It is not air, water or food, it is the computer without which our life will come to stand still. Today almost everything is done on computer and it does not come as a surprise that in the year 2007, computer usage has increased in 26 of the 35 countries surveyed, compared to the year 2002. With better access to e-mail and the Internet, everybody is almost glued to the screen. The computer and the Internet are mostly used at home, at work or educational institutions. The most popular activities using the Internet are reading newspapers, sending and receiving e-mails, Internet banking and finding information about goods or services. Using a search engine to find information, sending e-mails with attached files and using chat-rooms are the most common skilled usage.
Many people have trouble in deciding whether they should go for a laptop or desktop, there are certain characteristics that can help in making that decision. People who are a little light on the wallet and want to buy a used computer have trouble in deciding if it will be a used desktop computer or a used laptop computer. One of the greatest advantages of using a used system, either a desktop or a laptop is that there is a fair chance that you will inherit the operating system along with all the software, applications and utilities installed on it.
Desktop Computers
Let us analyze a desktop computer in general first. Desktops are best suited as the family machine, which can be used for everything from Web surfing to games to photo editing to video. Energy efficiency and portability for desktops are secondary as the main goal is performance. Desktops are easily upgradeable and can be repaired with ease if a certain component fails. They are very sturdy and can sustain the entire family working on it. However, the main shortcoming of a desktop is the fact that it is not portable. Another disadvantage is the fact of not having an inbuilt battery; hence in case of power cut one would lose any unsaved data.
Laptops
Laptops on the other hand are compact and portable such that they are perfect for a first time computer owner. Everyone will agree that laptops prioritize energy efficiency and compactness over absolute performance and it is this quality that makes it so popular. It gives the freedom to move it around with ease, whether one works from home or in an office he/she can use the same laptop and all the files are in one place. A good laptop is considerably cheaper than a desktop as most of the peripherals are included such as screen, keyboard and mouse along with ports for connecting additional hardware. Another major factor that gives the laptop an edge over the desktop is its built-in battery, in case of power cut one would not lose any data. Laptops can run directly from the mains and in the event of a power cut, its inbuilt battery would take over and allows the user to work until that runs out.
I guess the question again boils down to whether you want a laptop or a desktop. In either case, you should get a professional to completely review the computer that you are planning on buying, especially parts like the various ports, life of batteries and all the external drives. In the case of a desktop, you can get a used CPU while buying new accessories that would give your desktop a new look. Unfortunately, the same is not possible with a laptop. At the most, you can give it a nice hard scrub.
If you are on a really tight budget, but want to go all the way then along with a used computer, used computer hardware, used computer memory and used desktop computer furniture are also available. As these are additional peripheries, the fact that they are used does not impact its performance. I personally believe that the best place to look for prices of used computers along with all the other peripheries is the Internet. Obviously, buying over the Internet is not advisable, especially if you do not get to inspect the computer. But you will get a fair idea as to an approximate cost of what you are looking for and will provide you with a baseline with which you can negotiate.
At the end of day, you have to take a call and decide what is best for you. Be patient and wait for a deal that suits your wallet and your purpos
Sabtu, 27 September 2008
Computer cases
Once upon a time, you would have been limited in your choice of computer cases - they were mostly beige boxes with a switch and a few holes. These days, you have a wide range of choice in shapes, sizes and colours.
The computer case is an often overlooked component, most people just go out and choose a case solely on price, and while a cheap case may suffice for an average system, it’s usually a good idea to put some thought into your requirements.
Size, shape and style:
I’ll outline some, but not all, of the case styles and sizes that you’ll come across when buying one for use as a home PC.
desktop case
This is the style of case utilised for older computers. It’s not so popular or common to see this style of case these days as they have a few disadvantages over tower designs - having a larger footprint (you can get 2 or 3 tower cases in the same space as a desktop) is one of them. As they are no longer so popular, your choice of styling, size and prices is limited with this type of case, so unless you have a reason for buying one, a tower case is recommended.
Tower case
This is the most commonly used type of case these days. As for size, there are three general size specs for these cases that will concern the average home builder – mini, midi and full.
1. A mini tower case generally only has one external 3.5 inch (the smaller 2 front panels in the image above) drive bays and one or two 5.25 inch drive bays. Unless you are restricted for space, this size case is not recommended as it is cramped inside and has fewer drive bays, which can possibly inhibit future upgrades. Also, cooling may not always be as efficient.
2. Besides having extra drive bays (usually 2 or 3 5.25 inch and 2 3.5 inch), a midi tower case will generally be a few inches larger than a mini – width and depth doesn't vary too much, but height does. This is perhaps the most commonly used size of tower case, and the one recommended here.
3. Full towers can be huge and are often used more in industrial applications, perhaps as a file server where many hard drives are required for storage.
Things to consider when buying
As mentioned above, we recommend the midi size tower case - which still come in a variety of sizes. If you do have some concerns about the size, then the case's dimensions can often be found in the "specs" section for the product on the shop's web site, or should at the very least, be on the manufacturer's site. We'll show you how to track down hardware information in another article.
Apart from the actual look of the case (which is wholly down to personal taste and, perhaps, cost), there are 2 things that you have to look for:
1. The power supply - this needs to be suitable for the intended use, and specification of the computer you are building. Please see this Frequently Asked Question for more info on PSUs.
2. The case format - this is generally ATX these days, although a lot of cases will also support the older AT format.
The computer case is an often overlooked component, most people just go out and choose a case solely on price, and while a cheap case may suffice for an average system, it’s usually a good idea to put some thought into your requirements.
Size, shape and style:
I’ll outline some, but not all, of the case styles and sizes that you’ll come across when buying one for use as a home PC.
desktop case
This is the style of case utilised for older computers. It’s not so popular or common to see this style of case these days as they have a few disadvantages over tower designs - having a larger footprint (you can get 2 or 3 tower cases in the same space as a desktop) is one of them. As they are no longer so popular, your choice of styling, size and prices is limited with this type of case, so unless you have a reason for buying one, a tower case is recommended.Tower case
This is the most commonly used type of case these days. As for size, there are three general size specs for these cases that will concern the average home builder – mini, midi and full.
1. A mini tower case generally only has one external 3.5 inch (the smaller 2 front panels in the image above) drive bays and one or two 5.25 inch drive bays. Unless you are restricted for space, this size case is not recommended as it is cramped inside and has fewer drive bays, which can possibly inhibit future upgrades. Also, cooling may not always be as efficient.
2. Besides having extra drive bays (usually 2 or 3 5.25 inch and 2 3.5 inch), a midi tower case will generally be a few inches larger than a mini – width and depth doesn't vary too much, but height does. This is perhaps the most commonly used size of tower case, and the one recommended here.
3. Full towers can be huge and are often used more in industrial applications, perhaps as a file server where many hard drives are required for storage.
Things to consider when buying
As mentioned above, we recommend the midi size tower case - which still come in a variety of sizes. If you do have some concerns about the size, then the case's dimensions can often be found in the "specs" section for the product on the shop's web site, or should at the very least, be on the manufacturer's site. We'll show you how to track down hardware information in another article.
Apart from the actual look of the case (which is wholly down to personal taste and, perhaps, cost), there are 2 things that you have to look for:
1. The power supply - this needs to be suitable for the intended use, and specification of the computer you are building. Please see this Frequently Asked Question for more info on PSUs.
2. The case format - this is generally ATX these days, although a lot of cases will also support the older AT format.
Rabu, 24 September 2008
Is Notebook A Better Choice Than Desktop?
If internet made the world a global village, then we might as well say that notebooks made it a global colony. With desktops, things were a click away from us; notebook shorted the distance. Now we can carry the global colony on our shoulder. High-end technology at your lap, perhaps, we need nothing to conquer the world of convergence.
The great advantage of notebooks is that it gives us a sense of portability and mobility. Looking critically, portability is the only feature, a notebook has over desktops then why do we choose to go for a notebook? Notebooks can let you carry your work conveniently and you do not have to worry about all the wires, hardware and space required to keep a desktop. Also it's a matter of choice between work and home. You may want to work from home, when your baby or wife is ill. A notebook comes in handy then.
A notebook has a different role to play for different people, but it gives an incredible sense of freedom. Gone are the days when people walked around with pen and paper. All you need to do today to make notes it to buy a notebook. You may want to quickly write a email to a radio station, which is making noise in the name of music. You may want to sit in your neighborhood coffee shop and write a book or letter. But if you want to carry your notebook everywhere you go, you have to consider the weight of the machine too. A notebook weighs between 5 to 10 pounds; an ultralight model is even lighter. Whereas, a desktop computer, with its standalone CPU, monitor, and keyboard, weighs in at about 70 pounds. A notebook takes much lesser space too and is very convenient.
Some of the most famous notebooks are Sony Vaio, Apple MacBook, Dell Latitude, Toshiba, HP. Also there are many affordable versions of notebooks marketed by companies like Fujitsu, Panasonic, IBM, Asus and etc.
Let's look at a scenario where at a school, students are quietly seated at their desks and working on a class assignment with no teachers to guide them. It's real, and is happening in many schools around us. Now, we don't have to mourn looking at our tiny ones carrying pounds of baggage in their backs. Notebook has it all, from their books to assignment copies.
When we look at the productive side of the picture, we would promptly realize that a notebook is always a wise choice for an employer too. It makes his or her employees to achieve more productivity at work. It saves critical office space. At any crucial moment, a notebook can help you to do the work, even when you are not physically present in the office. When the traffic is high, and your boss is waiting for presentation in a conference room, a notebook comes to the rescue. A desktop PC does not give all this freedom for a good worker.
A research says that employees with notebooks work more than those companies with desktop PCs. A notebook enables you to work from anywhere, while traveling, from a beauty parlor, or while waiting for someone at a shopping mall. And the only disadvantage a notebook has is its safety, unless you doubly assure it from theft. It's easy to pick and elope for anyone at a busy commercial place. So, ensure the safety of your costly gadget that makes you feel the world is at your feet and enjoy the power of technology.
This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author's name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.
Provided by ArticleGOLD: Articles Directory - Article Directory
The great advantage of notebooks is that it gives us a sense of portability and mobility. Looking critically, portability is the only feature, a notebook has over desktops then why do we choose to go for a notebook? Notebooks can let you carry your work conveniently and you do not have to worry about all the wires, hardware and space required to keep a desktop. Also it's a matter of choice between work and home. You may want to work from home, when your baby or wife is ill. A notebook comes in handy then.
A notebook has a different role to play for different people, but it gives an incredible sense of freedom. Gone are the days when people walked around with pen and paper. All you need to do today to make notes it to buy a notebook. You may want to quickly write a email to a radio station, which is making noise in the name of music. You may want to sit in your neighborhood coffee shop and write a book or letter. But if you want to carry your notebook everywhere you go, you have to consider the weight of the machine too. A notebook weighs between 5 to 10 pounds; an ultralight model is even lighter. Whereas, a desktop computer, with its standalone CPU, monitor, and keyboard, weighs in at about 70 pounds. A notebook takes much lesser space too and is very convenient.
Some of the most famous notebooks are Sony Vaio, Apple MacBook, Dell Latitude, Toshiba, HP. Also there are many affordable versions of notebooks marketed by companies like Fujitsu, Panasonic, IBM, Asus and etc.
Let's look at a scenario where at a school, students are quietly seated at their desks and working on a class assignment with no teachers to guide them. It's real, and is happening in many schools around us. Now, we don't have to mourn looking at our tiny ones carrying pounds of baggage in their backs. Notebook has it all, from their books to assignment copies.
When we look at the productive side of the picture, we would promptly realize that a notebook is always a wise choice for an employer too. It makes his or her employees to achieve more productivity at work. It saves critical office space. At any crucial moment, a notebook can help you to do the work, even when you are not physically present in the office. When the traffic is high, and your boss is waiting for presentation in a conference room, a notebook comes to the rescue. A desktop PC does not give all this freedom for a good worker.
A research says that employees with notebooks work more than those companies with desktop PCs. A notebook enables you to work from anywhere, while traveling, from a beauty parlor, or while waiting for someone at a shopping mall. And the only disadvantage a notebook has is its safety, unless you doubly assure it from theft. It's easy to pick and elope for anyone at a busy commercial place. So, ensure the safety of your costly gadget that makes you feel the world is at your feet and enjoy the power of technology.
This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author's name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.
Provided by ArticleGOLD: Articles Directory - Article Directory
Buying The Right Notebook
The single most important reason anyone buys a notebook is for portability. This is something that you can take anywhere. If you frequently travel in your work, you need a notebook. If you are a student going back and forth to the university, you need a notebook. If you are journalist traveling the world and submitting articles, you need a notebook. And today’s notebooks can be as powerful as most desktops with dual processors, large capacity internal drives, and other attractive features. But which one is right for you? How do you determine what type of notebook will fit your current needs plus allow you to expand for the future?
And the first part of the answer to the question of which one is right for you leads to a half-answer: “It depends.” It depends on what you are going to do with the computer. Are you going to use it for work or recreation? Is it something needed for your profession or are you a hobbyist? Do you play a lot of games? What level of internet access do you need? It is also important to remember that unlike desktop models, notebook computers cannot be upgraded easily. In fact, they usually have no upgrade path so you should take the time to get exactly what you need in terms of features and performance.
One characteristic of a notebook computer one should consider is the screen size. If you need to be able to have a lot of landscape for projects you are working on then consider a wider screen. Screen sizes usually can range from 10.4 inches to 17.1 inches. If you do a lot of work on an airliner in economy class, you are probably better off with a smaller screen size (because of the reclining seatbacks in front of you). Also a smaller notebook is just easier and lighter to carry around. Some who do presentations with their notebook computers will benefit from larger screen sizes such as those that use the newer WXGA technology. WXGA notebook screens can achieve resolutions up to 1366 by 768 pixels.
Battery life in your notebook computer is very important too. If you move around quite a bit, you might want to consider buying a notebook with not only a long lasting battery (most go 2-3 hours), but also one where buying a spare battery is not very expensive. One very inexpensive solution for the battery problem is to buy an external universal battery that can last up to 3-4 hours.
Another feature you need to consider when buying a notebook is internet connectivity. You will find that a popular way for people to work these days is with a wifi-enabled notebook at a wireless hotspot (such as in coffee shops, restaurants, libraries and airports). If you are buying an older used notebook, you may have to get an additional wifi-card if you want to have the mobile connectivity provided by this technology. Also, you will find that most hotels nowadays offer high-speed internet access but it is usually through a wifi connection.
And lastly, you need to consider what other options you want for your notebook computer. Do you want a CD writer or will you need to record DVDs? Do you need premium sound? How large of a disk drive do you need? When it comes to disk space, CD/DVD writers, sound cards, memory, and processor speed, it’s best to get it now as opposed to get it later. Here’s why: The upgrade path for most laptops and notebooks is not very long. This is because notebooks are probably replaced every 2-3 years. They are quick becoming just as expendable as a set of tires for your car. And if you do not maximize on memory and processor speed, your notebook may not able run efficiently the new application and game software. The more your notebook is adaptable to software upgrades, the longer it will be an effective tool for you.
This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author's name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.
Provided by ArticleGOLD: Articles Directory - Article Directory
And the first part of the answer to the question of which one is right for you leads to a half-answer: “It depends.” It depends on what you are going to do with the computer. Are you going to use it for work or recreation? Is it something needed for your profession or are you a hobbyist? Do you play a lot of games? What level of internet access do you need? It is also important to remember that unlike desktop models, notebook computers cannot be upgraded easily. In fact, they usually have no upgrade path so you should take the time to get exactly what you need in terms of features and performance.
One characteristic of a notebook computer one should consider is the screen size. If you need to be able to have a lot of landscape for projects you are working on then consider a wider screen. Screen sizes usually can range from 10.4 inches to 17.1 inches. If you do a lot of work on an airliner in economy class, you are probably better off with a smaller screen size (because of the reclining seatbacks in front of you). Also a smaller notebook is just easier and lighter to carry around. Some who do presentations with their notebook computers will benefit from larger screen sizes such as those that use the newer WXGA technology. WXGA notebook screens can achieve resolutions up to 1366 by 768 pixels.
Battery life in your notebook computer is very important too. If you move around quite a bit, you might want to consider buying a notebook with not only a long lasting battery (most go 2-3 hours), but also one where buying a spare battery is not very expensive. One very inexpensive solution for the battery problem is to buy an external universal battery that can last up to 3-4 hours.
Another feature you need to consider when buying a notebook is internet connectivity. You will find that a popular way for people to work these days is with a wifi-enabled notebook at a wireless hotspot (such as in coffee shops, restaurants, libraries and airports). If you are buying an older used notebook, you may have to get an additional wifi-card if you want to have the mobile connectivity provided by this technology. Also, you will find that most hotels nowadays offer high-speed internet access but it is usually through a wifi connection.
And lastly, you need to consider what other options you want for your notebook computer. Do you want a CD writer or will you need to record DVDs? Do you need premium sound? How large of a disk drive do you need? When it comes to disk space, CD/DVD writers, sound cards, memory, and processor speed, it’s best to get it now as opposed to get it later. Here’s why: The upgrade path for most laptops and notebooks is not very long. This is because notebooks are probably replaced every 2-3 years. They are quick becoming just as expendable as a set of tires for your car. And if you do not maximize on memory and processor speed, your notebook may not able run efficiently the new application and game software. The more your notebook is adaptable to software upgrades, the longer it will be an effective tool for you.
This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author's name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.
Provided by ArticleGOLD: Articles Directory - Article Directory
If you are connected to a wireless network without its own firewall, hackers can easily intercept the signals you send and receive across the airwaves
Protect Your Notebook from Spyware and Viruses
Notebook computers bring a tremendous convenience to personal computing. Just sit within range of a wireless hotspot and you can connect to your office or home network, access your email, and complete important projects for work. However, roaming from one unsecured wireless network to another can leave your computer vulnerable to malicious software attacks.
Spyware and Viruses
Spyware refers to an application designed to track a computer user's internet activities, keep note of sites visited, and gather other information. The term, "spyware," can also refer to any non-viral malicious software, including software that takes over your internet connection, pops up unwanted advertisements, or even blocks your internet connection. A tracking program is technically labeled as spyware only if the computer user does not consent to the download or installation.
Spyware collects information and sends it back to the spyware controller. The owner of the spyware program usually sells gathered information to marketers. For instance, spyware can get a computer user's email information, using that information to bombard the user with advertisements and spam. Spyware is also known as "malware" (Malicious Software), as it can be used to aid identity theft and fraudulent activities (some spyware programs mine credit card information and other sensitive financial information). Keylogging programs, used to steal credit card information and passwords by monitoring everything a user types, fall under the umbrella of spyware/malware.
Viruses are another type of malicious software. A virus is a piece of code that attaches itself to a program, a file, or your boot sector. These malicious programs are called viruses because they work much like a viral infection – they spread to other files, programs, and even computers, and they are designed explicitly to damage your files and destroy your applications.
Protecting Your Notebook from Spyware and Viruses
Protecting your notebook computer from spyware and viruses protects you against fraud and protects your privacy, too.
The first thing that you need to do is install a secure web browser. Internet Explorer is particularly vulnerable to unauthorized scripts which could be run and installed on your computer without your knowledge. Instead of using Internet Explorer, you can try using Mozilla Firefox, one of the most secure web browsers around. Firefox will always inform you about any download or installation, inform you about suspect sites, and update your browser automatically to continually improve security.
Aside from using Firefox, it is important that any computer user install a personal firewall to block unauthorized access attempts. For Windows XP users, Comodo Personal Firewall is a free option (there is an Alpha version of Comodo Personal Firewall Version 3, which adds Vista support, but this would not be a stable option until they reach the final release). Even the best firewall can sometimes allow spyware through, however, so scan your computer with a free program like Spybot: Search & Destroy or Ad-Aware SE, two of the very best anti-spyware programs available. You should not neglect to install anti-virus software, too. If you have an anti-virus program you already use, stick with it, but the free home edition of Avast and the open-source (free) anti-virus product ClamWin are two excellent options. Be sure to keep your security software updated (most programs will automatically update themselves, but they will sometimes prompt you for your permission) to give yourself the very best protection against malicious software.
This article may be republished freely as long as this copyright notice and box of resource links are included at the bottom.
Copyright © 2007 MALIBAL, lLc
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Notebook computers bring a tremendous convenience to personal computing. Just sit within range of a wireless hotspot and you can connect to your office or home network, access your email, and complete important projects for work. However, roaming from one unsecured wireless network to another can leave your computer vulnerable to malicious software attacks.
Spyware and Viruses
Spyware refers to an application designed to track a computer user's internet activities, keep note of sites visited, and gather other information. The term, "spyware," can also refer to any non-viral malicious software, including software that takes over your internet connection, pops up unwanted advertisements, or even blocks your internet connection. A tracking program is technically labeled as spyware only if the computer user does not consent to the download or installation.
Spyware collects information and sends it back to the spyware controller. The owner of the spyware program usually sells gathered information to marketers. For instance, spyware can get a computer user's email information, using that information to bombard the user with advertisements and spam. Spyware is also known as "malware" (Malicious Software), as it can be used to aid identity theft and fraudulent activities (some spyware programs mine credit card information and other sensitive financial information). Keylogging programs, used to steal credit card information and passwords by monitoring everything a user types, fall under the umbrella of spyware/malware.
Viruses are another type of malicious software. A virus is a piece of code that attaches itself to a program, a file, or your boot sector. These malicious programs are called viruses because they work much like a viral infection – they spread to other files, programs, and even computers, and they are designed explicitly to damage your files and destroy your applications.
Protecting Your Notebook from Spyware and Viruses
Protecting your notebook computer from spyware and viruses protects you against fraud and protects your privacy, too.
The first thing that you need to do is install a secure web browser. Internet Explorer is particularly vulnerable to unauthorized scripts which could be run and installed on your computer without your knowledge. Instead of using Internet Explorer, you can try using Mozilla Firefox, one of the most secure web browsers around. Firefox will always inform you about any download or installation, inform you about suspect sites, and update your browser automatically to continually improve security.
Aside from using Firefox, it is important that any computer user install a personal firewall to block unauthorized access attempts. For Windows XP users, Comodo Personal Firewall is a free option (there is an Alpha version of Comodo Personal Firewall Version 3, which adds Vista support, but this would not be a stable option until they reach the final release). Even the best firewall can sometimes allow spyware through, however, so scan your computer with a free program like Spybot: Search & Destroy or Ad-Aware SE, two of the very best anti-spyware programs available. You should not neglect to install anti-virus software, too. If you have an anti-virus program you already use, stick with it, but the free home edition of Avast and the open-source (free) anti-virus product ClamWin are two excellent options. Be sure to keep your security software updated (most programs will automatically update themselves, but they will sometimes prompt you for your permission) to give yourself the very best protection against malicious software.
This article may be republished freely as long as this copyright notice and box of resource links are included at the bottom.
Copyright © 2007 MALIBAL, lLc
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Windows Vista - Which Version Do You Need?
After deciding to shift to a Windows Vista OS, you need to decide on which Windows Vista version you should pick. Before you consider shelling out $400 for a Windows Vista Ultimate license, you really should ask yourself exactly what features you need and want so you can decide whether the price is right.
Windows Vista Home Basic
This is the most rudimentary version of Vista available. It has the more secure IE 7, the firewall, the quick search functionality, and easier connectivity. When it comes to the features that distinguish Vista from previous versions of the Windows OS, though, Home Basic is somewhat lacking, though it does offer parental control.
Windows Vista Home Basic is a good choice only if you use your computer solely for web surfing and basic document processing, or if your computer is just barely powerful enough to run Windows Vista.
Windows Vista Home Premium
For an extra $40, you can get much more out of Windows Vista. Aside from including all the features of the Home Basic version, Home Premium offers all of the window-dressing that makes Vista look like Vista. You will have pre-packaged games and Aero interface capability. Aero gives your windows and icons a 3D appearance and smoother transitions, as well as allowing you to add transparency effects to window borders. Home Premium offers tablet PC functionality, document collaboration, and scheduled backups. Home Premium also offers the fully integrated Windows Media Center for all your home entertainment needs, plus a moviemaker which is HD format-capable.
Windows Vista Home Premium is designed for the user who uses the computer for PC and network gaming, since Premium supports DirectX 10, with its advanced graphics technologies incredible graphics rendering. Premium is also designed for watching High Definition movie, editing/making video clips, burning DVD copies, and interfacing with the Xbox 360, which Home Premium edition automatically detects to allow for Video, Audio, and Picture sharing.
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Business drops Parental controls, Media Center features, and pre-installed games for obvious reasons. Vista Business does have the rest of the Home Premium features plus support for business applications and business data security (fax, remote desktop connectivity, file encryption, and complete shadow incremental backup). This version of Windows Vista is, as the name implies, strictly for business purposes.
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Enterprise adds Microsoft’s BitLocker encryption technology to the feature set found in Windows Vista Business, but this version of Windows is only offered to businesses participating in Microsoft’s Software Assurance program.
Windows Vista Ultimate
This edition has everything that is included in the Home Premium and Business editions. Vista Ultimate also adds Enterprise’s BitLocker encryption technology for the computer’s hard drives, protecting the drives so that only authorized users can boot up the OS or view the files contained in the drives.
Because of its full complement of features, Vista Ultimate is perfect for people who use the PC for fun and business in equal parts, as well as users who want to be protected from data loss and PC theft.
This article may be republished freely as long as this copyright notice and box of resource links are included at the bottom.
Copyright © 2007 MALIBAL, lLc
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Windows Vista Home Basic
This is the most rudimentary version of Vista available. It has the more secure IE 7, the firewall, the quick search functionality, and easier connectivity. When it comes to the features that distinguish Vista from previous versions of the Windows OS, though, Home Basic is somewhat lacking, though it does offer parental control.
Windows Vista Home Basic is a good choice only if you use your computer solely for web surfing and basic document processing, or if your computer is just barely powerful enough to run Windows Vista.
Windows Vista Home Premium
For an extra $40, you can get much more out of Windows Vista. Aside from including all the features of the Home Basic version, Home Premium offers all of the window-dressing that makes Vista look like Vista. You will have pre-packaged games and Aero interface capability. Aero gives your windows and icons a 3D appearance and smoother transitions, as well as allowing you to add transparency effects to window borders. Home Premium offers tablet PC functionality, document collaboration, and scheduled backups. Home Premium also offers the fully integrated Windows Media Center for all your home entertainment needs, plus a moviemaker which is HD format-capable.
Windows Vista Home Premium is designed for the user who uses the computer for PC and network gaming, since Premium supports DirectX 10, with its advanced graphics technologies incredible graphics rendering. Premium is also designed for watching High Definition movie, editing/making video clips, burning DVD copies, and interfacing with the Xbox 360, which Home Premium edition automatically detects to allow for Video, Audio, and Picture sharing.
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Business drops Parental controls, Media Center features, and pre-installed games for obvious reasons. Vista Business does have the rest of the Home Premium features plus support for business applications and business data security (fax, remote desktop connectivity, file encryption, and complete shadow incremental backup). This version of Windows Vista is, as the name implies, strictly for business purposes.
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Enterprise adds Microsoft’s BitLocker encryption technology to the feature set found in Windows Vista Business, but this version of Windows is only offered to businesses participating in Microsoft’s Software Assurance program.
Windows Vista Ultimate
This edition has everything that is included in the Home Premium and Business editions. Vista Ultimate also adds Enterprise’s BitLocker encryption technology for the computer’s hard drives, protecting the drives so that only authorized users can boot up the OS or view the files contained in the drives.
Because of its full complement of features, Vista Ultimate is perfect for people who use the PC for fun and business in equal parts, as well as users who want to be protected from data loss and PC theft.
This article may be republished freely as long as this copyright notice and box of resource links are included at the bottom.
Copyright © 2007 MALIBAL, lLc
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Laptop vs. desktop
Many people have trouble in deciding whether they are best going for a laptop or desktop, there are certain characteristics that you can look out for to help make that decision for you.
The best thing about a laptop is being able to move it around with ease, if you work from home and in an office you can use the same laptop so that all your files are in one place which saves time in transferring them every day. A decent laptop can be considerably cheaper than a desktop as most of the peripherals are included such as screen, keyboard, mouse, wi-fi connection, etc. Another factor that gives the laptop the edge over the desktop is the built in battery, if you were to have a power cut you would not lose any data. You can run your laptop direct from the mains and in the event of a power surge or power cut its inbuilt battery would kick in and allow you to carry on working until that runs out. You are always best keeping the battery topped up as you never know when you might need it.
The laptop does have its downsides such as having a small screen compared to some of the monitors available in today’s world. A good laptop can be expensive and if broken you may not be able to repair it if the component it inbuilt to the main board itself. If you were to get a 2 GHz processor in your laptop it would not be the same as a 2 GHz processor in your desktop, they run at about a 30% slower speed so you would need to compensate for that factor.
If you’re considering a desktop then you will know it has many benefits over a laptop. They are slightly more powerful compared to the equivalent laptop and are easily upgradeable and can be repaired with ease if a certain component was to fail. The average desktop will last significantly longer then any laptop as they don’t break as easily and can be upgraded to support today’s technology.
The main downside to a desktop is the fact it’s not portable, if you want to move it around it causes a lot of hassle disconnecting all of the peripherals etc and reconnecting them once you get to your destination. Another is the fact of not having an inbuilt battery, if you were to have a power cut you would lose any unsaved data. You can buy an external battery to counter act this.
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The best thing about a laptop is being able to move it around with ease, if you work from home and in an office you can use the same laptop so that all your files are in one place which saves time in transferring them every day. A decent laptop can be considerably cheaper than a desktop as most of the peripherals are included such as screen, keyboard, mouse, wi-fi connection, etc. Another factor that gives the laptop the edge over the desktop is the built in battery, if you were to have a power cut you would not lose any data. You can run your laptop direct from the mains and in the event of a power surge or power cut its inbuilt battery would kick in and allow you to carry on working until that runs out. You are always best keeping the battery topped up as you never know when you might need it.
The laptop does have its downsides such as having a small screen compared to some of the monitors available in today’s world. A good laptop can be expensive and if broken you may not be able to repair it if the component it inbuilt to the main board itself. If you were to get a 2 GHz processor in your laptop it would not be the same as a 2 GHz processor in your desktop, they run at about a 30% slower speed so you would need to compensate for that factor.
If you’re considering a desktop then you will know it has many benefits over a laptop. They are slightly more powerful compared to the equivalent laptop and are easily upgradeable and can be repaired with ease if a certain component was to fail. The average desktop will last significantly longer then any laptop as they don’t break as easily and can be upgraded to support today’s technology.
The main downside to a desktop is the fact it’s not portable, if you want to move it around it causes a lot of hassle disconnecting all of the peripherals etc and reconnecting them once you get to your destination. Another is the fact of not having an inbuilt battery, if you were to have a power cut you would lose any unsaved data. You can buy an external battery to counter act this.
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Computer - The Need Of Modern Life
Computers simply mean a machine which can compute. Let us peek into the past and find out who were the geeks who thought about having a device that could perform calculative tasks by recognizing inputs and giving the appropriate outputs.
Abacus developed in 3000 BC can be called the first ever computer as it was a simple counting device. In 1941 a German engineer Konard Zuse developed a first programmable calculator using binary math and Boolean logic. UNIVAC was developed in 1951 and the real breakthrough came in 1952 when Texas Instrument developed the Integrated Circuit. In 1964, IBM introduced a mainframe computer called IBM 360. Apple introduced Apple I in 1976 and Apple II in 1977. The Computer that is familiar to most of us in terms of looks and functionality was unveiled in 1981 when IBM introduced the Personal Computer.
The main characteristics of a Computer are:
1 - It follows and is capable of following a special set of instructions.
2 - It can execute preset list of instructions generally known as a computer program.
The basic components which are essential to make a computer are:
1 - Input Device comprising of a Keyboard and Mouse which are used for entering instructions and data into the computer.
2 - Output device such as the Visual Display Unit or the Screen, Printer etc, which lets us see what the computer has done.
3 - The Central Processing Unit which is known as the brain of the Computer where all the processing of data is done and instructions are executed.
4 - Memory is the powerhouse of the computer which stores data and instructions in it.
5 - Mass Storage Devices are those which permanently stores and retain large amount of data. The common ones are floppy drives, CD-ROMs, Hard disks etc.
Computers come in various types designed for various purposes keeping in mind different categories of its users. According to their type they have different capabilities and are priced accordingly. The most popular computer is the Personal Computer which is for personal use of a single user at one time. They come in two types; A Desktop and a Laptop. Then there is an even smaller computer known as the Palmtop which can be held in the palms of the user. While these are the smaller and personal types of computers, The Mainframe, Workstation and Supercomputers are the larger high end computers used by big organizations.
Computers can perform a wide range of functions such as word processing, Digital Audio/Video composition, Internet, Communications and Networking and Desktop Publishing. Computers word processing capability includes automatic correction of spelling and grammar mistakes. Internet is one of the greatest inventions of human beings. It connects infinite number of computers in the manner of a web.
Ungodly amounts of information are available on the Internet and facilities of communications such as messaging, audio and video conferencing are available for free. Graphic engineers are using computers for editing audio and video compositions. No media production can be completed without the help of computers. Nowadays Computers are indispensable for Banking, Railway and Flight Reservations, Education and even defense of a country. There is hardly any sector of business which does not utilize Computers. Important and critical business tasks cannot be accomplished without the help of computers.
Just like human beings, computers are also prone to diseases which are created by attack of viruses. Proper back up of all data stored in computer must be maintained to provide back up in case of storage media failure. Computers must be secured from unauthorized use by passwords and must be protected from viruses by installing anti-virus programs in them. Computers, if safeguarded and used properly can create wonders for human kind and can produce results which are unachievable without them.
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Abacus developed in 3000 BC can be called the first ever computer as it was a simple counting device. In 1941 a German engineer Konard Zuse developed a first programmable calculator using binary math and Boolean logic. UNIVAC was developed in 1951 and the real breakthrough came in 1952 when Texas Instrument developed the Integrated Circuit. In 1964, IBM introduced a mainframe computer called IBM 360. Apple introduced Apple I in 1976 and Apple II in 1977. The Computer that is familiar to most of us in terms of looks and functionality was unveiled in 1981 when IBM introduced the Personal Computer.
The main characteristics of a Computer are:
1 - It follows and is capable of following a special set of instructions.
2 - It can execute preset list of instructions generally known as a computer program.
The basic components which are essential to make a computer are:
1 - Input Device comprising of a Keyboard and Mouse which are used for entering instructions and data into the computer.
2 - Output device such as the Visual Display Unit or the Screen, Printer etc, which lets us see what the computer has done.
3 - The Central Processing Unit which is known as the brain of the Computer where all the processing of data is done and instructions are executed.
4 - Memory is the powerhouse of the computer which stores data and instructions in it.
5 - Mass Storage Devices are those which permanently stores and retain large amount of data. The common ones are floppy drives, CD-ROMs, Hard disks etc.
Computers come in various types designed for various purposes keeping in mind different categories of its users. According to their type they have different capabilities and are priced accordingly. The most popular computer is the Personal Computer which is for personal use of a single user at one time. They come in two types; A Desktop and a Laptop. Then there is an even smaller computer known as the Palmtop which can be held in the palms of the user. While these are the smaller and personal types of computers, The Mainframe, Workstation and Supercomputers are the larger high end computers used by big organizations.
Computers can perform a wide range of functions such as word processing, Digital Audio/Video composition, Internet, Communications and Networking and Desktop Publishing. Computers word processing capability includes automatic correction of spelling and grammar mistakes. Internet is one of the greatest inventions of human beings. It connects infinite number of computers in the manner of a web.
Ungodly amounts of information are available on the Internet and facilities of communications such as messaging, audio and video conferencing are available for free. Graphic engineers are using computers for editing audio and video compositions. No media production can be completed without the help of computers. Nowadays Computers are indispensable for Banking, Railway and Flight Reservations, Education and even defense of a country. There is hardly any sector of business which does not utilize Computers. Important and critical business tasks cannot be accomplished without the help of computers.
Just like human beings, computers are also prone to diseases which are created by attack of viruses. Proper back up of all data stored in computer must be maintained to provide back up in case of storage media failure. Computers must be secured from unauthorized use by passwords and must be protected from viruses by installing anti-virus programs in them. Computers, if safeguarded and used properly can create wonders for human kind and can produce results which are unachievable without them.
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