5 Security Tips For Mac Users That You Should'nt Live Without

Here are some quick tips to keep your Apple Computer (Mac) safe when using the internet. A1-Computers


STOPzilla Anti-Spyware: Limited Time Only: $19.95 - $10 REBATE

by Paulo Fretowski

So, you've bought a new Macintosh, and now you may be wondering how to keep it safe. Here are several things that you can do which will protect your Mac from viruses and hackers. Macs are already very difficult to hack, but don't let that fact allow you to become lenient with your security.

1. Download all of the software updates available.
This seems like a no-brainer, but some Mac users forget to download the newest updates. You can even set your computer to automatically download new updates. However, some dial-up users encounter trouble when trying to downloaded updates. If you are a dial-up user, the best suggestion is to leave your Mac on overnight and let it download. Apple releases many programs that fix bugs in iLife applications, and in Mac OS X. Probably the most important of these updates are the security updates. Apple periodically offers security updates for its operating systems (Panther and Tiger).

2. Be careful what you download
Some people use P2P downloads for Macintosh (I.E. Poisoned). Be careful when downloading using a P2P because you do not know where the music or file is coming from. Some P2P users specifically make corrupted files to send via music downloading programs. Generally, it is a good idea to stick to iTunes, because those files are ACC Protected and offered through Apple so they certainly won't have viruses.

3. Choose the best and safest Internet Browser
Safari comes standard on all new Macs as part of iLife. However, some people do not enjoy Safari as much as others. Some say that Safari is not as safe from hackers as other browsers. Safari can also be a problem if you are going to a web page that requires a version of Internet Explorer or Netscape to view it. You can download Internet Explorer and Netscape for Mac, but again, some believe that these browsers are not as safe from hackers. Many people believe that Mozilla Firefox (my personal favorite) is the safest browser to use because of its customizable features. Firefox is available for downloading on the Macintosh.

4. Don't be afraid to buy anti-virus software
If you have to download files from the internet as part of a job or hobby, then it is probably a good idea to have some sort of anti-virus software on your Macintosh. Apple provides a wide-variety of anti-virus software that is constantly updated.

5. Finally, keep an eye on those e-mail attachments and instant messages
Some hackers have programmed viruses to IM you from one of your friends' screen names. Don't click on any link without knowing what it is first. Most e-mail providers use virus scans automatically, but you should always be extra careful when downloading an attachment. If it is from someone you do not know, don't trust it.

Apple computers are very safe from hackers, but they can always be improved. Keeping a computer safe, and running well requires a great amount of time and energy. Just remember that if your computer is safe, your Apple experience will be much more rewarding.

For more on Macs apple mac mini Visit A1-Computers.net


About the Author
Paulo Fretowski enjoys writing about computers because he uses them for his job with BizNicheMedia.

Introduction To The Personal Computer

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Here is a quick and simple look at the essential parts of a personal computer:

When you mention the word "technology," most people think about computers. Virtually every facet of our lives has some computerized component. The appliances in our homes have microprocessors built into them, as do our televisions. Even our cars have a computer. However, the computer that everyone thinks of first is typically the personal computer or PC.

It is a general-purpose tool, built around a microprocessor. A PC has many different parts such as memories, a hard disk, a modem, etc that work together. A PC is said to be "general purpose" because you can do many different things with it like: type documents, send e-mail, browse the Web and play games.

Let us look at the main components of the typical desktop computer

Central processing unit (CPU): The microprocessor "brain" of the computer system is referred to as the central processing unit. The CPU oversees everything that a computer does.

Memory: This fast storage area is for storing data and is connected directly to the microprocessor. That's why it is fast. There are various types of memory in a computer system:

To read the rest of this article on the personal computer A1-Computers.net

The Five Essential Features To Consider When Buying A Gaming Laptop

Here you will find all of the pertinant information on gaming laptops - A1-Computers

by Laura Alter

Remember when you would have been laughed at if you walked into an all-night LAN party carrying your trusty laptop and expecting to hang with the giant computer towers standing at everyone's feet. The gaming laptop computers of today sport huge, crisp LCD screens, cutting-edge video cards and full-size keyboards. Not only can these gaming laptop computers hang with the standard clunky computer tower, but they can also be ordered fully custom to meet the exact specifications of any gamer.

There are many customizable components in these laptops, a standard practice has been to create what some call a "system builder." This is the page where you get to add and subtract components through drop-down menus in order to create the best gaming laptop computer for your needs and your budget. This type of page can be overwhelming to someone just starting the gaming laptop shopping process, but it is very manageable if you take it just one component at a time.

The Gaming Laptop GPU

This is the heart of a gaming laptop computer. The GPU - graphics processing unit - is a component that will make or break your gaming experience. If your GPU isn't up to snuff, your games won't play.

Without getting into specific models since they change all the time, the key is that the graphics card not share resources with the computer. A gaming laptop video card must have its own memory on board. Generally speaking, standard off-the-shelf laptops will not have this feature. The two current makers of laptop video cards are nVIDIA and ATI.

Without the Screen, You Don't Have Much

What good is a gaming laptop without a screen that can actually render your games? Now certainly, you can connect an external monitor, but if you can't actually play on your gaming laptop without that external monitor, then your laptop isn't all that mobile.

While the technology and terminology for LCDs (liquid crystal displays) could take up an entire article in itself, there are a few key points to keep in mind when choosing from available LCD options for your new gaming laptop computer: native resolution, aspect ratio, rise and fall time, contrast, viewing angle, and size.

Native Resolution. The native resolution is simply the setting at which your screen will render the clearest images. Since games are constantly in motion, slightly soft edges may not bother most gamers, but keep in mind that while this is your gaming laptop, you will likely also use it for other things like surfing the Internet. If the resolution isn't comfortable, you aren't going to enjoy using it.

Aspect Ratio. As you probably know, a movie theater screen and a TV screen have different proportions. Likewise, there are widescreen format gaming laptops and there are laptops that have a standard aspect ratio - like that of a TV. A widescreen format gaming laptop has advantages and disadvantages. Many games today do not have a widescreen mode. This means that the game may stretch across the screen and become distorted or you may run it with black bars that fill in the sides. There are ways to get around this, but if you want an out of the box perfect experience, the widescreen format may not be for you.

That said, a widescreen LCD does offer plenty of screen real estate for web surfing and other type of computer activities, and a game played in a wide format setting offers an expansive field of view. For this reason, there are some very loyal widescreen-loving gamers out there.

Do your best to find a balance between current and future technology and what your computer habits are beyond gaming. Even with its limitations, the widescreen format is found on most of the best gaming laptop computers.

Rise and Fall. The phrase 'rise and fall time' is used to describe how fast the LCD can respond to changes. In the past, LCDs have been plagued with the inability to render images as fast as computer games can spit them out. This presents a major problem for laptop gamers because if they can't see the images properly, they can't play the game properly. This lag can mean the difference between playing to win and barely playing.

Fortunately, gaming laptop LCDs have come a long way and they are only getting better. While once it was impossible to game on a laptop screen, the gaming laptop LCDs of today offer 25 milliseconds or less rise and fall time while generally off-the-shelf laptops have 40 milliseconds or less rise and fall time.

Contrast. If a gaming laptop LCD has poor contrast, that means that the black areas aren't quite as black as they should be and the white areas aren't quite as white. This is important to a laptop gamer because you have to see the game properly - as it was intended to be seen - in order to compete effectively. Look for a contrast ratio of 400:1 or higher in a custom gaming laptop computer.

Viewing Angle. This is an often-overlooked LCD feature, but it must be considered if you are building a gaming laptop computer. Many high quality LCDs on the market are difficult to see clearly at any angle other than straight on and at the right height. This can be a big drawback to gaming on a LCD screen because a screen with poor viewing angles won't allow others to watch the screen as you play and also hurts your view when doing something as simple as adjusting your seating, which can require you to then adjust to position of your laptop screen to see it properly again.

But gaming on a laptop does not mean that you are doomed to have poor viewing angles. There are LCDs on the market that have amazing viewing angles - up to 120 degrees. These screens not only allow gaming onlookers, but they also allow you to use that giant, crisp screen to do things like play movies and even make presentations.

Size. In a gaming laptop computer, size is everything. Most gaming laptops are large, robust pieces of electronics. Having a machine of this stature means you also get to have a large screen. The best gaming laptop computer LCD screens out there are at least 15 inches. A crowd favorite is a 17 inch widescreen (even with the challenges that widescreens present). Largr 19 inch laptop screens are just starting to be talked about with consumers expecting to see 19 inch or even large models on the market in the near future.

The best way to really get a feel for what laptop LCDs are all about is to take a trip to a local box store and play with the LCDs on the display laptops while keeping in mind what you have read here. While these laptops are not custom gaming laptops, you can see what the sizes really look like, what different resolutions look like, and what the viewing angles truly are so you can start to develop your own preferences.

The RAM - What Type and How Much?

The RAM (random access memory) found in laptops is called SODIMM (small outline dual inline memory module). The RAM is responsible for your processing power. If you are shopping for a custom gaming laptop, you will generally be offered DDR2 RAM with the choice of how much you want in your computer. Most high-end games being released today need 1GB of RAM for optimum, lag-free game play. Some people are going with 2GB to ensure that they can run multiple applications along with the game and not experience any slow down in response time. This is a large investment and you want to be able to use this gaming laptop for some time in the future. Most custom laptops are user upgradeable, but this should be left up to professionals.

The CPU - Not Just Mobile Technology

The CPUs (central processing units) found in many custom gaming laptops are identical to those found in desktops. These chips require a great deal of cooling power, which in turn can make your laptop louder than light weight, lower power ultra portables when the fans kick on and it can become somewhat warm to the touch. Don't be alarmed by this - it is normal. And with these desktop processors comes screaming power! Don't waste your money on the latest CPU release that likely has an inflated price tag (and that price will likely come down before long). Stick with a current CPU speed that is offered by a reputable custom gaming laptop reseller, and you really can't go wrong.

The Gaming Laptop Hard Drive

This is the final component to consider when building a gaming laptop. Laptop hard drives come in a variety of speeds and capacities ranging from 4200 to 7200 RPMs and 40 to over 100 GBs. For the most part, this is user preference. Whenever possible, go for a 7200 RPM hard drive, but if you need a capacity not offered in this speed, it's okay to go for the 5400 RPM drive. Take a look at your current computer, and buy your capacity based on this. Also keep in mind that with many custom gaming laptop manufacturers, you have the ability to upgrade or add another hard drive at a later date.

At the end of the day, gaming laptop computers are all about power. Don't expect a twelve-pound notebook with a desktop processor, numerous fans, a giant heatsink, and independent video card to last on battery power all that long. But do make sure to enjoy the jawdrops that you'll get as you walk into your regular LAN party location with your new, screaming-fast gaming laptop computer. Crack that puppy open, fire it up, and stand clear of the drool as you take on your favorite game with fellow gamers gathered around to take in the action. Gaming is not just for desktops anymore!

For more on laptops visit A1-Computers

About the Author
PC Torque Ltd is a leading authority on laptop gaming news and technology. For more information on how to to build the best gaming laptop, or to check out the latest offerings in the custom gaming laptop industry, visit http://www.pctorque.com.

A Guide to Refurbished Laptops

Learn what to look for when buying a refurbished laptop. The most minor blemish can mean hundreds of dollars in saving for your pocket!

By Max Bellamy

Computing freedom, independence, and mobility don’t have to come with a hefty price tag.

Manufacturers refurbished laptop computers that have been returned. The laptop may have a scratched screen or other minor blemish. In some cases, the laptop was an unwanted gift or its packaging was dented. The laptop is inspected by the manufacturer, tested for quality, and repackaged for sale at a much lower price.

While many new laptops can cost thousands of dollars, most refurbished laptop computers usually cost less than a couple of grand, and often less than $500. In most cases, they are as good as new and have a very low return rate. They even come with guarantees and warranties, just as you would expect with a new model.

A refurbished laptop can satisfy most people’s basic computing needs, such as word processing, running software, reading e-mail, creating spreadsheets, playing CDs, surfing the Internet, and more. Laptops allow access to all these features from anywhere.

All laptop manufacturers offer refurbished laptops, including such popular brands as Dell, IBM, Toshiba, and HP.

Computer prices are affected by type of processor, operating system, modem, and network card; size of the hard drive and RAM (Random Access Memory); and whether there is a CD/DVD-ROM/RW, a video card, a sound card, and zip drive. Prices are also affected by screen size and type of chassis.

The price will be affected by all these specifications, along with how well preserved the chassis is, the name of the manufacturer, and whether you acquire the laptop form the factory or through a private dealer. Private dealers charge less, but beware: not all dealers are up to par with their refurbishing skills. Be sure to go to one that is reputable and experienced.

For more on Refurbished Computers go to A1-Computers

Refurbished Laptops Info provides detailed information on quality, cheap refurbished laptops by manufacturers like Dell, IBM, Toshiba, and HP, as well as refurbished laptop batteries and related products. Refurbished Laptops Info is the sister site of Rack Mount Computers Web.

Why Build Your Own Computer System

Get the real reasons for building your own computer system. Saving money? Get the exact computer you want? Easyer to repair? Find out below.
A1-Computers--

By Jeff Heaton

Have you ever thought about building your own computer system? Maybe you’ve heard friends talking about doing this sort of thing, but you were never sure what was involved. This article attempts to answer two questions. First, why would you want to build your own computer system? Secondly, how hard is it to do this?

Why Build a Computer System

First we will look at why you would want to build a computer system. There are three main reasons often cited for building a computer system. The first is that it will save you a great deal of money. The second is that you will get exactly the computer system that you want. And finally, the third reason is that you can easily repair the system if anything goes wrong.

Building a computer to save money is most likely not a realistic goal. These days you can get some really inexpensive computer systems. With complete systems selling for under $500, it would be hard to build a computer system yourself that is going to beat that price by much.

However, there are some cost cutting options available. You might use many of the parts from your old computer system. This would save money, as there is probably no reason to replace such devices as the CD-ROM drive, floppy drive, or even case of the old computer system.

Additionally, once you have built your computer system, you can easily upgrade it. A computer system you built yourself can always be upgraded more easily than a “mass market PC”. For example, if you need a faster processor just upgrade the processor and/or motherboard.

I think the biggest reason for building your own computer system is the second reason that I previously mentioned. You are able to get exactly the computer system that you want. If you want a certain type of graphics card, you can select it. You can pick the RAM that has the best access time for the money, and not what some large computer manufacturer got the best deal on that week. For the true computer enthusiast, this is the only way to go! For me, just being able to pick the exact case I want makes the process worthwhile.

Finally, computer systems that you built yourself are much easier to repair than “mass market PC’s”. For one thing, this is a computer system that you built. You know where everything is at, and what it is for. Secondly, the computer system was built from common parts, so finding replacements will be easy. Very often large computer manufacturers will build computer systems with proprietary parts, which you can only obtain from the computer manufacturer.

How Complex is it to Build a Computer

Building a computer system is not as complex as you might think. The only tools that you will need are screwdrivers. If you have ever added an expansion card to your computer, you are almost half-way to building your own system.

The most complex part is making sure that everything is compatible with everything else that you buy. You need to line up the specs exactly between your parts. For example, if you buy a motherboard with DDR2 RAM memory, you need to make sure your RAM is DDR2.

Once you get all of the required components together you have only to assemble your new computer. You will have purchased a case, motherboard, RAM, hard drive, CD-ROM drives, floppy drive, video card and audio card. Now you have only to assemble them. This usually takes only a few hours and no tools other than the screwdrivers you likely already own. Plus, it is very hard to damage anything. Most cables are keyed so that you are not able to plug them in backwards.

More on Computer Systems

Heaton Research has a complete tutorial, including many photos, of how to build your own computer system.

Jeff Heaton is an author, college instructor, and consultant. Jeff lives in Chesterfield (St. Louis), Missouri. The author of four books and over two dozen journal and magazine articles, Jeff specializes in Internet, socket-level/spidering and Artificial Intelligence programming. A Sun Certified Java Programmer and a member of the IEEE Jeff holds a Masters Degree in Information Management from Washington University in St. Louis.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Recent studies show that 9 out of 10 PCs are infected with Spyware

Do you know all there is to know about spyware? Malware? There may be some things you do not know, I was even surprized reading this article and I really thought I knew by now everything about this stuff. So read on - you may just learn somthing! A1-Computers--

Internet connections are infected with Spyware or other types of information-gathering Malware. Supportcave.com offers free antispyware software programs, helping computer users to protect their computers as well as their personal privacy.


Spy Sweeper named PC Magazine's Best of the Year 2004 for antispyware

The very best AntiSpy program on the market -

Webroot Spy Sweeper was named best spyware remover 2004 by PC magazine and praised for it's efficiency, speed and userfriendlyness.

Spyware and malware are large problems for Internet users today and can be both annoying and a real threat to you and your computer. There exist a number of different spy and malware of which some are relatively friendly and only spies on your surfing habits, while others like the Trojans can be used to corrupt your hard drive or steal your usernames and passwords. A Trojan can even be used to steal your identity by extracting all necessary information from your computer.

You may think that ad ware might not be that bad, that it is good if the ads are chosen to fit your interests. This might be true if the spy ware didn't have a number of other negative effects, such as an increased amount of pop up ads, unexplained home page changes, strange results when searching the web and the fact that your computer are being slowed down by the spy wares. These are all very common results and symptoms of spyware and ad ware. More unusual problems connected with spyware and Trojans are the corruption of the hard drive, the loss and exposure of private information and login information and in a worst case scenario, the theft of the identity of the owner of an infected computer.

Spyware is a large treat to the security of your online privacy.

There are however steps that you can take to avoid suffering the negative effects that spy- and ad ware can bring, and start protecting you computer and building an Identity Theft Protection. The first of these steps are to get a good antispyware and antiadware program able to remove spyware. There are a number of different spyware removers available and two of the most well known might be Ad Aware and Spybot which are both good programs. The best available program that is designed to remove spyware and adware is however at the moment SpySweeper which was chosen as the best spyware remover 2004 by PC magazine.

Spy Sweeper can scan your computer 30% faster then other available products and successfully remove spyware like CoolWebSearch. Spy Sweeper also uses a system monitor that automatically discovers spy ware and prevents installation of spyware on our computer. Spy sweeper is effective for spyware and adware removal.

The active shield uses System Monitoring to in real time prevent new spy- and adware programs from being installed on your computer. This fact combined with the fact that Spy Sweepers uses a constantly updated database of all available spy- and ad wares means that this adware remover can clean your computer, ridding it of any and all spy- and ad ware. Once it has cleaned your computer it can keep it clean and assure that your computer stays clean from ad- and spy ware.

By keeping your computer free from spyware and adware Spy Sweepers also protects your information and keeps your identity safe. Spy Sweepers prompts you to update it if it has been to long since it was last updated.

If spy sweeper finds a spyware it will immediately quarantine the spyware and disable the spy wares functionality until you can decide whether to delete the file or try to clean the file from spyware elements and return the file to its original place on your hard drive.

If you have a problem with Spy Sweeper despite its highly user friendly and automated design you will have access to an excellent customer support where experts answers any question you might have.

Spy Sweepers deserved the title PC Magazine's Best of the Year 2004 since it can do everything the alternatives can do, but better as well as faster then the alternatives.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Supportcave.com offers new and enhanced Free Spyware Removal Software. Not only will these programs effectively check and clean your computer from Spyware, once installed they will also shield your computer from future Spyware intrusions and browser hijacks - before the malevolent software even have a chance to enter you PC! Spyware Remover Software is an important function all computer users should rely on to ensure their computer is free from nosey software and their privacy protected.

For more helpful computer tips go to A1-Computers - Computer Tips

Why Buy a Refurbished Dell Laptop

Dell Outlet

Dell offers a full line of refurbished laptops on their website, Dell.com. Look for “Outlet Refurbished Laptops.” There you will find a full range of popular models that run just as reliably as a new machine – for hundreds of dollars less than you would pay for new versions. This is because Dell refurbished laptops are inspected for “good-as-new” quality. The only differences are the red label on the bottom of the unit and a lower price.

Dell’s most popular refurbished laptops are Latitude and Inspiron. The Latitude series of “notebook” computers is no longer manufactured, but is still a great buy for someone looking for an up-to-date machine. Latitude is an apt name for these models: they afford you great leeway in updating, expanding, or otherwise changing the internal workings of the computer. With its black chassis and clean lines, it is a rather “normal” looking computer. It is a middleweight unit, but sized to fit any standard laptop case, along with AC/DC adaptor, mouse, floppy and zip disks, and other accessories. The Dell Latitude C600, CPX, and L400 are the three most popular models in the line.

The Inspiron series of notebook computers is still manufactured today, with some modifications. Slightly older versions are still a great way to meet all your computer needs. Inspirons are not quite as expandable as Latitudes, but, with their jazzy black-and-silver chassis, have a distinctive look. Inspiron laptops are also a bit more affordable than Latitudes. Furthermore, Inspiron ranks among the highest performing laptops available, with famously long battery life The Dell Inspiron 1100 and 1150 are the two most common models in the line of refurbished laptops at Dell.

If you are looking to get the lowest price on a Dell laptop, look for one that uses a Celeron processor instead of an Intel. Celeron is less expensive, and also uses less battery juice, than Intel.

Refurbished Laptops Info provides detailed information on quality, cheap refurbished laptops by manufacturers like Dell, IBM, Toshiba, and HP, as well as refurbished laptop batteries and related products. Refurbished Laptops Info is the sister site of Rack Mount Computers Web.

For more tips on buying a laptop computer Laptops at A1-Computer

Do You Think You Have Dead Pixels On Your Notebook Screen?

Do you take good care of your laptop/notebook comptuer? How does your screen look? If you see somthing your not sure but you think it may be a poblem with your screen pixels read this article a learn how to find out for sure. A1-Computers


Take a careful look at your notebook computer screen. Do you find some tiny dark spots? You could have dead pixels. One of the most expensive parts of your notebook computer is the LCD screen.


Your LCD screen is highly sensitive and any amount of pressure, touching or handling may damage it. As such, dead pixels aren't an uncommon thing. Apparently, some degree of dead pixels is to be expected. Still if you have a lot of them, it would be classified as a defective screen. So, how do you determine if you have dead pixels?

First, lets make sure it's not just dust. Clean your screen first. The best way to do that is to use a soft cotton cloth - no rags or paper towel as they can scratch your screen easily. Moisten the cloth with plain old water and wipe the screen gently.

Side note: I've also tried maintaining my screen dust free with a Swiffer Duster. These are inexpensive, very soft and they pick up the dirt not just re-distribute it. It has worked well. Of course, this will not take care of smudges or dried on dirt. So you'll still have to use the cotton cloth and water combo sometimes.

Once you've cleaned it, you can run a quick check with a free software called Dead Pixel Buddy. It's basically a very simple file that will rotate your screen through all the basic colors. This way you can tell if a pixel on your screen is not displaying properly. One tip, you might want to get a help of a friend. Two sets of eyes are better than one especially since pixels tend to be miniscule.

You can also do a low tech way by changing your desktop's background color to black, white, red, green blue and yellow, checking the screen each time you change the colors. This is of course not fool proof especially if you have tons of icons on your desktop but it's a good 'backup' check if you don't have Internet access to download the file or whatever the case may be.

If you do find dead pixels, don't panic yet, as mentioned earlier, a small amount of dead pixels could be inevitable but if you have a lot of them and your notebook computer is still under warranty, this may be a good time to call up the manufacturer and ask for assistance.


For more Tips about laptops and notebooks visit Laptops


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Chan helps new owners learn proper notebook care and use. Take care of your investment, find out how at http://www.notebook-computer-infocenter.com

Wireless Networking Basics

Where is the best way to go about and use your wireless networking? Is there ways to get more speed out of your connection? Read on...A1-Computers--

Considering a wireless connection for your computer? Discover the basics of wireless networking before you proceed.


Wireless networking is simple in theory: just install a wireless network adapter in each computer and forget about drilling holes and running cable. When you deal with equipment based on the 802.11b (or Wi-Fi) standard, unfortunately, the reality often falls short of claimed specifications. Your wireless network will have a limited range - you've probably experienced a decrease in speed at a certain distance from an access point. That's why you must adjust the location and configuration of your wireless setup to obtain the best possible performance, range, and reliability. Follow expert advice and your connection will be faster across longer distances--and you'll have fewer dropped connections.

Pick the best location: The farther your wireless networked computer is from a wireless access point--and the greater the number of solid objects that stand in the way--the slower your connection will be. To optimize your network's speed and range, position your wireless access point at least a few feet above the floor and away from metal objects, particularly large appliances like refrigerators. Though most manuals for networking products tell you to position the access point in the middle of the coverage area, it's often better to identify the locations where you expect to use a computer and put the access point where it will be in a direct line of sight (or close to it) to as many of those places as possible.

Don't waste time worrying about "dead spots" if no one is likely to use a computer there. Once your wireless network is up and running, even slight changes in your wireless network card's position (say, a shift in the orientation of your laptop as you recline on the couch) may dramatically improve throughput or even restore a dropped connection.

For larger areas--or areas with many obstructions--your only option may be to shell out the cash for multiple access points. If you go this route, you'll find that wireless setup is easy: Simply make sure that the access points have identical settings. Virtually all wireless network adapters support "roaming": In areas where access point coverage overlaps, the adapter will latch on to the strongest signal.

Get more great computer tips at A1-Computers

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lana Hampton makes it easy to find the right wireless product for your needs. Visit http://www.yowswireless.com today for the latest wireless information.

Healthy Computing

Remember the old saw about how computers would change our lives for the better? We would have more time to ourselves and lead healthier, happier lives. The truth is computers do make processing information lightening fast. It is just that today, we have so much more information to process and so many more distractions that the computer, via the Internet, has brought into our lives.

What is the bottom line? Today we spend more time operating a computer, for fun and for profit, than on any other single pastime, except for maybe sleeping. And if you are a heavy computer user like me, even sleep takes a back seat to computer use every now and then.

There are health hazards to continual computer use. Personally I have suffered from back and shoulder pain, eyestrain and numbness in my fingers. I've even had to deal with stiff joints and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. None of this was any fun.

I did learn a few things important enough to pass along to you today. Here are some things you can do right now to reduce or eliminate stress on our body while operating your computer.

Positioning Your Body for Maximum Comfort at Your Computer

The Concept of Neutral Body Positioning

Consider a comfortable working posture with a natural alignment of all your joints from head to toe. This method of neutral positioning helps you reduce the stress and strain on your muscles, tendons, and skeletal system thus reducing the risks of developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).

For Some Quick Tips and Body Posture go to healthy computing. You will also find More Tips + Your Work Environment there.

How To Download MP3's Quick and Easy

by: Keith Kingston

The MP3 movement started out with a huge audience of music enthusiasts on the internet. The MP3 digital music format has had, and will continue to have, a huge impart on how people, gather, listen to and share music.

The MP3 format is a compression system for digital music that helps reduce the size of a digitized song without disturbing the sound quality. Digital music is converted to MP3 format and made available for use, usually via the web. MP3 files can be downloaded onto your computer from the internet and special software, either commercial or freeware. Using your computer and software you can convert digital music from a CD into MP3 format.
MP3 files can be played in three different ways:

· They can be played directly onto your computer.
· They can be decompressed and recorded onto a CD.
· These files can be played on a portable MP3 player.
· The advantage of MP3 players is that they are small, lightweight and rugged. They are a great way to carry your MP3 files with you

With a portable MP3 player, a personal computer, and the appropriate software, you can do the following:

· Obtain free or low-cost music from the web.
· Create your own mix of music by downloading MP3 files from the web and converting the tracks from CDs.
· Obtain free or low-cost music from the web.
· Create your own mix of music by downloading MP3 files from the web and converting the tracks from CDs.
· Listen to near-CD quality music wherever you go.
· Listen to more music (up to 10 hours' worth).
· If you want to convert your songs from your CDs into MP3 files, you can use ripper and encoder software. A ripper copies a song's file from the CD onto your hard disk. The encoder compresses the song into the MP3 format. By encoding songs, you can play them on your computer or take them with you on your MP3 player. The ripper and encoder software may come with your MP3 player.

The specific instructions will vary with the individual software programs, but the following steps will definitely take place:
· Place the CD from which you want to convert songs into your drive.
· Select the track(s) that you want to convert to MP3 format.

· Convert the selected track(s).
· Copy the new MP3 files on to your computer's hard disk.
· Now you are ready to download these MP3 files into your portable MP3 player.
Once you have MP3 files on your computer, you can use the software that came with your MP3 player to download the files into your MP3 player. Again, the specific instructions will vary depending upon your software program and player, but you will:

· Create a playlist from your MP3 files.
· Plug the player into your computer's parallel of USB port.
· Transfer the MP3 files according to the instructions.
· Once you have downloaded the MP3 files into your portable MP3 player, you are ready to take your music anywhere. Most MP3 players are small, lightweight, and solid-state. Because most players are solid-state, there are no moving parts to break down or skip, so the sound quality is uninterrupted regardless of your physical activity. MP3 players are equipped with various types of headphones or earpieces.
Portable MP3 players can play music longer than a portable CD player. The length of play for a CD player is about 74 minutes, the length of one CD. However, the length of play for an MP3 player depends upon its memory capacity, which can be upgraded on some models. A standard MP3 player can play for about half an hour (32 MB) to a few weeks (40 GB)! Some models can be upgraded with additional memory devices.


About The Author
Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher, offering information on mp3 downloads and mp3 players. You can visit his website at http://4-mp3-downloads.com/.

For more computer tips

Removing PC Clutter

Its hard enough as it is these days to get organized and then remain that way for weeks and months down the road. We are all very busy people, some of us with 9-5 jobs and one hour commutes, and others of us busy making our lives at home work for us, with children in tow and a variety of chores to do as well as errands to run. However, no matter how vastly different our lives may be, we all run into the same problems when dealing with organization, and thats: KEEPING organized. We need to develop a system that helps your PC remain free of clutter and organized. Granted, this task does not come easy at first, but all it takes is a few extra steps each day, done consistently, that will maximize your results in the long run.

So, lets say you have disorganized files all over your hard drive that you have difficulty finding when you need them. Your PC keeps catching viruses out of the blue. You do not know what to do with all your spam mail. You have extra programs and freeware on your PC that you do not know anything about, and even if you did, you would not know what to do with them. Here are a few steps to help you get started in the right direction: removing pc clutter

Basic Diagnosis Guidelines for Your PC

Here is help for some basic problems you will have with your computer at some time or another. If this does not solve your problem check our computer tips pages for more help.


by: Priyanka Agarwal

Sue is exasperated. She has to work on her university assignment but her PC is not working properly. For example: She would like to open a single Internet Explorer window but a whole series of windows are opening up. Sue is not alone when it comes to this sort of problem. As a matter of fact, most of us will come across these kinds of problems in our life. When you geetl sick and go to a doctor and he/she asks you some questions as well as taking a look at your case history before giving any medication to you. In a similar way you have to find out what’s wrong with your PC before treating it, if it’s working in an aberrant manner. This article will help you in finding out what’s troubling your PC.

The first symptom that shows us your PC has got some problem is an error message. For example you get a pop-up box on your screen, a Window message, asking you to send an error report and says the application will be subsequently closed. Error messages just tell you that something is wrong so that you can then work at getting to the cause of the problem. When you get an error message try to analyze the situation in respect to what you were doing when you received it. Write down the error code. At times error messages can be very bewildering. For example: you want to open some file but it’s saying some other application is using that specific file. If you do get error messages like this then it is time to question some of your recent activities such as:

Have you installed any software or hardware recently?

Did you download anything from the Internet?

If you have installed some software and after this your PC has become unstable, by using System Restore you can remove any system changes that were made after the last time your PC was working properly. It automatically creates restore points (or system checkpoints) when you make a change to the system. If your PC has become unstable after you made some changes, open system restore, choose a restore point, and return your computer to its previous stable state. To use the System Restore utility:

Click Start

Point your cursor to Programs.

Point to Accessories

Point to System Tools

Click System Restore and follow the instruction on the wizard.

If the error messages or the recent history of your PC doesn’t provide much information to you, you have to explore your PC in some of the following ways:

Scan you system for viruses, Trojan horses, spywares or other malwares.

Use a Process Explorer (freeware program) tool. Windows Task Manager shows which processes and files are currently being used and how much memory they are using, but some process names aren’t clear. Process Explorer not only gives all this information to you but also tells you which application started a process and which resources that particular application is currently using. It also has a potent search capability that quickly shows which processes have particular handles opened or DLLs loaded so that you can close any unwanted application. Process Explorer works on Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Server 2003, and 64-bit versions of Windows for x64 processors.

Go through the error log file created by Dr Watson. Dr. Watson is a program that is used to help detect, debug, and log errors that are encountered while Windows or Windows programs are running. It automatically creates a text file when an error is detected. When running Windows 2000 the error is logged under the file "drwtsn32.log" or "user.dmp", and when running Microsoft Windows 95, 98 or ME the file is logged with a .WLG file extension and stored under the WindowsDrwatson or Documents and SettingsAll UsersDocumentsDrWatson folder.

If you are having a networking-related problem you can use a Network Diagnostics system utility tool. You can run various tests using this so that it can collect different types of information. It scans your system to see whether you have network connectivity, and whether or not your network-related programs and services are running.

By going through these basic procedures hopefully you will find out what’s troubling your PC, and once that is known you can commence treatment.

Source of reference: www.microsoft.com

About The Author

Priyanka Agarwal
http://www.m6.net
Hosting webhelpers

A Definition of a Notebook Computer

A notebook computer is: an extremely lightweight personal computer. Notebook computers typically weigh less than 7 pounds and are small enough to fit easily in a briefcase. Aside from size and portability, the principal difference between a notebook computer and a personal computer is the display screen. Notebook computers use a variety of techniques, known as flat-panel technologies, to produce a lightweight and non-bulky display screen.

The quality of notebook display screens can vary considerably. Many notebook display screens are limited to VGA resolution. Active-matrix screens produce very sharp images, but they do not refresh as rapidly as full-size monitors.

In terms of power, modern notebook computer computers are nearly equivalent to personal computers. They have the same CPUs, memory capacity, and disk drives. However, all this power in a small package is expensive.

Notebook computers come with battery packs that enable you to run them without plugging them in. However, the batteries need to be recharged every few hours.

Definition of a notebook computer

5 "Easy" Steps to Removing PC Clutter

Yes organization does make our life easier and work more smoothly. It works the same for our computers; following the steps below will help your PC to run faster. Organizing your files will help you to work faster and with less aggravation. --A1-Computers--

It’s hard enough as it is these days to get organized and then remain that way for weeks and months down the road. We are all very busy people, some of us with 9-5 jobs and one hour commutes, and others of us busy making our lives at home work for us, with children in tow and a variety of chores to do as well as errands to run.

However, no matter how vastly different our lives may be, we all run into the same problems when dealing with organization, and that’s: KEEPING organized. We need to develop a system that helps your PC remain free of clutter and organized. Granted, this task doesn’t come easy at first, but all it takes is a few extra steps each day, done consistently, that will maximize your results in the long run.

So, let’s say you have disorganized files all over your hard drive that you have difficulty finding when you need them. Your PC keeps catching viruses out of the blue. You don’t know what to do with all your spam mail. You have extra programs and freeware on your PC that you don’t know anything about, and even if you did, you wouldn’t know what to do with them. Here are a few steps to help you get started in the right direction:

1.) Get rid of any unnecessary files or programs that are on your hard drive. This requires a little homework on your part. You’ll need to set aside the time to sit down and actually take a look at all of the files on your PC and delete what you don’t need. A few things to do periodically for optimal performance is to run a disk cleanup, use your system file checker, and defragment your hard drive.

2.) Organize all of your files and folders. Once you’ve deleted everything you don’t need, take a look at what’s left. Is there some way you could organize these in nice categorical folders, so that it’s easier to retrieve them later on? For example, you could create a few folders underneath your My Documents folder, and give them names such as: My Journal, My TV Shows, My Videos, My Business, My Songs, My JobFind, etc. You could then place all respective files underneath these neatly organized folders. You can also take advantage of many of the folders already supplied to you by Microsoft Windows, such as My Pictures and My Music.

3.) Install adware and spyware programs. I don’t think I need to stress how important it is to run antivirus and spyware software. I personally like McAffee because of its wide range of protection services, but Norton AntiVirus works great as well.

4.) Delete unnecessary shareware and freeware files. It’s very important to keep your hard drive as clean and organized as possible. Remember that shareware and freeware can potentially be harmful to your computer (viruses!), depending upon which source you received your shareware from.

5.) Delete unnecessary emails and take control of spam. By now, you know to have antivirus software installed on your PC. That’s a must, and will protect you if you should happen to open emails that have viruses attached to them. Before you open any of your emails, check to be sure you know the sender, and that there are no .zip or .exe attachments. Be very careful about opening files with attachments, especially from senders you don’t know.

I Hope many of these tips will you help you move toward the right direction in de-cluttering your PC, now and for good.

Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of http://www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of http://www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.

For more computer tips go to: computer tips

Stop The #1 Cause Of Computer Slow Downs And Crashes!

Wouldnt it be nice if your computer still ran like it did back when you first got it? Before you go and buy a new computer try this key maintenance step you can use to put life back into the computer you've already got.

Imagine that you start up your pc just to find yourself staring at a blue screen with white writing, termed "the blue screen of death" by those at Microsoft.


So you push the power button to shut it down, and when you bring it back up it just crawls. Within a few minutes it goes back to the blue screen of death.

This happened to a friend of mine. When she asked me what she could do, I asked her if she had ever defragmented her pc.

She got that 'deer in the headlight' look, so I knew she had not. Defragmenting her pc, after 3 years of never doing so, took about 14 hours to complete.

To read the rest of this infromative article and learn how to defragment your computer go to: computer slow down

Inkjet Printer Lingo

Before purchasing your next inkjet printer please take a quick look at this list of printer terms and acronyms then you will know just what you are looking at as you read what each printer has to offer. Good luck!

Maricon Williams

Don't you think acronyms are fun? LOL. However, they sure can be confusing when selecting printers and inkjet inks. Most sites are good about defining the acronyms they use at least once, but finding that “once” isn’t always as easy as it looks! Knowing how to speak “inkjet” will help you choose both the printer and the inkjet ink you need to get the kind of results you want! Here are a few inkjet acronyms and other terms to help with your searches for inkjet printers and related products:

AIO (all in one) and MFP (Multifunction Printer) — AIO and MFP are often used interchangeably and stand for printers that include a copier, a scanner, and frequently have fax capabilities as well. Relatively new in the marketplace, All-in-Ones are an affordable way to set up a comprehensively equipped home office.

CMYK— Inkjet colors: C=cyan, M=magenta, Y=yellow, and K=black. The first inkjet printers were three-color printers (CMY) that mixed colors to produce black. Today’s printers generally have the capability to simultaneously use both black and colored inks on the same page.

DPI— Dots per inch. Measures the resolution of images produced by printers, scanners, etc. Typically, more dots per inch means that the image will display with more detail.

For the rest of
Inkjet Printer Lingo

Laptop Security: Protect Your Laptop When You Travel

by: Jonathan Chase

Most business people who travel these days have a laptop in tow. Since the workflow does not stop when the need to travel arises, these are necessities that connect them to the rest of the world and allow them to take care of whatever business comes up during the time that they are away. That being the case, there are certain guidelines that should be followed in order to ensure the safety and protection of your laptop when you get called away from the office.

One of the first considerations that should be made is in regard to the laptops security. Since thieves will target these as often as they will cash, jewelry or other valuables, its critical to put as many security measures into place as possible when traveling through airports, bus terminals, train stations and any other form of public travel. Of course, it is never wise to leave your laptop unattended. It is a sad testament to the way of the world, but you can be fairly certain that when you return, your equipment will be gone. . .

Go to laptop security for the rest of the article on keeping your laptop safe.

A1-COMPUTERS

Thumb Drives - New Technology!

The ability to easily move data from PC to PC with little inconvenience is just another benefit computers have brought to the current business world.

In the past few years, the different options to save and move data have multiplied dramatically. Usually the floppy disk (with it's 1.2 MB limitation), ZIP drives, CD-R's & CD-RW's, and even tape backups are the common ways to move data on non-networked PC's.

The latest innovation; the USB Removable Flash Memory . . .

For the rest of this interesting aritcle go to our thumb drive page.

bonnie--

Tame Your Mouse

By Stephen Bucaro

Does your mouse sometimes work erratically? Skip and jump across the
screen? Freeze up? Many problems with the mouse are caused by dirt or miscalibration.

How To Clean Your Mouse

Most mouses (mice?) work by use of a rubber ball that
moves three rollers. It is very common for the rubber ball
to pick up dirt and feed it into the internal mechanism of
the mouse. Tame your mouse by giving it a good cleaning.

To clean a mouse, turn it over and remove the cover that
retains the rubber ball. The cover is usually circular
with groves that let you turn the cover in a counter
clockwise direction for removal. Remove the rubber ball
from the housing, wipe it clean, and blow air into the
mouse housing. Inspect the rollers to make sure they are
free of dirt. Then reassemble the mouse.

Jerky mouse movement can also be caused by the mouse pad.
Most plastic laminate covered mouse pads do not provide
enough friction for the mouse to track reliably. Cloth
covered mouse pads perform much better, although they
don't last as long.

How To Calibrate Your Mouse

If your mouse still does not behave, check it's
calibration. Select Start | Settings | Control Panel, and
open the Mouse utility. In the Mouse Properties dialog
box, select the Buttons tab and move the Double-click
speed slider control to set the time between clicks that
you want to be recognized as a double click.

Then select the Motion tab and adjust the Pointer Speed
slider control to your preference. In the Acceleration
section, set the None radio button, then click on the OK
button.

Checking Your Mouse Driver

On startup, Windows loads a virtual PS2 mouse driver that
is contained (along with other virtual device drivers) in
the file C:Windowssystemvmm32.vxd. If another mouse
driver is located in the folder c:windowssystemvmm32,
Windows will load that one to replace the mouse driver in
vmm32.vxd.

A second mouse driver, or other device driver may be
interfering with the PS2 mouse driver. Use the Device
Manager to troubleshoot errors. To access Device Manager
select Start | Settings | Control Panel, then open the
System utility. Select the Device Manager tab. In the list
of devices, double-click on Mouse. If there is an
exclamation mark (!) or a red “X” on the mouse icon, this
means the mouse has a problem. A PS2 mouse uses IRQ 12.
Make sure no other device is configured to use IRQ 12,
causing a conflict.

A DOS mode mouse driver may be interfering with the
Windows mouse driver. If the file autoexec.bat exists in
the root directory of the C drive, open the file in Windows
Notepad and look for entries like Device=mouse.sys. If the
file config.sys exists in the root directory of the C
drive, open the file in Windows Notepad and look for
entries like c:dosmouse.com. To disable the statement
type the letters REM (for remark) in front of the line.

If the file System.ini exists in the folder c:windows
folder, open the file in Windows Notepad and look in the
[boot] section for the entry Mouse.drv= If the file
win.ini exists in the folder c:windows folder, open the
file in Windows Notepad and look for entries like load=
and run=. If a line refers to a mouse driver, disable the
statement by typing a semicolon (;) in front of the line.

If you operating system is Windows 98/Me/2000, then you
can use the System Configuration utility and the System
Information utility to study the startup configuration of
your computer. To open the System Configuration Utility,
select Start | Run, and type c:windowssystemmsconfig.
To open the System Information Utility select Start |
Programs | Accessories | System Tools and click on System
Information.

Checking The Display Driver

Sometimes a mouse will work erratically because the
display driver is not working properly. The first thing
you can do is disable the graphics drivers hardware
acceleration. Select Start | Settings | Control Panel,
and open the Display utility. In the Display Properties
dialog box, select the Settings tab and click on the
Advanced... button.

In the dialog box which appears, select the Performance
tab and move the hardware acceleration slider control to
None. If this doesn't solve the problem you might try
updating the display driver. After locating a proper
driver, this is done in the same dialog box on the Adapter
tab by clicking the Change button to open the Update
Device Driver Wizard.

Try a New Mouse

Most problems with the mouse are caused by dirt or
miscalibration. If cleaning the mouse doesn't solve the
problem, the procedures described above may guide you to
the source of the problem. However, a computer mouse is a
cheaply manufactured mechanical device. As such they don't
last long. If nothing else works, maybe its time to retire
that old mouse.

---

Copyright(C)2002 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain
your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web
site and make money on the Web visit:
http://bucarotechelp.com
To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank
email to bucarotechelp-subscribe@topica.com


About the Author

Stephen Bucaro is the webmaster at bucarotechelp.com

For more mouse information--

Computer Mouse - Three Basic Types

What Is A Mouse?
Who Invented The Mouse?

---

PC gamer? Want the best out of your Graphics Card?

Stephen Hames

Introduction

In this article you will learn how to get the most out of your graphics card by installing new drivers and tweaking Windows. The guide is based around Windows XP Professional Edition but you can use the same guide to tweak other Windows operating systems.

Step 1.

The first thing you need to know what graphics card you are using. The most popular graphics card companies are nVidia and ATi. Both these companies have an excellent range of products and offer excellent service. Once you know what graphics card you are using, then head over to the companies website where you can download the latest drivers.

Drivers are software that runs your graphics card, printer or scanner correctly. Being up to date with drivers will help solve issues that may arise with modern PC games. Just recently I had to update my drivers to fix a problem I had with a game I recently purchased, and this solved my problem.

OK once you have downloaded your drivers for your graphics card make sure you create a restore point using the utility System Restore. This can be done my click Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools and then System Restore. Then follow the on screen instructions to create the restore point. By doing this it makes sure that if a problem occurs after you installed the new drivers, you can return to the restore point to see if the problem is the drivers you installed.

Once you’ve finished creating your restore point, you need to install your drivers. This can done by double clicking on the file you downloaded and then you follow the on screen instructions. After you’ve installed your drivers you will have to restart Windows so the changes can take effect.

If everything goes according to plan you should see an increase in performance in your games and you will not need to go back to your restore point. If you do have problems, use your restore point to go back and fix the problems. If the problem persists, then contact the company that made your graphics card.

Step 3. Graphics Card

Laptop Computer Extras for the Traveler

A laptop computer certainly provides you with an unprecedented level of freedom and mobility away from the office. However there are a few laptop computer extras you might want to bring along on your laptop computer travels:

Extra 1: portable printer

Do you travel a lot? You never know when you might need to commit one of your digital documents to paper. Sure, you can probably find a Kinko's, or even the business center at your hotel, but the experienced business traveler knows you're much better off when you're not at someone else's mercy.

Extra 2: USB hub

When you need to connect to several external devices simultaneously, the one or two USB ports on your laptop may or may not be sufficient. If not, keep an inexpensive four- port USB hub in your laptop case.

For the rest of the story: laptop computer extras

Computer Freeze Causes

Lets face it, at one time or another we have all had problems with our computer freezing up on us. No one wants it to happen but it is inevitable. So here is a great article to help you when your computer does not want to co-operate. Computer freeze causes:


How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working fine, but then suddenly started locking up (aka hanging or freezing), rebooting itself (crashing) or shutting down spontaneously? If you know only too well what I am talking about, then read on! Performing the simple steps below can fix the majority of lockup cases.

1. Check for recently installed software or hardware.

If the lockups started to happen after you installed a new peace of hardware, new software program, or new drivers, uninstall it and see if the problem goes away.


2. Run your antivirus program.

One of the first things to do in the case of sudden lockups is to run your antivirus program. Check your antivirus manufacturer's website for updates and latest virus definition files. (This is absolutely necessary, outdated antivirus is not going to be of any use!) If you don't have antivirus software installed - or if updates are unavailable - run one of the web-based antivirus scans that some major antivirus vendors like Trend Micro are offering for free. You can find a comprehensive list of available web-based scans and free antivirus programs on http://www.free-antivirus.info.

For the rest of the story...Computer freeze causes

Computer Freeze Causes
Computer Accessories

Digital Camera Accessories

Software that organizes your images properly is essential -- in the article below you will find programs that make it a snap to find your photos. Memory cards and a memory card reader are very helpful to have. An extra flash, filters, lenses?what will you buy to go with your camera?

By Patrick Wang

There are a large number of digital camera accessories available in the market today. Even though you might have invested a few hundred dollars in your digital camera (although they are getting cheaper by the day), you should buy yourself a few accessories as well so that you can enhance the photo quality of your pictures and be able to capture anything that comes along in your daily digital life.

Software that can help you to organize your images properly is one of the essential digital camera accessories that you need. Remember the time when you returned from a vacation with your friends and you had over 100 images to organize? This is when you realize the value of such software.

There are a large number of such software apps available today. Go here for the rest of the story: digital camera accessories


Or go here to purchase them right away: Digital Camera Accessories

Digital Camera: How Many Pixels Do I Need?

digital camera pixels --if you are a photographer and plan to print 8x10 or larger pictures you should get at the very least a 3.0 mp camera. Other wise the article below is a great guide to how many digital camera pixels you may need.

By Marty Rubenski

With the bewildering number of digital cameras on the market, it's increasing difficult to know where to start for your first purchase. One of the major determining factors of the price of a digital camera is the number of pixels. Nowadays, even 5.0 mega pixel cameras are affordable, even for casual snapshots. But is bigger always better?

Go right here to find out-- Digital Camera Pixels

Related Articles
Digital Cameras Are A Fun And Convenient Computer Accessory Digital cameras are one of the most fun computer accessories - wouldn't you like to send pictures to friends and family by e-mail? A digital camera is the easiest way to do that.

The Difference Between Digital Cameras and Conventional Cameras We have digital cameras because the past twenty years have brought major technological breakthroughs for consumer electronics. These breakthroughs have been part of one large breakthrough.

Top of the Line Digital SLR Cameras If you think that digital cameras are for snapshots only, then you obviously haven't heard about SLR (Single Lens Reflex) digital cameras. SLR is a type of camera which has one lens for composing the frame and capturing the image. SLR cameras are also known as TTL (through-the-lens) cameras.

The Truth About Printer Paper: Contrary to popular belief, the quality of your printer paper can have aserious impact on the quality of your printer output. You can buy thebest printer in the word ? feed it lousy paper, and you?ll get lousy results.

Inkjet Printers: How Much Do They Really Cost? There are inkjet printers for every budget. At the low end, you can pay less than $50. At the high-end, you can pay several hundred dollars. However, the purchase price of an inkjet printer is not the best way to determine how good of a bargain you are getting.

How To Use System Restore

We all know that the most anoying thing...

is when one day you go to use your computer and nothing seems to work right. Your programs want to freeze, your files are corrupted or maybe the internet doesn't work. Your calls to the customer support and/or some computer savvy friends still did't solve the problem.

There are many reasons this could happen:

Like, you may have came across spyware or dangerous ad-ware or even a virus when you were working on the computer last time, but whatever the reason is, your main concern is to get it up and running so you can get on with your work (or play).

Have you tried everything else? Go here for more System restore

Two Must Have Accessories For Your Notebook Computers

What do you think would be the most important notebook accessory? A good quality notebook bag of course. Second? A Heat Dissipating Cooler Or Pad is very important to the life of your notebook computer.

A Notebook Bag

Forget those that are bundled with your notebook computer. Get yourself a good notebook bag that is well-padded both on its load-bearing straps, and 100% around the notebook itself.

Are all notebook bags built the same? Well, NO. There are countless bag types and variations. Not all of them have your comfort and protection of the notebook itself in mind. Most of them sacrifice style for substance, which is worse than not having a notebook bag in the first place.

The best way to determine which notebook bag is the one for you is to bring along your notebook while shopping. Put it in the bag and ensure that it doesn't slip and slide around. Generous spaces do not mean better protection! You want it to be snug.

Carry the bag with your notebook in it. Simulate a light jog. Why? Experience tells me that's how you'll most likely travel through the gates of airport hell. If the straps start digging in those shoulders, start looking for alternatives. A good strap should cushion those shocks as the bag bounces off your shoulders while doing your airport jog.

Note also how the notebook bag opens up for main access. Again, if you're a frequent traveler you'll want to have one that's easy to retrieve and store your notebook for security checkpoint purposes. The best are usually top-loading ones secured by either a zipper or a flap. We recommend the flap versions because they usually have an additional layer of cushioning right around the top for the notebook, and secure well but open fast with magnetic snaps/buttons.

The zipper types have none, and your poor notebook will get whacked full-force if the bag topples head-long off an airport luggage cart. Trust me on this bit: I've had enough times my notebook took a tumble that way, and seen many other helpless souls literally spill their notebook's guts across airport gates.

A good alternative to those shoulder-loading bags are the rolling pilot cases. They are typically bigger than any shoulder-bearing bags including backpacks, but offer solid protection with a padded hinge-top opening similar to actual pilot cases. Roller bags are also less taxing physically, and the generous compartments in the bag means less luggage pieces to carry while traveling.

A Heat Dissipating Cooler Or Pad

Heat is the number one notebook computer killer. Today's notebooks are little thermal generators, with internal temperatures that rise up to 150 degrees even with built-in cooling fans.

Those internal fans and heat-dissipating systems work full time more often than you think. That’s why they are usually the first components in a notebook to die on you. When that happens, you'd better not fire up that notebook, as it'll fry even before you see the start screen.

So help out your hardest working notebook component and extend its lifespan. Invest in a notebook cooler or a cooling pad. Notebook coolers typically are low-rise, plastic or metal-faced pedestals on which your notebook sits. They are equipped with a fan or two inside, which serves to draw hot air away from under your notebook, and thus promote a cooler operating environment. Usually efficient enough to drop up to 15 degrees the operating temperature, notebook coolers however require power for its fans and would typically draw its power off your notebook's USB ports. This could somewhat decrease your notebook's battery operating time, but so far have proven to be negligible for many users.

Cooling pads normally do not have the fans, and are constructed from some type of heat-dissipating material or designed a way that your notebook would have extra clearance at the bottom to promote natural air circulation. Despite the lack of fans, these cooling pads do a surprisingly good job of cooling your notebook. They are also much easier to carry with your notebook because they are slimmer, lighter, and do not require power to do its job therefore highly recommended.

Lynn Chan helps new owners learn about proper notebook care and use. To learn more, visit http://www.notebook-computer-infocenter.com For a limited time, get the free tutorial "5 Days To A Healthier Notebook Computer" at http://www.notebook-computer-infocenter.com/
5days-to-a-healthier-notebook.html

There you have it, the two most important notebook accessories: a notebook bag and a heat dissipating cooler or pad. Both of these will pro-long the life of your notebook computer.

Notebook Accessory

Computer Acessories

3 Summer Computer Tips

Going on vacation? Not getting the usual anti-virus updates? Should you keep your computer turned on 24 hours a day? And those darn pop-ups – do not click them! Read on to find out what you should do…

3 Summer Computer Tips
By Sharron Senter


#1 – Summer Computer Travel

Most computer users have a tendency to turn off their computers when away on trips, which means you’re not getting newly-released anti-virus patches or anti-spyware updates; the two most common areas that cause computers problems. We recommend you update anti-virus and anti-spyware scans before opening e-mail or going online after an extended absence.

We consistently see an increase in calls for virus related problems immediately following long weekends. Avoid the problems altogether by updating your security software before using your computer. For a free listing of viruses, spyware threats and trends, visit: www.VisitingGeeks.com/downloads.htm

#2 -- Should You Leave Your Computer Running?

One question we hear frequently is, "Should I leave my desktop computer on or turn it off?"

There are 2 schools of thought…
Turning it on and off numerous times during the day subjects the microcircuits to flexing and fatigue due to change in temperatures. Over time this could lead to a break in the circuitry and result in system failure.

Leaving the computer on all the time puts excess wear on the mechanical components (the hard drive spindle motor and cooling fans).

Best compromise. First user in the morning turns it on; last user turns it off.
We leave our desktops on all the time allowing for scheduled utility tasks to run during overnight hours. We also restart the systems (to flush the RAM and reset the operating system) on a regular basis and routinely remove the case covers to clean out any dust that may have accumulated, especially around the fans and screens.

#3 -- Stop Popups!

Never click inside the window of a popup. Instead, close it by clicking on the X in the upper right corner. Many people are fooled into installing spyware applications by popups that promise to clean their system. If you receive a message saying it can help, assume it’s spyware and don’t click!

Sharron Senter is co-founder of http://www.VisitingGeeks.com - an on site computer repair, security and networking company serving north of Boston, Southern NH and Maine. Visiting Geeks’ technicians are crackerjacks at squashing viruses, popups and securing and making computers perform faster. Learn more about Sharron at http://www.SharronSenter.com

Now you know what to do when it you have been away from your computer more than a day or two to keep from getting a virus. You also learned the pros and cons of leaving your computer running continually or turning it off. Also, now you know how not to get a computer virus from clicking in the irritating pop ups.

3 Summer Computer Tips

A1-COMPUTERS
HTTP://WWW.A1-COMPUTERS.NET

Data Recovery

© By Barry Stein

Every person who uses a personal computer will eventually face the challenge of data recovery. Computer hardware and software can be temperamental from time to time. Hard drives and other mechanical components of personal computers and servers do not last forever, and when they fail recovering your data can be difficult, time consuming and costly.

If you are working diligently away on a document or spreadsheet in Microsoft Office and the power goes out, you may still be able to recover the documents you were working on when the lights come back on. This type of data recovery is relatively easy and straightforward. Software manufacturers recognize that power outages are inevitable and unpredictable and most office applications incorporate what is known as autosave features. At set intervals, the documents you have open are saved to a cached file. They remain in that cached state and should be accessible once your power is restored. Simply opening Microsoft Word or Excel will usually bring these documents back. For instance, when you open Word after a power failure or a software error, you will be presented with a document followed by the word recovered in parentheses. This is the document you were working on at the most recent autosave point. You may still lose a couple minutes worth of work this way, but it sure beats having to go back and retype the entire document.

If the recovered document does not appear automatically, search your hard drive for files ending with tmp. Look for one created close to the time of the power failure or software error and open it. This is most likely the document you had open at the time. If this method of data recovery does not work, you may need to follow the steps listed below.

Of course not all data recovery is so easy and so straightforward. If you delete a file accidentally, it is a simple matter to recover it from the recycle bin. Once you empty the recycle bin, however, things become more difficult. The deleted file still resides on your computer somewhere, but the pointer that tells the program where to find the file is now gone. There are various software tools available that promise to help recover deleted files, and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Some of the major players are Norton, McAfee and Computer Associates. There are a great many smaller vendors as well.

Even if all these products fail to recover your data, you may not be completely out of luck. Data recovery services specialize in recovering data from failed and corrupt hard drives. These data recovery services have tools and equipment not available to the general public.

Government and law enforcement forensic teams will often make use of these advanced data recovery techniques to investigate cases of computer crime. Businesses also will turn to a professional data recovery service to recover mission critical data from damaged hard drives.

It is important to choose a reputable firm any time you need to have data recovery services performed. The firm you choose should be able to provide references from previous clients. You should make sure to follow up with the references they provide.

The cost for the data recovery service will vary according to the type of equipment and the difficulty of the job. You should get several estimates to make sure you are paying a fair price for the service you receive.


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About the author:

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Barry Stein is the owner of aWebBiz.com where he offers cutting-edge tips on all aspects of business. To find more advice, tools and resources to help you succeed in your business, visit: http://www.aWebBiz.com
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http://www.A1-computers.net - A great source of
information about computers and computer accessories.

Apple Mac mini - Fits Anywhere - The Most Affordable Mac Ever!

The Apple Mac mini will work with either Mac or PC-compatible peripherals, this makes it easier than ever to upgrade from and older Mac or PC system. All you have to do is connect your USB mouse and keyboard, then hook up your DVI or VGA display(our adapter is included). Then just plug it in, turn it on and your ready to go.

This is power packed into a small package - Apple has outdone themselves! Under the sleek anodized aluminum styling of the Mac mini is a G4 processor, room for up to 1GB PC2700 main memory, a Radeon 9200 graphics chip, and a large enough hard drive, up to 80 GB, to store todays digital media.

Using the mini connections you can hook-up your digital devices like cameras, iPod, printer, camcorder, and your keyboard. There is a audio/headphone jack.
Customize this Mac with some great extra options!

The choice is yours, use your own keyboard and mouse or choose the Apple Wireless keyboard and mouse and free yourself from the clutter of cables. You will need the Bluetooth module and with it you will also be able to have wireless access to printers, cell phones, PDAs, input devices and other peripherals. Or add a AirPort Extreme Card and have the freedom of wireless networking from anywhere in your home. Although you must have these features added when ordering your Mac or they will have to be added by an authorized service provider because they are not user-installable.

A slot-loading SuperDrive added will let you play and burn both CDs and DVDs. So be sure to check out the most advanced, convenient, and affordable Mac in history!

To learn more about the Mac Mini or to purchase one

Apple Mac Mini

Mac OS Tiger

Offsite Backup Providers Can Provide Digital Peace of Mind

by: Harald Anderson

In todays fast data-centric world of personal computers and consumer/business electronics (such as PDAs and digital media players) we have, as a society, developed a reliance on digital data. We have particularly developed a dependence on data stored on various magnetic media such as hard drives, removable disks, and magnetic tape. While some computer users may never have had a problem with loss of data due to viruses, Internet worms or file corruption, most of us have at some time experienced the frustration and loss of productivity that comes with the loss of computer data.

Maybe someone in your office deleted files off the network that your entire team had been working on for months. Or perhaps the corporate firewall did not stop the latest Internet-borne virus that has a penchant for overwriting '.doc' files with junk data. Like it or not, if you connect your computer to the Internet (and in some cases, even if you do not), your mission critical data is at risk. The question is: What can you do about it?

One excellent solution is to employ offsite backups. Offsite backup solutions allow you to store critical data that is crucial to your business or personal computing experience. Offsite backup providers make it quick and easy for you to back up your most important files to a secure, offsite facility that offers redundant storage, and round the clock accessibility to your files in the event of a critical 'system meltdown'. When you use an online offsite backup provider, you can be secure in knowing that your files and important information will be available to you no matter what happens to the machines you work on every day.

Even if your computer needs to be completely formatted or your laptop is stolen you can have the peace of mind that the most important part of your computing experience - the data you generate on a day-to-day basis - is safe and secure and always available to you.
Your DATA is your Life. Protect it.

About The Author
Harald Anderson is a freelance writer and webmasterforhttp://www.SafeHarborData.com an online backup service. Download your free thirty day trial and experience the Digital Peace of Mind that accompanies a secure disaster recovery routine for your business.
http://www.SafeHarborData.com
Copyright 2005 Harald Anderson

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Computer Equipment

Top of the Line Digital Cameras

by: Warren Lynch

If you thinking that digital cameras are for easy, recreation snapshots only, then you obviously haven't heard about SLR (Single Lens Reflex) digital cameras. SLR is a type of camera which has one lens for composing the frame and capturing the image. SLR cameras are also known as TTL (through-the-lens) cameras.

The SLR camera displays an image through the viewfinder that is exactly the same image as the camera sees and is exactly the same image that the camera is going to record when you release the shutter.

The SLR camera provides a much more accurate image through the viewfinder than a digital camera produces on its LCD because the LCD does not faithfully reproduce the colors and light intensity that is actually entering the camera.

Top of the line SLR digital cameras rival the best film-based SLR cameras and are designed for serious hobbyists and professional photographers. Digital SLR cameras are much larger, bulkier, and heavier than traditional digital cameras.

The SLR uses a mirror that is located behind the lens as well as an optical device known as a pentaprism to channel the light that enters the camera's lens to the optical finder. When you release the shutter the mirror moves out of the way and the image is captured in the same way as any digital camera.

The 'better' digital SLR cameras let you mount different lenses just like their film-based counterparts do. Many of your existing 35mm lens may be compatible with a digital SLR. If you have a large lens collection then you should definitely look for a digital SLR that is compatible with them.

Because the digital SLR cameras are more professional, they come with a hefty price tag. A 6-megapixel Nikon D100 runs around $2,000 and the 11-megapixel Canon 1D runs near $8,000. This is for the camera body only and does not include a lens! This is why I mentioned earlier that you should look for a digital camera that will mount your existing lens collection. Just a good quality zoom lens can run you at least $3,000 and can climb as high as $10,000 depending upon the features!

Of course, there are also starter-priced digital SLR cameras available. The Olympus E-20N, a 5.0-megapixel SLR camera, which includes a non-replaceable lens that is capable of duplicating a 35 mm to 140 mm lens, runs around $3500.

These prices are not out of line if you make your living shooting pictures. You can actually create additional revenue streams when you shoot digital pictures, instead of film-based ones, by offering image enhancement options and all sorts of digital FX options for thee prospective bride and groom's on their treasured wedding album.

If all of this sounds a bit too expensive for your blood, then you'll probably find all of the digital camera that you'll ever need way down in the $99 to $500 price range and you'll never have to worry about buying extra lenses. Digital SLR cameras aren't for everyone but, if they're for you, then there are plenty of models to look at. Some of the best are made by Canon, Olympus and Nikon which are familiar names in the photography world.

Warren Lynch has been shooting commercial photography since 1979. Clients include Makers Mark Bourbon, Heaven Hill, Yum Brands, GE, Fruit of The Loom and many more highly recognizable brands. Have him make your product more recognizable too. Visit his website at www.wlynch.com or just him a call at 1-502-587-7722 to quote on your next project.

"Sign-up for his syndicated Digital Photography newsletter at http://www.photopheed.com The Digital Dose"

About The Author
Warren Lynch is a Professional Commercial Photographer located in Louisville, Ky. Sign up for "The Digital Dose" and receive Digital Photography tips every other week absolutely FREE! http://www.photopheed.com.

contact@photopheed.com

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Computer Accessories

digital slr camera

10 Must-Have Laptop Accessories

by: John San Filippo


You have laid out alot of money for your laptop computer, but you are not done spending just yet. There are a few must have laptop computer accessories you may want to consider to make the package complete.

1: Laptop Case / Bag

As the newest member of the mobile computing force, you're required to take an oath of safe computing. And that starts with investing in the most important of laptop accessories - a laptop bag. You can't very well go traipsing around the world with your laptop exposed to the elements.

When it comes to laptop bags, you can spend $25 for a small case made from less expensive materials on up to several hundred dollars for one made of top-grain cowhide.
However, in the end, the most important consideration is whether your case can hold your laptop, plus all the other goodies that go with it (like the ones described here).

2: Software

Did your laptop computer come with software? If so, did it come with the right software - the software you actually need to perform whatever tasks you need to perform?

Don not just assume you have everything you need. You'll probably need to add some software, as well as go online to update the software that was included.

3: A Real USB Mouse

Trackpads and eraser nubs that fill an obvious need. However, given the option, most people would rather user a real mouse.

If you stop and think for a moment, you're likely to realize that many places where you'll be computing actually are suitable for a real mouse.

So one of the most useful laptop accessories you can buy is a USB mouse, keep it in your bag, and use it whenever you're able.

4: A Cat5 Ethernet Cable

Your built-in Ethernet port won't do you much good if you get to your hotel room, discover an Ethernet connection, and don't have a cable. Some hotels provide them; others don't. Always come prepared with the right cable.

5: A Standard Telephone Cable

The same holds true for your modem connection. If you don't have a cable to get you from your computer to the phone jack, you're not going anywhere in cyberspace.

6: Disposable Cleansing Cloths

Over time, the display on your laptop is going to get dusty, or even smudgy. You're playing Russian roulette with your laptop if you attempt to clean your display with paper towels and spray cleaners.

Instead, use disposable cleansing cloths. These essential laptop accessories are designed specifically to clean laptop displays. Always have a stash on hand.

7: USB Drive

A USB drive is a storage device about the size of your thumb that plugs directly into a USB port.
Capacity-wise, they're relatively small - usually well under 100 MB. However, they're very useful for moving files quickly and easily from one computer to another, e.g., moving a PowerPoint presentation from your laptop to your business associate's laptop.

A USB drive also makes a great temporary backup medium for the really important files you create on the road.

8: Blank CD-R Discs

You've just finished your big sales presentation. Someone from the audience approaches you afterward and asks for a copy of the presentation.

You'll make a better impression if you:

a) ask the person for their email address and tell them you'll email the presentation later

b) ask for their physical address and tell them you'll mail a CD later

c) burn them a CD of the presentation on the spot.

In case you didn't figure it out, the answer is c. Always be prepared with these inexpensive laptop accessories.

9: Stereo Headset

It's great to be able to watch DVD movies no matter where you are. Imagine watching your favorite flick at 30,000 feet.

There's just one problem.

The family in the row behind you has absolutely no interest in hearing the dialog from Pulp Fiction.

Do yourself and everyone around you a favor. When you're watching movies or listening to music in public, use your headphones.

10: Security Device

Laptop security devices come in many shapes and sizes.

For example, most laptop computers include a security dock that allows you to attach your laptop to some immovable object via cable, much like you'd lock up your bicycle outside the grocery store.

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About The Author

Thinking of buying a laptop computer? 'How To Buy A Laptop' is the definitive online guide that will teach you everything you need to know. Don't buy the wrong machine! Check out ==> http://HowToBuyALaptop.com

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For more information about computers and computer accessories or to purchase them please click below.

Laptops
Must Have Laptop Accessories