Defrag Your HDD! (It's Not As Painful As It Sounds)

One of the easiest ways to boost overall performance from your PC is to do regular hard disk maintenance. It's not glamorous or even exciting, as a matter of fact, it's downright boring. However it is relatively painless and easy to do. In this article, I want to discuss defragmenting your hard drive. I'll give you a moment to finish yawning before continuing.....OK feel better now? Let's get to it. Most PC users, even a lot of beginners, know about the defrag utility built into Windows. Some people even use it occasionally. However, judging by my experiences in the field, even those who use it fairly regularly could use a few pointers on how to get the most out of it.

First of all, what is disk fragmentation? We could get really technical and discuss file systems, cluster sizes and the like but I doubt you want to read it anymore than I want to write about it (BORING!...). You don't really need to understand all of the technical details to understand that fragmentation can and does have a big impact on overall computer performance. I should explain however, that of all the major components of your computer, the hard drive is far and away the slowest. Knowing this, it should make sense that anything we can do to help this "weak link" with performance will improve the the overall computing experience.

Without going into a lot of detail, I'll start with a brief explanation of how a hard drive works and what causes data fragmentation. Ready? Here goes: The hard drive has a series of platters that contain all of the stored data on your PC (including the operating system, programs and all of your personal data). These platters rotate at a high rate of speed and as they rotate, a mechanical read/write head moves along the surface of the platters and... well, reads and writes data. Your data is stored on this disk in clusters. A single file usually consists of many of these clusters. Over time as you use the computer these clusters get scattered all over the drive and as a result, the files contained in the clusters become fragmented.

The reason that this negatively affects performance is that when the read head looks for a particular file, it can find that information much faster and more efficiently if the clusters containing that file are in contiguous order as opposed to being scattered all over the drive. Think of it this way: If you have a stack of money in various bill denominations, how much faster and more efficiently could you count it if the bills are grouped according to denomination and placed in descending (contiguous) order! The process of defragmentation finds these scattered clusters of data and puts them back in order so that the read head can find them faster.

Now that you are familiar with that concept, let's get going with the defrag. For those of you who aren't familiar, the windows defrag utility is located under 'Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools'. When you start the application, the user interface is pretty straightforward. You just select the drive that you want to defragment and click the button that says "Defragment". If you don't do any more than this, you'll go a long way toward improving the responsiveness of your computer. However, there are a couple major limitations in the defrag utility that can easily be overcome if you know what to do. Here are a couple of tricks you can use to really get the most out of the defrag process.

Temporarily remove the pagefile. Windows uses a section of the hard disk as virtual memory to help speed up performance of the PC. This virtual memory space is known as the paging file or swap file. Windows uses this reserved space to move frequently accessed data into and out of as you work (or play) on your computer. Because this space is reserved as system file space, the defrag utility cannot defragment this section of the disk. This reserved space can be quite large and will become very fragmented over time and since this is the first area of the disk that is accessed by the system when requesting data, it goes without saying that it's counterproductive for this file to be highly fragmented. So to get this file back in order you have to delete it. (?!) Don't worry, you are not going to delete anything important and it's only temporary. Here's how to do it:

First, save all work and close all open windows. Once you have done this, go to 'Start > Control Panel(Classic View) > System'. Select the 'Advanced' tab and click on the 'Settings' button under 'Performance'. Again, select the 'Advanced' tab and under 'Virtual memory' click the 'Change' button. Click the radio button that says "No paging file" and click the 'Set' button. Now close each dialog box by clicking 'OK' on each one. You'll get a message stating that the changes require the computer to be restarted. Click 'OK' and restart the PC. When the computer reboots it may seem a little sluggish, but that's OK because when you're finished with the defrag, you will restore the swap file and it will be one big contiguous file. That's a VERY good thing!

Now, before you run the defrag utility, there is one more thing you can do to help optimize the defragmenting process. If your PC has hibernation enabled (it is by default), it uses a file called hiberfil.sys to store the current state of your PC before it "goes to sleep". This file is then restored when the computer "wakes up" so that it is in the exact same state it was in before hibernating. The whole hibernation thing is a long story and the subject of another article, so for now just understand that hiberfil.sys is a very large file that becomes fragmented over time and because it is designated as reserved system space, can't be defragmented. So again, the solution is to remove the file. Windows doesn't need hiberfil.sys to run properly. It is only necessary if you want your computer to have the ability to hibernate when left unattended, so restoring hiberfil.sys is completely optional after you defragment the hard drive. To delete hiberfil.sys, right click any open area on the desktop and choose 'properties'. Select the 'Screen Saver' tab and click the button toward the bottom labeled "Power". When the 'Power Options' dialog box opens, select the 'Hibernate' tab. Remove the check from the box that says "Enable hibernation". The hiberfil.sys file will automatically be deleted.

Now that you have removed these two rather large and uncooperative files run the defrag utility as described above. This time the ENTIRE hard drive will be defragmented! See now, that wasn't so bad. After windows finishes defragging the disk, don't forget to re-enable the paging file. Navigate to the virtual memory dialog as described above and this time click the radio button that says "System managed size". Click 'Set' and close all the dialog boxes. Optionally, you can re-enable hibernation also, but it's not necessary unless you use the hibernate feature.

Well there you have it! A completely defragmented and optimized hard drive and it didn't cost you a dime. After following this procedure, you'll definitely notice that your PC has a little more "spring in it's step". I certainly hope this article has been useful to you. If it has, be sure to visit my website at http://www.odessacomputerguy.com and while you're there sign up for my newsletter. It's free and full of useful tips and tricks you can use to get the most out of your PC.

Scott Drinkard (The Computer Guy) is a self -employed computer service tech living and working in Odessa, Texas. The owner of Odessa based "The Computer Guy" has been helping the good people of West Texas with their computer problems for about 10 years. Please visit http://www.odessacomputerguy.com for more information.

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Storing Information on Disks - Which Disk To Select?

Disks such as CD, DVD, HD DVD, Blu-ray, flash drives, and external hard drives are convenient means of data storage. They are characterized by small size and light weight, which allows them to be easily carried and transported.

There can be different situations in which you may need to copy your information to a disk. To start with, you may want to distribute a piece of information among many people similar to the way they do it in a music industry when millions of copies of a single CD are made and sold.

You may also want to create a reserve copy of some critical data, or simply record some files to a disk in order to open them on another computer. Disks present a perfect solution for any of the above mentioned situations.

There are different ways in which you can record your information to a disk depending on the type of disk, its storage capacity, and the type of connectivity with the PC. Here we will consider the advantages and disadvantages of the most common types of disks.

CD

CD is probably the most wide-spread type of optical disk. The capacity of a single CD is about 700 MB and allows recording any types of digital data including music, video, images, and applications. To read and record a CD on a personal computer, a CD-ROM drive is required. The type of the CD-ROM drive defines the speed of reading and recording CDs. The CD may be recorded with the help of special recording software or using Windows recording tools.

DVD

DVD is an optical disk that allows recording up to 9 GB (double layer DVD) on a single disk. To read and record DVDs, a DVD-ROM is required. Special DVD burning software is needed to record information to DVD.

HD DVD

HD DVD is a high density optical disk that expands the storage of a single disk up to 60 GB. To read and record HD DVD, a HD DVD-ROM is required. To record HD DVD you must have DVD burning software.

Blu-ray

Blu-ray is a high density optical disk that allows storing up to 80 GB of digital data including high definition video. To be able to read and write Blu-ray disks, a BD-ROM must be available on a PC.

Flash drives

Flash drives are not disks in a proper sense of the word, but they do perform the same function as traditional disks such as data transfer and storage. Flash drives do not use spinning platters like standard hard drives, but they are not optical disks either, instead they use flash memory to record and store information.

Flash drives and USB flash drives

A distinction must be drawn between a flash drive and a USB flash drive. A flash drive imitates conventional hard drive is size, shape and interface, so it can serve as a replacement for conventional hard drive in extreme conditions as it has a lower sensitivity towards mechanical damage. A USB flash drive is a small lightweight hand-held device with a USB connector.

External hard drives

External hard drives are storage devices based on the hard drive technology which are not a part of computer hardware, but can be connected to a PC via any of the available interfaces such as USB, SATA, FireWire or SCSI.

The selection of disk type depends on your needs. Check out the disk recording software which allows recording digital data to all of the above mentioned types of disks with several useful options.

Alexander Golishev is a a copywriter for Novosoft LLC, software developer, with a great deal of expertise in data backup and recovery matters.

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Finding A Good Technician Could Be Hard

Here in Orange County I find it very important to have a solid technical structure. No computer = no business. Computer repair here in Orange County seems to be very popular, but that quality of good support seems to be declining at a surprisingly fast pace. Say your computer is broken and you need some repair work done, so you call the big name companies. They charge you a ridiculous amount then before you know it you may be having the same problem. You call then back and they charge you again. What type of computer repair or computer service is that. Im not for sure, but if you have a business running and are constantly having issues with your computer you realize how much money your truly are loosing.

Then you have the companies that have "OK" Techs. Meaning the job gets done but as far as service goes its not really prompt. It takes longer than ever but you feel that it would be more of a pain to replace that tech because they have been your technicians for such a lime and you feel that it would be hard to find someone else and teach them your systems. That's actually not correct at all, Sometimes you need someone to come in and have a fresh set of eyes on your computer systems and networks. If your company is having problem after problem and you always seem to need your computer repaired that means something is wrong and you should not really have to go through all the pain and struggles of a badly working computer.

In Orange County there are many companies who work on computers, and offer computer repair services. However I would say before you just choose any company you should make sure that the company has a nice portfolio. Also just because the owner has a great portfolio you need to find out who is actually working on your computer systems. Sometimes the owner of a computer repair company may boast about all the different qualifications that they have but when it comes down to the actual service they send one of there lower level techs out to work on your system. This is exactly what you need to steer clear away from. Also do not be afraid of price. For example some may charge $125 - $150/ hour for support and another company may charge $60-$80/ hour. OK now your probably thinking that it would be a better investment for you to stick with the lower price. However you get what you pay for, so when it takes the lower price computer repair shop 4 hours to do what the other person can do in 2 hours it starts to add up. Your time is more important so please do not think that you are saving money when not properly researching the company or person who is working on your systems. Always ask for a portfolio like stated above.

Ok I will admit that it can get tricky when your paying a company a lot of money when there service is also not good, so once again I would say ASK FOR A PORTFOLIO! Remember any good technical company will lead your company technically. You should have no doubts about your technical company!

Reggie
http://www.dtsit.com
Orange County Computer Repair
Orange County Laptop Repair

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What is Time? From Sundials to NTP

Time is an abstract concept. We cannot necessarily see it, touch it or change it, but we are aware that it exists and that is continues to keep passing us by. It has long been thought that time was constant and was the same everywhere in the Universe.

However, Albert Einstein's theories of relativity (General and Special Relativity) have changed the way we think about time. Einstein suggested that time is part of a four dimensional 'space-time' the other three dimension being the up/down, left/right, forward/backward dimensions we are all aware of.

Einstein suggested that this space-time could be bent or warped by the effects of gravity meaning that an observer on the moon with an identical clock to an observer on the earth, will find that when they compare the clocks, the passage of time will be recorded differently, as the extra gravity of earth will have bent space-time more so than on the moon.

In fact Einstein suggests not only is time part of the very fabric that makes up our universe it is not at all a constant but relative to different observers and that the only constant in the universe is the speed of light. He argued that to different observers, time would be perceived differently depending on their positions and speed. For example, to an observer traveling to a destination at near the speed of light the journey may only take a few seconds, but to another observer awaiting their arrival, the time elapsed since the traveler departed may have been thousands of years.

While this time dilation, as Einstein called it, is very apparent at high speeds (approaching the speed of light) experiments with atomic clocks sent on aeroplanes discovered time does pass differently than with identical clocks on the earth. Einstein's work was groundbreaking and made possible technologies such as satellite communication and GPS (Global Positioning system) all of which have to account for Einstein's relative time.

Time has always been measured in relation to the movement of the Earth, a day, for instance, is one revolution of the planet, while a year is an entire orbit of the Sun. The measurement of time is known as Horology and different ways of telling the time have been developed throughout the centuries from the sundial to grandfather clocks.

Today electronic clocks are more commonly used and are based on the movement of a crystal oscillator - a vibrating crystal used to create an electric signal that has an exact frequency. However, in many modern applications, such as the stock market or the airline industry, exact and precise time keeping is essential.

UTC (Universal Coordinated Time or Temps Universel Coordonné ) was established after the development of atomic clocks which can measure time to an exceptionally accurate level using the frequency of the caesium -133 atom which oscillates at exactly 9,192,631,770 every second. Since 1967 this oscillation has been the definition of one second by the International System of Units (SI).

Around the world, time is split up into time zones that are longitudinal. All time zones are generally one hour apart and they all use UTC time as a reference to calculate their local time.

The development of atomic clocks has been vital for modern technologies, allowing computer networks all over the world to be synchronized to UTC utilizing Network Time Protocol (NTP), a computer protocol designed specifically for the task.

Without NTP, atomic clocks and UTC; technologies and industries such as communication satellites, the stock exchange and even airline companies would find it impossible to operate in the modern world.

Copyright 2008 © Richard N Williams

Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the telecommunications and network time synchronisation industry helping to develop dedicated time server products; ethernet clocks, GPS time servers, NTP servers, digital wall clocks, atomic clock servers and SNTP time servers. Please visit for more information about NTP products and NTP servers This article may be republished and reprinted in its complete form or in part without seeking permission providing a relevant link to this site is maintained. It is a violation of copyright law to reprint or publish this content without following these terms.

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Holographic Storage Kills BluRay?

Holographic storage ships next month. The technology was in the works for decades before becoming a reality. Every now and then I read about something and go "wow - that's the future!". I remember when I was a kid in the 80's and my day telling me about computer storage and memory doubling nearly every six months. He also told me "someday you'll be able to carry your 30 albums or your entire record collection on a small postage stamp sized chip in your pocket." It seemed like something out of the movies back then, and yet my 4GB SD Flash card for my digital camera can hold about 1,000 songs which I guess is about 75-80 CD's (and it's about the size of a postage stamp).

We've all seen a holograph in a sci-fi movie. A holograph is a projected image that, if you moved around it, would actually have perspective form different angles. A holograph is a true "3D image". So, how do you turn a holograph into storage? Technically a holograph IS storage, because it stores information about the image to be projected. A hologram uses 2 laser beams. A reference and illumination beam create an interference pattern on photo sensitive media. Shine a laser on that reference pattern and get an image in 3D - simple as that. Robin Harris brings up to good points in that article, the first being that a small fraction of the reference data can reconstruct the entire 3D images (you just can't move as far around it). This means that unlike a CD or DVD, if the photo sensitive media is scratched it doesn't (completely) destroy the data. Imagine data that can "reconstruct itself" from the remaining bits. His other point was that the amount of storage is just about limitless. By changing the reference point and illumination of the beams different holographs can be produced - so hundreds (or more) could be stored in the exact same space on the media.

Oh - did I mention the fact that photographic media has a lifespan of over 100 years, so holographic storage has the longest lifespan of any media to date. The company that created this holographic storage technology is "InPhase" and the first units will be shipped for $18,000 next month. One disk costs $180 and stores 300GB.

Why do we care? For the same reason that both CD and DVD players were thousands when they first came out. This is the future of technology. Movie studios with long term storage needs will gladly pay $18,000 for this device, but as the prices drop I think that this kind of technology will be something that consumers need. You can buy a half-terabyte drive at your local Wal-Mart now for $100. I think it's great to be able to back up all of our digital pictures and music on an external drive for our home network. But as time goes on I will need multiple ones, and eventually some will fail - and eventually I'll lose some really cherished memories. I think that's why a lot of people I know print out so many digital pictures on photo paper - they know that if somehow the digital copy is lost, the printed version should last a lifetime. If InPhase eventually created a consumer version holographic storage drive, wouldn't you buy one? I mean come on, you could store you family digital photos knowing that the media would be good up to 100 years. I know of no other storage technology other than printed photos themselves that could give you that kind of piece of mind.

Think about the industry uses this could bring. Movie theaters could ship out their blockbusters to the theaters on these disks knowing the quality wouldn't diminish no matter how many times they were rented out. Web hosts could practically offer "uncorruptable backups". You may not know this, but your local cable company usually has movies "downloaded" on their local server for the video "on demand" services you can watch. With holographic storage they could store tens of thousands of movies for you to watch, and not just hundreds. Unbelievable amounts of data could be stored in black boxes of planes, trains, and automobiles. You could possibly take your entire entertainment system from your living room to your car on one disk. Entire textbooks could begin to be stored on disk cartridges to be read in standard readers and books in schools and universities would not only be cheaper, but the quality of the content would never diminish (just the hardware readers to view them).

So that's why I think holographic storage is a future BluRay killer. How many years will that be? I don't know. It took 20 years for holographic storage to become a real piece of hardware you could buy. I don't think that it will be 20 more years before what I envision comes true, but it's certainly possible within the next 5-10. But you never know, something might just come along that's even better than this! Read Robin Harris' report on Holographic Storage at c|Net.

John Pratt writes free guides and blog help at JTPratt's Blogging Mistakes as well as gadget and technology reviews at The Smorgasbord. He also writes cell phone and mobile reviews at Used Cell Phone Bargains

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Green Communications Go Corporate with Commercial Satellite Solutions

In today's technologically advanced world, commercial satellite solutions are diverse providing solutions for voice, video and data connectivity solutions. With the rising costs of oil, many businesses are wising up to alternative sources to power and drive their satellite connections and corporate communication infrastructure.

Providers of solar and wind generated technology solutions recognize the need for renewable and alternative energy sources to power more than just cars and homes. Now many companies are benefiting from alliances formed between energy solution providers and commercial satellite providers, bringing reliable and renewable energy solutions to businesses worldwide, including rural, remote and temporary locations.

Mobile and fixed satellite services can provide mission critical communications to supply the power needs of military, humanitarian, emergency-response and disaster relief operations. Powered with solar and wind technologies, commercial satellite providers can offer the necessary Internet, voice, data and fax capabilities, required during times of crisis or day to day business operations.

The alignment between these solution providers can bring vastly needed communications to interim or on demand shelter environments, to remote areas lacking communication infrastructures and for mobile communications in the event of an emergency, disaster or electrical power outage.

The need for reliable and renewable mobile communications is imperative in today's environment. Alternative energy solutions provide clean, independent and renewable power sources-while business satellite internet provides the bandwidth and connectivity for fixed and mobile satellite communications.

This relationship provides communications in areas where terrestrial communications are inoperable or not present to agencies worldwide, specifically military, humanitarian, emergency and first-responders. Developing strategic solutions with complementary businesses is an age old technique. This new type of alliance offers the very best in satellite communications where interim infrastructures are needed for disaster relief or first responder and emergency communications. In addition, reducing costs by using alternative energy sources, companies can use solar powered generators to run multi-network communications platform including Internet, voice, video, data and two-way connectivity solutions to remote and mobile agencies.

Corporations can benefit from the joint efforts of solution providers whose alliances offer advanced technology solutions for full time, remote, occasional use, fixed or mobile satellite services without taxing already over demanded energy sources.

When looking for communications solutions utilizing alternative energy solutions, look for industry leaders in each respective field for the finest quality solar and wind energy products and satellite communications.

Sam Brown provides research and insight on emerging and evolving technology solutions including business satellite internet, commercial satellite and broadband satellite internet services.

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Mini System - Small In Size But Big In Performance

If you are a music buff or simply enjoy music, chances are you are already in possession of some sort of a music system. Gone are the days when we had to laboriously wind up the gramophone or put the needle on the exact spot on the record-player and when we were traveling we had to be content with a good old portable radio. But, with new advances in technology, first came improved versions of the stereo, then the cassette player and now we are simply spoilt for choice because the market is inundated with newer and better audio and stereo products. The mind boggles at the wide array of choices and it can certainly confuse anyone looking to buy the latest equipment.

With shrinking spaces but advancing technology, it is now possible to buy a mini system of stereo and audio device which is also high on quality. If you are living in a small apartment or a dorm room, you might just want a mini system like an iPod or a MP3 player. These can come with speaker docks which you can put up in your rooms or office. The basics of a mini stereo system consist of a stereo receiver and speakers.

Portable CD players, iPods, MP3players have all but replaced the portable radio. Now, no matter where you go, you can always put your mini system in your pocket and be assured of enjoying your favorite music. What a relief especially on mind-numbing long-distance flights! Your morning walks can also be pepped up with music coming into your ears.

Some mini systems let you enjoy CDs and are also capable of charging your iPod. They have remote control and reflux speakers for better sound. It is possible to use the mini-stereo system for other purposes also. You can use it for an alarm clock or you can play a single CD or play music directly from the iPod. The mini system of stereo and audio device players come in a wide range from portable CD players to simple AM/FM radios. They also come with a wide selection of speakers.

The technology is so advanced that it does not matter whether you have the iPod nano, iPod shuffle or IPod video. You can convert any of these into a full-fledged music system with portable iPod speakers. The iPod stereo docking system provides optimum functionality. And, even if you do not have an iPod, you can still listen to music with a MP3 micro system. It is a fallacy to think that these will not work in a small stereo. In fact, an iPod or Mp3 player makes an important core component in a mini stereo/audio system and even a small DVD or CD player is able to run a big home theatre. So, you can easily combine your home and mobile stereo system.

Many MP3 players offer a whole lot more than simply play the digital audio. They are capable of letting you watch videos, listen to radio and are thus more versatile than people think them to be. Different players have different memory storage and depending upon that, you can store as many hours of music as you like literally in your pocket. The advantage of these mini systems is that their audio outs perform like any other audio part. Just imagine being able to carry your music with you wherever you go without the bulk.

Mini system of stereo and audio device player has come as a boon because you no longer have to allocate large areas in already shrunk spaces for your music system and a simple set of speakers will work wonders with the acoustics.

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for PoloMercantil

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How Easy Is It To Understand Your Company's IT Solutions?

Communication is a vital component of every company, regardless of the sector it may be in. As soon as communication between departments breaks down the possibility of problems occurring increases, because there is an increased chance of having different groups of people working towards different outcomes and solutions.

The department where a lack of communication with other areas of the business is likely to cause real problems is the IT department. Not everyone has the depth of knowledge that the IT support team has, and it can therefore be quite difficult to maintain a good degree of communication with this department at times.

It's important to make sure that you understand the various IT solutions that are in place within your company however, because if you don't it's very hard to maintain any kind of authority or control over a situation when something goes wrong.

Quite often when a problem occurs or a mistake happens there is a degree of damage limitation that needs to be put in place, as well as making sure the same thing cannot happen again. If you don't have a reasonable understanding of how the IT solutions work in your company and why these particular measures were put in place to begin with, your position in helping to deal with the situation will be weakened.

They say that knowledge is power and while it's not necessary to become an IT expert in order to understand your company's IT solutions, it is necessary to make sure you know enough to get by. Communicating with the IT department on a regular basis and exploring the various solutions that are in place to deal with certain situations will help you to understand why those measures have been decided on, and what will occur should a particular mishap cause problems.

Because of the degree of knowledge required to become an IT expert, there is often an air of mystery around these people when they come into the office to sort out a computer problem or install a new piece of software. While it's not necessary for everyone to have this degree of knowledge, a more open attitude to communicating and explaining what's going on helps to strengthen a company from the inside out. This presents a much more favourable image to anyone from the outside looking in.

Jane Smith shares practical business IT solutions for medium to large sized organisations. To activate your business with the power of IT, please visit Help Desk Software.

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Computer Problem Tips - Are You Messing Up Your Computer? - Learn the 5 Mistakes Most Everyone Makes

Stop using an ordinary power strip - buy and install a good quality surge protector
Electrical storms, lighting strikes, blackouts and car accidents involving power lines all can cause momentary power surges or voltage spikes. These uncontrolled spikes can adversely affect the smooth flow of power to your computer (i.e. fry the components!)

That's why you need to buy and install a good quality surge protector. A good protector should have at least the Underwriter's Lab standard rating of 1449. Look for a label with the words, "transient voltage surge suppressor" and UL 1449.

Stop "forgetting" to do at least a weekly backup
The next question I usually ask, is "Do you have any backups?" More hang-dog looks and shaking of the heads, no.

You can recover from 90% of major computer malfunctions if (and this is the big "IF") you have backup copies of your operating system and data files. Without backups, your dead PC becomes a very expensive metal door stop. Remember the richest man in the world (Bill Gates) made all his fortune with software...not hardware.

Buy a good backup program like Acronis True Image Home or an online service like Mozy.com. Okay... Let's be frank here..."THE" best thing you can do for yourself and your computer is to setup a backup system and stick to it!

Stop downloading, installing and uninstalling lots of and lots of programs; especially unknown freeware and beta applications.

I know this is toughie. The Internet is just full of cool, free and useful software products and utilities. Hey, I couldn't run my little home business without some of them. But folks, spammers and spyware kings have long since known that everyone loves a bargain. And they write up their "products" as freebies too!

Some the most persistent and difficult to remove spyware/viruses I have ever came across have been from me getting a case of download fever and clicking all over the net trying to save a penny here or there on "freeware". Sure I got some killer freeware but I also have gotten some killer adware too!

Then after I downloaded it I had to go through the pain and hassle of uninstalling it or running some anti-spyware to remove it. If the freeware isn't from an established source like Download.com or SourceForge.net then be very careful on what you click on.

Stop letting your hard drive get full of fragmented software files.

The other problem with downloading everything you see is that your hard drive quickly becomes full of used programs, misplaced snippets of code and dead end registry files (registry files are what Windows uses to keep track of what software is installed.)

Uninstalling a program does most of the heavy lifting but no program really is removed clean. So over time your hard drive becomes a cluttered minefield of bits of broken application coding. So once a week if not more often depending on your download activities, you should defrag your hard disk. Now Windows has its own "Disk Defragmenter" utility built in. This utility works fine but can be horribly slow running. So do your defragging late at night while you are asleep or during the when you are away from home.

Stop picking and using weak passwords

Hey, we al do this one. We all know that a strong password should have a blend of lowercase letters, capitals, numbers and characters like this, "2Tech#Log!" But who the heck could remember some pass word like that?

So we all just plug in something like, "techlog" which a tech savvy 15 year old with a free code cracker off the internet can have broken it in under 30 seconds. And since we use the same password on everything from email to eBay to bank records, anyone who cracks your password now has access to your whole online financial life and identity.

Hackers, crackers and other online thieves are not the super-evil geniuses; they are portrayed to be in books and movies. Sure most are smarter than the average person but like everyone else that they love easy pickings. Why waste all that energy to hack into a bank, when you can easily hack the bank's vice president's home laptop because, she like us, uses the same personal password over and over?

So here's what to do. Create different passwords for different functions. Create really strong ones for your bank, eBay, PayPal accounts. Then use a completely different one for those, "please sign up to receive your free offer" websites.

Tired of losing money on unnecessary downtime and want to reduce your computer headaches? To see more practical and fast computer fixes, visit http://www.fixcomputerproblemsguide.com From Chancer Reese, your Small Business Tech Diva.

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Four Gadgets You Wish You Had

Get it? Wave? Future? Hahaha! C'mon, work with me here.

I watched a James Bond movie lately and I thought of something. James Bond always has these cool gadgets to help him out, invented by Q. Pen guns, flying cars, rocket guns, everything he needs. And futuristic movies I've seen always have cool stuff that people supposedly invented. So I've put together my list of futuristic gadgets that I would love to have.

1. Time Machine - Who wouldn't want a time machine? You can go back in time to see the dinosaurs up close (just not too close)! You could see Rome and Greece in all their past glory. Maybe even see the legendary Spartans, just to compare them to the ones in 300. Or you could use it to go back to yesterday and give your mother a present for the birthday you forgot, jerk. I wouldn't mind having one, even if it was made out of a DeLorean. Many scientists say that it is truly impossible to travel to the past and the laws of physics only allow travel to the future, but who knows? Mankind always finds a way!

2. Virtual Reality - This already exists in some form, but what I want is full-on perfect virtual reality! Just put on a helmet or glasses and you just think what you want to do, and your virtual self will do it! You can even smell scents and actually feel what you touch in that world! It would be great for the date scene since you get to date without actually being there, or you can talk and hug your loved ones from far away. You can even be the star of your own virtual adventure movie! The possibilities are endless!

3. Teleporter - I think anyone can use this. Why take the bus to work when you can just teleport there? You can even work overseas while still living in your own house! Take your time in the mornings since it's hard to be late for work if you can get there instantly. You can even take your lunch break in Paris and come back in time for the afternoon meeting! Too bad this may never happen, because there's always a chance that not all of your body parts arrive at your destination. But like I said, who knows?

4. Electronic Contact Lenses - I saw this in a movie once. You wear contact lenses that display data right in front of you. No more checking your watch for time when all you need to do is look at the digital clock in your vision! You can even have your daily planner displayed there, or even view videos or surf the net! All you have to do is think what you want to see and it'll pop up.

There you have it. Science just keeps moving forward, and one day all these gadgets may as well be real! Having gadgets makes people lazy though, but we can probably invent auto-exercise machines for that. ;) How about you? What gadgets would you like to have?

Ted is a prolific travel writer who has the amazing ability to draw out the real stories from each and every city he visits.

Browse his blog at Blue Wave Ted

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Technology Equipment and Software Financing

Technology equipment and software are very important for a business in today's world. Technological or software equipment includes new computer system, routing software, safety equipment and so on. These types of equipment are generally very expensive and so the need for technology equipment and software financing arises. However most of the traditional lenders may not be ready to finance technological equipment or software. This is due to their inability to understand the purpose and type of this equipment. Therefore an expertise approach is required to understand the need for technological and software equipment. There are some genuine financing companies that offer help to acquire these types of equipment.

There are various categories of technology and software equipment. Therefore various options are allowed by financial institutions to get technology equipment and financing help. Audio visual equipment is one among them which includes cameras, sound equipment and so on. This equipment is really important for companies that specialize in audio video. Seeking the financial assistance of financing companies is required due to high price tags of this equipment.

Safety and security equipment is essential for certain companies. These types of equipment include metal detector, alarm equipment, closed circuit TV, digital video recording, motion detector, security gate, fire suppression and so on. These types are vitally important for maintaining the personal safety and security. Due to its highest price ranges, most of the companies could not afford to buy it. But technology equipment and software financing makes it possible for almost all companies to acquire safety and security equipment.

Telecommunication equipment helps in effective business communication. Thanks to these types of equipment, many companies are functioning properly without any communication gap. Latest telecommunication equipment is available now which helps in effective communication. Broadcasting equipment, multiplex equipment, telephone system, transmitting equipment etc are really important for a modern office. However their price ranges are extremely high making it impossible to afford for small and medium companies. Technology equipment and software financing is the only best option to meet all the essential requirements.

Computer hardware is essential for most of the companies. Since their prices come down, most of the companies can get it easily. The data storage equipment, server, work station, network etc are vitally important for any business in today's world. But the computer hardware has undergone constant changes. When the existing hardware becomes old, you need to buy a new one. This situation calls for the help of technology equipment and software financing.

Software financing is required to acquire the latest software. The traditional lenders would not be willing to provide financial assistance to buy the software. However accounting software, ecommerce software, manufacturing software, CAD software etc are essential for the business operation of most of the companies. In fact, every company requires certain type of software. Some of the reliable financing companies recognize the need for software financing and they offer essential help.

Since there are no embarrassing procedures for getting the technology equipment and software financing help, any company can apply for the financial assistance from the valid financing company.

Chris Fletcher is an Account Executive at a leading equipment financing company http://www.crestcapital.com/Catalog/ providing equipment leasing in all 50 states. Chris is a frequent contributor to print as well as online publications, and is the author of a blog on commercial financing topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Fletcher

Importance of Technical Help Desk

Presence of Computers

Computers are everywhere. Be it a home, school, hospital, banks, offices, post offices, grocery shops, medicine shops or theatres, we can see the presence of computers evenly. The use of computers has become mandatory to make the works easier and effective. People face several technical problems related to computers, its uses and application in their work and at homes. Along with the wide use of computers, occurrence of problems has also increased.

Presence of Computers at Home

Computers and Internet is a part of every home in current modern world. It has taken place as an important and integral electronic Item. The necessities of computers are well known for every member of the family, kids want them for playing different games, and youngsters need a computer and internet for surfing or download music and gadgets of their interest, mature members of home need computer to check official mails or for simply being in touch with relatives, friends and other people. Even housewives use computers for learning new recipes, home decoration tips, and various other skills.

Presence of Computers at Offices

Computers are essential need of every office to perform the work in effective, timely and organized manner. At some places we cannot imagine an office without a computer like Banks, Railway Station, Airports, and Departmental Stores. The work volume and need for storage of data for future use is very important in these cases. The only option is to rely on computers to solve all the required purposes. In brief, we can say Computers are a part of almost every business installations.

Problems Scenario

Computers are electronic machines and like all other machines, they are prone to creating problems. The cause f problem can be anything, may be excess utilization of resource, mishandling, power problems, virus attacks or any physical issues. To solve these problems, larger installations like software companies, BPO organizations, banks, and government offices usually have an IT troubleshooting cell, taking care of all the problems.

But, it's not possible for small businesses or home users to hire a fulltime IT troubleshooter for these problems. To solve their day-by-day problems, small businesses and home users contact nearest IT troubleshooting services providers. These troubleshooters do an excellent job of helping out home users, and small offices to help them work in easier and effective way without being worried of future problems in their computers and internet connection.

For more information, visit: http://www.btgeeks.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Omar_Mahmood

Thank God for Google! Google to Divest Performics and Save Newbie Copywriter's Career

On Day 3 of my new gig as an SEO copywriter I heard that Google had acquired major search engine optimization firm, Performics Search Marketing, as a part of its 2007 acquisition of Double Click. (Did I mention I was a 'newbie' at SEO copywriting?) That the dominant search engine would operate one of the leading SEO firms suddenly felt like "déja vu all over again," to quote the great sage, and erstwhile Yankees catcher, Yogi Berra. (Berra was either enlightened, thereby living up to his moniker, or a man who was very, very confused by things. In the end, is there much difference?)

When I practiced law on Bay Street (Canada's equivalent to Wall Street, or 'the City' in London), I witnessed the demise of Arthur Andersen, one of the so-called 'Big Four' accounting firms. Famously, or infamously, the accountants at Andersen whom Enron had hired to audit their books signed off on a number of then 'novel and innovated', but now 'discredited and illicit', accounting practices involving offshore trading accounts. The problem was that Arthur Andersen derived greater profits from its investment work with Enron than it did from the audit side. In helping Enron to issue securities and procure equity financing, the better that Enron did on its books, the more securities and equity financing Enron could access, and the better Andersen did as Enron's investment adviser.

Andersen played two roles at Enron and had a fundamental conflict of interest between them. The better Enron's books, the more profit there was to be made by Andersen working on Enron's investment side. So Andersen, as Enron's auditor, willingly or blindly signed off on Enron's sketchy offshore trading accounts. The accounts turned out to be nothing more than an elaborate financial shell-game. Essentially, Andersen helped or enabled Enron's executives to cook their books. The resultant fallout saw the demise not only of Enron, but also of Arthur Andersen itself. (At the time of its demise, Arthur Andersen was one of the world's oldest and most respected multinational accounting firms. The repercussion from the fall of an accounting giant was felt from Wall St. to Bay St. to Main St.)

So it was with great relief that on Day 4 of what is rapidly becoming 'SEO Grade School', my new boss told me that Google had, in fact, announced its intention to sell Performics. Sensibly, Google's management recognized not only their company's inherent conflict of interest, but also the growing concern in most sectors of the online marketing community about that conflict. Even to my rookie eyes, having a major search engine with an ability to drive online traffic to marketers who are clients of its own optimization company looks bad.

As a lawyer, I was familiar with what are known as "Chinese Walls". That's where a group of lawyers dealing with one client who has a conflicting interest with another of the firm's clients is identified and precluded from having any contact with the lawyers involved with the other, conflicted client. Those lawyers are said to be "conflicted out". Not infrequently an entire business law firm - and these are big firms - can be Chinese walled from a small group of its own lawyers that are conflicted out. (And, really, once you get to know them, what lawyers don't already seem to be deeply conflicted?)

Chinese walls do, however, work well in a legal setting. But you have to remember (a) that lawyers are highly regulated by outside professional bodies and regulatory agencies, and (b) they are professionals who are well-educated and trained to spot and avoid such ethical conflicts. (I know.... I know.... to some of you the idea of legal ethics may seem as much an oxymoron as the concept of jumbo shrimp, military intelligence or the cordless screwdriver - after all, aren't all screwdrivers cordless in the first place? But, in this instance legal ethics usually prevail and conflicts of interest are routinely avoided. This is only meant to demonstrate that Chinese walls can and do work in some settings. Legal ethics nearly always prevail when dealing with inherent conflicts of interest within a law firm. In my view, however, neither the search engine operators, the major SEO companies, nor their tech sector employees are sufficiently regulated or necessarily sufficiently trained, to ensure that voluntary compliance with such quarantine measures would be effective. Nor, need they be!

For a day, as I contemplated both this article and my new future as an SEO copywriter, things looked dim. If search engine rankings could be driven, even partially, by which parent search engine a customer's optimization firm is affiliated with, the results would be disastrous for all parties involved - particularly for the end user who relies on the net's global, national and local search capabilities to gain the best information or best deal that is available in the market place. Market's are, in theory, supposed to be free.

To the business that relies on online marketing, the entanglement between a search engine and a search engine-controlled SEO company, could leave an advertiser vulnerable to a pay-for-display shakedown scheme like the 'payola' scandals that rocked the radio and music world in the 1950s. Optimization companies, particularly local SEO companies for small business or mid-size business clients, would then be heavily handicapped by the preeminence Google, Yahoo and MSN enjoy in the search engine market.

Lastly, the possibility of such patent conflicts of interest could compromise search engine companies themselves, particularly the Big Three. Where consumers once voted with their feet, they now vote with their mice (mouses? meese?). Since the internet is nothing if not democratic, practices that could skew the market would inevitably lead users to utilize new providers or technologies that did not frustrate their attempts to gain access to the best and most relevant information with the least hassle. This is why the Big Three penalize 'black hat' SEO practices. They should not leave themselves vulnerable to even the optics of being perceived as capable of engaging in such practices themselves. The optics alone are bad for their business and the entire industry.

By announcing its intention to sell Performics, Google has clearly signaled that it is against its own interest to leave open even the possibility that it could be seen as having the capability of engaging in its own form of 'black hat' practices - even were Performics' employees and business operations to be strictly and effectively quarantined from Google's. Let's hope that, at least in this instance, Microsoft follows Google's suit by divesting Avenue A/Razorfish's SEO business which they acquired when they bought aQuantive.

See more information on SEO Copywriting for Newbies, or visit Wolf21 at fhttp://www.smallbusinessmarketingwolf.com for more information on optimizing your small or mid-size businesses' local search capabilities in either North America or the U.K.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Godden

One Laptop Per Child's XO or Intel's Classmate for American Children?

There are many comparisons being made between the OLPC and Intel's Classmate. I personally feel that the differences far outweigh the likeness of these two products. There is growing controversy as to which product should be chosen for particular groups and the increasing competitiveness. I believe that they are intended for distinctively different users.

One Laptop per Child is an non-profit organization that oversees the Children's Machine project and the construction of the XO-1 or $100 laptop initiated in 2005. This laptop has been created as a learning tool intended for the poorest children who live in the most remote areas. It is intended to help the user learn learning. The design is child friendly, rugged and durable. The interface encourages community, collaboration, and working and playing together. The system is set to be programmed by the child not vice versa! Although termed the $100 laptop the cost is actually approximately $130 to $140 and is described as being a floating price that chairperson Nicholas Negroponte hopes will decrease with each release. The focus of this project is education for underprivileged groups in remote locations such as Uruguay, Cambodia, Peru and Mexico using the laptop as a learning tool.

In a similar vein Intel's World Ahead Program was established in May 2006. Intel intended on building chips that function as a platform for manufacturer's to build their own low cost laptops. They developed their own version, The Classmate PC. This is a for profit item running roughly about 400 US Dollars. Intel's intended users for these low cost laptop personal computers are children in the developing world.

The Classmate provides technology that is Windows based. Therefore they are learning the currently dominant technology. This is very inflexible and also runs the risk of vendor lock in. In contrast, the XO uses free and open source software. This allows the user to modify their environment and learn through doing. XO uses mesh networking to extend the reach of the internet. The Classmate does not use neighboring laptops to extend the reach of the internet. The Classmate is much more expensive has a considerably smaller wifi range and uses 10 times the power needed for the XO. Many of the schools in these remote areas have outdoor classrooms and The Classmate was not made to be used outside.

Structure differences include:

Memory: Intel's Classmate PC has 256MB DDR2 SO-DIMM memory while OLPC laptop has 128MB of DRAM.

Flash Memory: Classmate PC has 1GB NAND flash memory while OLPC laptop has 500MB of Flash memory.

Operating system: Intel's Classmate PC uses Windows XP. On the other hand, OLPC laptop uses Linux.

A significant issue and the one I think with the largest effect on any intended American user is the Web. Apparently, XO's connection is finicky and weak. When attempting to access Flash and Java based sites it tends to sputter and stall due to its small memory capacity. This is the most important factor in Intel's favor.

In my opinion however, it does not isolate the XO from being a great choice in a lot of developing world groups. The educational structure of XO's system and its use of free and open source software is notable and it does have web capabilities although they are not optimal that can be extended through the connectivity of neighboring laptops. Also, the requirement of far less power needed to run, being able to run outdoors and a considerably lower cost are major factors that keep the XO the better choice of product for many of its intended market.

There are many comparisons being made between the OLPC and Intel's Classmate. I personally feel that the differences far outweigh the likeness of these two products. An analysis of the environment, educational status and goals of the intended user will bring about a logical choice between two very different products.

Educational Computer Software and Games

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allison_Merlino

Allison Merlino - EzineArticles Expert Author

How Do You Handle IT Problems When They Occur?

It's a fact of life that computers and software can fail now and again. As much as we would like them to be invincible they do occasionally crash or lose our valued data, and when this happens anyone would be forgiven for wondering why we rely on them so much in the first place.

But of course they do generally make life easier, and it's not so much the fact that they sometimes let us down that is the issue - it's how we handle that event that can really make a difference.

There are three points of importance to consider whenever a problem occurs:

• How quickly can that problem be solved?
• How much damage has been done?
• How much data can be salvaged?

It's obvious that IT problems come in all guises and can be both small and relatively insignificant or monstrously large, but handling them in the right way can have a huge impact on how much bigger that initial problem is allowed to get.

This is the first step to solving any kind of IT problem - making sure it's contained and isn't allowed to get any bigger than necessary. Having the right people in place to handle such problems in the fastest time possible is essential for any business, but that's not the only advice that should be followed.

A clear set of guidelines on what to do in the event of not being able to use all or part of the computer system needs to be in place to ensure that no time is lost in continuing to do business in whatever ways are possible. Obviously the nature of the business will have an impact on this; a web design company might well be brought to a standstill, whereas a company that conducts only part of its business using computers may still be able to get by in one way or another.

Whatever strategies are decided upon it's vital that everyone knows about them up front and is working towards the same common goal. In this way you will know that what can be done is being done, and can get on with the business of making sure the initial problem is resolved in the fastest time possible.

The key to handling all IT problems efficiently is to have a set of guidelines that have already been decided on, to provide you with a blueprint for continuing the business while the problems are being solved. If you have this to fall back on there is virtually no chance of you being caught out by not knowing how to proceed.

Jane Smith shares practical business IT solutions for medium to large sized organisations. To activate your business with the power of IT, please visit Service Desk Software.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_B_Smith

Introducing ADO.NET

As more the applications are becoming complex, more the data requirements. Most applications need database access. ADO.NET provides a tremendous amount of flexibility and power for building any kind of application requiring database access.

ADO.NET is evolved from ADO (ActiveX Data Objects). Earlier, ADO focused on the connection-oriented approach, i.e. the client has to connect to the data server and remain connected until the whole transaction was completed. This approach was not much successful because, there was wastage of resources as server is engaged till whole process is not completed. As if number of clients increases the performance degrades. To solve these problem Record sets were introduced in ADO. Record Sets act as local data store for every client. The data from server is copied into Record Sets and stored on client. In this way client get disconnected from the server, and works on local data. Finally the changes are stored on data server. This greatly reduced the server load but the problem with this approach was not fully solved. This approach requires COM and supports few data types defined in COM.

The above-mentioned problems faced by developers were solved by ADO.NET. It has provided both disconnected approach as well as connected approach. ADO .NET is based on XML, to provide disconnected access. It converts all the data into XML format and removed all the type restrictions.

ADO.NET has two major components, Datasets and DataProviders. DataProviders provide connection to database and executes commands on database. The Datasets are core component of the disconnected architecture in ADO.NET. It is in memory representation of in-memory representation of data, providing the data access independent of any data source.

Data Providers are components that have been explicitly designed for data manipulation and data access. The Data providers consist of

Connection object: It is used to connect to a data source. It contains information regarding server name, data source name, data provider name, user name and password.

Command object: It enables execute to database SQL commands.

DataReader Object: It enables to read data in fast and efficient manner from database. It is generally used to perform SELECT SQL statement.

DataAdapter: It bridges between the DataSet object and the data source. It loads DataSet with data taken from database and reconciles the changes made to the data in the DataSet, back to the data source. DataAdapter provides the disconnected approach.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Atul_Jindal

Oracle Snapshot Too Old Intricacies

If you think you can fix oracle error "ORA-01555: snapshot too old" just by increasing the rollback segments, think again as reading this article may potentially alter your opinion.

The article explains the inner details about this oracle error, indicates the possible course of action and provides details on how to fix or avoid this error. It also explains with an example scenario that the best solution for ORA-01555 error is tuning application logic rather than adding more rollback segments.

ORA-01555: snapshot too old: rollback segment number string with name "string" too small.

Cause: rollback records needed by a reader for consistent read are overwritten by other writers.

Action: If in Automatic Undo Management mode, increase undo_retention setting. Otherwise, use larger rollback segments Details: There are number of reasons for the ORA-01555 error. The most common reason is that the rollback segments are too small. Rollback segments are used by the Oracle for reconstructing the read-consistent snapshot of the data. In Oracle during the DML operations for any changes to the data records, a snapshot of the record before the changes were made is copied to a rollback segment.

After transaction completes, its data is not deleted from the rollback segment. It remains there to service the queries and transactions that began executing before it was committed. This may cause problems with long queries because these blocks may be overwritten by other transactions, even though the separate long-running query against those blocks has not completed. So ORA-01555 error may occur whenever a long-running query is executed at the same time as data manipulation transactions.

How to avoid/fix this error :

• Augment the size of all the roll back segments.
• Add more rollback segments.
• Augment the 'OPTIMAL' size of the roll back segments.
• Tune the application to "commit" more frequently such that smaller rollback space is used and this condition can be avoided.
• Follow the Oracle recommended 'proper' solution: schedule long-running queries at times when online transaction processing is at a minimum.

Example:

ORA-01555 Error Scenario: Sample application logic causing ORA-01555 error:

* Prepare a select

* fetchrowArray

* while the row is not null

* update the row

* if nrows mod commitsize then commit

* fetch the next row

* end while

* final commit

This application logic was implemented using Perl, DBD, DBI and oracle. It raised the error as shown below:

DBD::Oracle::st fetchrow_array failed: ORA-01555: snapshot too old: rollback segment number 15 with name "_SYSSMU15$" too small (DBD ERROR: OCIStmtFetch) [for Statement ..]"

Analysis and Resolution:

As you can see from the application logic, the rows selected by the outer select query are being modified by the update statement. ie both are acting on the same table . It can be resolved by setting UNDO_RETENTION appropriately large enough BUT it may not be the best solution.The better solution may be separating out select and updates in to different transactions. After rewriting the application logic by separating data selecti and update activities, the user didn't experience ORA-01555: snapshot too old error any longer.

Oracle Error Information: http://oracle-error.blogspot.com

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Why Dell Computers Are Kings Of The PC's

Dell computers will still come preloaded with trial versions of anti-virus software, Acrobat Reader and Google tools . They also inform about a new software uninstall utility in the U.S (pre-installed on Dimension and Inspiron systems) that allows customers to further control and choose what software is on their system. Dell Computers can now be accessed through eBuy through ýeCatalogý. This new process enables Requestors and/or Transactors to punch-out directly to Dellýs premier website, receive University discounted pricing, add items to a cart and return to eBuy seamlessly. Dell Computers is one of the great success stories of the microcomputer revolution. Starting with only $1000 in capital, Michael Dell built a computer manufacturer which is one of the most successful, and which changed the way that computer manufacturers provide products to consumers.

Dell computers are built for high performance, reliability, and ease of connectivity in Case's high performance "10/100/1000"Gigabit Ethernet environment. Ready for instant connectivity at Case, Dell's Case package will enable you to achieve your professional, academic, and personal goals.

Dell computers often have better components than the competitors and cost less. I definitely recommend either the XPS or Latitude line of laptops if you are going to make a purchase. Dell Computers has a wide selection of computers and computer accessories available. You can purchase desktop computers for your home or office at the click of a mouse. Dell computers are assembled in Austin, Texas, but from some 4,500 parts sourced from hundreds of suppliers scattered around the world, from Malaysia to Korea but clustered especially in Taiwan and China.

Dell computers are sold on line as well and it can be easily ordered. Dell laptops are known for their reliability. Dell Computers has a way to get around that with their online shopping options. No longer will you be subjected to pushy sales people trying to make a bigger commission.

Did you like the information. Click here for the best deals on dell computers

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_A_Baker

For Women Only - Your Computer Usage Could Cost You Your Job

Few would argue that, despite the advancements of feminism over the past three decades, women still face a double standard when it comes to their behavior. While men's borderline-inappropriate behavior is often laughed off as "boys will be boys," women face higher conduct standards - especially in the workplace. That's why it's crucial that, as women, our behavior on the job is beyond reproach.

Small Towns and Big States

For evidence of the double standard, we need look no farther than Arlington, Oregon, where Mayor Carmen Kontur-Gronquist was recalled in a 142-139 vote after the town's denizens discovered that the mayor's MySpace page featured photos of her in lingerie. Although Kontur-Gronquist is alleging election fraud and challenging the returns, and even though the mayoral position was unpaid, no one is arguing that her MySpace page did her in.

Contrast her situation with that of David Paterson, New York's new governor. After Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned amid allegations of engaging the services of a prostitute, Paterson was sworn in and admitted that he had engaged in extramarital affairs and that he had experimented with both cocaine and marijuana while he was in his twenties. It seems odd that the mayor of a small town in Oregon is being held to a higher standard than the governor of New York.

With Computers, Private Can Go Public

The moral (so to speak) of the story is that, as women, our behavior must be impeccable - both on and off the job. Yes, we can have private lives, but we unwittingly make those private lives public when we boot up a computer, use email, or go online.

To protect yourself in the workplace, the first rule of thumb is never to conduct personal business using your employer's equipment. You have no right to privacy, and your employer can have total access to your record of computer usage, your Internet history, and your email. Resist the temptation to shop online, check the news, or surf the Internet while you're at work. Don't forward that joke or motivational email to your colleagues. And don't email your friends or family members.

The second thing to keep in mind is that the niche of the Internet you've carved out for yourself using your home computer is also visible to your employer. Increasingly, potential employers use tools to screen job candidates' presence on the Internet. That hysterical YouTube video of you dancing with a lampshade on your head at your best friend's bridal shower may prevent you from landing the job of your dreams. Before making a bold rant on your blog or uploading a questionable picture to a social networking site, think about the impact it might have on your career.

Final Thoughts

There's no arguing that computers enrich our lives and provide us with options our mothers never dreamed of. As women, though, computers can also be our downfall at work. It may be acceptable for men to check out the Sports Illustrated website while they're at work (even the swimsuit edition!), but women are held to a higher standard... Just ask Carmen Kontur-Gronquist.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Women and Computers: Beware! or Majon's Computers directory

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson

Mac Vs. Windows - A Personal Choice

Like many of you I started using windows a long long time ago, my parents bought me an IBM Aptiva which was top of the line back then. It ran the "new" Windows 3.1.1 and it had a 440mb hard drive and 64mb RAM.

I remember thinking to myself "Wow, what a machine this is", and I wasn't just saying that because of the powerhouse that I thought I had in front of my eyes, but also the sheer size of this thing was something to almost be afraid of.....I have grown up with Windows operating systems my whole life switching from 3.1.1 to Windows 95,98,Me,Xp and finally Vista. I have to say that I like the look of Vista but it just does not quite fit my style of how I think a system should be built as far as how programs should work together instead of independently, the endless worry of viruses, spyware, malware, spam etc.

But a funny thing happened while I was watching TV about a year ago, I noticed these cool little commercials popping up between shows I was watching and I found myself wanting to see more of them. They talked about the differences that a PC user would experience as oppose to a Mac one. Yes, I am talking about the now famous PC Vs. Mac advertisements.

Every time I saw a new ad show up on TV I would stop whatever I was doing and like a little kid watch intently like if I was a 6 year old watching Saturday morning cartoons. This in turn got we wondering what these Apple computers where all about, so I started researching them on the internet, watching YouTube videos about the Tiger OS while at the same time slowly thinking to myself 'Why had nobody told me about these cool machines before'.

After a few weeks of learning about them I took the plunge as they say and bought one, a Macbook with 1.83 ghz Intel Core Duo, 512MB RAM and 60GB HDD. I was afraid that I would not pick up the Tiger operating system as fast as I did with Windows but actually it was a lot easier for me and I was up and editing photos with iPhoto, playing around with PhotoBooth, absolutely loving Expose and wondering how I ever worked without it.

Move forward to 2008, now I am running Leopard which is a great upgrade to Tiger in so many ways but I want to say that I still have my other computer which is a PC. I still find myself using for some things more importantly because that one I built from the ground up and it includes my dual monitor setup which I love.

I think the MacPro's starting at $2799 are out of my budget by a long shot so I am just going to wait until maybe a cheaper version of a Mac Pro comes out or maybe an upgraded version of an iMac is available which has support for dual monitors.

Until then I will continue to use both systems, they both have its pluses and minuses but in my opinion the Apple operating systems just seem more stable and secure.

For more Mac related articles, visit http://maxthemac.com

Feel free to distribute this article in any form as long as you include this resource box.

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Excuse Me Sir, Which Computer System Do You Recommend?

My experiences in trying to help someone else learn the way of the Apple has been a very difficult one at times, there seems to be a lot of hesitation in part because of old habits and culture at the workplace that create a barrier in trying new things.

More specifically, being a Windows user for most of my life I can understand the nervousness of somebody telling me how trying out a new operating system as stable as the MacOS would change my life for the better. Being accustomed to using PC's at work and coming home to surf the internet on a PC also can definitely create some serious habits as far as the users computer experience goes.

Many users cannot seem to see that there is more to computers than just the Windows environment and the Internet Explorer browser or the need to update their anti-virus programs on a daily basis by downloading their latest virus definitions list. Obviously this is not the users fault, this is how they have been taught and told that this is just how it is and will be.

Walking into many computer retail stores here in my city, I am always disappointed in the lack of choice there is for a computer user, it seems like 99% of computers sold are Windows-based although I can start to notice a bit of a shift in the curve towards alternative options here in Canada.

Choice is always a good thing for consumers, not only it gives you the opportunity to actually pick from a selection but it can drive down prices because of fierce competitions between brands and manufacturers.

Many terms like 'Safari' and 'Time Machine' are foreign to many computer users unfortunately, to me it always comes back to choice and how boring it would be if we saw the same type of car on the street with maybe a different color and slightly different shape but with the exact 'under the hood' and navigational controls components. This analogy to me makes perfect sense and I hope it does to all of you too because consumers need to be smart and educated that is more out there that what you see sometimes.

I think PC's are an important piece of the computer pie but a piece not the whole, I use a PC for certain things at home and I still enjoy using it from time to time because certain software I have to admit it just works better under the Windows environment but alternatives in other systems sometimes work just as good if not better then their PC counterparts.

Integration in the computer world to me is very important, and I see this being implemented in no other system better than in the MacOSX. The way applications communicate with each other, such as iCal and Mail or Aperture and iPhoto are good examples. Now that is being implemented into their hardware more and more with the releases of Time Capsule and Time Machine.

My iPod Touch is another example of how Apple seems to understand the fine balance of what the user wants and needs, it provides us with a great interface with new 'touch' technology that integrates itself almost flawlessly with iCal, Internet Browsing through Safari, checking different email accounts and much more.

The computer industry I believe is opening their eyes to the fact that many more computer users are starting to dig a little deeper and researching other options before they decide on where to spend their hard-earned dollars, a more educated and aware consumer is likely to only make computer companies and manufacturers take a hard look at perhaps changing their practices and taking a little bit of a risk with hope that in the end it will reap the rewards that will benefit us all.

For more Mac related articles, visit http://maxthemac.com

Feel free to distribute this article in any form as long as you include this resource box.

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Home Audio and Computer Setups!

As computers have gotten more powerful, they've become the standard tools for recording, editing, and mixing audio. More and more professional studios are using them because of their power and amateurs are using them because they're also relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

With advancements in home audio technology it is now possible to bring the sound of a crystal clear orchestra straight to your own living room. If you don't have the space for a full sized home theater, then a mini stereo is the route to go, don't be fooled by the size of these, all though they look like a bookshelf radio, some higher end models achieve similar results to a full sized home stereo setup.

As with graphics and video, when it comes to the computer you use, newer/bigger/faster is always best. Audio recording and software can be very stressful on processor and ram. Most experts recommend that you run your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) with a computer that's not used for anything else.

If you are considering using a laptop, there are some important factors to consider. Laptop hard drives are generally much slower than those in desktop machines, and consequently too slow to do a lot of serious audio work. You will need to look into getting an external Firewire hard drive specifically for music purposes.

The debate about whether Mac or PC is better for music production basically boils down to whether your machine will run the software that you choose.

There are a few basic pieces of equipment that you will need to have to produce audio on your computer. In addition to making sure your computer is well-suited to this type of work, you will also need an audio interface to get sound into your editing environment. A good microphone is very important if you will be recording vocals/voiceovers or live performances on instruments. If you have more than one piece of outboard gear or an array of microphones that you are using simultaneously, a desktop mixer is a wise investment. For listening to your work, you'll need a quality pair of headphones at least, and a good set of small studio monitor speakers if you can afford it. Your local musical gear shop can provide good advice on equipment that will perform well according to your budget.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dadrian_Bates

Protect Your PC

While it's a great tool, using the Internet carries a certain amount of risk. We read about virus and worms destroying information, we're annoyed by those pesky ads that keep popping up on our display, and we see TV shows about identity theft. It's easy to become worried. Heck, I'm guilty of scaring people, too; my first novel, PeaceMaker, is about an intelligent virus that shuts down the Internet.

While the risks are real, there are a number of steps to mitigate the problems. And you don't have to be a techie, either. This article contains common-sense suggestions that the average home computer user can employ.

Identity theft, a growing problem, usually results in the loss of social security numbers, bank or investment account information, or passwords. A typical scam is an email that states that there is a problem with your account and asks you to log into a fake website that looks just like the official one. You are asked to update your information, and the scammer captures all the data as you enter it. The common sense solution is to never click on an email into a sensitive account. Always go directly (or through your favorites list) to the real website.

As we all know, the Internet is riddled with viruses and worms. A virus is a program that attaches itself to another program, usually riding email from one computer to another. The virus is activated when the email is opened, and it may consume your computer resources, destroy important information, attach a copy of itself to every email you send, or carry on any number of unpleasant activities. A worm might be as dangerous as a virus, and it can spread all by itself.

The best defense is a comprehensive anti-virus software product provided by firms such as Norton or McAfee. These AV products check every email message entering or leaving your computer and search for every known virus or worm. When it finds software that matches the signature of a known virus or worm, it isolates the virus or worm and warns the user. The usual course of action is to erase the offending software.

Although you should keep your virus definitions up to date(automatic updates should be utilized), a brand new virus could sneak past the AV product and infect your computer. Although the AV product received the virus definition too late to prevent the infection, it might catch it later. The AV product checks every file as it's accessed, so there is a good chance it will detect the virus that infected your system. A weekly scan of your entire file system is a good idea, just to be extra careful.

Spyware is another pesky problem. Ever wonder where those annoying popup ads come from? It's adware, a form of spyware, which is tracking software installed on your computer with little or no notification, consent or control. Spyware monitors your activities and may display ads based upon the websites you've visited. Furthermore, it may keep track of all your activities and then report the results to some other party across the net.

Spyware is designed to be difficult to remove. Often, these programs are impossible to delete through the Windows Add/Remove function. Many AV products now incorporate anti-spyware functionality. In addition, it's not a bad idea to install a dedicated anti-spyware program to back up the AV software. Anti-spyware products may prevent spyware from installing, and they warn the user of installed spyware. As before, a weekly scan of your files is a good practice.

Microsoft's Internet Explorer is by far the most frequently used browser. As a result, most virus and spyware writers focus the bulk of their efforts on IE. As a result, third party browsers, such as Firefox, are not vulnerable to all the viruses that infect IE. If you are having a bad time with infections, consider moving to another browser.

Finally, set up a firewall on your computer. A firewall regulates the inbound and outbound connections between your PC and the Internet. It prevents unknown outside computers from connecting to your PC. Hackers and automated software are constantly searching for unprotected computers, but a firewall should prevent them from breaking in. Windows includes a firewall, as do many of the comprehensive AV products. Firewalls are not foolproof, but they add another line of defense. This article is not a comprehensive description of ways to protect your PC, but it's a good starting point. A good AV package, including anti-spyware and a firewall, properly used is a great tool. Combined with common sense, you will dramatically reduce the risk to your PC.

Dan Ronco is a writer of technology thrillers and near future science fiction. PeaceMaker, his first novel, was published in 2004 and his second, Unholy Domain, will be released March, 2008. Dan mixes visionary ideas with a touch of romance and humor. Learn more about Dan at http://www.danronco.com

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Definition of Information Technology

Information technology has been defined by the Information Technology Association of America, or the ITAA as being the study, design, development, implementation support and/or management of any computer based information systems. This relates particularly to software applications and computer hardware. Information technology deals with using electronic computers and software to convert, store, protect, process, retrieve with security or transmit any information. What began many years ago as a term that many had no awareness of to a term that has skyrocketed to include several aspects of computing and technology. IT is a wide based term and encompasses many areas. Professionals in information technology may perform a wide variety of tasks that range from installing computer applications to designing widely complex computer networks and information databases.

Everything from data management, networking, engineering computer hardware, software design, database design and management and administration of systems is included in the term of information technology. When covering the aspects of IT as a whole, the use of computers and information are typically associated.

The history of IT goes back several years. In order to perform the functions associated with the field of technology the modern field will use computers, servers, database management systems and cryptography.

It was not very long ago that the field of IT only consisted of a single computer operator who stored data on a magnetic tape and then placed it in storage. Times have changed drastically in the field of technology from its inception several years ago. The field today typically includes a Chief Information Officer and several individuals who work together to achieve their goals. Years ago there was simply a single operator who performed all the tasks related to this form of technology.

Today the job outlook for people interested in this field is very good. With data security and server specialists among the highest paid in the field, those with the needed skills and a keen interest in IT stand to earn a substantial annual income.

With the increasing concern for data storage and management, along with the security issues that most companies and corporations are facing, a career in IT is an excellent choice for those who possess mathematical and strategic planning skills.

Since 1961 the Information Technology Association of America has been working to enhance the interests of US technology and electronics industries. This association provides leadership training in areas relating to business development, public policy, market forecasting and standards of development to a large number of corporations. The ITAA provides a grassroots approach to global networking for companies, market and government from the smallest local level to a global audience.

It currently represents more than 16,000 information technological related companies throughout the world. Based in Washington, DC, the Information Technology Association of American is the only organization of its kind that helps to unite local, state, national and global businesses in the area of technology.

While technology today encompasses a wide range of individual focuses, it is becoming increasing clear that the IT field of the future will include many more topics and more demand than ever before. For those interested in becoming part of this rapidly growing field the time is now. Getting in on new developments could prove to be a very exciting and lucrative choice.

Steve Hill is a webmaster from Birmingham, he has interests in a number of websites including:

stuttering information
assistive technology

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Isn't Quality Assurance Supposed To Make Sure Quality Is There?

After working for several years in quality assurance based positions in different industries, I've seen my fair share of products that make it out the door that meet or exceed the customers expectations. Being the person in a position to make sure that product passes, I try my best to see that product fully functional and as bug / glitch free as possible. Recently though, I've seen many products and gadgets come out that just aren't up to the standards that they should be and it made me wonder exactly what the QA departments of these companies are doing with their time. It also makes me wonder why people are settling for less and less as the years go on.

Almost every piece of software that gets released to the public has bugs and flaws in it, but there are some companies who release software that has more bugs that should have been caught by the QA department before the software was released. One major software developer is known to have security flaws and instability in their operating systems. Now although this company has delivered a few decent operating systems throughout the years, their newest operating system has caused more headaches than are necessary. Many people complained that the operating system wasn't working properly due to drivers not being set up properly for hardware accessories prior to the operating systems release. Yet this isn't solely the problem of the operating system's developer, some of the third party companies that created the hardware didn't have the proper drivers set up either. The quality problem extends down to the game division's QA department, as shown by the high failure rate of their console, which is partially due to a rushed delivery of the console to beat their competitors to the market.

Yet they aren't the the only one, as was seen by another operating system that was compromised at CanSecWest this year, one which is supposed to be more secure and stable than their competitors. The OS lasted 2 minutes before it was compromised by a security flaw. 2 minutes, it takes more time to make a coffee at Starbucks than it did to break into the operating system. This company also faced a higher than expected failure rate with their first delivery of their portable MP3 player. Now these computers and laptops are still fairly clean of viruses and faults that other operating systems have, they still have their own problems.

This isn't limited to computer software either. Take a look at the auto industry, food industry, and any other industry where someone needs to inspect the quality of a product. Many times you will see that there is a recall due to a chemical found in food, or due to a faulty wiring system in a car, yet where were the people who were supposed to check these things out before the product went out the door? Why didn't the lead inspector acknowledge there was a problem instead of signing off on the final product and letting it go, only to find it back in the warehouse weeks or months later?

This brings up several questions. Why are quality assurance workers not catching these things early enough to fix them? Why has society just rolled over and accepted these less than fair quality products to keep being produced without complaint. What happened to "long lasting" and "high quality"?

One of the reasons quality could be bad is that certain QA jobs do not pay very well, so the employees of the company will only work hard enough to keep their jobs, but they won't work that extra to make sure the product is up to good enough standards. Even with certain incentives employees have no real reason to check everything because it won't mean a bonus or more pay for them, and there's nothing for them to look forward to. Of course this is all based on experience I've had and I could be wrong with some industries.

So the next time you go to buy something, make sure you ask as many questions you can about how reliable the company is, and what other customers have said about the product. Do research online with Consumer Reports and find the ratings of these products. Also understand that there are flaws and bugs that no one will catch until it's too late, or maybe never catch them at all. It's a small price to pay for the highly technology reliant lives we live today.

Doug Mirro writes for http://easytechtalk.com, a technology blog aimed at simplifying technology for everyone to understand, as well as providing a place for discussion about technology related topics.

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Dial For IT Support Service

Chances are that if you have any sort of electronic equipment in your home such as a computer, a television, digital video recorder, camcorder, or just about anything else you have been frustrated or at a loss as to how to fix something or make it run properly. Did you get irritated and even angry with the unit?

We have all been there but too many of us forget that there is almost help available to us and it's just a phone call away! Really! Remember when you bought your item how you took papers out and there were numbers to call if you needed help? Well, these numbers will put you in touch with IT support or a help desk.

Calling The Support Service

If you are having trouble with something that you have purchased you should get the owner's manual and see if there is a trouble shooting section. Sometimes the difficulty that you are experiencing is something that is experienced by many and they have already covered the topic in the manual. If the topic is not covered it is time to pick up the phone and ask for assistance.

When you dial you should be aware that you could be calling anywhere in the world! Many times people complain that there is a language barrier between them and the people at the other end of the line.

If this is a problem for you, don't hesitate to ask if there is someone that you can talk to that you will understand and will understand you. This is their job after all and if you don't ask you may not be any better off after than you were when you called!

Chances are that the number that you call will be the same number for a wide variety of products so you will need to know what the model number is or have some sort of identifying numbers or letters to explain it.

You may first talk to an operator who will ask you these simple questions and then you may be transferred to a specific department for assistance. When you are transferred you will need to give the model number again and then let them know what the problem is.

Most likely, when you call in and tell them the problem that you are having, they will acknowledge that other people have had the same problem. When it comes to these products many people have issues with the same things, which is good for you because they will probably know how to solve the problem in no time at all! In fact, you may feel silly for how simple the solution was but you needn't feel this way because that is what the service is for, to assist you with problems big and small.

With the high tech world that we live in many of us need help from time to time to make things work the way we want them to. The best way to get the knowledge that you need is to go straight to the source, and when you call in and get help this is the source and you will generally find their support phenomenal!

It's important to have a good IT support. We excel in help desk outsourcing and will also provide you with SPOC.

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