comes with a full size keyboard and weight only 1.5lb, 1.33 GHz with 2GB RAM and a 60GB hard drive, competitions only exist for consumers shall look else where if the budget is limited.
The new VAIO Z520 comes with 3 different colors, an 8" monitor, and also built-in web cam brings more joy into life. Comes with Windows Vista Home edition, build-in blue tooth and 2 USB 2.0 ports available. Since the wireless N technology came out consumers have been complaining about the capability of their network card to connect with the allowed speed on the Wireless N. Well if you have a build-in Wireless B+G+N internal network card you shouldn't complaint anymore right?
The major difference between the SSD (Solid State Drive) and a regular hard drive is the price and capacity vs. faster start up,faster reading time from the memory to the user interface, and reliability as the lack of moving parts almost eliminates the risk of mechanical failure. The disadvantages for SSD is the write cycle, which seems to runs out after 1,000 to 10,000 write cycle. SSD also requires more power since it has to be power-driven unlike hard disk can be turned off during operating.
Apparently Sony VAIO Notebook came out with N series before, but the pricey gadget was way too high for anyone to own one. Now with the Z series which comes with a full size keyboard and weight only 1.5lb, 1.33 GHz with 2GB RAM and a 60GB hard drive, competitions only exist for consumers shall look else where if the budget is limited.
The new VAIO Z520 comes with 3 different colors, an 8" monitor, and also built-in web cam brings more joy into life. Comes with Windows Vista Home edition, build-in blue tooth and 2 USB 2.0 ports available. Since the wireless N technology came out consumers have been complaining about the capability of their network card to connect with the allowed speed on the Wireless N. Well if you have a build-in Wireless B+G+N internal network card you shouldn't complaint anymore right?
New Help For a Green Data Center
When it comes to greening up the data center, there are two basic elements to a comprehensive strategy. One is to invest in the newest technologies, like virtualization and SSDs, that maintain performance levels while cutting back on energy usage. The other is to rework existing infrastructure to make it more efficient.
Believe it or not, it's the second option that often proves the most difficult. An improved floor layout might generate cooling efficiencies, but what, exactly, is the optimal design? Should you expand an existing storage array, or is it cheaper to locate it off-site?
That's why it's good to see a number of new solutions aimed at helping enterprises gather the "low-hanging fruit" of energy conservation. Quite often, it's the simple things that produce the greatest benefits.
One such offering is a new online tool from The Green Grid that will help North American enterprises make the best use of outside air (a free and abundant resource) to help keep the inside cooler. The kit includes a graphical map of the United States and Canada (hi-res for grid members, low-res for everyone else) that contains data from more than 2,000 weather stations across the region, and allows users to input data such as local energy costs, IT loads and overall facility loads to determine how much savings they could realize with outside air. It also analyzes savings from the use of other techniques, like water-side economizers.
The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is also working directing a number of projects designed to find the most effective and efficient means of reducing energy costs. One program being carried out in conjunction with Intel, IBM and HP is looking into linking servers' internal temperature sensors to air-conditioning units to help guide air to where it's needed most. The group is also investigating a new generation of wireless sensors to direct the flow from room air-handlers.
Of course, the best place to try out the latest-and-greatest technologies is with a brand new data center, which is what IBM hopes to do with a new facility at Melbourne, Australia's Victoria University. The two-site facility will serve close to 45,000 students spread out over 11 campuses. It will feature an in-row cooling system coupled with smaller UPS modules to hopefully shave 45 percent off the university's typical 600,000+ kw/year draw.
Not everyone has the luxury of starting from scratch, however. And even though the cost-savings can be significant, some are wondering whether a recession is the best time to invest in green technology. But as John Brandon points out in this article on Processor.com, quite often less power consumption can go hand-in-hand with improved performance. Today's SATA drives, for example, are twice as fast as earlier Fibre Channel systems, but draw 30 percent less power. Using tape backup instead of disk is also a lower-cost investment that pays green dividends.
The problem with going green is there is no clear roadmap showing you how to do it, nor, in fact, is there a consensus as to what "green" really is. But energy consciousness has a way of gaining momentum, and if the rest of the enterprise sees that IT is taking it seriously, than they might start shutting off the lights at night, too.
Believe it or not, it's the second option that often proves the most difficult. An improved floor layout might generate cooling efficiencies, but what, exactly, is the optimal design? Should you expand an existing storage array, or is it cheaper to locate it off-site?
That's why it's good to see a number of new solutions aimed at helping enterprises gather the "low-hanging fruit" of energy conservation. Quite often, it's the simple things that produce the greatest benefits.
One such offering is a new online tool from The Green Grid that will help North American enterprises make the best use of outside air (a free and abundant resource) to help keep the inside cooler. The kit includes a graphical map of the United States and Canada (hi-res for grid members, low-res for everyone else) that contains data from more than 2,000 weather stations across the region, and allows users to input data such as local energy costs, IT loads and overall facility loads to determine how much savings they could realize with outside air. It also analyzes savings from the use of other techniques, like water-side economizers.
The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is also working directing a number of projects designed to find the most effective and efficient means of reducing energy costs. One program being carried out in conjunction with Intel, IBM and HP is looking into linking servers' internal temperature sensors to air-conditioning units to help guide air to where it's needed most. The group is also investigating a new generation of wireless sensors to direct the flow from room air-handlers.
Of course, the best place to try out the latest-and-greatest technologies is with a brand new data center, which is what IBM hopes to do with a new facility at Melbourne, Australia's Victoria University. The two-site facility will serve close to 45,000 students spread out over 11 campuses. It will feature an in-row cooling system coupled with smaller UPS modules to hopefully shave 45 percent off the university's typical 600,000+ kw/year draw.
Not everyone has the luxury of starting from scratch, however. And even though the cost-savings can be significant, some are wondering whether a recession is the best time to invest in green technology. But as John Brandon points out in this article on Processor.com, quite often less power consumption can go hand-in-hand with improved performance. Today's SATA drives, for example, are twice as fast as earlier Fibre Channel systems, but draw 30 percent less power. Using tape backup instead of disk is also a lower-cost investment that pays green dividends.
The problem with going green is there is no clear roadmap showing you how to do it, nor, in fact, is there a consensus as to what "green" really is. But energy consciousness has a way of gaining momentum, and if the rest of the enterprise sees that IT is taking it seriously, than they might start shutting off the lights at night, too.
How to Lock Desktop Icons
Hello, my name is Kaycee and I am an IT technician. I just want to share with you how to lock your desktop icons on your computer. There are different types of computer users out there, there are those of us that like arranging our desktop in a particular way (I think I fall in this group) and there are those that do not really care how their desktop icons are arranged. Therefore, this article is for those people who like having their desktop arranged in a particular way and even for those that do not care how their icons are arranged for knowledge reason. This article will help you lock your desktop icons into place so that nobody can disarrange your nice desktop arrangement. To do this, click on start then run and type regedit.
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER then Software then Microsoft then Windows then CurrentVersion then Policies then Explorer. Right-click on an empty space in the right pane and select New, DWORD Value name NoSaveSettings and press the enter key. Right-click on the new NoSaveSettings item and select Modify. Enter 1 in the Value data box. You are done, whenever you restart windows now, your settings will return to their state and your won't have to worry about someone messing up your desktop settings.
A note of warning, the values in the registry editor are not to be changed at will if you don't know what you are doing. It is advisable for you to make a back up of the registry editor before altering values otherwise be sure before you tamper with them because windows can become severely unstable if wrong values are entered.
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER then Software then Microsoft then Windows then CurrentVersion then Policies then Explorer. Right-click on an empty space in the right pane and select New, DWORD Value name NoSaveSettings and press the enter key. Right-click on the new NoSaveSettings item and select Modify. Enter 1 in the Value data box. You are done, whenever you restart windows now, your settings will return to their state and your won't have to worry about someone messing up your desktop settings.
A note of warning, the values in the registry editor are not to be changed at will if you don't know what you are doing. It is advisable for you to make a back up of the registry editor before altering values otherwise be sure before you tamper with them because windows can become severely unstable if wrong values are entered.
The Importance of Technology in Our Daily Lives
Technology is an absolute need we cannot escape from. Let's just say, it has a very big role in most aspects of our lives. In other words, it answers most of Mankind problems. Across centuries technology evolves. The importance of technology is aiming for comfort of use in whichever form it is. It always directs for easiness in life.
Take the mobile technology for example. The faster the world is moving, the more hi-end the features are offered. Laptop gets thinner and smaller. It becomes more compact every year and offers more capabilities and top performance. It should load a lot of stuffs in a more concise shape. That is the need. Period. People should not take time to think of what should be brought over a sales presentation in the southern state since everything is already "filed" in the laptop.
Also for telephone. The need to be able to communicate anytime, anywhere, has inspired scientists to create cellular phone. And it gets smaller and smaller. And then it has more features, more games, more entertainment, and now offered more professional like having a computer in the pocket. And then from costly, it goes cheaper and better and faster and become more reliable.
The fact that the importance of technology in our daily basis is undeniable has inspired scientists to make improvements from time to time through their invented tools and devices for us to use, just to make our lives easier. We always tend to make one step ahead. Technology can help not just with the present but also approximating the future. It can calculate the potential profits and losses. And based on these, we can create plans and a list of pre-cautious steps for the future of our descendants.
Take the mobile technology for example. The faster the world is moving, the more hi-end the features are offered. Laptop gets thinner and smaller. It becomes more compact every year and offers more capabilities and top performance. It should load a lot of stuffs in a more concise shape. That is the need. Period. People should not take time to think of what should be brought over a sales presentation in the southern state since everything is already "filed" in the laptop.
Also for telephone. The need to be able to communicate anytime, anywhere, has inspired scientists to create cellular phone. And it gets smaller and smaller. And then it has more features, more games, more entertainment, and now offered more professional like having a computer in the pocket. And then from costly, it goes cheaper and better and faster and become more reliable.
The fact that the importance of technology in our daily basis is undeniable has inspired scientists to make improvements from time to time through their invented tools and devices for us to use, just to make our lives easier. We always tend to make one step ahead. Technology can help not just with the present but also approximating the future. It can calculate the potential profits and losses. And based on these, we can create plans and a list of pre-cautious steps for the future of our descendants.
Security Engineer's Dream Product a Reality Now With Full Visibility of Your IT Infrastructure
Tim Peterson (not his real name), an IT Security Engineer with one of the largest oil companies in the Middle East, is very frustrated these days. His chief concern is the complexity in manual collection and correlation of security data for incident identification and remediation. He spends hours querying and writing scripts to collect and compile data after a security incident. For further forensics and root cause analysis of the security incident his team takes days. Many of the team members are already multi-tasking because of reduced workforce.
Tim has secured his network with security devices like routers, web content filters, firewalls, IPS but still lacks full visibility in certain areas of security. His company is using multiple tools for collecting and managing information from these devices resulting in heterogeneous set of data for the Network Operations Center (NOC), Security Operations center (SOC) and audit team. There is lot of data redundancy also. Unfortunately these tools don't talk to each other nor share the data. They do not have collaboration and correlation capability.
Recently Tim planned to add a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) or SIM solution for log management but it would have made things more complex. SOC would be flooded with too much of log data. SOC targeted better incident identification and visibility by adding SIEM in their kit but didn't meet his requirement completely. He was worried of 'false positives' because just monitoring log data cannot deliver situational awareness related to critical security incidents. SIEM tools are blind to configuration changes of your devices and, what about the asset data, performance data and network behavioral anomaly? They are all important. Tim gets log alerts from the SIEM but how can he confirm a security breach with just log data; he needs more data. He need to correlate the log event alert with configuration data and see if any configuration changes where made, who made that changes, what changes where made. Did this effect the performance? Correlating these with asset policy violation, availability information and anomalous network behavior will make more sense of the threat pattern, in fact that's actionable intelligence.
So what is the use of log data when they can't make sense? When they don't give situational awareness? End of the day Tim would get reports from the SIEM which are useful from compliance point of view. But what about security? Tim still would be giving a report of 'what happened' to his management, he don't even have full visibility on the extend of damage caused by the security incident.
Tim need a solution which helps him to tell the management' what is happening', he wants to automate incident identification and need better visibility in all areas of his network security. He want to react faster and proactively respond to emerging security incidents before damage is caused.
SecureVue from eIQnetworks delivered Tim's requirement. SecureVue is an Enterprise Security Management (ESM) solution for security, risk and audit automation. Collaboration and correlation is the central theme of SecureVue. SecureVue collects log, vulnerability, configuration, asset, performance and flow data from all devices, hosts, applications and databases across the enterprise in a single integrated platform enabling Tim to automate incident identification to drive efficiency and reduce management complexity. Now Tim can react faster and respond to emerging threats like policy violation, non standard processes, installation of rouge application, potential financial fraud, identity or data theft, etc.
Tim is ready for any security threats as he knows his network is very secure now with the end-to-end root cause analysis, historical trends & pattern analysis, faster forensic analysis, SecureVue robust correlation engine and a single console view for security & compliance. SecureVue provide visibility across networks, servers and application layers to enable Tim's organizations to gain a comprehensive understanding of the infrastructure's overall security posture. SecureVue even made Tim's job secure!
Tim has secured his network with security devices like routers, web content filters, firewalls, IPS but still lacks full visibility in certain areas of security. His company is using multiple tools for collecting and managing information from these devices resulting in heterogeneous set of data for the Network Operations Center (NOC), Security Operations center (SOC) and audit team. There is lot of data redundancy also. Unfortunately these tools don't talk to each other nor share the data. They do not have collaboration and correlation capability.
Recently Tim planned to add a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) or SIM solution for log management but it would have made things more complex. SOC would be flooded with too much of log data. SOC targeted better incident identification and visibility by adding SIEM in their kit but didn't meet his requirement completely. He was worried of 'false positives' because just monitoring log data cannot deliver situational awareness related to critical security incidents. SIEM tools are blind to configuration changes of your devices and, what about the asset data, performance data and network behavioral anomaly? They are all important. Tim gets log alerts from the SIEM but how can he confirm a security breach with just log data; he needs more data. He need to correlate the log event alert with configuration data and see if any configuration changes where made, who made that changes, what changes where made. Did this effect the performance? Correlating these with asset policy violation, availability information and anomalous network behavior will make more sense of the threat pattern, in fact that's actionable intelligence.
So what is the use of log data when they can't make sense? When they don't give situational awareness? End of the day Tim would get reports from the SIEM which are useful from compliance point of view. But what about security? Tim still would be giving a report of 'what happened' to his management, he don't even have full visibility on the extend of damage caused by the security incident.
Tim need a solution which helps him to tell the management' what is happening', he wants to automate incident identification and need better visibility in all areas of his network security. He want to react faster and proactively respond to emerging security incidents before damage is caused.
SecureVue from eIQnetworks delivered Tim's requirement. SecureVue is an Enterprise Security Management (ESM) solution for security, risk and audit automation. Collaboration and correlation is the central theme of SecureVue. SecureVue collects log, vulnerability, configuration, asset, performance and flow data from all devices, hosts, applications and databases across the enterprise in a single integrated platform enabling Tim to automate incident identification to drive efficiency and reduce management complexity. Now Tim can react faster and respond to emerging threats like policy violation, non standard processes, installation of rouge application, potential financial fraud, identity or data theft, etc.
Tim is ready for any security threats as he knows his network is very secure now with the end-to-end root cause analysis, historical trends & pattern analysis, faster forensic analysis, SecureVue robust correlation engine and a single console view for security & compliance. SecureVue provide visibility across networks, servers and application layers to enable Tim's organizations to gain a comprehensive understanding of the infrastructure's overall security posture. SecureVue even made Tim's job secure!
2 Ways to Clean Your Computer's Registry
Over time your computer will lose a little of its luster from redundant erroneous files, from installing/uninstalling software, and inappropriate shut downs etc... These actions will eventually hamper you computer's performance, which most of the times will cause people to make hasty decisions such as running out and purchasing new computers.
I can understand why, because most people aren't techies and don't desire to be, so they simply don't know anything else to do but purchase a new computer.
There are two ways that you can fix these problems: Manually & Registry Cleaner Software
Manually
You can manually clean your computers registry by using Windows Registry Editor, but I will warn against this if you're inexperienced. Please do not go experimenting with your registry trust me on this.
But, if you are experienced or just insist on doing it manually yourself create a backup of your entire registry and delete anything that you determined is unnecessary.
- On your desktop, click the Start button on the left bottom corner - Click Run - In this window type regedit - Click OK At the top of the window - Click File - Go down to Export Type a name for the backup file, and click Save
Once you've backed up all your files you can proceed to editing or changing your registry. You can then start to make the necessary changes of a particular file or folder by clicking the expandable boxes on the left hand side. One of the main areas for manually editing or changing your registry is the (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE) folder; this is where changes to your computer's hardware and software are made.
Again, I highly advised against manually cleaning your own registry unless you're experienced at doing so.
The second method and highly preferred method is to purchase a registry cleaner software.
Registry Cleaner Software
This method is suited for the novice or anyone that's not a techie...I prefer this method, with just a click of the mouse you can simply walk away and allow the software to do the work for you. Using a registry cleaner software simplifies the process for you. Once you install it, you can even set it up to automatically run scans on you machine periodically. So, you can see why I prefer this method, its safe and it's simple. Before you go and purchase a registry cleaner software make sure that you do a thorough research before deciding. One of the better ways to do this is to visit a few different registry review sites.
I can understand why, because most people aren't techies and don't desire to be, so they simply don't know anything else to do but purchase a new computer.
There are two ways that you can fix these problems: Manually & Registry Cleaner Software
Manually
You can manually clean your computers registry by using Windows Registry Editor, but I will warn against this if you're inexperienced. Please do not go experimenting with your registry trust me on this.
But, if you are experienced or just insist on doing it manually yourself create a backup of your entire registry and delete anything that you determined is unnecessary.
- On your desktop, click the Start button on the left bottom corner - Click Run - In this window type regedit - Click OK At the top of the window - Click File - Go down to Export Type a name for the backup file, and click Save
Once you've backed up all your files you can proceed to editing or changing your registry. You can then start to make the necessary changes of a particular file or folder by clicking the expandable boxes on the left hand side. One of the main areas for manually editing or changing your registry is the (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE) folder; this is where changes to your computer's hardware and software are made.
Again, I highly advised against manually cleaning your own registry unless you're experienced at doing so.
The second method and highly preferred method is to purchase a registry cleaner software.
Registry Cleaner Software
This method is suited for the novice or anyone that's not a techie...I prefer this method, with just a click of the mouse you can simply walk away and allow the software to do the work for you. Using a registry cleaner software simplifies the process for you. Once you install it, you can even set it up to automatically run scans on you machine periodically. So, you can see why I prefer this method, its safe and it's simple. Before you go and purchase a registry cleaner software make sure that you do a thorough research before deciding. One of the better ways to do this is to visit a few different registry review sites.
Remote Computer Repair Saves You a Bundle
As technology changes so does our buying habits. When it comes to getting support for your computer the same is true.
In the past most people when they got infected with a virus or had a computer repair issue they would haul their computer into a repair shop, a few days later and a few hundred bucks we would then get our computer back and do the whole thing all over again the next time an issue happened.
All of that has changed over the past year. More and more people are just hearing about something called Remote Computer Repair. This is a service were you can have your computer repaired right online. No hauling your computer all around town, no waiting in line and having to wait several days to get your computer back. After all people rely on their computers more then ever before.
The types of repair you can have done online are endless. Any were from operating system repairs such as XP or Vista related issues, virus and spyware removal, Printer installs, Network setups, anything that does not have to do with hard ware replacement can be done online now a days. Even diagnostics like detecting bad hardware parts can be done.
There are many reasons to have your computer repaired online. One of the biggest to most people is the fact that you can have your computer repaired then and there. No waiting around. Another one is the price point. Places like this remote computer repair company repair computers for half of what most retail computer repair shops charge. Besides the savings more and more Americans are aware of their carbon foot print. By having your computer repaired online you are cutting down on your carbon foot print because you are not having to drive all over or have a tech drive out to your house.
Some things to watch out for is to ensure the company you go with has a good reputation. Be sure to ask were the company is based and if they are industry certified.
Most remote computer repair companies use remote screen sharing software. This is a very secure way to have your computer repaired. In a nut shell it will allow the computer tech to remote into your computer only once. This way they can repair the issue and then after that they will not be able to remote back in.
If you have never used this kind of service before it's well worth a look. It's very cool to have someone work on your computer and you watch them move around and all you have to do is sit back and sip your coffee.
In the past most people when they got infected with a virus or had a computer repair issue they would haul their computer into a repair shop, a few days later and a few hundred bucks we would then get our computer back and do the whole thing all over again the next time an issue happened.
All of that has changed over the past year. More and more people are just hearing about something called Remote Computer Repair. This is a service were you can have your computer repaired right online. No hauling your computer all around town, no waiting in line and having to wait several days to get your computer back. After all people rely on their computers more then ever before.
The types of repair you can have done online are endless. Any were from operating system repairs such as XP or Vista related issues, virus and spyware removal, Printer installs, Network setups, anything that does not have to do with hard ware replacement can be done online now a days. Even diagnostics like detecting bad hardware parts can be done.
There are many reasons to have your computer repaired online. One of the biggest to most people is the fact that you can have your computer repaired then and there. No waiting around. Another one is the price point. Places like this remote computer repair company repair computers for half of what most retail computer repair shops charge. Besides the savings more and more Americans are aware of their carbon foot print. By having your computer repaired online you are cutting down on your carbon foot print because you are not having to drive all over or have a tech drive out to your house.
Some things to watch out for is to ensure the company you go with has a good reputation. Be sure to ask were the company is based and if they are industry certified.
Most remote computer repair companies use remote screen sharing software. This is a very secure way to have your computer repaired. In a nut shell it will allow the computer tech to remote into your computer only once. This way they can repair the issue and then after that they will not be able to remote back in.
If you have never used this kind of service before it's well worth a look. It's very cool to have someone work on your computer and you watch them move around and all you have to do is sit back and sip your coffee.
Multipurpose SD Card is All You Need
If you are interested in capturing photos, video or sound in a reliable and an easy to format way, then an SD memory card is all you need. The Secure Digital technology delivers high performance products. These ultra-compact memory cards are used by more than 400 brands across dozens of product categories and in more than 8,000 models. With all these brands in the market, you are guaranteed to find just the type of card and brand you need at a convenient price to use with your device.
Where can you use the SD cards?
As the market leader in digital storage, the SD memory card will give you the ultimate flexibility to store and share your digital contents anywhere, anytime. Use the SD cards to store data in your mobile phone, digital audio players, car navigation systems and electronic books. You can also use them in digital cameras, hand-help PCs, game consoles, printers, camcorders and other electric products.
Is it worth the cost?
The SD card is definitely worth every cost. The benefits derived from the card are numerous; you won't be disappointed. They are ultra-compact, with rugged and removable storage for media rich digital content. They are also reliable, interoperable, and very easy to use. Depending on the capacity, SD cards have a high storage capacity with several classes of data transfer speeds. However, the most remarkable characteristic remains the SD card's compatibility with several digital devices.
Choose the right card for your device
Don't just buy the first SD card you spot in the shop. Today's market offers so many brands of SD cards, so take time to choose the one you prefer most. Besides that, the cards come in three different physical sizes and memory capacities: SD, mini SD and micro SD. It's up to you to choose the right card that will suit your device.
Which SD suits your device?
Different SD cards are used in different devices. Use the SD in big devices like personal computers, video cameras and other large consumer electronic devices. For smaller devices like your mobile phone, use the micro SD or the mini SD. Some manufacturers will offer adapters to fit the traditional SD card slot. This will enable you to use the same SD card in your computer, your video camera or your phone.
Determining the right memory for your device
If you have no idea as to what of memory capacity suits your device, your device's users manual may help you select the memory that is right for your device. You can also select the memory capacity based on how you plan to use your card. When buying the SD memory card for your camera, consider the picture resolution of every photo, and for your MP3 player, the bit-rate required for smooth playback. The more storage you have, then the more the data you can store.
There's no doubt that a multipurpose SD card is all you need for reliable digital storage. For information on the various types of SD cards available in the market, check out the memory suppliers website at memorysuppliers.com/securedigital.html
Where can you use the SD cards?
As the market leader in digital storage, the SD memory card will give you the ultimate flexibility to store and share your digital contents anywhere, anytime. Use the SD cards to store data in your mobile phone, digital audio players, car navigation systems and electronic books. You can also use them in digital cameras, hand-help PCs, game consoles, printers, camcorders and other electric products.
Is it worth the cost?
The SD card is definitely worth every cost. The benefits derived from the card are numerous; you won't be disappointed. They are ultra-compact, with rugged and removable storage for media rich digital content. They are also reliable, interoperable, and very easy to use. Depending on the capacity, SD cards have a high storage capacity with several classes of data transfer speeds. However, the most remarkable characteristic remains the SD card's compatibility with several digital devices.
Choose the right card for your device
Don't just buy the first SD card you spot in the shop. Today's market offers so many brands of SD cards, so take time to choose the one you prefer most. Besides that, the cards come in three different physical sizes and memory capacities: SD, mini SD and micro SD. It's up to you to choose the right card that will suit your device.
Which SD suits your device?
Different SD cards are used in different devices. Use the SD in big devices like personal computers, video cameras and other large consumer electronic devices. For smaller devices like your mobile phone, use the micro SD or the mini SD. Some manufacturers will offer adapters to fit the traditional SD card slot. This will enable you to use the same SD card in your computer, your video camera or your phone.
Determining the right memory for your device
If you have no idea as to what of memory capacity suits your device, your device's users manual may help you select the memory that is right for your device. You can also select the memory capacity based on how you plan to use your card. When buying the SD memory card for your camera, consider the picture resolution of every photo, and for your MP3 player, the bit-rate required for smooth playback. The more storage you have, then the more the data you can store.
There's no doubt that a multipurpose SD card is all you need for reliable digital storage. For information on the various types of SD cards available in the market, check out the memory suppliers website at memorysuppliers.com/securedigital.html
How to Diagnose PC Damage
Before shelling out your hard-earned money to have your PC repaired, consider investing your time and effort in diagnosing the damage yourself. Who knows? It might turn out to be a glitch you could easily resolve.
Common PC Startup Problems Many PC troubles begin when you've just booted your PC. Here are a few similar situations and what you can do about it.
No Response If you've turned your PC on and there is no audio or light response from it, the problem could lie in your motherboard, power supply, or the CPU itself.
Beeping, Et Al Don't be alarmed if you hear the ever notorious - and threatening - beeping of your PC upon booting it. This could just mean there's a bit of error with regard your motherboard, memory, video card, or even your keyboard. If you wish for further understanding, there are beep codes you can find online to give you a more in-depth analysis behind each kind of beep.
As for all other types of noise, screeches and so forth, this could be due to errors with your floppy drive, hard disk, CD or DVD-ROM, or even your CPU, internal or case fans, or power supply.
Blank Screen Check the video card as well as its connection. If not that, then it could be your monitor having problems.
OS Loading Problems If your PC freezes right before your OS loads, this may be due to errors in your CPU, motherboard, hard disk, or memory. On the other hand, if the incident occurred while your PC is in the process of loading its OS, a software problem may be the cause of it. Have you recently installed a new program? If so, there may be compatibility issues or there were some missteps during the installation process.
Automatic Shut-Off Did your PC shut off by itself? Such response may be due to external or internal damage. Let's start with what can be seen right away; how regularly do you clean your CPU? Are you aware that dust accumulation can inflict severe damage on your PC? As such, it's important that you not only clean your PC in and out, but you should do so properly.
Are all fans working? Too much heat within your CPU could cause operational difficulties or, in your case, complete shutdowns. How about the power supply? Is it still working? Last but not the least, check the power features in the Control Panel as well as in your BIOS.
If your diagnosis still hasn't revealed any concrete problem with your PC, that's the only time you should consult a professional!
Katy Computer Repair - Providing Expert computer repair service in Katy TX. From computer hardware repairs to slow computers cause by viruses and adware/spyware. 18 years in business! By eliminating drive time and fuel expenses we can continue to bring the same quality of service without increasing the cost to you. Remote computer repair is a new technology that is becoming available to the computer industry.
Common PC Startup Problems Many PC troubles begin when you've just booted your PC. Here are a few similar situations and what you can do about it.
No Response If you've turned your PC on and there is no audio or light response from it, the problem could lie in your motherboard, power supply, or the CPU itself.
Beeping, Et Al Don't be alarmed if you hear the ever notorious - and threatening - beeping of your PC upon booting it. This could just mean there's a bit of error with regard your motherboard, memory, video card, or even your keyboard. If you wish for further understanding, there are beep codes you can find online to give you a more in-depth analysis behind each kind of beep.
As for all other types of noise, screeches and so forth, this could be due to errors with your floppy drive, hard disk, CD or DVD-ROM, or even your CPU, internal or case fans, or power supply.
Blank Screen Check the video card as well as its connection. If not that, then it could be your monitor having problems.
OS Loading Problems If your PC freezes right before your OS loads, this may be due to errors in your CPU, motherboard, hard disk, or memory. On the other hand, if the incident occurred while your PC is in the process of loading its OS, a software problem may be the cause of it. Have you recently installed a new program? If so, there may be compatibility issues or there were some missteps during the installation process.
Automatic Shut-Off Did your PC shut off by itself? Such response may be due to external or internal damage. Let's start with what can be seen right away; how regularly do you clean your CPU? Are you aware that dust accumulation can inflict severe damage on your PC? As such, it's important that you not only clean your PC in and out, but you should do so properly.
Are all fans working? Too much heat within your CPU could cause operational difficulties or, in your case, complete shutdowns. How about the power supply? Is it still working? Last but not the least, check the power features in the Control Panel as well as in your BIOS.
If your diagnosis still hasn't revealed any concrete problem with your PC, that's the only time you should consult a professional!
Katy Computer Repair - Providing Expert computer repair service in Katy TX. From computer hardware repairs to slow computers cause by viruses and adware/spyware. 18 years in business! By eliminating drive time and fuel expenses we can continue to bring the same quality of service without increasing the cost to you. Remote computer repair is a new technology that is becoming available to the computer industry.
Paper, Plastic Or EReader?
With apologies to the immortal bard; "To eRead or not to eRead, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind to go Green with a paperless e-Reader or suffer the back ache and library fines of lugging around or borrowing piles of paper and cloth bound books?"
Well, Will old boy, you've got me.
On the one hand as an author of four books to say that I've got a soft spot for the written word in all of its paper and ink charm, comfort and glory, is putting it mildly.
On the other hand... once again as an author, I'd have had to have locked myself in a cabin in the woods a la J.D. Salinger for the past few years not to have been impressed by both eBooks and eReaders. It's coming gang. In fact in the case of eReaders, it's already here.
It's somewhat ironic that I am even considering a device to replace the printed word on paper as I have made my living in the publishing industry with magazines, newspapers and books for over three decades. But newspapers are folding left and right and the revenue from advertising that keeps magazines afloat is being challenged by those annoying but often effective pop-up's and other ads that flood the internet. So even these venerable institutions are considering going to a paperless "e".
So what is a print lover to do?
Do you become part of the new wave and opt to start all of those venerable printed tomes on the same road as taken by the Dodo and Duck Bill Platypus toward extinction? Or should we become old 'Book Curmudgeons' clutching the dusty yellowed pages of our paper books as the paperless green technocrats come to cart us off to the home for old paper Luddites.
Not a pretty picture eh? But it really does present us with a dilemma. I'm sure those all of you devoted bibliophiles out there have, as I have, spent years building up a library of favorite books. And they look nice on that bookshelf don't they? So what are you going to do as technologies' inexorable march towards the virtual book threatens these old friends with obsolescence? On the other hand, now you're going to have plenty of room on those bookshelves for that old college beer mug and the vacation photo of Aunt Martha and Uncle Fred.
But will a hunk of plastic and microchips really be able to provide the same satisfaction as a room filled with books of every size, shape, color and topic? Hummmm...
The bottom line is that I need... HELP! - Both technically and ethically.
Technically, because I can't decide between the two new eReaders. So if anyone out there has used one or both I would appreciate your opinion.
And ethically, because as an author and lover of books, the biggest question of all about going "paperless," is not, "can I?" It is... "Should I?"
Ric Wasley Author/Musician "The Scrimshaw - December 2008
Well, Will old boy, you've got me.
On the one hand as an author of four books to say that I've got a soft spot for the written word in all of its paper and ink charm, comfort and glory, is putting it mildly.
On the other hand... once again as an author, I'd have had to have locked myself in a cabin in the woods a la J.D. Salinger for the past few years not to have been impressed by both eBooks and eReaders. It's coming gang. In fact in the case of eReaders, it's already here.
It's somewhat ironic that I am even considering a device to replace the printed word on paper as I have made my living in the publishing industry with magazines, newspapers and books for over three decades. But newspapers are folding left and right and the revenue from advertising that keeps magazines afloat is being challenged by those annoying but often effective pop-up's and other ads that flood the internet. So even these venerable institutions are considering going to a paperless "e".
So what is a print lover to do?
Do you become part of the new wave and opt to start all of those venerable printed tomes on the same road as taken by the Dodo and Duck Bill Platypus toward extinction? Or should we become old 'Book Curmudgeons' clutching the dusty yellowed pages of our paper books as the paperless green technocrats come to cart us off to the home for old paper Luddites.
Not a pretty picture eh? But it really does present us with a dilemma. I'm sure those all of you devoted bibliophiles out there have, as I have, spent years building up a library of favorite books. And they look nice on that bookshelf don't they? So what are you going to do as technologies' inexorable march towards the virtual book threatens these old friends with obsolescence? On the other hand, now you're going to have plenty of room on those bookshelves for that old college beer mug and the vacation photo of Aunt Martha and Uncle Fred.
But will a hunk of plastic and microchips really be able to provide the same satisfaction as a room filled with books of every size, shape, color and topic? Hummmm...
The bottom line is that I need... HELP! - Both technically and ethically.
Technically, because I can't decide between the two new eReaders. So if anyone out there has used one or both I would appreciate your opinion.
And ethically, because as an author and lover of books, the biggest question of all about going "paperless," is not, "can I?" It is... "Should I?"
Ric Wasley Author/Musician "The Scrimshaw - December 2008
What is the Conficker Virus?
What is the Conficker Virus? The Conficker virus (aka Downup virus, Downandup virus, Conflicker virus, and Kido virus) is a worm. A worm is a type of virus that spreads itself through networks. Basically someone starts it up and it starts looking around a network that it is connected to - including the Internet - to find computers that are vulnerable to infection.
What computers are vulnerable to the Conficker virus? Any computer that is or has been connected to a network (including the Internet) and running the following version of Windows:
1. Windows 2000 (very vulnerable) 2. Windows XP (very vulnerable) 3. Windows Server 2003 (very vulnerable) 4. Windows Vista (less vulnerable) 5. Windows Server 2008 (less vulnerable)
Microsoft put out a patch to fix the vulnerability: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-067 - Critical. Computers that have had the patch applied, providing that the Conficker virus was not already on it, are not vulnerable to attack via a network.
What is the "vulnerability"? How can the Conficker virus gain access to a computer over a network? All computers that are able to share information over a network have programs running on as part of the operating system that "listen" for communications from the network. For instance, if a co-worker on another computer wants to access a folder on your computer they (through their computer) send a message to your computer asking to access the folder. The appropriate operating system component on your computer handles the request and gives access or denies access to the file based on whether you shared the file and gave the requestor permission to see it. The important thing to understand is that a program on the requesting computer makes contact with a program on the listening computer and gets the listening program to do something for it.
If the listening program mentioned above has a bug in it that can enable the requesting program to make it do unsavory things - like give the requesting program access to install itself on the receiving computer - then that would be a "vulnerability". In the case of the Conficker virus that is basically what was discovered - the program that lets you share folders and printers and other things on a Windows computer, called the Windows Server service, had a bug in it that would allow another program to get it to do things that would then allow a program to be installed over the network without anyone knowing about it.
What would protect me from the Conficker virus or similar viruses? If your network and computer are being protected by a properly configured firewall then you were really never at risk. If you applied the patch Microsoft put out for this vulnerability by running Windows updates then your Windows computer was not vulnerable for long and is no longer vulnerable. If you are running Windows Vista and have the UAC turned on (the thing that asks you "Confirm or Deny" whenever you try to install anything) then you are minimally at risk.
There are many ways to make a system more secure but basic security practices would have minimized your risk to this virus as well as similar ones:
1. Use a firewall - this will stop almost any worm attack. 2. Stay on top of updating your operating system. 3. Use an up-to-date antivirus program.
The above go a long way toward keeping you productive and safe from viruses.
Antivirus Internet Security webmaster Yves A. Martin is the founder of M-Qual Computer and Internet Specialists. For information on how you can test for the Conficker virus on your system and how to remove Conficker from your computer visit M-Qual's Antivirus Internet Security website at Antivirus Internet Security.
What computers are vulnerable to the Conficker virus? Any computer that is or has been connected to a network (including the Internet) and running the following version of Windows:
1. Windows 2000 (very vulnerable) 2. Windows XP (very vulnerable) 3. Windows Server 2003 (very vulnerable) 4. Windows Vista (less vulnerable) 5. Windows Server 2008 (less vulnerable)
Microsoft put out a patch to fix the vulnerability: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-067 - Critical. Computers that have had the patch applied, providing that the Conficker virus was not already on it, are not vulnerable to attack via a network.
What is the "vulnerability"? How can the Conficker virus gain access to a computer over a network? All computers that are able to share information over a network have programs running on as part of the operating system that "listen" for communications from the network. For instance, if a co-worker on another computer wants to access a folder on your computer they (through their computer) send a message to your computer asking to access the folder. The appropriate operating system component on your computer handles the request and gives access or denies access to the file based on whether you shared the file and gave the requestor permission to see it. The important thing to understand is that a program on the requesting computer makes contact with a program on the listening computer and gets the listening program to do something for it.
If the listening program mentioned above has a bug in it that can enable the requesting program to make it do unsavory things - like give the requesting program access to install itself on the receiving computer - then that would be a "vulnerability". In the case of the Conficker virus that is basically what was discovered - the program that lets you share folders and printers and other things on a Windows computer, called the Windows Server service, had a bug in it that would allow another program to get it to do things that would then allow a program to be installed over the network without anyone knowing about it.
What would protect me from the Conficker virus or similar viruses? If your network and computer are being protected by a properly configured firewall then you were really never at risk. If you applied the patch Microsoft put out for this vulnerability by running Windows updates then your Windows computer was not vulnerable for long and is no longer vulnerable. If you are running Windows Vista and have the UAC turned on (the thing that asks you "Confirm or Deny" whenever you try to install anything) then you are minimally at risk.
There are many ways to make a system more secure but basic security practices would have minimized your risk to this virus as well as similar ones:
1. Use a firewall - this will stop almost any worm attack. 2. Stay on top of updating your operating system. 3. Use an up-to-date antivirus program.
The above go a long way toward keeping you productive and safe from viruses.
Antivirus Internet Security webmaster Yves A. Martin is the founder of M-Qual Computer and Internet Specialists. For information on how you can test for the Conficker virus on your system and how to remove Conficker from your computer visit M-Qual's Antivirus Internet Security website at Antivirus Internet Security.
How to Rid Your Computer of Dragging
Have you ever wondered why a computer that was previously fast has suddenly become slow? Not only virus or spyware can slow down computer performance, but fragmentation as well. When files become fragmented, it becomes a tedious task for the computer to quickly access files, as they will be scattered all over the drive. To correct this error and improve computer performance, you need to defragment your drive occasionally. The step by step procedures to achieve this is what we shall be talking about in this article.
There are various ways to defragment your drive, but I will show you two ways to go about it. First go to my computer and right click on the drive you want to defragment like c, d, etc. depending on your setup. Let us use drive C as an example, right click on drive c and click on properties. Click on the Tools tab and go Defragment Now. This will take you to the Disk Defragmenter Menu. You can click on Analyze to see if you need to defragment the drive or click on Defragment to start defragmenting. That is step one.
You need fewer clicks to do it the other way. Click on start then right click on my computer and go to manage. This will take you computer management. Go to storage and then Disk Defragmenter. If you want to know if you should defragment or not click on analyze or click on Defragment after selecting the drive you want to defragment. There you have it. I know using a dragging computer can be very frustrating so I hope this article will help you sort that problem as long as it got nothing to do with spyware or virus.
Kazeem Olasunkanmi Balogun is an IT technician with a rich hands on experience in the IT industry. You can read more of his articles on http://www.talktobalog.blogspot.com
There are various ways to defragment your drive, but I will show you two ways to go about it. First go to my computer and right click on the drive you want to defragment like c, d, etc. depending on your setup. Let us use drive C as an example, right click on drive c and click on properties. Click on the Tools tab and go Defragment Now. This will take you to the Disk Defragmenter Menu. You can click on Analyze to see if you need to defragment the drive or click on Defragment to start defragmenting. That is step one.
You need fewer clicks to do it the other way. Click on start then right click on my computer and go to manage. This will take you computer management. Go to storage and then Disk Defragmenter. If you want to know if you should defragment or not click on analyze or click on Defragment after selecting the drive you want to defragment. There you have it. I know using a dragging computer can be very frustrating so I hope this article will help you sort that problem as long as it got nothing to do with spyware or virus.
Kazeem Olasunkanmi Balogun is an IT technician with a rich hands on experience in the IT industry. You can read more of his articles on http://www.talktobalog.blogspot.com
E-Waste and Its Impact on Our Planet
Have you ever considered what happens to your television, cordless phone, or MP3 player after it breaks or becomes obsolete? Consumer electronics produce approximately 3 million tons of commodity and electronic waste, or e-waste, every year. Where does e-waste go after it is thrown out, and how does its byproduct affect the environment and your health?
Due to the difficulty found in the cost of recycling electronics and poor enforcement of legislation with respect to the export of e-waste, huge amounts of used electronic components are sent to China, Kenya, and India. Though very hazardous, processing of e-waste is more profitable due to low environmental standards and working conditions in these countries. It is important to be considerate about e-waste disposal. There are facilities available that specialize in dealing with hazardous material properly.
E-waste can be a great source of extra raw materials if electronic scraps are properly dealt with and correctly organized. When mishandled, however, they can generate excessive toxins and carcinogens. Throughout the world a lot of problems have cropped up due to fast paced technology changes, actual planned obsolescence, and low initial cost. Environmental and health problems are being caused by disassembly without safety measures, uncontrolled burning, and haphazard disposal.
The waste that remains from consumer electronics consists of lead, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, and cadmium. Besides being very toxic, PCB's have been blamed for causing cancer in many studies. If they are not disposed of correctly, they can contaminate soil and water, and sooner or later will enter the food chain. Toxic fumes are generated when waste materials are burned, which not only depletes the ozone level, but also creates health hazards when people inhale the fumes. The central nervous system is affected by mercury, lead, and cadmium, which can cause damage to cells and lead to renal failure.
Don't forget about this the next time you are tempted to just toss away old batteries or electronic gadgets that you no longer want or need. Our environment can be saved by proper disposal of waste through an e-waste recycling center. Consideration as to the use, reuse, and disposal of consumer electronics is essential due to the potential environmental and health problems improper disposal can cause.
As a home theater installer, Vic Metten knows that using HDMI cables assures optimal picture quality for HD TVs. When installing surround sound, Vic always uses hifi speaker cables to guarantee the clear, crisp sound one would expect from the home theater experience.
Due to the difficulty found in the cost of recycling electronics and poor enforcement of legislation with respect to the export of e-waste, huge amounts of used electronic components are sent to China, Kenya, and India. Though very hazardous, processing of e-waste is more profitable due to low environmental standards and working conditions in these countries. It is important to be considerate about e-waste disposal. There are facilities available that specialize in dealing with hazardous material properly.
E-waste can be a great source of extra raw materials if electronic scraps are properly dealt with and correctly organized. When mishandled, however, they can generate excessive toxins and carcinogens. Throughout the world a lot of problems have cropped up due to fast paced technology changes, actual planned obsolescence, and low initial cost. Environmental and health problems are being caused by disassembly without safety measures, uncontrolled burning, and haphazard disposal.
The waste that remains from consumer electronics consists of lead, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, and cadmium. Besides being very toxic, PCB's have been blamed for causing cancer in many studies. If they are not disposed of correctly, they can contaminate soil and water, and sooner or later will enter the food chain. Toxic fumes are generated when waste materials are burned, which not only depletes the ozone level, but also creates health hazards when people inhale the fumes. The central nervous system is affected by mercury, lead, and cadmium, which can cause damage to cells and lead to renal failure.
Don't forget about this the next time you are tempted to just toss away old batteries or electronic gadgets that you no longer want or need. Our environment can be saved by proper disposal of waste through an e-waste recycling center. Consideration as to the use, reuse, and disposal of consumer electronics is essential due to the potential environmental and health problems improper disposal can cause.
As a home theater installer, Vic Metten knows that using HDMI cables assures optimal picture quality for HD TVs. When installing surround sound, Vic always uses hifi speaker cables to guarantee the clear, crisp sound one would expect from the home theater experience.
System on a Chip (SoCs) - The New Backbone of the Semiconductor Industry
What does this all mean for the industry? While Moore's Law still holds true, it is the nature of how the transistors will be used that is reshaping the entire industry. Classic CPU-Memory-I/O architectures no longer deliver the price-performance required for the consumer markets. And supporting memory architectures cannot deliver the content-access support needed to keep up with accelerating demands for more and more complex content.
What is occurring within the systems that are supported by semiconductor devices is an integration metamorphosis. Semiconductor devices in those systems are changing from discrete partitioning to single chip functional integration, an aggregation of processing performance over an increase in any one processor's GHz capability, and new memory access paradigms to feed these massive architecture changes.
So what are you doing to ensure your organization makes this transition? Consider these discussion points and how you are positioned to address them:
1. SoCs have emerged as the driving force in the semiconductor industry.. Volumes have risen at a faster rate for SoCs than any other device type in the industry. 2. SoCs change the design challenges profile. The process to develop and deliver SoCs is different than conventional semiconductor design methodologies because now architects have to understand the entire system not just a piece. 3. What are the methodologies for successful SoC development when average selling prices are low and design complexity is high? 4. What is the new economics for SoCs, how do you make money and how do you stay profitable?
Among the many common threads that run through the discussion points above is the need to change the perspective for designing and developing semiconductor devices to a whole system perspective. When considering that the chip in the system now contains most if not all of the system functionality, the choices in methodology change, and the economics the changes provide, must also be rooted from a system perspective. This creates a need to develop flexible architectures that can be used for many products while minimizing re-engineering impact. This way investments can be amortized across a broader number of products and enable companies to make a profit while average selling prices are low.
What is occurring within the systems that are supported by semiconductor devices is an integration metamorphosis. Semiconductor devices in those systems are changing from discrete partitioning to single chip functional integration, an aggregation of processing performance over an increase in any one processor's GHz capability, and new memory access paradigms to feed these massive architecture changes.
So what are you doing to ensure your organization makes this transition? Consider these discussion points and how you are positioned to address them:
1. SoCs have emerged as the driving force in the semiconductor industry.. Volumes have risen at a faster rate for SoCs than any other device type in the industry. 2. SoCs change the design challenges profile. The process to develop and deliver SoCs is different than conventional semiconductor design methodologies because now architects have to understand the entire system not just a piece. 3. What are the methodologies for successful SoC development when average selling prices are low and design complexity is high? 4. What is the new economics for SoCs, how do you make money and how do you stay profitable?
Among the many common threads that run through the discussion points above is the need to change the perspective for designing and developing semiconductor devices to a whole system perspective. When considering that the chip in the system now contains most if not all of the system functionality, the choices in methodology change, and the economics the changes provide, must also be rooted from a system perspective. This creates a need to develop flexible architectures that can be used for many products while minimizing re-engineering impact. This way investments can be amortized across a broader number of products and enable companies to make a profit while average selling prices are low.
A Broader View of Virtual Management
Managing a virtual environment is a lot like cleaning your car: No matter how many times you run the vacuum head over the carpet, the sand just bounces around among the fibers.
In the IT world, virtual machines would be the sand and your data center infrastructure would be the carpet. You, of course, are the poor laborer trying to pick up all these pieces of sand with technology that is clearly not up to the job.
That virtualization requires a new kind of management architecture is well known. What's new is how some of the leading systems are now being integrated into wider platforms aimed at providing a single point of control over all manner of data center functions - from application and resource environments to business services and cloud computing.
It's a market that set to grow like gangbusters over the next few years, according to IDC. The research firm predicts a 21 percent increase by 2013, topping off at $2.3 billion. The rollout will follow a predictable pattern: enterprises will get drawn into virtualization through its consolidation benefits, which come as a godsend as pressure to do more with less mounts, and then have to scramble to put in place the proper management structure to keep tabs on all these virtual machines.
That's why we're seeing a flood of new management systems of late, nearly all of them couched under the rubric of "business services management" or some other overarching moniker.
HP, for example, recently updated its BSA suite with new capabilities gained from the Opsware acquisition. The package now has the ability to discover and map VMware hosts to storage and SAN dependencies as a means to reclaim and reallocate storage capacity. Also new is the ability to automate workflow tasks across VMware, Citrix and Microsoft server, network and storage environments.
Cisco is also getting up to speed, announcing this week that it will acquire application management firm Tidal Software for $105 million and fold its technology into the Unified Computing System. The move brings a range of functions, such as job scheduling, BI automation, virtual infrastructure management and application performance management into the platform - all compatible with SAP, Oracle, Microsoft and custom apps built on Java and .Net.
Meanwhile, Novell users are about to see a new management stack for their platform - one that's based around the idea of the "service-driven data center." The idea is to do away with the traditional IT-centric view of the data center and approach it more from the business side. To that end, the company is building its new management stack on an ITIL blueprint aboard the new SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 operating system, with a heavy dose of virtualization and workload management from the former PlateSpin.
I've said before that the time to set up a virtual management regime is before virtualization takes hold of the data center, not after. I still hold to that theory, but with one caveat: Things are happening so fast in the enterprise that simple virtual management is no longer enough. Virtualization must be integrated into the overall enterprise experience - and that means management has to take a wider view as well.
In the IT world, virtual machines would be the sand and your data center infrastructure would be the carpet. You, of course, are the poor laborer trying to pick up all these pieces of sand with technology that is clearly not up to the job.
That virtualization requires a new kind of management architecture is well known. What's new is how some of the leading systems are now being integrated into wider platforms aimed at providing a single point of control over all manner of data center functions - from application and resource environments to business services and cloud computing.
It's a market that set to grow like gangbusters over the next few years, according to IDC. The research firm predicts a 21 percent increase by 2013, topping off at $2.3 billion. The rollout will follow a predictable pattern: enterprises will get drawn into virtualization through its consolidation benefits, which come as a godsend as pressure to do more with less mounts, and then have to scramble to put in place the proper management structure to keep tabs on all these virtual machines.
That's why we're seeing a flood of new management systems of late, nearly all of them couched under the rubric of "business services management" or some other overarching moniker.
HP, for example, recently updated its BSA suite with new capabilities gained from the Opsware acquisition. The package now has the ability to discover and map VMware hosts to storage and SAN dependencies as a means to reclaim and reallocate storage capacity. Also new is the ability to automate workflow tasks across VMware, Citrix and Microsoft server, network and storage environments.
Cisco is also getting up to speed, announcing this week that it will acquire application management firm Tidal Software for $105 million and fold its technology into the Unified Computing System. The move brings a range of functions, such as job scheduling, BI automation, virtual infrastructure management and application performance management into the platform - all compatible with SAP, Oracle, Microsoft and custom apps built on Java and .Net.
Meanwhile, Novell users are about to see a new management stack for their platform - one that's based around the idea of the "service-driven data center." The idea is to do away with the traditional IT-centric view of the data center and approach it more from the business side. To that end, the company is building its new management stack on an ITIL blueprint aboard the new SUSE Linux Enterprise 11 operating system, with a heavy dose of virtualization and workload management from the former PlateSpin.
I've said before that the time to set up a virtual management regime is before virtualization takes hold of the data center, not after. I still hold to that theory, but with one caveat: Things are happening so fast in the enterprise that simple virtual management is no longer enough. Virtualization must be integrated into the overall enterprise experience - and that means management has to take a wider view as well.
Pen Scanners - The Definitive Pen Scanner Overview
If you are interested in purchasing or using a pen scanner, you will undoubtedly find this article and those that follow very helpful. Pen scanners are great devices that can make your life a lot easier. Before buying one of these handy gadgets, there are some important things that you should learn about prior to doing so.
In this article we'll provide an overview of pen scanners, starting with the basics. Whether you are a student, teacher, or just someone who is tired of typing what they read into a computer, a pen scanner may be perfect for you. As the name suggests, it is a personal electronic device roughly the size of a pen. Although the shapes may vary, the pen-like shape of the scanner allows you to hold it as you would any writing device and "scan" the device over text. As you do this, the scanner will record the text in its memory which can then be transferred to a computer. This allows to the user to quickly transfer text from the source material to the computer and allows the user to skip having to manually type in the data.
Pen scanners can store text as image files or directly transfer the text into a program such as Microsoft Word, Notepad, or virtually any other text application. One of the great aspects of a these devices are the wide variety of features that many of them have. Many of them are compatible with both Macs and PCs and a variety of them can read text in a number of languages. You can even find a some in the marketplace that will TRANSLATE text from one language to another for you; of course this will cost more. Certain models can also read text that is printed in a variety of different colors on a number of different colored backgrounds.
Typically, a hand held pen scanner will range in cost from just under $100 to over $200 dollars, with most falling somewhere in between. How much you want to spend on one depends primarily on your budget and what you will be using it for. We will cover how to buy a hand scanner in depth in future articles so be sure to stay tuned.
In this article we'll provide an overview of pen scanners, starting with the basics. Whether you are a student, teacher, or just someone who is tired of typing what they read into a computer, a pen scanner may be perfect for you. As the name suggests, it is a personal electronic device roughly the size of a pen. Although the shapes may vary, the pen-like shape of the scanner allows you to hold it as you would any writing device and "scan" the device over text. As you do this, the scanner will record the text in its memory which can then be transferred to a computer. This allows to the user to quickly transfer text from the source material to the computer and allows the user to skip having to manually type in the data.
Pen scanners can store text as image files or directly transfer the text into a program such as Microsoft Word, Notepad, or virtually any other text application. One of the great aspects of a these devices are the wide variety of features that many of them have. Many of them are compatible with both Macs and PCs and a variety of them can read text in a number of languages. You can even find a some in the marketplace that will TRANSLATE text from one language to another for you; of course this will cost more. Certain models can also read text that is printed in a variety of different colors on a number of different colored backgrounds.
Typically, a hand held pen scanner will range in cost from just under $100 to over $200 dollars, with most falling somewhere in between. How much you want to spend on one depends primarily on your budget and what you will be using it for. We will cover how to buy a hand scanner in depth in future articles so be sure to stay tuned.
Why Does My Computer Freeze Up? How to Stop My Computer From Freezing Up
Is your PC freezing up driving you insane? Do you just want to pull out your hair and throw your PC out the window? I've been there, done that. It's not fun at all, right?
I'm here hopefully to rescue you from your frustration and aggravation. So, why does your computer freeze up? That is the million dollar question. Are you having this problem when surfing the internet, working on a document, trying to open up a program or maybe your mouse will not even move? If your computer freezes and forces you to improperly shut it down, you could be damaging your computer. The performance of your system will diminish causing you to experience additional problems in the days to come and, of course, you do not want that to happen.
The reason your computer is freezing up is due to your windows registry. The registry is the brains of your system which after you've had your system for several months can become bloated in size and become clogged up. The unwanted and corrupted information on the registry comes from when you install new softwares, download pics, create new Excel or Microsoft documents and the list goes on and on. Your laptop or PC will become full of unnecessary information and corrupted information which is the main cause of your PC freezing up. Also, this will be the reason why your system is running slower which can be frustrating as well.
A computer freeze up is a very common problem among millions of PC users. Before now there was no easy fix that you could perform without calling a technician and paying him around $250 just for coming out to your home to run a little registry cleaner software program which is sold online for only $29.95-$47.00. Surprisingly, the computer technicians do not use a MAGIC registry cleaner. I know for a FACT that anyone can purchase the same exact registry cleaner and clean their registry very easily within a matter of a few minutes. It's not rocket science!
With the best registry cleaner on the market today you can easily solve your problem within a matter of minutes and get your computer running like new. Hundreds of registry cleaners have been tested but only 3 are worth mentioning.
I'm here hopefully to rescue you from your frustration and aggravation. So, why does your computer freeze up? That is the million dollar question. Are you having this problem when surfing the internet, working on a document, trying to open up a program or maybe your mouse will not even move? If your computer freezes and forces you to improperly shut it down, you could be damaging your computer. The performance of your system will diminish causing you to experience additional problems in the days to come and, of course, you do not want that to happen.
The reason your computer is freezing up is due to your windows registry. The registry is the brains of your system which after you've had your system for several months can become bloated in size and become clogged up. The unwanted and corrupted information on the registry comes from when you install new softwares, download pics, create new Excel or Microsoft documents and the list goes on and on. Your laptop or PC will become full of unnecessary information and corrupted information which is the main cause of your PC freezing up. Also, this will be the reason why your system is running slower which can be frustrating as well.
A computer freeze up is a very common problem among millions of PC users. Before now there was no easy fix that you could perform without calling a technician and paying him around $250 just for coming out to your home to run a little registry cleaner software program which is sold online for only $29.95-$47.00. Surprisingly, the computer technicians do not use a MAGIC registry cleaner. I know for a FACT that anyone can purchase the same exact registry cleaner and clean their registry very easily within a matter of a few minutes. It's not rocket science!
With the best registry cleaner on the market today you can easily solve your problem within a matter of minutes and get your computer running like new. Hundreds of registry cleaners have been tested but only 3 are worth mentioning.
How Can You Find Duplicate Images on Your Computer?
While digital cameras are a blessing for those who like to capture photos of their lives, things can get out of hand pretty quickly. Previously, the trouble with cameras used to be that you wouldn't develop your film and then if you did, you would have troubles organizing your photos, digital photography seemed to end that trouble. But if you take multiple photos of the same thing, you might have trouble finding duplicate images on your computer. Digital files can easily get out of control, but with some digital image comparison software, you don't have to spend hours trying to find the photo you want.
The Old Way of Finding Photos
It used to be that to find duplicate images on your computer, you required one thing time. You need to spend hours looking through photos to see what photos are similar and then copy them and move them into a file folder for later use. If you have a lot of photographs, this process can take a lot of time. You might spend hours or even days trying to organize all of your similar photos. And if you're like many people, you might also have your photos stored on CDs and flash drives, so you will need to open up these document folders as well to continue your search.
Even if you labeled your photos and did a search, you might not have labeled them in a way that helps you find specific images. Again, digital photos are great because you can take as many as you like, but at the same time, you aren't limited in how many you take so you might have thousands of photos to browse.
The New Way of Finding Photos
With an image comparer, you don't need to worry about file names or the number of photos you have on your computer. All you need to do is to turn on the software and it will find photos that are similar. This way, you can easily find the photos that are like the one shot you want to blow up into a poster. In using this software to find duplicate images on your computer, you can easily find the photos you need for any project and then use them quickly. No more hours wasted browsing through photos.
Sometimes you just can't organize everything because you just don't have the time. Of course, once you realize just how disorganized your photos are, you might begin to label your files differently in order to expedite searches even more. But with this software, you can quickly look for certain photos that you need right now or that a friend needs.
When you need to find duplicate images on your computer, you don't have to pull out your hair or curse your digital photography habit. All you need to do is to use a simple software program that does the work for you leaving you free to take even more pictures.
The Old Way of Finding Photos
It used to be that to find duplicate images on your computer, you required one thing time. You need to spend hours looking through photos to see what photos are similar and then copy them and move them into a file folder for later use. If you have a lot of photographs, this process can take a lot of time. You might spend hours or even days trying to organize all of your similar photos. And if you're like many people, you might also have your photos stored on CDs and flash drives, so you will need to open up these document folders as well to continue your search.
Even if you labeled your photos and did a search, you might not have labeled them in a way that helps you find specific images. Again, digital photos are great because you can take as many as you like, but at the same time, you aren't limited in how many you take so you might have thousands of photos to browse.
The New Way of Finding Photos
With an image comparer, you don't need to worry about file names or the number of photos you have on your computer. All you need to do is to turn on the software and it will find photos that are similar. This way, you can easily find the photos that are like the one shot you want to blow up into a poster. In using this software to find duplicate images on your computer, you can easily find the photos you need for any project and then use them quickly. No more hours wasted browsing through photos.
Sometimes you just can't organize everything because you just don't have the time. Of course, once you realize just how disorganized your photos are, you might begin to label your files differently in order to expedite searches even more. But with this software, you can quickly look for certain photos that you need right now or that a friend needs.
When you need to find duplicate images on your computer, you don't have to pull out your hair or curse your digital photography habit. All you need to do is to use a simple software program that does the work for you leaving you free to take even more pictures.
The Unknown World of 210 Volts
It is true to say that all electrical appliances require voltage in order to function correctly. The amount of voltage required for each individual appliance or product will vary, based on a few different factors. The manufacturers will usually assemble a product with a certain voltage to suit the country within which it is intended to be used.
This, of course, means that certain electrical appliances will work in one country, but not another. This is where the use of voltage converters and voltage transformers are paramount. Imagine going on holiday and being unable to use everyday items, such as alarm clocks, electric shavers, hairdryers and irons. This list can be further enhanced by entertainment devices such as CD/DVD players and TV's.
In many countries that you may visit, it appears that there is a common voltage of 240 or above. However, 210 Volt devices are now becoming more commonplace in the modern world. These 210 volt devices usually come in the form of high-tech gadgets, gizmos and widgets. Amongst the most common forms of 210 Volt contraptions are computers, radios, video systems that have evolved during the 21st century. By that I mean, you should not expect an old style transistor radio or, even worse, a hybrid of the old Betamax Video recorders!
This really is the cutting edge of modern technology. Two of the most sought after products are the Biostar iDEQ, which is a real high-tech barebones computer and gaming system. The other is the Sangean DT, which is a modern day stellar hi-fi radio.
If you want to know more about these two fantastic devices. You can read about the Biostar iDEQ here or the Sangean DT here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raymond_F_Kelly
This, of course, means that certain electrical appliances will work in one country, but not another. This is where the use of voltage converters and voltage transformers are paramount. Imagine going on holiday and being unable to use everyday items, such as alarm clocks, electric shavers, hairdryers and irons. This list can be further enhanced by entertainment devices such as CD/DVD players and TV's.
In many countries that you may visit, it appears that there is a common voltage of 240 or above. However, 210 Volt devices are now becoming more commonplace in the modern world. These 210 volt devices usually come in the form of high-tech gadgets, gizmos and widgets. Amongst the most common forms of 210 Volt contraptions are computers, radios, video systems that have evolved during the 21st century. By that I mean, you should not expect an old style transistor radio or, even worse, a hybrid of the old Betamax Video recorders!
This really is the cutting edge of modern technology. Two of the most sought after products are the Biostar iDEQ, which is a real high-tech barebones computer and gaming system. The other is the Sangean DT, which is a modern day stellar hi-fi radio.
If you want to know more about these two fantastic devices. You can read about the Biostar iDEQ here or the Sangean DT here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raymond_F_Kelly
Operational Integration Competing With Analytical Integration Projects
Are you robbing your business intelligence work for operational data integration?
Operational data integration is the integration work you do for consolidation, collocation, migration, upgrading or synchronization of operational databases, and the need for this type of work is growing fast...so fast, some companies are borrowing data-integration specialists from the data warehouse teams to do operational data integration. And that's leaving projects that require analytical data integration in a lurch, which, in turn is hurting business intelligence projects, according to the TDWI.
Talk about robbing Peter to pay Paul. I'm not sure why companies would choose to do this, given that BI software is expected to be among the top technology spending priorities for 2009, according to Gartner. And it's not cheap - the software alone can cost anywhere from from $150,000 to $300,000 for a large company.
Integration is critical for success with business intelligence, too. In fact, lack of integration is one of the five points of failure for solutions, according to a recent eCommerce Times article, which notes that inadequate integration support means your BI tools are providing only "a partial view of the needed data."
Despite this supposed focus on BI, recent research from Oracle found most enterprises fail when it comes to sharing and using information from business intelligence tools.
The same research found that companies are failing to feed information from operational performance into their planning systems, as well:
Businesses are missing a trick in failing to feed information on operational performance back into financial planning and reporting functions. Bringing these two disciplines closer together gives businesses much more agility to respond effectively to emerging challenges.Meanwhile, some companies rush to the other extreme, building unneeded teams and infrastructure to support operational data integration.
How can smart companies balance the demands of both operational and analytical data integration?
Phil Russom, the senior manager for TDWI Research, is a good pace to start. Russom is one of my favorite people to interview I find he's extremely knowledgeable about business intelligence, data warehousing, and all the related data issues. As he should be: He's been around for decades, and much of that time he's worked as an analyst for firms such as Forrester, Giga, the Hurwitz Group and Intelligent Enterprise Magazine, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Operational data integration is the integration work you do for consolidation, collocation, migration, upgrading or synchronization of operational databases, and the need for this type of work is growing fast...so fast, some companies are borrowing data-integration specialists from the data warehouse teams to do operational data integration. And that's leaving projects that require analytical data integration in a lurch, which, in turn is hurting business intelligence projects, according to the TDWI.
Talk about robbing Peter to pay Paul. I'm not sure why companies would choose to do this, given that BI software is expected to be among the top technology spending priorities for 2009, according to Gartner. And it's not cheap - the software alone can cost anywhere from from $150,000 to $300,000 for a large company.
Integration is critical for success with business intelligence, too. In fact, lack of integration is one of the five points of failure for solutions, according to a recent eCommerce Times article, which notes that inadequate integration support means your BI tools are providing only "a partial view of the needed data."
Despite this supposed focus on BI, recent research from Oracle found most enterprises fail when it comes to sharing and using information from business intelligence tools.
The same research found that companies are failing to feed information from operational performance into their planning systems, as well:
Businesses are missing a trick in failing to feed information on operational performance back into financial planning and reporting functions. Bringing these two disciplines closer together gives businesses much more agility to respond effectively to emerging challenges.Meanwhile, some companies rush to the other extreme, building unneeded teams and infrastructure to support operational data integration.
How can smart companies balance the demands of both operational and analytical data integration?
Phil Russom, the senior manager for TDWI Research, is a good pace to start. Russom is one of my favorite people to interview I find he's extremely knowledgeable about business intelligence, data warehousing, and all the related data issues. As he should be: He's been around for decades, and much of that time he's worked as an analyst for firms such as Forrester, Giga, the Hurwitz Group and Intelligent Enterprise Magazine, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Receiving the Time - Finding the Correct Time Source
So you have decided to synchronize your network to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), you have a time server that utilizes NTP (Network Time Protocol) now the only thing to decide on is where to receive the time from.
NTP servers do not generate time they simply receive a secure signal from an atomic clock but it is this constant checking of the time that keeps the NTP server accurate and in turn the network that it is synchronizing.
Receiving an atomic clock time signal is where the NTP server comes into its own. There are many sources of UTC time across the Internet but these are not recommended for any corporate use or for whenever security is an issue as internet sources of UTC are external to the firewall and can compromise security - we will discuss this in more detail in future posts.
Commonly, there are two types of time server. There are those that receive an atomic clock source of UTC time from long wave radio broadcasts or those that use the GPS network (Global Positioning System) as a source.
The long wave radio transmissions are broadcast by several national physics laboratories. The most common signals are the USA's WWVB (broadcast by NIST - National Institute for Standards and Time), the UK's MSF (broadcast by the UK National Physical Laboratory) and the German DCF signal (Broadcast by the German National Physics Laboratory).
Not every country produces these time signals and the signals are vulnerable to interference from topography. However, in the USA the WWVB signal is receivable in most areas of North America (including Canada) although the signal strength will vary depending on local geography such as mountains etc.
The GPS signal on the other hand is available literally everywhere on the planet as along as the GPS antenna attached to the GPS NTP server can have a clear view of the sky.
Both systems are a truly reliable and accurate method of UTC time and using either will allow synchronization of a computer network to within a few milliseconds of UTC.
NTP servers do not generate time they simply receive a secure signal from an atomic clock but it is this constant checking of the time that keeps the NTP server accurate and in turn the network that it is synchronizing.
Receiving an atomic clock time signal is where the NTP server comes into its own. There are many sources of UTC time across the Internet but these are not recommended for any corporate use or for whenever security is an issue as internet sources of UTC are external to the firewall and can compromise security - we will discuss this in more detail in future posts.
Commonly, there are two types of time server. There are those that receive an atomic clock source of UTC time from long wave radio broadcasts or those that use the GPS network (Global Positioning System) as a source.
The long wave radio transmissions are broadcast by several national physics laboratories. The most common signals are the USA's WWVB (broadcast by NIST - National Institute for Standards and Time), the UK's MSF (broadcast by the UK National Physical Laboratory) and the German DCF signal (Broadcast by the German National Physics Laboratory).
Not every country produces these time signals and the signals are vulnerable to interference from topography. However, in the USA the WWVB signal is receivable in most areas of North America (including Canada) although the signal strength will vary depending on local geography such as mountains etc.
The GPS signal on the other hand is available literally everywhere on the planet as along as the GPS antenna attached to the GPS NTP server can have a clear view of the sky.
Both systems are a truly reliable and accurate method of UTC time and using either will allow synchronization of a computer network to within a few milliseconds of UTC.
Synchronising Computer Networks to an Atomic Clock
Atomic clocks are well-known for being accurate. Most people may never have seen one but are probably aware that atomic clocks keep highly precise time. In fact modern caesium clock will keep accurate time and not lose a second in one hundred million years.
This amount of precision may seem overkill but a multitude of modern technologies rely on atomic clocks and require such a high level of precision. A perfect example is the satellite navigation systems now found in most auto cars. GPS is reliant on their ultr high accuracy because the satellite signals used in triangulation travel at the speed of light which in a single second can cover nearly 100,000 km.
So it can be seen how some modern technologies rely on this ultra precise timekeeping from atomic clocks but their use doesn't stop there. They govern the world's global timescale UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) and they can also be used to synchronise computer networks too.
It may seem extreme to use this nanosecond precision to synchronise computer networks too but as many time sensitive transactions are conducted across the internet with such trades as the stock exchange where prices can fall or rise each and every second it can be seen why atomic clocks are used.
To receive the time from an atomic clock a dedicated NTP server is the most secure and accurate method. These devices receive a time signal broadcast by either atomic clocks from national physics laboratories or direct from onboard GPS satellites.
By using a dedicated NTP server a computer network will be more secure and as it is synchronised to UTC (the global timescale) it will in effect be synchronised with every other computer network using a NTP server.
Richard N Williams is a technical author and specialist in atomic clocks, telecommunications, NTP and network time synchronisation helping to develop dedicated NTP clocks. Please visit us for more information about a Galleon ntp server or other ntp time server solutions.
This amount of precision may seem overkill but a multitude of modern technologies rely on atomic clocks and require such a high level of precision. A perfect example is the satellite navigation systems now found in most auto cars. GPS is reliant on their ultr high accuracy because the satellite signals used in triangulation travel at the speed of light which in a single second can cover nearly 100,000 km.
So it can be seen how some modern technologies rely on this ultra precise timekeeping from atomic clocks but their use doesn't stop there. They govern the world's global timescale UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) and they can also be used to synchronise computer networks too.
It may seem extreme to use this nanosecond precision to synchronise computer networks too but as many time sensitive transactions are conducted across the internet with such trades as the stock exchange where prices can fall or rise each and every second it can be seen why atomic clocks are used.
To receive the time from an atomic clock a dedicated NTP server is the most secure and accurate method. These devices receive a time signal broadcast by either atomic clocks from national physics laboratories or direct from onboard GPS satellites.
By using a dedicated NTP server a computer network will be more secure and as it is synchronised to UTC (the global timescale) it will in effect be synchronised with every other computer network using a NTP server.
Richard N Williams is a technical author and specialist in atomic clocks, telecommunications, NTP and network time synchronisation helping to develop dedicated NTP clocks. Please visit us for more information about a Galleon ntp server or other ntp time server solutions.
Protecting Displays in Hazardous Locations
Display devices such as LCDs and plasmas are no longer just used for computer and televisual applications. The price of modern display devices has fallen to such a level that the use of such devices in applications such as digital signage is now widespread.
Displays such as LCD and plasma are ideal for signage purposes because they are backlit so when it comes to safety signs such as fire exits they are superlative to conventional signs are found in all sorts of locations from factory floors to outdoors.
However, as electronic devices displays are vulnerable to many of the hazardous elements found in industrial and outdoor locations. Dust, dirt, wind, rain and wash down locations are all areas where normally LCDs and plasmas cannot go.
Fortunately rugged LCD enclosures are designed to combat many of these hazardous environments often designed and built to European IP standards. The IP rating signifies the amount of protection the LCD enclosure offers against dust and water. An IP54 LCD enclosure will be ideal for industrial or rugged locations while and IP66 LCD enclosure is better suited for wash down environments.
By using LCD enclosures, digital signage can now be placed outdoors, in industrial environments and even in wash room locations without fear of damage to the LCD or plasma.
Whilst many of manufacturers produce LCD enclosures they can vary in quality and design. In assuring that an LCD enclosure is of good quality it is important to ensure I has adequate cooling (or heating if it is to go in cold conditions) and has a good airflow. With LCD enclosures designed for washrooms this can be challenging with some manufacturers adopting complex but effective positive pressure chambers such as plenum chambers.
Always ask a manufacturer how they combat such things to insure you are getting a good quality product.
Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the digital advetising industry helping to develop PC enclosures and computer enclosures for all environments. Please visit us for more information about LCD enclosures or other industrial computer solutions.
Displays such as LCD and plasma are ideal for signage purposes because they are backlit so when it comes to safety signs such as fire exits they are superlative to conventional signs are found in all sorts of locations from factory floors to outdoors.
However, as electronic devices displays are vulnerable to many of the hazardous elements found in industrial and outdoor locations. Dust, dirt, wind, rain and wash down locations are all areas where normally LCDs and plasmas cannot go.
Fortunately rugged LCD enclosures are designed to combat many of these hazardous environments often designed and built to European IP standards. The IP rating signifies the amount of protection the LCD enclosure offers against dust and water. An IP54 LCD enclosure will be ideal for industrial or rugged locations while and IP66 LCD enclosure is better suited for wash down environments.
By using LCD enclosures, digital signage can now be placed outdoors, in industrial environments and even in wash room locations without fear of damage to the LCD or plasma.
Whilst many of manufacturers produce LCD enclosures they can vary in quality and design. In assuring that an LCD enclosure is of good quality it is important to ensure I has adequate cooling (or heating if it is to go in cold conditions) and has a good airflow. With LCD enclosures designed for washrooms this can be challenging with some manufacturers adopting complex but effective positive pressure chambers such as plenum chambers.
Always ask a manufacturer how they combat such things to insure you are getting a good quality product.
Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the digital advetising industry helping to develop PC enclosures and computer enclosures for all environments. Please visit us for more information about LCD enclosures or other industrial computer solutions.
The Benefits of Completing a Network Audit
The benefits of completing a network audit on your computer network are numerous. Not only does it help keep your computer network at optimal condition through analyzing power consumption, needed equipment upgrades or security issues, but can help establish an asset base and future cash flow needs for equipment and office space planning.
Typically, the benefits can keep you informed of versions of software and licenses to help detect shortages or plan mass upgrades. Network audits can locate hard drives, network adapters, CPU details, motherboard specifications and peripherals and detect security issues, such as where antivirus or firewalls need to be installed.
Another one of the main benefits is to give you a comprehensive, no-hassle network inventory database that is extremely helpful in determining future needs when it comes to hardware and software. Another benefit of a network audit, is analyzing security needs, which is especially important to keep from costly downtime, or complete data loss, especially on large and scattered out networks.
Since many networks are built over a period of time by adding additional offices, computers and software, it can become difficult to determine whether upgrades will be easy and affordable or costly and lengthy, if you don't have a network audit. Sometimes, cost is a factor when thinking about upgrades, keeping up with new technology and a network audit can give a full picture of future needs in keeping your network efficient.
Certain businesses have government regulations in place that require them to protect secured and private information, such as credit card numbers, or whether your emails should be encrypted, for example. Depending on your business, a security breach could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if a hacker gets hold of confidential information that was entrusted to you for a transaction from a customer.
Through an audit, any possible areas where breaches could occur can be uncovered and dealt with. In a time where so much business is transacted over the Internet, security is of utmost importance, and the benefits of a network audit can help ensure that you are in compliance with protecting information, especially if you transmit financial transactions electronically.
They can analyze physical networks, such as routers, telecom equipment, network switches and ports, as well as audit capacity management, configurations and network database populations, in the case of remote users. This should be performed by an expert in the field that have in-depth telecom knowledge and comprehensive network audit experience. This is not a field for amateurs, although there are some programs on the market that are do-it-yourself network audit software packages, which might be fine for a small office or home network audit.
If you have a number of computers or locations, a more comprehensive audit would be needed to get sound advice on assets, upgrades, future needs and technological advancement options, in addition to security needs.
The benefits of completing a network audit are many, but they are necessary to assess future expenses and security breach weaknesses for businesses that handle sensitive information electronically.
Typically, the benefits can keep you informed of versions of software and licenses to help detect shortages or plan mass upgrades. Network audits can locate hard drives, network adapters, CPU details, motherboard specifications and peripherals and detect security issues, such as where antivirus or firewalls need to be installed.
Another one of the main benefits is to give you a comprehensive, no-hassle network inventory database that is extremely helpful in determining future needs when it comes to hardware and software. Another benefit of a network audit, is analyzing security needs, which is especially important to keep from costly downtime, or complete data loss, especially on large and scattered out networks.
Since many networks are built over a period of time by adding additional offices, computers and software, it can become difficult to determine whether upgrades will be easy and affordable or costly and lengthy, if you don't have a network audit. Sometimes, cost is a factor when thinking about upgrades, keeping up with new technology and a network audit can give a full picture of future needs in keeping your network efficient.
Certain businesses have government regulations in place that require them to protect secured and private information, such as credit card numbers, or whether your emails should be encrypted, for example. Depending on your business, a security breach could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if a hacker gets hold of confidential information that was entrusted to you for a transaction from a customer.
Through an audit, any possible areas where breaches could occur can be uncovered and dealt with. In a time where so much business is transacted over the Internet, security is of utmost importance, and the benefits of a network audit can help ensure that you are in compliance with protecting information, especially if you transmit financial transactions electronically.
They can analyze physical networks, such as routers, telecom equipment, network switches and ports, as well as audit capacity management, configurations and network database populations, in the case of remote users. This should be performed by an expert in the field that have in-depth telecom knowledge and comprehensive network audit experience. This is not a field for amateurs, although there are some programs on the market that are do-it-yourself network audit software packages, which might be fine for a small office or home network audit.
If you have a number of computers or locations, a more comprehensive audit would be needed to get sound advice on assets, upgrades, future needs and technological advancement options, in addition to security needs.
The benefits of completing a network audit are many, but they are necessary to assess future expenses and security breach weaknesses for businesses that handle sensitive information electronically.
Protecting Displays in Hazardous Locations
Display devices such as LCDs and plasmas are no longer just used for computer and televisual applications. The price of modern display devices has fallen to such a level that the use of such devices in applications such as digital signage is now widespread.
Displays such as LCD and plasma are ideal for signage purposes because they are backlit so when it comes to safety signs such as fire exits they are superlative to conventional signs are found in all sorts of locations from factory floors to outdoors.
However, as electronic devices displays are vulnerable to many of the hazardous elements found in industrial and outdoor locations. Dust, dirt, wind, rain and wash down locations are all areas where normally LCDs and plasmas cannot go.
Fortunately rugged LCD enclosures are designed to combat many of these hazardous environments often designed and built to European IP standards. The IP rating signifies the amount of protection the LCD enclosure offers against dust and water. An IP54 LCD enclosure will be ideal for industrial or rugged locations while and IP66 LCD enclosure is better suited for wash down environments.
By using LCD enclosures, digital signage can now be placed outdoors, in industrial environments and even in wash room locations without fear of damage to the LCD or plasma.
Whilst many of manufacturers produce LCD enclosures they can vary in quality and design. In assuring that an LCD enclosure is of good quality it is important to ensure I has adequate cooling (or heating if it is to go in cold conditions) and has a good airflow. With LCD enclosures designed for washrooms this can be challenging with some manufacturers adopting complex but effective positive pressure chambers such as plenum chambers.
Always ask a manufacturer how they combat such things to insure you are getting a good quality product.
Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the digital advetising industry helping to develop PC enclosures and computer enclosures for all environments. Please visit us for more information about LCD enclosures or other industrial computer solutions.
Displays such as LCD and plasma are ideal for signage purposes because they are backlit so when it comes to safety signs such as fire exits they are superlative to conventional signs are found in all sorts of locations from factory floors to outdoors.
However, as electronic devices displays are vulnerable to many of the hazardous elements found in industrial and outdoor locations. Dust, dirt, wind, rain and wash down locations are all areas where normally LCDs and plasmas cannot go.
Fortunately rugged LCD enclosures are designed to combat many of these hazardous environments often designed and built to European IP standards. The IP rating signifies the amount of protection the LCD enclosure offers against dust and water. An IP54 LCD enclosure will be ideal for industrial or rugged locations while and IP66 LCD enclosure is better suited for wash down environments.
By using LCD enclosures, digital signage can now be placed outdoors, in industrial environments and even in wash room locations without fear of damage to the LCD or plasma.
Whilst many of manufacturers produce LCD enclosures they can vary in quality and design. In assuring that an LCD enclosure is of good quality it is important to ensure I has adequate cooling (or heating if it is to go in cold conditions) and has a good airflow. With LCD enclosures designed for washrooms this can be challenging with some manufacturers adopting complex but effective positive pressure chambers such as plenum chambers.
Always ask a manufacturer how they combat such things to insure you are getting a good quality product.
Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the digital advetising industry helping to develop PC enclosures and computer enclosures for all environments. Please visit us for more information about LCD enclosures or other industrial computer solutions.
The Benefits of Completing a Network Audit
The benefits of completing a network audit on your computer network are numerous. Not only does it help keep your computer network at optimal condition through analyzing power consumption, needed equipment upgrades or security issues, but can help establish an asset base and future cash flow needs for equipment and office space planning.
Typically, the benefits can keep you informed of versions of software and licenses to help detect shortages or plan mass upgrades. Network audits can locate hard drives, network adapters, CPU details, motherboard specifications and peripherals and detect security issues, such as where antivirus or firewalls need to be installed.
Another one of the main benefits is to give you a comprehensive, no-hassle network inventory database that is extremely helpful in determining future needs when it comes to hardware and software. Another benefit of a network audit, is analyzing security needs, which is especially important to keep from costly downtime, or complete data loss, especially on large and scattered out networks.
Since many networks are built over a period of time by adding additional offices, computers and software, it can become difficult to determine whether upgrades will be easy and affordable or costly and lengthy, if you don't have a network audit. Sometimes, cost is a factor when thinking about upgrades, keeping up with new technology and a network audit can give a full picture of future needs in keeping your network efficient.
Certain businesses have government regulations in place that require them to protect secured and private information, such as credit card numbers, or whether your emails should be encrypted, for example. Depending on your business, a security breach could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if a hacker gets hold of confidential information that was entrusted to you for a transaction from a customer.
Through an audit, any possible areas where breaches could occur can be uncovered and dealt with. In a time where so much business is transacted over the Internet, security is of utmost importance, and the benefits of a network audit can help ensure that you are in compliance with protecting information, especially if you transmit financial transactions electronically.
They can analyze physical networks, such as routers, telecom equipment, network switches and ports, as well as audit capacity management, configurations and network database populations, in the case of remote users. This should be performed by an expert in the field that have in-depth telecom knowledge and comprehensive network audit experience. This is not a field for amateurs, although there are some programs on the market that are do-it-yourself network audit software packages, which might be fine for a small office or home network audit.
If you have a number of computers or locations, a more comprehensive audit would be needed to get sound advice on assets, upgrades, future needs and technological advancement options, in addition to security needs.
The benefits of completing a network audit are many, but they are necessary to assess future expenses and security breach weaknesses for businesses that handle sensitive information electronically.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For Auditing Services, he recommends Network 24, a leading network auditor.
Typically, the benefits can keep you informed of versions of software and licenses to help detect shortages or plan mass upgrades. Network audits can locate hard drives, network adapters, CPU details, motherboard specifications and peripherals and detect security issues, such as where antivirus or firewalls need to be installed.
Another one of the main benefits is to give you a comprehensive, no-hassle network inventory database that is extremely helpful in determining future needs when it comes to hardware and software. Another benefit of a network audit, is analyzing security needs, which is especially important to keep from costly downtime, or complete data loss, especially on large and scattered out networks.
Since many networks are built over a period of time by adding additional offices, computers and software, it can become difficult to determine whether upgrades will be easy and affordable or costly and lengthy, if you don't have a network audit. Sometimes, cost is a factor when thinking about upgrades, keeping up with new technology and a network audit can give a full picture of future needs in keeping your network efficient.
Certain businesses have government regulations in place that require them to protect secured and private information, such as credit card numbers, or whether your emails should be encrypted, for example. Depending on your business, a security breach could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if a hacker gets hold of confidential information that was entrusted to you for a transaction from a customer.
Through an audit, any possible areas where breaches could occur can be uncovered and dealt with. In a time where so much business is transacted over the Internet, security is of utmost importance, and the benefits of a network audit can help ensure that you are in compliance with protecting information, especially if you transmit financial transactions electronically.
They can analyze physical networks, such as routers, telecom equipment, network switches and ports, as well as audit capacity management, configurations and network database populations, in the case of remote users. This should be performed by an expert in the field that have in-depth telecom knowledge and comprehensive network audit experience. This is not a field for amateurs, although there are some programs on the market that are do-it-yourself network audit software packages, which might be fine for a small office or home network audit.
If you have a number of computers or locations, a more comprehensive audit would be needed to get sound advice on assets, upgrades, future needs and technological advancement options, in addition to security needs.
The benefits of completing a network audit are many, but they are necessary to assess future expenses and security breach weaknesses for businesses that handle sensitive information electronically.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For Auditing Services, he recommends Network 24, a leading network auditor.
Improved Computer Performance With Memory Upgrade
Computers may be disappointing at times. Initially, its performance is at its top mode and after a short period of time, say six months, its speed get so low that at times you feel like smashing it against the wall. However, considering the short period of time you have used it, destroying it may be a waste. Chances are that a simple memory upgrade will resuscitate its performance.
Select the right type of RAM
The exercise is so simple that one does not need the assistance of professionals. The first step is to consult the computer documentations in order to find out the type of that is compatible with the computer. For instance, the majority of Pentium PC's require PC 100 compliant SD cards. One also needs to determine how much memory he or she requires and the number of available memory slots that the computer has. If this information is not contained in the documentations, there is no reason to worry because it can be checked directly in the computer.
Get it right
It is very important that an individual purchases the right type of memory module when carrying out memory upgrade since DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 memory are not compatible with each other. For instance, one cannot use a DDR2 module in a DDR DIMM slot. DDR and DDR2 are the memory present in the motherboards of the majority of the current desktop PCs and laptop PCs. DDR3 memory is also available and is likely to be used in more motherboards in future. Some motherboards can however have slots for DDR/DDR2 or DDR2/DDR3 modules but no motherboard can have all three types. There can be some possibilities of a DDR3-supporting motherboard to support DDR2 memory but it cannot support DDR memory. The information about type of slots that are provided can be gotten from the motherboard's manual or the PC's user guide.
What it takes
Memory upgrade can be done by installing more memory cards in the memory slots. This will enhance the computer performance. However, there is some basic information about memory that one needs to know when upgrading memory. Some high speed memory modules are accompanied with heat sinks fitted to them. The heat sinks can also be bought and replaced. After purchasing the right kind of memory, one can install it in four simple steps: locating the empty slots after turning off the computer and pulling off the power cable from the CPU; unfastening the clips from both ends of the memory slot and lining up the memory module with the corresponding slot in the CPU then sliding the new memory into the slot; replacing the computer cover, plugging back the power cable and restarting the system; and finally verifying the new memory. This is all it takes to increase computer performance by upgrading the memory.
If you are looking for memory upgrade information on the internet, then there are many options available for you. Whether you need RAM memory for your computer or are looking for the ways to install it you can visit memorysuppliers.com for better results.
Select the right type of RAM
The exercise is so simple that one does not need the assistance of professionals. The first step is to consult the computer documentations in order to find out the type of that is compatible with the computer. For instance, the majority of Pentium PC's require PC 100 compliant SD cards. One also needs to determine how much memory he or she requires and the number of available memory slots that the computer has. If this information is not contained in the documentations, there is no reason to worry because it can be checked directly in the computer.
Get it right
It is very important that an individual purchases the right type of memory module when carrying out memory upgrade since DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 memory are not compatible with each other. For instance, one cannot use a DDR2 module in a DDR DIMM slot. DDR and DDR2 are the memory present in the motherboards of the majority of the current desktop PCs and laptop PCs. DDR3 memory is also available and is likely to be used in more motherboards in future. Some motherboards can however have slots for DDR/DDR2 or DDR2/DDR3 modules but no motherboard can have all three types. There can be some possibilities of a DDR3-supporting motherboard to support DDR2 memory but it cannot support DDR memory. The information about type of slots that are provided can be gotten from the motherboard's manual or the PC's user guide.
What it takes
Memory upgrade can be done by installing more memory cards in the memory slots. This will enhance the computer performance. However, there is some basic information about memory that one needs to know when upgrading memory. Some high speed memory modules are accompanied with heat sinks fitted to them. The heat sinks can also be bought and replaced. After purchasing the right kind of memory, one can install it in four simple steps: locating the empty slots after turning off the computer and pulling off the power cable from the CPU; unfastening the clips from both ends of the memory slot and lining up the memory module with the corresponding slot in the CPU then sliding the new memory into the slot; replacing the computer cover, plugging back the power cable and restarting the system; and finally verifying the new memory. This is all it takes to increase computer performance by upgrading the memory.
If you are looking for memory upgrade information on the internet, then there are many options available for you. Whether you need RAM memory for your computer or are looking for the ways to install it you can visit memorysuppliers.com for better results.
Bonded ADSL Can Replace Expensive Diginet Leased Lines - At A Fraction of the Cost
With the pressure to cut costs and survive the current economic downturn, companies are looking at ways to trim excess costs without cutting away any vital resources that they need to operate an effective and efficient business . In some respects, the current downturn, for those companies that survive, will be beneficial as it forces us to become more productive and efficient with our scarce resources, meaning that our long-term competitiveness will be enhanced.
One area that can often lead to significant cost savings without the lose of any capabilities or capacity is IT spend, especially when one scrutinizes your monthly operational line item expenses. The fact is that technology moves at a rapid pace and yesterdays "state-of-the-art" solution is today's inefficient resource hog. When times are good we tend not to look at an recurring expense again once it has been approved, it simply becomes part of the monthly budget. Now is the time to look at those expenses and ask, "is there a cheaper more efficient solution to replace our current setup?" One such area that should be looked at is your corporate Internet connection costs. Although this article is written based on the current state of broadband access in South Africa, my home country, the general principles, if not the specific themselves are of universal application.
Replace your old, expensive diginet line with a bonded ADSL solution When Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL) first came out,it was billed as a consumer service. Many small and medium enterprises (SME) were quick to identify ADSL as a cheap way to get connected to the Internet without relying on slow dial up or an expensive diginet leased line. The problem was, however, that ADSL could only get you so far. ADSL's shortcomings are:
Limited bandwidth speeds,
Extremely poor upload speeds, when compared to its download speeds,
Limited account sizes,
No guarantee on service availability In South Africa our current top of the line ADSL connection can provide a maximum of 4Mbps. If you want higher throughput you need to consider, expensive 3g or HSDPA wireless solutions. The costs of these wireless alternatives are prohibitive. However, over the last two years, bonded ADSL has emerged as an alternative to expensive diginet leased lines. Bonded ADSL works by taking up to 6 ADSL lines and bonding their bandwidth together to get a throughput that is up to 6 times more than any one line.
Thus a company can get a download speed of up to 24Mbps up and as much as 2 -3 Mbps upload speed at a fraction of the cost of a diginet leased line. In fact you can get two or more of these solutions for the price of 1 diginet leased line.
This is just one area in IT where one can cut costs but researching newer solutions that have become available over the last few years and replacing your current older technology.
Mark Clarke has over 10 years experience consulting with companies and individuals on the best broadband option for their needs and budgets. Whether its ADSL,diginet,3g or iBurst. He currently works, part time, at the broadband connectivity solutions company, Cyber Connect assisting their customers in developing the most cost-effective and appropriate solution for their remote branches, road-warrior sales staff, and corporate Internet connectivity needs. He also consults on implementing firewalls and network management solutions, to help in the proper management of corporate networks. He occasionally works for http://www.OnSiteTechSupport.co.za where he advises corporate on how to cut their IT costs, and manage their infrastructure cost-effectively. For more information please visit bonded ADSL
One area that can often lead to significant cost savings without the lose of any capabilities or capacity is IT spend, especially when one scrutinizes your monthly operational line item expenses. The fact is that technology moves at a rapid pace and yesterdays "state-of-the-art" solution is today's inefficient resource hog. When times are good we tend not to look at an recurring expense again once it has been approved, it simply becomes part of the monthly budget. Now is the time to look at those expenses and ask, "is there a cheaper more efficient solution to replace our current setup?" One such area that should be looked at is your corporate Internet connection costs. Although this article is written based on the current state of broadband access in South Africa, my home country, the general principles, if not the specific themselves are of universal application.
Replace your old, expensive diginet line with a bonded ADSL solution When Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL) first came out,it was billed as a consumer service. Many small and medium enterprises (SME) were quick to identify ADSL as a cheap way to get connected to the Internet without relying on slow dial up or an expensive diginet leased line. The problem was, however, that ADSL could only get you so far. ADSL's shortcomings are:
Limited bandwidth speeds,
Extremely poor upload speeds, when compared to its download speeds,
Limited account sizes,
No guarantee on service availability In South Africa our current top of the line ADSL connection can provide a maximum of 4Mbps. If you want higher throughput you need to consider, expensive 3g or HSDPA wireless solutions. The costs of these wireless alternatives are prohibitive. However, over the last two years, bonded ADSL has emerged as an alternative to expensive diginet leased lines. Bonded ADSL works by taking up to 6 ADSL lines and bonding their bandwidth together to get a throughput that is up to 6 times more than any one line.
Thus a company can get a download speed of up to 24Mbps up and as much as 2 -3 Mbps upload speed at a fraction of the cost of a diginet leased line. In fact you can get two or more of these solutions for the price of 1 diginet leased line.
This is just one area in IT where one can cut costs but researching newer solutions that have become available over the last few years and replacing your current older technology.
Mark Clarke has over 10 years experience consulting with companies and individuals on the best broadband option for their needs and budgets. Whether its ADSL,diginet,3g or iBurst. He currently works, part time, at the broadband connectivity solutions company, Cyber Connect assisting their customers in developing the most cost-effective and appropriate solution for their remote branches, road-warrior sales staff, and corporate Internet connectivity needs. He also consults on implementing firewalls and network management solutions, to help in the proper management of corporate networks. He occasionally works for http://www.OnSiteTechSupport.co.za where he advises corporate on how to cut their IT costs, and manage their infrastructure cost-effectively. For more information please visit bonded ADSL
4 Reasons Why Netbooks Are the Choice of the Future
Ever thought about a really small, portable PC, not like a PDA, but a computer on which you could easily blog, surf the net, maybe play a small MMORPG from time to time? If so, a netbook is the right choice for you. This article will review four big reasons on why a netbook (or a cheap laptop if you prefer) is the choice of the future.
1. The price is low, while the machine isn't too slow! You can get a netbook like acer's aspire or asus' eeepc for 300 bucks. You can get other laptops starting from about 400 USD if they are used, and if that's the case, they probably have no warranty.
2. The battery runs out in about eight(!!) hours. You can surf the net forever on your netbook. Although the Intel Atom processor, that most netbooks have in them, is working like a 900mhz Celeron despite the fact that its frequency is 1800mhz, you can use web based applications.
3. Web-based applications are the future! The servers will do the processing work. Most of the applications will be accessible directly through the internet, you'll just have to pay or watch commercials for them. On the other hand, there are speculations that servers will more often reduce the load of large JavaScript actions and make the users' computer to compute them. Bad for you, future netbook user.
4. A netbook is a stylish accessory. It actually is. How does this go with netbooks being the choice of the future? You can interest the opposite sex with a clever looking netbook! Most of the users who put an emphasis on the style of their gadgets prefer pink netbooks or laptops if they can find ones.
With that said, you can list the pros and cons, choose between a laptop or a netbook. Although the differences aren't too big, the main advice is this: if you want to play games and use a lot of multimedia (films, music) on your new computer, try to score a bargain laptop, if you want a good internet computer, get a netbook.
1. The price is low, while the machine isn't too slow! You can get a netbook like acer's aspire or asus' eeepc for 300 bucks. You can get other laptops starting from about 400 USD if they are used, and if that's the case, they probably have no warranty.
2. The battery runs out in about eight(!!) hours. You can surf the net forever on your netbook. Although the Intel Atom processor, that most netbooks have in them, is working like a 900mhz Celeron despite the fact that its frequency is 1800mhz, you can use web based applications.
3. Web-based applications are the future! The servers will do the processing work. Most of the applications will be accessible directly through the internet, you'll just have to pay or watch commercials for them. On the other hand, there are speculations that servers will more often reduce the load of large JavaScript actions and make the users' computer to compute them. Bad for you, future netbook user.
4. A netbook is a stylish accessory. It actually is. How does this go with netbooks being the choice of the future? You can interest the opposite sex with a clever looking netbook! Most of the users who put an emphasis on the style of their gadgets prefer pink netbooks or laptops if they can find ones.
With that said, you can list the pros and cons, choose between a laptop or a netbook. Although the differences aren't too big, the main advice is this: if you want to play games and use a lot of multimedia (films, music) on your new computer, try to score a bargain laptop, if you want a good internet computer, get a netbook.
Computer Runs Slow - A Hard Drive Problem?
The hard drive is one of the most important components of a computer. The operating system and programs are installed here and all of your data is kept on the hard drive. If you have hard drive problems your computer will not run as well as it should and in the worst case scenario it may not run at all.
There are various different utilities which can scan your hard drive for problems and then attempt to correct those problems. Commonly used utilities with Windows XP include: 1. Disk defragmenter 2. Disc cleanup. 3. Error checker Tool.
1. The files stored on the hard drive can become fragmented, over some period of time.Various parts of the file are located in different segments of the hard drive.
The disk defragmenter will take all these file fragments and bring them together so that a complete file is all located at one point. This greatly speeds up access to the file.
The fragmented data increases the work the drive must do thus increasing the load on the drive and can in fact sometimes cause serious and permanent damage.
To minimise and correct file fragmentation the Disk Defragmenter should be run at regular intervals in order to keep the hard drive in good order. The disk Defragmenter is found by clicking on START->ALL PROGRAMS->ACESSORIES->SYSTEM TOOLS->DISK DEFRAGMENT.
2.The Disc Cleanup application allows you to erase unwanted temporary internet files and program setup files from your hard drive. This clears out some space on the hard drive and definitely helps the machine to run better.
You can find DISC CLEANUP by clicking on START->ALL PROGRAMS->ACCESSORIES->SYSTEM TOOLS->DISC CLEANUP. This tool if run at regular intervals will also help to keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently.
3.Error Checker will scan your hard drive for errors in the file system and bad sectors on the hard drive. To locate ERROR CHECKER bring up your Start Menu by clicking on START then click on MY COMPUTER, next RIGHT click on the hard disc volume you want to run error checker on and then click on PROPERTIES.
On the Tools tab click on CHECK NOW in the ERROR CHECKING section. Now in the CHECK DISC dialog box you should click on SCAN FOR AND ATTEMPT RECOVERY OF BAD SECTORS and then click on START. This may take some time as it checks a large hard drive for bad sectors.
Finally find the maker of your hard drive from the user manual or by looking inside the computer. Most hard disc manufacturers offer downloads of tools to test the hard drive for problems.
If your computer runs slow after completing all these tasks you should look elsewhere for the problem. A bloated, corrupt registry is very often the reason for a slow running computer.
The registry is a massive info data bank which stores all of the data needed by the operating system to run rthe computer and much more.
A large number of data fragments will build up in the registry over a period of time as the computer is used. All windows operated computers are susceptible to this problem unfortunately and it cannot be avoided.
The corrupt registry makes it difficult for the operating system to locate the data it needs to run the computer. This greatly slows down operation of the machine and can also cause freezing and crashing.
Windows XP registry repair software can be downloaded from the internet to solve this problem. The top registry cleaners will first offer to give you a free scan to determine if you have registry problems. You can check the results of this scan before deciding to repair your registry.
We ran tests on a number of Windows XP registry repair tools and found that some were clearly better than others. One in particular found up to 50% more errors than some other registry repair tools and was clearly superior.
We recommend that you use a windows reg cleaner and do not try to personally edit your registry. There are many essential entries in the registry and if you mistakenly remove even one of them you can completely disable your computer. Use one of the top registry cleaners which will quickly and safely do your registry repair the safe way.
There are various different utilities which can scan your hard drive for problems and then attempt to correct those problems. Commonly used utilities with Windows XP include: 1. Disk defragmenter 2. Disc cleanup. 3. Error checker Tool.
1. The files stored on the hard drive can become fragmented, over some period of time.Various parts of the file are located in different segments of the hard drive.
The disk defragmenter will take all these file fragments and bring them together so that a complete file is all located at one point. This greatly speeds up access to the file.
The fragmented data increases the work the drive must do thus increasing the load on the drive and can in fact sometimes cause serious and permanent damage.
To minimise and correct file fragmentation the Disk Defragmenter should be run at regular intervals in order to keep the hard drive in good order. The disk Defragmenter is found by clicking on START->ALL PROGRAMS->ACESSORIES->SYSTEM TOOLS->DISK DEFRAGMENT.
2.The Disc Cleanup application allows you to erase unwanted temporary internet files and program setup files from your hard drive. This clears out some space on the hard drive and definitely helps the machine to run better.
You can find DISC CLEANUP by clicking on START->ALL PROGRAMS->ACCESSORIES->SYSTEM TOOLS->DISC CLEANUP. This tool if run at regular intervals will also help to keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently.
3.Error Checker will scan your hard drive for errors in the file system and bad sectors on the hard drive. To locate ERROR CHECKER bring up your Start Menu by clicking on START then click on MY COMPUTER, next RIGHT click on the hard disc volume you want to run error checker on and then click on PROPERTIES.
On the Tools tab click on CHECK NOW in the ERROR CHECKING section. Now in the CHECK DISC dialog box you should click on SCAN FOR AND ATTEMPT RECOVERY OF BAD SECTORS and then click on START. This may take some time as it checks a large hard drive for bad sectors.
Finally find the maker of your hard drive from the user manual or by looking inside the computer. Most hard disc manufacturers offer downloads of tools to test the hard drive for problems.
If your computer runs slow after completing all these tasks you should look elsewhere for the problem. A bloated, corrupt registry is very often the reason for a slow running computer.
The registry is a massive info data bank which stores all of the data needed by the operating system to run rthe computer and much more.
A large number of data fragments will build up in the registry over a period of time as the computer is used. All windows operated computers are susceptible to this problem unfortunately and it cannot be avoided.
The corrupt registry makes it difficult for the operating system to locate the data it needs to run the computer. This greatly slows down operation of the machine and can also cause freezing and crashing.
Windows XP registry repair software can be downloaded from the internet to solve this problem. The top registry cleaners will first offer to give you a free scan to determine if you have registry problems. You can check the results of this scan before deciding to repair your registry.
We ran tests on a number of Windows XP registry repair tools and found that some were clearly better than others. One in particular found up to 50% more errors than some other registry repair tools and was clearly superior.
We recommend that you use a windows reg cleaner and do not try to personally edit your registry. There are many essential entries in the registry and if you mistakenly remove even one of them you can completely disable your computer. Use one of the top registry cleaners which will quickly and safely do your registry repair the safe way.
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