Future e-access to the primary literature

Future e-access to the primary literature
Declan Butler
European correspondent, Nature
d.butler@nature.com
Philip Campbell
Editor-in-Chief, Nature
The topic of this Nature forum — the impact of the Web on the publishing of the results of original research — has, since the emergence of the Internet, filled volumes in the reports of conference proceedings and reams of individual articles. Many of the often arcane and complex socio-economic and technical issues involved are well-trodden paths for a narrow circle of specialists, and excellent in-depth coverage of the issue is regularly provided by specialists outlets such as the D-Lib Forum and the Journal of Electronic Publishing. The main aim of this forum is to bring some of the substance of this Brownian motion of Internet issues to a broader grassroots audience and debate the implications for the future dissemination of scientific information.

Beyond the academic debate, there is constant cross-fertilization. Science feeds the development of online initiatives with bold projects like Internet2 and computer 'Grids' and the commercial Internet provides new challenges and opportunities for scientists with the professionalization of technologies such as peer-to-peer computing. Then there is the plethora of joint initiatives in Extensible Mark-up Language (XML) and other standards and technologies. The list of potential Internet opportunities for science is endless.

The issue is, to say the least, multifactorial. At one level, there is the economics. It is hardly a state secret that some commercial publishers have charged high prices for low-circulation journals, and enjoyed very high profit margins while contributing to the so-called serials crisis. Few if any libraries can afford subscriptions to even a significant fraction of the literature (see Nature 397, 195-200; 1999).

The most recent and prominent manifestation of the debates surrounding this topic is an initiative by researchers — The Public Library of Science. (PLS) who, by threatening a boycott, are trying to force publishers to release archive reports of original research into centralized, (as opposed to dispersed) databases that are freely available and to which there is unrestricted access.

Is this the optimal solution?
The question is an open one. While this is a solution that has superficial appeal and is noble in its aspirations it does, on closer examination, raise many questions. PLS argues that its scheme poses few financial risks for publishers, but this is far from established. What about "responsible publishers" such as the non-profit learned societies, the revenues of whose journals often fund their core activities? Ann Okerson, Associate University Librarian at Yale University, warns that we must be careful not to thoughtlessly abolish a journal system which, for all its failings, works and replace it with a model that, while attractive, is still lacking in terms of detailed economics and how it would provide the quality controls that exist in the established system. The PMC option is also, in practice, dominated by the United States and this in itself raises serious issues.

That these topics are now being addressed in earnest is good news, but anyone who believes that they have a monopoly on the solution should be mistrusted; the socio-economic and other implications of the Web in science do not lend themselves to dogmatic solutions. While pressure for change can only be welcomed, the reality is that all of us involved in scientific information and exchange are in a phase of experimentation, the outcome of which remains uncertain. The challenge is to preserve the best of the current journals system, while seizing the opportunities of alternatives.

If we just look at the economics of scientific publishing, the landscape has completely changed over the past few years. The way in which electronic journals are bundled and sold (as opposed to the way print is distributed), means that powerful consortia of libraries and indeed whole countries can now use their collective weight to negotiate stiff deals with publishers and, in a market economy, this is a healthy development. Could it be that spreading the reduced but inevitable costs of quality electronic publication over a wider market might ultimately be a better solution than free access? This is also perhaps an open question.

The PLS initiative has drawn attention to the reasons for rethinking the traditional model and also promotes the idea of centralized databases. In stark contrast, most of those involved in the Internet business see a future in distributed computing, and consensus standards. Indeed, a valid question for all scientists is how Medline, PubMed and similar public services, for all their much vaunted qualities, measure up to current mainstream content management standards in industry. PubMed Central has now dissented from the central PLS proposal and decided that, while it requires participating publishers to deposit material with PMC for indexing, publishers can choose to allow viewing of full text via links to their own sites.

Change in the models for scholarly publishing is inevitable, and is badly needed. But perhaps functionality and people's needs are more important than the issue of cost. What do scientists consider most lacking in the current system, and what is at the top of their wish lists? In what way could scientific information be better handled so that they can work more easily and efficiently? Do use the forum to let us know.

We believe it is time to explore the many dimensions of these issues and debate them fully. The way we have chosen to do this is to invite leading representatives of the main groups of stakeholders and observers -- including libraries, promoters of free access, non-profit and for-profit publishers, database publishers, digital libraries, online-repositories, economists and people at the forefront of technological advance -- to express their views in 1,000-word articles. While we don't expect to reach any firm conclusions about where scientific publishing on the Internet is heading -- something we can all only guess at -- we do aim, in this comprehensive suite of articles, to examine some of the key factors that may determine the future.

We also strongly encourage readers to contribute their thoughts and opinions and proffer useful facts, and will consider publishing these contributions in the forum. The forum will be moderated by Declan Butler and Tony Delamothe, web editor of the British Medical Journal, which is making its content freely available on the Web on publication, both on its own site and on PubMed Central.

In short, we hope to help identify some of the best opportunities offered by the Internet, and see what the best public and private strategies might be, in economic and other terms, to ensure that science reaps the most benefits.

XML Within the Enterprise

The last four decades of the twentieth century witnessed the birth of the Computer Age. Computers have become an essential tool for nearly every corporate worker. Personal computers are now found in over 50 percent of U.S. households, and with this proliferation has come the explosion of the Internet. The Internet has not only changed the way consumers gather information and make their purchases, but it has also completely changed the way corporations must do business.

Today corporations must be able to respond quickly to market pressures and must be able to analyze large quantities of data to make appropriate decisions. To be of any use to the corporation, this data must be accurate, relevant, and available immediately. As we will see in this tutorial, a Digital Nervous System (DNS) will provide the corporation with a computer and software infrastructure that will provide accurate, relevant data in a timely manner. One of the most important elements of the DNS is the movement of data. In many circumstances, the ideal way to move this data will be in Extensible Markup Language (XML) format.

XML can be used to create text documents that contain data in a structured format. In addition to the data, you can include a detailed set of rules that define the structure of the data. The author of the XML document defines these rules. For example, you could create a set of rules that can be used for validating Microsoft Exchange email documents, Microsoft SQL Server databases, Microsoft Word documents, or any type of data that exists within the corporation.

An industry initiative called BizTalk, which was started by Microsoft and supported by many other organizations such as CommerceOne and Boeing, provides a standard set of rules that are agreed upon by different corporate communities and individual corporations. These rules are stored in a central repository and can be used to build standardized XML messages that can be sent between applications within the corporation and to applications belonging to the corporation's partners. Both large and small corporations can benefit from using these XML messages because it allows them to do business with a wider range of partners.

XML can do a great deal more than just move data. Data can be included in an XML document and then an Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) page can be used with the XML document to present the data in Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 (and hopefully other Web browsers in the near future). Using an XML document and an XSL page allows Web developers to separate data and presentation. tutorial 2 will examine why this technique is essential for corporate Web development.

Another initiative, the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), enables you to use XML to call methods on a remote computer on the Internet, even through a firewall. The SOAP initiative is being developed by Developmentor, Microsoft, and others. For more information on SOAP, visit http://www.develop.com/soap/.
BizTalk, Internet Explorer 5, and SOAP address three of the most important issues facing corporations today:

Creating standardized messages that can be moved inside and outside the corporation (BizTalk)
Separating data and presentation when building Web pages (Internet Explorer 5)
Calling methods through firewalls and between different platforms (SOAP)
The focus of this book will be on the features of XML and how it can be used to address these three issues.

Learn About Furnace Torches, Gas Torches, And Soldering Torches

Metal Casting provides the hobbyist with a great way to create personalized parts and pieces that may otherwise be unattainable or far too expensive. Casting is an ancient art that is still is use to this day by major industries to artists to those with backyard foundries. This skill is a valuable one that promises to provide the hobbyist with a rewarding past time. Most hobbyists begin their casting careers with a modest sized furnace to fit their most basic needs. Within a few months, the hobbyist might find that the furnace has grown and that they are casting at every chance that comes along. Don't worry, this is completely natural.To say that metal casting is addictive is an understatement. Metal casting provides a way for an idea to materialize through molten metal.

This is perhaps one of the greatest parts of the entire metal casting process like seeing what was once just sketches solidify from liquid iron, or whatever metal is used. All the metal caster needs is an idea and red hot liquid metal.The furnace is the pride and joy for the metal caster.

Most will construct their own furnace tweaking the design here and there to better suit their needs. Many home foundries are based on home made furnaces and if constructed correctly can prove to be highly effective. The crucial part of the furnace is the furnace torch. The torch brings the heat, incredibly high heat, and without it that chunk of metal would just sit in the crucible and never see life as something new and exciting. Except as a paper weight; a very ugly paper weight.When searching for an appropriate casting torch the hobbyist will need to take several things into consideration. The size of the furnace, and what metals you plan to use are chief among the considerations. Many casters will use a torch that uses propane gas as it provides enough pressure and heat to melt most metals. If the hobbyist plans to use natural gas like the kind that is provide in households they may find that the pressure is just not enough and the desired temperatures will not be reached. The same is true for Butane. While natural gas and Butane can be used, propane seems to yield the best results. Oxyacetylene torches are a favorite with many casters especially for casting iron.Price is yet another consideration. While it may be possible to rig a casting furnace it is not always advisable. Torches can range in price from $40 to several hundreds of dollars depending upon the size, the use, and accessories.Many jewelers are able to use small independent casting torches but when dealing with metal casting in furnaces you will need to use a torch that can be mounted and used in such a fashion. Many think that just because you need a furnace torch you are going to need a large furnace. This is simply not true.

A small furnace and furnace torch can produce enough heat to melt aluminum, iron, and a number of other metals. One of the furnaces functions is to help the flame reach optimum temperature and in the case of Reverberatory Furnaces, a furnace torch is an absolute requirement.Casting torches can be found in some hobby shops and in hardware stores. Several online shops also sell torches for the hobby metal caster. When buying a torch hobbyist should shop around in order to find the best deal. Always use caution when dealing with a furnace torch.

By : Kent Klein

Keeping Powered Up

It may seem an obvious thing to say but when it comes to a notebook computer the battery is the thing that really makes it work. Many people know this, but they forget that the battery only has a certain life span, and at some point you'll probably need to replace it if you want your notebook to keep working at the performance level that you require. This article will look at some of the considerations you need to bear in mind when you're looking to find a cheap deal for your laptop battery needs.
The first thing that you should remember is that you need to exercise care when you're looking for a battery at the cheap end of the market. One of the first things you need to bear in mind is that the shape and the overall design of the battery needs to fit in with the notebook you have. For instance, a cheap battery pack that you bought for a Toshiba notebook may not fit in with the overall design, and so when you go to buy a battery for this make, or any other make for that matter, it is a good idea to take the laptop along with you to the store and make sure that it definitely fits in the housing provided.
The second thing that you need to make sure is that the size of the battery is not such that it will short circuit the laptop itself. You can do a lot of damage to the internal mechanism of a notebook by choosing the wrong battery size and this is something that should be avoided at all costs.
Another thing that is a major consideration when you buy a laptop battery is that the voltage is absolutely correct for your particular model. There are many different types of computer accessory on the market nowadays, and some of them may be made in places where manufacturing standards are not as high as those in others. Make sure that the voltage is just right, because the wrong type of voltage can really do some damage and you could end up completely ruining your laptop all for the sake of buying the cheap battery.
When you go to buy a battery for your laptop make sure that it is one which is being manufactured by a company that is recommended by the actual makeup of the laptop itself. In this way you will avoid any kind of complications which could end up to be an expensive mistake.

by carl formby

A few tips to find the best computer buy!

A few tips to find the best computer buy!
Computers, computers, everywhere!! How to find a great one without over paying?
1. Research what kind of computer you want. Once you decide which brand or brands and what components you want. You may want to go look at them in a store and see which ones feel right to you. Write down the model # and brand of each computer you would be interested in purchasing.

2. Places like Circuit City offer a price gaurantee, however you will have to deal with rebates.

3. If you enter the exact model and brand into the google search engine it will come up with a list of stores and their prices. Also try Amazon.com, www.overstock.com, www.everyprice.com. These will give you a list of places to buy the same item at different prices.
Remember its more important to make sure you buying the type of computer you want rather then the price of the computer.

by MyLife

How To Use Inkjet Printer Ratings To Choose The Best Inkjet Printer For You

How To Use Inkjet Printer Ratings To Choose The Best Inkjet Printer For You by John Snyder

In the advancement of technology comes the need for information. Thankfully there are numerous websites out there that offer comparisons, reviews, and ratings for the different technology products. In particular you can find inkjet printer reviews from tech magazines and websites which not only offer consumer reviews but also professional experience and hands-on product experimentation. However, with all these reviews and information, where can you find a comprehensive compilation of everything? There is a website called Consumer Search which provides this.

Consumer Search provides a collection of consumer and expert from places all over the web including magazines such as PC Magazine, MacWorld, and Consumer Reports to consumer reviews at CNet, Trusted Reviews, or Amazon. Consumer Search provides complete information on inkjet printer ratings from details about the experts reviewing the products, where to buy the products you're searching for and listings of the top rated products. Consumer Search, if you will, is like a review of the review that products get. So not only can you see what the original experts are saying, but you can see if those experts have merit or are just spewing ad copy in order to get people to buy them. It's similar to getting a second opinion on a doctor's diagnosis.

If you're using individual sites to get inkjet printer ratings, then keep in mind that there is a certain amount of salt that needs to be considered. Sometimes reviewers don't always put in the correct rating when they review. I've seen glowing reports on a product that was only give 1 "star" and horrible reviews which give the product 5 "stars". The real meat of the product information is in the reviewer's description, not so much the actual rating. Plus certain consumers look for things that may not be important to you, and thus the product receives a lower rating. So it's a good idea to make a list of the things that you need when looking for a product. Do you want the printer to be able to do duplex printing? What about the software required for install? What type of operating system do you have? Do you care how much room the printer takes up? Do you plan on printing mostly in color or in black and white? These all will give you a basis of comparison when reading the ratings other people have given a product.

Another thing when considering ratings is that people are notorious for leaving bad ratings for things that aren't about the actual performance of the product. I've seen poor ratings because a box was damaged, the sales person at the store was rude or inattentive, or because the consumer didn't like the logo of the company. People's opinions are just that, and sometimes it isn't relevant to what they're asked about.

What Is Regression Testing Software?

What Is Regression Testing Software? by Terry Edwards

Regression testing software is a software series that is designed to help isolate issues that have arisen with software on the hard drive that was working fine, yet suddenly developed a problem. Essentially, the software works its magic by taking a look at diagnostics and backups from previous periods when the problem was not present, then compares the data to that of a current diagnostic. This simple process can often supply valuable clues about what has changed and created the operational issue.

The beauty of regression testing software is that it can identify problems with a number of different origins. For example, the software may be able to pick up on a local reason for the problem, such as some new virus or bug being introduced to the hard drive and becoming embedded in one or more of the files used to drive a program. In other cases, the regression software may uncover some factor that activated a bug in the software scripting that remained dormant until something caused it to activate.

Even if the origin of the issue is not local, there is a chance that testing software can still help isolate the problem. To illustrate, if one program interfaces and writes to a different database, and in the process creates some sort of a change, that change may in effect break some aspect of the receiving database. Until the change is corrected, the performance of the receiving database will be erratic at best.

Generally, regression testing software can isolate a problem, but does not have the ability to automatically fix the issue. However, knowing what is causing the issue makes it possible to select the right tools that can be used to correct the situation, and restore your hard drive and all the loaded software to the same level of efficiency that was enjoyed before the problem began.

Cool Designs In Consumer Electronics

Cool Designs In Consumer Electronics by James Brown

Most consumers own several electronic devices that have features that perform the same function. This is because consumer electronics are designed to blend in with the needs that consumers have and are marketed solely on one feature and the other features tend to blend into the background. A cellular telephone will include features such as calculator and calendars, but since these consumer electronics are sold individually, there is little talk about duplicated features in any magazines.

Consumer electronics like personal digital assistants are designed to perform tasks that are identical to tasks performed by larger devices but are used more because they are portable and can be enjoyed in many settings where the larger device will seem inconvenient. Many people will own personal computers and use the connectivity devices to download music to the handheld consumer electronics such as MP3 players and PDA's, but they will enjoy the storage space found on the computer and store musical files until they are needed.

A person has the option of installing global positioning devices into the dash of their automobile or using these consumer electronics from portable devices such as PDA's. Some computer software programs will serve the same purpose and a person will find that they can use the internet search engines to find websites that will perform exact distance calculations from one place to another. All of these consumer electronics will perform the same task but consumers are given a choice in which one they want to use and most users will consider the cost of using each method.

Some people use consumer electronics to help with mathematical calculations. A handheld calculator is very useful to a budget conscious shopper, but will prove to be an invaluable tool for someone who is performing intricate equations for algebra. Some users will need consumer electronics while at work because buying materials for a job site will require a building contractor to know the square root measurements of all building surfaces.

Computer software can be used to calculate the cost of every home remodeling project and consumer electronics like flash sticks can be used to store the files safely until they are needed. Computer technicians can use these devices to store many files that are needed for completing compute repairs, and other consumer electronics can be used to verify if electrical connections are energized or not safe to work on.

Other consumer electronics will make tasks simpler and reduce the cost of building projects. Electronic devices such as stud finders allow building contractors to find objects behind drywall that are not visible with the naked eye. A contractor might need consumer electronics such as heaters to make paint dry faster. When the building is finished, the occupant will rely on other electronic devices to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the building.

While the design of consumer electronics is angled toward accomplishing a specific purpose, many devices can be used to accomplish a variety of tasks. Electronics are meant to simplify life and serve as forms of entertainment outside the home. Radios are one of the consumer electronics that can provide safety information if it is tuned to the right channel, or it can help keep drivers awake while driving for hours on a busy highway. Some consumer electronics are capable of putting drivers in contact with fire, police or ambulance companies in the event that an accident occurs on the roadways.

HP Inkjet Printer Review

HP Inkjet Printer Review - Find The Right HP Printer For Your Needs Without All Of The Marketing Hype by John Synder

HP has really become of the leaders in home based technology from their personal computers and laptops to being the folks that brought all-in-one printing into the home. Back when the internet first began gaining popularity and Microsoft Works was still the word processor of choice I owned a Hewlett Packard and swore them off ever since. However, that changes a couple of years ago when I purchased my first all-in-one printer which did photos. I fell in love with the crisp quality of the printing, the ability to use the machine without needing to hook it up to a computer but I hated the bulkiness of the required software, especially on my Macintosh. If I would have taken a minute to look at the hp inkjet printer reviews out there instead of making an impulse buy, I probably would have chosen a different model. We live and learn right?

In earlier days one would have to spend time searching Google and other sites to find reviews for hp printers, but it seems now the major manufacturers have caught on. Upon reviewing HP's website I noticed they provide their own customer review capabilities as well as giving potential buyers the ability to check out other review sites, like Cnet, and showing what rating those sites have given the product. All in all it's a pretty handy feature for the hp inkjet printer reviews to be right there on the manufacturer's page.

However, just in case there are several other sites still accessible with product reviews. Not to insinuate that HP is being Machiavellian but no company wants to display reviews and ratings that paint not so beautiful pictures of their products. So just be sure to check around and don't be suckered into buying an hp printer based solely on the reviews. Also be sure to read the hp inkjet printer reviews thoroughly and decide if the pros or cons the other consumers listed fit your specifications. While a Macintosh user may have problems with the software, like I did when I bought my HP printer, if you use Windows as an operating system then in all likelihood that won't be something that affects you. If a user gives the printer a low rating because it's slow to print black and white, but you want the printer for photos then that review isn't necessarily relevant and their recommendation shouldn't be held as highly in your mind.

While consumer ratings or hp inkjet printer reviews can be helpful to see how the population responded, it's always a good idea to get reviews from experts who have more understanding of what a printer should be capable of and what they're dealing with. Sometimes the population feels like a piece of technology should be able to perform a task much better than we are actually capable of making, or their "forever" is actually a fairly standard time period.

What is the Best Way to Remove Spyware

What is the Best Way to Remove Spyware

Trying to find a file on your computer that is invisible can be a headache in itself. Trying to find this same file that is causing you so many problems is downright aggravating. You could be spending more time enjoying your computer or even more importantly working from your computer than trying to find the culprit that keeps opening explorer every time you open outlook express.

With the time and aggravation that is taking its tole on you it is time to act on this intruder once and for all. First of all, uninstall all programs that are not essential to you. This mean that alarm software you downloaded to wake you up but could never get to work right. And yes, get rid of some of you search bars also. These are breeding grounds for spyware and the likes.

Once you uninstall the unwanted programs from you add/remove console, begin by cleaning your hard drive. Use the native one that comes with windows or download your own. I personally like system mechanic, but that is just preference. Once you know that a lot of the junk files are cleared from your computer, It is time to run an anti-virus program. Any will do that is up to date. Key being up to date. After this is done it is time to attack the menace from within. Your adware, spyware, malware or whatever you want to call that gremlin.

Start by downloading an anti-spyware program. Here is some reviews on a couple of good ones, http://mertod.bezoogle.com/pp/adware/ , Then once you have the right one for you download it and get the latest update. ALWAYS ALWAYS updater your spyware software. Updating gives new definitions and uses the old ones as well. So what might work today might not work tomorrow unless you update.

After you update it is time to run your spyware to find that nasty adware. Exit all of your windows programs first. Get down to the bare desktop. If you have to go to task manager do cnt + alt + del. Close any know programs that are open. The reason you close all the programs is some spyware removers cannot clean a file that has adware on it if it is open. It will not scan it. So be safe and close every thing you can. It is also good to exit from the internet. This keeps the spyware from opening browsers and the likes.

After scanning the drive for spyware I like to rescan. If time permits do so. Also immunize your computer after the scan. This helps the spyware protection software to keep tract of what it found to be suspicious. After you have run the scan, restart your computer and repeat the scan again. Let the spyware remover rescan your computer until all accounts of the adware are gone.

If the problem is so bad that you cannot get rid of the spyware or even worse your computer begins to act strange or be unresponsive it is probably time to take it to a local technician. Hopefully we can take preventative measure before we reach that step in getting some spyware protection and prevention on your machine as soon as possible. Once you are infested with spyware, your computer and your life become a pain when it comes to getting the most out of your computing.

Hopefully you will take the steps to protect and prevent unwanted spyware from taking over your computer and causing you a massive headache in the process. Adware and spyware are major enemies to your computer and should be removed immediately. The more time without a spyware remover on your computer the more time the spyware can hide and eventually ruin your computer from inside. Take the steps to remove these unwanted visitors from your computer.

by Thadius Kramer
keyword : What is the Best Way to Remove Spyware

Spyware - Don't Fight It By Yourself

Spyware - Don't Fight It By Yourself

There are many reasons why spyware could be very annoying if it went onto our computers. Spyware gets on your computer and acts as a spy for marketing and advertising companies. They will go into your private life and find out where you go to surf and what sites you like to visit. As soon as the spyware gets on your computer it will start sending information back to the site it came from. It acts like a parasite as it sits on your computer and works in the background reporting everything you are doing.

Spyware can creep into your computer and record your web browsing history and even scan documents on your hard drive. This is all done quietly in the background without your consent. It can often be used as information for advertisers who will then simply annoy you with ads. This type of spyware though it not directly harmful can clog up your computer�s resources and slow the programs down. Though it does not perform any illegal act it does affect your life and causes and great deal of annoyance.

They are powerful and so can they hack the entire memory of your computer by scanning history and also by scanning the documents present in the hard drive. These works are done behind the curtain and you are not to get alerted for all the spying done by it. Later you will be annoyed with several ads by the advertisers who aimed at collecting information regarding your browsing pattern. They could have an adverse effect on your computer by clogging up the resources and thus slowing down the programs as such. They do not prove to be illegal but it does affect the over all performance of the system.

Spyware is considered to be the perfect way in sending promotions and products to the appropriate people by the advertisers. This would help the advertisers understand about the products you are in search of, so that they can send related product information to your system. You can categorize these promotions to be in the junk items if you are not interested. Some of the Spyware can also change the settings of the computer linked with the homepage. It can automatically change the homepage of the system to the website that you would like to search for. You can also see pop up adds on your system which is stated as another Spyware attack.

Some spyware is even dangerous. Not only will it collect information on your web surfing habits but it can steal passwords or financial details! This is especially dangerous for businesses. They can make attempts to intercept when sending passwords or credit card numbers and steal the information and perform some illegal act.

Spyware are removable and by using the right spyware removing soft ware you can remove most of the spyware programs form your computer. Some of this spyware are however difficult to remove. You can directly down load spyware programs using internet and some of these programs have the capacity not only to remove spyware from your computer but also to prevent spyware from entering from your computer.

Windows Task Manager is not enough for complete protection of your system as Spyware remains to be hidden from them. The Spyware detection software�s can really help you in detecting the Spyware running in your computer. Several anti-virus programs also detect spywares and protect from further Spyware attacks as they come along with antispyware programs.

by Isaiah Henry
Keyword : Spyware - Don't Fight It By Yourself

CNC Control Computer

CNC Control Computer

The Control Computer generally resides in the shop somewhere near the CNC machine it is controlling. Control Computers don't have to be the top of the line, every bell and whistle type of computer. These are the workhorses. Save your money for a good design computer. You will save much more time having a fast computer for your designing.

A control computer doesn't have to be that powerful for a few good reasons. It doesn't have the workload. It takes G-Code and turns it into signals that it transmits to the Machine Controller. Turning G-Code into signals is not that labor intensive for a computer.

I have used multiple types of control computers. Everything from a 486 DOS running "$30 special" to a modern Dell with Windows XP. I have yet to try one with Vista. I will keep you posted. Generally I like to find a good used computer for a couple hundred bucks, wipe the hard drive and only load the control software onto the machine. That way you know what you have.

There is another good reason you don't want to spend a lot of money here. This computer will usually be located in the shop. Dirt will be located in your shop. Using logic here, dirt will be located in your computer. If the computer does go belly up, you aren't out your children's college tuition.

Here is my strategy in a nutshell for Control Computers. The dirtier the job, the less money I spend on the computer. My plasma cutting computers are bought in the $40 range. They eat a lot of dust and dirt. I blow them out frequently. My wood routing computers are in the $100 dollar range. My milling machine computers usually are in the $200 range. Truth be told, they all last a very long time if you keep dirt, dust and plasma smoke out of them.

How is the CNC Control Computer used?

The control computer has the control software loaded on it. You start up the control software then load up the CNC Program you created. When you do this, the G-Code will be visible and ready to go. Once you prep your CNC Machine and zero it out, you can begin your "cycle." A cycle is usually completing one CNC Program, which is a machining sequence. You will also hear the term "Cycle Time" on the professional side of CNC a lot more. The quicker you can get the cycle time, the more parts you can make. And yes, that translates to more money.

Back in the good old days of Home CNC, everything was transferred on a disk. Now I have seen people include their Control Computers on their home computer network and transfer the files needed wirelessly. At a very minimum, get a good jump drive and transfer things back and forth that way.

CNC has become a very popular hobby and more and more people are starting to hop on the band wagon of CNC. Its a fun hobby and easy to do from your very own home with just a little elbow grease and creative mind.

by Ivan Irons
keyword : CNC Control Computer

CNC Process Overview

CNC Process Overview

Quick Explanation of the Process

This is how I view CNC. I break it down into simple steps that I can remember. Now, they all interact, but it is good to keep them in boxes for simplicity sake. I also like to keep them in a logical, progression type order. Here they are: Design, CAD, CAM, Control and Machine.

Today you are going on a journey. You are going to learn about the basics of CNC. I hope you are as excited as I am about this topic.

I have been using CNC equipment in my home shop for six years now. The technology gets better and better every year.

The software gets better every year. At one time large companies could only afford this technology. Now there are hundreds of thousands of these machines working in garages like yours and mine.

There are basically five elements to a CNC Project that you need to know:

Design - thinking and planning what you want to build CAD - translating it into the computer CAM - converting it into machine language Controlling - directing your machine's motion Machining - building the part to specifications

These five elements are really the building blocks to a CNC project. As you see them above, that is generally the order people associate them in. For example, you can't control until you have a design. You can't use your CAM software before your CAD software. One of the main things you need to address is how these elements interact with each other.

Right now this may seem confusing. Over time, it will seem very basic. The more you use these elements with one another, the more their order will become second nature.

Note: The A-axis is the rotational axis. Why is it called that? I don't know. It is also sometimes called the B-axis. I have even heard it called the W-axis. A-axis is the rotational axis around the X-axis. B-axis is the rotational axis around the Y-axis.

Buying a completed CNC Machine

If you purchase a CNC machine outright, it will have a machine controller as part of the package. Everyone does it a bit different though. Some try to make it a black box that only they can fix. Other use commonly used components so you could repair it if need be. You will just have to ask the manufacturer and see what they say. My experience says they usually tell you that it uses common components that you can get anywhere if needed. If something goes wrong, it seems you can only get the part from them. You will have to decide.

Internal Machine Controller Parts

There are many different electrical components that go into a machine controller. I won't pretend that I am an expert on this. Actually, this is one of the components I buy pre-made so I don't have to do it. If you are an electronics junkie you could build your own. I know where my skills are at and it isn't in assembling and understanding electronics.

by Ivan Irons
keyword : CNC Process Overview

How To Go Safe While Buying A Used Laptop

How To Go Safe While Buying A Used Laptop

Most of us must have bought some second hand device in our life. But if, on returning to home, we find out that the product we purchased at second hand rate inot functioning properly, then? Even if we get a warranty card with the product, still it causes unnecessarily headache to us. So, one should always be at safeguard while purchasing a used product and if the purchasing is of used laptop, then being mentally active is a first and the most important task.

In the present scenario, buying a laptop is not a big deal but if they are easily available in the minimized prices, no one wants to miss the opportunity. Companies go for used laptop because they need to satisfy the requirement of several laptops for their employees whereas students go for them because they are affordable to their financial status. But as a customer, you must be concerned about some intense inspection of the used laptop so that you can minimize the chances of its improper functioning in the near future.

One of the most important steps to be taken into account while going for used laptop is to buy it from company showroom only. Because on doing purchasing from showroom, at least you get the avail the return guarantee in case of failure of laptop. Sometimes, you also get some limited period warranty on the used laptops.

Second step that should be included in the inspection before buying a used laptop is the condition of the presentation of data. Do not inspect the monitor when it is displaying something. Turn it off and then check the screen from the sides. This way, you can detect whether there are any scratches on the screen or not. After the complete satisfaction from the turned off screen condition, switch it on and check out the displaying modes. Check it again and again, because it is quite possible that you get the shortfall after second or third attempt.

Now, after inspecting the monitor, check out all the connectors and plugs of the used laptop. Confirm that all the additional parts like mouse, USB, Ethernet and other parts are connected to the laptop at the right place. Make an intensified inspection while checking out the plugs and power connections. Generally, laptops are specifically for satisfying portable purposes. So, it will be wise on the customers part if he checks all entire hardware of the used laptop.

These are some tips for you that help you when you are in market for buying a used laptop. If you are alone unable for the inspection of a used laptop, you can take help either from some known laptop specialist or from internet. There are countless websites that are available to you through internet and could help you in being a safe purchaser if you are buying a used laptop.

by Victor Epand
keyword : How To Go Safe While Buying A Used Laptop

How To Prevent Your Computer From Being Slow

How To Prevent Your Computer From Being Slow

One of the most common complaints that we hear from PC users is the slowness of their PCs. You must have had the same problem with your computer some time or the other. And generally the answer we get to this problem is that perhaps you have stored way too many files and documents on your personal computer, which makes it slow down gradually. This is indeed a valid explanation for a slow computer; however it is not the only reason for a slow computer. Other than this something very vital which you need to look into is the registry of the computer.

The registry or the registry files in the computer keeps stock of everything-information and settings of all the software, operating system software, hardware and every single file and functions running on the computer system. The registry files have to be maintained in proper order; otherwise once any of the files go awry, the computer faces problems in functioning smoothly and might even hang up. The computer requires starting up any particular software by looking into the registry files. In case the registry file is absent or not in its proper shape, the computer is liable to stop running the given software. This in turn slows down the computer generally. The slow computer is unable to do anything with the software. In such a situation there is the possibility of the computer hanging or getting locked up. This is where you need to take care that the registry files are in working order, or fixed properly when the need be.

The basic thing you need to have in order to fix your registry files is registry repair software. You can get the very best standardized registry repair software and use it on your personal computer. The registry repair software is imperative for such a situation; you cannot repair the damaged registry files otherwise. Using the registry repair software helps because it points out the number of files that are corrupted and need to be repaired. Then you can give command to the registry repair software to fix each and every registry file and restore them to their original configuration. The entire process is surprisingly simple, and can be done in only a matter of minutes. And because it is a relatively simple process you can check your registry files from time to time. For instance if you use the registry repair software once a week it is enough to ensure that the registry files are in proper shape.

A slow computer is a very common malaise in computer systems. As mentioned earlier, storing an excessive amount of files and folders may also cause your computer to operate slowly. In such cases we find that the speed of the computer decreases; a file or folder might take more time in opening than it earlier used to or your CD writer might take an unusually long time in writing material to a blank CD. But you should not forget the importance of registry files and how you can keep them in perfect order with the help of the registry files repair software.

by Victor Epand
keyword : How To Prevent Your Computer From Being Slow

Learn To Keep Your Computer Sparkling

Learn To Keep Your Computer Sparkling

Has the snoring granny of your neighborhood broken through your living room without any notice? It is her habit to disturb you in the wee hours of night by echoing a series of unpleasant music. But for your knowledge, the granny is on her trip to somewhere else. So what is sounding so dubious? You may be frightened. Kindly pay a vigil attention to your computer. You may find the alter ego of the snoring granny. The cause of snoring is the dust that has built its permanent hill station in your system. Dust chokes the vents behind your computer and forces it to give you the glimpses of the snoring granny. Do you know the fact that dust not only makes your computer to behave dubiously but also makes the CPU to heat up? Heat is the most potent enemy of your computer which causes component failure. So clean computer regularly and minimize the threats which affects the performance and efficiency of your computer.

Tools required for cleaning computer

You need simple tools to clean computer and you can do the cleaning at home with the help of these tools. The tools required are a screw driver, can of compressed air, cotton swabs, rubbing alcohol, anti static cloths and water. You can find the compressed air can at computer dealers. Never use cotton ball in place of cotton swabs when you clean computer. It may not provide the desired result.

Turn off the computer and disconnect the power supply when you start to clean computer. With the help of the screw driver open the case opposite to your mother board. Do not touch the inside parts of computer frequently. Keep your fingers away from the cards and cords when you clean computer.

Then blow air from the compressed air can around all the components of your computer. The nozzle of the can should be four inches away from the machine. The inside cover should be wiped with a light moistened cotton cloth.

After you clean the inside of the case, start to clean the outside. Dip the cotton swab in rubbing alcohol. Then give a gentle wipe to the outer side with this cotton swab. After the outside is cleaned properly, clean the keyboard. Keyboard has the maximum chance to gather dust as they have the maximum exposure to the outside. Clean the keyboard with the help of the cotton swab. While cleaning make sure the cotton swab is damp not wet. If it will be wet, further problems can occur.

Clean the monitor with the help of the moist paper towel softly. While cleaning, do not spray liquid directly on the screen. Spray the liquid on the cotton cloth and clean the monitor with that cloth.

After cleaning all the equipments, connect the power supply only when they are dry. Perform this cleaning once in every three months to make the life span and performance of your computer satisfactory.

by Victor Epand
keyword : Learn To Keep Your Computer Sparkling

Medical Document Imaging Transforms Medical Practice

Medical Document Imaging Transforms Medical Practice

Medical document imaging can transform medical practice by capturing patient charts in an electronic form. Unlike paper charts, practitioners can access electronic charts with utmost ease, by clicking a mouse (or touching their PDA). Whereas they had to wait for the paper chart earlier, now the chart is available to them instantly.

The patient chart is the key document in healthcare. It communicates the specific information that doctors need. Even if the patient moves to another city the patient chart can be accessible by doctors there over the Internet.

Lab results can also be scanned immediately into an electronic document, and made available within hours to doctors. Even if the results are stored in another hospital, doctors can access it by dialing to the hospital.

This kind of scenario is very different from a paper-based one. Paper charts and lab results have to be physically moved around. Doctors have to make a request for the documents and then wait while it's being located and transported.

Lost charts are a frequent problem when large numbers of paper-based charts have to be managed. Frequent retrievals and transportation could not only increase the risks of loss but also damage the records. Even otherwise, legibility is typically a problem.

E-Prescibing, where a doctor uses a PDA to check drug databases and make an electronic prescription can solve the legibility problem. Medical document imaging solutions often come with e-prescribing solutions also.

How Medical Document Imaging Reduces Costs

Paper-based charts require storage equipment and space. Dedicated staff are needed to attend to the paper-handling, filing, maintenance, and retrieval tasks. The problem is compounded because charts can be misplaced or lost and time might be spent on fruitless search.

Where the chart has to be sent to another location, courier charges are incurred, as against the Internet access possible to electronic records from anywhere.

Even within the same practice, the records can be accessed from any of the networked hospitals, clinics, or even from the homes of practitioners.

In a computer-based system, the paper charts and reports can be shredded once they've been captured by the medical document imaging system.

Other benefits of Medical Document Imaging System

Where doctors have to consult one another, the same patient record can be simultaneously accessed and studied by the doctors involved from their workstations.

Security and confidentiality can be improved if paper records are destroyed once they are done with. Access to the electronic records can be strictly controlled.

Medical document imaging is easy to install. It is easy to use, users can be trained in little time and regular imaging operations can start within a month or so.

Conclusion

Medical document imaging clearly brings out many of the advantages of document imaging systems. Patient charts and lab reports are scanned into the system, which can then be accessed by doctors from their workstations, or transmitted to distant hospitals if needed. Costs are reduced because paper handling and storage requirements are eliminated or minimized. Security and confidentiality are improved through more effective access control.

by Manuel J. Montesino
keyword : Medical Document Imaging Transforms Medical Practice

Free Mp3 Download Provider

Free Mp3 Download Provider

Almost everything is available in the Internet nowadays, articles, news, books, softwares, applications and the most downloaded MP3 song provider. Downloading free MP3 in the internet requires you to install a file-sharing software. One of the infamous MP3 file sharing software is LimeWire. LimeWire is a peer-to-peer file-sharing client for the Java Platform, which uses the Gnutella network to locate and share files. Released under the GNU General Public License, Limewire is free software. It also encourages the user to pay a fee, which will then give the user access to LimeWire Pro.

Here's a quick reference to its features and system requirements:

Written in the Java programming language, LimeWire is able to run on any computer with Java Virtual Machine installed. Installers are provided for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Support for Mac OS 9 and other previous version was dropped with the release of LimeWire 4.0.10. It offers the sharing of its library through Digital Audio Access Protocol. As such, when LimeWire is running, any files shared will be detectable on the local network by DAAP-enabled devices (eg. iTunes).

* Ease of use - just install, run, and search.

* Ability to search by artist, title, genre, or other meta-information.

* Elegant multiple search tabbed interface.

* "Swarm" downloads from multiple hosts help you get files faster.

* iTunes integration for Mac and Windows users.

* Unique "ultrapeer" technology reduces bandwidth requirements for most users.

* Integrated chat.

* Directly connect to a computer.

* Browse host feature--even works through firewalls.

* International versions: Now available in many new languages.

* Automatic local network searches for lightning-fast download.

System Requirements: Must have the Java2TM Runtime Environment, v.1.3.1 (JRE), 64 MB RAM

LimeWire is must-have software of MP3 enthusiast. It provides unlimited downloads and most specially, it is for free. Another way to download free MP3 is the use of µTorrent software. µTorrent is BitTorrent software that allows you to download from torrent files. It is Micro-Sized Yet Feature Filled. Most of the features present in other BitTorrent clients are present in µTorrent, including bandwidth prioritization, scheduling, RSS auto-downloading and Mainline DHT (compatible with BitComet). Additionally, µTorrent supports the Protocol Encryption joint specification (compatible with Azureus 2.4.0.0 and above, BitComet 0.63 and above) and peer exchange. Resource-Friendly, µTorrent was written with efficiency in mind. Unlike many torrent clients, it does not hog valuable system resources - typically using less than 6MB of memory, allowing you to use the computer as if it weren't there at all. Additionally, the program itself is contained within a single executable less than 220 KB in size. µTorrent also has support for localization, and with a language file present, will automatically switch to your system language. If your language isn't available, you can easily add your own, or edit other existing translations to improve them. Actively Developed and Improved, the developer puts in a lot of time working on features and making things user-friendlier.

It can be used to download single mp3 files but it can also be used to download albums or song collection of artists. µTorrent is for free and you can download it at its official website. A detailed guide on how to use µTorrent is also available at their website.

by Marcus Rolland
keyword : Free Mp3 Download Provider

Breaking Away From The Standard Computer Mouse

Breaking Away From The Standard Computer Mouse

The one thing that the 21st century has brought to the computer consumer is choices. The choices and selection of the Computer mouse today can fill an entire catalog. From a Touch pad ergonomic mouse to a Character recognition touch screen panel, it's hard to know which one you will need to buy.

Depending on your line of work, a certain computer mouse style over another will be better than others. For example, a Touch pad keyboard, where the touchpad on the keyboard is the mouse may be very useful in a travel type of setting, eliminating the cord as well as an external object taking up space. If your job demands more of your design skills, something like a Touch screen panel or Finger mouse an Ergonomic mouse pad that allows for comfort as well as control is probably more the type of mouse you are looking for. For more modern applications that pertain to more commercial uses, the touch screen panel has only yet presented itself with a hint of what is to come.

The beauty of touch screen panel technology is the versatility that comes with it. Touch screen panels are everywhere. If you have been living and breathing in the past 10 years, you have seen touch screen panels work their magic. At the grocery store, the bank and even the postage delivery driver who has you sign for the delivered package that it was indeed received.

Mobile phone, digital hand held devices and more are leaning towards touch screen technology. We will soon see and use new touch screen technology that was once an incredible sci-fi movie idea that has come to life.

Instead of reaching for the same computer mouse that everyone has used before, new technologies should have you thinking differently about new uses. There are relatively new Capacitive sensor technology designs that allow for flexible shapes, so that capacitive sensors can be placed in a variety of objects used for several different purposes. This leads to even more designs that can be used for hand held devices and custom computer mouse technologies. When you are ready to buy an upgrade to your dinosaur computer system- pause a moment before you place that new basic computer mouse into your shopping cart. A whole new world of technology tools have been created and custom built for you and your specific job in mind.

by Melissa Peterman
keyword : Breaking Away From The Standard Computer Mouse

What Is The Difference Between A Worm, Virus And Trojan Horse?

What Is The Difference Between A Worm, Virus And Trojan Horse?

Tips and recommendations for protecting your PC...

Most of us don't make a real difference between worm, virus and Trajan Horse or refer to a worm or Trajan Horse as a virus.

All of us know all are malicious programs that can cause very serious damage to PC. Exist differences among the three, and knowing those differences can help you to better protect your computer from their often damaging effects.

A computer virus is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Some viruses cause only mildly annoying effects while others can damage your hardware, software or files. Almost all viruses are attached to an executable file, which means the virus may exist on your computer but it cannot infect your computer unless you run or open the malicious program. A virus cannot be spread without a human action, (such as running an infected program) to keep it going. People continue the spread of a computer virus, mostly unknowingly, by sharing infecting files or sending e-mails with viruses as attachments in the e-mail.

A worm is a program or algorithm that replicates itself. A worm has the capability to travel without any help from a person from PC to PC and have ability to replicate itself on your system, so rather than your computer sending out a single worm, it could send out hundreds or thousands of copies of itself, creating a huge devastating effect.

A Trojan Horse is a destructive program that "working" as a benign application ( (like changing your desktop, adding silly active desktop icons) or can cause serious damage by deleting files and destroying information on your system. Trojans are also known to create a back door on your computer that gives malicious users access to your system, possibly allowing confidential or personal information to be compromised. Trojans do not reproduce by infecting other files nor do they self-replicate.

Added into the mix, we also have what is called a blended threat. Blended threats combine the characteristics of viruses, worms, Trojan Horses, and malicious code with server and Internet vulnerabilities. By using multiple methods and techniques, blended threats can rapidly spread and cause widespread damage. Characteristics of blended threats include: causes harm, propagates by multiple methods, attacks from multiple points, and exploits vulnerabilities. This combination of method and techniques means blended threats can spread quickly and cause widespread damage. Characteristics of blended threats include: causes harm, propagates by multiple methods, attacks from multiple points and exploits vulnerabilities. They are considered to be the worst risk to security since the inception of viruses, as most blended threats require no human intervention to propagate.

Therefore is very important to protect your PC with a good anti-virus software installed on your system with the latest fixes for new viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.

Additionally, you want to make sure your anti-virus program has the ability to scan e-mail and files as they are downloaded from the Internet. This will help prevent malicious programs from even reaching your computer. You should also install a a system that prevents unauthorized use and access to your computer (firewall as well). A good software firewall will protect your computer from outside attempts to control or gain access your computer, and usually provides additional protection against the most common Trojan programs or e-mail worms.

by Anne-Marie Ronsen
keyword : A Worm, Virus And Trojan Horse