Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Preventing and Controling Spyware and Adware

Spyware and Adware seem to be taking over computers everywhere these days, but there are some good practices that you can follow to help maintain a healthy ad/spyware free computer. First though I will define both of these computer annoyances for you.

Adware is software that displays advertisments on your computer. These ads tend to popup on your screen at any time. They usually come bundled with free software as means to make money.

Spyware is software that monitors your surfing habits or even your usernames and passwords and then sends this info to a third party without your permission or even knowledge.

Be Careful What You Download
Even some of the more popular software can come bundled with spyware or adware that you don't know about. Your best defense is to research the software before you download it. Do a search in google for the name of the software plus the word 'spyware' or 'adware'. If you don't get any significant hits then it is probably safe. It also helps to read the license agreement associated with the application carefully. Any bundled components should be mentioned in there somewhere. Also when installing the program it helps
to choose the 'custom' option if available. This gives you a better view of the installation process and more control over what components actually get installed on your computer.

Install a Popup Blocker
Alot of spyware is automatically installed when you click on a popup window on your screen. These pop-up windows can appear simply by surfing to a particular website and can often be quite tempting to click on. Installing a blocker prevents these annoying distractions. I use the 'google toolbar' myself, it has a built in pop-up blocker along with some other useful tools and it is completely safe. Just do a search for 'google toolbar' to download it.

Damage Control
No matter what you do eventually some ad/spyware will get installed on your computer, but not to worry. There are some good free programs available that are built to remove any unwanted applications. My two personal favorites are 'Spybot' and 'Adaware' and you can find them by searching for them in any search engine. What these programs do is scan your hard drive searching for known spy/adware apps and then give you the option of removing them. Make sure you check for updates frequently because new threats are popping up daily. Running these programs weekly should be sufficient.


How To Save Extraordinary Amounts Of Money On Ink

Please read this article it could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on ink cartridges. I've been in the cartridge refill business for 6 years now and there's one thing that I have learned. There is a lot of BS going around about ink cartridges. I'm here to set you straight and save you plenty on ink.

Of coarse the manufacturers will try to force you to buy their cartridges and that's understandable because of the very high markup on ink cartridges. They will try to make you think that compatible or refilled cartridges will damage your printer. Lets look at it this way if you used 5 compatibles you would save enough to buy that $99.00 printer. So what are you afraid of?

Now let me tell you I have customers bringing their printers to my shop all the time. The fact is print heads clog up just as often with originals as they do with compatibles. There is no magic in original cartridges, although billions in advertising has brought the manufacturers to almost the level of gods in some people's minds. In fact some of the newer color cartridges with the pigmented ink are the worst of all. After the ink dries it's almost impossible to dissolve even with their cleaner.

One of my customers bought a printer on Ebay and it was promptly shipped out and arrived 3 days later. But the sender had removed the cartridges and put them in plastic bags. This is not the thing to do! The heads were so dried out that that manufacturers own cleaner wouldn't unclog it. This was with original manufacturers cartridges. If you ship a printer be sure and leave the cartridges in it.

With spectrometers and other equipment ink manufacturers can very closely determine what is in ink and duplicate it. You know scientists can tell the composition of stars billions of miles away, do you think it's a problem to tell what in ink?

I had a customer come in one day and he had on of those expensive printers that take 6 cartridges. He said well I'll try just 2 to see how they work. He didn't sound very convinced. He came in a few days later and said I couldn't hardly believe it If anything the pictures look even better.

What happens is that when a printer clogs up it is immediately blamed on the ink compatible or refilled cartridge. When the problem
is that the printer hasn't been used often enough. Another thing that happens is that printers have a parked position where the print head sometimes drip some ink. This area usually on the extreme right of the printer is always black with ink and most people don't even notice it. But after getting a cartridge refilled or using a compatible they go looking for ink and then they spot this ink and say your cartridges is leaking all over the place. They have heard that refills leak. Properly filled cartridges do not leak

What basally causes clogs is the printer isn't used often enough. I recommend printing a page every day or two. I see some manufacturers recommend printing at least every two-week but I have found this isn't nearly often enough. I have seen on the Internet a free utility made for this that automatically prints a page a day. Maybe you can find it. . On refills if the empties have been sitting around for weeks or months there may be a problem with clogs. The fillers may have powerful equipment to clean cartridges but dried up ink inside the cartridge can break loose later causing a clog.

At my business we basally fill the customers own cartridge. So if the customer brings it to us in a reasonable length of time there is no problem. However after years of trying to educate people it still happens that some still let them set around for months before getting them filled.

So after all this how much can I save? If you can use compatible cartridges you can get good American made cartridges at a savings of 70% or more. Now that's like buying gas at 75 cents a gallon, now that what I call a savings. If compatible cartridges aren't available for your printer you must use refills and can save 25 to 40%. In another article what's The Best Printer and Why I explain the difference between these types of printers.

Money gets tighter and tighter for many people. It makes sense to save money where you can. Some schools and other large users could be saving thousands and the taxpayer is paying the bill. You can also do refills yourself but some of the newer cartridges are difficult. I will have an article on this later. I'm for the little man. I see on some forums people recommending that you use originals only. I can only say I think they are repeating what they have heard from others. I doubt that they really know much about the subject. I f you use refills and let your empties set around for months before refilling.

Water Safety And Electronics Are Not A Good Team

So you know electronics and any amount of water do not mix. It can and will totally destroy anything electronic. This would include your laptop, your computer, TV, and stereo. Water can damage your stove, razors, fans and your radio. The radio in your car is just in as much danger as the one in your house.

The stereo in your car may be in a little more danger because you usually have soda, coffee, or other drink. Your laptop may also be in danger because it can come in contact with bags of groceries which you throw on top of your laptop without thinking. Most of the time, you are in a hurry to get to your first class of the morning, or you are on your way to work and are running a little bit late. The last thing you think about is the electronic device sitting on the passenger seat in your car.

We use our electronic devices each and every day. We listen to our radio on the way to and from work. We use our computers and laptops to play games, talk to other people and friends, or to just work on. We make coffee every morning and use our stoves to cook on three times a day. We watch our
TVs every night while some people have nothing better to do all day but watch TV.

If you happen to be around any water or something using electricity, don't keep them too close together. Never have their cords in a place that you could trip on, causing that item to fall into this water. Be extremely careful with these things around small or young children and sometimes around older adults.

If any of these electric devices would happen to have some water spilled on them, pull the plug or shut it off immediately. Take off the back, if possible, and let it dry for several days. Sometimes this will work, and sometimes it won't. If they spill soda pop on it, take it to someone who knows what they are doing and are qualified. However, there is no guarantee that they can repair it.

Just slow down and remember that these devices are not indestructible. If they are damaged in any way, it will cost you in the short and long run. You will have to replace these items. Most of the time, they will cost you more the second or third time around. If this were to happen to some people, they might not be able to replace things like a computer or a laptop. Be very careful.


Brush Up On The Latest Gizmos For The Office

The world of gadgets is moving at a rapid rate however Intel have recently predicted that the rise of the robots will not be for another 40 or so years. To curb your disappointment this article examines the latest in gadget technology for the office, to indulge the techno-holic in you. Recently the gadgets market has been saturated with relatively pointless USB toys so today we are looking at more practical gizmos.

First up we have something every business person can use, the Targus Mini USB Business Car Scanner. If you are involved in the business of networking in any way, shape or form, then this product could be a lifeline. This is especially the case if you are continually rummaging around your drawers or the rolodex on your desk looking for that vital contact. The scanner is powered by USB and is compatible with many applications including outlook, there is some instillation of software but it is very straight forward and it looks great.

With any organisation subcontracted by the government at any level voluntarily handing out personal information about the public you might not want to fall into the same trap. You do not have to with our next item which is the bad-boy of shredders,
in fact if this shredder was in prison it would be the Daddy. The Fellowes Intellishred SB-89Ci can gobble a 20 page thick instruction manual without gagging and then ask for more. It is incredibly safe and has a traffic indicator which lights when you are reaching capacity. It costs around 200GBP however I bet the government wishes they had invested in it about now.

So now we have you organised and secure, it is time to take care of that six o-clock shadow. Whether it is on you legs or face, the Titanium 360 R5130 from Remington is the entry level flex and pivot offering from the toiletries manufacturer. It comes in at 70GBP and it is easy to clean, rechargeable and relatively cost effective in the electric razor world. Despite this, the plastic shell is cheap and the flexible heads are really not that flexible. It is a basic model and priced accordingly.

If you are someone who needs the latest gadgets and gizmos then these might be a little on the practical side for you. If you lean more toward the cheaper more pointless gadgets then maybe the wide selection of USB powered toy dinosaurs or singing animals are more suited. The three featured products serve a purpose and the first two are certainly top of the range, however with the Remington 360 you get what you pay for, mediocrity.


Difference Between Analog and Digital Watches

Watch is one of the most significant inventions for mankind. It is basically a timepiece that is made to be worn on a person. Everyone needs a watch as everyone wants to be punctual. Generally, people have a number of tasks to be taken care of. To make sure they complete their tasks on time, they need to keep track of time. Using a wristwatch is probably the best way to keep track of time.

Over the past few decades, watches have evolved significantly. The development in the technology has resulted in the development of different types of watches. Different people have different requirements and this is the reason why different people prefer different types of watches. Some people prefer watches with basic features whereas some people prefer watches with advanced features. Analog watches and digital watches are two different types of watches that are very popular among users. They use different technologies to display time.

Analog Watches
In analog watches, the display is not digital as a series of digits is not used to indicate the time. Instead of a series of digits to indicate the time, two or three rotating hands are used to indicate the time. Analog watch faces have Roman numerals, numbers or tick marks to indicate the intervals of time. The rotating hands point to numbers arrayed on the circular dial of the watch so as to indicate the time.

The rotating hands are of different lengths and they also rotate at different speeds. Each hand indicates a part of the actual time and so, the hands are used together to indicate the time. Design wise, analog watches are very simple. However, it's also possible
to design watches with complex designs for the dial and the hands. Analog watches are also easy to use and this is the reason why they are so popular among users. Some analog watches are cheap whereas as some are expensive. The cost of an analog watch depends on the finishing and the details of the parts that make up the watch.

Digital Watches
In digital watches, the display is digital as a series of digits is used to indicate the time. Unlike analog watches, the rotating hands are not used to indicate the time. The time is displayed as a number. For example, 5:30 AM is displayed on a digital watch to indicate the time whereas in an analog watch, the short hand pointing to five on the dial and the long hand pointing to six on the dial represents the 5:30 AM.

Along with information about hours and minutes, digital watches display information about number of seconds precisely. This is the reason why digital watches are widely used by people who need to know time very precisely. Over the past few decades, digital watch technology has improved significantly. A number of advanced features have been introduced. Digital watches with advanced features like calculator, thermometer and compass are now available. Some digital watches even have the built-in system to determine the location.

Also, some digital watches allow users to download and upload data from their computers to their watches. With the development in digital watch technology, the cost of digital watches has decreased significantly. The price of a digital watch depends on the features and the quality of the parts that make up the watch. Complex digital watches with a number of advanced features are usually more expensive than simple digital watches with basic features.


A Guide To The Latest News From The Camera World

The IFA is the world show for consumer gadgets and there have been some mouth watering unveilings taking place in Berlin for IFA 2008. Although this year has been set to be dominated by the HDTV crowd as the technology has become mainstream, there are some other areas of interest such as audio and digital camera technology. This article provides objective coverage of the latest technological advances in the world of digital cameras.

Big news dominating the IFA is the buzz that Microsoft and Nikon have signed a patent cross-licensing agreement. This will help the development of current and future product lines by sharing technology to make products more compatible. The two giants have had a long standing relationship and this agreement will allow them innovate openly creating new features for customers. It is set to improve the Nikon range of digital cameras making them even more compatible with editing software.

Another leader in digital cameras is Samsung who have recently announced their new line of digital LCD photo frames. There are four different models just launched and will be available from September from 120-200 dollars, and if you are saying, that is one expensive photo frame then wait to hear some of the features.

They
have a touch screen feature which allows you to browse photos, WiFi connectivity and Samsungs InfoLink fature which allows you to get over 400 channels of news, sports and financial info. They can also be used as a second monitor for your computer so they are not just to use with digital cameras.

If you need to print on the go then Canon has launched the ultimate companion to your latest digital camera. The Selphy printer Duo includes the ES3 and Es30 which are the latest models replacing the ES2 and ES20 respectively. They are the ultimate in portable printer practicalities with sport carrying handles and compact, sleek design. Other improved features are the LCD screens and the new image effects which have been added to the print options.

As a companion to your protable printer Cannon have announced the launch of the digital camera EOS 50D DSLR which will not generally be compatible because if you spend this much on a camera you might be wanting better print quality than either of the Selphy Duo have to offer.

It comes in at around 1500GBP however you get what you pay for with 6.3 frames per second shooting speed in bursts of up to 90 jpegs, ISO levels of 3200 that are expandable to an ultra sensitive 12,800 and an improved self cleaning sensor unit, however the price tag pushes it toward the professional.

Is It Worth Buying A Used or Cheap HDTV?

You could find an opportunity to buy a cheap HDTV. It may even be a used HDTV, and be only 1 quarter of the new price. But, is this a good deal, and is it worth buying? In this article, we will look into whether or not it is a good idea to buy a used or cheap HD TV.

It can seem like the best deals, but is it worth buying a cheap HDTV? If we look at prices of new televisions with high definition technology, you will find that it is not a cheap purchase! You can easily spend over $1,000 to get a good television with high definition technology for your home.

Often when we think about used products or products such as cheap HDTV's, we may be inclined to wonder what is wrong with the product. After all, why is it so cheap?

The answer to this, in most cases is that technology goes down in value, very quickly. And as soon as a product has been used, the price goes even lower. If you have ever tried to sell your old electrical products, you will realize how little you get back, compared with what you paid originally.

Prices change likewise on new sets that are cheap high definition TV's. Generally, when you find those big discounts
on new products, you will find that the product is discontinued or even could be a store displayed product.

These can be the greatest ways to find a cheap HDTV. However, is it really worth it, and what are some points to be weary of when buying a used HD TV set?

There are potential problems when buying cheap high definition TV's. The biggest problem is what condition it is in. If the product has been on display for a few months, and has been on, all the times, the store has been open, and then you can expect to get a television which is not as new as one in the box.

These sets usually will come with no warranty, or if they do, very little. It may be a gamble, and if the set is half price, but works only for 6 months, is it really worth it? However, you may just find a bargain!

Buying used high definition television sets also needs a few points to think about. It is possible to buy a used high definition television set for next to nothing. Whatever your budget, a used set can be within your budget.

The problem with these used sets is that they almost never have a warranty. This can be a big no-no, as it could be on the verge of breaking point! A good solution is to inquire why the cheap HDTV is being sold.

Choosing A Refrigerator And Food Storage Tips

Wide range of refrigerators is getting launched in the market these days. You need to choose amongst them, the best one that fits your purpose. But, for selecting one, you must have some knowledge regarding its functions and different kinds of models.

The choice of refrigerator you want to buy will depend on the number of people in the house as well as your food habits. Roughly a two member family would require anywhere between 50 to 200 litres. However, if you like your steak and chilled beer you might want a higher capacity refrigerator. Also if you are the kind who likes their weekly Sunday grocery shopping a larger capacity will be useful.

Refrigerator types are simple like direct cool and frost-free refrigerator. Direct cooling ones are mostly single door refrigerators and frost-free refrigerators are mostly double and multiple doors. The abundant variety comes in the form of capacity. You can choose from mini, small, medium and large refrigerators.

- Mini (50 to 100 litres) : These are really small, single door refrigerators just enough for one person to store the occasional can of beer and juices along with bare food items.

- Small (170 to 200 litres) : just right for a couple or even a small kitchen. You would go for this if you were on a tight budget. These are single door refrigerators.

- Medium (200 to 450 litres) : This is for the nuclear household. Reasonably priced these provide ample storage with enough features that are value for money. These could be single as well as double refrigerators.

- Large (450 to 800 litres) : For the big home and big budget. You would go for
this if you have a large household and are really fond of throwing elaborate dos. The large sized could be double door, three door, bottom mounted, side-by-side.

Refrigerators should stay at 4.5*C or less. A temperature of 4.5*C or less is important because it slows the growth of most bacteria. The temperature won't kill the bacteria, but it will keep them from multiplying, and the fewer there are, the less likely you are to get sick from them.

Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods, and leftovers within 2 hours or less. Marinate foods in the refrigerator. Never defrost food at room temperature. Thaw food in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave if you will be cooking immediately.

Separate large amounts of leftovers into small, shallow containers for quicker cooling in the refrigerator. Do not over-stuff the refrigerator. Cold air must circulate to keep food safe.

Uncooked meat should be kept separately, preferably in the lower part of the fridge, to avoid the dripping of juices which can cause dangerous contamination. Defrost food stored in the refrigerator. This is the safest method for all foods.

Defrost food in the microwave only if it will be cooked immediately. Avoid keeping food in the Danger Zone that is the unsafe temperatures between 4.5*C and 60*C. Do not defrost food in hot water.

The price range is very extensive starting from Rs 5,500 going up to Rs 2,25,000.

Thus, choose the appropriate size and type of refrigerator according to the use and your budget from the various kinds and knowing these features will help you to zero in for the right one avoiding confusions. You can also ensure your hygienic level by following the guidelines regarding the storage tips.


Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Fix Registry Problems Quickly And Easily

Wonder why all of a sudden your computer takes too long in responding to your commands, having difficulties downloading large files, hangs up on you during multi-tasking session or simply stops loading your system, programs when you enter your desktop.

Yes, right! This can be a cause for panic but can be resolved if you know what prescriptions to take to get your computer going again. Solutions to these computer problems can easily be read in the internet. Oftentimes, these problems are caused by an unclean system registry. However, a word of caution, before attempting to fix your computer using those readily downloadable registry cleaners, be sure that the findings of your computer check-up can showed that you need to perform a system registry clean-up. It is only through this assurance one may say that indeed fixing registry problems are quick and easy.

Windows registry is like a logbook or filing system of all your system preferences and codes which instructs your computer what to do and when to do it. Any wrong entry or accidental deletion of important codes may cause some programs to malfunction. And if there is already an accumulation of erroneous entries and the lost of those needed codes, then your computer will begin to behave weird and its A1 performance turns to an F performance.

The good news is that this may not even reach the hopeless case if procedures before performing a registry clean-up are carefully followed.

To fix registry problems quickly and easily, you need to do some initial steps:

1. Get a feel of your systems registry, how does it look inside your PC. To do this, go to the START button in your computer and then press. Then you will see the RUN icon, click on that and type "regedit." Once you reach this zone, you will see a tree like
system with branches that can be opened. While exploring your way through this very sensitive side of your computer, be careful not to change or delete anything. Do not touch the codes just yet until you have performed the other steps needed.

2. In case there will be a need to change something in the registry later, a precaution must be done. Schedule a system restore point where you will be able restore your system at a time when you last experience your system running well. To do this, go to the My Computer section of your computer, click on the properties section and activate the system restore by removing the check on the turn off system restore.

3. Another very important procedure that you should not forget to do is to make a back up of your system registry so that it would be easy to restore your system to its good state before you have wrongly tinker your system. To do this, simply go again to the START button of your computer, click RUN and go to the Registry Editor. Using the right button of your mouse, click on the My Computer button and then another click on EXPORT then use the FILE BACK UP, save it in its usual way.

After performing these "fix-registry-problems-quickly-and-easily" procedures and you are confident that you know the problem and how to repair it then you can go ahead and make the necessary changes in your system registry.

Also, to fix registry problems quickly and easily can be done by using registry cleaners available in the market, in case you chose not to do any changes with your system registry manually. But again to reiterate, the three steps mentioned awhile ago must be performed in order to safeguard your computer.

Fix registry problems quickly and easily with the available commercial registry cleaners may take away that computer problem headache if you know where exactly to find them and what exactly to look for. If guided on these products, then you are in good hands.

How to Get TV on Your PC

Maybe you have heard of satellite TV and wondered how you could set up your own PC satellite tv system. With a little research, anyone will realize that enjoying satellite TV on their computer has many benefits for their wallet and viewing pleasure. You can kiss those monthly satellite payments goodbye, forever.

It is much cheaper to pay for PC satellite TV than it is to pay monthly fees for the regular satellite TV services. With the right computer and software, you usually will make just one payment for the software and that is it. No more big monthly payments, year after year, for watching your favorite TV shows.

You have more freedom when watching PC satellite TV. You are no longer shackled to any company from whom you must get permission to watch special event programs. Such requests are a thing of the past when you decide on PC TV. When you watch PC satellite TV, you simply have to tune in to the broadcast. If, some special TV event is broadcast live and you want to watch it, you won't have to pay extra fees for that luxury either.

Another fantastic thing about PC satellite TV is that you can surf through a few thousand channels instead of the much smaller range that you get from regular satellite TV. Handing the remote over may be a little difficult at first, when you have to share it.

You will be happy to know that setting up a PC satellite tv system is simple and fast too. You do not need a special technician to come into your home with
a ladder and a drill. If you are familiar with installing software on your computer, you can handle the job by yourself. Before you know it, you will be enjoying your favorite shows on your computer.

Of course, having a computer that can handle the software requirements is crucial to your viewing pleasure. Your computer is an important part of your PC satellite TV system with its own requirements. If your computer is less than 10 years old and has runs with Pentium, you should be able to watch PC satellite TV without much hassle.

The other major component is the PC satellite TV software. Here is where you will have to look around and find the best deal for your money. You will need to make sure that the software is compatible with your computer and its programs. When you are looking for PC satellite software, have your computer specifications handy.

You will find there are many companies offering PC satellite TV. You should purchase your PC satellite software from a company that has a loyal customer base. When you take the time to find the right software company, you will reduce the chances of having an inferior product, paying too much or getting scammed.

Your computer is such a handy tool for work and play. With a smidgen of computer savvy, you could be watching satellite TV on your computer and saving the money that you would have spent on a regular satellite service for something else, like a much needed vacation. Wouldn't that be a treat?. For many folks, PC satellite TV can bring their entertainment costs down by a great measure, which is great news for everyone.

How Text Messaging Can Save You Money

Sending text messages through a cell phone is an inexpensive alternative to placing a phone call on the same cell phone. There are benefits to using text messages for different segments of society. The only limitation is that the message must be shortened to 160 characters or less for each text message that is sent. This necessity to keep messages short is why the use of abbreviated words is becoming more prevalent now.

The home user of text messages will find greater convenience in communicating with family and friends. Parents of school children appreciate the ability to get in touch with their children instantly. Young children can learn to use a cell phone for text messaging purposes easily. The same goes for people with elderly parents; they can check on their loved ones easily and quickly. In an emergency situation, a text message has the power to
save a life.

People, who may have found it difficult to use a cell phone for a phone call, find it easy to send text messages. Deaf people are able to communicate effectively with others through the use of text messages. With this inexpensive tool of communication, deaf people are able to communicate effectively with more people, including emergency services.

Businesses are finding that they can create an effective marketing campaign with the use of text messages. Customers may subscribe to a company's text message services to learn about new products and services. Some companies will send a text message that serves as a coupon, which can be redeemed by showing the text message to a store representative.

Businesses
are finding that text messages are a very convenient way to contact their customers with cell phones for various reasons. A business may keep in touch with their customers to let them know when their order is ready or an appointment time is available. Businesses also find that text messages are an effective way for customers to communicate back with the company.

Not only are businesses using text messages to contact their customers, they are using text messages to contact their company's workers. Work colleagues no longer have to stop everything that they are doing when they send text messages to fellow workers, no matter when either party is located. When an office equips all its workers with a cell phone for text messages, it is easy to communicate with workers and colleagues easily without much
further expense.

A company of any size can benefit from adding text messages to their communication toolbox. There are different text message services that make it easy to communicate with large groups of people. It is effortless to send out text messages automatically, according to a clock or calendar schedule. Senders can monitor the delivery of their sent text messages. There are also interpretation services for text messaging.

For all the functionality that text messages gives to a home or company, it does not take much set up to be able to send text messages. One cell phone or computer can reach another specific cell phone by dialing the right cell phone number. Text messages may be received by another cell phone or computer with Internet access. Text messaging is a revolutionary way of communication that erases the expense and time associated with making a cell phone call.

GPS Rating Systems - Read GPS Reviews Before Buying Your GPS Device

A full review of General Positioning Satellite (GPS) review is required in order to buy the best possible GPS device. Due to the wide options offered to you, choosing one GPS device can be a daunting experience. An unbiased GPS review from independent people can be a huge boon for the selection process. Some GPS systems are very expensive, so before opening your cheque book, you should try to get as much information as possible about it.

There are many websites offering GPS reviews, the most important being www.gpsreview.net. Here you will find a full test of nearly all GPS systems and rate them on their reliability, performance and usability.

GPS reviews include all information about popular brands such as Delorme, Magellan, Garmin and so forth. Reviews highlighted all good points as well as dark ones. These reviews are refreshed frequently as new brands are released or old models are enhanced. GPS review websites also offer latest news about the GPS technology as soon as they are released.

There are many other sources of GPS reviews such as magazines. For instance the well known PC Magazine also comes up with several GPS reviews. Another source of GPS reviews is by the means of search websites such as Google.

The enterprise Consumer Reports is also another source of comprehensive GPS reviews about main brands and all types of GPS devices.

Generally speaking, you
must read unbiased and complete GPS reviews before purchasing a GPS device. As this help you select the best possible GPS device that meet your needs and waits. GPS reviews are designed to give a brief overview and a full report of pros and cons of GPS devices to customers before they formally decide to purchase it. There are many places where you can get reliable GPS reviews: either on the Internet or dedicated magazines. All these reviews are unbiased, accurate and well written.

You may have never heard about a GPS review so I will describe what it looks like. I will cover a Magellan GPS Roadmate 2200T which will be described in depth in another article. The 2200T has a current retail price of around $400. For that price, it's in competition with Garmin's c530, which is essentially a c330 that's been upgraded with SiRF's receiver. If you want absolute ease-of-use, then I recommend that Garmin c530 over the RoadMate 2200T. Garmin's interface is slightly easier to use than Magellan's one and their routing engine can't be beat at all. However, if you fancy more options such as multi-destination routing, route exclusion, Text-to-Speech, and a traffic jam add-on capability, or are interested in a cross-over GPS that can be upgraded for outdoor purposes, therefore you should opt for the RoadMate. If you are thinking about an Alpine Blackbird, or TomTom ONE, I recommend the Magellan RoadMate 2200T over both those units. The 2200T is a better unit than the One or the Blackbird. Compared to Garmin, it is more a question of your needs and waits.


How to Use a Telescope - Reflector Telescopes an Introduction

Telescopes are of two main types – reflectors and refractors. The fundamental difference between both types is the kind of glasses used for light collection. Refractors use lenses while reflectors use mirrors. Going back to school physics, it is obvious that light from distant bodies, like celestial objects, comes at us as a parallel beam. Due to this parallel nature of the light rays, reflector telescopes use parabolic mirrors.

Such a parabolic mirror focuses each ray of light it receives from the original parallel beam at one single point. Because of this nature of the mirror, a reflector type telescope is far more advantageous in comparison to a refractor. A singularly important point to be noted is that reflectors do not suffer from chromatic aberrations which are a common problem for refractors. This is because, unlike refraction which alters the way in which different wavelengths are refracted, mirrors do not affect the wavelengths at all.

A second advantage is that they are relatively less expensive for the same quality of magnification. Furthermore, since light is reflected, only the reflecting surface needs a perfect finish. In the case of refractors, light has to pass form one side of the lens to the other, as a result of which both refracting surfaces need to be perfectly polished.

Astronomers generally prefer reflecting telescopes; however, even these have some disadvantages. The most glaring of these is the difficulty faced in correct alignment of the mirrors. Reflectors are equipped with an open tube, thus the inner optical elements
require regular maintenance and cleaning. Without this care, images produced by the telescope end up blurred and indistinct. There are also instances of requiring secondary mirrors to correctly focus light at particular spots. These secondary mirrors can also adversely affect the image quality.

The major disadvantage faced with both refractors and reflectors is that the final image is an inverted image. An easy solution for this fault is the placement of a relay or prism in the passage of light, so that an already inverted image reaches the eyepiece, which again inverts it to produce an erect image. This is because the relay or the prism as the case may be, acts as a light ray inverter resulting in a final upright image.

The above paragraphs mention the use of secondary mirrors in reflectors to change the spot of light focus. These secondary mirrors are smaller than the primary mirror. According to historical accounts, Sir Isaac Newton used a mirror that was flat and inclined at 45 degrees as a secondary mirror. The purpose of this mirror was to shift the reflected light to an eyepiece at the side of the upper portion of the tube. This arrangement is now known as the Newtonian design and still finds takers.

There is another special design used in reflector type telescopes known as the Cassegrain design. This gives the light from the subject a specific path to reflect it better on the primary mirror. With this design it is possible to position the eyepiece at one’s own convenience. Even modern telescopes like the great Hubble Space Telescope make use of this design, and for the advantages discussed above, astronomers lean towards the reflector, and not the refractor.

How to Install a New Font

Times New Roman, Courier, Arial, Comic Sans MS, Courier New, Bookman Old Style, etc. are the common font styles that are found in any word processing software. Times New Roman is mostly used for research papers that are written in the MLA and APA styles. Courier New, Arial, Garamond are used in grade school, high school research papers and some websites today. Due to the dynamic world we live in, a lot of people want to use new fonts for uniqueness and style especially in designing their web sites or web pages. An example of a new font is the Harry Potter font loved by Harry Potter addicts. If a person wants to learn how to install a new font, there are a lot of resources found on the Web that they can check out.

There are many fonts that you can download off of the internet. Once the person has picked the font that captured his/her interest, the next thing to research about is how to install the new font in the laptop or the PC. Of course, using search engines such as Google and Yahoo will lead you to various sites offering instructions on how to install a new font.

If Microsoft Windows is your operating system, you will find it easy to install new fonts. Most of the font packages that can be downloaded from the Internet are in .zip files. The files are compressed to have a faster download rate. Unzipped the file first prior to installation.

The
steps to install a new font are listed below:

1. All open Windows programs or applications must be closed first.

2. Next is to double click on the Control Panel and then select Appearances and Themes.

3. Click on See Also, then Choose Fonts. If a folder tree appears, however, click Folders, and then once See Also appears, choose the category Fonts.

4. Under the File menu, you will see the option: Install New Font. Select that option.
5. Once that option is selected, you will be asked to select a drive.

6. Look in the Folders list and select (double-click) the folder that holds the new fonts that you desire to add.

7. Select the font you have decided to add found in the Fonts List, and once selected, click OK.

Additional Information:

If you have decided to add more than one font, press the CTRL key and hold it down, afterwards then click on al the fonts you want added to your PC. You can also drag the fonts from another location into the Fonts folder to install the new font faster.

If you are planning to use another computer within your Local Area Network (e.g. your PC is malfunctioning so you decided to use the PC of your colleague who is seated beside you) the new fonts you have installed will not appear in your colleague’s PC. You can install the new font into the said PC if you really need to use that specific font.


Games For Handheld Console: Where to Download Games For PSP

There’s no doubt that the Playstation Portable—or simply the PSP—is the most famous handheld console to date. Its closest rival is the Nintendo DS, although the latter fall short when it comes to game titles. PSP is made more popular by the action packed games especially made for the console that could rival those of the PS2 system. Perhaps the only downturn of this great gadget is the fact that it uses UMD discs for games and movies (although there are some who can create custom UMDs). These discs are exclusively for the PSP system—you can’t find other commercial electronic devices that can read the discs. The good thing is that the slot for a Sony memory stick totally makes up for the console’s minor weakness. And thanks to some great thinkers who have turned the handheld console to all new different level, players would no longer need their UMD bundles in order to play their favorite game. Since the Sony memory stick is getting larger in terms of capacity—currently the maximum size of a Sony memory stick is 8 gigabytes (which can store as much as 20 games).

The best part of it all is that your favorite game is just a click away. If you don’t know where to download games for PSP, it’s not a problem. Just log online and you’ll know the way from there. The key is to have your install a modified firmware in your PSP so that you can play the
games you downloaded. Installing this modified firmware entails a lot of technical detail so it’s best to just ask someone who knows how to install it. If you are still quite unsure where to download games for PSP, just use a search engine and then enter the words “PSP games download” and you will see a lot of links you can choose from.

The software versions of these PSP games are either in ISO or CSO format. Most of these web sites require a fee for your download. If you want to know where you can download free games for PSP, there are other options. Otherwise, you can search for sites that offer a one time fee for your full access into their games database.

So where to download free games for PSP? You can use a torrent engine (you can easily download and install one into your computer). This is probably the safest way to get free games for your PSP—torrent files are broken down into pieces, making it hard for viruses to penetrate the file.

Your last option would be file sharing softwares. Here is where you can search for different files like movies and MP3s. But because this is a direct sharing between two or more users, it is susceptible to online threats especially when downloading programs and softwares that have bigger file sizes. Another thing is that there is a bug on most file-sharing programs that concerns with file extension. You thought that you downloaded an ISO file but it isn’t so be careful when choosing a file.

How to Upload and Set New Ringtones For Your IPhone

For those of us who are the proud owners of the iPhone, setting our favorites songs as a ring tone is like icing on the cake. Now let's suppose someone is really satisfied by the features, looks etc. of this newly acquired gadget of his, but paying extra for setting a song as a ring tone is like spoiling the party. Apple, the iPhone manufacturer charges you $2 per song in order to set it as a ring tone. This includes $1 for the song itself, and an extra dollar for converting that song into the ring tone. Now, for someone who is a music freak and has a vast collection of songs that they want to set as a ring tone, this can turn out to be quite a expensive headache.

So, how about an idea which helps you to set your favorite song as a ring tone, without having to pay for it? Amazing isn't it? You could set as many songs as you want. All that's involved is a little bit of tinkering. For those of us who use Windows and Mac as Operating Systems, it will work perfectly fine. There are many softwares available on the internet which allow you to do this and the best part being, that everything is free and legal as well! Now, all you need to get started is an iPhone, the iTunes software, and a PC that uses Mac or Windows as an operating system.

First of all, you should open the iTunes player. From the library, select and pick the song that you want as a ring tone. Now, one needs to choose the part of the song they want as the tone, as we all want our ring tones to be something we like to listen all the time.
Now you need to note the time duration of the chosen part, the start time, and the time at which it should be stopped. Afterwards you should press the right click button on the song, and select the option get info. From there the tab named options needs to be selected. From there, just type the start time of the ring tone in the box right after start time. This should be in the format minute: second. For example, 3:34. Similarly, repeat the exercise for stop time as well.

To make a ring tone of about 40 seconds is advisable. Now click on the OK button. Now go to the song again and select the option that converts the current selected media into AAC format. This will take a few minutes. A duplicate version will be created. Now right click on the ring tone again and delete it. Next, click on the keep files button. Now, search the file that you just created. It will most probably be located in the iTunes folder. The file format would be .m4a. Now, from the Tools->Folder Options, you need to change the file format from .m4a to .m4r.

A simple double click, when done slowly, would also do it though. Another method is to rename the file in case of Windows, and get info for those who use Mac OS. The system will automatically warn you about the change in the file format. You can choose to ignore that. Now, double-click on the newly created ring tone file. The iTunes player will add the particular media in the ring tones category in the iTunes library. Now, just connect the iPhone and sync that ring tone.

Not only does it save you a buck or two, it saves time and gives you your whole music collection to choose from!

Learn How To Create Ringtones For The iPhone

The Apple iPhone is the result of advancements in technology. It is a next generation phone as it loaded with a number of features that are not available in other phones. It uses touch technology along with many other technologies. It won't be wrong to say that every user wants to personalize his phone in his own way. Like any other phone, a ring tone is played in the iPhone to indicate an incoming call. Use of ring tones, wallpapers and screensavers are some of the ways for personalizing the iPhone.

Ring tones are widely used by users to give their phone that personal touch. Ring tones reflect the mood of the user. Apple Store and a number of stores provide a number of ring tones. They charge users for providing ring tones. However, it's also possible to get ring tones for free. Creating a new ring tone, editing already available ring tones and converting music files to ring tones are some of the best alternatives to paid ring tones.

Ring tone Converters

Using a ring tone converter for creating a ring tone for the iPhone is probably the best way for creating a ring tone. A ring tone converter allows an individual to convert music files to ring tones. Generally, the iPhone ring tone converters support a number of formats. So, an individual can use a ring tone converter to create several ring tones. An individual doesn't need to be technically sound in order to use the converter. All an individual needs to do is to use the available options properly.

The options are available for searching the music file, selecting the file, converting the file and transferring the file to the iPhone. Advanced iPhone ring tone converters even have the options to add cool effects to the original music files. An end-user can use advanced
options to create unique ring tones. Adding beats, fade in, fade out are some of the advanced options available in some converters. The best part of using a ring tone converter to create ring tones is that you don't need to pay monthly fees for creating ring tones. Most of the converters are available for free. An end-user can find a converter with the help of the Internet.

Sound Composers

Another way to create unique ring tones is to use a sound composer. A sound composer allows an individual to create unique sounds which can be used as ring tones. A number of sound composers are available for free and an individual can find a composer by using the Internet. An end-user can install a sound composer on a computer or on the phone. Once the sound composer is installed, the individual needs to use his own creativity to create cool ring tones. A number of options are available with-in the composer to add amazing effects to the sound. Other software can also be used to add more effects to the ring tone in order to personalize it and make it unique.

Apart from creating new ring tones and editing already available ring tones, an end-user can use the Internet to get a number of ring tones. A number of websites offer ring tones for the iPhone. Some websites charge a nominal fee for providing ring tones and some websites provide ring tones for free. They allow users to download ring tones from their website. Once the file has been downloaded, an end-user needs to transfer the file to the iPhone in order to use it as the ring tone. Some websites allow users to edit the ring tones online. This way, users are not required to download and install software for creating and editing ring tones.

At the end, if you're looking for amazing ring tones for your amazing iPhone then you should consider using ring tone converters and sound composers for creating amazing ring tones.

Xbox 360 Red Light Problem: Do’s and Don’ts

The Xbox 360 3 red lights are a serious problem that over 500,000 people are facing with. The worst thing about Xbox 360 3 red lights is that the problem won't go away (i.e. your system will keep getting the red ring of death until you fix it).

Before you do anything to fix Xbox 360 3 red lights, DON'T DO THIS

• Do not try to fix your Xbox 360 3 red lights by wrapping your system in a towel or heating it with a hair dryer. Both of these "Xbox 360 repairs" are said to fix the red ring of death but this is not really true.

• While it is possible to temporarily get your system working again using these methods, the fix will not be permanent and the problem will get worse. As you will see in a moment, the whole cause of Xbox 360 3 red lights is heat.

• Be warned: right now there is about a 94% chance that your Xbox 360 doesn't need new parts to be fixed. Just a little tweak is all you will need. However, if you use those bogus Xbox 360 repair methods you will risk turning a temporary problem into a permanent; one where you will need to order new parts.

What is the cause of Xbox 360 3 red lights? Why is my Xbox 360 constantly freezing?

As mentioned above, the cause is heat. As the motherboard heats up, it begins to vibrate. These vibrations cause a loosening of the GPU (graphics processing unit). Once the GPU comes loose enough, your game freezes and you have the infamous Xbox 360 3 red lights.

You can see now, that any "fix" involving heat will only make the problem worse. To actually fix your Xbox 360 3 red lights, you will need to take your system apart, and put a spacer between the motherboard and the heat sink (the cooler). This spacer could be a washer, and it will allow the motherboard to "breathe" when it heats up.

So how do I fix my Xbox 360 red lights once and for all?

The whole issue is stopping the GPU from coming loose. This is not a complicated process but you will need to take your system apart and put the washer in between the motherboard and heat sink carefully.

You don't need advanced technical skills or special tools to perform a simple Xbox 360 repair. But, unless you are very technical, you will need the help of a professional Xbox 360 repair guide. For best results, you will want to get a guide that has video instruction; then it's just a simple matter of following along.

Xbox 360 repair only takes about an hour, and it doesn't require advanced tools or skills. Just do it right once, and you will never have to worry about getting those darn red lights again.

Best of luck with your Xbox 360 3 red lights repair.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

To Buy Or Not to Buy WiiFit – Which Side Are You On?

Should I Buy WiiFit? – Your Questions Answered RIGHT HERE!

There’s no doubt about it. The release of Nintendo’s exergaming game – WiiFit has taken the 4 corners of the globe by storm!

In the US and UK, particularly, gamers from left, right, and center flooded both online and offline retail gaming stores to buy WiiFit. It only took less than a month for this video game to be sold out in different regions of the world.

Well, so much for the worldwide scenario…it’s now down to you – should you buy WiiFit? Is it really something worth going nuts for?

Those are just some of the questions that we’ll be answering.

Let’s bring the most frequently asked questions about this newest game by Nintendo, which will ultimately help you decide whether or not should you buy WiiFit.

Should I Buy WiiFit Question 1What is the genre of this game?

The answer may surprise as you may haven’t heard of it before. The game’s genre is exergaming.

“Exer…what?!” that’s exergaming in case you missed it. It combines playing video games and regularly doing drills and exercises through the Nintendo Wii console…hence the name exergaming.

Should I Buy WiiFit Question 2To what age group is this game intended for?

Truth be told, it’s for everybody! Matter of fact, the designer of the game – Shigeru Miyamoto, even said that what fuelled him
to create WiiFit is his desire to help families to exercise together REGULARLY.


It’s easy to follow and user-friendly that even a 10-year old could get he ball rolling in a minute or two. BUT it’s also engaging enough to get grown ups hooked to it.

Should I Buy WiiFit Question 3Do I need an extra piece of equipment to play this?

Yes! You won’t be exercising through joysticks or the usual hand-held game controllers. You have to grab a Wii Balance Board, get off from your couch, and start exercising.

A nice and fun way to break a sweat and be physically fit overtime, in my opinion.

Should I Buy WiiFit Question 4

So what results can I expect with this so-called “fun-and-exercise” game from Nintendo?

That depends on which aspect of your physical fitness you want to improve on and which category of games and challenges you work on.


You see, the challenges on Nintendo WiiFit are classified into 4 categories:

1. Yoga Training for correction of posture and mastery of relaxing deep breathing exercises.

2. Strength Training which is for beefing up those arms and muscles and toning them.

3. Balance Games, this one is for guys who have a terrible sense of balance and wants them corrected…like me.

4. Aerobics…if your weight is a notch or two above the recommended body mass, then the challenges in this category will make you sweat and trim down those ugly fats.

By Emma Fong

Unlocking the Apple IPhone 3G

The Apple iPhone 3G was announce in a blaze of glory that eclipsed most of the other smart phones on the market, but it remains to be seen whether Apple has really provided users with exactly what they want. Less than a year after the original iPhone went on sale Apple promises new users of the latest iPhone that they will be given the chance to officially download 3rd party applications through the App store. But how quickly will an unlocked version become available.


The Apple iPhone is an updated smart phone with GPS and a 16 GB memory. The 3G iPhone has a lot to write home about with added support, added GPS, third party applications, and support for a Microsoft Exchange server. Extra 3G support is a massive plus for the iPhone. If the trial speed of data transfer is maintained then users really will be carrying the Internet around in their pocket. At half the price and twice the speed of its forerunners the new 3G versions is sure to be popular.


The new phone is thinner at the edges than the earlier version and slightly thicker in the middle, other measurements remain the same although the 3G is 2grams lighter than its predecessor. It no longer has the recessed headphone jack, which some users found annoying, it is now flush enough for any 3.5mm headphones.

Due to go on sale July the 11th the phone will be on offer in black with 8GB of memory or in black or white with 16GB of memory. Sources suggest that the new iPhone will
be available in the UK from Apple, 02 and the Carphone Warehouse.


The 8GB model will be on sale for £99 on a new £30 monthly contract or an existing £35 contract - if you choose the higher tariffs of £45 and £75 a month then you will get the 8GB iPhone free. Prices are quite a bit steeper for the 16GB version with the phone costing £159 on the £30 and £35 tariffs, £59 for the £45 tariff and free on the £75 tariff.

Users will continue to receive unlimited data whatever their tariff although they could find that they will be liable for O2's excessive use policy. On the upside however you will be able to browse over O2's HSDPA network and unlimited access to 9,500 Wi-Fi hotspots through BT Openzone and the Cloud.

Although the addition of 3G and GPS make the iPhone 2.0 attractive it is still without some of the basic features found on much cheaper phones, including multimedia messaging and voice messaging.

The first iPhone was available unlocked soon after its launch but this time it will only be available in store rather than through iTunes. So what of the grey market for iPhones and those that are eager to buy one for the discounted contract price in the hope they can get it unlocked?

Well they might be put off even faster than before. Apple have done their best to ensure that their second generation phone is locked right down. With official applications being controlled tightly by Apple, any non-legitimate contract phone will easily be spotted - or more importantly won't benefit from the full features.

By David Lakins