To start of the new year, About.com is starting its Reader Choice Awards for 2010. This will allow our readers to tell us what they think is the best in a variety of different categories. On the PC Hardware / Reviews site, there will be three awards: Best Desktops, Best Laptops and Best PC Monitors.

Since January 1st, readers have been able to place nominations for their favorite desktops, laptops or PC displays. Nominations are set to close on the 25th, so if you haven’t taken the time to submit your nominations be sure to do it now. Just remember that if you don’t, then your favorite might not end up in the finalists to be voted on starting next month.

• About.com Reader’s Choice 2010 – Desktops, Laptops and PC Monitors

Reader’s Choice Awards 2010 – Last Chance To Nominate originally appeared on About.com PC Hardware / Reviews on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 10:00:12.

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You suspect, for whatever reason, a virus infection on your hard disk and are not sure what to do  about it.

*Recommendation:* You will want to do all of the following:

If you suspect a virus infection,  stop using your PC immediately. Locate all floppy disks that  have been used recently and stop using them as well. Make  sure that no PCs networked  to  you are accessing your hard disk, or they could get whatever  you have (depending on what it is).

Obtain virus scanning software and follow its directions.  You will normally be instructed to boot the system from a provided bootable floppy disk and scan the hard disk  for viruses. You should then install the software to your  hard disk and use it to scan for viruses regularly.

Make sure you scan any floppy disks that you have used in  the system for viruses as well or you may reinfect the PC  again. If you’re not sure how to do any of this or don’t want to deal with it yourself, Please call ASK ERIK Computer Services at (562) 212-2366.

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In addition to saving money there are many reasons for building your own computer.

1. You will have complete control over the quality of the components. Pre-built computers from the store usually contain cheap, generic parts that are unreliable and difficult to repair or upgrade later. This is even true for many of the top brands. When you build your own computer you can use only top-quality name brand parts to make sure your new computer is fast and reliable.

2. Store-bought computers usually come burdened with tons of junk programs and advertising that gets in your way and interferes with the smooth operation of the computer. Remember when you brought your last computer home from the store? You turned it on only to be greeted by a dozen pop-up advertisements trying to get you to pay out more money for software you didn’t want? Your new self-built computer will not have this problem. You will have only the software you choose to install – no junk programs slowing things down.

3. You will learn a useful new skill and you will gain the knowledge required to upgrade and repair computers. Next time something goes wrong with one of your family’s computers you will know how to fix it. You won’t have to take it to the repair shop and spend a bunch of money.

4. You will be able to take pride in having built your own high-tech, top-quality computer. Your family and friends will be impressed that you were able to build a computer that is faster and more powerful than the name-brand PCs they paid big money for.

5. Your new computer will have exactly the parts you want. You can customize your machine to excel at the specific tasks you use it for.

6. Want to play the latest action adventure games? Just add in a cutting-edge graphics card of your choice. It is almost impossible to buy an awesome gaming computer at the store. Those computers are geared toward casual computer users for generic home office and homework usage. Store-bought computers usually have very poor graphics performance compared to a home-built machine.

If people knew how easy it is to build a computer then many more people would be doing it. There are only three simple steps required:

1. Buy the parts. There are only about a dozen components you will need. There is a case, a power supply unit, disk drives, a few circuit boards, monitor, keyboard and mouse. You can find recommended parts lists on the Internet or ask at your local computer store. The parts you buy will vary based on your budget. If you are replacing your current computer you may be able to “recycle” some of its components and use them in your new computer to save money.

2. Assemble the parts. This part is easy. If you have ever assembled a piece of furniture or some shelving you can certainly assemble the computer. All the pieces plug nicely into the case. It will only take about an hour.

3. Install the software. You will need to copy your favorite programs onto the hard drive, but that is easy too. Most of us have installed many programs on our computers over the years so this step will be a familiar experience.

After you get everything set up and working properly you will be ready to start surfing the Internet, playing games, tracking your finances, organizing your digital photos or doing your homework. But from now on you will be doing it faster and with some extra cash in your pocket than if you had gone to the store to buy a name-brand PC.

Nick Doran

http://www.youcanbuildyourowncomputer.com

Would you like to learn how to build a computer that will make your friends jealous? We provide simple instructions complete with photographs. We list the exact parts we recommend for you to use, and we research the prices to let you know which vendors currently have the lowest prices on our recommended parts.

Author: Nicholas Doran
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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A computer is like a car, as stated in the video entitled Ways to Speed up Computer – Speed Up Your PC and Fix Error. No matter how good the computer’s hardware specifications are, like the car, the computer will not be able to boost its performance without proper maintenance. Without maintenance, certain computer errors and other problems will plague the PCs. The computers will just continue to depreciate, and with that, continue to provide slow processing tasks as the days pass by.

The free video entitled Ways To Speed Up Computer – Speed Up Your PC and Fix Error gives hints on how to dramatically speed up computer performance at its optimum level. It doesn’t necessarily mean that one’s PC should be the latest model with the latest speedy hardware. The video simply addresses to all kinds of PC users.

The said video also provides examples that would surely amaze PC user. Even resource intensive programs and websites could be easily configured to load at maximum loading time of five seconds. Everybody would surely agree that it is pretty fast. Like what the video said, everybody could have a super fast computer, so it’s really worth checking out.

Want A Faster Computer Without Spending A Penny… And In Only 9 Minutes?

For a limited time, you can claim the “Internet’s Best Kept Secrets” Report absolutely FREE! Click Here: Speed up my computer – http://Speeding-Up-Your-Pc.com

Author: Kris Mainieri
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If you own an iPod, you are probably curious about whether or not you can transfer your iPod content onto more than one PC. After all, wouldn’t it be convenient to share your favorite music with friends and family? Well, the answer is yes, you can. In fact, transferring your iPod content onto multiple PCs is easy to do. All you need to do is make sure that the PCs in question have iTunes or a similar software program installed on them. Without the proper software, you will be unable to access your iPod content on another PC, let alone download it to that PC.

Once you’ve made sure that the PC that you want to transfer your iPod content to does have iTunes, or a similar program, installed on it, you can begin the transfer process. It is easy to transfer the content of your iPod. To begin, just synchronize your iPod with the PC that you want to transfer iPod content to. You can choose to transfer all of the content of your iPod but, more than likely, you’ll only want to transfer certain parts of it. If that’s the case, simply select the iPod content you want to transfer over and drag it to the PC library to copy it. That’s all there is to it. Once you’ve done that, just disconnect your iPod from the PC. Then you will be ready to repeat the iPod content copying process on the next PC you choose, as long as it has the proper software installed.

So, with your new found knowledge, you will be able to share your iPod content with anyone you want, as long as they have iTunes on their computer. The next time your friends or family want copies, just have them install iTunes and you’ll be all set. Enjoy transferring your iPod content to multiple PCs. After all, everything is more fun when you can share it with a friend.

For more information on iPod to Computer transfer software and for in-depth reviews of popular video and audio converter software, visit the Video Converter Review Center today at http://videoconverterreviews.com/

Author: Victor Vargo
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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So, what’s a network? Simply put, a network is when two or more computers are connected and sharing data. That’s it! Nothing more, nothing less. These computers can be connected in a variety of ways and we will touch on that a little later. What we want to do now is work out the type of network we need in our house.

Why do I need a network again? There are a lot of benefits to having a network. If you have more than one computer in your house you really have no reason not to have them networked, and by networking them you will be able to: Share printers, CD-ROM drives and other removable drives between the computers. Eliminate having to transfer files from one computer to another using a floppy (do they still exist?) or CD-ROM and share files directly between PCs. ( a great advantage if you are lazy like me) A huge benefits is you can share your internet connection with the other computers in your home, store only a single copy of large files, saving space on the other PCs’ hard drives.

Fantastic, how do I get started? Whoa there! Before we can start anything we need to plan first. “Plan?” I hear you say. Yes, plan! Building a network is a kin to building a house; we need a strong foundation to build upon. I can hear the groans already! You will be thanking me later. There are two types of schemes you can use in a Network; Client/server network and peer to peer.

In the client/server network, you have one computer that acts as the server (the manager of the network or files), which controls the way other computers (known as clients) access the network, whether that being file sharing or running a program. Servers play a very important role on this particular type of network. Most home networks are based on the peer to peer Network, which has more relaxed controls thus is a better network for you and your family.

Operating Systems

This basic Networking guide assumes your operating system (OS) is at the very least windows 98 Second Edition. Although Windows XP would be preferable it’s not a requirement. The reason for this is because networking was built to function from the ground up in windows 98 SE to windows XP. The following OS will work perfectly with networking:

Windows XP
Windows 2000
Windows NT
Windows ME
Windows 98 SE (Second Edition)

Also all these OS versions have a pretty little nifty tool on them known as Internet Connection Sharing. This allows all computers to share the internet, so while you are reading an e-mail on your laptop, your kid can be checking out their facebook page on the PC. Each computer must have a Network interface card otherwise known in short form as a NIC. Traditionally a NIC is a little electronic card that goes inside your computer right on its mother board, I use the term traditionally as not all NICs are cards anymore, and we now have network adapters that are connected via USB (Universal Serial Bus).

How to Connect – Cables, wires or thin air?

Now we must decide the type of connections we will use to connect our computers. This is very important as the type of connection we use will affect the speed that data travels across the network. Why is speed important? Well waiting a long time for a file to open in a software application or for a file to be copied from one machine to another can be very frustrating to put it mildly. We have four different ways to connect our PC’s, each have their own advantages. Let’s look at them shall we?

Ethernet Cables

The connection type of choice for many businesses. Fast and reliable
Can carry data up to1000 mbps across a network depending on the rated speed of the NIC cards
Used by most businesses to connect their computers
Though similar looking to telephone wire, it is designed to carry data unlike telephone wire which was designed to carry voice
You will need a concentrator (we will get to this later,) to use Ethernet cable.
The connector at the end of the cable looks like the connector at the end of your telephone cable, but it’s actually slightly fatter.

Telephone Line

Connect each computer’s NIC (has to be a Telephone-cable NIC. Have you visited the NIC page yet?) to the telephone wall jack using a regular phone cable.
Telephone cable is inexpensive and is available every where, including your super market
Networking process uses part of the line voice communication doesn’t, so you can still make calls whilst on the network
Can transmits data up to 10mbps
Is increasing with popularity.
You will need a splitter for telephone wall jacks, to use your phone in the same jack
If you have multiple lines in your house, all computers must be connected on the same line (same number)

Wireless connections

No wires to trip over
A very popular choice
Best used on Windows XP, so would be best option to have all PC running XP
Requires network adaptor that can receive and send wirelessly.
Frequency can travel roughly 150 feet, passing through ceilings, walls and floors.

To Learn More about the different types of Home networks visit http://www.how-to-network-computers.com where you can find this and much more, including Internet connection sharing and firewalls.

Author: Emanuel Osei
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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As the name suggests, desktops are used to refer to computers that can be placed at your desk and are not portable. Though laptops had also made it into the market, they have never been able to replace desktops and a vast majority of businesses still prefer desktops over laptops. This is due to a number of reasons that still puts desktops in par with laptops.

Desktop computers have a large number of features. In addition to this they are long lasting, very easy to upgrade and updated. In spite of all these advantages, desktops are really affordable making it possible for almost everyone to own a desktop. Over the year desktops have undergone vast transformations and we get to see very diverse and innovative models everyday. Of late, many sleek and stylish desktops have also made it into the market. This has made it possible to fit them in even the smallest available space. Most desktops also come with a chassis that acts as a cabinet and provides better security to the systems.

In this article we will take a closer look at the some of the different variants of PCs that are available in the market.

Desktops PC
These are the traditional desktop PCs that are most commonly used at home and at work. Desktop PCs are very versatile and can be used for a wide range of purposes.

Workstations
Workstations are often confused with traditional desktops and it is difficult to draw a line between the two. But in reality, there is a difference amid the two and many PC manufacturers like HP do not treat them the same. Workstations are high performance, more powerful machines than desktops that are very similar to servers in configuration and power usage. These machines are often specially tuned for our applications. They offer better graphics and more reliable memory capabilities. Due to this they are better suited for engineering design purposes

Thin Clients
Thin Client PCs are systems that are on the lower end with respect to configuration. Designed to minimize the environmental carbon dioxide emission, these machines are most suited for those who do not have high requirements. These sleek and environmentally friendly systems are absolutely reliable, simple to use and maintain, even the power utilization is substantially reduced. Thin Clients depend on the server for most processing needs and are restricted in terms of storage, user interfaces and applications. This helps for more centralized management and added workspace for users.

Popular PC manufacturers like HP have many models of commercial desktops, workstations and thin clients.

To understand more about this visit http://www.computronestore.com Here you will able to perform comparisons of various desktops, workstations and thin clients for their prices and technical specification’s differences.

Jennifer Abej
Computron Distribution
Dubai
U.A.E.
http://www.computronestore.com

Author: Jennifer Abej
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Not so long ago, the best way to get your computer fixed was to take it to a repair shop. This was a costly investment in your equipment because it meant losing productivity time, disconnecting your hard drive from the rest of your peripherals, taking it to the repair person and leaving it there to be repaired for at least a day and as long as a week if certain parts had to be ordered and replaced.

Today, there are many options to accomplish computer repair for your PC. Whether you have a bank of computers that stretches a mile long or just a single PC in your home office, the need for repair is no less important. Fortunately you can get your repairs done online for many issues. You can also choose from computer repair agents who can come to your location and repair your PC on the spot for you.

There are many complex parts that make up the inner workings of the hardware and operating system. With most systems using some version of Microsoft or MAC as their operating system, it is important to have a thorough understanding that the operating system can shut down your entire PC and render it useless until fixed.

Some repairs can be completely avoided, provided that routine maintenance such as defragmenting the hard drive, keeping your antivirus protection up to date and getting a professional to provide computer repair that cleans the registry are some of the important tasks that will keep your system in good shape.

The most sophisticated PCs on the market are expensive pieces of equipment that can accomplish just about anything from taking pictures to making videos. Many people rely on their portable computers that allow them to work at even the most remote location. A need for quality computer repair may give you cause for concern at first because you may imagine that it’s going to cost you a great deal of money.

In actuality, however, even the most sophisticated PCs on the market today can be repaired, maintained and fixed at a price that won’t break your budget. One important factor to keep in mind, however, is not how cheap you can find the service but how well it will be performed. The best price is one that is affordable but also provides the best work you could find for what you had to pay.

OnlineComputerHelpers.com – Computer Repair

Author: Keith Reig
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Beyond simply slowing down a computer, the wrong kind of spyware will read personal information, like social security numbers and banking information right out of the computer’s onboard memory.Fortunately, everyone is aware of this and so just about everyone uses a spyware cleaner periodically.

Spyware Is The More Pressing Matter

If you don’t have a top-notch virus/spyware cleaner installed on your computer, you really ought to take care of this situation right away because spyware and viruses can cause great harm to you and your finances!

While viruses and spyware may be on the top of our list of worst computer outlaws, there is one more thing that threatens our computer’s ability to function with any amount of speed and efficiency.

It is registry corruption and though a lot of folks are not yet familiar with it, it can be very damaging to a computer’s capability to function.Registry corruption is known for making a once speedy computer about as useful as a doorstop.So, a computer that is virus and spyware free and is still operating somewhere between sluggish and brain dead, probably has corruption present in its registry.

Keeping Away From Registry Corruption Is Impossible

It is not practical to operate or care for a computer in such a way as to keep corruption out of its registry.In the case of an older operating system, probably not deleting any programs or upgrading any drivers would do the trick.However, Windows XP and Vista don’t work exactly the same way as their predecessors and though they are a huge advancement over yesterday’s OS’s, their registries corrupt very easily.

In today’s computing world there are an endless number of temporary files being exchanged constantly.Also, the unbelievably large sizes of the new operating systems make them a magnet for registry corruption.It does not mean the operator was careless if his/her Windows XP or Vista registry becomes corrupt.It happens to everyone eventually.
Nipping Registry Corruption In The Bud

Fortunately, you can get a free registry scan with a top performing registry cleaner so you can see if you do have corruption in your computer’s registry.If you do, you will want to make registry cleaning a part of your computer maintenance routine along with regular virus/spyware cleanings.Registry cleaners are inexpensive and can literally save you computer’s life. So it is a smart move to have one on hand.

In closing, remember it is important to note spyware can strike against you in two ways.First, it can slowdown your computer’s operations as well as cause errors and crashes.Secondly, it can rob you of your privacy and make it possible to have your identity stolen.Registry corruption has no way of performing this second horrible feat.However, it can wreak havoc on your computer’s speed and operations.On several occasions, I’ve seen registry corruption built up to the point it rendered PCs inoperable.

You’ve learned a lot about spyware and registry cleaners and what they can and cannot do. Now find out how certified computer technician Ed Lathrop rates the top spyware cleaners and get a free spyware/virus scan at Best Antispyware Review.

Then see how all the top tier registry cleaners rate against one another and get a free scan with any one of them as well at Registry Cleaners Review.

Author: Edward Lathrop
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Information

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Embrace change.

Change is going to happen whether you like it or not. Why not choose to like it? Rather than letting it frustrate you, accept it as the inevitable progression of technology. You’ll have a much better experience.

The people that use technology most effectively, the people that seem the most comfortable with it, the people that seem to do more and even end up acting as a resource for others, are often those that do more than just see change as inevitable; they look forward to it. They look to see what new improvements can do for them to make their ongoing efforts more efficient, more functional, and even – dare I say it – more fun. These are people that enjoy learning and are curious about the next new thing to come around the corner. Change is no obstacle for them, it’s an opportunity.

Unfortunately, there are many, many other people who, once having learned how to accomplish something on their computer, stick to that one way as long as they possibly can. They may never investigate and even actively avoid new ways of doing things that could make there experience more effective. If something changes about the technology that they’ve steadfastly held on to, they’re stuck; both incapable of moving forward and frustrated at the change.

Technology is nothing more than a tool to be exploited. Sometimes better tools come along. The first group gets this.

The second group, ironically, have turned themselves into slaves to the technology that they refuse to leave behind.

There are some strong arguments that the “if it ain’t broke, why fix it?” crowd will use. For example if everything is going to become obsolete eventually anyway, why bother learning every new thing that comes along? Isn’t that a waste of time that could be spent actually using the tools you already know and getting something done?

That can be true; too much change, particularly change that requires truly significant investments of time and energy, shouldn’t be taken lightly. However the majority of change, particularly in the world of personal computers, is in incremental, smaller steps. It’s a new tool here, a new menu item there, or perhaps a new way of doing something. Folks that are resistant to change get annoyed with even the smallest alteration of the status quo, and as a result often end up bypassing even the little things that could easily make what they do more effective and less time consuming overall.

It’s very true that at times change can be wasteful, and that not all change is good. Ultimately, though, in the balance and even with occasional setbacks changing technology is a net win. Things get better over time, not worse. What you can do with your computer today is much, much more than you could 5 or 10 years ago. And even if you’re doing essentially the same things as then as now, it’s likely that you’re doing so more efficiently, and with less effort. That’s change for the good.

You’re not going to easily find parts or support for your 50 year old car, or your 10 year old computer as readily as current automobiles and PCs. The same is true for your computer’s operating system, tools and the applications you use as well. Change is inevitable.

Choose to embrace change, and you’ll enjoy yourself a lot more and likely pick up new ways to do things that in the long run will have you wondering how you possibly did without, before.

Get more free tech help and advice from Leo Notenboom by visiting http://ask-leo.com With over 30 years of industry experience, including an 18 year career as a software engineer with Microsoft, Leo gives real answers to real questions from ordinary computer users at Ask Leo! Subscribe to Leo’s weekly newsletter now and receive a free ebook: “Internet Safety – Keeping Your Computer Safe on the Internet”, a collection of steps, tools and concepts you need to know to keep your computer and your information safe.

Author: Leo Notenboom
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Programmable Multi-cooker

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Introduction:

Picture this, it’s 12:15pm and you stop at Joe’s Snack shop for a quick bite to eat. While enjoying that great sandwich you’re wondering if you got time to stop by that prospects office before you head back to the office for your weekly staff meeting. Unfortunately you can’t remember if the meeting starts at 1:30 or is it 2:30.

You think to your self, “I’ll open up my laptop and check my calendar”, but you quickly remember it’s out in the car and it’s pouring down rain, you think, “boy there must be a better way”. As you look around Joe’s Snack shop disappointed you didn’t bring your laptop with you, you notice that some young hot-shot has just pulled something out of his shirt pocket that looks like a pocket-size calculator. You gather up the courage to walk over to him and you ask, “What is that thing?” Without looking up from it he says “It’s a Palm, dude, where have you been? I am just checking my schedule for the afternoon.”

A Palm, What’s a Palm? The only palm that you are familiar with are the ones attached to your hands. As you walk back out to your car to use your laptop continue to wonder: What’s a PDA, Palm or whatever? And how do I get my hands on one?

Just as the notebook computer freed the world from the desk and office, new breakthroughs in technology such as the Personal Digital Assistant, so often called a PDA (or Palm or handheld) is revolutionizing the way mobile computing is performed.

What is a PDA?

Official name: Personal digital assistant

Nick Names: Palm Pilot, PDA, Handheld

Defined: A remarkable, tiny, fully functional handheld device, kind of like a computer. Its beauty is that it is only about the size of a calculator, small enough to hold in the palm of one hand. Unlike a paper organizer or planner, a PDA can also hold your downloaded e-mail and play music.

History Of PDA’s
One of the first PDAs to be commercially available was actually designed by Apple Computer during the 1980s. It was named the “Newton Message Pad”. However, the Newton proved to be too big, too complicated and expensive. In addition, its handwriting recognition program was poor. A handful of other companies attempted to make a PDA with little success.

It was not until the 1990s that the idea of making a small hand-held computer for storing addresses and phone numbers, taking notes and keeping track of daily appointments really blossom.

In 1996, the original Palm Pilot was introduced, and it was a big hit with consumers. It was small and light enough to fit in a shirt pocket, ran for weeks on AAA batteries, was easy to use and could store thousands of contacts, appointments and notes. More importantly, it was affordable. Today, you can buy Palm-like devices from major PC hardware manufacturers such as: Palm, Inc.

Though originally intended to be simple digital calendars, PDAs have evolved into capable machines for crunching numbers, playing games or music and downloading information from the Internet. All have one thing in common: They’re designed to complement a desktop or laptop computer, not replace one.

How Do PDA’s Work?

Hardware – Palm Devices

PDAs are classified into two major types: palm-sized computers and hand-held computers. The major differences between the two are size, display and mode of data entry.

Palm-sized computers are smaller and lighter. They have smaller liquid crystal displays (LCD) and rely on stylus (touch-screen) technology and handwriting recognition programs for data entry.

Compared to palm-sized computers, hand-held computers tend to be larger and heavier. They have larger liquid crystal displays (LCD) and use a miniature keyboard, usually in combination with touch-screen technology, for data entry.

Software – Operating System
The operating system contains the pre-programmed instructions that tell the microprocessor what to do. The operating systems used by PDAs are not as complex as those used by PCs. They generally have fewer instructions and take up less memory. For example, the Palm operating system fits in less than 100K of memory, which is less than 1 percent the size of Windows 98 or the Mac OS.

PDAs typically have one of two types of operating systems, Palm OS (3Com) or PocketPC (formerly called Windows CE, Microsoft). At current, Palm OS dominates the market, but the PocketPC is challenging. Palm OS takes up less memory and runs faster, and most users say it is easier to use.

PocketPC easily supports color displays, graphics, miniaturized Windows packages (Word, Excel), and other devices (such as built-in MP3 players or MPEG movie players). The PocketPC takes up more memory and consumes more battery power. Some owners have mentioned that it is more complicated.

Software – Applications
All PDAs come with some kind of personal information management (PIM) software for the following tasks:

• store contact information (names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses)
• make task or to-do lists
• take notes
• write memos
• keep track of appointments (date book, calendar)
• remind you of appointments (clock, alarm functions)
• plan projects
• do calculations
• keep track of expenses

However, not all of these functions are included in every package, so check this before you buy. Also, make sure that your PC has similar software so that you can easily exchange information between your PDA and PC. Sometimes, PC PIM software is included with the PDA software.

Johnny Rogers is a local business technologist with more than ten years of personal computing experience. You can find more of his articles by visiting his website: http://www.johnzpchut.com or by sending him an email at: talk2john@johnzpchut.com

Author: John W Rogers
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The first thing to understand is that you are not alone, ‘silver surfing’ – older people using the Internet – is the fastest expanding group of Internet users. Of course anything new can be daunting, more so the older you get; but there is a lot of help out there and you will probably be up and running much quicker than you expect.

The first decision is what sort of computer to buy. There are two basic types: a PC (personal computer) which probably has a ‘tower’ which holds most of the working bits, and a separate keyboard and mouse. Then there is the laptop and its smaller sister the netbook/notebook. These are portable and everything is contained in the one box which is about the size of a large book. Each has its pros and cons.

The advantages of a laptop are its portability, but as you are unlikely to want to carry it around with you this will be much less of an advantage than someone who uses theirs for work. A PC’s screen will be larger, as will the keyboard; and a mouse is less fiddly to use than the equivalent part of a laptop. So I would recommend a PC as your best buy. PCs are also cheaper than a laptop with the equivalent power.

If you visit a shop selling computers you will find the price range is huge. The good news is the cheapest end will suit your purposes as even at this price level you will be able to email, shop online, write letters, use a spreadsheet for the family budget, store and play music, store and manipulate photographs and many more tasks. More expensive machines are for those who wish to play sophisticated games or run complicated business software.

The only other thing you need to choose at this stage is the operating system. As the name suggests this is the software that makes the computer work. Most computers come with one of the Windows operating systems already installed. The alternative is a Mac, a rival system that has a cult following but which is more expensive. If you follow the Windows route there are several to choose from. Windows 7 is the new offering from Microsoft which will replace Windows Vista. It is an improvement, so faced with the choice go for ’7′. However, there are several flavors of Windows 7. The one you want is Windows 7 Home Premium. This will enable you to surf the Internet, contact family and friends, watch and record TV programs, and create DVDs from your own photographs or camcorder.

Further articles in the series will show you how to get the most from your computer.

Tony Luck is in his mid-60s and has been making a living online since 1995. His latest venture is a shop selling heraldry. With Christmas not far away why not take a look at the hand painted shields with your family’s coat of arms.

Author: Tony Luck
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Thanks to our capitalist society, the problem of having a slow computer needn’t be a problem any more. Several companies have taken it upon themselves to create tools which automatically speed up your PC for you, without you having to be a computer boffin or anything like that. All you need to do is push a button and it will speed up your machine…

However how do we know which of these tools is going to be the best for you? I mean, there are tons available but only a few are sufficiently “user friendly” enough for the average Joe six-pack to use effectively. So what makes an easy to use Registry cleaner tool?

Well, we first need to look at what they all do. Registry cleaners are there to speed up and optimize our Windows PCs. This means they take problems that are hidden deep within Windows and they fix them automatically for us. Not only that but the best ones also perform a host of other incredible things which all speed up your computer without you having to lift a finger.

These tools basically scan your computer looking for problems. They search through your hard drive, registry and other hidden places in the system and then pin point the problems that are making your computer slow or full of errors. They then use their pre-programmed algorithms to fix these problems as if it were Bill Gates himself doing it.

For people who just want to get their computer up to speed and fixed, we have found the best registry cleaner to be one called “RegGenie“. This registry cleaner is very user friendly and also has some of the most powerful features of all the registry cleaners.

Author: James Henry Johnson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Times

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PCs are so intricately woven into our lives that the prospect of not having one frightens most people. However in the last few years I’ve seen many businesses turn away from PCs in favour of thin clients, and dump their servers in exchange for hosted services and provisioned applications.

With thin client networks, all data is stored in a central location, and people logging on to their system will run a Windows session as they would normally, however it will actually be running on a server in a data centre. This makes it easy for IT Managers to keep control of their data and applications.

Taking this one step further, many organisations are now getting rid of their servers and applications by offloading them to hosting providers and application service providers. Businesses no longer connect to their own servers, or even their own computers – they use a little device on their desk to connect to a hosting company’s server, where they can access their desktop.

The next phase of the PCs demise has already started to happen… Applications can now be rented on demand, and immediately provisioned, without the need for installation on a client device. So instead of buying a copy of Microsoft Office, I can now pay for ‘an hour of Word on Tuesday’, and ‘three hours of PowerPoint on Wednesday’.

Home users will soon be able to buy into the excitement of applications and games on demand with services like ‘SkyNow’ and ‘Virgin Gaming’. At the click of a button children will be able to play the latest games without ever downloading or installing anything.

Music, which is always a bone of contention on the Internet won’t even be downloaded – it will be streamed to client devices as and when people want to listen to tracks, and as a result the big corporations will regain their control over the distribution of music. Sex offender laws will give authorities the right to keep tabs on what we’re up to and as data is held centrally, it will be in their hands.

So in short, you can expect cleaner desks, less pollution, fewer heat emissions and more gaming action. On the flipside, you can guarantee that the corporations will come up trumps financially, and any sense of personalisation will be lost from your computing experience.

Simon Greer works for c1 Systems, a thin client, virtualization and SAN storage solutions provider based in the UK.

Author: Simon Greer
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Dust is a nuisance in many kinds of ways. It makes housekeeping harder and for those with allergies it can be more than a question of hygiene, it can damage health. Dust is also a real problem for computers, wherever they are kept. It is the number one cause (by far) of computer failure and those tiny invisible particles can kill your $1,000 computer in a matter of months if left unchecked.

Offices are usually fairly clean environments on the surface but there is still dust everywhere, however many times a week the cleaners come in. Office PCs are pulling in dust every second they are running, as the fans that keep it cool in order to function are pulling in thousands of dust microbes every time they pull in a breath of “fresh air” to keep the delicate mechanism of the machine going strong.

Computers are essential to the function of most businesses these days. For example, medical practices no longer keep paper appointment books or billing records, such information is all efficiently stored on computers, available to staff at the click of a mouse. Many businesses rely on a certain set of software to keep the cash flowing in and email is rapidly becoming the primary form of business communication in these busy times. All this is great, it saves time and increases productivity. Until a computer crashes…

What impact would a computer failure have on your business or workplace? Chances are that when you stop to think about it the answer would be “disastrous”. That is why you probably run all kinds of virus checks and firewalls , which is a wonderful idea, but what are you or your bosses doing about that pesky dust?

Many people assume since computers seem so sophisticated these days that a little thing like dust would no longer be a problem. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth. The average PC has no “dust protection” mechanism at all, however many other bells and whistles it possesses.

There is a simple and very inexpensive solution to the problem. You can buy a sheet of easy to apply, self stick filter material that, when affixed over the air intakes of your PC, will block the dust before it ever gets inside to damage your computer or cause a potential financial disaster (how much money would the business you work for lose in one day if your computers go down?).

The filter in no way impedes the function of your computer and it actually only costs around $5 to protect a single machine. These filters last for 3-6 months depending upon environment and of course take only seconds to replace. Taking this small step can add years of useful life to your office computers and help avoid a potentially very damaging financial blow by keeping your computers up and running, all day, everyday.

Please look at my website to see what dust does to your computer http://www.dustx.net.

Author: Yosi Salman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The source of this problem might be because of a shortage of IT courses on offer although I am constantly spotting free IT courses in local libraries. In fact, I reckon that it is the design of the PC that might be mainly responsible. PC applications are typically designed by young people, for young people.

Possibly in the next few years the likes of Windows and OSX will have versions in a highly simplified format. This could include reduced menus that contained terms that were easy to understand. In the early 90s I remember that my Apple computer came with a training application called Macintosh Basics. It taught you from square one, and assumed absolutely no understanding of computers. There was a friendly character that was arguably slightly patronizing because of the childrens book like approach. Users were taught simple things like how to double click, and clicking and dragging (things that a few users still have a hard time with).

This has now been trashed. Apple is still the most user-friendly out of all the operating systems, but I still believe that a much more advanced level of understanding is assumed. Time and time again I see people double clicking links on a webpage. I tell my sister all the time Just ONE click. She continually says Well, how do I remember which ones are which.

In Apples OS9 I recall there was an option to have folders open with just one click. The so called Spring-loaded folders are now a distant memory the latest version of OSX (Leopard) has more flashy features than you will see at the cinema.

But maybe that is not such a bad strategy. So long as operating the computer is entertaining, I dont see this learning barrier as a problem. Heres an analogy; you remember that video game that everyone used to play, the falling blocks game called Tetris? That puzzle was so entertaining that almost everybody could play it -eyesight permitting. Yes it was a ridiculously basic game, but computers dont have to be anymore complicated than Tetris was. They just have to be as entertaining and as mesmerizing.

Zach Hope is the author of Speed-Up-Windows-XP.com, a site that can teach anybody speed up Windows to invigorate old computers. You can have dramatically more PC speed today from your slow computer

Author: Zach Hope
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Even though dialup modems seem incredibly slow these days, compared to broadband connections like DSL and cable, they are amazingly fast compared to the ones you could get back in the 80s.Times change… Especially when it comes to computers.

One of the best ways people can connect, either for business or with friends or family, is video chats. Video chats have been around for years, but only fairly recently have gotten good enough to be like the video phones on the old Jetsons cartoons.

I moved out to Hawaii in 2001, about five thousand miles from where I grew up, in Ithaca, NY. My parents still live there, and while my brother is a little closer, hes still a long way away in California.

One of the ways we keep in touch is with video chats if you dont know what Im talking about, youve probably been in an electronics store where they have a camcorder hooked up to a TV so people can wave at themselves when they come in. With a good chat program, a good quality web cam, and a fast internet connection, the picture can look almost as good as that.

So its about the next best thing to actually being with friends or family, when theyre a long way away. Its almost like I get to visit with my parents, or hang out with my brother.

Plus in the winter, my parents can point the camera out the window and I can see the snow fall, and I can make them jealous by showing them my view of the sun shining off the deep blue sea.

It also doesnt cost a thing, so if you talk long distance a lot, it can really save a lot of money.

There are a lot of chat programs that let you do free video or audio chats (audio chats are like regular phone calls, and in some cases you can even call from your computer to a regular phone).

You can use programs such as AOL Instant Messenger, Skype, and Yahoo Messenger for audio and/or video chats. There are versions of these programs for both Mac and PC, but the majority of Mac users use iChat AV (which is what I use to talk to my family and friends), which comes on all Macs made in the last few years.

While not a perfect program, Skype is probably your best bet for a program that will work equally well to allow video and audio chats between Macs and PCs instead of just Mac to Mac or PC to PC.

So remember, computers can be useful tools, but one of the greatest things about them is how they can bring us all together, no matter how many miles we are apart.

Worth Godwin is a computer coach with a dozen years’ experience helping computer users of all levels, and has also worked for many years “in the trenches” as a hardware and software tech, solving real-world computer problems.

Worth has also been studying the human mind, and how people learn, since the early 1990s. He draws upon all of this, and his English and writing degrees, to teach people in a unique way with explanations that really make sense.

In 2006, Worth began putting his easy lessons together as audio & video lessons on CD, for both Windows & Mac. Designed to make it easy to learn at your own pace, for an affordable price. These lessons let you see each click of the mouse and every step of the lesson, while you hear Worth’s clear explanations.

Everything comes with a full 1-year no-hassle money back guarantee.

More information, testimonials from happy clients, & the free report “5 Common & Costly Computer Mistakes and How to Avoid Making Them Yourself” are available at http://www.WorthGodwin.com

Author: Worth Godwin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera News

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Depending on whether the drive has writing capabilities, this Blu-ray technology lets computer users store up to 50 gigabytes of data on a disc. Thats oodles of storage capacity especially considering many hard drives have less storage capacity. If watching high-definition Blu-ray discs on your computer is the ultimate goal and storage capacity isnt your primary concern, a Blu-ray player without writing capabilities will suffice. Keep in mind that you will need to upgrade your video card to handle the high definition video.

These Blu-ray disc players and Blu-ray recorders for PCs come in standard 5.25 inch drives just like your typical DVD or CD-ROM drive. If youve ever installed a new drive before, youll know its a matter of turning off the PC, unplugging the PC, opening up the case, installing the Blu-ray disc drive into an available slot, and plugging in the various cables to the motherboard and power supply all the while making sure to be static-free. While you have the case open, swap out your old-fashioned video graphics card for a high definition graphics card. In addition to the physical installation, you must also install software and drivers. If installing the new Blu-ray device, related hardware and software sounds like too much of a hassle, your local electronics store or computer shop will be well-equipped for the job. Whats a little more money to get the job done correctly, right?

Martin Wyman is a contributing author on Blu-ray News at http://www.mangotango.co.uk/technology-news/

Author: Martin Wyman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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1. Cool elegance. If there’s one thing Steve Jobs knows how to do, it’s designing electronics that are ultra-cool yet beautifully elegant. Why have a cumbersome big box desktop computer when you can have everything you need in an elegant iMac? Behind that clear, bright 16:10 aspect ratio monitor is the entire computer, including a DVD drive and a 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo processor. There’s even a webcam built into the iMac so you can video chat or video conference whenever the whim strikes.

2. Intuitive functionality. Even though Windows copied the friendly desktop interface from Apple Macintosh, they still haven’t been able to get it right. Navigating the Mac’s interface is truly intuitive, engaging, and just downright fun. With a mobile computing product like the MacBook, you can take full computing functionality wherever you go. And, wherever you’ll go, you’ll always be connected, since the MacBook automatically finds nearby wireless networks and gives you nearly instant online access.

3. Digital living. Macintosh computers are designed to embrace the digital lifestyle. MacBooks and iMacs come with iLife, a wonderful array of applications that let you effortlessly share photo albums, record podcasts and songs, and even create and edit movies. You can even publish your creations on the Web with a single click. How cool is that?

4. Bug-free. If you’ve been wrestling with Vista the past few months (or any other Windows operating system, for that matter), you don’t know the meaning of freedom. Macintosh computers’ operating systems are bug-free, and as for upgrades, you get to choose when to receive software update notifications, and always have the choice of updating now or in the future. Mac simply isn’t intrusive; you get to control technology, instead of having technology control you.

5. Workhorse. Macintosh computers are more than a way to frolic in your spare time. They’re also workhorses. For years, graphic artists and publishers have almost exclusively used Macs for work. With the Mac Pro, you can get Adobe Creative Suite 3, a suite of tools specifically designed for creative professionals. Whether you’re a web designer, a graphic artist, an art director, or a video professional, Adobe Creative Suite 3 will make your work easier, better, and more fun.

There are those who say that Macintosh computers are limited in that much of the available software is only compatible with PCs. My experience is that my Mac can do anything a PC can do – and do it better. But for those die hards who insist that they can’t live without Windows, the next version of Mac OSX, Leopard, will allow you to install Windows XP on the Mac. Right now, you can run Windows in emulation mode…although for the life of me, I don’t understand why you would want to!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
Learn more about Macintosh Computers: True Love in Majon’s Computers directory

Author: Chris Robertson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Bill Gates announced HP MediaSmart Server powered by Windows Home Server developed in partnership with Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) which will be available this year. This Windows home server will allow you to have a home network, connect all your home computers and store all your data, music, and videos on one server with scheduled backups along with secured remote access in case you want to access your home PCs while traveling. I need this!

Another product Gates talked about is Windows Mobile, which is not new, yet has been increasingly and extremely popular in cell phones and has a lot more potential in the future. Windows mobile allows users to access on their cellular phones, their Microsoft Word and Excel documents, their Microsoft Outlook emails and all kind of other neat software. Bill Gates also announced that Microsoft and Ford (F) partnered together to develop Sync, a new in-car digital system exclusive to Ford. The voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system for mobile phones and digital music players is powered by Microsoft Auto Software and allows you to pretty much integrate your phone and music into your car. You can connect any Zune or iPod to Sync and stream MP3s off your phone. If you are on your cell phone and enter your car, Sync takes over the phone conversation and you can use the hands-free car phone system; users can access their mobile phone or digital music player, including genre, album, artist and song title, via voice commands. Your IM will be automatically read to you with voice technology. Per Ford executive, Mark Fields, Sync will be made affordable and available not just in luxury cars but in some everyday Ford cars as well.

Bill Gates talked about the futuristic home that Microsoft has on campus where they dream about how any house could be in years to come. Bill Gates showed us a bedroom of the future with a multi-screen wall panel with at least 16 screens going over two bedroom walls; the gigantic screen controlled by a simple remote was used to display videos such as a thrilling car race or a soothing aquarium setting, for any mood and ambiance, and with music of course! You can also play video games on the wall. How exciting is that? Quite impressive! I cannot wait for the future!

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This article has been written by Marylin Stompler, MBA, President of Power Accessories Corp., a leading company dedicated to provide quality iPod Accessories at Affordable Prices. Marylin Stompler has more than twelve years of technical and business experience in the high-tech industry. Visit http://www.poweraccessories.com for additional articles and iPod accessories at affordable prices.

Author: Marylin Stompler
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