Technology Made Easy

Does your computer run much slower than you when you first got it?Are programs taking too long to load?

If your answer to any of these questions is YES, then you probably have some kind of bug in your system.

Your computer slowing down isn’t a natural degradation of your PC, only if you fill up your hard drive should you notice a change in your computers speed.

The problem is more than likely to be parasitic software’s that are leeching your PC’s resources. These parasites are most commonly called spyware or adware. These nasty programs are referred to as Malware. They do a lot more than just slow down your computer however.

There are a few telling signs that you have some sort of spyware or adware (almost all web users have at least some form of it.)

• Your Computer runs much slower than it used to
• If you’ve ever downloaded music or movies off of the web from an ad filled webpage
• You often find yourself closing obnoxious popups or removing software that you don’t recall installing
• You find your default web page changed without your approval
• The websites you want to look at suddenly changes to another page you didn’t click on or want to go to?

Sound familiar?

If you think these are just expected, when in fact it is most likely due to viruses such as spyware and adware infecting the system.

Just because you often browse the internet and popups fly out of every direction doesn’t mean that it’s the website’s fault. In most circumstances (for good sites anyways) it is actually some code on your PC causing it.

Hearing the word spyware tends to evoke an image of never-ending popups for most web users. The biggest problem with these parasites is that most users don’t know just how dangerous they can actually be. The truth is, you have way more to worry about than just those annoyances. Not only are you risking your privacy by having spyware, but you’re risking your life as you know it.

That last statement may seem a bit drastic, but it isn’t. What spyware is really capable of is a very scary notion.

Not only can it track every website that you visit, but it can track the information that you provide to said site. If you go to your online banking account and enter your information, spyware has the ability to transmit all of your bank information back to its creator.

It doesn’t stop there either. More often than not, once this information is transmitted to the spyware’s author, they then sell it to hundreds or thousands of individuals. That means your bank information, social security number, and charge card numbers could be sitting in hundreds of people’s emails.

That is how identity theft really happens.

Spyware and adware are beatable. There are free tools that will help you get rid of it. If you want to keep your privacy on the internet, you’ll need to rid yourself of any spyware and adware that inhabits your PC.

There are so many tools these days that say they get rid of spyware and adware that you just don’t know which ones to trust.  So don’t wait for you to have your computer break down from bugs and spyware, clean it out before it’s too late!

On TV and in the movies, we have seen a variety of computers being used in homes and offices.More often you see someone whip out a notebook and perform work on the spot.

Does that mean that notebooks are the computers to get? Lets review some aspects of computers and you decide which one is best for your needs.

Myth #1: Portable computers cost more.

so unless you really have the need for one, you get a lot more for your money with a regular desktop PC. The major thing is portability and accessibility. If you need access to information or to take action right now,  then get a laptop. (“Laptop,” “portable,” and “notebook” all refer to the same thing, by the way). Otherwise, a desktop computer is a better buy, and better economically. However they take up more space and you have to come back to it to get work done.

The Price Difference is only the Beginning

You might wonder why laptops cost more than desktop computers with comparable features and power. It is largely because it’s more expensive to manufacture laptops and their parts, because of their small size. For portable computers such as notebooks, factors such as compactness, the amount of heat they generate, their weight, and power consumption are more essential than they are for desktops. Also their processing power and memory are factors that add to their manufacturing costs.

Myth #2: Notebooks don’t have a lot of space

While notebooks are certainly compact, a desktop computer with a flat panel monitor can take up almost as little space, depending on the box configuration. While called a “desktop” computer, the computer itself is most often kept on the floor. That leaves just the monitor, keyboard and mouse on the desk, which is really very similar in footprint to a moderately sized notebook computer.

A major way to further reduce the space taken up by a desktop computer is get a keyboard drawer to hide the keyboard and mouse. That way, they slide out of the way under the top of the desk when they aren’t needed. Thus saving space and giving you more room to work.

Be Mindful of Ergonomics:

Comfort and ease of use can mean everything to your computer experience. Ergonomics is the science of designing and arranging things so that people can interact with them more comfortably and safely.

The elementary ergonomic principals for computer use tell us that:

1) the keyboard should be as close to your lap level as possible (assuming you touch-type), and your mouse at a close reach also.

2) the monitor should be about arm’s length in front of you, and your wrists in a natural position over your keyboard.

3) the top of the monitor should be at about your eye level.  When possible use a stand to hold the notebook at an ideal angle. That ways its easier to read and doesn’t strain your neck looking down at the screen.

It is obvious then, that a desktop computer is much better ergonomically than a notbook is. For prolonged use,  you’re much better off with a desktop computer. However you may find that a notebook with the right sizing to your hands and lap may serve you well and provide mobility where a desktop will not.

Don’t Forget Usability

Another aspect of ergonomics to consider is usability. Because of size constraints, laptops have less scalability than desktop PCs. Desktops can be updated upgraded and enhanced. Whereas a notebook is only as good as what it was bought having built into it. There is only so much you can change on a notebook. You can add memory, both RAM and Hard Drive capacity, but only to certain limit. Also you can’t change the monitor size. Desktops all you need to do is swap out your smaller monitor for a larger one. No other additonal parts or cables required, its truly plug-and-play when it comes to desktop monitors. The same goes for keyboards, mice, printers, scanners and the lot.

Notebooks you have to buy with those features built in, and the more you want the higher the price. But for many on the go or those who like having their information and programs at arms reach anywhere, the cost of a notebook is worth the trade-off of not having to come back to home or the office to get those needed files.

Myth#3: Notebooks are hard to see what your working on

Computer monitors can be set at different resolutions. In other words, you can change the fineness of the image on the screen. The range is typically 1024×768 — that is 1024 pixel across and 768 pixels up and down — to 1900×1600, or even higher. At 1024×768, the icons and such appear quite readable ; at 800×600, they are substantially smaller. The most common resolutions today for desktop computers are 1024×768 and 1280×1024.

Also screen resolution has to work with your screen size. If you have a 15″ monitor or smaller then 1024×768 is about as big a resolution you can use. Whereas a screen of 17″ up to 32″ can have resolutions much higher, meaning you can fit more windows and files on the screen.

Something They Don’t Tell You

Laptop displays have a native resolution. You can adjust the setting, but then the images and text don’t look good if you go higher than recommended. While people tend to think that bigger numbers are better, a higher screen resolution may not work as well for you. It may make everything too small to see comfortably.

Remember, the laptop’s screen is commonly smaller that a desktop’s. While a typical desktop computer screen is 17″ or so, a laptop’s is usually in the range of 14″ to 15.” That makes a large difference in what you can view at one time. Make sure you can see everything clearly before choosing a high-resolution laptop.

Conclusions

Notebooks::

Pros - they are light, portable, and have many of the same capacities of desktops without all the cords and accessories.

Cons – they cost 2-3 times more than a desktop, are limited by built in features such as screen and keyboard size. They aren’t easily upgraded. However these are some of the selling points for buying a notebook. They do what you bought it to do.

Desktops::

Pros -They are more affordable and come with many great features out of the box, speed, screen size and ergonomic design of keyboard and monitor has made desktops a great starter to those new to computing.

Cons – They are bulky, take up much more power, have tons of cords and accessories to plug in. You have to come back to it to get work done, and they are difficult to move around, even in the same room.

My suggestion is to consider what you do that requires a computer. Just to get work and emails now and then, get a desktop. If you are an avid internet users, are on the go with work and home, and like the ability to have all your information at arms reach, get a notebook. Each have their uses and their detraction’s, its up to you what you get out of it.

Mini Laptops, also known as netbooks have become increasingly popular these days. Their light weight and compact design is the main reason why this computers are so attractive. This acer mini laptop covers the basic features of what a computer should have. Having  a big enough hard drive ranging from 80GB up to 160GB, with quite enough processor and memory, and wireless Internet capability built right in.

In the beginning, Asus, Acer, and HP are the brands who compete for Mini Laptops. Afterwards, Toshiba, Sony and Samsung are also releasing their series of Mini Laptops. Compaq and Fujitsu catch up from competition with its new series to the Mini Family.

Mini Laptops are designed to be the ideal mobile companion for your other PC’s or laptop’s.  Mini Laptops are mean for you to easily travel without have to carry a big device.  Sync your data on your other PC in smaller device that can be carried easily.

Netbooks are about 1″ thin and 2-3lbs weight with a 10.1-inch screen display. With a Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 160GB hard drive, 3 USB ports 2.0, 5-in1 card reader, built-in webcam and microphone, VGA port, and a 92% of full-size keyboard. These small computers pack a lot of computing power in a tiny package. The only downside is they DO NOT have a CD or DVD drive built in. However it is a small price to pay for something so powerfull at a price under $400 to start with.

You can use the Netbooks for daily tasks.  They will fit in your backpack, briefcase, or purse. As mentioned before, this Mini Laptop can be used as secondary sync storage. Just connect it with your other PC or laptop wirelessly and the latest update of any files can be saved in both the mini and PC using Syncable software.

Conclusion
Netbooks or Mini Laptops are lightweight and convenient although it has slightly less memory and other lowered specifications. It not meant for the gamer or larger programs.  However, it is designed for  your mobility as well as a sync for your data from your larger computers. Both Mini Laptops and Netbooks is not designed for your main computer, it is a fine machine for your basic computing and general Internet usage.

With their lightweight, long battery life, and many built-in extras; their very hard to beat at the price. If your looking for a portable, convenient computer to get the job done a Netbook is a worthy investment. Also if you are looking for a computer for a young person, or a college bound relative, a netbook will be warmly welcomed.

The Newest Canon Photo Printer

Canon has released the new Canon Photo Printer, the Selphy CP790 and CP780. Both models come as compact photo printers that are easy to bring anywhere. They come with a green storage basket and integrated carrying handle, the Selphy CP790 is designed in a unique way and it is matched when you bring it to outdoor activities.

While the CP780 is available in blue, silver, and pink colors that match with the new Canon Powershot SD1200, as the powershot is introduced at the same time.

Canon Selphy CP780 – An Easier Way for Printing your own photos

The new CP780 is replacing the Sephy CP760 and improved significantly the printing speed of its predecessor. You can print 4×6 color photos within 47 seconds. It is designed for fun, affordable family photo printing, and producing lab-quality photos in a minute and in a easy way.

The Selphy CP780 provides user-friendly interface with2.5 TFT Color LCD Screen, large button for navigating, easy instruction and supporting for 7 different languages. This printer also incorporates three memory card slots, so you can use vary model of memory card. The PictBridge feature also means you can connect to most models of digital cameras and make your printing directly from the printer.

This photo printer will produce beautiful borderless photos claimed to last up to 100 years. You can make five color effects to customize your photo; B&W, Sepia, Vivid, Neutral and Positive Films. Your photo will be more excellent through portrait image optimize as the corrections for brightness and contrast of the detected faces within an image and automatically reduce red-eye.

Your kids also will be easier to print with this canon photo printer. The Selphy CP780 includes update of easy-to-use software which has audio guidance. So when you use the printer from a computer, there will be a voice spoken the instruction.

This Canon photo printer also offers portability printing feature with optional battery pack for $79.99 and Bluetooth adapter for $49.99. The printer itself is pricing at $99. You can easily printing from your mobile phone or other wireless devices with Bluetooth adapter.

CP790 New Awesome Photo Printer

The newest Canon Photo Printer, CP790, will provide anything you need for producing lab-quality photo in easiest and fastest way. You will get fast printing speed as 47 seconds for postcard sized and completed with unique design that simplify to bring printer, adapter, ink, and paper just in a 7.0″ x 9.7″ x 3.4″ (WxHxD) basket.

The angled 3.0-inch LCD Display and Scroll Wheel will simplify the operation of your photo printing process. There is no need to connect the Selphy 790 to your computer. You can make a print directly from the camera, memory cards, and other wireless device (through Bluetooth or infra-red).

This uses dye-sublimation printing process to produce special coating to make it last up to 100 years. It is a great way to preserve family memories. The lab-quality photo will be optimized with the including Automatic Image Correction such Red-Eye Correction, Noise Reduction and Skin Tone Optimization. And let your creativity appears in your photo with additional Frame, Calendar, Photo Diary Print and more.

Conclusion
Canon is always makes lab-quality photo printing in your home easier. The latest Selphy Canon Photo Printer is taking the way to give the whole printing experience in easiest way to the customer. The Selphy CP780 and CP790 is great Canon photo printer for everyone in acceptable price.

There are more discoveries happening right now that are changing our world faster than our present understanding of how to use these discoveries.

Why change is good.

I remember reading of the times before the calculator was invented. They had slide rules for making calculations, and that gave us radio, TV, and even got us to the moon [ or at least close to it.]

Then the transistor was invented and that started to change things. Creating tiny switching elements in concert with a programmable nature to perform repetitive tasks extremely fast. Well that just changed everything back then.

Practically overnight, factories that made bulky parts went out of business. At that time LEAN was the word in businesses that made things. Everything that was taken from raw materials to finished goods had to become more refined, and at a faster pace than the time before the Semiconductor was created.

A computer in my home…  You must be crazy!

There was a time when you mentioned the word computer, the thought that was brought to mind was this huge conglomeration of cabinets and webs of cables, both power and data, running through an entire room. So when someone said I’d like to have a computer in my house, that’s what people thought.

“Buddy you must be nuts to want to have a computer in their house!”

And that’s how it was for a long time. However just as business had to get lean and mean. So did the computer. Lighter, Faster, with more capabilities added onto and into it. Totally driven by the business to win big by being better or faster to the market with the newest offering to the masses and their dollars.

A computer that fit in the PALM of your hand.

After a while throught the ever increasing tide of “NEW” computers and accessories, upgrades and options packages that I was so full of computer stuff that I had to say, I don’t need anymore right now.

The only thing I lamented about this progress was the fact that there was no handheld computer that was affordable. Then the PALM portable computing platform arrived. Small, Efficient, got the job done.

It had the one saving grace that made its name the name we use for all handheld devices … PALM Pilot or PALM, and that was the LiON or Lithium ION batteries we use today. It had at least 6 hours of usable time or more from a single charging.  With its auto off – easy / fast on feature, the batteries seemed like they would go on forever.

Sadly PALM fell out of grace, having hit their peek and collapsed under its own hubris by trying to improve upon Perfection.

Where do we go from here?

After a little trip down microprocessor lane, we come to the point where we are now [as of the time of this article] that computers are taking another turn into the deeper waters of processing and computing. They are entering the unknow waters of Quantum Mechanics.

As a species on this planet, we are the only ones who have yet learned to manipulate matter at its atomic scale, yet we have only the faintest idea of how all of the baryonic matter in the universe really works deep inside its core. So far we have investigated, made a few breakthrough’s. Like coming up with a theory about how something could work and if two or more separate parties come up with the same result. Then we publish the findings and say to the researchers, “what can you do with it now?”

The Discovery of using large scale groups of atoms that ACT as a Single QUBIT is pretty impressive. Once a processing and memory array are created using these new building blocks, a different way of processing and storing all the information in our world will transform how we live and interact with the world. In fact the world will be so new that all generations from that point on will never know a world that wasn’t monitored by atomic scale processors…

The Future is NOW!  Are you ready for it?