The Super Duper Problem Fixer

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One of our customers pointed out a new program to me and wanted me to check it out. This program called itself a bug fixer. It was a sharp looking program and claimed to fix bugs on the user's computer that he didn't even know existed. It sounded like a super duper problem solver until I downloaded it and took a closer look. Being a programmer I quickly saw behind its smoke and mirrors. It actually only performed six of the over 1000 cleaning processes which our A1Click Ultra PC Cleaner and RegVac Registry Cleaner do. Even though it did little compared to our programs, it found 504 problems. How can that be? My computer was clean. The program did not show any details about the results but wanted $30 before it would clean them. I'll never know for sure about those results, but I suspect that they were fabricated and that the true number of problems was 0. There are many shady developers out there that just want to make a quick buck. I doubt this bug fixer program will even be around in a year. This provides a good lesson to anyone. Be sure to purchase software from a trusted developer and don't buy a program just because it looks nice. We have been in the software business since 1996 and are continually improving our programs. You will not hear hype and lies from us. Our programs may not look that good on the surface, but under the hood they are super. When you purchase our programs, all future updates are free. If you haven't tried RegVac Registry Cleaner and A1Click Ultra PC Cleaner, try them today.




Web 2.0 And Why You Shouldn't Fake Reviews

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The latest offering from Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares aired on Channel 4 last night, followed the somewhat disastrous adventures of ex-boxer Mike and his wife Caron Ciminera as they struggled to run the Fish & Anchor, a restaurant in Lampeter, West Wales. Whilst the couple's arguing appeared to better the food they were originally sending out (a mix of jarred sauces and home cook book trophy dishes) they did let slip on a fantastically poor bit of black hat optimisation, which I hope made all white hat SEOs laugh out loud. If there was one lesson to take away from the show, it would be - Don't fake reviews! In order to gauged the feeling of the local community for the failing restaurant come sports bar, Ramsay conducted a search on Google for the Fish & Anchor, to which he was presented with a range of reviews, two of which were rather suspiciously from a character calling himself Michael or Mike Burns. On the Wales portal of the BBC website Burns had posted "Well i don't get excited about food too often, and having dined in Rick Stein's, and Gordon Ramsay's,I think i have found a better restaurant in West Wales". On the SugarVine website he also posted "what a fantastic restaurant for couples, and families. it seems to have everything, the food has to be the best i have eaten (home or abroad) this place will go far". Other online reviews echoed what has already been said, but with the dire state of the restaurant, its food, its reputation and its perception from both the local community and Ramsay itself, would it not be right to question who was telling the truth? The restaurateur confessed to posting the reviews, his rational pointing to stimulating custom, however with any reactive strategy it requires a degree of foresight - and I am not sure he really thought through the wider ramification of posting these "inaccurate" reviews. Firstly, a warning must be expressed. For example, if someone finds your restaurant or hotel via a positive (fake) review and they have a bad experience, there is a chance that they will post a true review to assist fellow users and generally have a rant. The initial seeding of this true review has the potential to lead to an onslaught of further reviews from other visitors who might not have otherwise posted. Don't forget the saying "people don't lead... they follow". But how can you manage your reviews and ultimately what your customers are saying about you? Well first and foremost, address the problem(s)! You wouldn't put a sticking plaster on a gun shot wound, so why think that a positive review about the quality of your food or the softest of your sheets is going to counteract the adversities of your customer service? The customer is king, a point stressed by Ramsay, and one that should ring true for any business, after all, without them, where would we be? By rectifying or at least making plans to manage any failings within your business, regardless of its size, will be the first step in managing your online reputation, but this is an area I will not going into comprehensive detail for this post. Instead, I will offer some simply pointers as to how to harness online reviews for good. Sites like Trip Advisor, which boasts over 10,000,000 user generated reviews of various hotels, holidays and restaurants is gaining increasing weighting as an resource for honest and unbiased review and via its system of community recommendation it really has the power to drive custom, and in many instances, divert customer - the key factor being positive, and consistent reviews. But if you do run a successful hotel or restaurant and wish to harness these social spaces, but wish to do so in a more ethical way than that demonstrated in Kitchen Nightmares than why not encourage your diners of hotel guests to post a review after their stay. When the customer is paying their bill or even booking their hotel room why not take their email address, or even ask them to submit their business card in return for entry into a monthly prize draw for a free meal in the restaurant? In addition to building up a client database by collecting this data - for use in promotional mailings including notifying customers of events, promotional and the launch of a new menu - you can also harness it to stimulate online reviews by dropping your customers a short email after their stay / meal, which might look something like the following example... "Good afternoon Simon, and thank you very much for your booking at the Leapfrogg Restaurant, we hope you had an enjoyable meal.




Pinging Tricks

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You’re a blogger and are constantly hearing about pinging. The thing is, you don't know what it is and what it can do for your blog. Well that's fine because a lot of bloggers don't quite understand pinging. In this newsletter, we will explain what pinging is, how it helps your blog, and what the best pinging services are. After you've read this newsletter, you'll know exactly how to use pinging to make your blog popular. What is pinging? When a blog is pinged, it essentially tells a web blog tracking system that the blog has been updated. Thus, pinging is the process of telling tracking services that a site has been updated. So how does pinging work? Well, a ping service scans regularly blogs for updates. Whenever there is a new update for a particular blog, that is reported back to the pinging service’s site. You can almost think of ping services being just like search engine spiders—both scan sites looking for information, and both report that information back to their specific site. The difference is, a ping service only reports back new blog posts. Why is pinging useful for my blog? Pinging, in effect, tells people that there is a new blog posting available. Those who are loyal followers of your blog will see the ping and want to visit your blog. Those who haven’t read your blog before will see the ping and perhaps think “hey, there’s a new blog I haven’t been to before, I think I’ll check it out”. Pinging helps to increase your traffic because it tells people when your blog is updated. Those who visit sites with pinging services will see this information in the form of a scroll on the left or right side, or top of the page. The scroll is usually in XML format and typically includes the title and URL of your blog, as well as the date and time of the update. OK, so now I know what pinging is. Who offers pinging? The answer is, there are several pinging services available which you can use to have your blog pinged. We’ll go over some of them right now. Weblogs.com Weblogs.com is probably the most well-known pinging service. Weblogs.com monitors sites for updates and then pings whenever there is an update to report. Virtually every blog software is available to use Weblogs. Yahoo’s Blo.gs Another popular pinging service. This one is offered by Yahoo and has a built-in integration with movable type and other tools. One cool thing about this service is that it offers the ability to give out updates via Instant Messenging services like AOL and ICQ. It is a direct pinging service, so those who sign up for subscriptions to your blog will be sent an email anytime your blog is updated. Blogrolling.com Blogrolling allows its bloggers to manage their blogrolls (updates) through a web-based interface. Recently updated blogs are also highlighted on Blogrolling’s web site. Data is automatically retrieved from other sites like blogger.com and weblogs.com every 5 minutes. Often times your blog is already being pinged by Blogrolling, so you might not have to sign up for it. Search on the site first for your URL before signing it up. Technorati Available at , Technorati is another service that pings blogs. It gets its data from a variety of places and is definitely a site you should go to for blog pinging. These are just 4 of the many different blog pinging services available. A quick search on Yahoo or Google will reveal many other possible blog pinging services to use for your blog. It is best to sign up for as many as you possibly can to ensure that your blog is well-pinged. A well-pinged blog will definitely help your blog attract more visitors. So sign up for as many as possible and watch your blog traffic increase. Pinging tells people when your blog is updated. It is an incredibly useful, and easy to sign up for service, so be sure to sign your blog up for pinging




Ebook Security: A Growing Concern

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hese days, the main concern of the ebook authors is security of their online publications. There are people who buy Ebook and sell it for their own profit. Even, sometimes, the stories are distributed through emails or shared through the Internet by different customers.

This leads to a heavy loss for the author of the ebook. Thanks to the technology developed with internet, it has introduced several products for the security helping the author to have control over the distribution of their ebook. This is also essential for securing privacy rights of the author and preventing pirated copies.

The security program for the ebook is developed with `IP Tracking` technology. When a customer wants to buy a copy of the ebook, he or she has to enter the user name and password or a license code to access the product for the first time. In this process the IP address is recorded with the online control panel.

If the buyer shares the product with someone else, the author of the ebook is alerted as it will display two or more users with different IP address. If the author finds the ebook being shared illegally, the on-line control panel allows the author the ability to deactivate the copies associated with that IP address.

There are three most popular programs used for IP tracking for the security of e-book.

ClickLocker:

ClickLocker can be integrated into any ebook software. When the buyers want to purchase any ebook, the program directs them to a page where they are prompted to enter name and email address to get registered. The buyers are provided with a license code that they use it to access the product for the first time.

If the author finds any illegal use of the security code, the program allows the author the ability to terminate the license for the buyer. However, the author of the ebook has to pay on monthly basis to keep the program activated, once the service is cancelled all the distributed ebooks are immediately unlocked for the readers.

Virtual vault:

Some features of `Virtual Vault` are similar with ClickLocker. However, this security program allows the author to login into the control panel and prevent the access of the ebook by the buyer who has not paid, even after providing the security code. In this process the violator can not access the product even if the link or the security is emailed to someone else. VirtualVault assure the security of the ebook even if the author is not checking the control panel for multiple users.

Ebook pro:

It is an ebook compiler that comes with built-in security system to allow the author to track licenses as the ClickLocker. The buyer receives a user-name and password to access the ebook. But the author has to set the system so that the buyers can access the product for a specified number of times. The author can login to the control panel to set, disable or reactivate the licenses.

Use of IP tracking system is an assurance that you can save your time of tracking your ebook and simultaneously do your administrative work. Of course, there are some downsides of the system. The system is not able to track if multiple computers are connected with internet having same IP address.

Shortcomings apart, IP tracking is a useful tool of controlling the distribution of ebook. Though it can be expensive, it can save the author of the ebook from frustration of illegal sharing of their publication. However, before deciding to select any IP tracking system the author of the ebook should be practical and think about the pros and cons of every type of tracking system.





The Myth Of Network Latency

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his article is also available as a Podcast on "The ROOT Cause" podcast series available on iTunes.

There is a great deal of confusion surrounding the concept of Latency. This is not surprising as it is really many different concepts discussed as if they were one. Latency impacts on all areas of the enterprise including, networks, servers, disk systems, applications, databases and browsers. This article describes the different areas in which Latency occurs and how to differentiate between them. Such differentiation will improve the accuracy of all testing and troubleshooting, whether manual or automated.

The importance of measuring latency is becoming increasingly apparent to the IT industry. We see new products coming to market that claim to be able to monitor latency in various forms. Maybe they can—and maybe they only kinda can. With all the variables and distributed components that are involved in modern enterprise networks—it is far too easy to combine completely different issues into one metric. This drastically reduces the value of the metrics or worse—sends you off on a wild goose chase. Tools are only tools and as in any other situation, they are only as good as the professional using them. Their output needs to be analyzed with an eye on the big picture. Their implementation needs to be well thought out and spot on correct.

Many methods for measuring and calculating these metrics exist and are topics that will be covered in future articles. Here we focus only on breaking out the different areas and types of latency that affect performance.

NETWORK LATENCY: Everyone loves to blame the network, especially with regard to latency. Bad LAN or WAN design can cause all sorts of issues. However, at the time of this writing in 2008, those issues tend to be more of a "Go-No-Go" type of problem. Network designs will block or allow communication, true—-but they seldom slow it down anymore (although there are exceptions). If it is too slow, it is usually distance that is the cause. But don't blame a 300 millisecond Ping Time between Europe and Asia on a bad WAN. Distance matters. "You canut change the laws of physics Captain."

The first step is to break out the various areas that can be a part of Network Latency.

Round Trip Response Time (RTT): AKA Network Latency is determined by TCP at the beginning of the connection setup (the Three Way Handshake). Since there is minimal overhead at this point, the time this takes should represent the true transport time. However, there are common designs that will change this.

Proxy Servers: Do you have a Proxy Server or WAN Optimizer near your client? If so, the RTT for that TCP connection is not end-to-end to the Server Side, it is only end-to-end to that Proxy or WAN Optimizer. Sure, you can account for this in your calculations—but only if you have RTT from that Proxy to the Server side. It is very doable, but requires planning.

Multi-Tier Design: What about the Network Latency between Tier One and Tier Two—-or Tier Three? If they are all in the same data center there may be no significant latency—assuming the design is correct in that data center. (Of course, if you are troubleshooting, that isn't a wise assumption.) However, you will see Tiers in different locations. In such cases, this aspect of latency is important.

SERVER LATENCY: Memory, Disk System, CPU, Design and usage all impact significantly on how quickly the servers themselves can process requests—or make them. This metric must be separated from the other latency metrics to properly diagnose bottlenecks. In my article series titled "Baselining-StressTesting-PerformanceTesting-OhMy!" I introduced the topic of BESTlining (as opposed to Baselining). In a nutshell, it is a way to measure aspects of Server Latency by removing as much Network Infrastructure from the picture as possible.

APPLICATION LATENCY: Application Latency is different than Server Latency--but often bundled into Server metrics due to difficulties in drilling down deep enough to separate them. To better understand the difference, picture Websphere JVM's performance compared to the Operating System of the physical server on which it is hosted. Just looking at response time doesn't properly separate those issues. If you are just getting performance metrics, this may not matter. However, if you are troubleshooting a problem—-it matters a great deal. Application Latency is more frequently the source of problems than many organizations realize.

Another factor that can cloud this metric is Database Latency. Database Latency should not be lumped in with Application Latency. Database optimization is critical, but if an application is sending out sloppy calls, it will still slow down the works.

Protocol usage is another area to explore in measuring or troubleshooting Application Latency. I will cover this in more detail in an upcoming article on Network Utilization. While it is often considered a network utilization issue, to a large degree, it is the Application that controls how the protocols are used. For example, when an application uses many TCP connections and small packet sizes, it is usually a result of how the code was written. It may have been a non-issue when the components were near to each other but over a 70 millisecond or higher WAN link, it can bring an application to its knees. To make matters worse, WAN Optimizers are far less successful in resolving this particular type of problem.

DATABASE LATENCY: is a frequent cause of trouble. Fragmentation, inadequate Indexing and many other database design factors can slow down response time. Again, this is often lumped into either Server or Application Latency, but should not be. It is a separate variable.

BROWSER and WORKSTATION LATENCY: If you are receiving many rows of tabular data, or many images, or large Java Applets, or anything else of this type, you are tasking your personal workstation and its browser. This is frequently the main culprit and should be looked at quickly when different locations, or different users within the same location, experience trouble that others do not. Additional factors include:

--Spyware running on the PC (particularly with laptops that travel).
--Disk Fragmentation
--Older workstations
--Browser settings
--Operating system versions and patch levels

SUMMARY: Latency is not monolithic, although it is often treated that way. Time invested in accurately measuring these various aspects of latency will save you hours, days, weeks or even months of work. Last but not least, please remember that ALL of this CAN be measured and brought together into an accurate picture. It isn't hard—it just requires the correct set of skills and some open-source software like WireShark.





Defrag Myths Everyone Should Know

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Fragmentation is one of the most significant – and yet unknown - problems that plague computer systems and networks. It accounts for billions in annual economic losses, and is one of the leading causes of a wide number of computer problems and system failures. Why don’t users and IT departments take action? The following defrag myths may explain why.

Myth: My system or network doesn’t have fragmentation.

Wrong. It is estimated that there are over 700 million computers activity-in-use in the world today, and every single one of them has fragmentation issues to one degree or another.

Myth: I already have defrag software already preinstalled in my operating system.

Not really. There IS a kind of defragmentation software that comes pre-stalled with many operating systems, but it is a technological dinosaur in comparison to modern defrag software.

Myth: Defragmenting my network during work hours will causes disruptions in performance.

This is a major and legitimate concern among IT professionals, but choosing a high performance defragmenter that is specifically designed for networks will allow a systems administrator to defrag the system without affecting productivity. Companies such as Diskeeper make highly advanced network defragmentation software which is completely transparent when running in the background.

Myth: I have to replace my computer due to slow performance.

Not necessarily. Fragmentation is the scattering of data and files across the hard drive. As fragmentation builds up, pieces of data become increasingly scattered, and the read/write head takes longer and longer to write and retrieve data. This shows up as sluggish, slow performance, and eventually freeze-ups and failure. It is very possible, however, that a defrag of the system with a high quality defragmenter will return your ailing system or network to maximum performance.

Myth: Using defrag software is a hassle.

More misconception stemming from the use of the pre-stalled version. Unfortunately, it’s a lot like comparing a horse-and-buggy to a race car. Modern defragmentation software is lightening fast by comparison and the best ones are so completely automatic that you can forget about them once installed.

Myth: I don’t have time to defrag every computer in my network.

Believe it or not, nowadays there are defragmentation programs that will intelligently and automatically defragment every single workstation and server in the network with virtually no supervision – regardless of the size of your network. Installation, deployment, and control can all be done from one central administrative terminal. In effect, the company and network management saves time, money, and effort because the system as a whole is kept at peak performance, allowing IT personnel to put there attention elsewhere.

Myth: Defrag software is expensive.

Actually, most initial downloads are free. The best companies have a full line-up of defragmentation products - from the home user, to small business, to the largest networks – that one can choose from. The long range cost savings are usually enormous for companies and network administrators due to the tremendously reduced wear and tear on their hardware and drives, and reduced maintenance cost.

Don’t let a myth prevent you from finding out whether your system is running at peak performance or not. The best recommendation is to download a copy of defrag software and see for yourself whether or not it makes a




Samsung I900 Omnia - Mobile Phone Review

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The new Samsung i900 is the most desirable phone of 2008, a bold statement, but on merit this is most certainly true. This beauty hailed an iPhone wannabe, really has got it all. After a few attempts at producing the best touchscreen phone (namely the Armani and Tocco), it seems Samsung may have finally cracked the code with the i900 Omnia. In fact the Samsung Omnia is so good that you could say it makes its Apple counterpart look mediocre. An iPhone wannabe you say then? Far from it!

So what is it that makes the Samsung i900 Omnia so good, well many things. Firstly, this is designed to perfection. They say first impressions last; well then Samsung knew exactly what they were doing. Here you have a large WQVGA 3.2 inch screen with a 16:9 widescreen aspect, only fractionally smaller than the iPhone. It is just as user-friendly as it looks and with a sleek sexy look and a platinum finish, it is bound to turn heads. The Samsung Omnia is also rather slim and fits nicely into the hands.

But what use is a good-looking phone without substance? Right and that is exactly why Samsung have packed this gem with countless quality features that puts it up there among the best of phones. Firstly, it is important to note that this runs on Windows Mobile 6.1, something that will certainly please Windows users who will see similarities. As such you can also edit documents such as those made in Word and Excel. However as this is essentially a smartphone, the response time may not always be great to some users.

The Samsung i900 Omnia is a 3G phone, which is great for anyone wanting better internet connection and wanting to make video calls. Web browsing is excellent, using the Opera browser, which is incredibly easy to use, and a more suitable option that Internet Explorer. Combine this with the very fast HSDPA downloads, and you have a mobile phone that will provide a great web experience. The i900 Omnia also has Wi-Fi, and comes equipped with some handy extras such as a GPS receiver. Essentials like Bluetooth and USB connectivity are all here too.

Among the best features on the Samsung Omnia is the 5-megapixel camera. Not only does it have face detection, it even includes smile detection! Another excellent feature associated with the camera is that using the GPS photos can be geotagged. Intrigued? That means the exact location, date and time of where the picture was taken can be saved too! The Samsung i900 Omnia also has an LED flash and digital zoom for good measure. It also has a very good video camera. Overall it is up there among the best camera phones, and a lot better than the iPhone.

The Samsung i900 Omnia really does score points on the multimedia forefront. The i900 has fantastic media playback capability, you have an FM radio and the MP3 player supports countless formats. This was expected since it is a rival to the iPhone, but the i900 really does deliver. An outstanding feature is the massive memory to save all your videos, tracks and photos to. It is available in both 8 and 16 GB, both more than adequate for the average user. Finally, there is no point having so much to enjoy if the battery life will let you down. With the Samsung Omnia, this will never be an issue, the battery life is very good.

It is safe to say then that based on merit, the Samsung i900 is the best phone of 2008 (at least so far). It really does deliver in many respects, with fantastic features, a great look and ease of use, the i900 will be a popular choice. Most of all, it is very affordable which may give it the edge over the iPhone as a better all-round choice.





Best Computer Speakers

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Computer speakers nowadays are becoming more sophisticated in achieving the best sound quality for the fast growing market. Speaker systems come in a variety of features with the latest audio technology.

With the popularity of digital music formats, movies, digital video editing and computer games, manufacturers have rapidly developed and produced more and more computer speakers for their consumers. Speakers come in different models and designs, from 5.1, 6.1, to the latest 7.1 speaker systems.

The 5.1 computer speaker system is capable of creating a wonderful listening experience. One of the top quality 5.1 computer speakers is the Logitech Z-5500, with a price of $220. This speaker system tops in almost all reviews. The Logitech Z-5500 can produce heart-pounding bass, very natural mid tones, and crisp sound. It has superb power and accuracy when watching DVDs and when playing computer games.

Theoretically, the 7.1 speaker arrangement (satellite speakers plus a subwoofer) brings existing speaker systems to a higher level. Still, many experts question their value. According to Don Labriola of PC Magazine, "Depending on whom you talk to, 7.1-channel sound either is a legend of immersive audio or the reply to a query nobody asked."

With the introduction of the 7.1 speaker arrangement, another superior quality of multimedia sound is experienced. The 7.1 speaker arrangement is composed of 2 rear channel speakers. This is besides the 5.1 speaker system, with a set-up of 3 front speakers, 2 side surround speakers plus 1 subwoofer.

The gamers appreciate the 7.1 speaker arrangement more because it can be employed in computer games using Microsoft's DirectSound and Creative EAX sound processing. The 7.1 speaker arrangement does not have any difference with the 5.1 speaker system since audio CDs are recorded in stereo, only needing 2 channels. In terms of movies, the availability of the Dolby Digital audio is recommended for 5.1 computer speakers. It is best to use the 7.1 speaker arrangement with a high-end sound card to achieve its full features.

For the budget wise consumers who do not require the power of a surround audio quality, the 2.1 computer speaker is fine. You can still have the best listening experience with this speaker system. The Altec Lansing VS2421, with an estimated price of $40, is a good choice for a less expensive 2.1 channel computer speaker. The Altec Lansing VS2421 is rated as one of the best 2.1 computer speakers in the market. This 2.1 computer speaker can produce powerful bass. The Altec Lansing VS2421 includes a hardwired remote for controlling the volume and the treble. The remote in addition has a mute button, microphone, plus an auxiliary input for your mp3 player or CD player.

The Bose Companion 5 is an excellent choice for a computer speaker system. This computer speaker comes with a price of $400, a little bit expensive but the quality justifies the price. This computer speaker boasts its Bose's TruSpace surround processing technology. The speaker system comes with a separate volume control that also includes a headphone output and an input for MP3 players. Based on reviews, this speaker system produces great audio quality and has a solid state of a sound system.

Another 2.1 channel computer speaker with an affordable price compared to the Bose Companion 5 system is the Logitech Z-Cinema, with a fair price of $250. This computer speaker is ideal for a computer based home theatre. It also produces great sound quality.

For the mobile users or people who are always on the go they need a portable speaker for their notebooks and laptops. Several computer speaker systems mentioned above could be used with notebooks, but of course, they are not practical when it comes to portability.

The Logitech AudioHub is one of the recommended portable speakers. It only costs around $60. The Logitech AudioHub comes with a 15-watt speaker system, which includes three port USB hubs. The system consists of a 2-inch tweeters and 1 3-inch driver that acts as a woofer. It also comes with a web cam stand for adjusting the height while video chatting. A great companion for your notebook and at the same you can enjoy a good sound quality while on the go.





How the 2 Largest US Computer Stores Started

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Dell Computer Corporation and Hewlett-Packard are the 2 largest US computer stores. They both started with small capital investments and limited infrastructure. Through innovations and hard work, these companies earned millions of dollars, and continue to thrive in today’s modern world.

Michael Dell, the founder of Dell Computer Corporation, is the longest-serving chief executive officer of Dell today. Dell started selling personal computers when he was a freshman at the University of Texas in Austin in the early 1980s. He bought wholesale parts and put them together as IBM computer clones. He also used the mail order market to reach his customers. Due to his success, he left school that same year and incorporated his business. This was how DELL Computer Corporation began.

Michael Dell believed in the direct selling strategy. He eliminated middle men who added to the cost of the machines. This direct selling model of Dell allows them to build their system, which includes selling via ordering privileges and giving customers powerful computer systems at competitive prices. In addition the company introduced the latest technology faster than other companies.

Through this strategy, Dell achieved millions of dollars from its sales margins after only 2 years. In 1987, Dell dominated the mail order market. Yet, it was clear to Dell that in order to continue growing, he had to expand beyond mail order. He knew that he needed a larger professional management staff in order to reach his goal. As early as 1986, the company engaged E. Lee Walker, a former investment banker, as its President.

Dell Computer Corporation continued to grow rapidly. It opened a London office that sold $4 million worth of computers in 1988 alone. The company also formed a subsidiary in Canada. In early 1988, it organized various divisions to raise the company’s profile. In 1987, it reported a $159 million sale. It went public in June 1988 with 3.5 million shares.

In 2001, Dell Computer Corporation gained the leading share of the global PC market. In 2003, the company changed its name to Dell Inc. Thus, in 2004, Michael Dell announced that he will step down as CEO but will remain as Chairman. The corporation has continued to grow since then.

Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard, just like Dell Computer Corporation, has its rags to riches story. In 1934, Dave Packard and Bill Hewlett both graduated from Stanford University. It was during their post graduate stint at Stanford when they started HP in a small garage along Palo Alto.

Packard and Hewlett formally introduced their partnership in 1939. They started with an investment of US$538. Via toss coin, Dave won to use his name for the business, but he chose to name their electronics manufacturing enterprise as Hewlett-Packard (HP).

Their first successful product was a precision oscillator: the model 200A. Walt Disney was HP’s earliest customers for oscillators, which it used it to improve surround sound systems for theaters in the movie Fantasia. The oscillators sold well for 33 years, and became the longest selling basic electronic design of all time.

HP lacked focus when it was beginning. It tried to create a wide range of electronic products for industry and agriculture. Later on, the company concentrated on production of high quality electronic test and measurement equipment.

HP is recognized as the symbolic founder of Silicon Valley. Hewlett-Packard’s HP Associates division developed semi conductor devices which were used in calculators and other electronic instruments.

HP used Digital Equipment Corporation minicomputers along with its instruments. In 1966, HP entered the computer market with its HP2100/HP1000 series of minicomputers. These powerful models that lasted for a good twenty years were similar to the INTEL X86 architecture.

HP also introduced the HP2640 series of smart and intelligent terminals. These terminals form-based interfaces to ASCII terminals and screen labeled function keys. They are now commonly used on gas pumps and bank ATMs.
In 1968, HP created their 9100A and called it a desktop calculator. Bill Hewlett called it a calculator because it does not look like an IBM computer. It was a breakthrough in engineering at the time because the logic circuit was produced without any integrated circuits. CPUs were entirely executed in discrete components.

Wired Magazine acknowledged and publicized HP as the producer of the world’s first personal computer. The company earned global respect because of the variety of its innovative products. These include:

• HP-35, the world’s first handheld scientific calculator, introduced in 1972;
• HP-65, the first handheld programmable calculator was made in 1974;
• HP 41C the first programmable and expandable alphanumeric calculator, in 1979;
• HP 28C the first graphical symbolic calculator, was released the same year;
• In 1984, HP introduced both inkjet and laser printers for desktop PCs. HP also produced successful multi-function products, among which the most significant is the printer/scanner/copier/fax machine-in-one device.

In the 1990’s, HP expanded their computer product line. They started to closely observe universities, research facilities, and enterprises for their computing needs.

The company changed its name to HP Home & Home Office Store in 2005. HP became one of the leading manufacturers of desktop and laptop computers as well as database servers for many different markets. The Palo Alto garage where the 2 young men started their business is now a historical California landmark.





Samsung F480 Tocco Mobile Phone Review - A Touch Of Class In A Touch Screen Mobile Phone

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These days, mobile phone users want it all - music, photos, 3G capability and sheer unadulterated style as well. There is nothing wrong with wanting it all, and if you do then you might be interested in this little gem. The Samsung F480 Tocco is one of Samsung's newest offerings. It is sleek, stylish and undoubtedly fashionable, so much so that one reviewer referred to it as "Samsung Armani". It certainly looks the part, but does it walk the walk as well?

Style And Navigation

The Samsung F480 Tocco is one of the phones that make you believe in love at first sight. The black and metallic casing is undoubtedly incredibly sexy, especially considering you can alternate between the original casing and a leather look one that is included in the package. Either way, it is incredibly smooth and sophisticated, especially if you consider the fact that this compact little number is a touch screen phone. The screen is 2.9"and of an incredibly high resolution. This justifies its domination of the handset alone. In terms of the overall outer design of the phone, it is simply flawless.

However, if you have never used a touch screen phone before then it can take come getting used to though so prepare to spend some time learning to get along with it. The interface is not the user-friendliest of navigation systems but it is easier to navigate than the iPhone. Again, it just takes a little time to get use to if you are a little technologically challenged but it does not pose a major problem.

The Feature List

The feature list of the Samsung F480 Tocco is pretty impressive. For starters, there is a 5MP camera that is packed full of little extras. There is face recognition, anti-shake and LED flash so you can take the best possible pictures at any time of day or night. Its only downfall is that direct sunlight will ruin your images because it cannot seem to cope with it. All Samsung camera phones are the same though so it is an issue o the make rather than just of the model.

There is a fantastic music player on board as well. It features a bluetooth A2DP profile, an MP3 player and an FM Radio. The Samsung F480 Tocco actually sounds extremely good and has a music recognition feature that will enhance your experience. The 232MB memory is more than sufficient to hold a good number of tunes on it, but can be boosted by a MicroSD memory card if need be.

The connectively of the Samsung F480 Tocco is good, with GPRS, EDGE, USB, bluetooth and 3G capability, but Wi-Fi is conspicuous by its absence. However, with a feature list as extensive as it is, you cannot fault the phone itself. If you want it all, well almost all, then the Samsung F480 Tocco is for you. It has all of the latest features that come as standard and does them well, better in fact than some of the similar phones out there on the market.





Intelligent Image Resizing Online

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Have you ever heard of an intelligent online image resizer? If not, don't worry. There are many tools like this available on the Internet that should be explored so that they can be utilized to resize images online for free.

Have you ever heard of an intelligent online image resizer? If not, don't worry. There are many tools like this available on the Internet that should be explored so that they can be utilized to resize images online for free. Online image resizing is a necessary function required for everyone that can suit a variety of purposes.

Various sizes of images are needed for various tasks. Making an avatar requires shrinking a photo so that it occupies very little space on screen and at the same time maintains an excellent photo quality and resolution. Similarly, if an image is to be posted on a blog, it should be clear and cover some space on a monitor. Online image resizer will do the job for anyone who would like an excellent way to resize a picture online. To perform an image resize online, just select an intelligent online image resizer domain, where the instructions are included as part of the web application software, and users only need to mention the purpose at the web page.

To get an image resized online, simply select an intelligent tool, and once the image is uploaded to the tool, the online picture resizer will do the rest of the work quickly. Pictures can be resized online with the latest tools, which include many more features and at the same time maintain photo quality equal to the original. The software is intelligent enough to make any cosmetic changes required so that any images resized online are of excellent quality.

An intelligent online image resizer is far better than other available tools, as it will automatically suggest the correct dimensions of the photo required for a personal or commercial purpose. To get a smart resized photo, the latest versions of intelligent resizers will need to be used, as these are equipped with the various software programs that can take care of a photo throughout the resizing, and provide better and smarter resized pictures. Although it is possible to find an intelligent resizer using search tools like Google, Yahoo, MSN, or others, great care should be taken to selecting the correct online image resize tool so that it is possible to resize your images online and get the best quality photos or images.

Smart and intelligent online picture resizing websitestake care of all aspects of photo quality, including the size and pixels. Intelligent resizer websites includes the latest and most modern tools, where the entire task is taken care of by the software programs, and the user only needs to upload an image to the web page to get a resized photo instantly.

These intelligent resizer websites are based on modern state of the art technology and are becoming more and more popular in all parts of the world. The future of technology will ensure the best output with perfect design, and will cover almost all areas of photo editing so that every one of us will be able to resize and crop pictures online.





Variations Of Software Programs

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Consumers are enthralled by the software installed in electronic devices because these programs allow them to be more productive and provide them with a source of entertainment that is suitable for every member of the family. Some electronic devices will not work at all without the software installed, and others work better because the software programs have been added since the device was bought.
People are more familiar with the software programs that run their personal computers, but other digital devices are equipped with software. The operating system software is the controlling force behind all computer operations, This software allows the user to perform independent tasks using word processing software programs, or includes software that will allow the user to complete complex mathematical calculations using formulas in spreadsheet formats.
The operation of this type of software is independent of any other type of custom software that has been installed on the computer. Many computer users must install software that allows them to view videos and graphics. These software programs are easy to download but will require update to be installed from time to time to keep the software program running smoothly.
The software updates are written with scripting software that simplifies updates by creating screens that are presented in an easy to understand language that requires the user to click a few buttons and step back while the software does the rest of the installation on its own. Other software is embedded into the installation program that will notify the computer user that the installation is complete. In most cases, the computer software will require that the user restart the system for the changes to go into effect.
Some customized software programs will be created for businesses to track inventory or provide a certain service to a client or the public at large. Some computer operating systems work on the Windows platform and other software program are open source and can be edited by users who know the coding used in the software programs. These programs can be modified by each user and uploaded to the site where it was obtained so that other users can benefit from the changes that were made.
People prefer to use open source software because it is available for download through internet websites. The open source software is considered freeware and is the product of computer users who have a talent for creating programs that enhance productive tasks found in other software or the software could be scripts that make mundane tasks tolerable and easier to complete. Some programming artists create freeware to establish a web presence and build a business from software popularity.
The software programs installed on electronic devices allow people to connect to the internet and the user will have all the tools and storage space required to download files from a computer at work. The PDA devices contain software that will also allow users to check email and store it for future reference. Some personal digital assistants are equipped with software that allows people to access maps and obtain directions to a desired destination.




Tips For Choosing The Right Computer For You

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Are you ready to purchase a new computer? Great! The choices can be daunting, though. Just looking at the price aspect, you can spend anywhere from three hundred euros to several thousand euros, quite easily.
The first choice you'll need to make is whether to buy a desktop or a laptop. If you need any amount of mobility at all, we'd suggest a laptop. If you don't plan on moving your computer around or using away from your home or office, you might want a desktop. Desktop computers are easier to repair and are cheaper for what you get.
Next, you'll need to make a choice on some of the major features and components of the computer.
Memory is a big factor in determining how quickly your computer performs tasks - I would not buy a computer with less than 512 MB of memory. 1 GB of memory would be even better. If you are planning on doing lots of multimedia work or other tasks that require a lot of operating resources, you should probably get 2 GB of memory. Also keep in mind that memory is classified by speed as well as storage size.
You'll also need to decide on what processor you want and/or need. If you're not familiar with the technical aspects of computer processors and you are going to need a processor that's more powerful than standard, you might want to consult with a computer expert to help you make the choice.
You'll also need to choose the hard drive size you'll need. This is any easy choice to make - just see how much hard drive space you're using now, add in any increases you expect to need, then add some space for expansion.
There are many, many different components of a computer that you'll have to choose. It's worth a little time to think about exactly what you need so you make the right choice the first time.



Computer Basics

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What is a computer?
Computer is an electronic device with a ability to: -
1. Accept data 2. Input, Store and execute instruction. 3. Perform mathematical and logical operation 4. Output results according to users requirement
Computer has certain Limitation:-
1. Cannot think on their own 2. Task has to be described in detail. 3. Do not learn from experience. 4. Cannot detect or correct errors in logic or data.
HISTORY OF THE COMPUTER : People have always needed to count. Earlier they counted with their fingers and probably through scratch making on trees or bones or on the walls of their caves. Over the centuries the science of numbers and computing has changed dramatically. People are now able to solve very sophisticated problems, and increasingly so with the aid of computers. Today we use computers in virtually every environment. From the executive in an office to the housewife and her washing machine to the teenager recording his/her favorite television programme, computers have entered into practically every sphere of human activity. The history of computing can be traced back to Abacus (2000 BC). Used primarily by merchants, the Abacus was a mechanical device used to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers. Centuries later, mechanically operated devices were developed. These machines could add and subtract numbers (in 1642 Blaise Pascal's Calculating Machine), as well as multiply divide numbers (in 1671 Leibniz's Calculator) A few years later Charles Babbage, referred to as the "father of computers" devised a machine (Analytical Engine) which could be "programmed" by instructions coded initially on punched cards and then stored internally.
GENERATION OF COMPUTERS :
First Generation Computers - 1951-59 : They used vacuum Tubes as their principal component. They could store 10,000 to 20,000 characters. Magnetic Core Memory was used.
Second Generation Computers - 1959-64 : The Second Generation Computers replaced the Vacuum Tubes with Transistors. This led to the miniaturization of Computers. The concept of Multi Programming was introduced with Second Generation Computers. The most popular Second Generation Computer was the IBM 1401.
Third Generation Computers - 1964-70 : The Third Computers introduced integrated circuits, the equivalent of hundred and thousands of transistors on a small silicon chip. This drastically reduced the cost, size and power requirements. This technology produces powerful Mini Computers.
Fourth Generation Computers - 1970 till now The LSI (Large Size Integrated) Technology with many thousand of Electronic Devices on a small silicon chip signaled the Fourth Large Number of Character could be stored and also these Computers were much faster. IBM 370 was most popular machine.
A computer system can be viewed as a system of three Major Components:-
Hardware : It deals with a computer equipment that is mechanical, electrical, and electronic parts of the computer.
Software: It contains programs that instruct a computer how to process data and generate required information.
Human-ware : Person who operate the computer and also those who write the program i.e. - operator, programmers etc
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT :-
The heart of the computer is CPU It performs the various function with help of following components :-
1. RITHMETIC LOGICAL UNIT (ALU) :- Performs the actual calculations such as addition, multiplication, subtraction, and comparison like greater than lesser than, equal to, positive, negative or zero
2. MEMORY UNIT (MU) :- Memory unit or main storage unit holds data, instruction (that are being interpreted and executed, the results are ready for the output)
3. CONTROL UNIT (CU) :- The control unit co-ordinates the operation ofthe hardware. It also co-ordinate the flow and execution of data and instruction that are feed into the memory or main storage of CPU.
PERIPHERAL DEVICES
Peripheral devices can be classified as
1) INPUT DEVICES: - It allows feed the data into C.PU. (Computer) Examples of output devices are explained below: -
1) KEYBOARD - It is a important input device which is use every where. The keys are same as typewriter. They are classified as follows: -A) Alphabet Keys (A to Z). B) Numeric Key (0 to 9) C) Alphanumeric keys (!@#$% ~ &*) D) Function keys (Fl, F2, F3,..... F12) E) Arrow keys (Up arrow, Down arrow, Right arrow, Left arrow) F) Special keys (ENTER, TAB, CAPS LOCK, SHIFT, CTRL, ESC, ALT) 2) MOUSE - It is a device, which can easy to operate by one hand only.
It looks like a rat or mouse. It includes a three buttons & we can operate mouse through that buttons
2) OUTPUT DEVICES - The data, which we feed in computer through input device that data are displayed through, output device whenever called. Examples of output device as follows: -
1) Monitor (Screen of the computer)
2) Printer (DOT Matrix, Laser, etc.)
3) Backing Storage Devices :- Are those devices which can store data feed in by the use of input device. Some examples of backing storage devices are as below:-1) Hard Disk 2) Floppy Disk 3) Compact Disk (CD)
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER
Computers can be classified on purpose, components and size
1.ANALOG COMPUTERS 2.DIGITAL COMPUTERS 3.HYBRID COMPUTERS
Analog Computers : Analog computers are computer that measures physical quantities (eg. Temperature, length, pressure, Whether reports etc...) and convert them to numeric values. It is used mainly for scientific & engineering purpose.
Digital Computers : Digital computers are used for mathematical operations such as (eg . addition ,subtraction, letters, symbols)
Hybrid Computers: The features of analog and digital computer are combined to create a hybrid computing system. The doctors to measure hearts beats SIZE mostly use hybrid computers –
All digital computer store numbers, letters and other characters in coded form. The code used to represent characters is the binary code - i.e. a code made up of binary digits or bits. Every character is represent by a string of "Os" and ""Is" - the only digits found in the binary numbering system. When data is types into a computer the keyboard convert each keystroke into a binary character code. This code is then transmitted to the computer, when the computer transmits the data to the - printer or the screen, or to the disk, each individual character is communicated in binary code. It is then converted back to the specific character while displaying or printing the data.
One 'Bit1 is a short of Binary Digit. A collection of 8 bits is known as a BYTE and half of byte i.e. a collection of 4 bits is known as a NIBBLE; 1 Byte= 8 Bits; 1 Kilobyte (KB)= 1024 Bytes; 1 Megabyte (MB)= 1024 KB; 1 Gigabyte (GB)= 1024 MB.
Note :- Every character you type occupies 1 byte, Every Space occupies 2 bytes and every Enter you hit occupies 2 bytes.
TYPES OF STORAGE SYSTEM
1. INTERNAL STORAGE :-
RAM :- (Random Access Memory ).Where programs arid data are held during processing temporarily. Data stored in the RAM is lost when either the machine is switched off. ROM :- (Read Only Memory). Where permanent instructions or data are held. The ROM does not require a continuous supply of power to retain it contents.
2. EXTERNAL STORAGE:-
(A) HARD DISK : Hard disks are a collection of/ pack of diskettes, known as platters, made of aluminum, with their surface being coated with iron oxide joined together to form a cylinder. They have more storage capacity and speed than floppy disks.
(B) Floppies are made of Mylar plastic coated with magnetic oxide. The flexible material is cut into circular pieces.5 1/4" or 3 1/2" in diameter. They are called Floppy disk"




Why Rent A Laptop When You Can Buy One So Cheap?

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People confuse computer renting with leasing. Renting is short term in nature and is very flexible. You can extend the rental or cancel at any time. Leasing, like buying, can't be canceled without a 'severe penalty' once you have committed. Leasing is a fixed arrangement. Renting is totally flexible.
If you plan to use a particular computer for just a few days or weeks, computer rental is definitely the right choice. However, there are other reasons to rent.
• Many individuals find that computer rental is a low cost option to purchasing and owning a computer.
• The value of renting depends on the need you have right now versus the need you will have in the future. If it's a short-term need, rent.
• You may need many computers for a very short time. Computer rental companies can set up an entire classroom of computers and let you focus on your training program.
• Renting gives you the advantage of having various related products and services tailored to your very specific needs.
• You can get the exact computer you need as well as any back-up services you may need.
• If you are traveling, you don't have to lug your expensive and awkward computer with you. Your computer rental company can have any technology preconfigured and tested, waiting for you at your at destination.
• Temporary employees need temporary technology. Many computer rental companies will coordinate the installation and removal of computers, printers and other technology for any period of time specified.
Regardless of your need, it makes good sense to shop around for the right deal. Computer rental services can be found through the Internet as well as in most urban areas.
A Quick Guide to Renting Computer Displays
Most meetings today involve a computer at some point. These are the questions you need to have answered in advance if you will be renting computer equipment.
What kind of computer will you be using?What is the computer's resolution?Will you be showing a video?Will you be using transparencies?Will you be using slides?How big is the room you'll be using?How many people will be attending the meeting?Is darkening the room possible?
If you're using a laptop, make sure you know how to activate its monitor output. Newer laptops can be programmed in the Windows® setup to have the monitor output activated at all times. Others might have a command such as Function-F5 to activate the monitor output. Be sure to try this before your meeting begins.
The last thing you need is to start your meeting without testing your equipment. How many times have you been frustrated when you had to sit through a 30 minute IT explanation from one of your co-workers who didn’t do their homework.
Always be prepared, especially if you are renting equipment. You need to familiarize yourself to your new tools so your presentation or meeting will run smoothly. Don’t assume that everything is working properly or you might be embarrassed.




PC Security: It’s Bigger Than Viruses And Spyware

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Nowadays the words ‘computer security’ are on every person’s mind who deals with computers. Everyone seems to be worried about some security concern with their computers. But what exactly does computer security mean?
Simplified, it means keeping your computer and of course, its data secure and safe. In the present age, most of personal data are stored in the computer. But some of us don’t have the fundamental knowledge of keeping those data in safety. This basic knowledge is very simple; all you have to do is following some uncomplicated rules that will improve the security of your computer hugely.
First of all let’s see what the internet connection is all about. We can take up a comparison- a computer with internet connection resembles your very own house. Your house has many openings- doors, windows. With the increase in number of openings, increases the number of chances for someone to enter into your house. I am not saying that some robbers are going to come, but more openings imply more chances of getting robbed.
So to check these visits from strangers you need to install a quality firewall and also update this installed firewall on a regular basis.
Nowadays, it’s not a headache to update your software or operating system. Microsoft Windows Update feature is a good instance. Ensure updating all your installations of your computer.
You will come across two basic kinds of firewalls. Both of these (one, hardware and another, software) carry out the same task. Generally, a hardware firewall is included in your router in case you use one but you may not have a software firewall on your computer.
Sometimes we quite foolishly let strangers come in. just opening an email or browsing the net can invite strangers. Your guards are often fooled by viruses, Trojans or spyware. Sometimes an email from your buddy can carry a fatal virus. So how does your computer fight these unwanted ‘guests’? - By installing anti virus software.
In the present days, anti-virus falls under a huge category. Usually these packages or suites include a spyware scanner and a firewall. Although these guards are quite effective in their jobs, you are advised not to relax and rely completely on them. The protection plan of your computer’s requires multi-tiered protection plan but they are just a single layer. The ultimate yet one of the most crucial advices that I must give you is that your computer’s anti virus software should always be in a state of updated. They should be updated manually regularly since your computer can be subjected to new threats everyday.




Password Protect Your Computer!

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Using passwords that are strong or utilizing authentication technology that is strong helps you protect your personal info.
As much as possible, keep all your passwords in a secure and safe place. Do not share your passwords over the Internet, phone or e-mail.
Remember that your ISP should not ask your password.
Hackers have the ability to acquire your password, unless of course you make it difficult for them to guess it through the following efforts: use passwords that contain eight characters including with it symbols and numerals; avoiding words that are common; avoiding using personal info; changing regularly your passwords (at least every three months).
A good way of creating a password is to come up with a phrase that is memorable and using first letters of every word as the password of your choice. Convert these letters into particular numbers that look like letters.
Do not forget to back up files that are important The fact of the matter is that there is no such system that is one hundred percent secure. If there are any files that are important and are currently stored in your own computer, always copy them in discs that are removable.
After which, store them in a place that is secure.
You could also consider software encryption. It is also best if the start-up disks in the original software you bought are readily available just in case your computer system crashes.
All in all, helping your children safe from online security threats is an effort that is well worth it.
Make your computer immune to attack
Prevention is always better than a pound of cure. Believe it or not, it is now utterly impossible to survive without a computer. Almost anything and everything could be done on-line nowadays.
From purchasing to selling to paying bills, one really need not go out as any transaction could actually be made thru the computer thanks to the Internet. Unless, of course, fresh air is also available online.
However, the computer’s flexibility has also allowed it to be vulnerable to attack from one of the most potentially harmful entities around: the computer virus. Get Free Registry Cleaner Scan at The instance you detect that the computer you own is infected with a virus, the following are helpful tasks that you could do to protect it further and to also avoid other personal computers to be affected as well.



When, Why, And How Should I Reformat My Hard Drive?

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Sometimes we have no choice when it comes to reformatting your hard drive. Just make sure you understand that all your data will be lost unless you take the time to backup files you do not want to lose. This should only be done as a last resort.
When should I reformat my hard drive? If your windows files are corrupted beyond repair or you have files missing and all your attempts to repair have failed. If you have a virus and all your attempts at removal has not worked. Another reason would be if your computer is infected with spy-ware to the point you cannot open Internet Explorer or your computer's performance has slowed considerably. Another reason would be if your computer will not finish a successful de-frag
Why should I reformat my hard drive? One of the biggest complaints I used to get when working with a clients computer was that it was so slow and it used to be a lot faster. Computers will lose performance over many months of use if it has not been de-fragged, multiple spy-ware infections, multiple virus infections, registry errors, files left after we un-installed programs we are not using. All these factors over time will slow your computer to a crawl. It would be a good idea when your computer is to the point that all your attempts to correct the problems have not improved the situation. If your at this point than its time you make preparations to reload your computer.
How should I reformat my hard drive?
1. Before you can begin to reformat your hard drive you must try to backup any files you may want to keep. Keep in mind if your computer is infected so can the files your backing up be infected. Before you proceed with the backup process separate the files you want to keep into a separate folder. Any folders that contain files you want to keep you can drag and drop those into this folder too.
2. Run a scan virus and spy-ware on this folder and make sure these files are not infected. Any files that cannot be repaired get rid of them.
3. You can backup your folder easy if you have CDRW or zip drive. If you have a secondary hard drive you could just drag and drop those files into it. Just make sure you label your folder backup so you can find it easily. Many of you have songs and pictures you want to keep you can backup those too as long as they are clean from infection.
4. Don't forget to backup your history and bookmarks folder if you do not want to los that information. Take inventory of all items you want to keep and put them in this folder and scan them. This should keep your losses to minimum.
5. Your computer manufacturer would have given you a restore CD and driver CD. You should have least one of each depending on the manufacturer you may have more than just two. If you cannot find your CD's or they are damaged you can get replacement from your computer manufacturer for nominal fee. It is a good idea when you first take your computer out of the box to put the CD's in a safe place. You can also make backups of them so if they become damaged you don't have to buy replacements.
6. If your computer came loaded with Windows XP it is very easy to reformat your computer with the CD. Do not copy Windows over Windows always delete the partition when it prompts you and create a new partition. The next step it will ask you to format the drive and it completes these steps easily for you.
7. It will than run Windows setup and load XP back onto your computer.
8. If your computer is older and your running Windows 98/ME the process is basically the same except depending on your computer manufacturers restore disk you may have a some different steps. You may be required to reformat your drive with a DOS boot disk. Consult your manual for instructions.
9. Your computer manufacturer also supplied driver disks and possibly applications disks. Once Windows is loaded you would use your driver disk to load the applicable drivers you need to operate your computer efficiently. Once all your drivers are installed and working correctly you can install any applications.
10. Your computer manufacturer bundled some trial applications with your computer that the licenses have expired putting those back on at this point is not necessary. You do not have to put on any applications you are not using. If your not using them just save the space for other things.
11. Now you can put the backup folder you created back on your computer. Once you have accomplished that you can drag and drop the files and folders into their original positions over writing any folders Windows created.
12. Now you would install your virus and spy-ware program and make sure you can get on the Internet.
13. Once your on the Internet do not do anything else until you have done all the windows updates. This is critical so you get your browsers security updated. Install any service packs and make sure your Windows firewall is activated.
14. Run any virus definition updates and spy-ware updates.
15. This process make take several hours to get everything up and running but it is important that you do this so your computer operates efficiently.
If you have completed all the steps congratulations you just reloaded your computer and your ready to go.




Earning A Degree From Baker College Online

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Baker College is the largest independent college in the US state of Michigan, a fully accredited, private, not-for-profit career college system founded in 1911. It now houses 13 campuses, and offers worldwide online education focused on job specific training that promises a more personally rewarding career. Baker online is a series of courses and programs made accessible by Baker College via the internet, which links students to the faculty, offers them an opportunity to earn their degrees from the convenience of their own homes, with flexible schedules.
Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, in addition to being a member of the North Central Association. The Baker Center for Graduate Studies also carries professional accreditation by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
The Complete List of Online Degrees Offered by Baker Online:
Undergraduate Programs
1. Certificate
• Web Design
2. Associate of Applied Science Degree
• Computer Programming• Computer Programming - Java Option• Industrial Technology• Web Design
3. Associate of Business Degree
• Accounting• Accounting/Computer Information Systems• Accounting/Management• Computer Information Systems/Micro Applications• General Business• Human Resource Management• Management• Marketing
4. Bachelor of Business Administration
• Accounting• Business Administration - Accelerated Program• Finance• Human Resource Management• Management• Marketing
5. Bachelor of Computer Information Systems
• Computer Information Systems• Project Management and Planning
6. Bachelor of Computer Science
• Computer Science• Database Technology
7. Bachelor of Health Services Administration
• Health Services Administration - Accelerated Program
8. Bachelor of Web Development
• Web Development
9. Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• Project Management and Planning
Graduate Programs
Master of Business Administration
• Accounting• Finance• General Business• Health Care Management• Human Resources Management• Leadership Studies• Marketing
Enrollment Requirements:
There are separate specific admission procedures for the Undergraduate and Graduate programs. Before enrolling for a degree program on Baker Online, students are required to have an experience in computer operation, such as loading software, using a word processor etc. There is also a three week online class to review and evaluate all the requirements, as well as introduce students to the Baker Online classroom. Additional courses only come after you have successfully completed this preliminary course, with instructions from a Development Coordinator or Academic Office.
The Blackboard, the Virtual Classroom, and the Asynchronous System:
Baker online uses several methods in their online teaching system.
The internet based “Blackboard” allows students to receive and send information with the instructor, the classroom, other students, and groups. Access to the internet is the only requirement, without the need for special software. The online common meeting area for students assigned to a specific online class is the “virtual classroom”, and each one is designated a unique name to ensure privacy. The "asynchronous” system is not dependant on time or place, and allows you to participate in discussion, read lectures, and complete exams.
The Library:
Baker online students can access and use any of the nine campus libraries, and online resources are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Besides the Baker libraries, Baker online also allows you to browse the library collection of other libraries all over North America, as well as access to downloadable journal articles.




Combating Computer Espionage

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In some cases, spies and covert operations are found in war grounds or politically tense regions. Now however, you can find spies and covert operations running undetected within your personal computer system as you use your computer and the Internet.
Have you noticed a suspicious slow down of your computer's processing without any particular reason? Are you bombarded by unsolicited pop up ads that indiscriminately appear whether you are running a program or not? These symptoms may continue to happen despite checking your system and running your recently updated anti virus program to run diagnostics on your computer.
Unless you run the correct program, you will not be able to detect the real problem in your system: spyware and adware.
Adware are unsolicited programs that usually come bundled with freeware or shareware. Yes, sometimes things that seem to be good to be true usually come with unwanted invisible strings attached. Companies usually pay freeware or shareware creators to be able to capitalize and prey on unsuspecting individuals who download these programs. Adware cause unsolicited pop up advertisements in your computer and in severe cases, adware causes pop up advertisements to pop up soon as you boot your system http://www.loss1.com
Spyware on the other hand is more covert and usually undetected in your system until you run an anti spyware program. Spyware is used exactly to spy on you. In relatively mild cases, spyware is used to track your Internet browsing habits so that the spyware can report your preferences to build a marketing profile. This means that as you go about your Internet business, you are under surveillance and your basic right to privacy is impinged upon.
In severe cases though, certain spyware better labeled as malware, are used for criminal purposes and can steal keywords and other sensitive information based on your computer and Internet usage.
For instance, malware can take note of your keystrokes or take note of your credit card number and other vital information that can be used to steal your identity and generally put your security at risk.It is said that 9 out 10 computers are infected with spyware and to make sure that you are not part of statistical majority, you need run an adware and spyware cleaner to detect unwanted security and privacy breach within your system.
There are a lot of reliable adware and spyware cleaners in available to remove these unwanted programs in your computer. You must note however that some adware and spyware are intricately bundled within their parent programs that cleaning them out from your computer will inadvertently disable the legitimate programs they infect. This consequence is a necessary evil to clean your computer of unwanted adware and spyware. You should choose an adware and spyware cleaner that can also work proactively by preventing future accidental installation of these nuisances.
Adware and spyware cleaners work like your anti virus programs except that these particular cleaners target adware and spyware.Considering the trouble adware and spyware creators take to ensure that extracting installed adware and spyware from your computer system will be difficult, the adage about an ounce of prevention being worth more than a pound of cure applies in this situation. Be sure to install a reliable and secure adware and spyware cleaner in your system to remove existing security and privacy risks as well as preventing future hassle.




Dig Out That Virus

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Internet worms.
Is your PC infected?
If your computer has become infected with a worm, don’t panic, it is not the end of the world.
There are a number of things that you can do.
Microsoft has a security web page.www.microsoft.com/security/default.mspx It offers up to the minute information on the latest security threats and worms. It also provides you with all of the tools to dig out the worms and fix any damage that they may have caused.
I expect that most of you are saying that you already have protection. May I ask a question? “Is it up-to-date?”
We all know that virus protection is essential. The trouble is that a lot of us have not updated our virus protection software since we purchased our computer, possibly three or four years ago.
The chances are, it is completely useless against the latest threats.
I am using AGV anti virus. I have found it to be totally reliable. There are other programs, I expect, that are just as good. Zone alarm also has a very good reputation. There are lots of others that won't break the bank.
Go to Google and type in “anti virus programs” and you will get more results than you could shake a stick at.
You only need one of these programs on your computer at one time. More than one and they tend to get confused and anything could happen.
Whatever program you use, be sure to keep it up-to-date. There are new viruses coming out almost on a daily basis. Try to get an update at least once a week. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
A lot of programs will email you when a new virus appears and offer the appropriate update as part of their service.
Whatever you do, don’t leave it until tomorrow. Tomorrow may be too late.
Do it now and sleep easy. Viruses have been known to cause nightmares.
All the best. Bob…




Protecting Your Computer From Viruses, Spyware, And Other Security Threats

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Most of us rely on our personal computers and those in our office to complete multiple tasks each day. If that data is lost or compromised it can create numerous problems for us. Protecting computers against viruses and spyware is something you should do before you start using any program on it. The information you prevent from being accessed could be your credit card accounts and bank accounts. If they are compromised you can end up becoming a victim of identity theft.
One way that people accidentally end up with viruses or spyware on their computer is by not paying attention to the sites they use. Don’t get into the habit of giving out your personal information online just because a site asks for it. To opt in, you should only have to give them a first name and an email address.
Always check the address in the URL to make sure you are accessing a secure site. It should start with “https” as this will let you know it is very secure. If it only starts with “http” then the site is not secure and you can end up compromising the security of your computer if you continue entering information on the site.
Viruses can spread very rapidly so if you think your computer may be infected, you should take care not to pass it to any other area of your computer or to others via email. By disconnecting your computer from the network you have a good chance of isolating the damages.
Always be on the alert for various types of emails known as phishing. This is a scam to get you to provide personal information. Once you do, spyware can be attached to your computer. Never respond to emails asking you for personal information as most credible companies won’t contact you for such information.
Make sure you purchase a virus and spyware protection program that is very easy to install. Most of them offer step by step instructions for you to follow. You can find out how easy such software programs are to install before you buy them just by reading some independent reviews online.
You need to choose the program for your computer protection very carefully. While they are designed to give you the very best security, you can be sure those trying to pass viruses or get spyware into your system are very smart. They have learned elaborate tricks to be able to gain access to your information.
One of the latest tactics that these criminals have been using is to sell software that is supposed to protect your computer from viruses and spyware. Unfortunately, what they are selling you is actually the very thing you are trying to protect yourself against. Always get such software from a company that has an excellent reputation, not just any one that you come across online for a good price.
In order to ensure your computer is well protected against viruses and spyware, you want a program that offers you instant updates. These will usually happen for one full year after you install the program. This ensures that your protective software is always the most current available and criminals will have a hard time infecting your computer system with viruses or spyware.




Tips For Choosing The Right Computer For You

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Are you ready to purchase a new computer? Great! The choices can be daunting, though. Just looking at the price aspect, you can spend anywhere from three hundred euros to several thousand euros, quite easily.
The first choice you'll need to make is whether to buy a desktop or a laptop. If you need any amount of mobility at all, we'd suggest a laptop. If you don't plan on moving your computer around or using away from your home or office, you might want a desktop. Desktop computers are easier to repair and are cheaper for what you get.
Next, you'll need to make a choice on some of the major features and components of the computer.
Memory is a big factor in determining how quickly your computer performs tasks - I would not buy a computer with less than 512 MB of memory. 1 GB of memory would be even better. If you are planning on doing lots of multimedia work or other tasks that require a lot of operating resources, you should probably get 2 GB of memory. Also keep in mind that memory is classified by speed as well as storage size.
You'll also need to decide on what processor you want and/or need. If you're not familiar with the technical aspects of computer processors and you are going to need a processor that's more powerful than standard, you might want to consult with a computer expert to help you make the choice.
You'll also need to choose the hard drive size you'll need. This is any easy choice to make - just see how much hard drive space you're using now, add in any increases you expect to need, then add some space for expansion.
There are many, many different components of a computer that you'll have to choose. It's worth a little time to think about exactly what you need so you make the right choice the first time.




Computer Basics

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What is a computer?
Computer is an electronic device with a ability to: -
1. Accept data 2. Input, Store and execute instruction. 3. Perform mathematical and logical operation 4. Output results according to users requirement
Computer has certain Limitation:-
1. Cannot think on their own 2. Task has to be described in detail. 3. Do not learn from experience. 4. Cannot detect or correct errors in logic or data.
HISTORY OF THE COMPUTER : People have always needed to count. Earlier they counted with their fingers and probably through scratch making on trees or bones or on the walls of their caves. Over the centuries the science of numbers and computing has changed dramatically. People are now able to solve very sophisticated problems, and increasingly so with the aid of computers. Today we use computers in virtually every environment. From the executive in an office to the housewife and her washing machine to the teenager recording his/her favorite television programme, computers have entered into practically every sphere of human activity. The history of computing can be traced back to Abacus (2000 BC). Used primarily by merchants, the Abacus was a mechanical device used to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers. Centuries later, mechanically operated devices were developed. These machines could add and subtract numbers (in 1642 Blaise Pascal's Calculating Machine), as well as multiply divide numbers (in 1671 Leibniz's Calculator) A few years later Charles Babbage, referred to as the "father of computers" devised a machine (Analytical Engine) which could be "programmed" by instructions coded initially on punched cards and then stored internally.
GENERATION OF COMPUTERS :
First Generation Computers - 1951-59 : They used vacuum Tubes as their principal component. They could store 10,000 to 20,000 characters. Magnetic Core Memory was used.
Second Generation Computers - 1959-64 : The Second Generation Computers replaced the Vacuum Tubes with Transistors. This led to the miniaturization of Computers. The concept of Multi Programming was introduced with Second Generation Computers. The most popular Second Generation Computer was the IBM 1401.
Third Generation Computers - 1964-70 : The Third Computers introduced integrated circuits, the equivalent of hundred and thousands of transistors on a small silicon chip. This drastically reduced the cost, size and power requirements. This technology produces powerful Mini Computers.
Fourth Generation Computers - 1970 till now The LSI (Large Size Integrated) Technology with many thousand of Electronic Devices on a small silicon chip signaled the Fourth Large Number of Character could be stored and also these Computers were much faster. IBM 370 was most popular machine.
A computer system can be viewed as a system of three Major Components:-
Hardware : It deals with a computer equipment that is mechanical, electrical, and electronic parts of the computer.
Software: It contains programs that instruct a computer how to process data and generate required information.
Human-ware : Person who operate the computer and also those who write the program i.e. - operator, programmers etc
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT :-
The heart of the computer is CPU It performs the various function with help of following components :-
1. RITHMETIC LOGICAL UNIT (ALU) :- Performs the actual calculations such as addition, multiplication, subtraction, and comparison like greater than lesser than, equal to, positive, negative or zero
2. MEMORY UNIT (MU) :- Memory unit or main storage unit holds data, instruction (that are being interpreted and executed, the results are ready for the output)
3. CONTROL UNIT (CU) :- The control unit co-ordinates the operation ofthe hardware. It also co-ordinate the flow and execution of data and instruction that are feed into the memory or main storage of CPU.
PERIPHERAL DEVICES
Peripheral devices can be classified as
1) INPUT DEVICES: - It allows feed the data into C.PU. (Computer) Examples of output devices are explained below: -
1) KEYBOARD - It is a important input device which is use every where. The keys are same as typewriter. They are classified as follows: -A) Alphabet Keys (A to Z). B) Numeric Key (0 to 9) C) Alphanumeric keys (!@#$% ~ &*) D) Function keys (Fl, F2, F3,..... F12) E) Arrow keys (Up arrow, Down arrow, Right arrow, Left arrow) F) Special keys (ENTER, TAB, CAPS LOCK, SHIFT, CTRL, ESC, ALT) 2) MOUSE - It is a device, which can easy to operate by one hand only.
It looks like a rat or mouse. It includes a three buttons & we can operate mouse through that buttons
2) OUTPUT DEVICES - The data, which we feed in computer through input device that data are displayed through, output device whenever called. Examples of output device as follows: -
1) Monitor (Screen of the computer)
2) Printer (DOT Matrix, Laser, etc.)
3) Backing Storage Devices :- Are those devices which can store data feed in by the use of input device. Some examples of backing storage devices are as below:-1) Hard Disk 2) Floppy Disk 3) Compact Disk (CD)
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER
Computers can be classified on purpose, components and size
1.ANALOG COMPUTERS 2.DIGITAL COMPUTERS 3.HYBRID COMPUTERS
Analog Computers : Analog computers are computer that measures physical quantities (eg. Temperature, length, pressure, Whether reports etc...) and convert them to numeric values. It is used mainly for scientific & engineering purpose.
Digital Computers : Digital computers are used for mathematical operations such as (eg . addition ,subtraction, letters, symbols)
Hybrid Computers: The features of analog and digital computer are combined to create a hybrid computing system. The doctors to measure hearts beats SIZE mostly use hybrid computers –
All digital computer store numbers, letters and other characters in coded form. The code used to represent characters is the binary code - i.e. a code made up of binary digits or bits. Every character is represent by a string of "Os" and ""Is" - the only digits found in the binary numbering system. When data is types into a computer the keyboard convert each keystroke into a binary character code. This code is then transmitted to the computer, when the computer transmits the data to the - printer or the screen, or to the disk, each individual character is communicated in binary code. It is then converted back to the specific character while displaying or printing the data.
One 'Bit1 is a short of Binary Digit. A collection of 8 bits is known as a BYTE and half of byte i.e. a collection of 4 bits is known as a NIBBLE; 1 Byte= 8 Bits; 1 Kilobyte (KB)= 1024 Bytes; 1 Megabyte (MB)= 1024 KB; 1 Gigabyte (GB)= 1024 MB.
Note :- Every character you type occupies 1 byte, Every Space occupies 2 bytes and every Enter you hit occupies 2 bytes.
TYPES OF STORAGE SYSTEM
1. INTERNAL STORAGE :-
RAM :- (Random Access Memory ).Where programs arid data are held during processing temporarily. Data stored in the RAM is lost when either the machine is switched off. ROM :- (Read Only Memory). Where permanent instructions or data are held. The ROM does not require a continuous supply of power to retain it contents.
2. EXTERNAL STORAGE:-
(A) HARD DISK : Hard disks are a collection of/ pack of diskettes, known as platters, made of aluminum, with their surface being coated with iron oxide joined together to form a cylinder. They have more storage capacity and speed than floppy disks.
(B) Floppies are made of Mylar plastic coated with magnetic oxide. The flexible material is cut into circular pieces.5 1/4" or 3 1/2" in diameter. They are called Floppy disk"




Easy Tips On How To Make Computer Run Faster

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Computers, regardless of their shape, size, colour and brand, will always become laggy and slow as time progresses. Don’t be surprised when your sparkling new PC deteriorates in the processing speed department. All these usually happen when you fail to give your computer the proper maintenance it deserves. After months, or even years, of working for you, you should definitely consider giving your computer a break and give it some well deserved maintenance. Below are some easy tips on how you can make your computer run faster.Most of the times, what a slow computer needs is more Random Access Memory (RAM). RAM is a very important component in the computer. A bigger RAM means that there will be sufficient space for you to run all sorts of application regardless of their memory needs. On the other hand, a small RAM will slow your PC down, as it will be heavily strained trying to find the memory required to run a particular application. This is also the reason why having a larger RAM capacity will allow you to process all programs and data at break-neck speed. All you need to do is go RAM shopping and grab a RAM that is bigger. Doing RAM upgrades is definitely a good thing. However, it is advised that you should only perform RAM upgrades when you have ascertained that the root of your PC problem is that of insufficient RAM size.
Another way to make your computer faster is by cleaning your registry. The registry might not be very well known to all computer users. But despite its understated position in the PC hierarchy, the registry holds a very important role in determining the ability of the PC to function. The registry, unlike the RAM, is a software construct. It stores all login information like your personal data and personal status setting of your software. The only problem with the registry is that it is unable to delete any information. Instead, it gets overwritten many times, and you will eventually end up with a huge junkyard of corrupted login datas. To prevent this mess from occurring, you can simply use a registry cleaner to delete unwanted and corrupted files. Registry cleaners like RegCure and CCleaner are just some of the more popular registry cleaners that are commonly used.
Another step is to run a quick and easy computer check up. There are plenty of free computer checkups available online. There is no need for you to fork out big money to run a simple computer check up. The advantage here is that some of the better online checks will enable you to find some of the errors, viruses and spyware that might be present in your PC and will also clean it from your computer. These pesky viruses and spyware can use up precious RAM. Just remember to install an anti-virus and anti-spyware software once you are done with your computer check up.
Everyone should be able to enjoy an optimized PC experience. Regular computer maintenance is essential in ensuring a trouble-free, silky-smooth computer-using experience. Try these tips to bring out the best in your computer.
Click Here to speed up your computer for free. Logan Albright helps thousands of people optimize their computers through a proper computer check up. He is an authority on troubleshooting computer problems at http://www.pcaholic.com.