Personal Computer Article

Adware Can Cause Real Stress and Data Loss - Scan as Quick as You Can

2008-07-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

Free adware and spyware scans are something that you should certainly take advantage of if your computer is running slow and you do not presently use an adware program. They can easily be utilized in one of 2 varying ways.

Firstly you can actually get an online scan without downloading any software's. The disadvantage of this is that this method is usually not as accurate and will more often than not leave some hidden malwares or adwares lurking deep within the depths of your pc files.

Secondly you can take advantage of the free adware scans that are all over the internet. These take just minutes to install and are very easy to work. These free scan software's will usually carry out a more thorough job of locating and isolating any adware of spyware problems that you may have picked up whilst surfing the net.

You will find that a free scan software will carry out what is called a deep system scan and the adware that has locked itself in the deepest and most intricate workings of your computer will easily be located in order for you to destroy it.

You might also wonder how did the adware get into your system in the first place? You know you did not download any program's so how did this happen? Well unfortunately it is all to easy to pick up these nasty viruses simply by visiting a website or portal. Some unscrupulous webmasters will plant scripts or codes on their WebPages in order to infiltrate your pc.

Adware / spyware viruses from websites will usually try to carry out tasks such as hijacking your net browser or home page in order to get you to come back to their site and purchase. Others might probably have darker intensions such as stealing your personal information and data, This is not to be taken lightly if you store such things as your financial details or passwords within your pc.

With such dastardly deeds taking place on the net I am afraid that only an idiot would go unprotected, for the sake of a free spyware or adware scan please check out your computer as soon as you can.

Each and every day new adwares are making their way onto the world wide web, This is why it is essential to get an adware eraser that is regularly updated with the newest and most deadly of spywares and adwares.

So first.

Get a free scan.

Use the erase function it if you are infected with an adware.

Regularly check your computer and cleanse it.

Regularly update your adware/spyware software [ this will be free of charge ]

If you follow all the above your computer should be adware free and running like new for as long as you keep to your anti adware regime in place.

Keith Larraby finds free ways to remove adware and spyware. For details and tips, visit: http://adwarenuke.com

How to Back Up Your Files Using XP's backup utility - Step by Step

2008-07-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

To determine how important it is for you to back up your files, you can simply ask yourself the following question: "How bad would it be if I turned on my computer tomorrow and all my files were gone?" If the answer is "It wouldnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt be that bad, thereรขโ�ฌโ�ขs really nothing important on my computer anyway" then you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt really need to be backing up. On the other hand if your answer is like mine and you say "I would be dead in the water, and I would probably go out of business" then you need to make sure you are backing up your data to a separate location than the usual one.

In this tutorial Iรขโ�ฌโ�ขm going to tell you exactly what you need to do in order to set up a back up for your files. This tutorial applies to the Windows XP operating system. If you have an older version of Windows there are still plenty of options, but those are not covered here.

The first thing you are going to need to do is make sure you have a working USB port on your machine. Test it out by attaching some kind of USB device to the machine. A good item to test with is a portable USB flash drive. If Windows recognizes the device then you are set.

Next you are going to need an external hard drive. This is where your files will be backed up. My favorite external hard drive is the Western Digital Portable 40GB external drive. Itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs small, unobtrusive and needs no additional power supply as it gets its power from the USB port. I like to avoid extra cords if I can. Western Digital has been a good name in hard drives for many years. Another nice thing about this drive is there is no software to install. You just plug one cable in and Windows XP recognizes it. You can purchase this drive from Buy.com by clicking on the picture of the item below. If you think you need more than 40 gigs for your backup they make a 100 gig version of the same drive, but 40 gigs should cover most peopleรขโ�ฌโ�ขs important files.

Before plugging in the new external hard drive go to "My Computer" (Start, My Computer) and take a look at what is under "Hard Disk Drives". You may see a drive labeled (C:) or a (D:) , in any case just take note of the drives you see there. After plugging in your new drive give Windows XP a few seconds to recognize it. You should get a pop up saying something like "Your new hardware is ready to use". Go back to My Computer and again look at what is under "hard drives". You should now see a new drive that was not there before. This new drive is the external drive you just plugged in. Take note of its letter (D: or E: etc).

Now that your new drive is hooked up and recognized by Windows XP, itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs time to set up the Windows XP backup utility. If you have Windows XP Professional edition this is already on your computer. You can check to make sure it is there by going to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and you should see "Backup". Windows XP Home edition does not ship with the XP Backup Utility. If you follow the above path in Windows and you donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt see the back up utility this means you do not have it. In that case you will need to download it (can be downloaded from my site). Once you have downloaded the file it is fairly simple to install. Just double click on the file and follow the directions.

If it is installed correctly you will see the "Back Up" file when you follow the above path in windows. Click on "Back Up". The utility starts in Wizard mode by default, so you will probably see a screen that says "Welcome to the Backup Wizard". Click the Next Button.

The Next screen is called "What to Back Up", choose the one that says Back up selected files, drives or network data."

Here you have a screen that looks a lot like Windows Explorer, and you can see a layout of your folders. Most people keep their important documents in the "My Documents" folder, so go ahead and put a check mark by that folder. Put check marks by any other files you think you need to back up. Expand the folders as need be by clicking the check marks by the folders. When you are done click Next.

Now you need to decide where to back up to. Click the "Browse" button. If a window with "please insert a disk into disk A: comes up just hit cancel. Use the drop down menu to find the external hard drive you just plugged in (remember you took note of what drive letter it was) Click on the drive letter. This window will show that there is nothing on the drive, since you just added it. Right click anywhere in the white empty space and left click "New" and then "folder". Name the folder something like "backup". Once youรขโ�ฌโ�ขve created this new folder double click on it to go inside the folder. Once inside click on the "save" button.

Now you should be back at the Backup Wizard again at the window called Backup type, destination and name". Under "choose a place to save your backup" you should see the name of your new hard drive as well as the folder you created. Click Next.

You are taken to a window that says "Completing the Backup Wizard". Click "Finish". Watch it back up. If it went well it says "back up complete". Click Close. You should now be back at the รขโ�ฌห�Welcome to the backup utility advanced mode" screen.

Click the button again for "back up wizard (advanced)". Click Next, choose "Back up selected files,or network data" again and click next. Again choose the folders you want to back up. Click next.

Again you are at the Backup type, destination and name screen. Under "Type a name for this back up" enter "backupincrement" . Click browse and find your hard drive and the folder you made earlier. When are again inside the folder you made, click in the text field to the right of "File Name". There is probably something in there that says backup.bkf. Whatever is in there, rename it to "backupincr" or just "increment" if you prefer. Click "save".

Now you are back at the Backup type, destination and name screen again. Click "Next". Now you are at the "Completing the Backup Wizard" screen again. This time click the "advanced" button.

Hit the drop down menu and choose "Incremental". Click Next. Check the box that says "Verify Data after backup". Click Next. Check the radio button that says "Replace the existing backups". Click Next. It asks "When do you want to run the back up?" Choose "later". For the Job Name put in anything you want then click on "Set Schedule". Choose when you want the back up to run. I would recommend daily at night, say 9 pm. After you choose the schedule, click "Ok" Click "next".

Choose a password for the backup. This can be anything though I would make it easy to remember; "password" should do fine. Click รขโ�ฌห�Finish".

Thatรขโ�ฌโ�ขs it. You have set your back up to run on a set schedule. It should run automatically without you having to do anything.

Carlos Cabezas writes regularly about home technology at http://www.HighTechHomes.tv/blog. His business, High Tech Homes, helps work at home professionals, families and small businesses with their technology issues.

7 Things to Look For Before Choosing Your iPod Movie and Music Download Website

2008-07-21T03:59:00.000-07:00

There are many sites that will give you everything you need to download millions of media files to your iPod to enjoy at your own convenience.

Some are better than others.

Let's cut straight to the chase.

You should first of all try to locate sites that will give you all of the latest tools for accessing the largest file networks possible. Which leads us to the first thing to look for in a good iPod download website.

1. Variety. Many iPod download sites will give you access to all the necessary tools to search and download all kinds of files for your iPod or computer. Basically, you will be able to find whatever you need for your IPod or computer. This includes games, movies, software, wallpapers, and much more.

2. Compatibility. The second thing to look for when locating a good iPod media download site is one that offers services that are compatible with older iPods.

A few of the better sites will only limit your downloads to what it is your iPod is designed for. For example: if you have an ipod shuffle all you can download is music but if you have an ipod video you can download videos as well.

The best sites will allow you to download music, games, images, wallpapers, screensavers, and software. I've even found a few where the music downloads are available at no extra cost!

The other compatibility issue is your internet connection.

The best iPod download sites will provide down load services whether you have a 56k connection or broadband. Obviously with a 56k connection, the download rate is much lower than the rate of a broadband connection. You can easily download music with out a problem, though it is normally recommended you use a broadband connection when downloading videos.

3. Software. Always make sure the site you're interested in downloading from includes with your membership the movie to iPod transfer software. This software will transfer any movie from your computer to your iPod device.

For instance, let's say you download your favorite movies to your PC. You will then be able to watch them there using a regular media player, or you will be able to record them using the necessary CD / DVD burning software. With the movie to iPod transfer software, you will be able to download all your favorite movies to your PC and transfer them to your iPod.

4. Support. What kind of support does the site offer? Is there someone available around the clock 7 days a week? The best sites will offer full support inside the members area, you should be able to contact them at anytime and submit your questions. You should get clear concise answers back in a timely manner.

5. Confidentiality. As always when doing business on the Net, you should ensure that the registration process and payment pages are 100% secure. Look for secure SSL certification that can be verified.

6. Software Requirements. The Better download websites will not require any extra software. Everything you need should be provided in the members area.

7. Payment. Find out whether or not you will be billed again. Is this a subscription or are the memberships one time fees? Will you have to pay per download?

There are some excellent sites on the Net for downloading media to your iPod. But, as I said at the beginning of the article, some are better than others.

Do a little research and you should do just fine.

For a free report on the best iPod movie and music download websites, visit:

http://goaddr.com/dhf

Rodney Brooks is President of Brooks Global eBusiness Solutions

http://www.brooksglobal.blogspot.com

Personalized Calendars

2008-07-19T05:59:00.000-07:00

Calendars have existed for centuries. They are an indispensable element for organizing daily life. There are different types of tailor-made calendars to suit an individual?s special requirements. Personalized desktop and wall calendars can be custom-designed by professional calendar designers. It is possible to feature your personal snapshots, quotes, logo texts and other designs to a calendar that is personalized to your life. Personalized calendars are an exceptional way to safeguard the extraordinary memories your family cherishes or to advertise your business.

When designing personalized calendars, all elements can be customized including images, dates, holidays and language. Pictures can include those of a new baby, family history, vacation, family pets and special occasions such weddings and family reunions. The pictures can be as small as 2" x 4" or as large as 8 1/2" x 14". Moreover, the pictures can be color or black and white.

Personalized calendars will brighten every day of the year and will make a terrific gift for your family members and friends. It is possible to design and print out yearly, monthly or weekly personalized calendars using one?s imagination. The 12-month calendar is the most popular. A personalized 12-month calendar, allows you the opportunity to enjoy a different photo or piece of artwork every month, and you can also choose a special cover for the calendar. Not only can you reminisce, you can also keep track of very important dates, appointments and events that are coming up. You can also plan your vacation and holidays using a personalized calendar.

Business calendars can be personalized by incorporating photos specific to your product or business alongside your company name, phone number, website address and company logo with many optional sizes and templates. These calendars can serve as interesting fundraisers, yearly gifts and as promotional gift options. A personalized business calendar can be displayed on a customer's desk or wall all year long.

Many websites provide the opportunity to design your own personalized calendars with the aid of downloadable software. There are many reputed companies with top-quality digital printing facilities where you can create personalized calendars that are inexpensive, stylish and very high quality.

Calendars provides detailed information on Calendars, Free Calendars, Printable Calendars, Custom Calendars and more. Calendars is affiliated with Atomic Alarm Clocks.

Elements of Atomic Clocks

2008-07-18T14:59:00.000-07:00

An atomic clock is a kind of clock that uses an atomic resonance frequency standard as its counter. While the time base of a conventional clock is the oscillating pendulum, the atomic clock is based on the properties of atoms transitioning between different energy states.

The first person to express the concept of the atomic clock was the Columbia University Isidor Rabi in the year 1945. He suggested that a clock could be made from a technique he developed in the 1930s, called atomic beam magnetic resonance. By 1949, the National Bureau of Standards introduced the world's first atomic clock using the ammonia molecule as the source of vibrations, and the first atomic clock using cesium atoms as the vibration source was announced in 1952.

Both conventional clocks and atomic clocks use oscillations to keep track of passing time. The oscillation frequencies within the atom depend on the mass of the nucleus and the gravity and electrostatic "spring" between the positive charge on the nucleus and the electron cloud around it.

The most accurate atomic clocks available today use the cesium atom and normal magnetic fields and detectors. Cesium 133 is the element most commonly chosen for atomic clocks. The operation of a cesium-beam atomic clock is based on the transition between two states in the cesium atom. Rubidium is also used in atomic clocks, and it lowers the cost; however, rubidium clocks are less stable. Hydrogen masers have short-term stability and low long-term accuracy. Mercury ions are also used in some atomic clocks. A particular isotope of Ytterbium has a particularly precise resonance frequency in one of its hyperfine transitions. Strontium has a hyperfine transition that is not precise. But strontium can be driven by solid-state lasers that can be utilized to make a very inexpensive, long-lasting, and compact clock. Cesium atomic clocks are used in laboratories like the National Institute of Standards and Technology to maintain national time scales.

Atomic Clocks provides detailed information on Atomic Clocks, Atomic Clock Times, Atomic Alarm Clocks, Atomic Wall Clocks and more. Atomic Clocks is affiliated with Printable Calendars.

CD Duplication Terminology

2008-07-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

Here we will take a brief look at the most common terminology that is used in CD duplication.

BLER
Block Error Rate. This is the raw digital error rate before any type of error correction.

CD
This the Compact Disc, a digital medium that's formed of a 12cm polycarbonate substrate, a reflective metalized layer, and a protective lacquer coating.

CD-R
Compact Disc-Recordable. The term CD-R is used to describe the technology of recordable CD along with the equipment, software, and media that are used to make the recordable disks.

Data layer
With CD-R media, this is the organic dye that is sandwiched between the polycarbonate substrate and the metalized reflective layer of the media. CD-R disks don't have any data on them at all until the are recorded.

Now that we've covered those aspects of CD Terminology, let's turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

Injection Molding
This is a manufacturing method where the molten material is forced into a mold, normally under high pressure, then cooled so that the material will take on the shape of a mirror image in the mold.

Media or blanks
CD-R media are the disks that are used to record digital information using a special recorder and premastering software with a computer. These discs are made of a polycarbonate substrate, a layer of organic dye, a metalized reflective layer, and a coating of lacquer for protection.

Organic dye
The data layer of CD-R media is made from a dye that is melted during the process of recording. Where the dye is melted, becomes opaque or refractive, scattering the reading laser so that it isn't reflected back into the reading sensors.

Reflective layer
This is the metal later that sits on top of the dye that reflects the laser beam back to the reading assembly. This is normally 24k gold in CD-R disks, although it can be silver as well.

As you become more and more familar with CD duplication the above abbreviations and meanings will become second nature. And next time you're at the pub quiz and the question comes up "what does BLER mean?" you'll know instantly!

Sometimes it's tough to sort out all the details related to this subject, but I'm positive you'll have no trouble making sense of the information presented above.

Visit CD Duplication Web today for information on CD duplication and related topics.

For further information on CD Duplication Visit http://www.cdduplicationweb.com right now!

Types of mp3 Players: a Quick Overview

2008-07-14T05:59:00.000-07:00

MP3 players are pocket-sized electronic devices that have the ability to not only store, but play music and other sound files.

Although MP3 players are sophisticated devices and there are of many types, they can be placed into one of three broad categories. These categories include hard drive based players, micro hard drive based players, and flash based players.

Hard drive based MP3 players are typically larger and heavier than their competitors due to the fact that they contain a large capacity hard drive inside.

This however, may be one of itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs only weaknesses. These MP3 players provide the largest capacity, ten gigabytes or more, out of the different types of MP3 players.

Due to the fact that ten gigabytes equates to roughly 2,900 MP3 files, most consumers buy these players because they accommodate their entire MP3 collection.

Micro hard drive based MP3 players are similar to their big brothers, the hard drive based players, except that they are a bit smaller, both in physical size and internal storage capacity.

These MP3 players hold up to six gigabytes of MP3 files, which equals roughly 1,700 songs. Still boasting a respectable capacity, these players have won over many consumers due to their light-weight, compact size. Additionally, both hard drive and micro hard drive based players commonly contain rechargeable batteries that can not be replaced for a new battery, but only recharged.

If itรขโ�ฌโ�ขs small size and moderate capacity that you are in search of this type of player may be just right.

Flash based MP3 players are ultra compact, low capacity players contain no moving parts and consequently, never skip.

Another advantage of these players is that their size and lack of moving parts allow them to use minimal power, causing your batteries to last longer.

Also, these players almost always use replaceable, disposable batteries, allowing you to put in a new battery if your player should die in the middle of use.

However, flash based MP3 players commonly range in capacity from 32 megabytes (roughly 10 songs) to two gigabytes (roughly 570 songs) at most.

Therefore, most consumers with a large music collection tend to shy away from this type of MP3 player while athletes can appreciate the sturdy nature of these devices.

Some of the different types of MP3 players include additional features as well. A few of the hard drive players include a small screen that can display pictures and video that are stored on the internal drive. Other players allow for digital voice recording for future playback.

For more more information about mp3 players types please visit http://www.mp3-player-search.com

The System Development Life Cycle

2008-07-12T23:59:00.000-07:00

[1] Identification of problems:

The proposal to develop a the new information system started with a formal request resulting from the identification of existing problems identified in the current systems used in the mail order and wholesales business operations.

Using the scenario information which provides details of the current installation, the areas of the companies operations to be redefined can be categorised into one of three areas., The opportunities for introduction of Information systems and technology are in this case not the objective of the business process re-engineering, but are more a by-product. These are as follows:

Information is an organizational resource which must be managed as carefully as other resources. Costs are associated with information processing.

[2]Feasibility study:

The need for a new system is clearly defined in the problem identification stage of the process. As identified by the clients, many of the companyรขโ�ฌโ�ขs systems that support the procedures have not been modified for many years. Others are regularly maintained. In order to improve productivity, it has been decided to re-engineer some of the core business processes. When two separate functions are performed by different people, the existence of two separate transaction processing computer systems, operated at two different terminals is not seen as a problem. In the proposed system one operative will be performing one new business function and obviously the one terminal and one computer system should support the new function.

[3] Information gathering on the proposed system:

For each application identified as a candidate for redesign, as identified during the problem definition stage, the process associated with each was investigated in detail to determine the advantages and disadvantages of its operation, its running cost, overall effectiveness, how the problems came about, and the detailed functional and technical system requirements necessary for the current system to achieve its results.

A detailed definition of the systemsรขโ�ฌโ�ข functional operations and the flow of information in relation it is passed between organisational functions as follows here in an example:

a} Customer places order:

The customer places an order at your site, using their payment method of choice. When a customer places an order or requests a catalogue, information associated with the transaction is collected. This information required in fulfilling the order or catalogue request includes the customer's name, mailing address, products ordered, shipping addresses, and credit card information. The information is stored on our customer file in a completely secure environment.

b) Sales:

Customer orders received by a sales function are passed to an accounts function for processing and invoicing as well as to stores for despatch of goods.

c) Customer Order Processing:

This includes all the activities related to processing of customer orders and inventory control in an organization, under the current system an order-entry clerk would directly enter any order by way of a keyboard,.

Processing can streamline the order management cycle and improve customer service and satisfaction This function handles: Perform online credit check, maintain accurate records, advise customers of order status and item availability, direct dispatch of goods and issue invoices promptly. Sales Analysis and history features provide a valuable tool for management.

d) Invoicing:

This function is responsible for the production of customer invoices, requesting payment for goods or services delivered. Information generated by this function (about the customers and stock) is stored and is used to produce invoices, usually on pre-printed continuous stationery.

To charge the customer the accounting function requires the necessary sales information, which is supplied by the sales function.

e) Accounting:

Financial accounting is the process of documenting the financial transactions resulting from the activities of an organisation almost all of which generate materials of this nature. This function also acts as a control mechanism over the financial transactions of a business. Accounting records can than be analysed to provide information on the performance of a business over a period.

f) Payroll: Payroll systems are concerned with the production of payslip for employees and maintenance of records required for taxation and other deductions. In a manual system the preparation of payroll figures and the maintenance of payroll records is an intensive task. Although tedious and repetitive, it is a vitally important task.

g) Transaction Processing:
Easy entry of customer orders including copy of previous orders, partial shipping and billing and automatic release of back ordered items for shipping upon receipt

h) Query open orders:
Drill down to shipping information on line items, customer order history, including current, year-to-date, or all, customer, credit files, stock Files:

i) Returns Files:

Returned or damaged merchandise handling, return merchandise authorization credit note generation and automatically generated accounting entries.

j) Payments and receipts:

These may relate to sales orders or purchase orders. Receipts are amounts received from debtors. Payments are made by a business to settle debts with creditors (suppliers to the business).

[4] System analysis:

The current business systems are operating on fundamental principles developed in the foundation of the company. The restructuring of its procedures to enable centralised support operations and planning. Many of these are legacy systems for management of stock, order, returns and account files for keeping track of individual customer accounts, returned goods, and payments; it also needs to have information on stock levels transferred to a single relational database system.

The way in which commercial transactions are conducted will be directly effected be the fundamental change in the shift towards the importance of information exchange that is not intrinsically part of the current computer based applications to facilitate business processes, new systems to capture information on customers

[5] Design of the system:

The potential systems subsystems, functional and technical component parts must be reevaluated to determine how the system is to meet the requirements identified at the analysis phase. Coding (if required) the information system would take place then testing and debugging.

In this instance a prototype system should be run in a simulated operational environment with real staff but test data which would not affect the real operation of the old system still continuing, and would allow the system to be tested safely and adequately on the sample data as well as the people who will have to make it work in future.

[6] Implementation and evaluation:

Once the evaluation stage has been completed, all lessons learned should be incorporated, and a final evaluation made to check this has been carried out.

First installation and operation on real data of the new equipment and software to form the complete system should take place at a single non-mission critical site for further testing until all subsystems work as intended.

Staff training should have been happening throughout, to the extent that staff had been involved in the evaluation stages, but the training of the remainder can start at this stage using this non critical site as the รขโ�ฌห�school'. The new information system should be run in parallel with the previous operations of the company until the new system is working effectivity, to ensure that the operation can continue to function if the system runs into unforseen complications at this late stage.

Parallel implementation should be must effective in this situation as this is the safest option where both the old and the new systems operate simultaneously and the results of the old system are used as a benchmark; which can be compared against the results of the new system to determine the reliability and accuracy of the new system.

[7] Maintenance:

The performance of the new system should be monitored by the installation team for the first weeks of its operation to establish if there are any unforseen failings in the design of operational procedures and whether it addresses all the original requirements. Before the installation team log off they should put in place the continuing monitoring systems to be operated by the companyรขโ�ฌโ�ขs staff, and any necessary back - up / technical support service.

Formal updates to keep management and the operations staff involved must be conducted at each stage during the system design, development, test, and implementation phases.

ร�ยฉ I am the website administrator of the Wandle industrial museum (http://www.wandle.org). Established in 1983 by local people to ensure that the history of the valley was no longer neglected but enhanced awareness its heritage for the use and benefits of the community.

How to Put Video on PSP - 5 Simple Steps

2008-07-12T08:59:00.000-07:00

How to put video on PSP is not difficult. Here are 5 simple steps to master and soon your buddies will be calling asking you how to put video on PSP for them.

First, you will need the following items:

- A DVD player on your computer (having 5-10 gb free space on your hard drive)

- A USB cable connecting your PSP to your PC

- A 512Mb Pro Duo memory stick (The PSP's default 32Mb memory card is way too small for the huge MP4 format files that are needed for video)

- A DVD Ripper like "ImTOO DVD Ripper" which "rips" or pulls the movie from the DVD onto your computer

- A PSP video converter like "ImTOO PSP Video Converter" which will allow you to convert or "rip" your videos to MP4 format

Second, put in one your favorite DVDs. Next, open your DVD Ripper and choose that named video since you want to put it on you PSP. Click the "Extract" or "rip" and save the file to a specified location.

Third, if you have video files on your computer currently then you simply hit "add" from your DVD ripper and save the file to a specified location.

Fourth, choose the video file that you saved to your computer. Click the "Extract and Encode" button from your PSP video converter and save that file.

Now the files you have on your PC are in the correct MP4 format and need to be moved over to the PSP.

Fifth, how to put video on PSP? You need to add a new folder on your Memory Stick named, "MP_ROOT" (without the quotes). Under the "MP_ROOT" folder add a sub-folder named "100MNV01". This is where you copy your MP4 videos and their accompanying thumbnail files (*.THM).

That's all there is in learning how to put video on PSP. Now it's time to enjoy your favorite video with some popcorn and a soda.

Anthony Pace is a video and PSP enthusiast. If you'd rather not deal with the technical aspects of how to put video on the PSP and don't want to dish out the money for a DVD ripper or Video converter check out the following: How to put video on PSP

Defragmentation Explained

2008-07-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

Defrag Your Hard Drive, donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt think you can't do it sure, you can. Letรขโ�ฌโ�ขs get started.

Have you ever noticed how your computer seems to run slower? and slower each week? Did you think it was just your imagination, Nah! Your computer really is getting slower because, your hard drive needs to be "Defragged" or defragmentation of your hard drive, same, same.

Any time you view a web site, download an MP3, install a game, or create a new file, your computer is saving that data in bits on your hard drive. As you add more data, the bits are moved around and separated from one another common on all hard drives.

Not to worry!!

After some time these files are spread all over the hard drive in tiny fragments. This slows down your computer. That is where "Defragmentation" comes in. Defragmenting the hard disk will put all the different fragments together in one place, which allows the computer to save time. When you run a defragmentation, it puts the pieces back together, so files, programs and such load faster. It' probably a good idea for the average user to defrag once every 1-2 months at the very least. I usually run mine every two weeks.

You can solve the problem easily by defragmentation of your hard drive. If your using a Windows operating system, it comes with a manual defragmentation tool built in.

However, depending on when you first run the defragmentation program it could take some time to complete depending, on the size of your hard drive to process the amount of data to complete the fragmentation process.

Even if you do not install games or download programs or files regularly, fragmentation can still be a serious problem on your system, especially if you receive a large volume of emails each day.

Each time you read one of those emails, you are adding more chunks of data to your hard drive and slowing down your computer even more.

If you get just ten emails a day, it would not take long for you to start seeing a significant decrease in your system's efficiency. The bottom line is that defragmentation is a serious problem, but it is also an easy problem to solve.

If you don't mind using the "built in" defragmentation tool in your operating system, then you should definitely be using it on a regular basis. Once you do it once or twice you kick yourself for not doing it sooner, it is not that difficult of a task to perform.

If you want to run the defragmentation process automatically just do a Search in Google "defrag" or what ever search engine you use and youรขโ�ฌโ�ขll find dozens of programs to choose from.

Now with all that said, here is a simple and easy way to defrag your hard drive. Letรขโ�ฌโ�ขs get started, it should take us all but a minute to start the process. I use two different methods, donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt ask me why. I probably could not give you a sensible answer; they achieve the same results, just a different way to get there from here.

Anyway, letรขโ�ฌโ�ขs get started.

Method I:

Start/My Computer/C:Drive/Properties/ Tools/ Defragmentation

* Click Start

* My computer

* Right Click on C: drive

* Select Properties

* Tools

* Select Defragmatation

Method II:

Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Defragmenter

* Click Start

* Select All Programs

* Accessories

* System Tools

* Disk Defragmenter

There you are -- Not as Scary as It Sounds!

Remember, it could take some time to defrag if you have not done it in a while. So be patient!!

Please Note: Be careful when running defrag. It can take a long time to defragment your hard drive the first time. Also, the defrag program takes files off your hard drive and sticks them into your system RAM while it is reorganizing your disk. If you lose power during a disk defragmentation, it can cause a slight problem. At best, you will probably mess up a program or two and at worst; you may no longer be able to access your hard drive and Windows. Definitely not some you want to do during a thunderstorms or possibly power outages.

Mike Pulli

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mike Pulli is the owner of http://www.foolishtimes.com. He Invites you to look at the services and download Free helpful information e-books, article library, information and resources to maximize your internet experience. Sign up for the Free newsletter.

Other sites by Mike can be found at http://www.foolishtimes.com and http://www.pigpenpicks.com

Schedule Your Windows Tasks

2008-07-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

How many repetitive tasks do you perform manually on your PC at home or work?

What tasks do you perform which need all users to logout of the system during work hours?

If you are working within Windows then you can use Schtasks, which ships with Windows, to perform those tedious tasks for you.

Schtasks is a tool you can use to carry out a task at a particular time, date or day. You can use Schtasks to run VBScripts, Batch files or any kind of executable application that can be fired up from the command line within the console window. For instance, if you have a Windows service running, which for whatever reason needed bouncing every morning or after a weekend power down, you could write a VBScript to bounce the service and schedule it to run at an appropriate time. Here is an example of how you would set a schedule via Schtasks to bounce a service via a VBScript at 3 am every morning on business days Monday to Friday:

schtasks /create /tn bounce_service /sc mon,tue,wed,thu,fri /st 3:00 /tr "c:my scriptsbounce.vbs"

If you are using Schtasks on your PC, and not on a server, then you would not switch off your PC running when you leave work and let SchTasks can run your tasks overnight. Your last task on your PC might be to shutdown your PC. Schtasks does provide the ability to start up your computer at a specific time but I have found this a bit problematic to get working on some PCs.

Here are some ideas for using Schtasks:

Backup files when your computer is idle or at the end of a working day.
Run overnight processes when no users are logged onto a server, database or application.
Start up or shut down your PC.
Compact databases.
Compile multi-developer applications.
Perform web publishing overnight when resources are free.
FTP data across a network when bandwidth usage is low.
Start, stop or bounce Windows services.

Using Schtasks will reduce your manual labour, ensure consistent processing without human error, and buy you time to do other things.

For complete instructions on using Schtasks see: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/schtasks.mspx

Duane Hennessy
Senior Software Engineer and Systems Architect
Bandicoot Software
Tropical Queensland, Australia
(ABN: 33 682 969 957)

Your own personal library of code snippets. http://www.bandicootsoftware.com.au

Moderator of http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AccessDevelopers

Keeping Passwords Secure

2008-07-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

As the web has evolved, so have the methods of collecting personal information. A large number of websites require visitors to register to gain access or participate. While the need for registration is understandable, tracking user names and passwords can be burdensome. Consider using software to store your passwords, in a safe accessible manner.

Most websites have privacy policies, but the value of privacy statements are only as honorable as the people behind the websites. Here are suggestions for keeping passwords and your information secure:

change your password frequently
never share your password with anyone
try to choose a password so it doesn't need to be written down, but not so obvious others would easily guess the password
be sure your password is at least 6 characters
don't use a password containing all the same characters
don't send your password via email or provide it over the phone
don't use pet, family or friend names
don't use your telephone number, zip code or address
use a different password for each account
don't use user name
deactivate accounts for terminated employees
don't allow shared accounts
password contains upper, lowercase letters, non-letter characters and numbers

Resources

Password Software - http://www.password-software.com

Passwords are not foolproof. Do not rely on a password alone to protect sensitive information. Monitor accounts closely to ensure that security is not breached.

About The Author

Sharon Housley manages marketing for NotePage, Inc. http://www.notepage.net a company specializing in alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com , and http://www.small-business-software.net

Mp3 Players : Flash-Hard Drive Which One Was Made For Your Music?

2008-07-04T19:59:00.000-07:00

The evolution of the mp3 format has allowed us to compress music files also known as (mpeg-1 audio layer 3 file) so that we can store and take our music anywhere in great amounts. Here is a comparison of the 2 so you can decide which mp3 player storage style is best for you.

Flash mp3 players

Flash memory (non-volatile memory) means any information or music stored on it is less accessible to loss. All data is stored on chips which means even turned off you won't loose data. With non-moving parts it is great for the active person and you won't be worried about skipping or jogging of the music. The memory size is not as big as it's counter part but does have it's own benefits. Flash memory players are small and lightweight so for using them on your daily commute or music on your daily run you just put them in your pocket or off a neck chain and have more than enough music on it.

Hard Drive mp3 players

This type of storage is for the serious person who would like to have all their cd collection on one storage device. The hard drive units tend to have more storage space. Some jukeboxes even offer up to 60 GB storage. The music hard drive is basically the same as your computer and laptop storage technology. The reliability of the hard drive isn't the same as the flash players the hard disk drivers have many spinning parts and memory is based on magnetic technology. This would mean a serious hit or drop could damage your music on your player. No memory source is all 100% safe from loss just keep your music backed up even if it's on the original cd.

Daryl Plaza is the owner of Everything About MP3s - a website focused on helping people learn more about MP3 players. For tips and information on MP3 players and accessories, check out this website.

Compile .BAT Files into Native Windows Applications (.EXE)

2008-07-04T04:59:00.000-07:00

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.)

QBFC can create two types of applications: a standard console application, which accepts conventional command-line parameters, or a "ghost" application, which opens no windows and provides no feedback. The latter is best for security or for when you want to perform an install or modification silently. QBFC also lets you set various resources in the .EXE file, such as its description, the company name, version information and even the application icon.

QBFC's shareware version is unrestricted, except that all .EXEs produced by the program flash a brief note at startup. The registered version does not have this limitation.

Program's Home Page: www.battoexe.com

Serdar Yegulalp sells multimedia software from http://www.abyssmedia.com

Cool iPod Features You May Not Know About

2008-07-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some iPod features that you may not know about:

--> Parental Supports

The iTunes Music Store also now offers parental controls, so that parents can disable access to Podcasts, shared music, or the iTunes Music Store as a whole. Parents can also restrict music with explicit language.

--> Cool iTunes Tips!

Dp you want to organize your iTunes in a better way? Putting an entire album into a playlist is not exactly the most effective way of organizing your songs, writes Christopher Breen. Here are the convenient ways that you can organize your tunes:

 Song Name
 Time
 Artist
 Album
 Genre
 My Rating
 Play Count
 Last Played

Christopher Breen also mentions the web site of Doug Adams (www.malcolmadams.com/itunes) which offers scripts (many are free and worth downloading) for corralling duplicate files in your iTunes Music Library, converting files from one audio format to another and locating album art on the Web that you can then paste into iTunes.

--> iTunes on your Cellular Phone

Want iTunes on your cell phone so you can carry around your mobile music library with you? Apple, Motorola and Cingular Wireless are introducing the Motorola Rokr E1, the first cell phone equipped with Appleรขโ�ฌโ�ขs iTunes software.

--> iTunes Shortcuts

Who doesnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt love having a little helpful information to make things easier and more effective? Well, thatรขโ�ฌโ�ขs what this section is all about!

Weรขโ�ฌโ�ขll take a look at all of the shortcuts that you can use on iTunes, which will make your downloading experience faster, easier, and more powerful.

In fact, youรขโ�ฌโ�ขll probably learn a few things simply by looking at these shortcuts; features and ideas that you didnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt even know existed! These shortcuts are all gathered from Appleรขโ�ฌโ�ขs great website (www.apple.com).

For your convenient reference, these shortcuts are provided to you in table format. This will make it extremely easy for you to jump to this section of the book when youรขโ�ฌโ�ขre online, or if you canรขโ�ฌโ�ขt remember a particular short cut.

Each table will fall into one of the following categories:

 Playback
 Library and Playlist
 Music Store
 iPod
 Audible
 iTunes
 File Menu
 Edit Menu
 Controls Menu
 Visualizer Menu
 Advanced Menu
 Windows Menu
 Help Menu

Mia LaCron is the founder of IpodFunctions.com - http://www.ipodfunctions.com/ - devoted to helping individuals get the most out of their Ipod.

How To Buy A Printer

2008-06-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

A Lot of people tend to just go cheap when buying a printer, but in the long run it can end up costing you more. Even though Ink jet printers might be inexpensive up front the cost of replacement ink can drive up the overall cost over the time of ownership. You know what I am talking about, some times the ink is more than the printer was.

Check the prices of the ink cartridges of the printer you are considering and find out how many pages each cartridge will print. Once you figure out approximately how many pages you will print per month, you can determine the cost of the printer plus ink over the course of a year. Consider getting individual cartridges if you know you'll need one color more than others--for instance, if many of your documents have a red logo or if you print mainly black and white.

Manufacturers very often list faster print speed specifications on their packaging than we see when testing performance. A typical ink jet printer can produce two to four pages per minute of text and one full-page, 8.5-by-11-inch photo or graphic in two to three minutes.

Some color ink jets can print photos at a level that approaches the quality of a professional photofinisher. If you plan to use your printer primarily for photos or graphics, look for models that are built for that. If you plan to print mostly photos, look for photo printers with features such as a built-in PC Card slot, an LCD panel that allows you to view and print an image without using your PC, and bundled image-editing software.

If you print mainly text documents, consider buying an inexpensive black & white laser printer. These printers provide superior text quality compared with high-end ink jet printers. Some monochrome lasers cost as little as $200, making them a good deal for home users. If you need to print a lot of text and high-quality graphics, buying a good photo ink jet printer in addition to an inexpensive monochrome laser printer could save you money on ink and maintenance costs in the long run as opposed to buying an ink jet to do it all.

Many monochrome lasers come with optional ethernet ports for networks. If you plan to use the printer with one PC, don't pay the extra money for an ethernet card.

Color laser printer toner cartridges are the most expensive consumable you can buy for a printer, but their yield is so much higher than an ink jet cartridge that, in the long run, color laser toner is less expensive on a per page basis.

If you're not running a graphics department but still want to print color, you'll most likely choose an ink jet printer, which can create beautiful graphics at a tenth of the cost of a color laser. However, keep in mind that the inexpensive price of an ink jet is quickly surpassed by the cost of replacement ink.

Gregg Hall is a marketing consultant for many online businesses. See who he recommends for printer supplies

Computer Repair Tools

2008-06-29T19:59:00.000-07:00

Have you ever found yourself up to your elbows in computer wires and chips using your wife's toenail clippers to try and nip off an extra wire? You think you might be able to get your project complete before midnight, when you suddenly realize those clippers aren't going to work without taking out half your motherboard. Substituting computer tools with household things never ensures that your computer is repaired. Still, most people will try almost anything to save money. However, in the case of good computer repair tools, you should never skimp on quality or specialty.

There are millions of computer repair service provider companies who render great support providing all the necessary computer repair tools. Most computer repair tools are available in economical tool kits. They are durable, precision-engineered, demagnetized, and ideal for routine maintenance, upgrades and general repair. There are a number of computer repair tool kits companies offering their kits at remarkably low prices. These durable, precision-engineered, demagnetized tools are ideal for routine maintenance, upgrades and general repair.

An outstanding selection of superior Ultra tools comes in a handsome, rugged carrying case for easy portability. There are tools made of some rare and unusual elements to meet your needs in the most convenient of ways. For instance, Obsidian, also known as volcanic glass was used by primitive people to make tools. All tools are fully demagnetized to protect your computer's hard drive or magnetic media from damage, and each tool is conveniently stored in a custom designed case.

Computer Repair provides detailed information on Computer Network Repair, Computer Repair, Computer Repair Services, Computer Repair Software and more. Computer Repair is affiliated with Computer Part Supplies.

Online Banking Security - The Number One Priority

2008-06-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

Whenever a bank issues a security threat to its customers, other banks seem to suffer a drop in Internet traffic and account usage, too. This is not because people don't trust the other banks, it's because customers are reminded of how susceptible they are to fraud. It's our money after all, and of course we don't what to have it stolen from us. Banks do post a guarantee along these lines.

'We guarantee if any money is taken from your account through a computer crime, we will repay it in full.'

Banks pride themselves on providing top notch online banking security to their customers. They also pride themselves on providing customers with the best information about their security. Many banks will provide the details on their website. They might tell you how they have the latest in encryption software so that no hackers can steal passwords or any other information you send. Banks use a combination of hardware and software encryption devices to protect access to your accounts and personal details.

When you go to the login page, and you will most likely get a pop up window stating that you are now being directed to a secure site. And what you input here will not be visible to anyone else. That statement is true, the bank does not and never will provide your login password or any other sensitive information to anyone else. Naturally, the online bank expects you to do a few things to protect your account, so never disclose your password (for example don't write it down or email it to anyone, or let anyone else see what you are typing in when you log on). So here you enter your login details and answer a security question to enter your account. Don't forget to always log off when you've finished your transactions, this is most important.

The banks also run regular maintenance on the website pages, so that they can pick up on any small errors that they may on their system. This regular maintenance is usually done with prior warning to the customer, but it will mostly be done when there is the lowest amount of traffic to cause the least disruption possible to its online banking customers.

Online banking security is paramount to banks that have online banking services and they will never jeopardise your trust to save a dollar. If the customer losses faith in the bank's security then the bank will lose many customers.

Bruce Walls is an author and webmaster at http://www.onlinebankingforu.com Read this article here

For Digital Camera Novices: How Images Are Stored and Transferred

2008-06-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

Although Digital Cameras entered the picture quite a number of years ago and have subsequently all but eliminated film cameras, some consumers are just now making the switch. The reason for this is clear as the quality of a 35mm shot is outstanding and quite simply, we understood them. However, digital cameras offer advantages as well, such as the ability to edit photographs and to delete unacceptable images prior to printing or "developing": a tremendous cost savings that allows photographers to experiment worry-free. When a stalwart film camera fan decides to take the leap some basic questions about how digital cameras function can arise.

Two common questions for digital camera novices are regarding how pictures are stored and then subsequently transferred for printing or sharing over the internet. The quick and dirty answer is that pictures taken with a digital camera are stored on digital memory cards: Smart Media cards, MultiMedia cards, Compact Flash cards etc. Images are stored on the cards and then loaded to a computer. Once on the computer, the images on the cards are generally deleted and the card is re-used so that a huge library of memory cards does not have to be maintained.

Images are usually compressed to fit on the cards. Greater compression allows more images to be stored on a given card helping to eliminate the need to download images to a computer after every few shots. However, it's important to realize that the more the images are compressed, the more the quality of the image is sacrificed.

When purchasing a card for a digital camera, users can roughly estimate that with a typical 8 megapixel camera, the card will hold at least one quarter as many images as the card has megabytes, which is indicated on the front of the card. Both the amount of compression and the resolution of the images greatly affect the storage capacity of the card. Another option of course is to purchase multiple cards.

Many individuals who travel with their digital camera get a portable hard disk which allows them to download their images onto it, delete images from their card, and continue using the card without having to worry about downloading to their computer when they are away from home.

Once an image is stored on a digital camera, there are several ways of getting images from it to a computer. Individuals purchasing their first digital camera will need to determine how their new camera will connect to their computer to assure they have any necessary equipment/cables to complete the transfer. Common connections include:

รขโ�ฌยข Card readers

รขโ�ฌยข A Docking station to connect the digital camera to the computer via either a USB or FireWire connection. (USB 2.0 allows much faster downloading that USB 1.1)

รขโ�ฌยข PCMCIA adapters. These exist on most laptop computers. The memory cards fit directly into the slot and can be loaded from there.

Once connected to the computer, the software included with the digital camera is simply launched and transfer is completed with the click of a button. Even for those new to digital cameras, the ability to store and download images to their computer should be a very simple process that will be easy to master.

Christine Peppler share information on home entertainment and home electronics products, inluding digital cameras on her website at http://www.homemedias.info.

RoboCat Rat Zapper

2008-06-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

Do you need a cat to catch those rats around your house, but you do not want the cat to drag them into the house to eat them or to display them to you so you know they are doing their hunting job? New RoboCat Rat Zapper is almost here! If you do not have a cat then your rats will multiply and cause you problems, but if you buy a cat, that means another pet or animal to look after. Cats make great pets but they are also expensive to feed. If you spend $10.00 per week on cat food, cat litter and toys for a couple of cats then you are paying about $520.00 per year on your pet to catch and eat those rats.

You will also have to deal with the smell, damage to sofa, cat hair and a pet that you just know will not listen but rather take over the household and do what ever it damn well pleases. In fact if you tell them to kill the rats they will just look at you like you are a stupid human (no comment) and roll back over and go to sleep.

Now then, I propose you lease a new RoboCat, equipped with a high-powered stun gun. It will recharge and plug into the wall at night and hunt those rats all day. The AttackCat system, which is an up grade can be leased for $35.00 per week, which is a cost savings over the real organic model. It will purr and do all those other things, but it does not smell, actually farts out fragrance in those parts of the house it senses unfortunate smelly ordors. There are six fragrances to choose from.

Some consumers are even setting up RoboCat Co-ops and share these cat with others while on vacation, similar to a four-legged Time Share. You and your whole neighborhood can prevent the spread of disease with a few RoboCats in your neighborhood. Think of it as a organic replica run neighborhood watch program?

Lance Winslow

Getting more Battery Time from your Digital Camera Battery

2008-06-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

Like other portable consumer electronic devices digital cameras use batteries as their power source. All batteries have one major drawback: they only last for a limited time. In this article we will explain what camera features consume the most energy and how you can squeeze more life time out of your digital camera battery.

There are many types of battery. Your digital camera might be using disposable batteries or maybe it uses rechargeable ones. Rechargeable batteries use a variety of technologies such as nickel cadmium, lithium ion or lithium polymer. Battery technology has advanced in the last years but batteries life time is still considerably short. It is very frustrating to come across a great photo opportunity just to find out that you have run out of batteries.

When it comes to power consumption not all digital camera features are equal. Some of the digital camera greatest features are high energy consumers. By knowing which features consume the most energy you will be able to avoid or minimize using those features save energy and get more life time from your batteries.

The biggest energy consumers in a digital camera are the LCD screen and the motors that move the mechanical components of the camera such as the lenses when focusing or zooming. Digital cameras allow viewing of photos that were just taken on a small LCD screen. Some of them also allow shooting photos using the LCD instead of the traditional viewfinder. An LCD screen consumes relatively a lot of energy. This is the reason why all digital cameras turn off the LCD after a certain amount of time of no usage.

The other big energy consumers are the motors. Digital cameras have motors the move the lenses either to change the zoom or to focus. Motors consume relatively a lot of energy when moving the digital camera optical components. And finally the flash is a big energy consumer too. Shooting photos using the flash consumes more energy that shooting photos without flash.

So what can you do in order to minimize power consumption and get more life time from your batteries?

Turn off the LCD and use the viewfinder: Use the optical viewfinder instead of the LCD for composing your photos. Using the camera menus disable the LCD by turning it off. Since the LCD consumes a lot of energy every time you are using it to take a photo or to look at your objects and compose a photo you are wasting energy. Only use the LCD when you must for example when taking an overhead photo when the optical viewfinder is not usable.

Minimize photo previewing: The LCD consumes a lot of energy. When you preview photos on the LCD you are wasting battery. Only use the LCD to view photos when you need to do so for the benefit of the next photos shooting รขโ�ฌโ�� for example to check if a composition was right or if the lighting was good. Do not use the LCD to view photos for fun or to show photos to others. Wait until you are on your computer or in your office or home to do that.

Do not use continuous focus when not necessary: Every time your camera focuses it consumers energy. The motors that move the optical components in order to focus consume a lot of energy. You can not avoid focusing of course but you can avoid focusing that is not necessary. For example your digital camera can be set to continuous or single focus. For moving objects such as in sport events continuous focus is used so your can stay focused on the object until you are ready to take the photo. In those cases as long as you press the shutter button half way down the camera will continue to focusing on the object. To save energy minimize that time to the minimum necessary. For example if you plan to shoot a photo of a runner at point A only press the shutter when he gets close to that point. Holding the shutter button down and following the runner for a longer time than needed to capture him at point A wastes a lot of energy.

Do not press the shutter button half way down for no reason: Every time you press the shutter button half way down and do not take a photo you waste energy. When pressing the shutter button half way down the camera goes through a series of processes getting ready to shoot a photo. It focuses the lenses it wakes up electronic components and gets the flash ready if needed. Avoid pressing the shutter half way down when you do not plan to shoot a photo.

Carry another battery: Two batteries have twice the energy as one. Carry an extra battery if you are planning for a long shooting session or if you are not sure how many photos you will shoot and how long you will be away from your charger. Some photographers always carry an extra battery with them รขโ�ฌโ�� batteries are very small and light and carrying an extra one is really not a burden. One thing to remember when carrying an extra battery is to always make sure that you are carrying an extra battery that is fully charged there is no use in carrying an empty battery. Batteries tend to lose their charge even if they are not used so if you are carrying an extra battery for a few days or more remember to recharge it even if you did not use it.

Recharge whenever you can: Charge your battery (or batteries if you carry an extra one) at least once a day or whenever you are back to your office, home or hotel. Even if you did not take many photos and you think the batteries have enough power in them it is better to make sure by fully charging them rather than to take the risk. You never know how long your next photo shooting session will be and when will your next recharge opportunity will be. Batteries slowly lose their charge even when not used so always recharge your extra battery too even if it was not used.

Plan for battery consumption: The most important thing is to plan for battery consumption. For example if you are leaving your office for a short photo shooting session of an hour you are not going to have any battery issues. In such cases you can ignore all the guidelines and just shoot photos freely in the way that is most convenient to you. If you are going out for a long day of photo shooting in scenarios that require flash and maybe continuous focusing (just as shooting a sports event) รขโ�ฌโ�� plan ahead for power consumption take an extra battery or maybe two refrain from using features that are not necessary for your session such as previewing photos on the LCD or using the LCD as a viewfinder.

In conclusion until battery technologies improve to the extent that battery life is so long that it practically lasts forever you will have to be conscious about how you use your digital camera in respect to power consumption. Following a few simple guidelines can significantly improve power consumption and make your batteries last longer.

Ziv Haparnas is a technology veteran and writes about practical technology and science issues. This article can be reprinted and used as long as the resource box including the backlink is included. You can find more information about photo album printing and photography in general on http://www.printrates.com - a site dedicated to photo printing.

Does Microsoft Show Hackers How To Attack?

2008-06-24T04:59:00.000-07:00

After another security hole recently surfaced in Microsoft's Windows operating system, the software giant released a patch this past Friday to plug the possibly devastating "back door" which allows hackers to potentially seize control of any pc running Windows.

The latest threat, "Download.Ject," infiltrates computers after users surfing with Microsoft's "Internet Explorer" web browser visit websites infected with the virus.

This newest security patch covers Windows XP, 2000, and Windows Server 2003.

Several factors make this latest development more disturbing than past discoveries of security problems with Internet Explorer, currently the most dominant web browser on the market.

First, it demonstrates very clearly that criminals discovered they can use the power of viruses to very profitably steal important bank, personal, and credit data from people on a large scale.

Second, it took Microsoft what many would consider a very long time to come up with a patch for this problem.

Before a fix appeared, Microsoft told everyone who uses Internet Explorer to stick their finger in the dyke by putting their web browser security settings on high, rendering it impossible to view or use features on many websites and web-based services.

Third, expect this to happen again as new holes open in the future when Microsoft makes Windows more complicated, adds layers of code, and generally makes the operating system more complex.

This may sound like business as usual, however, I think this story actually points to a much deeper problem, one for which I'm not sure a simple solution exists.

Though free and reasonably reliable, many people do not automatically update their Windows operating system through the update service on Microsoft's website. (I won't even get into how many people don't operate up-to-date anti-virus protection.)

Whenever Microsoft publishes a security update, especially for a highly publicized and obviously widespread security breach, thousands of people will not immediately download the update.

In fact, tens-of-thousands of users will not download these security updates for days, weeks, even months (if ever).

So let me ask what seems like a very elementary question: By publishing security updates that point out very obvious flaws in their system, doesn't Microsoft also point the way to exactly where the holes exist?

Let me put it another way.

Doesn't this rate the same as discovering that the local bank vault won't lock and then announcing the details on the front page of the paper along with the dates and times no bank guard will be on duty?

After all, if tens-of-thousands of users won't immediately get the Microsoft Security Patch, don't those patches show hackers exactly which holes get plugged (and which, logically, must already be open without the patch)?

It doesn't take a hacker with more than a basic set of skills to recognize where and what holes got fixed and then reverse-engineer how they can get into computers that don't get updated.

Now, do I have a concrete, 100% bullet-proof answer to this problem? Unfortunately, I don't have more than a common- sense answer...

At this point, your best defense rates staying current on the latest threats and how to defend against them.

Keep your anti-virus software current, your firewall up, and your Windows software updated with the latest security patches.

Though not a perfect solution, at least you'll have a fighting chance to prevent, or at least minimize, any possible threats.

For more information from Microsoft's website, go here http://www.ebookfire.com/download-ject.html

About The Author

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use fr^e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links... http://www.TurnWordsIntoTraffic.com

http://www.thenetreporter.com

SmartCar Memory Stick for LapTop Transfer Data

2008-06-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

With the new technology used to transfer information to from your digital camera to your laptop or PC using memory sticks which hold significant amounts of data it appears such technology will be perfect for net-centric cars. Where all the data is stored in a black box situation as many cars now have these features already. If you were in an accident your memory stick would be connected to a USB output. The officer could immediately put the memory stick into his computer and determine fault or in case of a speeding driver, could simply say driver's license and memory stick please, which would denote the data of all the previous 2 hours worth of driving. And there would be instant verification of the radar detector too.

This would also be great because it would have all the recorded data for your fuel consumption data, maintenance and pollution output. The automobile could be a self healing car with a sophisticated black box with all life times data. This would also be good for aircraft, ride on lawn mowers and would make it extremely valuable for hand held diagnostic devices. Wonderful for rent-a-cars, government vehicles on loan to employees to prevent tax payer abuses, teen drivers fro parental control to help reduce insurance costs. The military uses are also significant for deployment, routine maintenance and data could be uploaded via satellite during non-peak net-centric usage periods to the logistical base for notification of over run of maintenance period or extreme conditions such as heat, salt air near oceans or hard driving meaning addtional care during next check up, thus prolonging life and preventing future break downs of fundamental parts whcih could lead to loss of life, loss of mission or loss of physical asset.

Memory chips could be saved for maximum resale value, or used as part of ignition system or recharging

Lance Winslow

Are You Well Protected?

2008-06-17T07:59:00.000-07:00

Winterรขโ�ฌยฆthe official start of the cold and flu season. Though, technically speaking, things got started a little early. Close to a million computers, mostly home PC users, have been infected.

For many of us our computers are our business. We keep in contact with customers and clients via email, do extensive internet research, and transmit important files electronically.

We know what to do to protect our bodies from viruses. There are some simple strategies, and even free precautions we can take to protect our businesses by keeping our PCs virus free.

Adopting the following six checkpoints will help keep your computer healthy and your business uninterrupted.

Use a Firewall

At its most basic level a firewall is a software security system that acts as a barrier between your computer and the outside world (the internet) by monitoring all incoming network traffic. A more advanced firewall will also monitor outgoing traffic. How you use your computer will determine whether basic or advanced firewall protection is needed.

What a firewall does is make your computer invisible while on the Internet. If hackers can't see you, they cannot attack you.

Windows XP has this software installed; however, it may need to be enabled. If you have XP and would like to enable the firewall, directions are on the Microsoft website.

For non XP users, firewall software can be purchased. McAfee and Zone Alarm are two very popular products. Zone Alarm has a free downloadable firewall, basic version, available on their website, www.zonealarm.com.

Before installing a firewall, you may be interested in learning your computerรขโ�ฌโ�ขs vulnerability. This is something that can be checked for free and in just a few minutes. Visit the website of Gibson Research Corporation, www.grc.com, and under Hot Spots, click on Shields UP. It takes a little bit of scrolling to get to but is well worth the extra seconds. In minutes your PC is scanned and its vulnerability rated.

Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is the "shot" after the epidemic. This software protects your computer from known threats. Many PCs come with antivirus software already installed. Some of the more popular versions are Norton, PCCillin and McAfee.

If you have it pre installed or have purchased it, great. Please be sure to keep it constantly updated with the latest virus definitions. This is important because these definitions are formed in response to the latest viruses. If you don't have this protection, please consider getting it.

Once this software is installed on your computer, you will be automatically notified when new virus definitions are available. Then it is just a matter of a few clicks to download the new definitions.

Likewise you will be notified when your antivirus software is about to expire. The software needs to be updated annually. The initial purchase, renewal, updates and installation can all be done online.

Spyware Eliminator

Why am I getting all of these pop ups? Certain websites that you visit or free software (shareware) that you download, and, in some cases, hardware purchased from major manufacturers will also install tracking devices on your computer (spyware). Spyware is annoying but not illegal.

An internet search will reveal the many choices available for spyware elimination software. The important thing is to get one and use it consistently. Spybot and PestPatrol are popular choices.

I really like Spybot Search and Destroy. Besides the fact that it is free, once spyware is identified, the software will provide a detailed description of just what it is. This is helpful just in case it identifies something that you don't want to get rid of.

Backup, Backup, Backup

How often do you backup? What files/programs do you backup? What media do you backup to?

We all know the importance of backing up our information yet so many of us donรขโ�ฌโ�ขt do it. There may be a ton of reasons why it's not done but the one reason it should be done on a regular basis is that it can be a timesaver, possibly a business saver if your computer system is corrupted for any reason.

If you happen to be using Windows XP Professional, the backup procedure is quite simple. For users of XP Home Edition, it is a bit more involved. Complete instructions, however, are on the Microsoft website.

Typically, data files are what most people need to back up and having well organized files will certainly simplify the process.

Whether you backup to disk, zip disk, DVD, writeable CDs, external file drive or utilize one of the online services, it is important to get into the habit of backing up on a regular basis.

Weekly Updates of Windows

Windows users are automatically notified of current updates for the Windows operating system when your computer is turned on. With just a few clicks your operating system is updated.

However, when certain patches become available for your particular applications software (XP, 2000, NT, etc), as was/is the case with the recent worm viruses, a visit to Microsoft's website is necessary.

Once there, Microsoft will scan your computer, tell you what updates are available, and you then have the option of installing them on your system. In some cases, you will need your installation CDs to complete the download.

With the recent run of viruses and with more expected, it is imperative to check for these updates weekly on the Microsoft website as well as do the automatic updates.

Be Careful of Email Attachments

Email is such a widely accepted method of communication, and this has not gone unnoticed by hackers who use email as a means of mass virus spread.

For this final checkpoint, your due diligence is the only software required.

Always delete any email from unknown senders and be very careful of any attachments you are not expecting from any known senders. As we have seen, hackers can quite easily access Outlook address books to spread viruses.

By the way, including a fake email address in your address book will not prevent your PC from spreading viruses. This is an urban legend. If youรขโ�ฌโ�ขre interested in the full story, check out this link:

www.snopes.com/computer/virus/quickfix.htm

When it comes to the health of our computers, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Effective prevention software along with plain old common sense, used consistently, can keep you protected.

About The Author

Roxie Hickman, Virtual Assistant (VA), is the owner of The Virtual Connection. The Virtual Connection (www.thevirtualconnection.net) specializes in working with the รขโ�ฌห�sucstressedรขโ�ฌโ�ข (successful professionals who are stressed because theyรขโ�ฌโ�ขve been doing it alone). The Virtual Connection provides offsite executive, administrative, and personal assistance (virtual assistance).

roxie@thevirtualconnection.net

Pimp MySpace Pages to Share Your Individuality

2008-06-14T04:59:00.000-07:00

MySpace is a great place to be if you want to network for business or personal reasons. Not only can you meet a lot of great people through MySpace it is one place on the Internet that is easy to use but can be made into an individual experience. The reason for this is that MySpace allows you to infuse your space with your style to let others know who you are. You can pimp MySpace pages in a variety of ways including MySpace backgrounds and Myspace layouts. Pimping your space will let all who visit know a little bit more about you just by taking a quick glance around, and it may even encourage them to come back again and again.

MySpace backgrounds are just that, backgrounds but they are usually specialized or themed. The backgrounds can be solid colors, patterns, shapes, your favorite band or singer, pieces of art, flowers, stars, animals, or anything else you can imagine. MySpace backgrounds are not hard to implement onto your page, most of the time all you have to do is copy and paste an html code onto your profile and youรขโ�ฌโ�ขre done.

MySpace layouts are another great way to pimp MySpace pages. The layout of a typical MySpace isnรขโ�ฌโ�ขt all that intricate or attractive, but you can do more than just the basic layout if you want. The layouts can be found all over the Internet so you simply have to look around for a layout you like and it can be yours. Even if you do not know html all you have to do is copy and paste an html code and youรขโ�ฌโ�ขre done! When you refresh your MySpace profile you will see that all of your information is laid out just the way you want it so that you can show your visitors who you are and what you are all about.

Get Myspace backgrounds and Myspace layouts at the Pimp Myspace site!