Adware and how to tell if you're infected

Adware and how to tell if you're infected

When it comes to malicious programs, one of the most annoying is so called adware. Adware is software that, once installed on your machine, will begin to serve advertisements mostly in the form of pop-ups. Companies who make adware make money off advertisers who pay them each time their ad is served on an infected machine.

Here's some of the things you can do to tell if you have adware:

1)You keep getting pop-up advertisements.

Pop-up ads come in two forms. Either the website you're visiting is serving them, or you have adware on your machine that spawns pop-ups each time you surf the internet. If you go to a website like Google or Microsoft, and you see a pop-up ad, then this is an almost sure sign that you're infected with adware. Pop-up ads can also be served when you just start up your computer, or when you run an application.

2)Your computer is running slowly

Adware will often take up your computers processing power in order to serve pop-up advertisements. Therefore, if you're computer seems to take a long time to do simple tasks or it just seems to be running slow in general, then the odds are pretty good that you have some form of spyware or adware. Many people see their computer running extremely fast when it has nothing on it or when they reinstall windows. The reason is because their machine is no longer infected with spyware.

3)Your settings are being tinkered with

One thing adware often does is change personal settings, in order to display even more ads. Symptoms include changing your homepage to something else, adding websites into your favorites menu, installing new toolbars or adding icons to your desktop. The technology exists now to do this just from someone visiting your website, but quite often, adware companies will install new toolbars and change your homepage once your computer is infected.

Once you suspect you have adware on your machine, it is very important to do something about it before it gets any worse (adware companies will often install more adware on infected machines). To do this, you need to get a spyware or adware removal software. What this does is scan your machine for known adware, and then take measures to delete it. In some cases, your computer may be infected so badly that the only solution is to reinstall windows.

The best protection against adware, of course, is to not download it in the first place. Remember to never click on a link in an email from a sender you are unfamiliar with (adware often infects people who download it from spam emails) and always take caution when downloading .exe files. Don't run a .exe file unless you trust the source or you downloaded it from a trusted software directory. By following these simple guidelines, you can greatly reduce the risk that your computer will get infected with adware.

by Dave Edwards
Keyword : Adware

Better Computer Performance - 9 Free Or Inexpensive Fixes

Better Computer Performance - 9 Free Or Inexpensive Fixes

Poor computer performance by your Windows-based machine can sneak up on you gradually. You may find its performance deteriorating increasingly until one day you realize you must fix it or buy a new one. Signs of poor performance can include applications running very slowly, programs closing or freezing up suddenly, and a generally slower response time to OS (operating system)-related commands. I have compiled 9 fixes for you here that you can leverage right now to greatly improve your computer's performance.

Fix #1: Download and run MS Service Pack 2:

Every operating system requires patches and upgrades by its maker from time-to-time, with Microsoft XP being no exception. While Service Pack 2 was released in 2002, some people with older systems are still not running it: make sure your computer is. You can download it FREE from Microsoft's Web site.

Fix #2: Run the Disk Cleanup utility:

Your computer likely has a number of unused and unneeded files that take up valuable space on your hard drive and slow performance. Run your FREE, built-in Disk Cleanup utility to automatically remove these files. Find it by going to: Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Cleanup and following the prompts.

Fix #3: Defragment your hard drive:

Over time, your computer will store files in an increasingly inefficient manner on your hard drive, affecting file retrieval times and other performance factors. To fix this, you need to defragment your hard disk drive. To do this for FREE, just go to: Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Defragmenter. First, highlight the drive you want to clean up (e.g., C drive) and choose Analyze. Once complete, choose Defragment. Note that the defragmentation process could take up to an hour or more, so do this during a time when you can step away from your computer.

Fix #4: Run an anti-virus tool:

Computer viruses are malicious programs that drastically affect your computer's performance, either all at once or insidiously over time. You can stop a virus attack by installing and running anti-virus software which performs regular scans, locates the offending viruses and quarantines them.

Fix #5: Clean your registry:

Your computer's registry is a tool that most non-computer specialists never see but which is vitally important to computer operations. Your registry stores settings and options for your hardware, operating system, and other software. Unfortunately, given its fundamental role in the performance of your system, your registry is often the target of attack or infection. To thoroughly and automatically clean your registry, run a regular registry scan using a registry cleaning tool. I recommend RegCure, which recently found 1,626 problems with my registry (ugh!), is cheap and easy to use.

Fix #6: Run anti-spyware software:

Spyware is computer software that installs itself in your computer and performs a number of unwanted functions, including monitoring your computer usage and interfere with your control.

It represents a real threat and has become a significant problem in recent years. Fortunately, fixes are easy to find and include a number of free and inexpensive anti-spyware programs. Try SpyBot Search & Destroy. Get it FREE online.

Fix #7: Increase your computer's memory:

Today's applications require more and more memory (RAM) to run. If your computer is more than two years old or if you selected the minimal memory option upon purchase, you might benefit from adding another 1 GB or more to your computer. Check online or at your local computer dealer for pricing.

Fix #8: Clean your hard drive:

More comprehensive than the Disk Utility tool introduced above, cleaning your hard drive with professional cleaning software is a great way to improve performance. Try CCleaner for FREE by doing an online search.

Fix #9: As a last resort, re-format your hard drive:

If after trying all of the above items and your computer still performs poorly, a last resort is to completely reformat your hard drive. Warning: proceed with caution since this action will erase your entire hard drive, including your operating system (OS)! If you decide to take this route, consult an online tutorial for how-to steps. At minimum, remember two things: be sure to back up all of your files and applications and retain a copy of your OS on CD so that you can re-install it later.

by Jed Jones
Keyword : Better Computer Performance

The Number One Way to Kick Spyware!

The Number One Way to Kick Spyware!

Tired of spyware slowing down your computer?

If you answered yes, then I am going to help you. If you are tired of random web pages popping up when you're not even surfing the web, then I am going to help you. If you're tired of having tons of toolbars in your browser than you never installed, then I can help!

Adware Alert is a great program to keep spyware off of your computer, and to remove existing problems. It's user friendly, and offers a totally free scan with no strings attached.

If you have tried everything else, and nothing seems to work. Then Adware Alert is perfect for you!

I'm not some paid marketer, I'm a real person just like you. I've been searching for months for a program to help me remove the spyware\adware that plagues my computer. Now I've finally found it.

by Curtis Ryan
Keyword : Kick Spyware!

Anti Virus Software - It's NOT 100%

Anti Virus Software - It's NOT 100%

Ever get a virus? And no, we're not talking about the kind you get from the kid down the street sneezing all over you. We're talking about the kind you get when your computer runs into some nasty vindictive hackers. These are people who have nothing better to do with their time but make other people's lives miserable. If you've ever been attacked by one of these things you know what I mean.

Enter the anti virus software. In short what this software does is detect a virus either on your computer or one that is threatening to slice your PC into little bits and bytes.

The most popular anti virus software companies are McAfee and Norton Anti Virus, the latter actually owned by Symantec. There are other companies and now even some ISPs like AOL are providing anti virus software. But McAfee and Norton are still the kings of the industry.

Before you can understand how anti virus works you have to understand how the virus itself works and how it infects your computer.

Contrary to what people believe there are other ways to get a computer virus other than to open an attachment in an email, though that is the most common way. Email virus infections occur when the user opens up an email with an attachment and downloads the attachment to the hard drive of the PC. What happens from there can vary greatly but in general what happens is the attachment, which is usually an EXE file, when saved, releases some code that performs an action on your computer. This can be anything from getting private information such as passwords and credit card numbers and transmitting it to the sender of the email to simply wiping out your hard drive to the point where it is beyond repair. There are debates as to which is worse.

Another way to get a virus, and this is the scarier one, is to go to a web site who's server has been infected with a virus. This virus can be passed along through the Internet connection and place a dangerous file on your hard drive. Again, the actions taken afterward by the virus can be just about anything.

So what exactly does anti virus software do about this? In simple layman's terms the anti virus software detects the intruding file and tries to do several things in this order.

First it tries to delete the file before it can ever even get saved to your hard drive. If it is successful, it is as if the file never existed and no harm is done.

Second, if it can't delete the file it tries to repair it, if it is a file that is actually yours to begin with and has been modified by the virus itself. If it can repair the file again it is as if nothing happened.

Third, if it can't repair the file then as a last resort it places the file in quarantine so that it can't infect any other files. Yes, viruses can spread. In this case some harm may have been done and you may have to replace the file that has been infected with a new copy. Sometimes this requires reinstalling the software the file came from. Other times the file is simply lost, especially if it is a user created file, though it may be possible to recreate the file depending on what kind of data it contained.

So how does anti virus software detect viruses? To put it simply, your anti virus software has a list of known viruses. It scans every file that you download to your PC and checks it against this list. If it finds a match it warns you of the virus giving you the name of it and then attempts to go through the steps I've outlined above.

So where does this list come from? Well, that's the hard part and the reason that anti virus software can never be 100%. The list comes from known viruses that the software company has either come in contact with itself or viruses sent to them from users who have been attacked. Therein lies the less than 100% effectiveness of anti virus software. There is always a chance that you will be the first one attacked by a new virus. You won't know it until something goes wrong with your computer and then after you report the problem to Norton or McAfee they will have you send them the file you think caused the problem and run tests on it. No, it's not an exact science but it's the best we have.

So since anti virus is not a sure fire prevention the best prevention is not to download attachments when you have no idea who sent them to you, make sure your OS has the latest patches and be very careful about what web sites you go to.

At least you don't have to drink your mother's chicken soup.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Anti Virus

By : Michael Russell
Keyword : anti virus,software

UnHack Your Computer

UnHack Your Computer

There's nothing new under the sun, and rootkits are no exception. In the early days of personal computers, in the age of the DOS command-line operating system, there were viruses that hid their presence from the users and anti-virus programs. They did it by intercepting some system calls that were responsible for reading the files, and lied to the system by filling these calls with fake information. You could view an infected file right in front of your eyes and see nothing but legit code! These viruses were called 'stealth' in those days.

When computers evolved, Windows replaced the DOS. Old viruses did not run under the new operating system, and it wasn't easy to develop simple hacks to intercept system calls in Windows. But time has passed, and now there's a new wave of viruses that can work on Windows and hide their presence even more efficiently than the stealth viruses of the old days. These new viruses are called rootkits.

Today, using an antivirus does not guarantee complete safety. A rootkit could install into your system and fool the antivirus system by hiding itself. The problem is that modern antivirus programs try to detect rootkits at the time when they are already active. Antivirus programs use the very functions that are intercepted by the rootkits specifically for the purpose of deceiving antivirus. It's a gun vs. armor race and your PC is the firing range.

Microsoft tried to address the problem by releasing their own Rootkit Revealer. While being a correct concept, this tool fails on too many levels. Microsoft Rootkit Revealer is intended for use by system administrators and software developers. The results of its work are not detections but rather hint that there's something in the system that's hidden. And of course, Rootkit Revealer does not remove rootkits, making its benefits questionable at best for a regular computer user.

Complement your antivirus with a rootkit detection and removal system and liberate your PC from rootkits! UnHackMe with Partizan technology is highly compatible and designed to complement other antivirus solutions instead of conflicting with them.

The Partizan technology is unique to UnHackMe. Microsoft states that there exists no sure way to know of a rootkit's presence from within a running system. Instead of trying to combat rootkits on their own ground, Partizan fools them by booting with the operating system and taking control before any rootkits can load. Being the first to load, UnHackMe can safely watch all stages of the Windows boot process, effectively detecting and terminating any activities attempted by the rootkits.

Once there's no rootkit in the computer's memory, detecting and removing one is a matter of routine. UnHackMe can remove known rootkits by itself or simply block the rootkit from loading into memory and pass control to your regular anti-virus.

Scanning your entire PC for the presence of a rootkit with a regular antivirus can take hours of time depending on the number of files and programs you have. UnHackMe takes scanning speed to another level by taking only a few seconds every time your computer loads.

by Dmitry Sokolov
keyword : UnHack Your Computer

An overview of spyware and adware - what it is, and how to avoid it

An overview of spyware and adware - what it is, and how to avoid it

Adware and spyware are two different kinds of malicious programs, and each have the ability to make your computer a mess. If you end up using the Internet for anything in your life, or if you rely on your personal computer for anything, it is a very important that you completely understand what these things are and how they work.

The first thing you need to know about protecting yourself from these things is to totally understand what they do. Once you know what spyware and adware is, you'll be able to take measures against it infecting your machine.

What Is Spyware?

According to Microsoft, "spyware" is a malicious type of program with the aim of collecting personal information or changing the configuration of your computer. Spyware is often unethical, in that it is often downloaded without your permission. Usually, you won't know it's even there when it enters your system, and you'll need to have anti-spyware software installed in order to remove it.

What Is Adware?

The difference between spyware and adware is not large, and they are essentially the same kind of thing. With spyware, it is possible that your personal information could be given to another source. In other words, someone is "spying" on you, hence the name spyware. With adware, however, the software is designed primarily to display advertisements on the user's PC.

Is It All Bad?

It is unfortunate, but several people tend to believe that all types of this software are harmful and definitely should be avoided. That's not always the case. Of course, in most cases spyware and adware are harmful and are not the kind of thing you want on your PC, but there are exceptions where you may actually want software like this on your PC.

Remember, to make it spyware it has to be downloaded to your computer without your consent. Spyware can sometimes be downloaded through such things as "driveby" downloads or through other exploits, so that the user never even knows it is on their machine. Any program that is downloaded with the users permission is technically not spyware.

Why would you want to have spyware that tracks your personal information and surfing habits running on your computer? And more importantly, why would you want those advertisements? Well, there may be some exceptional cases it may be useful. For example, you may actually sign up for a service online and when you do you may also agree to receive targeted ads.

Companies like this find it useful to track where you go online (monitoring your surfing habits) and looking at what you do, in order to provide you with ads that are highly targeted to your interests. For example, if you were to search for dog food, the spyware company may give you advertising from dog food companies. So, rather than seeing annoying ads that have no interest to you, you may instead see things that are targeted and useful to what you are searching for.

In most cases, though, spyware is damaging. Many programs such as keyloggers will steal your personal information, and adware is often an inconvenience that most people could do without.

by Dave Edwards
Keyword : spyware and adware

How to detect if you have spyware - symptoms and causes

How to detect if you have spyware - symptoms and causes

Spyware and adware are a malicious programs that may have a number of undesirable effects on your computer. Symptoms include changing search results when you do a search on Google, or changing your homepage. Other forms of spyware and adware will even change the configuration of your PC.

The main problem of spyware and adware is that they are very difficult to remove. Often, it will be impossible to manually remove spyware, and you'll need an anti-spyware program to remove it. Here are a few symptoms of a spyware infected machine:

Slowing Your Computer Down

A major annoyance of having spyware and adware on your machine is that they will significantly slow your computer down. Most of all, it can hurt you by being annoying. Pop up ads may happen when your surf the internet, as a result of having adware installed on your machine.

Often, your computer will begin to get slower and slower the longer you have adware on your machine. Moreover, if you don't realize that you have spyware when you first get it, you'll usually end up getting more spyware and this makes it even more difficult to remove.

Why does spyware make your computer slower? Well, your computer is basically made to do more, thus slowing it does. Not only does it need to perform the tasks that you want it to do, but (with spyware installed) it now needs to do a number of other things such as monitoring your surfing behavior or displaying annoying pop-up ads.

Things such as tracking what you're doing, recording information, displaying advertisements and running malicious programs all take up your computers processing power. Thus, your computer will run slower.

In rare cases, spyware can even cause your computer to completely crash.

Relaying Information

Some types of spyware go beyond just displaying advertisements. There are a number of worse types that are also common. Like adware, spyware can track what you're doing and where you're going on the internet.

In some cases, spyware can record the websites you have visited and the keystrokes you have entered. It may take this information and report it back to the company who makes the spyware.

Once your personal information is relayed back to the company or individual running the spyware, your personal information, such as your credit card information, your addresses, paypal account and other sensitive information will be in the hands of the spyware owner. They will then have your username and password for all accounts you have logged into online.

If you have heard about identity theft before, this is where it comes from - malicious spyware programs who record what you do and where you go. Unfortunately, this is alarmingly common and many people do not recognize how serious the problem actually is.

by Dave Edwards
Keyword : detect if you have spyware

How to remove spyware from your computer

How to remove spyware from your computer

Once you know you have spyware infecting your PC, it is crucial that you remove it before it does more damage. There are a number of ways to remove spyware infecting your machine. Fortunately, if you have a knowledge of spyware and adware, then it is not that difficult to remove once you have the right tools.

Spyware and adware can be found in the same way as a virus is detected. This is done through a spyware and adware scan, from a piece of software with that scans your hard drive for known traces of spyware and adware. This is the same way as viruses are found. The software will then delete the spyware from your machine once it is detected.

If you suspect you have very large amounts of spyware or adware on your machine, then it may not be so easy to clean your PC. Many spyware programs are very sophisticated and are difficult to delete. In this case, you may need to reformat your entire computer, and reinstall windows. This will involve backing up your entire hard drive and installing windows from scratch as if it was a new computer.

Fortunately, you won't always have to reinstall windows and start from scratch unless your spyware infection is exceptionally bad. There are a number of other things that you can do first.

It's Gotten Bad

It is important to understand that spyware is extremely common, and not just something that happens in rare circumstances. In fact, it is estimates that over 90% of computers connected to the internet are infected with spyware.

You have to consider this a strong risk as you would a virus. Thanks to the sophistication of many spyware programs, you may not even need to download it to get infected. Spyware can get on your computer through "drive by" downloads and other exploits, and chances are you have spyware already on your computer right now.

There are a number of programs around that claim to remove spyware. Some of these programs are spyware programs themselves, and so you need to be careful when downloading software that promises to scan your computer. Make sure you check to see awards, reviews or testimonials for an anti-spyware program before installing it.

In order to remove spyware, you will definitely need an anti-spyware program. Professionally made spyware programs are often very difficult to find and delete, and it is often difficult to get rid of spyware infecting your machine unless you have a program that can recognize it. Good anti-spyware programs will not just scan for spyware, but will also give you instructions for deleting it.

Anti-spyware software can cost you. Also, if you currently have no anti-spyware software on your computer now, then you will need to invest in it, because the odds are overwhelming that your computer will get infected.

by Dave Edwards
Keyword : remove spyware

What is Data Recovery?

What is Data Recovery?

Data Recovery is the process of retrieval of inaccessible or corrupt data from digital media that has become damaged or has been corrupted in some way. Data Recovery can be used to recover data from devices as varied as Hard Disk Drives, Memory Cards, Tapes, Mobile Phones, Personal Digital Assistants, Floppy Disks, CDs, DVDs, Data Cartridges, Xboxes and many more items.

If knowledge is power, then after you have finished this article, you will be feeling like Mighty Man when this subject is brought up in casual conversation.

facts Recovery may be wanted for reasons which could embrace issues as diverse as hardware fiasco, (the fasten has been 'chain' up, the hard disk constrain has botched, it could have suffered fire or flood harm, or sensible fiasco, there can be corruptions in firmware, semiconductor fiasco, or accidental fiasco/deletion, a storeroom symbol could have been dropped, a hard disk constrain may have been 'accidentally' formatted). All of these instances will imply the military of a professional data recovery band if the data was of such estimate (be it sentimental or fiscal) that the expense of the military are excluding than the perceived estimate of the data which is no longer accessible.

It is not just businesses who are at expose from data injury. Clients requiring data recovery come from all walks of life, plus governments, large corporate, minor businesses, and the person employed to "Joe open" who, with the introduction and subsequent boom in the use of PC's and digital cameras etc to fastest unusual occasions, feast videos and photos etc may have gone something from sentimental data to risky emails, and personal account facts. Students are regularly grouped under this course too.

There are copious customs that data can be improved from digital media which can disagree soberly; the simplest mode can imply the operation of vital software on the storeroom avenue in quiz. This is accustoms a risky idea, because the recovery data could overwrite the very data that is being improved. More compound commercial software tools are presented which will do this job more professionally. No software fix should be stabled earlier to the earliest media being viewed, enabling the recovering band to work on a 'back-up' of the earliest software. The most professional companies will also take a support view should there be a conundrum with the first view that is being worked on for recovery.

As we continue, we will take a look at how this new information can be implemented in very special ways.

The next conundrum is what happens when the hard disk or storeroom symbol doesn't work. For the minor 'facts Recovery Companies', this is a conundrum, and it is when the more sober facts Recovery Companies get implied. It is accustoms recommended that the most risky work should be sent to a real data recovery specialist, (sound guard out the accreditations - guarantee the specialist has ISO9001-2000 attribute poise type, and is expert to ISO BE EN 14644 to guarantee that their fresh feature is at the mark amount for forward data recovery work, find out how long that band has been trading, and sound guard their testimonials).

Once you have found the band that you are joyful with, if the data storeroom symbol doesn't work, there is a high likelihood that the digital media will imply standby parts. There are specialist organizations which promote standby parts for old and hard to get grasp of disk constrains to facts Recovery Companies enabling them to get the earliest data accessible for long enough to view the data against a committed storeroom symbol, enabling that data to be duplicated again which in transform allows a sound recovery stab to be achieved.

The data recovery job is usually perfect when a tilt of all the improved documents is sent to the client. Once the client approves this sleeve tilting, they are then shipped the data on an appropriate media. This can be a hard disk constrain, floppy disk, CD or DVD. Alternatively, if a sleeve is considered risky, it can be encrypted and then emailed to the client.

It should be renowned that in excessive luggage it may be impossible to recover any data.

The best guidance I can deal the client is this:

"As shortly as you have gone data you should poor off your symbol and propel it to a professional facts Recovery party to optimize your odds of a successful recovery".

What you have learned while reading this informative article is knowledge that you can keep with you for a lifetime.

By : Heero Yu
Keyword : What is Data Recovery?

Digital Radio: The New American Revolution

Digital Radio: The New American Revolution

Americans are nothing if not selectively fickle. It took almost no persuasion for them to abandon their analog landline technology-based telephones, camera, and record players in favor of digitally based alternatives.

But when it comes to their listening pleasure, Americans have been fighting the digital revolution with as much gusto as they fought the American one. They are however, beginning to come around. Having spotty reception, or none, on long commutes or when in the back country on a recreational outing, or simply because they live in a particularly reception-unfriendly area has finally made many Americans start to take notice of their digital radio options.

The first digital radio alternative is satellite radio. Both Sirius and XM Satellite radio have eliminated the commercials from their digital radio transmissions and are beaming their broadcasts into the automobile receivers of millions of US drivers, no matter where they are located. The glitch is that the service is subscription only, and many older cars do not have the satellite digital radio receivers. And in some large urban areas, the reception is lacking, although Sirius and XM are working on fixes for their problems.

But between them Sirius and XM have still managed to collar only fifteen million of the estimated two hundred and thirty million AM/FM listeners in the US. The two companies have applied to the FCC for permission to discuss a merger, which will cut costs for both. But even a single entity may never move satellite digital radio beyond the niche stage.

The real up-and-comers in the US digital radio field appears to be local radio stations, both because they do not charge their listeners, and because the price of digital radio receivers is beginning to drop rapidly. At the beginning of 2006, a digital radio receiver cost a minimum of $500; now the most expensive are half that. With rebates it is frequently possible to find a digital radio receiver for under $100.

Hybrid digital radio is the result of combining digital power with the regular broadcasting of an AM or FM station. It costs a traditional broadcasting station upwards of $100,000 to make the transition to Hybrid Digital technology, and even then they have to pay royalties to iBiquity, which developed the process. But more than 1300 radio stations have either bought, or plan to buy, the necessary equipment.

by David Faulkner
Keyword : Digital Radio

Digital Camera As A Wonderful Gift For Your Kids

Digital Camera As A Wonderful Gift For Your Kids

Every parent wants to see their kids happy, cheerful and smiling all the time. So, they want to bring their kids happiness in every possible way. When it comes to gifting your child something, there is nothing like offering them an elegant and sleek digital camera. However, buying a digital camera for them could be extremely daunting task as you may not be aware of their personal taste and liking. At the same time, you would want to pleasantly surprise your kid with a gift and hence, would keep it a secret. This article will tell you what to keep in mind while purchasing a digital camera for gifting your child.

The Latest & Most Sought-after:

The digital camera that you are buying for your kid should be the latest trend and the most demandable one. Go for the one which is being heavily advertised and popularly talked about. This will give you child immense happiness and a sense of pride. Besides, it will make your kids really proud of the possession and will make them feel special.

Elegant Design:

Children have a knack of being excited by the looks of their possessions. So, while buying a camera ensure that it must have elegant look to impress your children. It doesn`t really matter to them if the camera has a big screen or whether it is 2 mega pixel. What matters a lot to them is whether the camera has got a smart shape, flashy colors, and funky look. Kids are not pretty amazed by gadgets that look boring or serious. Hence, you have to carry this factor in mind while buying a digital camera for your child.

Compact Size:

Children like their gadgets small, funky and compact. So you need to select a digital camera for your kid that should be small and compact in size. While you choose a camera, weigh it by your hands and see if it would be comfortable for your kid to carry or hang round their shoulder. Don`t go for large and bulky models even if they have attractive features, they will not catch the fancy of your kids.

Fun Features:

The gift to your kids might be meant for taking pictures for school projects, however, they will be using it for taking pictures of their friends and for some really fun activities. Hence, try to choose a digital camera that has maximum fun features. It may be colorful background images, sound effects or wonderful photographic effective. You can truly win the heart of your kids if you offer them a camera that best fits their interests and activities.

Easy Usability:

The digital camera you buy for your children should have easy functionality for them. They should find it easy to use their camera without much problem. For example, the `click ability` factor should be taken into consideration as it could be confusing for some kids. In short, the camera gifted by you should have simple system through which children can easily take pictures quickly and efficiently. However, children these days are much smarter and gadget geeks and they pick up really fast.

Price:

It is really understandable that you don`t want to spend a fortune on buying a digital camera for your children. Luckily, there are lots of choices available in the market and the prices of digital cameras start from as low as 30 USD to 300 USD. Hence, it really depends how much you want to spend for the gift of your kids. However, it is advisable that you should start simple and upgrade it if you notice that your kids grow out of the one you have bought for them.

So, consider these factors into account and buy your kids a digital camera so that they can take their favorite pictures. Who knows, they can be a talented photographer in future!

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author's name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.

by Roberto Sedycias
Keyword : Gift For Your Kids

How Best To Go About Choosing Your Digital Video Camera Zoom Lens

How Best To Go About Choosing Your Digital Video Camera Zoom Lens

Okay, so you finally decided to get that digital video camera you've been saving for. You have enough money to buy a kick-butt video camera. But have you considered the most vital part for the camera? The part that comes into play with every video shot. The digital video camera zoom lens. Without a proper digital video camera zoom lens, your prized video camera isn't all it could be. You would be much better off if you spend equal amounts on the camera and the digital video camera zoom lens. The lens is that important. Your choice of lenses can distinguish between a good camera and an outstanding camera.

Spend More On The Lens

The digital video camera zoom lens determines how well your videos turn out. It, more than anything else on or in the camera affects the end products. Think about it, every shot you take goes through that lens. Really the camera is just a case for the mechanisms inside. You could make a case for reversing the spending, more on the lens and less on the actual camera. Most digital video cameras don't come with the ability to change lenses. This fact makes it more important to purchase the best digital video camera zoom lens possible. Another piece of advice regarding the lens is too not purchase the plastic lenses. The clarity is much better from glass digital video camera zoom lens.

If you do plan on purchasing a video camera where you can change the digital video camera zoom lens then compare the options of each lens to find the one that you want. Experts recommend that you purchase brand names such as Canon, Pentax or Nikon. Be sure to check if the lens will work for your camera. Digital video camera zoom lenses are not created equal and a lens from Nikon may or may not work with a digital video camera made by Canon.

If you are a professional photographer, then you should check out Leica, Carl Zeiss and Leupold. These are specialty lens manufacturers. The quality of the videos will show if you use one of their digital video camera zoom lens. If you are just a beginner then these lenses may not be the best place to start, because of the cost. But if you want extraordinary quality, these digital video camera zoom lenses are the way to go.

Options for digital video camera zoom lenses include normal, wide angle and telephoto. The focal length of the lens has a lot to do with the type of digital video camera zoom lens choice. The quality of the lens is also determined by lens speed, a significant factor in your shoot quality. You should think about focusing distance as well as advanced features such as vibration reduction, USM or ultrasonic motor and filter thread which should be present in any good digital video camera zoom lens. Before you make that digital video camera zoom lens purchase you should research each feature that you want and choose the lens that fulfils those wishes the best. As a rule of thumb, the more expensive lenses are usually the better choice since more of the elements in the lens with be glass, although this does increase the camera weight. In the end if you do the research and take into consideration your shooting needs and budget, you will make the right choice

by Ken Glauser
Keyword : Digital Video Camera

Cisco CCENT / CCNA Certification Exam Tutorial: Logging Synchronous And Exec-Timeout Commands

Cisco CCENT / CCNA Certification Exam Tutorial: Logging Synchronous And Exec-Timeout Commands

Throughout my CCENT and CCNA exam tutorials, you'll notice these two curious commands on the console port:

line con 0

exec-timeout 0 0

logging synchronous

I've been recommending these commands for years to CCNA and CCNP candidates putting their own home labs together, but they can come in handy on the job as well. Let's take these commands one at a time, starting with the logging synchronous command.

When the router wants you to know something, it wants you to know right now. If the router sends a message to the console while you're entering a config, by default the router will interrupt your work to show you that message.

In the following example, I opened a Serial interface, which will always result in at least two messages relating to the physical and logical state of the interface. I started typing a sentence immediately after I opened the interface to show you what happens. I've bolded the sentence I was entering.

R1(config)#int s0

R1(config-if)#no shut

R1(config-if)#^Z

R1#so here i am

4d04h: %SYS-5-CONFIG_I: Configured from console by consoletyp

4d04h: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface Serial0, changed state to uping and

4d04h: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface Serial0, changed state to upi've been interrupted quite badly!

4d04h: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface Serial0, changed state to down

This may seen trivial, but when you have a long command entry interrupted by a console message, you'll wonder how to prevent that from happening. (After you stop yelling at the router, that is.) By configuring the logging synchronous command on the console port, you're telling the router to hold such messages until it detects no input from the keyboard and no other output from the router, such as a show command's output.

R1(config)#line console 0

R1(config-line)#logging ?

synchronous Synchronized message output

The second command I always enter on the console port of a home lab router or switch is exec-timeout 0 0. This disables the default inactivity timeout of 5 minutes and 0 seconds. If you want to change that timer rather than disabling it, the first number represents the number of minutes in the inactivity timer and the second number is the number of seconds.

R1(config)#line con 0

R1(config-line)#exec-timeout ?

<0-35791> Timeout in minutes

R1(config-line)#exec-timeout 0 ?

<0-2147483> Timeout in seconds



R1(config-line)#exec-timeout 0 0 (disables the inactivity timer)


This command can also be configured on the VTY lines to set or disable the inactivity timer for Telnet and SSH users. Here, we'll set the VTY line inactivity timer to 10 minutes.

R1(config)#line vty 0 4

R1(config-line)#exec-timeout ?

<0-35791> Timeout in minutes

R1(config-line)#exec-timeout 0 ?

<0-2147483> Timeout in seconds



R1(config-line)#exec-timeout 10 ?

<0-2147483> Timeout in seconds



R1(config-line)#exec-timeout 10 0

Some network admins hate these commands, and I personally don't like to disable my router's Telnet and SSH inactivity timers. They're great commands for your present or future home lab, and I also recommend you know them for your CCENT and CCNA exams!

by Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933
Keyword : Cisco CCENT / CCNA Certification Exam Tutorial: Logging Synchronous And Exec-Timeout Commands

Laptop Battery Memory

Laptop Battery Memory

When we buy a laptop, it comes to us in a so called "discharged condition." It needs to be charged before usage. To have the maximum capacity, it is advised that the battery is charged at least 2-3 times. The first time you charge the batteries of the laptop, it would indicate that the charge is complete say after 10-15 mins. This, as indicated by several experts is the normal procedure to charge batteries. All you need to do is to remove the batteries and charge them again. You must always remember that the battery should be fully used before it is charged again. If this is not adhered to, then it shortens the life of the battery. The task of discharging the battery is simple. Run the laptop till such time the battery is fully exhausted or till such time you get a message, "Low battery, kindly recharge."

You must however make sure that you use the battery as frequent as possible. Failing to do so, it is wise to store in a dry and cool place. Do not get alarmed to find the battery becoming warm while it is being charged. Remember, a battery which is charge will for sure lose its charge in the long run, if it is not used. Therefore, it is better to charge the battery even after it is stored.

The so called run-time depends on the need for power by the equipment. For example, notebook computers make the use of monitors and the hard drive exhausts the battery, thereby reducing the run time of the battery.

There are several do's and don't which should be adhered to when it comes to battery performance. You should charge or discharge especially for the first three cycles when it is new. You should make sure that the battery and the contact terminals are clean. Be sure that you do not expose the battery to heat and cold. Make sure you use up the battery as the battery may wear of if it is not used for a longer period of time. You can make use of the accessories which come along with the laptop. Recondition the battery after a specific period.

There are however several don't which also should be kept in mind. You must take good care of the battery and not even drop or play around with it. Avoid putting the plug into the wrong socket. Never try and expose the contents of the cell and they may just be harmful. Make sure you do not expose the battery to external problems like water or moisture. Finally throw the used battery away. It cannot be recycled so make sure you know which trash can it needs to be thrown into.

by Frank Vanderlugt
Keyword : Laptop Battery Memory

Clean Registry Regularly For Better Speed

Clean Registry Regularly For Better Speed

Clean registry of your Windows based computer at regular intervals. Cleaning registry regularly will keep the registry trim and up to date.

Before we start discussing the need to clean registry for better understanding of the subject and faster computing, let us take a look at what registry is and what is its importance? Registry is a file in which all the hardware and software configurations are stored for the system to function properly. Registry is a typical feature of Windows operating system. That means you will find a registry in each and every computer that runs a Windows OS. More precisely since the Windows 95 version, Microsoft adopted this technique of storing the system configuration through a registry. Earlier, that is before Windows 95, these details were stored in the INI files that used to be stored throughout the hard disc in a scattered way, making the system inefficient and slow.

With the introduction of registry, all the system settings are stored in a single file that helps the system to access these data as and when required within less time. So, registry in a way makes the system run faster. You must be wondering that if registry is helping the system to function smoothly then, why should you clean registry? Before we answer that, let's take a deeper look at the functioning of registry or to be correct, Windows registry.

As we have already mentioned, registry keeps the configuration of the computer and settings of the systems, it also creates a log for every change that you make to your computer. Whenever you install or uninstall any software, add or remove any hardware device, or make any changes to the settings of the system, a log is generated in the registry. The worst part is that the previous log is never automatically deleted, and you need to clean registry to do that. But then what's wrong with the entries? What if we do not clean Windows registry and let all the entries remain as it is?

It is important to clean registry from time to time as to keep the registry up to date. With so many entries that are cluttered in the Windows registry, the system becomes slower and vulnerable to frequent malfunctioning. With registry clean software you can easily clean the Windows registry of all the outdated and unwanted entries. It will always keep your registry up to date and ensure better and faster computing. So, if you want problem free computing experience, do clean your PC registry regularly.

by Arvind Singh
Keyword : Clean Registry Regularly For Better Speed

Computer Rental Company

Computer Rental Company

Rentfusion is one of the biggest rental services providers of the computer, laptop & plasma rentals services. We offers many types of equipment ranges from desktops, lcd displays, servers, projectors, kiosks, audio visual, printers, office equipment, networking & storage backups on rental basis.

We offers top quality equipment from the major manufacturers such as apple, canon Cisco, Compaq, Dell, IBM, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba and more. Rentfusion is a leader in providing computer and audiovisual rental services to corporate America, delivering professional services from offices in Chicago, Orlando, Las Vegas, New York and New Jersey.

Our equipment arrive on time and we configured to suit to your requirements. We have vast experience in computer rental services & offers complete customized configuration of all computer equipment.

BENEFITS OF RENTING

1) Availability of all the required equipments 2) Uniquely customized to meet your requirements 3) Trained professionals for maintenance & service 4) Low capital investments 5) Zero maintenance costs 6) Less Hassle

Why rent a computer? Outright purchase of computer equipments for short tem projects is expensive. Renting fulfills your requirement at a fraction of the cost.

Training Sessions, Seminars Rental companies set up entire hardware required for computer training program and various other seminars.

Conferences Rental companies handle installation of hardware which is required for conferences to go properly. From sound systems to projectors rental companies take care of all the requirements you required.

Temporary Offices Rental companies setup offices according to the company's specifications. From printers, computers, copiers, to fax machines rentfusion manages all.

Traveling Employees Traveling employees won't have to carry computers or other requirements through airports or other public transportation facilities. A rental company gives executives the edge of having pre-configured the requirements at their final destinations.

Special Projects Special requirements of projects where printers, copiers are extra required. Computer rental companies come in handy to provide to fulfill the business objective.

Experience RentFusion with a rich industry experience has provided wide range of computer related rental services. Major corporate companies have relied on us for their short-term rental requirements for various events like Meetings, Tradeshows, Conventions Seminars, Training and Special Projects.

The state-of-art warehouses are strategically located nationwide to provide distribution.

Transportation Rent companies have extensive fleet of trucks and in conjunction with other transportation carriers that provides same or next day delivery, locally or anywhere in the United States.

Services Computers for Rent Cheap Computer Rentals Projector Rental AV Rentals NEC Plasma Rentals AV Rental Best Computer Rentals Business Computer Rentals Classroom Computer Rental Computer Lease Convention Center Computer Rentals Convention Rentals Daily Computer Rental Event Computer Rental Exhibitor Booth Rentals Fax Machine Rentals IBM AS400 Rental LED Wall Rentals Meeting Computer Rental Monitor Rentals Office Computer Rentals Office Equipment Rentals PA System Rentals Rent IBM AS400 Rent Powerbook Training Computer Rental Video Wall Rentals Weekly Computer Rentals Windows Computer Rental Wireless Microphone Mic Rentals XP Computer Rental

Most companies are confused whether rent or buy computer equipment. Often, clients purchase equipment thinking it will help the company immensely. This is true for some companies but for the most of them renting is the most beneficial alternative. For any temporary purposes renting is the best option. A renting is lower as oppose to capital purchase.

Corporate events Whether you're launching a training program or hosting conference for special purpose rental companies provides services to meet your corporate technological needs.

by Jenish Shah
Keyword : Computer Rental Company

iPhone Availability Tracker

iPhone Availability Tracker

Apple has launched a small web application that will let customers check up on iPhone availability at its 164 national retail stores. The Apple retail availability tracker allows iPhone seekers to select their state of residence and then will display a list of Apple retail stores with iPhone availability indicators. If there is a green dot next to your local Apple store, then iPhones are in stock. A red dot indicates that iPhone availability is negative. This simple system is a great way to see iPhone availability without trouble. It is an incredibly user-friendly system that can be used by almost anyone.

Unfortunately, however, Apple plans only to update the tracker system on a nightly basis. This, therefore, means that shoppers might want to supplement the information available on the site by placing a call to the local Apple store just before making the trip. This will ensure iPhone availability and save time and hassle.

A separate section of the Apple retail availability tracker website also informs the iPhone shoppers on how to "get the most out of the iPhone," offering lists of free workshops that cover the basics of the iPhone and beyond. In addition, the Cupertino-based company notes that its One to One members will have easy access to private tutorials on everything from how to sync their iPhone with iTunes, to receiving and sending email and surfing the web. Reservations for these One to One tutorials can be made up to 14 days in advance.

The iPhone retail availability tracker is a great tool made by apple. Informing all potential shoppers on where your product is available is a great idea. Shoppers will be more much more willing to buy products if they know that when they go to buy the product, it will be available.

IPhone availability, though, has not been a huge concern. IPhones have been widely available for all buyers. It has not been too difficult for a desiring customer to find a store with iPhone availability. The quantity of phones available has stayed relatively the same since the release of the iPhone. Also, buyers have not been incredibly fast in purchasing iPhones. It seems that many are willing to wait for the price to drop and for the bugs to be worked out. Therefore, Apple doesn't plan on raising the output of iPhones in the very near future. IPhone availability is good, and buyers are happy. Shortages have not been a concern at all.

by Roger Thompson
Keyword : iPhone Availability Tracker

Overview Of Iphone Accessories

Overview Of Iphone Accessories

Since the iphone has proven to be a widely popular item on the consumer electronic and computer market, it is no surprise that there are a number of iphone accessories that have debuted on the market. Now, some may be dismissive of the advent of the accessories seeing many of the accessories as unnecessary (this, by the way, is a thoroughly inaccurate notion, albeit one held by many who have gradually become cynical consumers). However, there are a number of vital accessories that provide great value to extending the life of the iphone. Granted, the owners of the iphone seriously need to consider taking proper care of the iphone and its accessories in order to maintain the functionality of the iphone.

Iphone accessories are not going to be worth much to you or your iphone's functioning if they are not properly maintained. Simply owning iphone accessories does guarantee that they will perform perfectly. Consider the following: if you leave your iphone accessories by an open window and it rains, the accessories are going to be destroyed. And guess what? It is a destruction of expansive items that could have clearly been easily been avoided. Granted, the example provided is somewhat extreme. (On second thought, it may have already happened a few times by now) There is a moral, however, to the example provided: if you are going to invest into a series of critical accessories, they must be properly taken care of or the money investment on not only the accessories, but the iphone as well will be utterly wasted.

Of course, there will be those who feel that iphone accessories may be somewhat out of their budget of affordability. In order to purchase those items that are needed, one needs to clearly and effectively decide on what accessories are of vital importance to purchase. In other words, the consumer may be looking at a collective of accessories and deeming the collective as too expensive as opposed to making a decision based on eliminating those accessories that are not important to purchase. In order to drive at this decision, one should separate those items that are helpful in the iphone's operation such as battery chargers vs. those items that are not entirely necessary such as carrying cases. Additionally, a scanning of consumer electronics review sites may provide insight into what products to purchase and which ones to avoid.

by Roger Thompson
Keyword : Overview Of Iphone Accessories

Computer ceritifications

Computer ceritifications

Computer certifications are a great way for a person who doesn't want to spend the extra time and money to get a college degree but wants to gain education and a resume builder. Certifications show that you know this specific subject well instead of just general knowledge. This may be a good for you if you want to learn more but don't want to go back to spend 4 years in college.

Microsoft the software leader has a hole series of certifications that are in high demand. There is a good chance to get a job with these certifications. Weather it be Microsoft Windows Systems Engineer, Microsoft Windows Networking Professional or Microsoft Windows Professional Engineer. Almost every organization that has a computer will have a Microsoft product so there will be demand for Microsoft support for some time to come.

Other Certifications are Cisco and Oracle certifications. They are the biggest providers of Network and Database solutions. There is a high demand for these postions and are very high paying. With no sign of the internet slowing down these will positions have a good future.

How will you study for your certification exam? Everybody learns different but you can use flash cards and try to memorize what content that the test will have. For most repetition of the material will be the best way to ensure that you can pass the exam. Most exams have books written for the purpose of passing the exam. There are also places that offer practice test. Many you will have to pay for, but they allow you to see how you will stack up against the real test.

Another option it so enroll into CBT or WBT. These are computer or web based training. These are good because all of your training can be done from your computer. They make the class room available to all locations. This also allows for you to work at your own pace. If you don't like the idea of just studying out of a book CBT/WBT traing may be for you.

by Thomas Milas
Keyword : Computer ceritifications

Advanced Registry Cleaner Comes With Many Useful Features

Advanced Registry Cleaner Comes With Many Useful Features

Advance registry cleaner tools have some great built in features. The back up, schedule cleaning and other options make the registry cleaner easy to use. With advance registry cleaner software you can keep your registry clean and up to date to ensure better and faster computing.

Registry is an integral part of the Windows based computer. Windows creates and uses the registry file to store all the vital information about the hardware and software configuration and system settings of the computer. Windows registry is a better and improved way to store the vital information as the system can access them in less time and with better accuracy. In earlier versions of Windows that is before the introduction of registry, which came into being from Windows 95, these data about the hardware and software configuration was stored in the INI files. As these INI files were stored all over the hard disc in a scattered way, it took the system more time to access these data.

So, Windows registry undoubtedly benefited the user by making the system efficient and faster. The main problem with the Windows registry is that, it can not keep itself up to date. As all the changes in the hardware and software are logged in the registry file, it becomes cluttered with entries as you keep using your system. The new registry entries keep adding without the deletion of the previous and outdated entries. This makes the registry file cluttered with unwanted and useless entries, resulting in slower functioning of the system and frequent system failures. An advance registry cleaner can eliminate all these problems by cleaning the registry of all the outdated entries.

The advance registry cleaner software is designed to scan the registry and clean it by removing the outdated entries. The registry cleaners tools these days come with smart features like schedule scanning and back up facility. With these complete registry cleaner tools you can schedule the registry scan to take place at regular intervals according to your convenience. It saves your time as it keeps checking and updating the registry at the back ground when you can do other things.

Another plus point of the advance registry cleaner is that you can back up your registry file at any given time. So, in any case if you find out that your PC is not functioning properly after you have cleaned the registry, you can always restore the back up and get the problem fixed up. So without wasting you more time, download advance registry cleaner software and get rid of all pests in your computer.

by Arvind Singh
Keyword : Advanced Registry Cleaner Comes With Many Useful Features

3D Computer graphics

3D Computer graphics

Powerful computers and computing capability have enabled realism in computer generated imagery. The animated films made today are realistic to a fault. For instance, Shrek 3.0 has been wildly popular because of the life like characters which inhabit the movie.

3D animation basically consists of generating depth in 2D objects by various means. Lighting and shading is a powerful way to provide depth to objects and characters. At first the model of the object is created using a number of polygons. The density of polygons or the number of polygons for a given area defines the smoothness of an object. In applications like 3D video games where real time response is more important than faithful reproduction, the polygon density is obviously less. In applications such as a animated movie, realism of scenes take primary importance. The complexity of the objects requires a high polygon density.

Once the objects have been modeled, they have to be imparted motion or they have to be animated. Finally the animated objects which are essentially 3D in nature have to be converted to 2D. This process is called rendering. More the polygon density, more time it takes to render an object. It is often required to combine video and 3D images. This process is called compositing. Rendering process is one of the most important in generating a 3D image. A small bit of a movie lasting just a few seconds can take days to be rendered. Render farms and piping are phrases associated with 3D animation. Mental Ray is a renderer provided as a part of Softimage and Maya 3D packages. It is also gaining in popularity among other 3D developers. Renderman is a renderer used by Pixar and some large film production companies, for development of feature films.

A number of operations are involved in creating 3D animations. The three most popular software commercially available for 3D modeling , lighting and shading are Maya, 3ds Max and Softimage .Each of the software has its strength and tools to address various requirements of 3D design and development .

Maya was originally developed by Alias which has now merged with Autodesk. The developers of Maya claim its tools have superior capabilities for production of 3D animated movies.

3ds Max is also a Autodesk product, originally from Discreet. Due to its high availability and competitive cost, 3ds Max claims to be the most popular 3D software. It has an excellent game engine and is extensively used for video game development.

Softimage 3D software is a part of Avid. The developers of this software claim mixed pipeline management leading to more efficiency, less time for development and uniquely suited for game development.

3D computer generated imagery has caught the imagination of the public. US based movie moguls are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to create realistic feature films. These in turn are grossing many millions of sales. The 3D computer graphics industry is therefore growing in leaps and bounds. Features like natural hair, skin and human expressions are being refined and polished, to give life like appearance to animated objects.

by Dean Barnard
Keyword : 3D Computer graphics

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is an operating system for computers. Microsoft is the company and Windows group name for the various versions of operating systems that the company offers. An operating system is the platform for the computer. It makes it possible for the various software programs to function.

An operating system can be described like a power source. You have power coming into your home through the electrical supply. The electricity itself cannot bake a cake. In order to perform a task like baking a cake you will need several appliances that use the electricity. You will need a refrigerator to keep the milk, butter and eggs at a safe temperature until you are ready to use them. You will need a mixer to combine all of the ingredients. You will need an oven to provide the heat to bake the mixture. And it would be nice to have a dishwasher to help with cleanup. This is an overly simplified example, but it helps to demonstrate the difference between an operating system like Windows and software like Office.

An operating system can also be viewed in terms of security. Just like in a home or business, steps are taken to protect the people and property inside. Doors are locked. Alarms are set. Security guards are posted in key locations. Monitoring devices are used. For example, if the business is a bank, the cameras, the alarm panic buttons, the security guards really have nothing to do with the core business of banking. But in a society were safety is a concern, they are necessary for employees and customers to be willing to enter the building.

Another comparison from the business world is the role of a director of operations. This person is in charge of all the stuff that must take place in order for the company to do the work it does. This is the person who makes sure the building is safe and well-maintained. This is the person who makes sure the copiers work, the air-conditioning works, the phone system is up-to-date. This is the person who creates an environment where the function of the company can thrive.

Over the years that Microsoft has been in business, they have frequently launched new versions of the Windows operating system. Each version offers new, enhances features to make productivity and security better. The latest Windows operating system is Windows Vista. New computers that feature Microsoft components will be pre-loaded with Vista. For existing computers, IT professionals and individual owners will likely keep the operating system they already have. The systems will be compatible in most cases. When the company or person is ready to buy a new computer, they will make the change over to Windows Vista.

Windows Vista offers improved Internet experience with the ability to browse multiple pages at the same time from a single window. A Quick Tabs feature will allow you to see thumbnail views of webpages before you open them. Users can set controls to regulate when the computer can be used and what access the different users can have. This is a great way to control a computer used by the entire family.

by Frank Vanderlugt
Keyword : Microsoft Windows

What Software development company in India deals with..

What Software development company in India deals with..

The software development company in India, with the help of the various development tools their efficient programmers, make use of these technical tools to design and develop the software's for wider business opportunity of their customers.

Due to the best relevant know-how of the IT and the being cost -effective services provided by the software development companies in India, today we are experiencing the greatest technological advantage of all the times...

Software Development companies in India provide global business solution in the areas of designing and development in a wide range of technologies like .Net, PHP, Multimedia, 3d Animations etc.

The Software Development Company in India integrates their proved technical expertise and thorough knowledge of the software business domain to achieve perfection and clarity in the development of applications software. The software development companies in India deal in the technical niches like web designing, Web hosting, technical content writing, applications and programming. Keeping all the requisites of the fast growing IT world, the software development company adapts a measurable and extensive planning as well as structure, which can hold up 24x7 support services for customers in and across India.

India has sprung up as a striking destination for all foremost outsourcing software developments with a guarantee for the quality in the services provided at very economical rates. The offshore companies can save substantial capital by outsourcing the software development services to India. This will enable them to invest the extra funds on the expansion of their business and advertisement of their products. Today India stands on a respectable position for Offshore Software Development amongst all the other Software Development Companies across the globe.

by Deep Srivastava
Keyword : What Software development company in India deals with..

Movie Social Networking Sites

Movie Social Networking Sites

With the emergence of social networking sites, there has also been a small influx of a niche in this market - movies. Each one has its pros and cons as they relate to the future and where to go in the future. Below is a detailed look at each one.

IMDB.com: The perfect movie information site. It has virtually every director, actor, writer, movie, tv movie, year released known to man. The site is quoted more times than any other movie site. Often, the information found here is considered law. Its social network side of things is a little blah and lacks a lot to be desired. It has a few login features and some list generation, but other than that it is nothing to get excited about - especially something you and your friends would want to get involved with. The overall outlook of the site is incredibly promising. It has everything that is needed for a movie site, and could easily incorporate a few more interactions with the social side of things.

RottenTomatoes.com: A monster movie review site. It has all the critical reviews compiled for each movie. It does a great job of getting people into or out of the theater with an idea of how good the movie will be. It also provides some info for release dates, actors etc. But, for social networking it lacks a little something. It does have some movie list functions and some message boards to keep people interested in coming back signed in. But, there is no substance or nothing really pushing you to interact.

Flixster.com: A newer true social networking site dedicated to movies. Users can do all sorts of stuff as well as recommend movies, rate movies, review them, and talk with friends. The movie information is there as well. But, it doesn't push you to come back to the site. It has some nice features, but most users frequent the site for a short time never to return. It does have a facebook application, but how much it draws users to the site is unknown. Some call this the myspace of movie social networking - this was the first.

YMDB.com (shompy): Old, outdated, and not frequented much. It has one feature - movie lists. Users can fairly easily create a top movie list, explain why they think it is good, then chat with a few friends who may stumble across their list. It has no movie reviews, no true social interaction, and nothing intuitive. It is a one and done site that never really generated revenue. No one knows how it is able to keep a float. It is possible to get some knowledge about non English films.

Spout.com: This little site has a decent amount of movie information and some cool tools. It finally has some type of movie review feature although all it really is is a blog attached to it. The design is nice and the people seem nice as well. It lacks social interaction and a bug free site. I enjoyed looking for movie via an instant movie search, but it was buggy. It had some good movie list functions and a way to look at hot or not films. In the end though it was a confusing site that most will not go back to many times.

FilmCrave.com: A very young but ambitious social networking site. It lacks a strong movie database (though it looks like it is growing), some social interaction, and a solid heart. What it does have is almost everything else. Strong movie reviews, intuitive movie list creation, enough social networking, and potential. It is less than a month old by the looks of it so it is not known where it will go or grow, but everything looks promising.

YahooMovies.com: A very large part of yahoo is yahoo movies. They have movie reviews, movie lists, recommendations, critics, and number ones. They pretty much have it all. It is not focused or very intuitive. It is a site that can be used once in a while or very often. It has great movie data but as far as social interaction it may be too spread out to get users to enjoy the company of others. It looks like it is mostly used for movie reviews.

As you can see, most sites have good and bad points. It is up to you to decide if any or all of them are worth joining. I find it easier to join all of them then come back to the ones that I feel like I need to come back to. Some day, one of these sites will do all of them combined better than anyone else. Currently, it looks like it could be flixster or filmcrave.

by Alex Olson
Keyword : Movie Social Networking Sites

Rewarding Expired Domains

Rewarding Expired Domains

Reap the rewards from other people's hard work. Often a difficult goal, but this is exactly what you can achieve with expired domains.

Broadly speaking, the life cycle of an expired domain has been:

1 - the domain is registered 2 - a website is built on the domain 3 - the domain is promoted 4 - the domain receives visitors 5 - the domain is not re-registered and the domain expires

Once the domain expires, visitors will still arrive at the domain, only to see that there is no website there any longer. These visitors could be visiting your website.

A lot of effort goes into building a website. And as any web site owner will tell you, getting visitors to your site is a long hard struggle. But if you can register a domain that already receives visitors, this gives you valuable a head start.

Finding one of these visited expired domains can be tricky, and then actually registering them before anyone else manages to can be even harder. There are several websites that specialize in grabbing these domains on your behalf, and some list the domains that are about to expire in the next few days. You can go through this list of domains, and find any with names that seem relevant to your chosen topic.

With this shortened list of domains, you can then conduct research into each domain. The most important thing to check is to see how many backlinks they have - ie how many websites link to each domain. On many search engines, using the phrase "link:" (note the colon) before the full domain URL will return the number of links pointing at a given domain. For example, type in something like link:http://www.domain.com (note that in most cases you shouldn't use any spaces). In general, the more backlinks there are, the more visitors the domain will receive.

There are several other checks that can be carried out on a domain, but finding the number of backlinks is generally the most important.

Once you have found a domain you like, you then need to register it the moment it becomes available - before anyone else does. I would strongly recommend using one of the many websites that offer this service - they have the know-how and beating them to the registration could be a hard task. Also, some of these services have exclusive rights to re-register the domain before anyone else so it may not be possible to grab the domain by yourself.

Your next step should be to check out the different services, and see if any of them have exclusivity on your chosen domain. If none of them do, then chose the services you like the look of and get them all to chase the domain on your behalf. Most of these services will only charge you if they manage to get the domain on your behalf.

You may need to go through this process several times before you successfully register an expired domain that matches your criteria. As you can imagine this may take up a lot of your time.

I can recommend using another service in this field - there are several website out there that can carry out the legwork for you. They list the domains that are about to expire, along with the number of backlinks, and search engine rankings. They are well worth taking a look at.

by Dominic Dat
Keyword : Rewarding Expired Domains

Blu-Ray: How HD-DVD And Blu-Ray Differ

Blu-Ray: How HD-DVD And Blu-Ray Differ

DVDs continue to be the prominent medium for home theater entertainment. The technology is being refined and improved upon by a number of manufacturers, making its future slightly uncertain though it is definitely clear that it will continue is one format or another. Many of you have probably been hearing about Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs and their path as the next generation of DVDs. The discrepancies between the two are confusing many home theater buyers, so it's important to know just what each of these new technologies has to offer so that you can make an informed decision on what to purchase and when.

Let's start by discussing just what Blu-ray is. Chances are, if you've stepped into any of the leading home theater and electronics stores in the country, you've seen Blu-ray discs advertised in the DVD section. In truth, Blu-ray discs are somewhat like traditional DVDs, except that they have the ability to record, rewrite, and playback high definition (HD) video that is compatible with the growing number of HD televisions finding their way into home theaters every year. Unlike traditional DVDs, Blu-ray discs can hold nearly five times as much data. On a single layer disc, they can hold 25GB of data, and 50GB can be stored on a dual layer disc. By being able to hold so much more, Blu-ray discs are able to easily store the advanced information necessary to provide content in HD format.

HD-DVD offers the same technology, though it isn't able to hold as much information as Blu-ray. Developed by Toshiba and NEC, it is able to hold three times as much data as traditional DVDs. While this may be less than Blu-ray, the data capacity of HD-DVDs still exceeds the amount needed to watch major blockbusters in high-definition. HD-DVD also came out much sooner and was first quoted to be the successor to the standard DVD format. HD-DVD is completely compatible with HD-DVD players, which in turn are compatible with HD televisions. High definition technology is certainly the wave of the future for home entertainment, and HD-DVD was the first disc technology formatted for it.

Both Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs use a new form of laser that improves on what the standard DVD used. While older, standard DVD models used a red laser to transfer content from disc to player to screen, these two technologies use a blue-violet laser instead. The main benefit with using blue-violet lasers is that they have a shorter wavelength than red lasers. This means that they can be focused with a much higher rate of accuracy.

As you can see the differences between these two formats are very few, In short, Blu-ray is able to hold more information than HD-DVD, but HD-DVD has been around for much longer and still holds an adequate amount for any applications currently in the market. Both formats use blue-violet lasers to better read the information.

The biggest question right now is which format will end up on top. Blu-ray has the added advantage of being backed up by some major players in the movie business. Seven of the eight major Hollywood movie studios have released films in Blu-ray format recently, while five of them are releasing films exclusively on Blu-ray. HD-DVD has the backing of several major consumer electronics manufacturers but does have some ground to make up with the production companies. However, with the added experience of being in production longer and having consumers more familiar with the name, it's very possible for them to pull ahead. The race to be the top home entertainment format will continue on and the consumer will simply need to wait to see which one wins. In the meantime, players are available for both formats and some manufacturers have players that satisfy both formats available.

by Ben Anton
Keyword : Blu-Ray: How HD-DVD And Blu-Ray Differ

Learn How Tape Backup Can Be Good For Your Company

Learn How Tape Backup Can Be Good For Your Company

When it comes to computer, if you're a PC user you probably already know that you must always invest in a backup system no matter how bad it can be. This same truth apply for companies who use a lot of computers every day. Unlike a personal computer a company has to backup their computers collectively which is done with a tape backup system. Investing in tape backup system for a company is definitely worth it because of all the advantages that a tape backup can provide. If you are not too sure about it read this article and you shall be convinced.

The first rule for a company is to be profitable so they don't have time to worry about a computer backups. If the computers in a company were to crash, then they would lose valuable data if they did not create backups. If that should happen, time will be lost trying to recover the data or restart the whole process of whatever the business was doing.

This leads to loss of productivity and of course makes the boss unhappy. If you are the boss yourself you can actually blame your employees but if it was a bad management decision then you got no one to blame. As an employee though you can't blame anyone if there wasn't a tape backup system in place and although it is not your fault her boss will pin it on you or a group of employees.

No matter what the company is as long as there are computers involved using a backup system is very important. As an individual in this kind of system can be very expensive because it is worth thousands of dollars but as a company look at it as an investment that can be covered over a long period of time.

Not only is this an investment bet with a backup system like tape backup you are ensuring her company that no matter how much it grows it will never fall back because of a minor technical detail. If you don't have a place to store such a big machines, you don't have to worry because outsourcing is a possibility.

As a company, it is important to be able to progress without having to worry about computer problems. This is why using a tape backup solution can help you concentrate on your business more than having to concentrate on your backup.

by Louis Zhang
Keyword : Learn How Tape Backup Can Be Good For Your Company

Download Music for PSP The Easy Way

Download Music for PSP The Easy Way

If you have the new PSP by Sony, you already know what a great piece of electronic equipment you have on your hands. Availability for free, game downloads are becoming easier to find and easier to get your hands on. Before you know it, the internet will be bombarded with offers of free game downloads.

You can still get plenty of music downloads right now. All you have to do is search online and you will be provided with a vast array of choices. You have the ability to share with other users in the PSP community all around the world.

You can discover a whole new world of music with free PSP music download. You can discover artists like Eminem, 50Cent or games like Halo 3 or the new Grand Theft Auto game, you not only can download free PSPmusic, you can ahve games and movies even share opinions and thoughts about new artists you think others should hear for themselves.

You will find many sites that are dedicated to bringing you the best and the latest media releases for you to download freePSPmusic. You can find where the best shareware can be found as well as the hottest sites for the most up to the minute reviews on all your favorites from the past as well as the present.

With all the new gadgets that are available, you don't want to lose your PSP in the crowd. This is the best new must-own electronic device since the Gameboy, and you will want to be one of the first to enjoy all the benefits that owning a Sony-PSP can bring.

You can easily find the best deals for the things you want and many of them can be found as a psp music downloads. You need to be careful that you are dealing with legitimate companies, because there are many imposters out there who are out to take advantage of a new product and its users.

You will love discovering the world of free psp music, games, movies and more. Get on the internet and get started downloading today!

by Paul Archer
Download Music for PSP The Easy Way

How To Make A PDF

How To Make A PDF

Do you use PDF files? Who doesn't? But do you know how to make a PDF file?

Most people use PDF files daily, many documents are in PDF format. Some examples of PDF files are instruction manuals for various computer hardware and software, e-books, tutorials, many documents at your job are in PDF format. It is very common place for most computers to have some sort of PDF reader software installed on their computer, most of the time it is Acrobat Reader by Adobe. This is good for actually opening and viewing the PDF files, but it will not create PDF documents for you. Next I will give the many advantages of PDF files and then tell you how to make a PDF.

PDF files are very versatile. Almost any document that can be created can be converted into a PDF file. This includes, but is not limited to Word, Excel, Power Point, most image formats, web pages, and many more. In fact almost anything that is printable in Windows is capable of being made into a PDF file. Did you know that you can print to a PDF file? This comes in very handy when finding a web page that interests you or you need to print a confirmation or sales receipt from an online purchase. This saves you from wasting paper and you can easily store the document on your computer. It is very easy to combine multiple documents into a single PDF file, this provides for better organization of your files and helps organize those projects that may have many different formats into a single file. PDF files are very high quality documents, ever notice the quality of a PDF file? Another advantage of PDF files is that you can make them secure, PDF files provide very good security for those documents that need to be kept safe. This is the reason it is a popular format that is used for many business documents. So now let me tell you how to make a PDF.

by Scott B
Keyword : How To Make A PDF

The Incredible, Inevitable Adware Machine

The Incredible, Inevitable Adware Machine

Everyone's heard of computer viruses. You know, those nasty little programs written by even nastier people, programs that love to tear apart your computer's file structure in search of your credit card numbers. However, there's also a category of programs that, although less harmful than viruses, are arguably just as infuriating. The common name for these programs is Adware.

If browsing the internet is one of your favorite past times, then there's a good chance your computer has picked up a few hitch-hikers on its digital journey. Mine sure has. As a college student, browsing the internet for anything to stave homework off for a few more minutes is a common activity, as is searching the sketchiest of forums for textbook solution manuals. It was these activities that made me aware of the importance of a good firewall. If I had kept mine up to date last year, maybe my new computer wouldn't have been dragged into the dirt by adware.

If your computer is suddenly running at the speed of death, then there's a good chance you've picked up some adware. Worse, it could be spyware (stuff that not only throws pop-ups at you but spies on your every move. For the purpose of this article, it's all adware). The stuff I got--a mix of web tracking programs that were feeding advertisers information about my surfing habits and something that would occasionally redirect my browser to random web pages promoting lawn ornaments--was hogging system resources 24/7. I had been planning to reformat my computer anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. But, if I had prevented the stuff from latching on in the first place, life would have been a whole lot easier.

To keep your computer from turning into the Incredible Adware Machine, you only need to do two things. First, get a good firewall. Use the Windows firewall if you have to, it doesn't matter. Throwing a firewall up is a good way of keeping sneaky viruses, worms, and adware on the outside of your hard drive. Second, don't download anything from shady websites, unless you're feeling overly daring. You'll be lucky enough if you don't get a virus, and, if by some miracle you don't get adware too, you've probably used up your luck for the rest of the month.

For those of you with computers already suffering from adware's infernal grip, there is a solution. Big anti-virus companies like Norton have started to incorporate anti-adware and anti-spyware solutions into their products. Next time you go to get the latest version of your preferred anti-virus program, dig a little deeper and see if it comes with anti-adware capabilities. If not, there's a few software solutions dedicated solely to the eradication of adware, and they should do the trick.

by Christopher Benamati
Keyword : Inevitable Adware Machine

Nuts And Bolts Of Data Recovery

You must be aware of the fact that everyday your computer is at risk to almost all the computer disasters available. Whether you are using Mac or a Personal Computer, viruses, hackers, power surges, natural disasters, human errors, hardware failures and many threats can be encountered. For you to keep your data in a safe, you will need to do a back up on your hard drives. However, when hard drive failure takes place, your only solution is data recovery.

Ideally, you need to back up data to keep your files safe and sound. It is also done to avoid the use of complicated process like data recovery. But if you run into steps to prepare your computer from hard drive problems, you might find it hard and experience problems.

Make Sure That You Know The Meaning of Data Recovery: 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 auto save 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 auto save 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 tamp. 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.

Try to Call an Expert:

If some programs in your computer do not function well, turn your computer system off. This is a very easy task but you need to do it. This can prevent damages on the disks and avoids data loss. If you will notice an unusual sound, the process is already taking place. The moment you notice that your hard drives are working overtime, you need to turn your computer system off to avoid your computer to self-destruct. If you will not do this simple task, you have your computer system damaged.

There is also a do-it-yourself software for data recovery. However, you have to be careful in choosing which one is for you. Most of the self instructed data recovery software are very complicated and are dangerous by nature. This can ruin the function of your computer instead of treating it. If someone boast about the effectiveness of their data recovery self instruction, be able to know how to handle it properly. Read carefully the instruction and do it well.

by David Faulkner
Keyword : Nuts And Bolts Of Data Recovery

Windows Registry Repair Software: freedom to manage your data

Windows registry repair software is needed to clean-up the registry of a PC. Registry is a database that manages all the information for PC and acts as brain for any PC.

A Windows registry is an information tank that stores all information about operating system hardware and all other softwares residing in your PC. Working similar to heart in human body, it pumps out the information to be used as instructions while running any program. With passage of time, it gets cluttered and need a fix. Thanks to windows registry repair software that gets into action to avid the malfunctioning and crashes of PC.

This windows registry repair software scans the information and makes necessary changes analyzing, detailing and removing the useless information. Various functions that are carried to improve stability and performance of system are:

Cleaning windows registry and fixing error (if any).
Prevent crashes, reboots and lock-ups.
Increase your computer stability and ability to perform

Well, a good news is that the windows registry repair software is available for absolute no cost, that is, it has now been the window registry repair freeware. Many websites and companies are providing windows registry repair free downloads. However, the registry repair software may be distinguished at each site.


Well, commonly recommended registry repair softwares may be lined up as:

Tune-up Utility: it is considered to be the most complete software in the market with the benefits of defragging the registry.
Registry Mechanic: a simple utility checker fixing most common of problems seeks to be more focused at its work.
XP Repair Pro: it is advanced registry software that is quiet quick, smooth in its functioning and effective. Its benefit lies in its ability to provide great graphical user interface design.

However, a common benefit with all these software lies in the re-location of deleted information if the user feels uncomfortable. Hence, with this software user can enjoy the freedom to manage the data clutter free.

by Arvind Singh
Keyword : Registry Repair

Costa Rica Real Estate Makes "Cents"!

It never fails. When I meet someone who has read any of the articles that I've written about Costa Rica, the number one question is: "Why are you always raving about Costa Rica real estate? That's usually followed up by: "What does Costa Rica have that other places don't have?" or "It just seems like it wouldn't be a good idea to invest in real estate in a foreign country." The questions surprise me every time...but not because of what you'd think.

I'm never surprised that the questions are asked but rather at the fact that people still feel the need to ask the question. Though I'm a huge proponent of Costa Rica, I'm not the only person who knows about the great real estate opportunities there. I'm certainly not the only one who has made significant profits from investing in Costa Rica land either. Still, when I come across a person with a question or comment like that above, I just tell them the truth. I say, "I do it because right now, in this first decade of the 21st century, there is no better, safer place to invest money." You know what they say next? "Tell me more!" Here's how I explain it to them...

Costa Rica has a lot of undeveloped land. About one quarter of it is protected to maintain the nation's unique biodiversity but much of the land is earmarked for development purposes. Demand for land is strong, and steadily growing, but it doesn't outweigh the supply YET. Therefore, prices for Costa Rica land lots are low. Inevitably, the person I'm speaking with asks, "How low?"

I usually give them an example. For instance, what comes to mind right now is a community in the southern Pacific of Costa Rica that I've heard about. There, an investor can purchase a half-acre to 1.25 acres of golf course or waterfront land for under $80,000. Add a four bedroom, three and half bathroom house to the mix and they could spend less than $200,000 for both. Property in any other similar location--Hawaii, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Mexico, etc.--would cost two to three times that much. Next, I tell them that property taxes one quarter of one percent of the value of the property, and then they're really interested. (For those who aren't math wizards, that's about $250 for every $100,000!) After that, I give them my top financial reason for investing in Costa Rica real estate: The fact that returns of 100% or more in the first two years of ownership are common!

Once people learn about all of the financial perks of investing in Costa Rica real estate, they understand why I rave about Costa Rica and why investing in a foreign country is a good idea. It makes financial sense and millions of cents. The thing is, that conversation leads to a whole new conversation. It usually begins with, "Can you help me ________," but I don't mind. Makes me feel good to help others get on the path to financial freedom and knowing what it feels like to own a piece of paradise.

by David Lovendahl
Keyword : Costa Rica Real Estate Makes "Cents"!