Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Father's Day iPods
The Apple Store has a special going on for father's day. You can get dad a personally engraved iPod. Father's day is June 18, so there's plenty of time to order one. Check it out here:
Disk Defragmentation: All You Needed To Know
By: Andrew James
Much like an automobile, a computer needs a little bit of
maintenance every so often to keep it running smoothly. One of
the most overlooked of these tasks is defragmenting the hard
drive. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding
defragmentation.
What Is File Fragmentation? Think of your computer's hard disk
drive as a large warehouse for your data. Every bin in the
warehouse represents a file, and the boxes filling the bin
represent the bytes of data that make up the file.
In order to ensure fast access to your bins, you want to keep
the bins at the front of the warehouse full, so they can be
pulled from as quickly as possible. Let's say, however, that
when you get a new shipment of product, you completely fill up
the bin, have more boxes of product to store, and the bins next
to it are full as well. In most warehouses, the extra product is
moved to the back of the warehouse and a note left in the
original bin as to where the overstock is stored.
Your computer works in much the same way. Space is allocated on
the hard drive to keep each file. To keep your computer running
smoothly, files are often stored right next to each other in the
first available space. However, if you go back and add a few
pages to that story you were writing, the computer doesn't see
any space on the hard drive to store the new data. Therefore, it
moves the new data into the next available spot on the hard
drive and leaves itself a "note" of sorts as to where the rest
of your file is. This splitting of the file into separate pieces
is known as "file fragmentation".
Why Do I Need to Defragment My Hard Drive? As more and more
files get more and more fragmented, it takes the computer longer
to access these files, whether you're opening, editing, or even
deleting them. If we revisit our warehouse analogy, when someone
purchases the entire stock of a product, the warehouse employees
may have to visit 3-4 different bins to fill the order. This
same exact thing is happening on your hard drive.
What Does Defragmenting My Hard Drive Do? The disk
defragmentation process takes all the pieces of a file and puts
them back together in one single spot on the hard drive.
Additionally, your file is moved toward the front of the drive
so that it can be accessed faster.
How Often Do I Need to Defragment My Hard Drive? This is going
to depend on how you use your computer. If you access a lot of
large files on a frequent basis, chances are your files will
fragment more quickly than someone who only checks his e-mail a
few times a week. Generally speaking, the average home user
should defragment his or her hard drive 4-6 times per year
(which is every 2-3 months).
How Do I Defragment My Hard Drive? Your operating system should
have a built-in utility for performing this task. Check your
manual, help files, or favorite search engine for the full
procedure. Although the process can take a long time, depending
on the size of your files and how many files are fragmented,
starting the process is usually straightforward.
If it's been a while since you last defragmented your hard
drive, you should notice your computer running much faster and
more stably than it was before.
About the author:
Mr James started My Business Tips
Online in 2006 to provide business advice, etc and write
articles about his industry-full article here
Much like an automobile, a computer needs a little bit of
maintenance every so often to keep it running smoothly. One of
the most overlooked of these tasks is defragmenting the hard
drive. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding
defragmentation.
What Is File Fragmentation? Think of your computer's hard disk
drive as a large warehouse for your data. Every bin in the
warehouse represents a file, and the boxes filling the bin
represent the bytes of data that make up the file.
In order to ensure fast access to your bins, you want to keep
the bins at the front of the warehouse full, so they can be
pulled from as quickly as possible. Let's say, however, that
when you get a new shipment of product, you completely fill up
the bin, have more boxes of product to store, and the bins next
to it are full as well. In most warehouses, the extra product is
moved to the back of the warehouse and a note left in the
original bin as to where the overstock is stored.
Your computer works in much the same way. Space is allocated on
the hard drive to keep each file. To keep your computer running
smoothly, files are often stored right next to each other in the
first available space. However, if you go back and add a few
pages to that story you were writing, the computer doesn't see
any space on the hard drive to store the new data. Therefore, it
moves the new data into the next available spot on the hard
drive and leaves itself a "note" of sorts as to where the rest
of your file is. This splitting of the file into separate pieces
is known as "file fragmentation".
Why Do I Need to Defragment My Hard Drive? As more and more
files get more and more fragmented, it takes the computer longer
to access these files, whether you're opening, editing, or even
deleting them. If we revisit our warehouse analogy, when someone
purchases the entire stock of a product, the warehouse employees
may have to visit 3-4 different bins to fill the order. This
same exact thing is happening on your hard drive.
What Does Defragmenting My Hard Drive Do? The disk
defragmentation process takes all the pieces of a file and puts
them back together in one single spot on the hard drive.
Additionally, your file is moved toward the front of the drive
so that it can be accessed faster.
How Often Do I Need to Defragment My Hard Drive? This is going
to depend on how you use your computer. If you access a lot of
large files on a frequent basis, chances are your files will
fragment more quickly than someone who only checks his e-mail a
few times a week. Generally speaking, the average home user
should defragment his or her hard drive 4-6 times per year
(which is every 2-3 months).
How Do I Defragment My Hard Drive? Your operating system should
have a built-in utility for performing this task. Check your
manual, help files, or favorite search engine for the full
procedure. Although the process can take a long time, depending
on the size of your files and how many files are fragmented,
starting the process is usually straightforward.
If it's been a while since you last defragmented your hard
drive, you should notice your computer running much faster and
more stably than it was before.
About the author:
Mr James started My Business Tips
Online in 2006 to provide business advice, etc and write
articles about his industry-full article here
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Adware Removal Tools: Why You Need Them
By: Guy Ray
Do you need an adware removal tool? If you computer has been
running slow, you're seeing new toolbars in your browser, your
home page has changed, your internet favorites list has new
unwanted entries or strange software loads when you start up
your computer then your computer has probably been infected by
adware. Now that you know you have an adware problem you should
know what adware is.
Adware are programs that have the ability to track your internet
browsing habits and even steal personal information like your
bank account numbers and passwords. Adware programs are
perfectly legal because most of these companies get your
approval beforehand without you even knowing it. They hide
licensing agreements in files that you would normally download
like file sharing programs. Even though your infected adware can
be gotten rid of by using a adware removal tool.
Primary Response Safe Connect is one of these adware removal
tools. This adware removal tool provides instant detection and
removal of adware without scanning. It also constantly updates
to cover new threats automatically. Along with complete removal
of all adware programs it eliminates all traces of the malicious
programs and prevents reinstallation. This adware removal tool
is very easy to use and will only cost you about $25. Acronis
Privacy Expert Suite is another adware removal tool. This adware
removal tool provides you with real time protection against
adware programs. It not only provides protection against adware
programs but also spyware parasites, rootkits, keyloggers,
hidden dialers, browser jackers and other malicious programs.
There is a trail download available but it will only tell you if
you have any malicious programs on your computer, it won't get
rid of any of them. To use this adware removal tool to get rid
of these programs you will have to buy it for $30.
Super Anti Spyware Professional is another type of adware
removal tool. This adware removal tool will basically do
everything the others do and the cost is the same as the Acronis
Privacy Expert Suite. It detects and removes malicious programs
from your computer and protects against any further
infestations. One new feature of this adware removal tool is
that it scours the internet for new threats and provides you
daily definition updates on these viruses. Two other adware
removal tools made by Lava Soft are Adware SE Professional and
Adware Enterprise Edition. These are both very competent adware
removal tools designed for businesses. They are designed to
block aggressive adware programs and prevent reinstallation.
Being designed for businesses both of these adware removal tools
are available in several different languages and can be
purchased over the internet or on a hard drive. These two adware
removal tools are going to cost you about $40 apiece with an
extra ten bucks for a backup copy. Adware removal tools remove
malicious adware programs from your computer. By removing these
programs your computer can run more efficiently and you won't
have to worry about being cyber stalked.
About the author:
Guy Ray is a published web author on various subjects as well as
a certified copywriter and webmaster. To learn more about
protecting your computer from stealthy adware visit his site
atadware removal
Do you need an adware removal tool? If you computer has been
running slow, you're seeing new toolbars in your browser, your
home page has changed, your internet favorites list has new
unwanted entries or strange software loads when you start up
your computer then your computer has probably been infected by
adware. Now that you know you have an adware problem you should
know what adware is.
Adware are programs that have the ability to track your internet
browsing habits and even steal personal information like your
bank account numbers and passwords. Adware programs are
perfectly legal because most of these companies get your
approval beforehand without you even knowing it. They hide
licensing agreements in files that you would normally download
like file sharing programs. Even though your infected adware can
be gotten rid of by using a adware removal tool.
Primary Response Safe Connect is one of these adware removal
tools. This adware removal tool provides instant detection and
removal of adware without scanning. It also constantly updates
to cover new threats automatically. Along with complete removal
of all adware programs it eliminates all traces of the malicious
programs and prevents reinstallation. This adware removal tool
is very easy to use and will only cost you about $25. Acronis
Privacy Expert Suite is another adware removal tool. This adware
removal tool provides you with real time protection against
adware programs. It not only provides protection against adware
programs but also spyware parasites, rootkits, keyloggers,
hidden dialers, browser jackers and other malicious programs.
There is a trail download available but it will only tell you if
you have any malicious programs on your computer, it won't get
rid of any of them. To use this adware removal tool to get rid
of these programs you will have to buy it for $30.
Super Anti Spyware Professional is another type of adware
removal tool. This adware removal tool will basically do
everything the others do and the cost is the same as the Acronis
Privacy Expert Suite. It detects and removes malicious programs
from your computer and protects against any further
infestations. One new feature of this adware removal tool is
that it scours the internet for new threats and provides you
daily definition updates on these viruses. Two other adware
removal tools made by Lava Soft are Adware SE Professional and
Adware Enterprise Edition. These are both very competent adware
removal tools designed for businesses. They are designed to
block aggressive adware programs and prevent reinstallation.
Being designed for businesses both of these adware removal tools
are available in several different languages and can be
purchased over the internet or on a hard drive. These two adware
removal tools are going to cost you about $40 apiece with an
extra ten bucks for a backup copy. Adware removal tools remove
malicious adware programs from your computer. By removing these
programs your computer can run more efficiently and you won't
have to worry about being cyber stalked.
About the author:
Guy Ray is a published web author on various subjects as well as
a certified copywriter and webmaster. To learn more about
protecting your computer from stealthy adware visit his site
atadware removal
Friday, May 26, 2006
Benefits of Wireless Routers
By: Michael Sterios
Broadband is now streamed into more homes and business around
the world than ever before. Much like television before it,
broadband has provided a medium for content providers to supply
customers en masse. Unlike television, however, broadband is
delivering a more on-demand selection of content allowing its
users more freedom to choose what they want to watch, read, and
listen to, whenever they want.
As download speeds continue to increase a greater number of
broadband users are downloading heavy content items such as
entire films. This is because the time it takes to complete such
tasks are shortened. It is also the case that several computers
sharing the same broadband connection may accessing the Internet
simultaneously, therefore creating a situation in which these
machine must be connected to the point at which broadband enters
the premises.
In the past this was achieved by using cables and wires. More
recently, wireless routers have become popular amongst broadband
enthusiasts as they allow for the connection of multiple devices
to the same broadband connection, as well as the ability to
connect peripherals such as printers and cameras together,
without the need for unsightly cables running between each
device.
Apart from the obvious advantage of improving the look of your
home or office by not having cables running between devices,
wireless routers have other useful features as well. As the
router is a stand-alone device, it does not require a computer
to be switched on for it to operate. Therefore machines that are
not being used may be turned off while the broadband connection
remains active for other devices to use.
Wireless
Routers also provide an extra layer of security against
malicious programs such as viruses which can infect your
computers via the Internet connection. Routers have built-in
security features such as firewalls and the ability to protect
your wireless network by making it accessible through a
password. It is always recommended that this feature is enabled
in order to avoid unwelcome users hijacking your broadband
connection if they are in range of the router's output.
The router should also provide the ability to connect itself to
other devices with wires. Routers usually come with several
sockets for Ethernet cables which can be connected to your
devices' wireless network cards, should the need arise.
Broadband is often touted as an always-on service, and while
this may be true from the providers' point of view, it is not
usually the case if you connect from your computer via an
Ethernet cable and a modem. This is because the computer will
often be switched off when not in use, and therefore the
connection to the Internet is not active.
As mentioned before, a wireless router does not require an
active PC to function and therefore helps to provide a true
always-on broadband connection from the customers' perspective.
While ADSL modems require dialling up each time the computer
connected to it is turned on, a wireless router can remain
switched on and connected to the Internet 24 hours a day.
About the author:
Broadband-is-cheap contains information and deals on Wireless
Routers in the UK.
Broadband is now streamed into more homes and business around
the world than ever before. Much like television before it,
broadband has provided a medium for content providers to supply
customers en masse. Unlike television, however, broadband is
delivering a more on-demand selection of content allowing its
users more freedom to choose what they want to watch, read, and
listen to, whenever they want.
As download speeds continue to increase a greater number of
broadband users are downloading heavy content items such as
entire films. This is because the time it takes to complete such
tasks are shortened. It is also the case that several computers
sharing the same broadband connection may accessing the Internet
simultaneously, therefore creating a situation in which these
machine must be connected to the point at which broadband enters
the premises.
In the past this was achieved by using cables and wires. More
recently, wireless routers have become popular amongst broadband
enthusiasts as they allow for the connection of multiple devices
to the same broadband connection, as well as the ability to
connect peripherals such as printers and cameras together,
without the need for unsightly cables running between each
device.
Apart from the obvious advantage of improving the look of your
home or office by not having cables running between devices,
wireless routers have other useful features as well. As the
router is a stand-alone device, it does not require a computer
to be switched on for it to operate. Therefore machines that are
not being used may be turned off while the broadband connection
remains active for other devices to use.
Wireless
Routers also provide an extra layer of security against
malicious programs such as viruses which can infect your
computers via the Internet connection. Routers have built-in
security features such as firewalls and the ability to protect
your wireless network by making it accessible through a
password. It is always recommended that this feature is enabled
in order to avoid unwelcome users hijacking your broadband
connection if they are in range of the router's output.
The router should also provide the ability to connect itself to
other devices with wires. Routers usually come with several
sockets for Ethernet cables which can be connected to your
devices' wireless network cards, should the need arise.
Broadband is often touted as an always-on service, and while
this may be true from the providers' point of view, it is not
usually the case if you connect from your computer via an
Ethernet cable and a modem. This is because the computer will
often be switched off when not in use, and therefore the
connection to the Internet is not active.
As mentioned before, a wireless router does not require an
active PC to function and therefore helps to provide a true
always-on broadband connection from the customers' perspective.
While ADSL modems require dialling up each time the computer
connected to it is turned on, a wireless router can remain
switched on and connected to the Internet 24 hours a day.
About the author:
Broadband-is-cheap contains information and deals on Wireless
Routers in the UK.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Dual Core Laptops: This Isn't Your Last Year's Laptop!
By: Titus Hoskins
The laptop world is seeing double. The next evolution in laptops
is dual-core technology. Dual-core processors are quickly
raising the laptop experience to the next level and laptop users
are benefiting from the extra boost in performance.
Dual-core means exactly what you think it means, you have two
processors or CPUs in your laptop instead of one. Theoretically
this should mean twice the performance level for all those
multi-tasking chores we call upon our laptops to do. However,
you must have ways or technology (the platform) to utilize and
handle all this extra power. There is some catching up to do but
to keep things simple, Hyper-Threading, PCI-Express and SLI are
all ways of harnessing or using this extra power.
With the recent introduction of the new Centrino Duo Mobile
Technology, Intel has entered the multi-core arena. All this
extra dual power and Hyper-Threading will finally put some punch
into laptops and especially gaming laptops. Now almost on par
with desktop PCs, laptops and notebooks can finally hold their
heads high when it comes to performance. This isn't your last
year's laptop!
How quickly things change, Intel expects the Core Duo chip will
be in 230 different laptop designs in the first months of 2006.
Intel also claims this Duo chip will deliver 68% more
performance over the current Sonoma processor (many
manufacturers say this will be around 30%) and reduce battery
consumption by another 28% (Giving 5 hours for a standard
battery and 10 hours for an extended cell battery).
Still, dual-core processors coupled with Hyper-Threading
technology, will and does greatly improve the multi-tasking
functions of your next laptop. The only minor hurdle, many of
today's current video games can't use all these multi-
applications features. But as more games come on stream which
can take full advantage of all this new technology, expect your
gaming enjoyment to increase. As with any new technology there
will probably be a lag time before all the multi-applications
can be applied to the majority of new games hitting the market.
Some major laptop makers now sporting the Intel Core Duo include
Dell with its new "entertainment" Dell Inspiron e1705 line of
high end laptops. HP with its Pavilion dv1000 line of laptops,
which comes with a remote and you can play CDs and DVDs without
booting up.
Nor is Intel the only player in town with a lot of chips on the
gaming table. Intel's main rival AMD has introduced dual-core
into its mobile Turion 64 X2 processors. Also keep in mind, in
recent head-to-head CNET Labs testing, AMD's Athlon 64 X2 chip
performed better than Intel's desktop Dual-Core chip.
http://www.cnet.com/4520-6022_1-6410042.html
You're probably wondering, how will all this new laptop
technology be applied? And what does it mean for the average
laptop owner? What does it mean for gaming laptops?
Well, lets examine one sample notebook to see what all this next
generation technology will do for laptops. Take for example, the
Xtreme SL, a new gaming laptop designed by Rockdirect.
Rockdirect, formerly known as Rock computers, is a leading UK
laptop manufacturer who introduced some of the world's first
dual core laptops last summer (2005).
Rockdirect's latest gaming offering, the Xtreme SL has specs or
features which are rather awe-inspiring, even for the non-gamer.
It comes with an AMD Turion 64 ML-44 2.4GHz processor, sporting
1MB L2 Cache and 2 Gigs of DDR 400MHz RAM. More importantly, it
has twin NVIDIA GeForce Go 7800 GTX 256MB graphics cards with
PCI-Express and SLI (Scalable Link Interface).
SLI lets you have two graphics cards on your laptop, working in
tangent to increase or double your graphics performance and
visual quality. Throw in a 19 inch WSXGA+ X-Glass TFT Screen and
you have a perfect example of where gaming laptops are headed
with all this new technology.
For those involved in gaming, this means the ultimate gaming
experience can be best captured on a laptop with Dual-core
processors and dual graphics cards using all the latest SLI or
Hyper-Threading technology. And it is just not for gamers. The
new mobile multi-core chips are turning heads for ordinary
laptop users who want the best performance possible in their
sleek shinny new laptops or notebooks.
Besides, why should gamers have all the fun, these new
technologies will greatly benefit all laptop users. It means a
sleeker, faster, and more powerful laptop for everyone. It also
means longer lasting battery life for your laptop, a much needed
improvement. For the demanding laptop user working in
multi-media authoring, multi-tasking with video editing, spread
sheets, large graphics... these dual core laptops offers a very
capable alternative to the bulky and oh-so stationary desktop PC.
This new multi-core technology offers ultimate performance in a
sleek, quiet package that buyers will find hard to resist. It
will draw even more potential customers into the laptop market,
looking for the ultimate in style, portability, and performance.
Dual-core laptops may just deliver the goods.
This surely is not your last year's laptop.
About the author:
The author has an unhealthy interest in all things laptop!
Including Dual Core laptops. Gami
ng Laptops He also owns a modest website on Marketing Tools
for eMarketers. Marketing
Tools Copyright © 2006 Titus Hoskins. This article may be
freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
The laptop world is seeing double. The next evolution in laptops
is dual-core technology. Dual-core processors are quickly
raising the laptop experience to the next level and laptop users
are benefiting from the extra boost in performance.
Dual-core means exactly what you think it means, you have two
processors or CPUs in your laptop instead of one. Theoretically
this should mean twice the performance level for all those
multi-tasking chores we call upon our laptops to do. However,
you must have ways or technology (the platform) to utilize and
handle all this extra power. There is some catching up to do but
to keep things simple, Hyper-Threading, PCI-Express and SLI are
all ways of harnessing or using this extra power.
With the recent introduction of the new Centrino Duo Mobile
Technology, Intel has entered the multi-core arena. All this
extra dual power and Hyper-Threading will finally put some punch
into laptops and especially gaming laptops. Now almost on par
with desktop PCs, laptops and notebooks can finally hold their
heads high when it comes to performance. This isn't your last
year's laptop!
How quickly things change, Intel expects the Core Duo chip will
be in 230 different laptop designs in the first months of 2006.
Intel also claims this Duo chip will deliver 68% more
performance over the current Sonoma processor (many
manufacturers say this will be around 30%) and reduce battery
consumption by another 28% (Giving 5 hours for a standard
battery and 10 hours for an extended cell battery).
Still, dual-core processors coupled with Hyper-Threading
technology, will and does greatly improve the multi-tasking
functions of your next laptop. The only minor hurdle, many of
today's current video games can't use all these multi-
applications features. But as more games come on stream which
can take full advantage of all this new technology, expect your
gaming enjoyment to increase. As with any new technology there
will probably be a lag time before all the multi-applications
can be applied to the majority of new games hitting the market.
Some major laptop makers now sporting the Intel Core Duo include
Dell with its new "entertainment" Dell Inspiron e1705 line of
high end laptops. HP with its Pavilion dv1000 line of laptops,
which comes with a remote and you can play CDs and DVDs without
booting up.
Nor is Intel the only player in town with a lot of chips on the
gaming table. Intel's main rival AMD has introduced dual-core
into its mobile Turion 64 X2 processors. Also keep in mind, in
recent head-to-head CNET Labs testing, AMD's Athlon 64 X2 chip
performed better than Intel's desktop Dual-Core chip.
http://www.cnet.com/4520-6022_1-6410042.html
You're probably wondering, how will all this new laptop
technology be applied? And what does it mean for the average
laptop owner? What does it mean for gaming laptops?
Well, lets examine one sample notebook to see what all this next
generation technology will do for laptops. Take for example, the
Xtreme SL, a new gaming laptop designed by Rockdirect.
Rockdirect, formerly known as Rock computers, is a leading UK
laptop manufacturer who introduced some of the world's first
dual core laptops last summer (2005).
Rockdirect's latest gaming offering, the Xtreme SL has specs or
features which are rather awe-inspiring, even for the non-gamer.
It comes with an AMD Turion 64 ML-44 2.4GHz processor, sporting
1MB L2 Cache and 2 Gigs of DDR 400MHz RAM. More importantly, it
has twin NVIDIA GeForce Go 7800 GTX 256MB graphics cards with
PCI-Express and SLI (Scalable Link Interface).
SLI lets you have two graphics cards on your laptop, working in
tangent to increase or double your graphics performance and
visual quality. Throw in a 19 inch WSXGA+ X-Glass TFT Screen and
you have a perfect example of where gaming laptops are headed
with all this new technology.
For those involved in gaming, this means the ultimate gaming
experience can be best captured on a laptop with Dual-core
processors and dual graphics cards using all the latest SLI or
Hyper-Threading technology. And it is just not for gamers. The
new mobile multi-core chips are turning heads for ordinary
laptop users who want the best performance possible in their
sleek shinny new laptops or notebooks.
Besides, why should gamers have all the fun, these new
technologies will greatly benefit all laptop users. It means a
sleeker, faster, and more powerful laptop for everyone. It also
means longer lasting battery life for your laptop, a much needed
improvement. For the demanding laptop user working in
multi-media authoring, multi-tasking with video editing, spread
sheets, large graphics... these dual core laptops offers a very
capable alternative to the bulky and oh-so stationary desktop PC.
This new multi-core technology offers ultimate performance in a
sleek, quiet package that buyers will find hard to resist. It
will draw even more potential customers into the laptop market,
looking for the ultimate in style, portability, and performance.
Dual-core laptops may just deliver the goods.
This surely is not your last year's laptop.
About the author:
The author has an unhealthy interest in all things laptop!
Including Dual Core laptops. Gami
ng Laptops He also owns a modest website on Marketing Tools
for eMarketers. Marketing
Tools Copyright © 2006 Titus Hoskins. This article may be
freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Monday, May 15, 2006
The Skinny On LCD Monitors
By: A. Pruder
There are advances being made in science and technology
everyday, and a good example of this is the LCD monitor. LCD
monitors have several benefits over the old chunky computer
monitors that most users are familiar with. Old computer
monitors, take up quite a bit of desktop space, put out a ton of
heat, drain a ton of energy, and most often have low picture
quality and resolution. Modern advances with the LCD computer
monitors have changed a lot of that. The screen itself is flat,
and very thin, needing very little desktop space, therefore
giving you more room while working at your PC. A big advantage
in my opinion is that LCD monitors don't put off all the heat
that the old monitors do. Those old monitors could quickly heat
up a room, especially if you have more than one in the same
space. LCD monitors require very little energy, making your
wallet a little fatter by avoiding high energy bills. LCD
monitors also reduce the glare, making them a better choice for
gamers, and anyone who spends a lot of time in front of their
computer.
A big problem with the old monitors, other than the obvious, is
that if you forget to use a screensaver, images left on the
screen will actually burn into the screen, which can affect
picture quality, not to mention the fact that screensavers are
just flat out annoying.
LCD monitors also tend to be less expensive on repair costs as
well. They have less parts inside them to break, therefore
saving you money in the event of a problem. Many people who have
CRT monitors will just opt to buy a new monitor when something
goes wrong, because it is often cheaper than trying to repair
the problem, again saving you money.
As with any major purchase, it is important to do some research
and shop around before making a final selection. Many people are
often thrown off by the price of LCD monitors, but they are a
good investment in the long haul of things. The good thing is
that LCD monitors are quickly gaining popularity, so dealers
have to work harder to keep their prices competitive, which puts
the consumer at an advantage. Before going shopping, you should
decide what type/brand of LCD monitor you need, and know the
average cost of that particular monitor, so that you can get the
best overall deal. You should also have in mind what size
monitor will best suit your needs, which will narrow down your
search once you are actually at the store to make your purchase.
Purchasing any kind of new technological gadgetry can be a
daunting task, but if you arm yourself first with good research
and planning, purchasing an LCD monitor should be an easy
decision. If you spend as much time in front a computer screen
as most people do, an average of 3 hours a day or more, you will
be thankful that you made the decision to purchase an LCD
monitor.
About the author:
For more information about lcd monitor,
click the link to visit our website at
www.top-lcd-monitor-guide.info . We have some great free
articles and resources about lcd monitor.
There are advances being made in science and technology
everyday, and a good example of this is the LCD monitor. LCD
monitors have several benefits over the old chunky computer
monitors that most users are familiar with. Old computer
monitors, take up quite a bit of desktop space, put out a ton of
heat, drain a ton of energy, and most often have low picture
quality and resolution. Modern advances with the LCD computer
monitors have changed a lot of that. The screen itself is flat,
and very thin, needing very little desktop space, therefore
giving you more room while working at your PC. A big advantage
in my opinion is that LCD monitors don't put off all the heat
that the old monitors do. Those old monitors could quickly heat
up a room, especially if you have more than one in the same
space. LCD monitors require very little energy, making your
wallet a little fatter by avoiding high energy bills. LCD
monitors also reduce the glare, making them a better choice for
gamers, and anyone who spends a lot of time in front of their
computer.
A big problem with the old monitors, other than the obvious, is
that if you forget to use a screensaver, images left on the
screen will actually burn into the screen, which can affect
picture quality, not to mention the fact that screensavers are
just flat out annoying.
LCD monitors also tend to be less expensive on repair costs as
well. They have less parts inside them to break, therefore
saving you money in the event of a problem. Many people who have
CRT monitors will just opt to buy a new monitor when something
goes wrong, because it is often cheaper than trying to repair
the problem, again saving you money.
As with any major purchase, it is important to do some research
and shop around before making a final selection. Many people are
often thrown off by the price of LCD monitors, but they are a
good investment in the long haul of things. The good thing is
that LCD monitors are quickly gaining popularity, so dealers
have to work harder to keep their prices competitive, which puts
the consumer at an advantage. Before going shopping, you should
decide what type/brand of LCD monitor you need, and know the
average cost of that particular monitor, so that you can get the
best overall deal. You should also have in mind what size
monitor will best suit your needs, which will narrow down your
search once you are actually at the store to make your purchase.
Purchasing any kind of new technological gadgetry can be a
daunting task, but if you arm yourself first with good research
and planning, purchasing an LCD monitor should be an easy
decision. If you spend as much time in front a computer screen
as most people do, an average of 3 hours a day or more, you will
be thankful that you made the decision to purchase an LCD
monitor.
About the author:
For more information about lcd monitor,
click the link to visit our website at
www.top-lcd-monitor-guide.info . We have some great free
articles and resources about lcd monitor.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Data Recovery Procedures For Hard Drives
By: Stu Pearson
Your computer's data is at risk. Whether you use a Mac or a PC,
viruses, power surges, hackers, human error, natural disasters,
hardware failures, and more are real everyday threats. To keep
your data safe and sound, you will first need to back up your
files on a regular basis. Secondly, when hard drive failure does
occur, data recovery is the only solution.
Of course it is ideal to back up data and avoid the complicated
process that is data recovery altogether, but even when you take
the necessary steps to prepare for hard drive damage, you might
run into problems.
Here are some procedures to follow if you experience trouble.
If a program is not functioning well on your computer, turn the
computer off! This may seem a simple task, but shutting down a
computer at the moment you notice your hard drive to be working
overtime - perhaps you hear unusual sounds (like "cleaning") -
can prevent damage to the disk and data loss. If you let a
failed hard drive run, it will eventually self-destruct. Damage
to your disk is inevitable in this scenario.
If this is the case, unless you know exactly what you're doing,
don't fix your computer yourself. Professional expertise is not
a luxury in this situation - it is a must. Data recovery is a
difficult and sensitive process requiring special tools and a
clean environment. Not only will it be tremendously challenging
to repair a hard drive on your own, but you might actually make
matters worse and ensure irreversible data loss.
There is "do-it-yourself" data recovery software, but be
cautious of things like this. With most computer problems of
this nature, at-home instructions can be more dangerous than
useful. Even if a company boasts that its products and
instructions will handle your vulnerable data properly, it is
important to be a skeptical consumer.
A local service provider is the average solution. Repair can
happen on your own premises and you can be assured that your
computer is in good hands. However, there is always the
possibility that your hard drive is beyond repair - even for
expert technicians - so be prepared to buy a new hard drive
altogether; data recovery may not be an option any more.
About the author:
Stu Pearson has an interest in Business & Technology related
topics. To access more information on data
recovery services or on restor
e data, please click on the links.
Your computer's data is at risk. Whether you use a Mac or a PC,
viruses, power surges, hackers, human error, natural disasters,
hardware failures, and more are real everyday threats. To keep
your data safe and sound, you will first need to back up your
files on a regular basis. Secondly, when hard drive failure does
occur, data recovery is the only solution.
Of course it is ideal to back up data and avoid the complicated
process that is data recovery altogether, but even when you take
the necessary steps to prepare for hard drive damage, you might
run into problems.
Here are some procedures to follow if you experience trouble.
If a program is not functioning well on your computer, turn the
computer off! This may seem a simple task, but shutting down a
computer at the moment you notice your hard drive to be working
overtime - perhaps you hear unusual sounds (like "cleaning") -
can prevent damage to the disk and data loss. If you let a
failed hard drive run, it will eventually self-destruct. Damage
to your disk is inevitable in this scenario.
If this is the case, unless you know exactly what you're doing,
don't fix your computer yourself. Professional expertise is not
a luxury in this situation - it is a must. Data recovery is a
difficult and sensitive process requiring special tools and a
clean environment. Not only will it be tremendously challenging
to repair a hard drive on your own, but you might actually make
matters worse and ensure irreversible data loss.
There is "do-it-yourself" data recovery software, but be
cautious of things like this. With most computer problems of
this nature, at-home instructions can be more dangerous than
useful. Even if a company boasts that its products and
instructions will handle your vulnerable data properly, it is
important to be a skeptical consumer.
A local service provider is the average solution. Repair can
happen on your own premises and you can be assured that your
computer is in good hands. However, there is always the
possibility that your hard drive is beyond repair - even for
expert technicians - so be prepared to buy a new hard drive
altogether; data recovery may not be an option any more.
About the author:
Stu Pearson has an interest in Business & Technology related
topics. To access more information on data
recovery services or on restor
e data, please click on the links.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Get The Facts About Wireless Laptops
By: David Stone
Laptops give you unbelievable portability for all of your
computing needs, but as the need for communication grows more
each day you need a computer that will keep you in touch. There
are many options for portable computing. Laptops now come in
many different sizes to match your specific needs.
Large or small screens are the biggest factor affecting the size
of a laptop. Extra options like media drives and larger
batteries will add overall weight to laptops. The current trend
for any traveler is to get the smallest computer that will get
the job done. Airports have wireless internet access available,
so a wireless network or wi-fi card is a good option. Large
screens used to be popular but strict travel regulations have
caused many people to get smaller screens. This will make the
computer easier to deal with at security check points.
Major reasons for the trend in "less is more" with laptop
computers, is that they have become simply more of a tool and
less of a novelty. Most basic computers are very capable in
running any business application and have the necessary options
for general use. Basic laptops have also dropped in price
dramatically. The options have become the expensive part as
competition grows fierce to have the lowest priced computer
available. People are now buying computers more frequently with
less options because it is more cost effective that buying the
newest technology. Fast processors and large hard drives start
out very expensive and quickly become standard features on basic
laptops. You can keep more up to date by getting a new laptop
every two years instead of getting the newest technology and
trying to make it last for 4 years. Anyways, most laptops show a
performance loss after about two years if the hard drive is not
defragmented and formatted. It may not sound cheaper to buy a
computer more often, but it also what you buy. Doing a little
shopping around and assessing what you really need in a computer
can save you the money that you need to buy one more often.
About the author:
Get more of the information that you need at
http://www.find-laptops-now.info
Laptops give you unbelievable portability for all of your
computing needs, but as the need for communication grows more
each day you need a computer that will keep you in touch. There
are many options for portable computing. Laptops now come in
many different sizes to match your specific needs.
Large or small screens are the biggest factor affecting the size
of a laptop. Extra options like media drives and larger
batteries will add overall weight to laptops. The current trend
for any traveler is to get the smallest computer that will get
the job done. Airports have wireless internet access available,
so a wireless network or wi-fi card is a good option. Large
screens used to be popular but strict travel regulations have
caused many people to get smaller screens. This will make the
computer easier to deal with at security check points.
Major reasons for the trend in "less is more" with laptop
computers, is that they have become simply more of a tool and
less of a novelty. Most basic computers are very capable in
running any business application and have the necessary options
for general use. Basic laptops have also dropped in price
dramatically. The options have become the expensive part as
competition grows fierce to have the lowest priced computer
available. People are now buying computers more frequently with
less options because it is more cost effective that buying the
newest technology. Fast processors and large hard drives start
out very expensive and quickly become standard features on basic
laptops. You can keep more up to date by getting a new laptop
every two years instead of getting the newest technology and
trying to make it last for 4 years. Anyways, most laptops show a
performance loss after about two years if the hard drive is not
defragmented and formatted. It may not sound cheaper to buy a
computer more often, but it also what you buy. Doing a little
shopping around and assessing what you really need in a computer
can save you the money that you need to buy one more often.
About the author:
Get more of the information that you need at
http://www.find-laptops-now.info
Monday, May 08, 2006
4 Great Advantages Of Having A Rack Mount Computer
By: Bill Johnson
1. Really provides better cooling for your computer hardware
We all know that heat can really kill the motherboard, processor
and other chips that are found in a computer case. If the
temperature is too much it can fry the chips and leave your
computer worthless. The more work you do, the longer you do it,
the higher the workload on the pc. This causes heat to build up
inside your computer. The traditional cooling fan that you can
find on the back of the power supply of your computer is
normally not enough to get it all the cooling it needs. Even
with the other fan attached to the processor chip, your computer
will most of the time not get all the cooling it needs.
If you were to use a rack, this would help to give your computer
the cooling it needs, since it gives you a lot more space,
unlike computers that don't have racks.
2. You'll have better air circulation
Without adequate space for your computer, there won't be good
air circulation and this can damage many things in your
computer. A rack mount computer therefore gets better air
circulation than one without it. And this goes a long way in
protecting your computer.
3. Prevents vibration when playing load music
Good computer racks out there have vibration-dampening
tendencies to prevent the vibration of your computer- especially
when listening to load music from your speakers. Without these
vibration-dampening tendencies, your speakers and even compute
can slowly slip off your desktop, thereby causing damage.
4. Give more space for your computer
Your rack mount computer has more space than others without one.
You are able to do more work than if you didn't have a rack for
your computer.
If you take all the above advantages into consideration you will
come to find that using a rack mount computer instead of one
without a rack is the way to go.
About the author:
By Bill Johnson LCD Monitors Rack
Mount Rack
Mount Computer Cases
1. Really provides better cooling for your computer hardware
We all know that heat can really kill the motherboard, processor
and other chips that are found in a computer case. If the
temperature is too much it can fry the chips and leave your
computer worthless. The more work you do, the longer you do it,
the higher the workload on the pc. This causes heat to build up
inside your computer. The traditional cooling fan that you can
find on the back of the power supply of your computer is
normally not enough to get it all the cooling it needs. Even
with the other fan attached to the processor chip, your computer
will most of the time not get all the cooling it needs.
If you were to use a rack, this would help to give your computer
the cooling it needs, since it gives you a lot more space,
unlike computers that don't have racks.
2. You'll have better air circulation
Without adequate space for your computer, there won't be good
air circulation and this can damage many things in your
computer. A rack mount computer therefore gets better air
circulation than one without it. And this goes a long way in
protecting your computer.
3. Prevents vibration when playing load music
Good computer racks out there have vibration-dampening
tendencies to prevent the vibration of your computer- especially
when listening to load music from your speakers. Without these
vibration-dampening tendencies, your speakers and even compute
can slowly slip off your desktop, thereby causing damage.
4. Give more space for your computer
Your rack mount computer has more space than others without one.
You are able to do more work than if you didn't have a rack for
your computer.
If you take all the above advantages into consideration you will
come to find that using a rack mount computer instead of one
without a rack is the way to go.
About the author:
By Bill Johnson LCD Monitors Rack
Mount Rack
Mount Computer Cases
Friday, May 05, 2006
What Is Spyware Software And What Does It Do?
By: Oliver Turner
If you own a computer and are connected to the internet then you
will almost definitely have heard of spyware software and will
also be at risk. The purpose of this article is to inform
readers as to the risks of spyware software and explain exactly
what spyware is and what it does.
Spyware as the name suggests is software that spy's on you and
collects information on your internet usage. The computer user
will be unaware that this is happening as spyware software
applications are usually hidden components in both freeware and
shareware programs that can be downloaded from the internet.
Spyware is installed without your knowledge or consent and poses
some very real threats.
Once spyware software has been installed onto your computer it
will actively begin monitoring your activity on the internet and
will transmit all the information it gathers onto its owner
which is usually an advertiser of some sorts.
Spyware software is very dangerous and this illegal software can
record your internet history, passwords, and keystrokes, and
some spyware can also record other confidential and private
information. The only proven and successful way to get rid of
spyware is to install a spyware blocker or anti-spyware
software. These are available in both free and paid software
versions.
If you use the internet, for whatever use, you should also use a
spyware blocker or spyware removal software. It is also
essential that you run this spyware removal software daily to
remove any threats to your personal information. Doing this will
not only help to keep your internet usage and private
information safe but it will also help to keep your computer
running efficiently.
Spyware software is as mentioned very dangerous and allowing
your personal information which can include passwords and bank
details to get into the hands of the wrong people can prove
detrimental. Act now and install anti-spyware software and keep
your information safe.
About the author:
Read more on anti spyware programs only on the Spyware removal info and software. All about spyware and
adware on LeanderNet - http://www.leandernet.com
If you own a computer and are connected to the internet then you
will almost definitely have heard of spyware software and will
also be at risk. The purpose of this article is to inform
readers as to the risks of spyware software and explain exactly
what spyware is and what it does.
Spyware as the name suggests is software that spy's on you and
collects information on your internet usage. The computer user
will be unaware that this is happening as spyware software
applications are usually hidden components in both freeware and
shareware programs that can be downloaded from the internet.
Spyware is installed without your knowledge or consent and poses
some very real threats.
Once spyware software has been installed onto your computer it
will actively begin monitoring your activity on the internet and
will transmit all the information it gathers onto its owner
which is usually an advertiser of some sorts.
Spyware software is very dangerous and this illegal software can
record your internet history, passwords, and keystrokes, and
some spyware can also record other confidential and private
information. The only proven and successful way to get rid of
spyware is to install a spyware blocker or anti-spyware
software. These are available in both free and paid software
versions.
If you use the internet, for whatever use, you should also use a
spyware blocker or spyware removal software. It is also
essential that you run this spyware removal software daily to
remove any threats to your personal information. Doing this will
not only help to keep your internet usage and private
information safe but it will also help to keep your computer
running efficiently.
Spyware software is as mentioned very dangerous and allowing
your personal information which can include passwords and bank
details to get into the hands of the wrong people can prove
detrimental. Act now and install anti-spyware software and keep
your information safe.
About the author:
Read more on anti spyware programs only on the Spyware removal info and software. All about spyware and
adware on LeanderNet - http://www.leandernet.com
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Buying a Refurbished Laptop Computer
By: David Perlmutter
When considering buying a used or even a new laptop, the first
thing you need to do is to determine your computing needs.
* word processing * e-mail * browsing web pages * moving the
laptop from home to work (weight) * gaming * on-line shopping *
a database application * personal finance * is battery power
important
Check out the Minimum Systems Requirements needed to do all of
the your applications. They will not come with the laptop, as
refurbished laptops often only include the Operating System
(OS). If they don't include an installed OS, then be prepared to
install it yourself. This is not for those that don't know what
they are doing, so research what is involved before buying one
without an OS.
Once you understand what you really need, you need to determine
your budget.
Most old laptops do not have working batteries. If you need a
battery, shop around to figure out how much they cost. You
should know that on older laptops, batteries don't last more
than an hour or two, so purchasing a new battery for the purpose
of longer battery life may not be worth the expense. And by all
means, stick with a name brand... IBM, Dell, Toshiba, Compaq-HP.
If you are new to computers and you want to browse the World
Wide Web, you will need to obtain the services of an ISP
(Internet Service Provider). There are basically two types of
Internet access options: broadband (cable modem, DSL, satellite)
and lowband (dial-up). Broadband is the preferred type since
download speeds can range from 128kbs to 6000kbs. The faster the
better, of course. But, if your budget is tight, dial-up works
just fine for typical browsing and e-mail usage.
Your choice of ISP's will be dependent upon two things: budget
and location. If the budget allows and you don't mind paying
upwards of $35-50+ per month, you can purchase a broadband
connection. However, even if money were no object, your physical
location will determine what types of services are available to
you. Broadband is not available everywhere (with the exception
of satellite). If you have a telephone line, you can always
choose dial-up. AOL's bread and butter is dial-up users. Do your
research to determine what is available in your area and compare
costs.
And for you gamers out there, you definitely need a reliable
broadband connection. Gaming over a lowband connection can be a
frustrating experience and sometimes even impossible. You will
need to check out the minimum systems requirement for the games
you are interested in using to make sure the CPU speed and the
RAM and graphic chip requirements will support the games you
wish to play.
Once you have figured out your budget and your needs and the
requirements of your laptop it is time to search for the laptop
of your desires.
Some people choose to search at www.ebay.com. If you do be sure
to check out the seller to be sure you will have a smooth
transaction.
Many people don't want the hassle of bidding, so use your
favorite search engine: Google or Yahoo or MSN for the terms
"used laptops" or "refurbished laptop".
An important thing to keep in mind is how will the vendor treat
you should there be a problem. If you don't like their attitude
or they don't pick up the phone shop elsewhere. Price is
important, but if you have a problem and spent the least amount
of money possible the vendor may not have any resources
available to help you after you have purchased and spent your
money.
If all the above seems like too much of a hassle, then buy a new
computer. It will cost around $700 + but will come with a new
battery and a one year warranty, although some new ones seem to
have only 90 day warranties. It will also have the latest
Windows XP system and an 800 number to call the vendor, should
their be a problem. I'd call the 800# first before buying to get
an idea what kind of support they will provide.
About the author:
David Perlmutter is the founder and CEO of UsedLaptops.com, Inc.
His first portable was a Compaq Plus 20 years ago.
UsedLaptops.com, Inc. has sold over 20,000 refurbished laptops to
consumers and companies over the last ten years.
When considering buying a used or even a new laptop, the first
thing you need to do is to determine your computing needs.
* word processing * e-mail * browsing web pages * moving the
laptop from home to work (weight) * gaming * on-line shopping *
a database application * personal finance * is battery power
important
Check out the Minimum Systems Requirements needed to do all of
the your applications. They will not come with the laptop, as
refurbished laptops often only include the Operating System
(OS). If they don't include an installed OS, then be prepared to
install it yourself. This is not for those that don't know what
they are doing, so research what is involved before buying one
without an OS.
Once you understand what you really need, you need to determine
your budget.
Most old laptops do not have working batteries. If you need a
battery, shop around to figure out how much they cost. You
should know that on older laptops, batteries don't last more
than an hour or two, so purchasing a new battery for the purpose
of longer battery life may not be worth the expense. And by all
means, stick with a name brand... IBM, Dell, Toshiba, Compaq-HP.
If you are new to computers and you want to browse the World
Wide Web, you will need to obtain the services of an ISP
(Internet Service Provider). There are basically two types of
Internet access options: broadband (cable modem, DSL, satellite)
and lowband (dial-up). Broadband is the preferred type since
download speeds can range from 128kbs to 6000kbs. The faster the
better, of course. But, if your budget is tight, dial-up works
just fine for typical browsing and e-mail usage.
Your choice of ISP's will be dependent upon two things: budget
and location. If the budget allows and you don't mind paying
upwards of $35-50+ per month, you can purchase a broadband
connection. However, even if money were no object, your physical
location will determine what types of services are available to
you. Broadband is not available everywhere (with the exception
of satellite). If you have a telephone line, you can always
choose dial-up. AOL's bread and butter is dial-up users. Do your
research to determine what is available in your area and compare
costs.
And for you gamers out there, you definitely need a reliable
broadband connection. Gaming over a lowband connection can be a
frustrating experience and sometimes even impossible. You will
need to check out the minimum systems requirement for the games
you are interested in using to make sure the CPU speed and the
RAM and graphic chip requirements will support the games you
wish to play.
Once you have figured out your budget and your needs and the
requirements of your laptop it is time to search for the laptop
of your desires.
Some people choose to search at www.ebay.com. If you do be sure
to check out the seller to be sure you will have a smooth
transaction.
Many people don't want the hassle of bidding, so use your
favorite search engine: Google or Yahoo or MSN for the terms
"used laptops" or "refurbished laptop".
An important thing to keep in mind is how will the vendor treat
you should there be a problem. If you don't like their attitude
or they don't pick up the phone shop elsewhere. Price is
important, but if you have a problem and spent the least amount
of money possible the vendor may not have any resources
available to help you after you have purchased and spent your
money.
If all the above seems like too much of a hassle, then buy a new
computer. It will cost around $700 + but will come with a new
battery and a one year warranty, although some new ones seem to
have only 90 day warranties. It will also have the latest
Windows XP system and an 800 number to call the vendor, should
their be a problem. I'd call the 800# first before buying to get
an idea what kind of support they will provide.
About the author:
David Perlmutter is the founder and CEO of UsedLaptops.com, Inc.
His first portable was a Compaq Plus 20 years ago.
UsedLaptops.com, Inc. has sold over 20,000 refurbished laptops to
consumers and companies over the last ten years.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Change Passwords
By: Richard Romando
All passwords should be changed regularly. A change in password
could also be necessitated by the fear or reality of a user's
current password being compromised. As a precautionary measure,
any system should provide an encrypted method for changing a
password. If a new password is passed to the system in an
unencrypted form, security can be compromised before the new
password can even be installed in the password database. And if
a compromised employee or other intermediary gets hold of the
new password, there is little to gain from changing a password.
There are some web sites that include the user-selected password
in an unencrypted confirming e-mail message.
Today, automatic issuance of replacements for lost passwords is
mostly done with the help of identity management systems. To
verify the user's identity, questions are asked and answers are
compared with the ones previously stored. Some samples: "Where
were you born?" or "What is your favorite soccer club?" or "Who
is your favorite actress?" There is a possibility that in a
number of such cases the answers to these questions can be
guessed, found by research, or determined with the help of
social engineering. Although many users have now learnt not to
reveal a password, there are a few as well who consider the name
of their favorite soccer team to need similar care.
If a user is forced to change his passwords frequently, then a
valid password in the wrong hands will eventually become
unusable. Though not yet universally used, many operating
systems provide such features these days. The security benefits
of these systems are limited, as attackers often exploit a
password as soon as it is compromised. In several instances,
more so with administrative or "root" accounts, it has been
found that once an attacker succeeds in gaining access, he/she
makes alterations to the operating system that will allow
him/her future access even after the expiry of the initial
password.
Again, if forced to change a password too frequently, a user may
forget which password is current, and there is almost always a
possibility that he will write his password down or reuse an
earlier password. Such steps are most likely to cancel any added
security benefit. It is imperative that human factors be duly
considered before implementing such a policy.
About the author:
Passwords provides
detailed information on Best Passwords, Change Passwords,
Password Generators, Password Protection and more. Passwords is
affliated with Electronic
Keyboard.
All passwords should be changed regularly. A change in password
could also be necessitated by the fear or reality of a user's
current password being compromised. As a precautionary measure,
any system should provide an encrypted method for changing a
password. If a new password is passed to the system in an
unencrypted form, security can be compromised before the new
password can even be installed in the password database. And if
a compromised employee or other intermediary gets hold of the
new password, there is little to gain from changing a password.
There are some web sites that include the user-selected password
in an unencrypted confirming e-mail message.
Today, automatic issuance of replacements for lost passwords is
mostly done with the help of identity management systems. To
verify the user's identity, questions are asked and answers are
compared with the ones previously stored. Some samples: "Where
were you born?" or "What is your favorite soccer club?" or "Who
is your favorite actress?" There is a possibility that in a
number of such cases the answers to these questions can be
guessed, found by research, or determined with the help of
social engineering. Although many users have now learnt not to
reveal a password, there are a few as well who consider the name
of their favorite soccer team to need similar care.
If a user is forced to change his passwords frequently, then a
valid password in the wrong hands will eventually become
unusable. Though not yet universally used, many operating
systems provide such features these days. The security benefits
of these systems are limited, as attackers often exploit a
password as soon as it is compromised. In several instances,
more so with administrative or "root" accounts, it has been
found that once an attacker succeeds in gaining access, he/she
makes alterations to the operating system that will allow
him/her future access even after the expiry of the initial
password.
Again, if forced to change a password too frequently, a user may
forget which password is current, and there is almost always a
possibility that he will write his password down or reuse an
earlier password. Such steps are most likely to cancel any added
security benefit. It is imperative that human factors be duly
considered before implementing such a policy.
About the author:
Passwords provides
detailed information on Best Passwords, Change Passwords,
Password Generators, Password Protection and more. Passwords is
affliated with Electronic
Keyboard.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Laser Printers or Inkjet Printers? A Buyers Guide
By: David Haysom
Should you buy an inkjet or a laser printer? Often people buying
a new printer are confused about whether to buy a laser printer
or inkjet printer. The short answer is it depends on what you'll
be using it for, and how much you'll be using it.
Inkjet printers have a lower initial purchase cost but cost more
to run because the ink is more expensive when measured on a per
page basis. Laser printers cost more but their running costs are
lower and they have a better print quality because in general
they have a higher resolution (expressed in dots per inch - dpi).
If you want to print photos at home however, you are best to
choose a photo quality inkjet printer.
Inkjets are great for home use and for photo printing. Lasers
are good for high-volume applications, like offices, or for
applications that need high print quality.
Inkjet printers transfer tiny droplets of ink directly to the
page. A laser printer creates an electrostatic pattern on a drum
that attracts ink powder that is subsequently fused onto the
paper. This is more complex technology so means a higher price
than for an inkjet printer.
If you examine the same page printed on both a laser printer and
an inkjet, you will be able to see that the characters on the
laser printer produced page are sharper. That said however,
inkjet printers are getting better all the time in terms of the
sharpness of printed characters.
Another aspect to consider is how heavily you will be using a
printer. Printer manufacturers express the durability of a
printer in terms of duty cycle in pages per month.
For example, a typical laser printer will be capable of a duty
cycle up to 7,000 pages a month while a typical entry level
inkjet printer is capable of up to 500 pages per month.
Some of the more recent inkjets provide excellent color clarity
and brightness, and are very well suited for printing
photographs.
While inkjet printers themselves are cheaper, their ink is more
expensive per page printed. Ink cartridges need to be replaced
fairly often if you print a lot, especially if you're printing
pictures or photos.
The manufacturer's stated pages per cartridge measurements are
very much dependent on what you printing. They are based on only
a small percentage of the page actually being covered in ink.
Toner cartridges for laser printers have a higher unit price
than inkjet cartridges, but have a higher capacity so that the
cost per page is lower for lasers.
About the author:
David Haysom is the eCommerce Manager for OfficeRocket - an
online store that specializes in providing New Zealand consumers
and small businesses with Laser Printers, Ink
Cartridges and Office Supplies at extremely competitive
prices.
Should you buy an inkjet or a laser printer? Often people buying
a new printer are confused about whether to buy a laser printer
or inkjet printer. The short answer is it depends on what you'll
be using it for, and how much you'll be using it.
Inkjet printers have a lower initial purchase cost but cost more
to run because the ink is more expensive when measured on a per
page basis. Laser printers cost more but their running costs are
lower and they have a better print quality because in general
they have a higher resolution (expressed in dots per inch - dpi).
If you want to print photos at home however, you are best to
choose a photo quality inkjet printer.
Inkjets are great for home use and for photo printing. Lasers
are good for high-volume applications, like offices, or for
applications that need high print quality.
Inkjet printers transfer tiny droplets of ink directly to the
page. A laser printer creates an electrostatic pattern on a drum
that attracts ink powder that is subsequently fused onto the
paper. This is more complex technology so means a higher price
than for an inkjet printer.
If you examine the same page printed on both a laser printer and
an inkjet, you will be able to see that the characters on the
laser printer produced page are sharper. That said however,
inkjet printers are getting better all the time in terms of the
sharpness of printed characters.
Another aspect to consider is how heavily you will be using a
printer. Printer manufacturers express the durability of a
printer in terms of duty cycle in pages per month.
For example, a typical laser printer will be capable of a duty
cycle up to 7,000 pages a month while a typical entry level
inkjet printer is capable of up to 500 pages per month.
Some of the more recent inkjets provide excellent color clarity
and brightness, and are very well suited for printing
photographs.
While inkjet printers themselves are cheaper, their ink is more
expensive per page printed. Ink cartridges need to be replaced
fairly often if you print a lot, especially if you're printing
pictures or photos.
The manufacturer's stated pages per cartridge measurements are
very much dependent on what you printing. They are based on only
a small percentage of the page actually being covered in ink.
Toner cartridges for laser printers have a higher unit price
than inkjet cartridges, but have a higher capacity so that the
cost per page is lower for lasers.
About the author:
David Haysom is the eCommerce Manager for OfficeRocket - an
online store that specializes in providing New Zealand consumers
and small businesses with Laser Printers, Ink
Cartridges and Office Supplies at extremely competitive
prices.
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