As technology trends and business requirements evolve, many organizations are turning to their strategic partners for help in defining business initiatives, selecting viable technologies and quickly and profitability adapting to change. Too many times, however, this effort results in the implementation of off-the-shelf products into your business environment.
At Computer World, we believe that products and services should be combined into intelligent solutions capable of addressing specific business problems. With our consultative approach, you are assured that the solutions we deliver will align directly to your business objectives and needs. Computer World has partnered with the best of breed technology and service providers in enabling solution and services areas that encompasses:
Technology Infrastructure Solutions
Client Infrastructure Solutions
Desktop Computer
Workstations
Notebook Computers
Printing and Imaging Systems
Networking Products
High Performance Scalable Enterprise Solutions
Server Consolidation
Storage Consolidation
Virtualization
Data Network Solutions
LAN/WAN
Wireless
Remote Connectivity
Wan Application Traffic Management Solutions
Microsoft Volume Licensing Solution
Volume Licensing for Small-to-Medium (SMB) and Enterprise Customers
Volume Licensing for Academic Institutions
Back Office and Productivity Solutions
Enterprise Directory
Cluster & Load Balancing
Messaging & Collaboration
Systems & Operations
Storage Solutions
Security Solutions
Database Solutions
Productivity Solutions
Oracle Database and High Availability Solution
Electronic Fax and Business Information Delivery Solutions
Storage Management
Enabling Shared Storage (SAN)
SAN Storage Management
Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Direct Attached Storage (Tape)
Automated Tape Storage Systems
Data Protection System (Back and Recovery)
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Apple bringing iPhoneOS/ARM architecture to new platforms
The Core Platform team within Apple's Core OS organization is looking for a talented and inspired manager to lead a team focused on bring-up of iPhone OS on new platforms. The team is responsible for low level platform architecture, firmware, core drivers and bring-up of new hardware platforms. The team consists of talented engineers with experience in hardware, firmware, IOKit drivers, security and platform architecture.
Which platforms? There are so many. As TiPb points out today, the biggest no-brainer of them all is AppleTV. With the iPhone OS and a Apple's own processors, the AppleTV could be made into something much smaller and cheaper. AppleTV has been whittled down to one 160GB version which hasn't seen much action lately.
But, if it moved to iPhoneOS, it could be sold for free with a small cable TV-like subsidy and be no bigger than an Apple Airport Express. Then, it could be attached to the back of HDTVs like a power supply. With the iPhoneOS, it would instantly have access to 100,000+ apps (though these might not easily translate to the TV platform) and the interface would be familiar to the millions of iPhone/iPod and iPad owners.
But why stop there? Apple currently sells its MacBook Air for well over $1000. With Apple processors and iPhone OS, that price could be brought significantly down. Most people use the MacBook Air for light Office applications, Email, web browsing and ...maybe a little Photoshop here and there. With iPad's Office apps, online editors getting better and new apps on the horizon to fill in these shoes (and for the love of everything decent and holy, 3G), it wouldn't be hard to see the MacBook Air going iPhone OS in two years either.
Two years down the road, other low ends of the Apple Mac line might get eaten up by the Apple processor/iPhone OS. Mac Mini and MacBook, I am looking directly at you. Once there is an iPhone OS running the TV and the MacBook Air segments, it isn't a great leap to expect to see it in low end Macs. The size and cost would make up for any loss of functionality by the iPhoneOS.
Interestingly, Today's New York Times piece, which had Apple spending $1 billion to build the processor (something Apple hope to reap the benefits of many times over), they mentioned that companies were using ARM chips to build servers.
For example, Apple’s coming iPad tablet computer will run on an ARM chip. So, too, will new tiny laptops from Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo. A couple of start-ups have even started to explore the idea of using ARM chips in computer servers.
What better way to revive Apple's lackluster enterprise offering than to make new micro-servers that are insanely low powered and affordable. In fact, they could take their current Time Capsule device (which currently runs on an ARM processor from another company) and beef it up for small business or 'home and family'. Then beef that up for the enterprise.
Why stop at Apple's current product matrix? Perhaps Appel is working on some entirely new products. Wearable devices? Automobile systems. Home Automation. Specialized devices for factories. The list goes on and on.
There are no shortage of short term (next 3 years) uses for Apple's Processor/iPhoneOS architecture. The application in the job listing above may refer to things entirely different to anything I've described
Which platforms? There are so many. As TiPb points out today, the biggest no-brainer of them all is AppleTV. With the iPhone OS and a Apple's own processors, the AppleTV could be made into something much smaller and cheaper. AppleTV has been whittled down to one 160GB version which hasn't seen much action lately.
But, if it moved to iPhoneOS, it could be sold for free with a small cable TV-like subsidy and be no bigger than an Apple Airport Express. Then, it could be attached to the back of HDTVs like a power supply. With the iPhoneOS, it would instantly have access to 100,000+ apps (though these might not easily translate to the TV platform) and the interface would be familiar to the millions of iPhone/iPod and iPad owners.
But why stop there? Apple currently sells its MacBook Air for well over $1000. With Apple processors and iPhone OS, that price could be brought significantly down. Most people use the MacBook Air for light Office applications, Email, web browsing and ...maybe a little Photoshop here and there. With iPad's Office apps, online editors getting better and new apps on the horizon to fill in these shoes (and for the love of everything decent and holy, 3G), it wouldn't be hard to see the MacBook Air going iPhone OS in two years either.
Two years down the road, other low ends of the Apple Mac line might get eaten up by the Apple processor/iPhone OS. Mac Mini and MacBook, I am looking directly at you. Once there is an iPhone OS running the TV and the MacBook Air segments, it isn't a great leap to expect to see it in low end Macs. The size and cost would make up for any loss of functionality by the iPhoneOS.
Interestingly, Today's New York Times piece, which had Apple spending $1 billion to build the processor (something Apple hope to reap the benefits of many times over), they mentioned that companies were using ARM chips to build servers.
For example, Apple’s coming iPad tablet computer will run on an ARM chip. So, too, will new tiny laptops from Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo. A couple of start-ups have even started to explore the idea of using ARM chips in computer servers.
What better way to revive Apple's lackluster enterprise offering than to make new micro-servers that are insanely low powered and affordable. In fact, they could take their current Time Capsule device (which currently runs on an ARM processor from another company) and beef it up for small business or 'home and family'. Then beef that up for the enterprise.
Why stop at Apple's current product matrix? Perhaps Appel is working on some entirely new products. Wearable devices? Automobile systems. Home Automation. Specialized devices for factories. The list goes on and on.
There are no shortage of short term (next 3 years) uses for Apple's Processor/iPhoneOS architecture. The application in the job listing above may refer to things entirely different to anything I've described
Mozilla works on Firefox Home app for the iPhone
Mozilla is working on an iPhone application called Home that will let users access their desktop Firefox browsing history, bookmarks and the tabs from their most recent browser session, the company
Firefox Home relies on Mozilla Sync, a service that synchronizes personal information such as bookmarks and browsing history between two desktop browsers equipped with the Sync add-on. By installing Firefox Home on their iPhone, Sync users can also access their browser data when away from their desktop, according to Mozilla.
The Home application also includes Mozilla's so-called Awesome Bar, which lets users start typing any term and then uses an autocomplete function to find possible matching sites from the browsing history.
Firefox Home will also work on the iPad as is, but it is not optimized for the tablet, Mozilla said.
The application isn't a full browser, using the iPhone's native browser to open Web sites.
Mozilla said it has no plans to develop a full-fledged mobile browser for the iPhone, due to constraints with the iPhone OS environment. Firefox depends on its own rendering engine and JavaScript interpreter, and browsers on the iPhone must use Apple's own JavaScript engine, according to a Mozilla Wiki.
In March, Mozilla also decided to stop development of a version of its Firefox mobile Web browser for phones running Windows Mobile, due to the lack of support for native applications.
A version of Firefox for Android is in early development.
Mozilla plans to submit the Firefox Home to the iPhone App Store in June, but has no way of telling whether Apple will approve the application.
The fastest computer in the world
The fastest computer in the world is much faster than that, and it is sitting right on top of your shoulders! The human brain is an amazing computing device and the fastest processor available right now. Let me give you an example:
Your desktop computer is just starting to get to the point where it can "understand" speech and take dictation, translating spoken words into written words. It can only understand one speaker, and that speaker has to train it for about 20 minutes, and the dictation software will still make a lot of mistakes. So 100 million instructions per second can barely handle dictation.
Your brain, on the other hand, can understand any number of speakers. It needs no training and will make zero mistakes. It may even be able to understand multiple languages! And the speech processing portion of your brain is just one small part of the whole package -- your brain can also process complex visual images, control your entire body, understand conceptual problems and create new ideas. Your brain is made up of about one trillion cells with 100 trillion connections between those cells. We might take a rough estimate and say it is handling 10 quadrillion instructions per second, but it really is hard to say.
In the 2006 TOP500 list, which ranks supercomputers by speed, the top three supercomputers are as follows:
1. IBM's BlueGene/L - 360 teraflops
2. IBM's BGW - 115 teraflops
3. IBM's ASC Purple - 93 teraflops
Another supercomputer called MDGrape-3, built by the Japanese company RIKEN, has a theoretical maximum speed of 1 petaflop (1 guadrillion operations per second), which is three times faster than the BlueGene/L. But MDGrape-3 can't run the official ranking software of the TOP500 list, so BlueGene/L remains at the top of the list at 360 trillion operations per second, which is pretty fast...but it's still not as fast as your brain.
Your desktop computer is just starting to get to the point where it can "understand" speech and take dictation, translating spoken words into written words. It can only understand one speaker, and that speaker has to train it for about 20 minutes, and the dictation software will still make a lot of mistakes. So 100 million instructions per second can barely handle dictation.
Your brain, on the other hand, can understand any number of speakers. It needs no training and will make zero mistakes. It may even be able to understand multiple languages! And the speech processing portion of your brain is just one small part of the whole package -- your brain can also process complex visual images, control your entire body, understand conceptual problems and create new ideas. Your brain is made up of about one trillion cells with 100 trillion connections between those cells. We might take a rough estimate and say it is handling 10 quadrillion instructions per second, but it really is hard to say.
In the 2006 TOP500 list, which ranks supercomputers by speed, the top three supercomputers are as follows:
1. IBM's BlueGene/L - 360 teraflops
2. IBM's BGW - 115 teraflops
3. IBM's ASC Purple - 93 teraflops
Another supercomputer called MDGrape-3, built by the Japanese company RIKEN, has a theoretical maximum speed of 1 petaflop (1 guadrillion operations per second), which is three times faster than the BlueGene/L. But MDGrape-3 can't run the official ranking software of the TOP500 list, so BlueGene/L remains at the top of the list at 360 trillion operations per second, which is pretty fast...but it's still not as fast as your brain.
IPad rivals slated for unveiling at Computex
The Computex Taipei electronics show will celebrate its 30th anniversary when it opens next Tuesday, and will highlight several new tablet computers hoping to compete against Apple's iPad as well as a slew of other electronic gadgets.
Companies also plan to display a number of new gadgets aimed at Internet connectivity and mobility, as well as e-readers, laptops, netbooks, all-in-one desktop computers and 3D (3-dimensional) displays including glasses-free 3D digital signs and photo frames.
People are watching the show closely to see which operating system wins out at Computex. So far, Asustek Computer and Micro-Star International (MSI) have revealed plans to unveil tablets running Microsoft Windows 7 at Computex, despite showing off prototype tablets running Google's Android mobile software earlier this year.
Acer, the world's second largest PC vendor, showed off a prototype tablet with a 7-inch screen running Android at a press conference in Beijing this week, but did not say if it would also be shown at Computex or when it might be launched on global markets.
Computex is an important battleground for companies because products displayed at the exhibition are normally on store shelves by the end of the year, and often shortly after the show ends.
The location of the trade show, Taiwan, is also the center of the computer manufacturing industry, and global technology companies often turn to Taiwanese companies with new technologies they hope to promote to the PC industry.
Roy Chen, worldwide mobile computing ODM manager at chip developer Arm Holdings, predicts numerous Android devices, from smartphones to TV set-top-boxes, will be on display at Computex this year, as well as Google's Cloud-focused Chrome OS. "The hottest story at Computex would be Android tablets from many of the top major manufacturers," he said in a blog posting on Thursday.
Like many chip makers, Arm often gains an inside view of products its chips are being used in due to partnership programs and engineering support.
About a dozen other tablet computers are expected at the show, boasting numerous OSs and chips from companies including Intel, Arm and Via Technologies.
Computex's organizers say 1,715 manufacturers will peddle their wares at Computex this year, with a strong showing from global PC industry giants Microsoft and Intel. Exhibitors will take up 4,861 booths at Taipei's World Trade Center and Nangang Exhibition Hall.
Microsoft expects around 60 global hardware makers to display hundreds of new products using its Windows OSs, including smartphones, tablets, all-in-ones and netbooks, the company said.
Companies also plan to display a number of new gadgets aimed at Internet connectivity and mobility, as well as e-readers, laptops, netbooks, all-in-one desktop computers and 3D (3-dimensional) displays including glasses-free 3D digital signs and photo frames.
People are watching the show closely to see which operating system wins out at Computex. So far, Asustek Computer and Micro-Star International (MSI) have revealed plans to unveil tablets running Microsoft Windows 7 at Computex, despite showing off prototype tablets running Google's Android mobile software earlier this year.
Acer, the world's second largest PC vendor, showed off a prototype tablet with a 7-inch screen running Android at a press conference in Beijing this week, but did not say if it would also be shown at Computex or when it might be launched on global markets.
Computex is an important battleground for companies because products displayed at the exhibition are normally on store shelves by the end of the year, and often shortly after the show ends.
The location of the trade show, Taiwan, is also the center of the computer manufacturing industry, and global technology companies often turn to Taiwanese companies with new technologies they hope to promote to the PC industry.
Roy Chen, worldwide mobile computing ODM manager at chip developer Arm Holdings, predicts numerous Android devices, from smartphones to TV set-top-boxes, will be on display at Computex this year, as well as Google's Cloud-focused Chrome OS. "The hottest story at Computex would be Android tablets from many of the top major manufacturers," he said in a blog posting on Thursday.
Like many chip makers, Arm often gains an inside view of products its chips are being used in due to partnership programs and engineering support.
About a dozen other tablet computers are expected at the show, boasting numerous OSs and chips from companies including Intel, Arm and Via Technologies.
Computex's organizers say 1,715 manufacturers will peddle their wares at Computex this year, with a strong showing from global PC industry giants Microsoft and Intel. Exhibitors will take up 4,861 booths at Taipei's World Trade Center and Nangang Exhibition Hall.
Microsoft expects around 60 global hardware makers to display hundreds of new products using its Windows OSs, including smartphones, tablets, all-in-ones and netbooks, the company said.
AMD makes market gains at Intel's expense
Chip maker Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) grabbed a bigger piece of the global market in the fourth quarter of 2009.
And AMD's advance came at the expense of rival Intel Corp., research company iSuppli Corp. reported today. However, Intel still holds a substantial lead over its rival.
AMD, in the final quarter of 2009, accounted for 12.1% of the global microprocessor market, gaining 1.6% of market share from the same period in 2008, iSuppli noted. AMD also gained 0.28% over its market share during the previous quarter.
The company's gains are notable because they appear to have come at the expense of its biggest rival, Intel.
Intel had 80.6% of the global microprocessor market in the fourth quarter of the year, according to iSuppli, losing 1% compared to the same quarter of 2008. Intel did show a slight gain, up 0.1% from its market share in the third quarter of 2009.
"For the full year of 2009, the market share situation was somewhat more balanced with AMD and Intel picking up two-tenths and three-tenths of a percent of share, respectively, in 2009 compared to 2008," said Matthew Wilkins, a principal analyst at iSuppli, in a written statement. "This is an interesting development because PC average selling prices dropped significantly during the course of 2009, especially for notebooks. So, the fact that AMD and Intel virtually maintained their market share at the annual level shows that neither supplier was overly punished by the dropping [prices]."
It also means that neither Intel nor AMD could capitalize on the situation, he said.
Industry analysts are optimistic that the entire chip market will see an upswing in 2010, possibly putting the economic turbulence of the last several years behind it.
Late in January, analyst firm IDC reported that PC chip shipments in the last quarter of 2009 indicated that the market was on its way back after the recession.
Based on its increased optimism, IDC said it had raised its 2010 forecast for growth in PC processor unit shipments to 15.1% compared to 2009.
Last fall, Gartner Inc. predicted that global semiconductor revenue would rebound in 2010 after sales declines of more than 10% in 2009. Gartner predicted that 2010 worldwide semiconductor revenue would hit $255 billion, up 13% from 2009 and about the same as 2008.
And AMD's advance came at the expense of rival Intel Corp., research company iSuppli Corp. reported today. However, Intel still holds a substantial lead over its rival.
AMD, in the final quarter of 2009, accounted for 12.1% of the global microprocessor market, gaining 1.6% of market share from the same period in 2008, iSuppli noted. AMD also gained 0.28% over its market share during the previous quarter.
The company's gains are notable because they appear to have come at the expense of its biggest rival, Intel.
Intel had 80.6% of the global microprocessor market in the fourth quarter of the year, according to iSuppli, losing 1% compared to the same quarter of 2008. Intel did show a slight gain, up 0.1% from its market share in the third quarter of 2009.
"For the full year of 2009, the market share situation was somewhat more balanced with AMD and Intel picking up two-tenths and three-tenths of a percent of share, respectively, in 2009 compared to 2008," said Matthew Wilkins, a principal analyst at iSuppli, in a written statement. "This is an interesting development because PC average selling prices dropped significantly during the course of 2009, especially for notebooks. So, the fact that AMD and Intel virtually maintained their market share at the annual level shows that neither supplier was overly punished by the dropping [prices]."
It also means that neither Intel nor AMD could capitalize on the situation, he said.
Industry analysts are optimistic that the entire chip market will see an upswing in 2010, possibly putting the economic turbulence of the last several years behind it.
Late in January, analyst firm IDC reported that PC chip shipments in the last quarter of 2009 indicated that the market was on its way back after the recession.
Based on its increased optimism, IDC said it had raised its 2010 forecast for growth in PC processor unit shipments to 15.1% compared to 2009.
Last fall, Gartner Inc. predicted that global semiconductor revenue would rebound in 2010 after sales declines of more than 10% in 2009. Gartner predicted that 2010 worldwide semiconductor revenue would hit $255 billion, up 13% from 2009 and about the same as 2008.
Intel releases new Core chips for overclockers
Intel released new Core i5 and Core i7 desktop processors on Friday that can be overclocked, giving users the flexibility to ramp up the clock speed to boost application performance.
The new chips include the quad-core Core i7-875K processor, which runs at 2.93GHz, and the dual-core Core i5-655K, which runs at 3.2GHz.
Intel is trying to bring flexibility into its chip offerings from which users can benefit, said Dan Snyder, an Intel spokesman. PC makers have been asking for unlocked chips, Snyder said.
The Core i7-875K includes 8MB of cache and can run at speeds of up to 3.6GHz. The chip is made using the older 45-nanometer process and draws 95 watts of power. It is priced at $342.
The Core i5-655K includes 4MB of cache and can run at speeds of up to 3.46GHz. The chip is made using the current 32-nanometer process and draws 73 watts of power. It is priced at $216.
The processors integrate memory controllers and are able to run two threads per core simultaneously, which helps boost application performance. The chips are available worldwide, and companies including Asustek Computer and MSI are offering motherboards for the processors.
The new chips come ahead of the Computex trade show next week in Taipei, where Intel is expected to make new chip announcements.
The new chips include the quad-core Core i7-875K processor, which runs at 2.93GHz, and the dual-core Core i5-655K, which runs at 3.2GHz.
Intel is trying to bring flexibility into its chip offerings from which users can benefit, said Dan Snyder, an Intel spokesman. PC makers have been asking for unlocked chips, Snyder said.
The Core i7-875K includes 8MB of cache and can run at speeds of up to 3.6GHz. The chip is made using the older 45-nanometer process and draws 95 watts of power. It is priced at $342.
The Core i5-655K includes 4MB of cache and can run at speeds of up to 3.46GHz. The chip is made using the current 32-nanometer process and draws 73 watts of power. It is priced at $216.
The processors integrate memory controllers and are able to run two threads per core simultaneously, which helps boost application performance. The chips are available worldwide, and companies including Asustek Computer and MSI are offering motherboards for the processors.
The new chips come ahead of the Computex trade show next week in Taipei, where Intel is expected to make new chip announcements.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Egypt second fastest-growing computer market
Egypt has a 35-percent growth rate and that is the fastest in the world after China with a 38-percent growth," said Rob Eckelmann, Intel's managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, told a news conference here. Egypt also beats other Arab countries in the Gulf and North African that have 20-percent growth, he said.
Eckelmann, a former US deputy assistant secretary of commerce for science and electronics, was speaking to the journalists here on the sidelines of a seminar to introduce local PC assemblers to new products.
"Around 200,000 PCs were sold in Egypt since the beginning of 1998 compared to 160,000 in 1997, and we expect one million to be sold in 2004," Intel's Middle East General Manager Gilbert Lacroix told AFP. "In terms of population (65 million Egyptians) this is very little. But there is a huge potential when we think that 40 percent of the population now is under 15 years of age," he said.
Sixty-five percent of the market is controlled by 800 small, local PC assemblers with the remaining 35 percent of the market held by world computer giants, Lacroix said. "We would like to train these assemblers and make them familiar with the new products available, particularly the quality products," Lacroix said. Eckelmann said this was necessary "to meet the challenges" of 2000 and Europe's switch to the Euro starting January 1, 1999.
Intel's Middle East "road show" of 11 countries is aimed at encouraging small and large companies to learn about the technology trends that will shape business in 1999 and beyond as well as introduce "E-business implementation" -- or the use of the Internet to carry out business transactions. "In Egypt, E-business offers tremendous potential for the tourist industry, providing greater reach and export," Eckelmann said. Tourism, Egypt's main source of foreign currency, brought more than three billion dollars to the country's coffers in 1997.
"E-business will get rid of the middle men and make it easier for end users to get into direct contact," he said. There are currently one billion PCs worldwide connected to the Internet, according to Intel data.
Eckelmann, a former US deputy assistant secretary of commerce for science and electronics, was speaking to the journalists here on the sidelines of a seminar to introduce local PC assemblers to new products.
"Around 200,000 PCs were sold in Egypt since the beginning of 1998 compared to 160,000 in 1997, and we expect one million to be sold in 2004," Intel's Middle East General Manager Gilbert Lacroix told AFP. "In terms of population (65 million Egyptians) this is very little. But there is a huge potential when we think that 40 percent of the population now is under 15 years of age," he said.
Sixty-five percent of the market is controlled by 800 small, local PC assemblers with the remaining 35 percent of the market held by world computer giants, Lacroix said. "We would like to train these assemblers and make them familiar with the new products available, particularly the quality products," Lacroix said. Eckelmann said this was necessary "to meet the challenges" of 2000 and Europe's switch to the Euro starting January 1, 1999.
Intel's Middle East "road show" of 11 countries is aimed at encouraging small and large companies to learn about the technology trends that will shape business in 1999 and beyond as well as introduce "E-business implementation" -- or the use of the Internet to carry out business transactions. "In Egypt, E-business offers tremendous potential for the tourist industry, providing greater reach and export," Eckelmann said. Tourism, Egypt's main source of foreign currency, brought more than three billion dollars to the country's coffers in 1997.
"E-business will get rid of the middle men and make it easier for end users to get into direct contact," he said. There are currently one billion PCs worldwide connected to the Internet, according to Intel data.
Lenovo's ThinkPad W701ds Supplies Massive Performance and Meets Big-Budget Demands
This ISV (independent software vendor)-certified laptop crushes every application it encounters. In tests with professional-level content-creation tools, including 3D Studio Max 2011, Painter 11, and Avid Media Composer, all of the programs ran smoothly. Demanding games can also bring down lesser laptops--but while gamers may not be this laptop's target market, on this machine Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Crysis Warhead, and Supreme Commander 2 all looked great at high resolutions and maximum settings.
The ThinkPad W701ds rocked in PCWorld's quantitative benchmarks, earning a WorldBench 6 score of 123 and an overall mark of 96 out of 100 in our total performance test, among the highest scores yet. An Intel Core i7 X920 running at 2GHz powers this laptop, backed up by 8GB of RAM. The laptop even has an nVidia Quadro FX 3800M graphics card packing 1GB of VRAM. To say this system is loaded would be an understatement--it's a full-on arsenal.
Used Laptops Online in India
Used Laptops Online in India
The most favorable aspect of internet is the buying and selling of used products. There are several websites that provide the facility to sell and buy used products quite easily. Nowadays the popularity of laptops is increasing day by day because of its utility for varied purposes. A brand new laptop is so expensive that it is not possible for everyone to have it .In this case; a used laptop may be a great thing to look into.
It is becoming very trendier for people to buy and sell laptops online. The main advantage of buying used laptops online
is the unlimited selection that will help the consumer to select the used laptops according to his or her budget or requirement. The used laptop will cost much less than a new laptop.
With the help of comparison sites, the buyer can compare two used laptops of different brands and models. The features and description of used laptops is depicted in such an attractive manner on the internet that it becomes easy for the buyer to buy the used laptop.
A person who is interested in selling his or her used laptop online, it is crucial to give a fine description and quality pictures of the used laptop so that maximum response can be obtained by potential buyers. Another benefit of buying and selling used laptops online is that the buyer is provided with great deals and discounts even on used laptops. Buying used laptops from trustworthy and reliable online stores provides the buyer the facility of buying used laptops of reliable quality at reasonable and affordable cost. This method of purchasing is also quite safe.
Used laptops are almost equivalent to the new ones. With a little search, the buyer can get used laptops of latest models and famous brands with advanced features. The buyers are provided with the facility to make right choice in buying used laptops looking to the opinions, suggestions and comments of the users and the previous owners of the used laptop. The reviews can give precious information to an online buyer regarding the eminence of used laptop.
To conclude, one can say that used laptops can provide the buyers with all the advanced features almost half of the cost of new laptop seeing the considerable decrease of the cost of laptops over the past few years. Online purchase or sale is the right way to get a good deal on any used product.
The most favorable aspect of internet is the buying and selling of used products. There are several websites that provide the facility to sell and buy used products quite easily. Nowadays the popularity of laptops is increasing day by day because of its utility for varied purposes. A brand new laptop is so expensive that it is not possible for everyone to have it .In this case; a used laptop may be a great thing to look into.
It is becoming very trendier for people to buy and sell laptops online. The main advantage of buying used laptops online
is the unlimited selection that will help the consumer to select the used laptops according to his or her budget or requirement. The used laptop will cost much less than a new laptop.
With the help of comparison sites, the buyer can compare two used laptops of different brands and models. The features and description of used laptops is depicted in such an attractive manner on the internet that it becomes easy for the buyer to buy the used laptop.
A person who is interested in selling his or her used laptop online, it is crucial to give a fine description and quality pictures of the used laptop so that maximum response can be obtained by potential buyers. Another benefit of buying and selling used laptops online is that the buyer is provided with great deals and discounts even on used laptops. Buying used laptops from trustworthy and reliable online stores provides the buyer the facility of buying used laptops of reliable quality at reasonable and affordable cost. This method of purchasing is also quite safe.
Used laptops are almost equivalent to the new ones. With a little search, the buyer can get used laptops of latest models and famous brands with advanced features. The buyers are provided with the facility to make right choice in buying used laptops looking to the opinions, suggestions and comments of the users and the previous owners of the used laptop. The reviews can give precious information to an online buyer regarding the eminence of used laptop.
To conclude, one can say that used laptops can provide the buyers with all the advanced features almost half of the cost of new laptop seeing the considerable decrease of the cost of laptops over the past few years. Online purchase or sale is the right way to get a good deal on any used product.
How do I Extend My Laptop Battery Life?
How do I Extend My Laptop Battery Life?
Of primary importance is to know the type of battery you have. For example, lithium ion batteries work differently than NiCD or NiMH batteries. The latter two should be fully discharged to avoid a memory effect, which will work to deplete laptop battery life. The lithium ion battery should never be fully discharged.
Whenever possible, avoid needless recharge cycles. Any rechargeable battery has only so many of these. Discharging a battery for a few minutes, then plugging it in could prematurely cause laptop battery life to decrease dramatically. Rather, if you do not need the battery and it is charged or even if it is not charged, take it out and run off the cord.
Most laptop computers have power saving settings. Use them. Nearly every computer expert will tell you this, for a good reason. It simply may be the best way to extend laptop battery life. Dimming the screen, hibernation, not running the CD/DVD drive any more than absolutely necessary when on the battery all will help.
Use the battery at least once every couple of weeks. While this may seem counterintuitive given the instruction to avoid needless recharge cycles, it is not. This is because in order to get the most laptop battery life possible, you must use it. Rechargeable batteries need to be worked or they will lose their effectiveness. This does not mean recharging the battery after every 15-minute use, but rather using the battery for substantially longer periods of time.
For those who rely heavily on their battery, consider a long-life laptop battery. This will help extend times needed between charges, cutting down on the number of recharging cycles needed. While this may seem like an expensive option, it also provides the added benefit, if you already have a standard battery, of having a backup when away from a corded power source.
Watch the use of peripherals, which can substantially drain energy from the battery. If running on battery, use the touchpad instead of the USB mouse. Avoid other such connections as well, as these tend to drain laptop battery life.
Defragment your hard drive regularly. This is a good idea even for desktops
, but it is especially important for laptops. Defragmenting should be done when on corded power as it takes a substantial amount of resources to do. However, a properly defragmented hard drive will help keep your hard drive from working harder than it has to when it is on battery power.
Also, don't run unnecessary programs or devices. This will also cause your battery to drain prematurely. When extending the laptop battery life is a concern, this may be one of the easiest things to do. For example, if there is no WiFi access where you are, having that component turned on is nothing but a waste of resources
Of primary importance is to know the type of battery you have. For example, lithium ion batteries work differently than NiCD or NiMH batteries. The latter two should be fully discharged to avoid a memory effect, which will work to deplete laptop battery life. The lithium ion battery should never be fully discharged.
Whenever possible, avoid needless recharge cycles. Any rechargeable battery has only so many of these. Discharging a battery for a few minutes, then plugging it in could prematurely cause laptop battery life to decrease dramatically. Rather, if you do not need the battery and it is charged or even if it is not charged, take it out and run off the cord.
Most laptop computers have power saving settings. Use them. Nearly every computer expert will tell you this, for a good reason. It simply may be the best way to extend laptop battery life. Dimming the screen, hibernation, not running the CD/DVD drive any more than absolutely necessary when on the battery all will help.
Use the battery at least once every couple of weeks. While this may seem counterintuitive given the instruction to avoid needless recharge cycles, it is not. This is because in order to get the most laptop battery life possible, you must use it. Rechargeable batteries need to be worked or they will lose their effectiveness. This does not mean recharging the battery after every 15-minute use, but rather using the battery for substantially longer periods of time.
For those who rely heavily on their battery, consider a long-life laptop battery. This will help extend times needed between charges, cutting down on the number of recharging cycles needed. While this may seem like an expensive option, it also provides the added benefit, if you already have a standard battery, of having a backup when away from a corded power source.
Watch the use of peripherals, which can substantially drain energy from the battery. If running on battery, use the touchpad instead of the USB mouse. Avoid other such connections as well, as these tend to drain laptop battery life.
Defragment your hard drive regularly. This is a good idea even for desktops
, but it is especially important for laptops. Defragmenting should be done when on corded power as it takes a substantial amount of resources to do. However, a properly defragmented hard drive will help keep your hard drive from working harder than it has to when it is on battery power.
Also, don't run unnecessary programs or devices. This will also cause your battery to drain prematurely. When extending the laptop battery life is a concern, this may be one of the easiest things to do. For example, if there is no WiFi access where you are, having that component turned on is nothing but a waste of resources
Cleaning Your Computer's Keyboard
One very dirty part of your office is your keyboard. Learn how and why you need to clean your computer's keyboard
.
One part of the room that many people forget to clean at home or in the office is your computer's keyboard. Many might not be aware of how dirty the common keyboard actually is. In reality, it's one of the dirtier surfaces in the home or office since it's touched by the hands.
These keyboards need to be cleaned and sanitized because they truly are filthy. Many office sicknesses can be spread through common computer keyboards and other things. People eat near these, sneeze, and other things making the surfaces of the keyboard something that should be cleaned. Also the dust and grime of a keyboard can cause keys to stick and not operate as they should.
If you want to clean your keyboard, you need to unplug it. If you have a laptop, unplug it and take out the battery. Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it gently so that any particles come out. Then get yourself a can of compressed air. Use this around the grooves in the keys to knock out anything that is in there.
Get a keyboard cleaning solution. This is normally an alcohol based cleaner that won't hard your keyboard. Use cotton swabs to apply the cleaner on the keys and in between them as best as possible. You don't want the keyboard to get too moist so don't put too much of the cleaning solution on the cotton swab.
For sickness and germs be sure that you use some hand sanitizer before and after you use the keyboard. This should cut down on the germs that are left on the keyboard.
Keep a can of compressed air next to the keyboard. At least once a week try to get the dust and grime off the keyboard by spraying it with this. This should help keep the keyboard in much better shape in the long run.
.
One part of the room that many people forget to clean at home or in the office is your computer's keyboard. Many might not be aware of how dirty the common keyboard actually is. In reality, it's one of the dirtier surfaces in the home or office since it's touched by the hands.
These keyboards need to be cleaned and sanitized because they truly are filthy. Many office sicknesses can be spread through common computer keyboards and other things. People eat near these, sneeze, and other things making the surfaces of the keyboard something that should be cleaned. Also the dust and grime of a keyboard can cause keys to stick and not operate as they should.
If you want to clean your keyboard, you need to unplug it. If you have a laptop, unplug it and take out the battery. Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it gently so that any particles come out. Then get yourself a can of compressed air. Use this around the grooves in the keys to knock out anything that is in there.
Get a keyboard cleaning solution. This is normally an alcohol based cleaner that won't hard your keyboard. Use cotton swabs to apply the cleaner on the keys and in between them as best as possible. You don't want the keyboard to get too moist so don't put too much of the cleaning solution on the cotton swab.
For sickness and germs be sure that you use some hand sanitizer before and after you use the keyboard. This should cut down on the germs that are left on the keyboard.
Keep a can of compressed air next to the keyboard. At least once a week try to get the dust and grime off the keyboard by spraying it with this. This should help keep the keyboard in much better shape in the long run.
Software
Software
All the elements that go together to make up a PC fall into one of two categories, hardware or software. This section is about software, the stuff that runs on top of the hardware.
Webster defines software as 'something used or associated with and usually contrasted with hardware as the entire set of programs, procedures, and related documentation associated with a system and especially a computer system.'
Nine out of every 10 PCs used in homes worldwide, run some type of Windows operating system.
There are two types software found in every PC:
an Operating System and Application Programs
Operating Systems (OS) provide the basic platform that brings the PC to a point where it can work with application programs and interface with users.
Think of your car running at idle after you start it. Until the engine and basic systems are up and running you can't use it to run any applications like going to the store or work or anywhere else!
Operating Systems can be divided into two groups: Windows and non-Windows
I chose this classification because of the wide spread use of Windows operating systems and not on any particular technical aspects of the many operating systems in use today.
Application Programs are loaded and run on top of the OS. There are application programs to do just about anything you want. From finding any location in the world via a street address, listening to music, watching videos or TV to something very simple like a program to help you learn how to type (what I need). You name it and someone has probably developed an application to do it!
All the elements that go together to make up a PC fall into one of two categories, hardware or software. This section is about software, the stuff that runs on top of the hardware.
Webster defines software as 'something used or associated with and usually contrasted with hardware as the entire set of programs, procedures, and related documentation associated with a system and especially a computer system.'
Nine out of every 10 PCs used in homes worldwide, run some type of Windows operating system.
There are two types software found in every PC:
an Operating System and Application Programs
Operating Systems (OS) provide the basic platform that brings the PC to a point where it can work with application programs and interface with users.
Think of your car running at idle after you start it. Until the engine and basic systems are up and running you can't use it to run any applications like going to the store or work or anywhere else!
Operating Systems can be divided into two groups: Windows and non-Windows
I chose this classification because of the wide spread use of Windows operating systems and not on any particular technical aspects of the many operating systems in use today.
Application Programs are loaded and run on top of the OS. There are application programs to do just about anything you want. From finding any location in the world via a street address, listening to music, watching videos or TV to something very simple like a program to help you learn how to type (what I need). You name it and someone has probably developed an application to do it!
Hardware parts
Hardware
All the elements that go together to make up a PC fall into one of two categories, hardware or software. This section is about hardware, the stuff upon which software runs.
One of the definitions of 'hardware' according to Webster's dictionary is 'major items of equipment or their components used for a particular purpose'.
Everything you can see and touch in your PC is hardware. Complete PCs can be purchased for about $300 today, and the prices keep falling! All the items listed below that make up a PC can be purchased individually at computer or web supply stores.
This following list represents a basic set of hardware found in most PCs.
For more information on these components just click one.
1. PC Case
2. Motherboard
3. Power Supply
4. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
5. Floppy Disk Drive (FDD)
6. Compact Disk Drive (CDD)
7. Digital Video Disk drive (DVD)
8. Monitors (CRT and LCD)
9. Keyboard
10. Mouse
11. Audio
12. Cables & Wires
All the elements that go together to make up a PC fall into one of two categories, hardware or software. This section is about hardware, the stuff upon which software runs.
One of the definitions of 'hardware' according to Webster's dictionary is 'major items of equipment or their components used for a particular purpose'.
Everything you can see and touch in your PC is hardware. Complete PCs can be purchased for about $300 today, and the prices keep falling! All the items listed below that make up a PC can be purchased individually at computer or web supply stores.
This following list represents a basic set of hardware found in most PCs.
For more information on these components just click one.
1. PC Case
2. Motherboard
3. Power Supply
4. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
5. Floppy Disk Drive (FDD)
6. Compact Disk Drive (CDD)
7. Digital Video Disk drive (DVD)
8. Monitors (CRT and LCD)
9. Keyboard
10. Mouse
11. Audio
12. Cables & Wires
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Samsung LD220 - World first USB monitor
Samsung introduced three new LCD screens with UbiSync, is an oasis of multi-display technology, including the SyncMaster 2243QW, LD220 and LD190X. Samsung UbiSync of technology allows users to extend their visual connection to work up to six screens to a computer via a USB cable.
LD220 Samsung and LD190X are 1920 x 1080 resolution and 1366 x 768, respectively. They boh based contract ratio 1000:1, brightness 250cd/m2, response time of 5ms and come with DisplayLink USB and VGA interfaces. In LD190X is eco-2-lamp low energy consumption. 
The price details are yet to be discovered, but certainly LD220 world will not only monitor USB very long, these devices should be more popular than the time because they are very comfortable there.
USB Monitors are not new to us. We have seen a number of them before, including Mitsubishi, D-Link and, of course, Samsung. We believe that many will follow in the footsteps producing monitors over USB.
Gigabyte Dual BIOS cover the full range of motherboard
Gigabyte of Computex recently announced that its own dual BIOS technology will definitely gigabyte motherboard with immediate effect. Dual BIOS provides a backup BIOS, that is automatically repaired or replaced, if the BIOS is needed (if the BIOS is not), without user intervention. The result is a significantly reduced rate RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization - for defective goods to the manufacturer for repair or replacement). Gigabytes first of the year 1999, double-BIOS is traditional for high-end motherboard gigabyte price of the extra BIOS chip.
"The bottom RMA questions relating to BIOS in the past, dual BIOS RMA has drastically reduced prices on our high-end products," said Jackson Hsu, product manager in the bottom gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd. "By expanding Dual BIOS technology for our entry - level and mainstream mainboards, we clearly differentiate our products from the competition and provide our customers with better quality. "
Gigabyte technologies announced that its Dual BIOS technology is applied to each gigabyte motherboard with immediate effect. Communication was the annual meeting of Computex gigabyte of June 3, 2009 at the 84th floor of Taipei 101 skyscraper.
In the BIOS boot firmware is the first personal computers to locate and verify the hardware, operating system must handle s. If the BIOS is somehow damaged, or computer viruses, operating system may not primary and PC, will be useless. Dual BIOS provides a backup BIOS, for auto repair or replacement of the primary BIOS, if necessary - without user intervention!
The result is a reduced rate RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization - for defective goods to the manufacturer for repair or replacement). First gigabyte in 1999, double-BIOS is traditional for high-end motherboard gigabyte price of the extra BIOS chip.
"The bottom RMA questions relating to BIOS in the past, dual BIOS RMA has drastically reduced prices on our high-end products," said Jackson Hsu, bottom Product Manager gigabyte Technology. "With the expansion of dual BIOS technology to us and include entry-level motherboard, we clearly differentiate our products from the competition and provide our customers with better quality."
Hsu added: "The second reason for the high RMA product is faulty capacitors, and we are happy to say that 100% of gigabyte motherboard, which is currently the best quality Japanese solid capacitors. Gigabyte strategy is the introduction of high-end features Our high-end motherboard and expansion of these functions throughout our product range as we dual BIOS and Japanese solid capacitors.
"The bottom RMA questions relating to BIOS in the past, dual BIOS RMA has drastically reduced prices on our high-end products," said Jackson Hsu, product manager in the bottom gigabyte Technology Co. Ltd. "By expanding Dual BIOS technology for our entry - level and mainstream mainboards, we clearly differentiate our products from the competition and provide our customers with better quality. "
Gigabyte technologies announced that its Dual BIOS technology is applied to each gigabyte motherboard with immediate effect. Communication was the annual meeting of Computex gigabyte of June 3, 2009 at the 84th floor of Taipei 101 skyscraper.
In the BIOS boot firmware is the first personal computers to locate and verify the hardware, operating system must handle s. If the BIOS is somehow damaged, or computer viruses, operating system may not primary and PC, will be useless. Dual BIOS provides a backup BIOS, for auto repair or replacement of the primary BIOS, if necessary - without user intervention!
The result is a reduced rate RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization - for defective goods to the manufacturer for repair or replacement). First gigabyte in 1999, double-BIOS is traditional for high-end motherboard gigabyte price of the extra BIOS chip.
"The bottom RMA questions relating to BIOS in the past, dual BIOS RMA has drastically reduced prices on our high-end products," said Jackson Hsu, bottom Product Manager gigabyte Technology. "With the expansion of dual BIOS technology to us and include entry-level motherboard, we clearly differentiate our products from the competition and provide our customers with better quality."
Hsu added: "The second reason for the high RMA product is faulty capacitors, and we are happy to say that 100% of gigabyte motherboard, which is currently the best quality Japanese solid capacitors. Gigabyte strategy is the introduction of high-end features Our high-end motherboard and expansion of these functions throughout our product range as we dual BIOS and Japanese solid capacitors.
World first 128GB USB Drive
First 128 GB USB devices has introduced Kingston. It costs $ 546. The company will launch the 32 GB and 64 GB versions. These costs are $ 120 and $ 213.
Another company also has a 128 GB USB drive and more than $ 100 cheaper than the Kingston brand.
In Kingston USB flash drive is certified for Windows Vista, and they also have Windows ReadyBoost features.
Another company called Edge Tech finish with cheaperDiskGO 128GB USB flash drive for $ 390 (Rs. 18,700 approx.).
Kingston Data Traveler 200 has a Capless design to protect the USB connector when not in use. Drive enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost (a technology that is available in Windows Vista and Windows 7, using any type of portable flash storage as a disk cache to improve system performance), but no password Traveler will function properly if ReadyBoost cache is activated on the device.
"The DT200 is robust storage capacity, consumers can buy complete library of music, photos and videos. It is also an excellent tool for companies operating around the large databases or files," says Andrew Ewing, USB Business Manager, Kingston. "Password protection helps to protect data that does not require administrator rights, which makes DT200 an excellent solution for home or office. "
All three devices measure 0.39 x 12.52 x 22.78 mm, and came up with a Capless design with retractable USB connector. The new series will give the read and write speeds of up to 20MB / s and 10 MB / s.
3 in 1 Mouse Pad
mouse pad with a calculator that actually light style, this approval was not a little more professional-looking mouse button. Grant, a very human, a mouse pad for a while but there was zero need is there, who still prefer to use. If you are around, it has many other uses to make this as easy to justify.
This can only be done at a location to use the mouse, but was not included in 3 port USB Hub. Moreover, this number was including bag. So if you type in words, usually, you can find a bit easier to use. How to use each number only depends bag. 1 Mouse Pad Gadget4all worth $ 29, price really is not bad as a time factor as a device you can buy this 3.
![clip_image002[4]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCG8M3EEJsscqv0u1ccCcgYZOFOTiOyW1KUZRub7VnvosFguV_rAj7CbWzX-x0G2R9-zNsf07-C9PIdkB3RPiTCe5uvDgjYThW1pzwygniC4gxBw-OKm5hbldmJqOAGSd4bbnzxEsK-Ta/s1600-h/clip_image002%5B4%5D%5B9%5D.jpg "clip_image002[4]")
![clip_image002[6]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgD2t3PtmKPIetquioCHg6KsEnL6SX-cJv0-iB31XAuCVBVSOkIEhWPyWf2eSghT3EjlMKZ6xrZrSAe59vmYsOOPuChipNMlE-wb_0qh4eQZmQhS0TiWuRfILvcagfZyO2xSN6hHQCgEb2/s1600-h/clip_image002%5B6%5D%5B5%5D.jpg "clip_image002[6]")
Here are the specifications.
* USB 2.0
* Built-in 3 ports hub
* 17 keys numeric pad
* Useful and convenient for digit input and calculation
* Hard mouse pad with fine finishing
* Size: 325*210*28mm
* Weight: 485g
Chip-on-Flex Filter Connectors
Designed to filter connectors, a new chip-on-Flex (COF) from the Technology ITT, Electronic Components (Santa Ana, CA) to replace the fragile ceramic capacitor array with a flexible circuit of the chip capacitors are surface mounted on a pillow next to the feed through contact. Because feed-through contacts are not welded directly to the condenser, points of tension are greatly reduced or eliminated.
Filter connectors use ceramic planar arrays, typically consisting of a ceramic block plated through holes where feed-through contacts are welded. Ceramic caps were chosen to reduce costs (by using the filters on each contact). But the ceramic material is sensitive to the adverse effects caused by shock, vibration and thermal extremes.
clip_image001
The connector on the left uses a ceramic matrix planar configuration, while the connector on the right shows ITT Chip-on-flex filter connector.
COF established connectors offer all the standard filtering capabilities, including filtering isolated pawn of high-frequency sound, built in the ground-level barriers in the connector inserts, and filtering the face of the system crates . Connectors to a barrier errant signal before and away from electronic devices.
COF ITT approach provides flexibility in determining individual designers or change the capacity of the circuit, ground and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) benefits during the design / development phase to eliminate the need to reorganize ceramic planar array. Also, while the tables are ceramic flat hand welded, welding the connectors is automatically built with this new approach.
COF technology gives users a customizable. For example, EMP protection can be added by the substitution of a Zener diode for a chip capacitor. Cut-in frequency is adjustable from the mitigation performance curves.
Filter connectors use ceramic planar arrays, typically consisting of a ceramic block plated through holes where feed-through contacts are welded. Ceramic caps were chosen to reduce costs (by using the filters on each contact). But the ceramic material is sensitive to the adverse effects caused by shock, vibration and thermal extremes.
clip_image001
The connector on the left uses a ceramic matrix planar configuration, while the connector on the right shows ITT Chip-on-flex filter connector.
COF established connectors offer all the standard filtering capabilities, including filtering isolated pawn of high-frequency sound, built in the ground-level barriers in the connector inserts, and filtering the face of the system crates . Connectors to a barrier errant signal before and away from electronic devices.
COF ITT approach provides flexibility in determining individual designers or change the capacity of the circuit, ground and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) benefits during the design / development phase to eliminate the need to reorganize ceramic planar array. Also, while the tables are ceramic flat hand welded, welding the connectors is automatically built with this new approach.
COF technology gives users a customizable. For example, EMP protection can be added by the substitution of a Zener diode for a chip capacitor. Cut-in frequency is adjustable from the mitigation performance curves.
LACER PC pen
PC-PEN provides a powerful function (in Vista System) for handwriting and drawing. PC-PEN has not only replaced the functions of the mouse, but can also be used to chat, send e-mails, handwritten, drawing pictures on the table and so on - are present, the optical mouse has become the mainstream of the mouse market, but Most optical mice still adopt traditional mouse design. It is not flexible enough when you use it. "Mouse hand" is very popular among computer users because it can easily raise their hands and shoulders test. Shenzhen PC-PEN Co., Ltd, the shortcomings of traditional mouse, keyboard and stylus, as well as other raw materials, tools, aimed at humanising the computer is running a new status and health care users, the company spent a lot of costs for the development of cross time handwriting laser PC-PEN, which created a new world of hand area.
The new Asus Eee PC-in-a keyboard is exactly what it sounds, the whole PC is installed inside
Sunday, March 28, 2010
computer software
What is software?
Software is a collection of instructions that enables a user to interact with the computer or have the computer perform specific tasks for them. Without any type of software the computer would be useless. Below is a listing of different types of software a user may have on his or her computer. For a computer to be functional, most computers will include a software operating system and a collection of different software programs. Below is a listing of different software programs that may be included on a computer.
* Application
* Audio software
* Game
* Operating system
* Program
* Utilities
* Video editing
Software is a collection of instructions that enables a user to interact with the computer or have the computer perform specific tasks for them. Without any type of software the computer would be useless. Below is a listing of different types of software a user may have on his or her computer. For a computer to be functional, most computers will include a software operating system and a collection of different software programs. Below is a listing of different software programs that may be included on a computer.
* Application
* Audio software
* Game
* Operating system
* Program
* Utilities
* Video editing
How software can cause issues
Software is one of the leading causes of computer related issues. Because of the large variety of computer hardware configurations and other software programs that may be on a computer, it is nearly impossible to program software that is flawless.
Because of the various types of software and the high potential of errors or bugs when the software is created, software can be the leading cause of computer issues. These issues are generally resolved by either not running two or more programs at the same time if they are causing issues with one another, or reinstalling the software. If the software has an actual software bug in the program, these bugs are generally resolved by patches or software updates.
The above information is only applicable to some of the software found on today's market. Generally, when any software is released it undergoes an extensive amount of testing or Beta Testing by the company or individuals whom volunteer their services for a chance to look at and test the software.
Computer Graphics
History
The advance in computer graphics was to come from one MIT student, Ivan Sutherland. In 1961 Sutherland created another computer drawing program called Sketchpad. Using a light pen, Sketchpad allowed one to draw simple shapes on the computer screen, save them and even recall them later. The light pen itself had a small photoelectric cell in its tip. This cell emitted an electronic pulse whenever it was placed in front of a computer screen and the screen's electron gun fired directly at it. By simply timing the electronic pulse with the current location of the electron gun, it was easy to pinpoint exactly where the pen was on the screen at any given moment. Once that was determined, the computer could then draw a cursor at that location.
Sutherland seemed to find the perfect solution for many of the graphics problems he faced. Even today, many standards of computer graphics interfaces got their start with this early Sketchpad program. One example of this is in drawing constraints. If one wants to draw a square for example, s/he doesn't have to worry about drawing four lines perfectly to form the edges of the box. One can simply specify that s/he wants to draw a box, and then specify the location and size of the box. The software will then construct a perfect box, with the right dimensions and at the right location. Another example is that Sutherland's software modeled objects - not just a picture of objects. In other words, with a model of a car, one could change the size of the tires without affecting the rest of the car. It could stretch the body of the car without deforming the tires.
These early computer graphics were Vector graphics, composed of thin lines whereas modern day graphics are Raster based using pixels. The difference between vector graphics and raster graphics can be illustrated with a shipwrecked sailor. He creates an SOS sign in the sand by arranging rocks in the shape of the letters "SOS." He also has some brightly colored rope, with which he makes a second "SOS" sign by arranging the rope in the shapes of the letters. The rock SOS sign is similar to raster graphics. Every pixel has to be individually accounted for. The rope SOS sign is equivalent to vector graphics. The computer simply sets the starting point and ending point for the line and perhaps bend it a little between the two end points. The disadvantages to vector files are that they cannot represent continuous tone images and they are limited in the number of colors available. Raster formats on the other hand work well for continuous tone images and can reproduce as many colors as needed.
Also in 1961 another student at MIT, Steve Russell, created the first video game, Spacewar. Written for the DEC PDP-1, Spacewar was an instant success and copies started flowing to other PDP-1 owners and eventually even DEC got a copy. The engineers at DEC used it as a diagnostic program on every new PDP-1 before shipping it. The sales force picked up on this quickly enough and when installing new units, would run the world's first video game for their new customers.
E. E. Zajac, a scientist at Bell Telephone Laboratory (BTL), created a film called "Simulation of a two-giro gravity attitude control system" in 1963. In this computer generated film, Zajac showed how the attitude of a satellite could be altered as it orbits the Earth. He created the animation on an IBM 7090 mainframe computer. Also at BTL, Ken Knowlton, Frank Sindon and Michael Noll started working in the computer graphics field. Sindon created a film called Force, Mass and Motion illustrating Newton's laws of motion in operation. Around the same time, other scientists were creating computer graphics to illustrate their research. At Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Nelson Max created the films, "Flow of a Viscous Fluid" and "Propagation of Shock Waves in a Solid Form." Boeing Aircraft created a film called "Vibration of an Aircraft."
It wasn't long before major corporations started taking an interest in computer graphics. TRW, Lockheed-Georgia, General Electric and Sperry Rand are among the many companies that were getting started in computer graphics by the mid 1960's. IBM was quick to respond to this interest by releasing the IBM 2250 graphics terminal, the first commercially available graphics computer.
Ralph Baer, a supervising engineer at Sanders Associates, came up with a home video game in 1966 that was later licensed to Magnavox and called the Odyssey. While very simplistic, and requiring fairly inexpensive electronic parts, it allowed the player to move points of light around on a screen. It was the first consumer computer graphics product.
Also in 1966, Sutherland at MIT invented the first computer controlled head-mounted display (HMD). Called the Sword of Damocles because of the hardware required for support, it displayed two separate wireframe images, one for each eye. This allowed the viewer to see the computer scene in stereoscopic 3D. After receiving his Ph.D. from MIT, Sutherland became Director of Information Processing at ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency), and later became a professor at Harvard.
Dave Evans was director of engineering at Bendix Corporation's computer division from 1953 to 1962. After which he worked for the next five years as a visiting professor at Berkeley. There he continued his interest in computers and how they interfaced with people. In 1968 the University of Utah recruited Evans to form a computer science program, and computer graphics quickly became his primary interest. This new department would become the world's primary research center for computer graphics.
In 1967 Sutherland was recruited by Evans to join the computer science program at the University of Utah. There he perfected his HMD. Twenty years later, NASA would re-discover his techniques in their virtual reality research. At Utah, Sutherland and Evans were highly sought after consultants by large companies but they were frustrated at the lack of graphics hardware available at the time so they started formulating a plan to start their own company.
A student by the name of Ed Catmull got started at the University of Utah in 1970 and signed up for Sutherland's computer graphics class. Catmull had just come from The Boeing Company and had been working on his degree in physics. Growing up on Disney, Catmull loved animation yet quickly discovered that he didn't have the talent for drawing. Now Catmull (along with many others) saw computers as the natural progression of animation and they wanted to be part of the revolution. The first animation that Catmull saw was his own. He created an animation of his hand opening and closing. It became one of his goals to produce a feature length motion picture using computer graphics. In the same class, Fred Parkes created an animation of his wife's face. Because of Evan's and Sutherland's presence, UU was gaining quite a reputation as the place to be for computer graphics research so Catmull went there to learn 3D animation.
As the UU computer graphics laboratory was attracting people from all over, John Warnock was one of those early pioneers; he would later found Adobe Systems and create a revolution in the publishing world with his PostScript page description language. Tom Stockham led the image processing group at UU which worked closely with the computer graphics lab. Jim Clark was also there; he would later found Silicon Graphics, Inc.
The first major advance in 3D computer graphics was created at UU by these early pioneers, the hidden-surface algorithm. In order to draw a representation of a 3D object on the screen, the computer must determine which surfaces are "behind" the object from the viewer's perspective, and thus should be "hidden" when the computer creates (or renders) the image.
The advance in computer graphics was to come from one MIT student, Ivan Sutherland. In 1961 Sutherland created another computer drawing program called Sketchpad. Using a light pen, Sketchpad allowed one to draw simple shapes on the computer screen, save them and even recall them later. The light pen itself had a small photoelectric cell in its tip. This cell emitted an electronic pulse whenever it was placed in front of a computer screen and the screen's electron gun fired directly at it. By simply timing the electronic pulse with the current location of the electron gun, it was easy to pinpoint exactly where the pen was on the screen at any given moment. Once that was determined, the computer could then draw a cursor at that location.
Sutherland seemed to find the perfect solution for many of the graphics problems he faced. Even today, many standards of computer graphics interfaces got their start with this early Sketchpad program. One example of this is in drawing constraints. If one wants to draw a square for example, s/he doesn't have to worry about drawing four lines perfectly to form the edges of the box. One can simply specify that s/he wants to draw a box, and then specify the location and size of the box. The software will then construct a perfect box, with the right dimensions and at the right location. Another example is that Sutherland's software modeled objects - not just a picture of objects. In other words, with a model of a car, one could change the size of the tires without affecting the rest of the car. It could stretch the body of the car without deforming the tires.
These early computer graphics were Vector graphics, composed of thin lines whereas modern day graphics are Raster based using pixels. The difference between vector graphics and raster graphics can be illustrated with a shipwrecked sailor. He creates an SOS sign in the sand by arranging rocks in the shape of the letters "SOS." He also has some brightly colored rope, with which he makes a second "SOS" sign by arranging the rope in the shapes of the letters. The rock SOS sign is similar to raster graphics. Every pixel has to be individually accounted for. The rope SOS sign is equivalent to vector graphics. The computer simply sets the starting point and ending point for the line and perhaps bend it a little between the two end points. The disadvantages to vector files are that they cannot represent continuous tone images and they are limited in the number of colors available. Raster formats on the other hand work well for continuous tone images and can reproduce as many colors as needed.
Also in 1961 another student at MIT, Steve Russell, created the first video game, Spacewar. Written for the DEC PDP-1, Spacewar was an instant success and copies started flowing to other PDP-1 owners and eventually even DEC got a copy. The engineers at DEC used it as a diagnostic program on every new PDP-1 before shipping it. The sales force picked up on this quickly enough and when installing new units, would run the world's first video game for their new customers.
E. E. Zajac, a scientist at Bell Telephone Laboratory (BTL), created a film called "Simulation of a two-giro gravity attitude control system" in 1963. In this computer generated film, Zajac showed how the attitude of a satellite could be altered as it orbits the Earth. He created the animation on an IBM 7090 mainframe computer. Also at BTL, Ken Knowlton, Frank Sindon and Michael Noll started working in the computer graphics field. Sindon created a film called Force, Mass and Motion illustrating Newton's laws of motion in operation. Around the same time, other scientists were creating computer graphics to illustrate their research. At Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Nelson Max created the films, "Flow of a Viscous Fluid" and "Propagation of Shock Waves in a Solid Form." Boeing Aircraft created a film called "Vibration of an Aircraft."
It wasn't long before major corporations started taking an interest in computer graphics. TRW, Lockheed-Georgia, General Electric and Sperry Rand are among the many companies that were getting started in computer graphics by the mid 1960's. IBM was quick to respond to this interest by releasing the IBM 2250 graphics terminal, the first commercially available graphics computer.
Ralph Baer, a supervising engineer at Sanders Associates, came up with a home video game in 1966 that was later licensed to Magnavox and called the Odyssey. While very simplistic, and requiring fairly inexpensive electronic parts, it allowed the player to move points of light around on a screen. It was the first consumer computer graphics product.
Also in 1966, Sutherland at MIT invented the first computer controlled head-mounted display (HMD). Called the Sword of Damocles because of the hardware required for support, it displayed two separate wireframe images, one for each eye. This allowed the viewer to see the computer scene in stereoscopic 3D. After receiving his Ph.D. from MIT, Sutherland became Director of Information Processing at ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency), and later became a professor at Harvard.
Dave Evans was director of engineering at Bendix Corporation's computer division from 1953 to 1962. After which he worked for the next five years as a visiting professor at Berkeley. There he continued his interest in computers and how they interfaced with people. In 1968 the University of Utah recruited Evans to form a computer science program, and computer graphics quickly became his primary interest. This new department would become the world's primary research center for computer graphics.
In 1967 Sutherland was recruited by Evans to join the computer science program at the University of Utah. There he perfected his HMD. Twenty years later, NASA would re-discover his techniques in their virtual reality research. At Utah, Sutherland and Evans were highly sought after consultants by large companies but they were frustrated at the lack of graphics hardware available at the time so they started formulating a plan to start their own company.
A student by the name of Ed Catmull got started at the University of Utah in 1970 and signed up for Sutherland's computer graphics class. Catmull had just come from The Boeing Company and had been working on his degree in physics. Growing up on Disney, Catmull loved animation yet quickly discovered that he didn't have the talent for drawing. Now Catmull (along with many others) saw computers as the natural progression of animation and they wanted to be part of the revolution. The first animation that Catmull saw was his own. He created an animation of his hand opening and closing. It became one of his goals to produce a feature length motion picture using computer graphics. In the same class, Fred Parkes created an animation of his wife's face. Because of Evan's and Sutherland's presence, UU was gaining quite a reputation as the place to be for computer graphics research so Catmull went there to learn 3D animation.
As the UU computer graphics laboratory was attracting people from all over, John Warnock was one of those early pioneers; he would later found Adobe Systems and create a revolution in the publishing world with his PostScript page description language. Tom Stockham led the image processing group at UU which worked closely with the computer graphics lab. Jim Clark was also there; he would later found Silicon Graphics, Inc.
The first major advance in 3D computer graphics was created at UU by these early pioneers, the hidden-surface algorithm. In order to draw a representation of a 3D object on the screen, the computer must determine which surfaces are "behind" the object from the viewer's perspective, and thus should be "hidden" when the computer creates (or renders) the image.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)