Buying A PC Flat Screen Monitor
January 31, 2008
For six years, my Samsung PC 13.8 inch SyncMaster conventional monitor has served me well.Since the appearance of the flat screen LCD monitor, it has become obsolete. Perhaps, the flat screen’s image of flat and thin is more pleasing than large and bulky. Because impulse buying controls the marketplace, for me it’s a matter of a want verses a need. As an average consumer, I want the best value for my money as well as a comparable price within my budget.
For viewing purposes, my purchase of a seventeen-inch size LCD flat screen monitor is wise because the larger screen makes it easier to read the printed text and it cuts down on eyestrain. After carefully reading some product reviews on www.consumersdigest.com, it was easier to select a brand name and the brand type. Plus while there, I was also able to learn some technical information about it. Then, the decision had to be made whether to order the flat screen panel online plus pay the high shipping cost, or to visit a major electronics outlet,where a qualified salesman would advise me on what upgrades need to be made to my existing hardware.
Xbox 360: A Revolution in Console Gaming
January 30, 2008
Xbox 360: A Revolution in Console Gaming
by: Mitchell Medford
It wasn’t so long ago that kids who got the “new” Nintendo 8-bit gaming console or the Sega system for Christmas were the envy of every less fortunate and burned out Atari owning neighborhood playmate. As time elapsed, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and NES’s Turbo Graphix 16 became all the rave. Anyone now in their twenties can recall being impressed by the awesome advancements in playability and graphic display of the Nintendo 64 and Sega’s Dreamcast system, and even more recently (only five or so years ago) the advent of Microsoft’s Xbox, Nintendo’s Game Cube, and the Play Station by Sony. The Video Gaming industry has made great strides in the past twenty years: from slow-moving, barely recognizable forms on screen in original Atari games such as Pac-Man, Calga, and Tron, to the extremely vivid and life-like graphics of Tomb Raider, Splinter Cell, and Tekken; available for the Xbox and Play Station. Now, just in time for Christmas 2005, Microsoft has made the next move in the continuing race for Video Gaming Supremacy with the introduction of the Xbox 360. The result is truly phenomenal.
Build Your Own Computer
January 30, 2008
I’m eighty-one years old and I bought my first computer six years ago. When I bought it I hardly knew how to turn it on. I consider myself still a Newbie as I’ve barely scratched the surface of computer technology. I have successfully built about a dozen computers for family, friends and myself. I have even sold a couple of them.
This study is confined to Desk Top Computers Laptops and Notebooks do not lend themselves to to " Do it yourself " projects.
Building a computer doesn’t require a high degree of technical skill, however it does require a little mechanical aptitude. Building may not be the proper term, assemble would be more appropriate. That’s actually what you do, you assemble the right components then install an operating system which is the only phase of the project that requires any technical ability.
Building your own has several advantages, for one you can save some money. But don’t get the idea that you can sell them at a profit. There’s too much competition at the low end. All the major manufacturers have budget models, most of which you can buy with substantial rebates and good warrantees
XM Radio vs Sirius Radio
January 29, 2008
XM Radio vs Sirius Radio
by: Amy Lee Johnson
Satellite radio is becoming more and more popular as an alternative to regular FM radio, and especially for travelers who want to listen to the same station throughout their trip. Basically, you get commercial-free radio for a small monthly fee(around $13/month) and the ability to listen to the same station wherever you go in the country.
So the question on everybody’s mind is “What is the best satellite radio service?” Is it XM radio or Sirius radio? If you look at just subscribers, XM easily wins the battle with over 5 million subscribers compared to Sirius’ 3 million subscribers. However, there are a lot more options to consider when choosing your satellite radio service.
Here are some things to consider when making your decision:
Receivers
XM has the strongest variety of satellite radio receivers with the two best plug-and-play models probably being the Delphi XM SkyFi2 - with a 30 minute recording buffer(cost: about $95) or the Delphi XM Roady XT(cost: about $80.) If you want a portable option, the best one is the Tao XM2go(5 hour recording feature) - it can play broadcasts through headphones or speakers that are included and doesn’t require a docking station(cost: about $150.)
The Apple iPod Is A Great Learning And Resource Tool As Well!
January 28, 2008
The Apple iPod Is A Great Learning And Resource Tool As Well!
by: Katherine Xie
Using the iPod to gain knowledge quickly and effectively!
There is no doubt that the Apple iPod has become a common item amongst today’s youth as a great music player. But is the iPod more than just a music player?
In fact, the iPod is more than a music player. It is also a great teaching and learning tool as well. And it is guaranteed to help you learn fast.
Audio Books
Besides music, the iPod also plays audio books. These are essentially books that has been converted into a audio format and saved as a MP3 file. From a technical angle, there is no difference in the file format between a music or a book and you can download and play the same audio book off your computer or your iPod.
This opens you to a whole library of ‘books’ for your iPod. These can include many great books found in public domains and downloaded for free. There are also many good commercial ‘books’ that you can purchase for a small price. These audio books are great as you can play them over and over again in the car, on the train or even on the plane. It’s a good way to kill time and gain knowledge at the same time.
Be Your Own IT Department
January 27, 2008
If you use a computer, you need to know more than just how to use your email and surf the web. You need to know that you are protected. If there isn’t someone responsible for the computers in your home or office, then pick someone, quick. Their job is to assure you that everything I’ve listed below is getting done on a regular basis so you can relax a little.
Antivirus
This should go without saying, but I still run into computers with expired Antivirus software quite often. In 2005, Antivirus software needs to be updated daily, and paid for yearly. If you haven’t paid for a subscription, then you don’t have current Antivirus Software.
Every month, someone should verify that your installed AV Software is running, and that is updating automatically, with current virus definitions. Sometimes they stop working or updating because they get attacked between updates. You must remain virus free.
Spyware
Spyware is EVIL software that is getting worse every day. Spyware is probably what’s wrong with your computer. If you have not run spyware removal software lately then I guarantee that you have some on your system. It’s that simple.
Introducing VoIP
January 26, 2008
Introducing VoIP
by: Mike Bell
Are you tired of the high fees you pay your telephone company? VoIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, offers an inexpensive alternative to traditional telephones. By using your broad band internet connection, VoIP helps you save money, especially for long distance calls.
As VoIP gets more popular, more companies are beginning to offer this service to its customers. Some think that VoIP will replace the traditional telephone system. To help you make the switch, here is a list of VoIP service providers and some general information about what they have to offer.
Verizon VoiceWing. Their plans start at $19.95 a month for 500 calling minutes to the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. If you already have Verizon DSL, they offer a discount on their unlimited plan ($29.95 instead of $34.95). (https://www22.verizon.com/ForYourhome/voip/voiphome.aspx)
Comcast Di gital Voice. They have both national and international calling options. If you use Comcast for any other services, you are eligible for their discounted rates. If you have Comcast Cable and High Speed Internet, Digital Voice is an extra $39.95. (http://www.comcast.com/Benefits/VoiceBenefits.ashx)
Compile .BAT Files into Native Windows Applications (.EXE)
January 25, 2008
Since the DOS days, batch files have been one of the most convenient and immediate ways to accomplish certain tasks. Even today it’s possible to find some remarkably sophisticated utilities written as command-line batch files.
On the downside, batch files are easily hacked, edited, and reverse-engineered, making them problematic to rely on in certain situations.
I’ve written before about some ways around this, such as using elevated or deprecated privileges, but one of the more interesting tools I’ve seen for working with batch files is a program called Quick Batch File Compiler (QBFC).
QBFC takes any command-line batch program and compiles it into an encrypted executable or .EXE file. An .EXE file is much harder to casually reverse-engineer, so this could be a way to conceal a particular batch file’s operations from an end user. For instance, if you had a network environment where a batch script was run at logon, and you wanted key information in the script hidden, the script could be converted to an .EXE and protected from prying eyes a lot more easily than a conventional batch file. (.EXE files also run faster than batch files, of course.)
Why Is Digital TV Better Than Analog TV?
January 25, 2008
Why Is Digital TV Better Than Analog TV?
by: Mitchell Medford
To believe this one should watch both of them and feel the difference on their own. The quality of picture and sound are of high quality which gives you ultimate excitement and satisfaction while watching your favorite programs. Digital TV compresses images which help to broadcast multiple channels at a same band width. Whereas Analog which is generally called as SDTV uses magnetic waves to transmit and display pictures and sound which has been traditionally used. The special features available in Digital TV is surround sound, crystal clear pictures, sharper pictures which is all requires for the latest evolution of television the High Definition Television.
Compared to the analog the SDTV is significant as it provides more channels from the same station. If you observe the analog broad casting you will find that it is a hassle the capacity to accommodate only a few stations. Where as with digital it contains more information than the analog.
If you already have an analog set and wish to upgrade it to a digital one its possible by using digital tuner decoder though it will display the high quality pictures as provided by the original digital sets. In today’s market you find digital quality sets are available and the best news is that their prices have decreased.
If You are the Only User on Your Windows XP Computer, Do You Think One User Account Is Enough?
January 24, 2008
I am going to assume that you are running windows xp on your machine, and you are the only user on this machine. That is right, no one else uses your computer except you.
Let me ask you a question: How many user accounts should you have on your computer?
You probably guessing, one user account is the answer, since you are the only user on your computer. This is what most people will answer, one, just like you thought.
Here is the problem, you can run your your machine with only one user account. But, it is not a good practice.
The best practice is to have two accounts, even if you are the only user on your computer.
Here is why: when you install windows xp, a user account is created for you, called the admin account. The admin account has the highest privilege on the computer.
That is installing new programs, deleting, adding user accounts, and all the rest of the administrative services. In other words, you are the most effective user on this computer.
