World of Warcraft - OFORU

OFORU is a diversified service provider operating the secure network of buying and selling sites for Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) virtual currency and power leveling service on the Internet.

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SmugMug, the Ultimate in photo sharing

Digital cameras are here to stay and taking thousands of photos is simple, it is the management and sharing aspects that get tricky. Enter SmugMug, the Ultimate in photo sharing! It doesn't take long to realize that 1 photo on SmugMug is worth 10 photos in the closet!!

Many consumers are leary of the free photo sharing sites, anything that is free, surely has a catch. For a modest fee, you can upload, arrange and share unlimited photos on your own personal website. Is it secure? SmugMug is like Fort Knox for your photos, all safe and sound. It is like photo insurance, every photo is saved and backed up in multiple data centers across the USA. Just under four years old, SmugMug already has over 200,000 paying customers and hosts over 100 Million photos.

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Acronis - Online Disk Backup and Imaging Software

Acronis provides easy-to-use disaster recovery, backup and restore, partitioning, boot management, privacy, data migration and other storage management products for enterprises, corporations and individual consumers. Computing with Confidence means that Acronis is a true partner for delivering the solutions your customers are looking for.

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World's Largest Registrar - GoDaddy.com

A domain name is a Web address, such as godaddy.com, that is linked to an IP address (which represents a physical point on the Internet). When someone types a domain name into a Web browser, the requested Web page displays.

A domain name consists of a top-level and a second-level domain. A top-level domain (TLD) is the part of the domain name located to the right of the dot (www.GoDaddy.com). The most common top-level domains are .COM, .NET, and .ORG. Some other popular top-level domains are .BIZ, .INFO, .NAME and .WS. These TLDs have certain guidelines but are, for the most part, available to any registrant, anywhere in the world.

The part of the domain name located to the left of the dot — "godaddy," in this case — is called the second-level domain (SLD) name. The second-level domain name is the "readable" part of the address and refers to the organization or entity behind the Internet address. Second-level domain names must be registered with an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)-accredited registrar.

Copyright © 1999 - 2007 GoDaddy.com, Inc. All rights reserved.

Dedicated Web Hosting

HostRocket.Com’s dedicated hosting customers are relaxed because they know they have a great server and reliable service. HostRocket.Com’s prime location allows us to guarantee 99.5% Network Uptime. We also provide technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by our highly trained support team. If something does go wrong we have a 1 hour Hardware Replacement SLA. So quit worrying about your server and sign up for a HostRocket dedicated hosting plan today!

Online Meetings & Remote PC Control

WebEx Communications provides on-demand web collaboration software for your online meeting, web conferencing, audio conferencing, desktop sharing, conference calling, remote support, and video conferencing needs. Watch some of our free webinars to see how customers of all sizes get more done with web collaboration. Solutions include web meetings, webinars, intranets, eLearning, remote support, system management, WebOffice intranet software, MeetMeNow for individual online meetings, and PCNow for remote access to your pc, all with just a browser and a phone.

WebEx, the global leader in web conferencing and collaboration services for individuals and small/medium businesses at low flat-rates

• 3.5 Million people use WebEx every month
• Explosive growth in the online meeting and remote PC industry
• 82% of the Fortune 100 use WebEx
• Top commissions for our category: leads and sales
• No product returns, extended transactions, or inventory problems - common in retail programs
• Industry leader with more than 60% of marketshare
• Now part of Cisco

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OmniPage Pro, The World’s #1 Optical Character Recognition Software

Nuance Communications, Inc. is the market-leading supplier of speech and imaging solutions that are used to automate a wide range of manual processes - increasing productivity, reducing costs and improving customer service.

Nuance is the leading provider of speech and imaging solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Their technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with information and how they create, share and use documents. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses, experience Nuance by calling directory assistance, getting account information, dictating patient records, telling a navigation system their destination, or digitally reproducing documents that can be shared and searched. Making each of those experiences productive and compelling is what Nuance is all about.

Easily organize, Find and Share all your documents - Buy PaperPort from Nuance formerly ScanSoft.


In the OCR category, they publish OmniPage Pro, the world’s #1 Optical Character Recognition software. This powerful productivity software quickly turns PDF files and stacks of paper - letters, contracts, tables, manuals - into easily editable word processing and spreadsheet documents.

PDF Converter converts PDF files that look like the original – complete with all formatting and graphics. Your organization will reach new levels of productivity by leveraging the power of Microsoft Word to edit and collaborate with PDF files.

Other category leading software titles include PaperPort, which turns paper files and photos into organized digital files, and Dragon Naturally Speaking, which turns speech into text.

Acronis - online disk backup and image software

Acronis provides easy-to-use disaster recovery, backup and restore, partitioning, boot management, privacy, data migration and other storage management products for enterprises, corporations and individual consumers. Computing with Confidence means that Acronis is a true partner for delivering the solutions your customers are looking for.

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PGP Whole Disk Encryption

A laptop can be lost at the airport, stolen from a parked car, or taken while the user is away from his/her desk. Even desktop computers are susceptible to theft. Although hardware can be easily replaced, the loss of customer privacy and exposure of proprietary information is not as easily repaired. In fact, the hardware replacement value of a lost or stolen computer is dwarfed by the resulting expenses and lost revenue an organization may experience due to the breach.

The consequences of losing confidential, customer data are significant both in terms of dollars lost and the ability to run your business include:

1. Lost business – Following a security breach, businesses experience higher rates of customer turnover and lower new customer acquisition.

2. Notification – Businesses contacted affected customers (in many cases, required by law) to notify them of the breach.

3. Detection & escalation – The identification, investigation, and auditing of a breach are some of the first steps organizations take immediately after a breach.

4. Legal – A variety of interested or affected parties including government prosecutors or agencies, shareholders, and affected individuals may seek criminal or civil action in the courts.

5. Regulatory – An organization may be compelled by law or corporate governance to take actions, including remediation, paying fines, or discontinuing services.

6. Remediation – An organization may be compelled to or voluntarily take corrective actions, including fixing the breach vulnerability, notifying and supporting affected individuals or organizations, and mounting a public relations campaign.

7. Brand equity – Other consequences may have long-term implications on brand equity. Brand damage may subsequently lead to a reduction in pricing power, diminished marketing effectiveness, and other competitive disadvantages, for example.

Organizations considering hard drive encryption should evaluate solutions based on four requirements:

1. End-user productivity – The solution should remain transparent at all times and not interfere with end-user productivity.

2. Enhanced data security – Beyond full disk encryption, the solution should provide options for protecting and controlling USB flash drives by policies as wells as files stored on shared systems and files and directory archives shared with

3. Centralized management – The solution should allow for central management that enables administrators and help desk staff to easily support remote users.

4. Business continuity – Encrypted data needs be accessible (according to policy) not only today, but for years to come

Identify Easiest Hard Disk Encryption Options

While there are a number of product options, there are one or two that are most likely to be right for you. The products in this category cover a wide range of prices and features -- all are standalone software packages -- independent from the underlying operating system (OS). SC magazine, just completed an excellent overview of Hard Drive Encryption, including product reviews. In this article they identify PGP Whole Disk Encryption as "Best Buy" and "Easiest to Install."

Understand the Risk to Your Business

Each industry and business is subject to different risks. The excellent Ponemon study "2006 Annual Study: Cost of a Data Breach" inidicates that the cost per lost record can vary from $50-2500.

PGP® Desktop Professional protects your privacy with industry leading data encryption software.

Zonbu – hassle free, affordable, and environmentally friendly computer

Zonbu is dedicated to providing the best personal computing experience to consumers worldwide. Computing Service is environmentally friendly, user friendly, & budget friendly.

Computing service uses PCs that are environmentally friendly & carbon neutral:

• Uses 90% less electricity than a conventional PC
• Compact, no moving parts, & no noise
• Zero carbon footprint
• Certified for Energy Star, RoHS, & EPEAT Gold
• Free PC recycling program to minimize e-waste
  

Computing service is user friendly & hassle-free:

• 20 pre-installed applications that satisfy all the needs of most users
• Fully compatible with common Windows file formats
• No need to install, configure, or upgrade any software
• All your data automatically backup & encrypted on our secure servers
• Anywhere, anytime access to your data via any web browser
• “One-click” instant restore of your entire computing environment
• Viruses & spyware resistant
• Complete peace of mind & freedom from the IT chores required by conventional PC
  

Computing service is budget friendly & highly valuable:

• Only $99 one-time fee + $12.95 per month for 2 years
• Free OS & applications upgrades
• 3-year warranty on hardware
• Average $6 per month savings in electricity
  

Zonbu's products & services appeal strongly to consumers – in particular to those who

• care about the environment
• want a hassle-free computing experience
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GPS Insight vehicle tracking system

GPS Insight is a hardware and web software-based vehicle tracking product which is the technical leader in the GPS tracking field. GPS Insight have the only hardware which is trivial to install (plugs directly into the vehicles diagnostics port), they offer same-day-shipping, they are the only product which gets direct engine diagnostics (fault codes, speed, fuel consumption, odometer readings, idle time, etc.), and their product gives 2 minute updates with VERY high end map options and customizations.

They are looking for independent reviews of the product, as well as comparisons to other GPS tracking products. The GPS Insight web page contains very good demos about the Product, New Mapping functionality , Routing, Reports, Cellphone mapping and State Mileage Demos. You can check their demo by visiting their website at www.gpsinsight.com.

The important features that you should look at out in GPS tracking system are speed limit monitor, engine diagnostics, detailed mapping, functionality and its ease of use. Search the web to find a company that does not impose unreasonable fees for their tracking services. Furthermore, go for a company that provides reliable customer service. The GPS Insight guarantees that you’ll be provided all these services an affordable cost. Their service fee only costs $1.50-2 per day for each vehicle.

Their product also comes with 90 days service history that may act as your proof of billing for customers. You can monitor your vehicles by the reports and graphs sent to you by your email. Also you can avail the cell phone integrating and mapping. This will allow you to monitor your vehicles’ real time location using just your cell phone and send and receive messages from your employees.

For GPS Insight support wiki for customers, you can visit http://support.gpsinsight.com. GPS Insight vehicle tracking system provides various features for locating vehicle movements like Activity Detail, Fuel Consumption, Speed Violations, Vehicle Diagnostics and many more. Avail the product of GPS Insight now and lessen your labor and fuel cost and increase your income!

This system is build upon GPS navigation and messaging technology. To know more about GPS Insight, you can also visit and view Blog for GPS vehicle tracking at http://www.gpsinsight.com/blog. The target customers are service and trucking companies, e.g. HVAC, roofing, plumbing, construction, sales forces, delivery vehicles, long haul trucking, etc.

For further information about their product is available at http://support.gpsinsight.com.

Diino - 2gb free online storage UK

Diino provides users an on-line environment where they can safely store, access & share files of any type and size. It is particularly useful for users with large digital photos and music files that are difficult to access and share because of their size. Diino's strong security also makes it suitable for users desiring a safe place to store personal and confidential documents. Diino accounts with 2GB of storage are available for free.

Diino AB is a Swedish company with offices in Stockholm, London, Mexico City, and Atlanta, has over the past years developed storage and file sharing technologies with one patent including 18 claims. Today, Diino AB is one of the leading providers of secure online storage and file sharing technologies.

Secure online web storage. For free!

Avot Mobile Site

When pocket pc was introduced to consumer market most models are integrated with wireless connectivity that allows portable devices able to connect to the internet by means of wireless protocol that brought pocket pc’s and smart phones became popular tools for data and voice communication targeting consumers both business and private use.

Throughout the years those portable devices were being developed by hardware manufacturers and software developers to come up with one single device. Those devices are made and used to promote portability and flexibility to carry out several tasks like sending and receiving electronic information through wireless network.

With the development of these devices many software companies were able to jump on the band wagon by developing usable software to utilize the use of mobile devices such as smart phones and pocket pc. One of the biggest developments for these tools is for multimedia or entertainment use. The Avot Media (Beta) is one of the companies that revolutionized the use of multimedia software in the world of portable devices.

Avot Media has utilized the use of portable devices and broadband wireless connection with their innovative media software product called the Avot mV. The software can change your multimedia experience by having an access to countless of multimedia videos that you can find on the internet as well as in Avot Mobile Site. This type of services was mastered and perfected by Avot Media Inc., since they are the creator of this amazing software to bring entertainment to millions of people who wants to subscribe with digital entertainment services.

The Avot mV (Beta) is robust in functionality integrated within the software itself. Good software design is vital in order it to be patronize by users. The Avot mV has been introduced in consumer market and they are optimistic that this software will be successful in terms of sales because the company is confident that their entertainment software is one of the best advances in entertainment technology.

In addition, Avot mV (Beta) is the best solution for watching streaming videos from any mobile device that is capable of running this new software and have an access to EDGE, 3G, EV-DO data networks. Avot mV software has several features like organizing web videos, customizing playlist, and much more. This technology doesn’t require any video codec. The Avot mV (Beta) can play high quality audio and video from its native server as well as playing millions of media files from other video sharing site. The Avot Media Inc., extend some information about their software product in some Avot Blog pages.

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Importance of Internet

The Internet plays a big role in the lives of adults and teenagers alike. The importance of the Internet in a teenager's life increases with every day that goes by. Teenagers are starting to use the Internet in various ways, which range from doing schoolwork to transporting themselves halfway around the world. As long as the need for getting quick, information is still there, the need for the Internet will also be strong.

The big debate recently has been over the use of the Internet in schools today. Coming from a school that does not have Internet access, I feel that not only is it a novelty, but it is also starting to become a necessity. Students that have the privilege to get on the Internet have a distinct advantage over the students who are less fortunate. Internet-able students have the possibility to access information at an unbelievable pace, and creating their reports becomes less tedious, and may even get kids interested in school.

The advantages only begin with school work, therefore the workforce is also centered around the computer, and knowing how to use the Internet gives kids a big advantage when they do enter the workforce and even in college. Now those are the pluses, and of course where there is a plus there is always a minus. There is always going to be a fear of kids using the Internet in an insidious manner. I believe that you can eliminate that fear with a few weeks of Internet basics and Internet safety education.

Basic Parts of a Computer

CD-ROM Drive- reads information stored on Compact Discs.

Click or Mouse – A click often selects an item on the screen. To click, press and release the left mouse button.

Floppy Disk Drive – A floppy drive stores and retrieves information on floppy disks.

Hard Drive – A hard drive is the primary device that a computer uses to store information.

Keyboard – A keyboard is a device that lets you type information and instructions into a computer.

Monitor – A monitor is a device that displays text and images generated by the computer.

Mouse - A device that fits in the palm of your hands. It is used to select, activate and manipulate features on the screen. If you are right handed, the index finger rests on the top left section: the middle finger on the top right section.

Steps in Troubleshooting Your Own Computer

While solving computer problems can often be complex, more often than not, some basic troubleshooting will help you quickly fix the more common problems, which are often the simplest ones. Here are the ten steps you should go through to systematically troubleshoot basic computer problems:

1. Take a deep breath and don't panic. Stand up and step back from your computer. You want to approach things in a systematic, calm, and controlled manner. Panicking likely won't help solve your problem, and it could make it much worse, including causing you to lose valuable data.

2. Save your current work. Before doing anything, make sure you save your current work so that you don't lose it. Save it on the hard drive or on a floppy disk. It doesn't matter where, just make sure you save it.

3. Backup your critical data. If it looks like your hard drive may crash or the computer may not start up again, take steps to backup your critical data while it is still working and before you turn it off. Hopefully you have a recent full backup and will only have to backup your most recent documents. Consider copying the data to a network drive or burning it onto a CD-ROM.

4. Reboot your computer. Turn your computer off, let it sit for two minutes, and reboot it. Sometimes one command of the hundreds a computer executes every second can cause corrupted memory or other temporary unexplainable problems. Rebooting will clear out all the gremlins and gives everything a fresh-start.

5. Is everything plugged in properly? Asking this a question may seem very basic, but you will be surprised how often it can often be the fix you are looking for. Cables get bumped or work themselves loose over time. Make sure they are all snug and tight. If you want to look under the hood, and are comfortable doing so, ideally you should check the cables and connections within your computer case as well. You should also make sure all cards and memory are firmly seated by gently but firmly pushing them into their respective slots.

6. Ask yourself what you did last. Did your problems start just after you installed new software programs or updated hardware drivers? This can be a great clue as to the source of a problem.

7. Is your hardware happy? Unhappy hardware is often the source of problems. To check your hardware, right-click on My Computer, select Properties, click on the Hardware tab, and then the Device Manager button. This will open the Device Manager dialog box. It lists all the hardware devices on your computer. Devices that aren't working properly will have a yellow exclamation mark next to them. Double-click on the problem devices to open a dialog box that may have details on the problem, and a listing of suggestions on how to fix it.

8. Check you computer for nasties. Run a complete system scan with your anti-virus software (make sure you update your virus definitions before you run the scan). You can do a free online scan at TrendMicro's Web site (http://www.trendmicro.com/). You should also scan your computer for adware, spyware, or other malware with a product like Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/) or SpyBot (http://www.safer-networking.org/). Scanning your machine with two of these products can be helpful as sometimes you will find something that one product missed.

9. Install software or driver updates. If it seems one program or hardware device is acting up, check the manufacturer's Web site for updates. The code in most software is thousands if not millions of lines long and it is impossible for software companies to find all the bugs in their programs. As users discover problems, software and hardware manufacturers often release revised software or updated drivers that include new code to address newly discovered problems.

10. Check online support. If you get as far as this step, your problem is probably more complex. Most hardware and software manufacturers now have extensive support information online in searchable databases. These are often called Knowledge Bases. Microsoft's support page is at http://support.microsoft.com/. Odds are someone else has already experienced the same problem you have, and you can often a solution online. Good luck with your troubleshooting.

Formatting Your Own Hard Drive and Reisntalling Windows

There are times when Windows becomes so damaged or so compromised by hackers and trojan programs that the only thorough solution is essentially to start all over. This is accomplished by formatting your hard drive, which means erasing all programs and data on your machine, and reinstalling Windows.

If you have questions about this process or are unsure how to proceed, contact the manufacturer of your PC for help..

Most of the major computer vendors (Dell, HP, Gateway, etc.) provide a system restoration CD with their computers. This CD will do most of the work for you: it will format the hard drive, reinstall Windows, and then reinstall any of the programs that came with the computer. The only thing this CD cannot do is back up any data files or programs that you installed independently on your hard drive that you want to save, so therefore before you run your system restoration CD, make sure that you save the data files (academic papers, resumes, contact information, etc) onto floppy disk or CD. In addition, have available any CDs for application software that you installed independently.

If you no longer have the system restoration CD that came with your computer (or you are unsure whether you received one or not), contact your computer vendor to see if they can provide you with a new copy. Be ready to tell them the information that matches your computer, such as the model number and the serial number so that you will receive the disk compatible with your computer.

If your computer was not built by a major computer vendor or you cannot get another copy of the system restoration CD from your vendor, then you will have to format manually your hard drive, reinstall Windows, and then reinstall your programs. Again, before you start this process, you should try and save any important files you need to a floppy disk or CD so you don't lose them during the formatting process. OIT (Office of Information Technology) cannot provide you with a Windows CD.

The method you use to format and reinstall Windows can depend on what version of Windows you have and your computer hardware. The one item you must have is a Windows CD in order to reinstall Windows. Make sure that your Windows CD is NOT an upgrade CD (upgrade CDs should be labeled as such on the CD). An upgrade CD will only work if you have an older or equivalent version of Windows already running on the computer, so it won't work once windows has been erased from the hard drive as a result of formating.

If you have Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows XP:
You can format your hard drive as part of the Windows installation process. If your computer is only a few years old and can boot from the CD-Rom drive, simply turn off your computer, insert your Windows CD into the CD-Rom drive, and restart your computer (if the Windows setup does not begin, check your BIOS settings to make sure your computer is configured to try and boot from a CD). If your computer is an older system or you cannot figure out how to make it boot from the CD, you will need to create setup disks (note: there are no setup disks for Windows XP--you have to run the installation from the XP CD). To create the setup disks, insert your CD into a working Windows computer and do the following:


-Windows NT (3 disks):
Click on the Start button, choose Run, and type D:\i386\winnt32 /ox, where D is the letter for the CD-Rom drive.

-Windows 2000 (4 disks):
Go into the bootdisk directory on the Windows 2000 CD and double-click on the makebt32.exe file (you can also consult our earlier web page on making Windows 2000 boot disks).

-Windows XP:
If you have a broadband connection that is always on, you must take counter measures to prevent your Windows XP machine from being reinfected. Please view and print these cautions prior to proceeding.

If you have a Windows Vista CD: Select the Install link then Custom (Advanced) installation method. Choose the partition on the hard drive you want to install Windows Vista.

Note: For a completely 'clean' install (meaning hard drive contents wiped out completely), choose the "Format" command found after clicking the Drive Options (Advanced) link. Then click the Next button and installation will proceed.

Once Windows is reinstalled, you will have to reinstall your other programs individually from your original install disks.

Computer Maintenance Tips

Santa may have brought you a new computer or peripheral for Christmas, but he didn't tell you how to take care of it. Now is a good time to get some good computer maintenance habits developed before you get yourself into trouble.

Ten tips to keep your computer running smoothly:

1. Never, never, turn your computer off with the power switch until Windows has shut down.
The one exception to this rule is when your computer locks up and your hard drive is not running (hard drive light is not blinking). In this situation, you can turn the power off without harmful effects to the hard drive. As cutting the power can also result in lost data or Windows files, you should only do this when you have to.

Following this rule will prevent permanent hard drive defects caused by the hard drive heads contacting the surface of the drive disc, and it will prevent a host of Windows problems.Whenever possible, recover from crashes by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys at the same time. Press them again to reboot your computer.

2. I highly recommend that you purchase an UPS (uninteruptable power supply) for your computer.
This will keep your computer from crashing during power outages, and will protect your computer from low and high voltage occurrences.An UPS is far superior to a surge protector and will save your computer from almost any power type of disaster. (See #1 above for what happens when your computer crashes.)

3. Backup, backup, backup, any data you cannot afford to lose to at least two separate physical drives.
So backup data to floppies, Zip disks, CD-RWs etc. The time to backup is when you create something you can't afford to lose. Don't wait until tomorrow.

4. Run Scan disk and Defragment at least once a month. This will keep your hard drive healthy and prevent crashes. Alternatively, purchase Norton Utilities and use it to keep your hard drive healthy.

5. Never unplug peripherals from the computer when it is powered up.
Unplugging with the power on can short out the connector socket or the motherboard.

The only exception to this rule is if you know a peripheral is "hot pluggable". If you do not know what "hot pluggable" means then ignore this exception.

6. Do keep at least 100 MBs of your C: drive free for Windows to use.
If you use Windows Me or Windows XP then you should have 200 MBs of free space on your C: drive.If you do not have enough free space you will choke Windows and it will start dumping data to your hard drive, or it will just get really, really, slow.Use the ADD/Delete tool in the Windows Control Panel to delete unneeded programs from your drive. You can also use Cleansweep included in Norton Utilities to clean up your drive. If you do use Cleansweep or another hard drive cleaner, do not delete shared files unless you back them up. The cleaners do a rotten job of knowing if another program uses shared files.

7. Do not let a lot of programs load up when you start your computer.
They use valuable memory and Windows Resources (Windows internal workspace). All programs in your Windows System Tray (in the lower left of your screen) are running on your computer. Close them if you don't need them or run them and configure them not to load when you boot up. Other programs running in the background can be found by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the same time.

8. Do use a virus checker regularly.
Everyone should use a virus checker. The best type of protection is continuous monitoring from a dedicated anti-virus program like Norton Anti virus. The second best thing is to use is the free online virus checker house call provided by Trend Micro.

9. If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a firewall program.
A firewall program keeps those who want to hijack your computer from gaining access to your system. You really do not want someone else running your computer.I suggest you purchase and run Norton's Personal Firewall program. Your firewall should boot up with your computer to protect it from invasion. A Case in point: When I run Windows Me for 10 hours or more with my DSL connection, my computer is usually attacked by a hacker at least once. Do not think you are safe from hackers!! Hackers use search programs to seek out computers at random. Get a firewall program and use it.

10. Keep track of the software disks you receive with your computer and new peripherals.
These disks contain valuable software drivers and programs for Windows and are needed when Windows must be reloaded. Keep these disks and your Windows software disks in a safe, dry, place - you never know when you will need them.

This Tips came from InfoHq.Com

Computer Viruses

Computer viruses are easily spread from system to system, and since you will be sharing information with other users, it likely your system will become infected at some point in time. Here are some tips to protect your computer from a virus:

1. Take a proactive approach. It is much easier to prevent contracting a virus than it is to remove it. Use anti-virus software on your computer.Most anti-virus software, such as McAfee Virus Scan, provides both virus detection and removal.

2. Scan for viruses. Viruses can cause your computer to be slow or not work at all. You should always have a good virus scanner installed and keep it up to date. Some well known virus scanners are Norton, McAfee, and AVG.
3. McAfee's VirusScan is avaliable to all faculty, staff and students ofthe University of Florida (through a site-license agreement). The softwareis distributed on the UF Software CD or can be downloaded from McAfee a web-based software catalog. Anti-virus software must be updated periodically to detect new viruses. Updates are also available atthe Soda Shoppe.

4. Another preventative practice is to avoid indiscriminately downloading software from unknown sites. Stick to known vendor or other known websites for software downloads.

5. Never start your computer with a diskette in the floppy drive. Most Bootsector viruses will infect your computer's hard drive in this way. If youneed to start your computer using a floppy diskette, first scan thediskette for viruses.

Data Protection

The information that you put into a computer represents your the time and creative effort.

This information is stored in files in on your hard drive or other storage device. Here are some suggestions to protect your files:

1. The general rule to protect your data is simple: always maintain backups! It is a simple task to save your work to more than one location, say a diskette (also known as a floppy disk) as well as your hard drive. Although diskettes are still the most common backup media,writable CD-ROM or personal file storage on another computer are other alternatives for file backup purposes. In the event of component failure,you always have a backup available. In most cases, it is legal, for backup purposes only, to make one copy of purchased software. Be sure to read the licensing agreement that came with the software to confirm this.

2. Don't use diskettes as working media - that is, work on the file while it is on the hard drive, then transfer it to a diskette when done.Frequent reads and writes to a diskette can wear it out quickly.

3. Keep diskettes away from heat, moisture, and magnetic fields. Somecommon sources of magnetic fields are phones, sound speakers, car alarmactivators, and laser printers. Never leave your diskette near a laser printer.

If you must transport your diskettes, always carry them in a hard casedesigned for this purpose. Never carry them unprotected in a purse,bookbag, etc... as they can easily be damaged.

4. Diskettes are disposable media - the magnetic field in which theinformation is maintained deteriorates over time. Transfer criticalinformation to newly formatted diskettes every six months or so. Even ifyou take good care of your diskettes, they will go bad over time.
Another way to safeguard your data is to run the error checking utilityprovided by your operating system. This software is designed to findsurface damage and data corruption on the hard drive.

5. Many companies sell programs that can maintain, optimize and andsafeguard the data on your computer. You can find these types of systemutilities and programs in any computer store or bookstore. If you purchaseone of these programs, take the time to read the program's manual.

Information Technology

Information technology (IT), as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), is "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information system, particularly software applications and computer hardware." IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve info securely. Recently it has become popular to broaden the term to explicitly include the field of electronic communication so that people tend to use the abbreviation ICT (Information and Communications Technology), it is common for this tobe referred to as IT & T (Information Technology and Telecommunications) in the Australian region.

Today, the term information technology has ballooned to encompass many aspects of computing and technology, and the term is more recognizable than ever before. The information technology umbrella can be quite large, covering many fields. IT professionals perform a variety of duties that range from installing applications to designing complex computer networks and information databases. A few of the duties that IT professionals perform may include data management, networking, engineering computer hardware, database and software design, as well as the management and administration of entire systems.

Some Professional organizations:

The Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) is the largest professional body for computing in Canada.

NASSCOM is an association of Indian IT companies.

AITech-Assinform, Information Technology Association is an association of Italian IT companies.

The Computer Society of India (CSI) is the national body representing computer professionals.

The British Computer Society (BCS) is a UK body that represents those working in IT. It is the largest United Kingdom based professional body for computing, with a world-wide membership of over 58,000 members in over 100 countries.

ACM - The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) is an industry trade group for several U.S. information technology companies.

What does computer literacy mean??

I had defined in an earlier article 'computer literacy' as the means or the capacity of a person to use computer applications. In other words, a person who knows to use the machine to complete any task is a computer literate. Ccomputer literate often connotes little more than the ability to use several very specific applications (usually Microsoft Word, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Outlook) for certain very well-defined simple tasks, largely by rote. Let us see what counts as the essential computer skills as understood under 'computer literate':

Performing basic operations: Starting a computer may be a very tricky thing to one who has never seen one. Using the mouse, managing various windows, alternating between the use of keyboard and mouse, minimizing windows, opening and closing files, etc can be daunting tasks for the uninitiated ones. In order to learn to use computers, as with any machine, one needs to acclimatize himself/herself first. First and foremost one should familiarize himself/herself with the parts and functions of the computer - in a similar manner you learn about the functioning of your washing machine or DVD player or dishwasher.

Word-processing: This is the most basic of all skills. It involves typing basically, but when using computers it deviates a little from the common typewriter. There is the enter key replacing the career movement and there are commands (simple ones) for paragraph, indent, spacing and so on. The best of word processing is that you can modify with ease any part of the text you entered. The word processing is the minimum one should know because it will be used in each and every application of computers.

Email: The postal letter, though extremely sought after, is on its way out in today's world replaced by the electronic mail or as popularly known, email. The 21st century man does most of his communication through emails. Whether it is posting a CV for a vacancy, or applying for a job - the most common way and the best way is to email it. Email also enables you to keep in touch with all your near and dear ones in real time (instantly). You can send photographs, documents and video clips through email. This is another important and basic skill a computer literate needs to know.

Use the Internet: The use of the Internet is too vast to be covered in the present article. However, no computer literate is complete without Internet knowledge. Computers and Internet is today almost one and the same thing and one cannot be mentioned without the other tagging along. One will need to harness the Internet in all types of work whether it is research on any topic or plain surfing for information. For this purpose you will need to know what is a search engine and how it works; what is a keyword and how it works; how to open a browser and how to use a link, etc. The Internet is like a huge shopping mall where you are required to navigate with the help of certain guidelines.

Use a Spreadsheet: One will also need to use a spreadsheet of excel sheet for computing and chalking out financial plans. This is a must in any presentation and knowing the basics on how to use and read a spreadsheet will be extremely helpful to any young executive. As with others, this too will require a lot of hands-on practice and a little theory to master.

Create and use a Database: One also needs to know how to create and use a simple database. There are million and one information points that one gathers and to be able to interpret it correctly and present it systematically one needs to be able to analyze the data received. Computers are best at throwing up accurate forecasts, analysis and organizing data in a legible and interpretable way; for getting these results you will need to feed in the data by creating a database and then knowing what command to give to ask the computer what analysis you want it to perform.

Create/Use a power point or graphic file: Every job involves some type of reporting at regular periods of time. The best way to make a presentation whether it is to your peers, subalterns or superiors is by using power point. Hence, one should the basics of this application as well. Side by side, one should know to use a graphic file whereby you can upload (post) pictures, graphs, images in any file (as well as power point files).

Printing of a document: Whatever you learn to do, you will sooner or later need a hard copy ('hard copy'Publish Post means 'on a paper' while 'soft copy' means 'electronic copy') and for obtaining that you should know how to print whatever you create with the help of computer.

Ways on How You Can Take Good Care of Your Own PC..

There are many reasons why you should take care of your computer. First, is that it's a major investment for most people and you would probably like to keep it running for as long as possible.

There are various things that you can do to help prolong the life of your PC (Personal Computer), both hardware and software. It’s always a good idea to keep your computer clean. Always remember: A clean computer runs faster and lasts longer.

Here are some ways to clean and maintain the software (your operating system or OS) on your pc:

1. Run the defragmenter utility, at least once every month or two. In Windows XP this can be done by going to your Start menu, then All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then select Disk Defragmenter. The defragmenter will help ensure that your files are located at the right place on the hard drive and should boost the overall speed of your computer.

2. Clean up old files. When you install/uninstall software frequently it can leave many unwanted files in temporary and system folders. In Windows XP, you should run the Disk Cleanup utility once and a while to clean things up. This utility can be found by clicking the Start menu, then All Programs Accessories, System Tools, then select Disk Cleanup

3. Scan for viruses. Viruses can cause your computer to be slow or not work at all. You should always have a good virus scanner installed and keep it up to date. Some well known virus scanners are Norton, McAfee, and AVG.

4. Scan for other malware. Other malware can include spyware, adware, key loggers, and Trojan horses. These pieces of software can get installed without your knowledge when you install another program or visit a website. They can cause your PC to slow down considerably. Spybot Search & Destroy and Adaware are two well known malware scanners.

Here are some ways you can keep your hardware running smoothly:

1. Clean out the dust. Computers are notorious for accumulating dust. Every once and a while you should open it up and clean it out. This can be done with a vacuum cleaner or a can of dust remover.

2. Keep your PC cool. You should always make sure that you keep your computer in a well ventilated area. By doing this you help keep the PC cool and, therefore, will prolong the life of your hardware.

3. Buy quality hardware. When you buy new components for your PC try and get good quality parts. If you get components from respected manufacturers you can be sure that you will get good technical support and the parts will be well made and not cause problems with other hardware.
Theses are just a few little tips to help you keep your computer running for a long time. There are many other things that can be done but by following these few tips you can be sure that you will reduce future computer problems.

History of Hackers

The early history of hackers is centered early in the 1950's and 1960's. Naturally curious and intelligent IT (Information Technology) students who had been exploring the control systems of computers. A group of students, many of who came from which had an incredibly complicated switching system for its model railroad were able to use a couple MIT computers very late at night. So they started to write programs. Showing how hierarchical computer access was, one computer (an IBM 704 worth several millions) was guarded by a group of people who were called "The Priesthood."

This was the "golden age'' of the computer hacker. The machines were large, slow, not advisable to use, and it took an extraordinary effort to make them do even the simplest computation. Although this less than 40 years ago, to the programmer of today is like looking through the mists of time into the genesis of computing. The legendary feats of the early hackers are made all the more amazing by the primitive nature of the machines they were using and the tools they had at their disposal.

Computers ran around the clock and there were always a group of students ready to fill-in in case someone would not show up for their slot. It wasn’t only college students who were interested. One faculty kid turned hacker. He got computer time under a false name and wrote his first program at the age of twelve. As they had to write basic programs to run the computer, they shared their work freely.

As computers spread to other parts of the country, so did the hacker culture. Largely initiated by hackers who had their beginning at mid 1960's saw centers of hacker culture developed at other universities.

The third wave of hacker activity was born in northern California without direct genealogy to hackers. It started with some Computer Club in San Francisco bay area. This was a group of electronic hobbyists with a common interest in the then radical idea of building their own computers. Because of the size and cost of the early computers, early hackers were restricted to using a small number of machines built by large companies and installed at universities or industrial research centers. This third wave of hackers wanted their own machines that they could not only program at home, but also build and modify the computer hardware at home. It was this group of hackers, which includes legendary figures like Bill Gates, that formed the foundation for the entire personal computer industry of today.

The Past And Present Of Computers

Computer (computador) is an appliance which can manipulate data in accordance with a list of instructions. It is a type of data processing system.

Today the computer (computador) has become indispensable in every household and comes in numerous physical forms. The first modern day computer was developed in the mid-20th century, though the concept of computer (computador) and various similar machines existed before. It actually started in 1837, when `The Analytical Engine`, the first fully programmable mechanical computer, was designed by Charles Babbage.

The Earlier versions were huge and bulky and used up a whole room. The device EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator) was one of the very first computers that could implement the stored program architecture. In comparison to them, modern computers (computador) have tiny integrated circuits and are much better in terms of capacity and speed as well as accuracy. Today`s tinier version can even fit in your wrist watch and are powered from the watch battery. Personal computers can be found in almost every house today and in various forms. They are in fact the icons of the information age.

What makes computers (computador) highly versatile and distinguishable from other appliances is that it can be programmed. A calculator can only calculate, just like a washing machine can only wash, but a computer can be programmed to do any kind of job. Software programs are a list of instructions that can be stored and executed by the computer.

A general computer (computador) has four major sections, the arithmetic and logical unit or ALU, the control unit or CU, memory and the interface for input and output devices. These parts of computer are interconnected by busses. The ALU, control unit, registers, and the interface for input and output devices are collectively known as the central processing unit or CPU. The Early CPUs used to be composed of different separate components, however since the 1975; the CPUs are being constructed on a single integrated circuit, the microprocessor.

The ALU is for arithmetic and logical operations of the computer while the control unit is for directing the various parts of a computer (computador). Its job involves reading and interpreting the instructions of the programs one by one and converting them into control signals for operating other parts of the computer.

The earlier version of computer (computador) used Magnetic core memory but today it has been replaced by the semiconductor memory. The main memory of Computer is divided in two parts, RAM or random access memory and ROM or read-only memory. RAM can be written and read anytime through CPU commands. On the other hand, ROM is pre-loaded with software and data that never changes, and it can be only read by the CPU.

I/O is hardware by the means of which a computer(computador) can receive information from the outside world and also sends back results. Common input devices are the keyboard and mouse. While common output devices include monitor and printer. There are some devices that serve as both input and output devices like Hard disk drives, optical disc drives, floppy disk drives etc.

Internet has literary changed our lives. Today people can search all types of information on various subjects, advertise their company or products pass information to a large group of people and do much more merely by a few clicks of the mouse. Whether you want to search a new home or compare prices of the latest mobile or fill up your college form or read the latest Harry Potter book, everything can be done on the Internet through your computer.

With increase of computers (computador) and its uses, an increasing number of professions involving computers have also developed. Computer-related professions include Electrical engineering, Nanoscale engineering Telecommunications engineering, Software engineering, Web design, Desktop publishing and Optical engineering.

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.

This article can also be accessed from page Computer
Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for PoloMercantil
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Top 10 Coolest Accesories to your PC

USB Aroma Therapy

Aroma therapy is one of the latest fads which makes this USB air freshner a must have. This gadget plugs right into your PC’s USB port and can generate three different aromas. Now here’s the cool part, you actually get to choose what scent you want using your computer.

ElekTex Smart Fabric Keyboard

Want a full-sized keyboard that you can roll up and take anywhere? Than ElekTex’s Smart Fabric Keyboard is just what you’ve been looking for, its 100% fabric, water-repellent, and very light (2.4 ounces). It uses Bluetooth technology to connect with compatible devices and even comes with a PDA stand. An embedded LED displays keyboard and Bluetooth connectivity status.

CP-1 USB Spy Mouse

Keep a close ear on your computer with the CP-1. Hidden inside this otherwise normal looking mouse is a condenser microphone - capable of picking up on any nearby conversations. It measures 53 x 95 x 35 mm and weighs just 75g. Source

Multimedia Chair

Hammacher Schlemmer’s “Multimedia Chair” just might be the ultimate gaming accessory, offering two 50-watt speakers (built into headrest), a 300-watt amp (concealed in chair base), and a sound transducer — “the same technology originally used in multimillion dollar USAF flight simulators and theme park rides” — that converts low-frequency sounds into vibrations. One drawback, it costs $799.95.Source

SoundArt Canvas Speakers

If you want to combine art and technology into one device, SoundArt has the answer in its stylish canvas speakers. Just hang it on your wall, plug in your music source and enjoy the space around you. From music to movies the audio options are endless. Almost any audio source can be played through it – your Hi-Fi, iPod, DVD, CD or use the output on your AV system. Featuring one or two canvas speakers, a subwoofer, and your choice of canvas print. One potential drawback, it costs $3700. Source

Folding Computer Bed/Desk

For around $2079, you could buy this nifty folding computer bed. It features gas pistons which assist in the bed to desk transformation and also dampens the natural action of weight transfer. Source

Portable Cardboard Speakers

MUJI, best known in for their innovative yet simple products, has come out with speakers made of cardboard and a few electronic components They ship unfolded in a clear plastic pouch — fold them up and they’re ready to use. Now that’s what we call portability. MoMAstore has them available for puchase now at $42 USD. Source

Optimus Keyboard

One look at the Optimus and you know you’re dealing with something different. This innovative keyboard has customizable OLED keys — program them to launch applications or as hot keys and use your own icons/animations/pictures for a personal touch. Source

Foot Mouse

One pedal controls movement while the other is for the clicks. Pedals are made from an injection molded plastic shell and feature a “360-degree, pressure sensitive mechanism”. Source

SatuGO - Bouncing Digital Camera

This nifty little bouncy ball type gadget is actually a digital camera that snaps 3.0 Megapixel images when bounced. The SatuGO is notable in that it includes 1GB NAND memory and sports a timer/flash so it can also be used as a webcam. Just plug it into your computer’s USB port for quick and easy recharging. Source

Source: www.oddee.com

LAWS OF COMPUTING

1. When computing, whatever happens, behave as though you meant it to happen.

2. When you get to the point where you really understand your computer, it’s probably obsolete.

3. The first place to look for information is in the section of the manual where you’d least expect to find it.

4. When the going gets tough, upgrade.

5. For every action, there is an equal and opposite malfunction.

6. To err is human…to blame your computer for your mistakes is even more human, its downright natural.

7. He who laughs last, probably has a back-up.

8. The number one cause of computer problems is computer solutions.

9. A complex system that doesn’t work is invariably found to have evolved from a simpler system that worked just fine.

10. A computer program will always do what you tell it to do, but rarely what you want it to do.

Source: getamused

YOU MIGHT BE A COMPUTER GEEK IF..

1. At Christmas, it goes without saying that you will be the one to find the burned out bulb in the string of Christmas lights.

2. Choosing to buy flowers for your girlfriend or to spend the money to upgrade your RAM is a moral dilemma.

3. Everyone else on the Alaskan Cruise is on deck gazing at the scenery and you are still on a personal tour of the engine room.

4. In college, you thought Spring Break was metal fatigue failure.

5. The salespeople at the local computer store can't answer any of your questions.

6. You are at an air show and know how fast the skydivers are falling.

7. You bought your wife a new CD ROM drive for her birthday.

8. You can quote scenes from any Monty Python movie.

9. You can type 70 words per minute but can't read your own handwriting.

10. You comment to your wife that her straight hair is nice and parallel.

11. You go on the rides at Disneyland and sit backwards in the chairs to see how they do the special effects.

12. You have saved every power cord from all your broken appliances.

13. You have more friends on the Internet than in real life.

14. You know what http:// stands for.You look forward to Christmas only to put together the kids' toys.

15. You see a good design and still have to change it.

16. You spent more on your calculator than you did on your wedding ring.

17. You still own a slide rule and you know how to use it.

18. You think that when people around you yawn, it's because they didn't get enough sleep, or they're just equalizing air pressure on both sides of their eardrums.

19. You window shop at Radio Shack.

20. You're both in the back-seat of your car, she's looking wistfully at the moon, and you're trying to locate a geosynchronous satellite.

21. Your laptop computer costs more than your car.

22. Your wife hasn't the foggiest idea of what you do at work.

23. You've already calculated how much you make per second.

24. You've tried to repair a $5 radio.

Source: computer jokes and humor