Archive for February, 2010

Antivirus Software

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Antivirus software came into existence in the year 1987 when it was claimed that first document of it was formulated by Brent Fix.

Even before the world of net could make its presence felt, viruses were spreading through the floppy disks, and though there were antivirus yet the same were not updated regularly. All the checking was being conducted through the executable files with the help of the boot sectors of the disks. But as the net began to get popularity, viruses got more space and more scope to multiply and enter into the systems.

Further virus writers also began to use macros to create new viruses to be entrenched within the documents and later email programs especially Microsoft Outlook Express also became a source for the spread of the same. That meant user’s computers could get easily infected by merely opening or viewing messages and virus checkers also had to keep track of more than one type of files. Also when broadband connection became a norm, more and more viruses began to get released, so it also became very important for the virus checkers to update the same regularly. Then also zero day viruses began to enter the system and starting spread very widely.

Later various kinds of powerful antivirus software were created which made a lot of difference yet in 2007 again their effectiveness decreased as they were unable to track zero day viruses. The problem erupted by the new methods being adopted by the virus authors to even break through the most powerful to powerful antivirus software. Earlier the antivirus used to run virus scanners on demand and some used to run real time scanning, while making use of the heuristic engines but now they make use of the solutions known as whitelisting, enabling it to track worst to worst viruses, prevent the same and even remove it.

Overall antivirus software is a crucial weapon for your systems so everyone must be equipped with the same.

The Quickest and Easiest Way to Get the Name and Address of Cell Phone Users

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

There is no need to ever wonder about how to get the name and address of cell phone users. If you are willing to accept a few facts about this kind of search, you will then be able to find the best directory that will quickly provide you with the most personal information that can be obtained in regard to any cell phone number.

Too many people, when they first search wireless numbers, think that there must be a way to find this information without paying money. They search… and they search… and they search.

At the end of all of this searching the Internet, scouring through all kinds of social websites and shady websites that falsely promise free results for these searches, they still will not have the information they are seeking and may have even been fleeced of money by one of the many websites more than happy to try and make a quick profit off mistaken beliefs that these results can be obtained without paying.

Wireless numbers have always had their personal information protected by privacy laws in this country. The very laws that prohibit telemarketers from pounding your mobile phone with unwanted sales pitches are the same laws that prohibit anyone from discovering a caller’s name and address without first compensating the owners of this information and agreeing to certain conditions.

But if you can accept the fact that these searches will cost you a small sum of money, it is then a very easy thing to find a trusted directory to search every type of telephone number your mind can think of. While the vast number of searches performed with a reverse mobile phone directory are of wireless numbers, these directories also are more than capable of providing very detailed personal information reports for other telephone numbers like fax, page, VoIP, and even unlisted numbers.

You can’t search any of these telephone numbers with any other sort of phone directory. This also explains why many people have chosen to simply subscribe to the reverse phone directory they are comfortable working with. Nowhere else can you find these callers’ name, present address, a map location of the address, previous addresses, household member names, alternate phone numbers owned, occupation, age, and usually much more.

So, if you are looking to find the name and address of cell phone users or any other kind of phone number, your best bet is to check one of the better directories on the Internet.

How to Get LCD Screen Optimal Resolution

Friday, February 26th, 2010

A few years ago, 1024×768 was the most common display resolution. Now HD (high definition) resolution of 2560×1600 is used in 30″ or bigger LCD monitors. Special medical monitors have been designed for 3280×2048 resolution. The term “display resolution” is used to describe simply the physical number of columns and rows of pixels creating the display, for example, 1280×1024, in other words, size of the display. However, the meaning of the word “resolution” here is misleading. Such using “display resolution” means pixel dimensions which does not tell about a real resolution of the display. Technically, display resolution is measured in pixels per inch.

In digital imaging, a pixel (pic’s-el, or picture element) is a single smallest point or unit of picture which can be controlled. Pixels are normally arranged in a 2-dimensional grid, and are often represented using dots or squares. Dots per inch (DPI) is a measure of spatial printing or video dot density, in particular the number of individual dots that can be placed in a line within the span of one inch (2.54 cm). As it was mentioned above, DPI is often confused with image size, leading to expressions such as 1024×768 resolution.

What screen resolution is optimal? A higher screen resolution reduces the size of items on your screen and increases the relative space on your desktop. But on the other hand, you may feel uncomfortable if fonts are too small to read a text. Another parameter is aspect ratio (the relative numbers of horizontal and vertical pixels). Traditional displays built with 4:3 aspect ratio. New wide-screen monitors may use almost 2:1 ratio. The best way to find the perfect resolution and aspect ratio that are optimal for you and your monitor is to try different settings.

To change your screen resolution in Windows OS, open Display in Control Panel. On the Settings tab, under Screen resolution, drag the slider, and then click Apply. When prompted to apply the settings, click OK. Your screen will turn black for a moment. Once your screen resolution changes, you have 15 seconds to confirm the change. Click Yes to confirm the change; click No or do nothing to revert to your previous setting. Your monitor and graphics card (video adapter) determine how much you can change your screen resolution; normally, it is a limited list of standard settings.

In general, a computer display resolution can be set higher or lower than the physical screen resolution. However, if old CRT monitors provided a variability in resolution, LCD displays are not so easy adjustable because they have a fixed physical resolution. You may be unable to increase the resolution of LCD display above a certain level (normally better than native resolution). The “native” resolution is the same as a screen maximum resolution if a correct video driver installed. Be aware that using a non-native low resolution on LCD may result in a poorer image, due to dropping of pixels to make the image fit (if using DVI) or insufficient sampling of the analog signal (if using VGA).

The Importance of Digital Signal Processors (DSPs)

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

A signal is a piece of information in binary or digital form. Digital Signal Processing techniques improve signal quality or extract important information by removing unwanted parts of the signal.

The introduction of general purpose microprocessors in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s made it possible for DSP techniques to be used in a much wider range of applications. The microprocessors such as the Intel x86 family were not suitable for the numerically-intensive requirements of digital signal processing, and the increasing importance of DSP led major electronic manufacturers to develop DSP chips, the design of which met all the requirements of digital signal processing.

DSP is a programmable chip and is capable of carrying out millions of floating point operations per second. Typical DSP application fields are audio signal processing, video signal processing, image processing and telecommunications devices. DSP is the basis of many technologies including mobile phones, personal computers, video recorders, CD players, hard disc drive controllers and modems.

The application of digital signal processors in cellular phones is very significant. Signal compression, an important application of DSPs, is used in cellular phones to permit a larger number of calls to be handled simultaneously within each local “cell”. The signal compression technology helps to communicate to one another by seeing them while talking. This facility is available with the help of a computer monitor, small video camera and a conventional telephone line linking them together. DSPs can be used in applications that require a high computational speed. Such applications include computer video boards and specialized co-processor boards designed for intensive scientific computation.

Home Electronics – Mobile Devices Keep Us Connected Night and DayHome Electronics – Mobile Devices Keep Us Connected Night and DayHome Electronics – Mobile Devices Keep Us Connected Night and Day

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

A decade or two ago we had no idea about cell phones, their purposes or pleasures. These days, if you are looking for great things at great prices, cellular devices are at the top of many people’s lists.

Today phones are one of the most common forms of technology. People tend to use mobile phones more now than ever before. This is because they are very convenient. You can bring a cell phone anywhere; use it in any room of the house, at work, out at dinner, or wherever you can imagine. They also allow people to contact you when you are out of town and now even out of the country.

When considering what type of device you need, think about what it is that you need the phone for. Do you need a phone that you can use to talk to people at anytime and anyplace? Or would you also be using your cell phone as a planner book to record all of your appointments or to-do lists? Mobile phones have been developed and redeveloped to suit any person in all walks of life.

For business people, units have been created to hold video conferences which allow photo sharing to demonstrate charts and other important papers or items that need to be shared without having to be in the office to hold the conference.

Internet access is typically included in any cell developed now. The level of access varies by the model. Some phones will allow users to watch movies and music videos. Other phones allow a user to listen to music as if it were an MP3 player, which can come in handy during exercise routines or while you are out walking the dog.

Email can also be sent and received through your cell phone so you do not have to wait until you reach a computer to know if you have received that very important email you have been looking forward to all day. Several calling mobiles also allow you to set up multiple email accounts which lets you access your personal email and work email at the same time from any place.

If you are not that technically-advanced, you can always use the camera equipped on your cell phone to take pictures of family, friends, or beautiful scenery you come across during your day. You can either keep the picture for your personal archive or you can send it out to all of your friends via Picture Messaging.

There are many opportunities that cell phones bring to their users. Take advantage of what you need, all in one place. These are one of the most useful and fun areas of home electronics.

The Best Way to Clean a DVD Player

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

We use a DVD for several applications. We can watch a movie in it or play your favorite video games. The DVDs may not function well if it becomes dirty. It has a tendency to skip when it becomes too dirty. It will also have a hard time reading the information properly. The dirt becomes a hindrance for reading the data. Cleaning the DVD is not so hard as long as you follow the right steps accordingly. This is moderately difficult task. The things you will need are duster, cleaning disc, alcohol, q-tips, screw driver and three in one oil.

1. The first step on how to clean a DVD is unplugging it properly. You should make sure that it’s completely connected. You should then put it in another place where you would get a lot of room for cleaning it.

2. The second step on how to clean a DVD is examining the player. Check the vents and the fans. You must check if there is a thick build up of the dirt or grime. If the area with the vents already has a big accumulation then it means that you have not cleaned it for a very long time. It would not help if you use the duster on it because it will just get blown back to the player. If the accumulated dust is just light then you should start cleaning it by just blowing on it. There are some DVD players that let you open it up so you can blow on it easily.

3. The third step on how to clean a DVD is putting the disc for cleaning it. You can just watch as it does its job. For a large accumulation of dust or dirt it may not play properly. However if the disc for cleaning finished until the end then you can end your cleaning process

4. The fourth step on how to clean a DVD is disassembling the DVD. This will enable you to clean and remove the large build up of dirt properly. You should start this by looking for the player’s seams, security tape and screws. Be careful of the tape because if that breaks then you will not be able to avail your warranty in case it breaks down. You can risk this and open the player. You do this by first removing the screws which you will find on the player’s bottom. You should just be taking the casing out then remove the dust accumulation on the vents first by using your duster. Be careful not to shake it because the nitrogen might leak out and damage the player.

5. The fifth step on how to clean a DVD is putting alcohol on your q-tips. Then swipe it on the part with the laser. You can then rub it on the rails if you find any dust on it. Do not swipe the alcohol on the circuits.

6. The sixth step on how to clean a DVD is letting it dry properly. You start by dipping a q-tip with the oil and brushing it on the rails. Then after a few minutes of drying you can close it now and then play the disc for cleaning the player. Then if it plays all the way to the end then you have successfully cleaned your DVD.

Understanding HTTP Proxies

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Ever wonder how we get all those spam emails selling us stuff; saying that we have been pre-approved for a certain credit card; or offering us many different things from playing online casino to subscribing to pay-per-view shows and such?

There are a lot of reasons why we get all these kinds of emails; one of which is that our email address has been sold to a third-party buyer when we signed-up for certain online promos.

Another bigger reason is that our browsing habits have been monitored and tracked down by other websites who use trackers specifically for the purpose of marketing.

How do they track us down? They do this by using our Internet Protocol addresses. This is where an HTTP Proxy can come into play. What are these?

IP ADDRESSES AND HTTP PROXIES

IP ADDRESS

To know the answer to What are HTTP Proxies?; we must first understand what an IP Address is. Simply put, an IP Address is the configuration that the computer network has designated to our computers.

The IP Address allows other computers to connect to us when we are online to give us information on things we are looking for or to hook us up to the websites that we want to browse.

With this unique number configuration, it will be easy for internet predators to track down our browsing habits; from the sites that we frequent to our location. But these are not all that our IP Address can reveal about us.

Identity thefts; credit card fraud and other online malicious activities may befall us all because of our IP Address.

HTTP PROXIES

Now these are alternative servers that we can use when surfing the internet to allow our own IP Address to be hidden from online predators.

These will send information to the World Wide Web through an anonymous proxy server so that our online computer identity will not be open to the internet network.

To further understand What are HTTP Proxies?; what happens when we use them is that when we send information to the internet using any one of these HTTP Proxies; they use their own IP Address instead of ours.

We may think that this is already the solution we are looking for to prevent malicious hackers from using our identities but there’s more to What are HTTP Proxies? than just hiding our identities.

There are open HTTP Proxies that can do more damage to us than our own IP Addresses. These types of proxy servers are often manipulated by again, malicious users to control our computers to hack into or attack other computers; using us as the end-user.

The more reliable proxy servers are what we call Web-based HTTP Proxies. These do not require downloads or configuring our browsers; and these operate solely through Web browsers.

Now that we know a few things about the question What are HTTP Proxies?; it is solely upon our own discretion whether we want to use these or not. We should first weigh the pros and cons of using these proxy servers before using them.

Speakers – How They Work and What They Do

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

After the response from the power capacitor article, there have been many requests for an article on speakers and which ones are the best to have as well as how to choose the speakers for your ideal car audio system. So if you want to know the basics behind creating a car audio system so great that it almost feels as if Linkin Park are rocking out in your back seats while Jay Z is sitting next to you telling you about his 99 problems, then you’ll want to give this a read… just my 2 cents…

Speakers

Speakers (drivers) are a vital part of car audio systems. They take charge of reproducing the sound from electrical to audible. They work by vibrating the air around the speaker when an electrical current is passed through them. This is why it is important to choose the best speakers that your budget will allow. This will give you end impression that you would feel that you were in a live concert hall; with the artist next to you actually singing live!

Types of speaker

There are usually four types of speaker used in car audio set ups. For the low end of the sound spectrum, subwoofers and mid-bass drivers are used; the middle of the sound spectrum is taken care of by the mid-range drivers while the high end is reproduced by tweeters. There are also speakers such as 6×9’s that are able to produce a broader spectrum of sound than a standard midrange driver on its own for example and also the design of the speaker varies depending on the intended use.

Tweeters

Tweeters are used to play the high end of the sound spectrum. Due to the nature of the speaker, either an inline capacitor or a crossover is used to filter the sound out to ensure that only the frequencies that the tweeter is designed to play are sent to the tweeter. The crossover may also aid in reducing damage to the tweeter, as well as increasing efficiency of the speaker. With my car, I chose to install a separate pair of JBL GTO-18T tweeters that are running directly of the head unit. This is purely to aid my pursuit to produce a special sound in the car as opposed to just sound coming directly from the speakers.

Midrange speaker

The midrange is a vital part of a car audio system. It is in theory possible to run a car audio system solely of midrange speakers however for someone wishing to recreate sound at a high level, it is unheard of. The midrange speakers come in a variety of sizes to fit the different door panels. Unlike subwoofers for example, midrange speakers are able to run directly off the head unit however it is common to see that if the head unit is turned too high, then distortion can be heard (clipping). This is why many people choose to add an amplifier to amplify the signal sent to the midrange speakers so that at high volumes, a cleaner signal is being sent to the speakers. Again some will choose to use a crossover system to limit certain frequencies to be reproduced by the midrange speaker. There are two types of midrange speaker, component and coaxial. The difference between component and coaxial is design. With a pair of component speakers, the tweeter is separate to the main driver whereas with a coaxial speaker, the design is of an all-in-one nature. The difference is in the type of sound produced. As coaxial speakers are all in one, the sound comes from one location, however with component speakers, the tweeter is separate thus it is able to achieve a more spatial sound. Due to the benefits offered with a set of component speakers, in my car, I have chosen to use one pair of JBL component speakers to act as the ‘front speakers’ as well as a pair of JBL coaxial speakers as ‘rear speakers’ even though they both have been installed in the door. The reason for this is that my car, out of the factory only has 2 speakers, one in each door. This left me with the problem of how I was going to achieve a spatial sound. To go about this, ideally I needed to have another pair of speakers acting as the ‘rear’ speakers. This is why I had chosen to use a set of coaxial speakers for the rear speakers and a set of component speakers for the ‘front’ speakers. The idea of this would be to achieve a surround sound from the system while inside the car, and given the conditions I had to work with, I’m pretty happy with the turnout of the overall system.

Mid bass

Mid bass drivers produce frequencies between the subwoofer and the midrange speakers. Some people argue that they are not a vital part of a system while others swear by them. For some simple systems, the mid bass driver can be a vital tool if someone is aiming to achieve clarity over loudness, as again, it would be separating the sound spectrum even more to each of the components so that fidelity will be increased. For my project, I had decided against the use of mid bass drivers purely dude to space confinements of my project car.

Subwoofers

Subwoofers come in a variety of sizes usually 8, 10, 12, 15 and 18 inches. They are used to produce the low frequencies. Almost all subwoofers are amplified due to their demand for high power; however a few head units and subwoofers from pioneer are able to work together without the use of an amplifier. Some subwoofers require an enclosure, this may be a sealed or vented enclosure with some subwoofers being free-to-air, i.e. they will work without the use of an enclosure, and however these subwoofers on average require more power than a subwoofer of equivalent sound output that requires the use of an enclosure. Free-to-air subs have also been commented on by many people who say that they find that type of bass that is produced is not of the same standard or quality even though they are rated at the same power. There are also active bass boxes where the amp, subwoofer and the enclosure are all built into one unit however they, on average tend to have a lower power output than say a separate sub/amp combination. This is why many people will choose an enclosure type subwoofer. The presence of a port will adapt the type of bass produced. With a port, many people find that there is more bass produced (as the subwoofer is moving the air through a tuned port, however there is less definition in terms of the sound. With a sealed enclosure however, the bass produced can be described as more of a tighter sounding bass as the air is moved inside the box, however the use of a sealed enclosure will also put more strain on the subwoofer, due to the pressure levels built up inside of the enclosure.

While doing some research for my enclosure, I found that the size of the enclosure makes a massive difference. After choosing the Kicker L7, I had two options for my enclosure, to either use a sealed box that would be very small (the benefit would also be to save space) or if I wanted to use a ported box, then the size would be much larger and the effect of the bass would be different as greater pressure levels could be built up inside the car with a slot ported box, which is why I chose the ported box.

Power ratings

Power ratings determine what power each component is able to handle at continuous and at maximum. For example, a speaker may have a rating of 45w RMS and 135w MAX. The RMS indicated is the maximum amount of continuous power that can run through without bringing about damage to the component and the max is how much power the component can handle for a short period of time this is why it is important to ensure that the components are not supplied with too much power. Most head units are capable of producing 50Wx4 max on average however some amplifiers are able to produce 50Wx4 RMS and upwards. For my set-up I went for a system what would be able to output 50Wx4 rms. I felt that this would result in a small enough amplifier as well as giving me the midrange punch that I desired.
Other speakers

Traditionally speakers come in round shapes. However there are speakers that come in different shapes and sizes. For example, recently, companies such as Kicker and Sony have released subwoofers that are different in size to the traditional round subwoofer. There are also oblong shaped speakers such as the popular 6×9’s, as well as 4×6, 5×7 and 6×8.

There are tweeters known as super-tweeters. They are similar to tweeters in the sense that they produce the high end frequencies however they able to produce frequencies that are beyond that of conventional tweeters. Bullet tweeters are a type of super tweeter. They are called bullet tweeters due to their name. They usually work by having an inline capacitor when connected to a signal. Some people choose to use piezo electric tweeters in their cars in addition to conventional tweeters. The piezo electric tweeters, like the bullet tweeters are known as super-tweeters and are chosen due to their high power rating and their durability. The piezo tweeters do not require anything to limit the frequencies that are delivered to the component due to the way they are manufactured, their high impedance acts as a filter. Some people however find that the sound they produce is not of very high quality however I’m yet to test out a pair of piezo tweeter in my system, but it is one of the next additions I am looking to install.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it is important to keep in mind that if you’re looking for that full bodied sound that you ensure that your system is able to reproduce the whole sound spectrum, this will include a subwoofer of some sort for the bass, usually many people bypass the mid-bass drivers and will use midrange drivers as well as tweeters and this will be enough to produce a full sound. I personally have a pair of coaxial and component midrange speakers, a pair of bullet tweeters and a Kicker L7 to the end result being enough to bring a smile to my face every time!
Hope this was helpful.

Neil Patel

Benefits of Practical IT Network Training Courses

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

IT network training courses are a new addition to build a business’ diverse working knowledge in their field. Some of the major factors in providing these courses include improving efficiency, increasing employee knowledge base and saving money from acquired skills. IT networking is a comprehensive topic that requires commitment, desire and an aptitude to learn the intricate details required to effectively manage an IT network.

If you want to create a strong workplace, a few practical IT networking courses can be the trick to reach optimal operational efficiency.

Improve Efficiency

Successful IT training begins with finding experienced professionals to assist in your course planning. What is considered an important benefit for IT network training? ‘Efficiency’ teaches employees how to think like IT administrators to counter problems within the network. It also helps to smooth out the workflow so IT problems are not overwhelming. By working with a reputable training firm, your employees accomplish small goals one by one as they learn the basic principles of successful IT network management.

Efficiency is the bridge between successful business operations and lost man hours on frivolous issues. The majority of today’s IT network problems are common, but many companies are not equipped with the expertise or knowledge of network management to take care of the problems alone. An introduction into networking can open a door to unforeseen changes in your organisation. One of these changes includes increasing employee knowledge and skill sets to do diverse jobs when it is in need. The latent knowledge of networking could bring your organisation’s learning curve into a whole new dimension.

Increase Employee Knowledge

Majority of today’s small businesses utilise extra training to help increase their employee knowledge of software programs, network architecture, and designing opportunities to enrich learning through hands-on assignments. Equally, most of today’s leading organisations take advantage of IT learning segments to remove the mist of troubleshooting internal issues including security breaches, monitoring network traffic and performance management. Although the issues arise from time to time, employees will have to skills and knowledge necessary to answer questions boggling their minds.

This, in itself, creates a sense of freedom and confidence to work on projects efficiently without calling in reinforcements when network problems occur. It also generates a strong interest in learning more about networking through continuous learning online or in-person with professional administrators. All of these investments help companies save money in consulting fees from administrators managing their problems all the time.

Save Money

How can IT courses help your business save money? You are now in control of the amount of time needed to perform maintenance and audit checks on your network. You can also train a special group of individuals with an aptitude to perform various tasks within your organisation instead of dealing with outside consultants. The practical training courses are only capable of training employees how to do the principle functions to keep your business on the right track.

After receiving all of these benefits, your company begins to explore its innovative abilities by working with others to build a stronger foundation. IT network training courses are only the beginning to a brighter future in your organisation; after you work hard to achieve your goals, you can expect success no matter what.

iPad Testers – iPad Testing Lets You Try and Keep the Apple iPad Free, No Joke!

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

For those of you who have never heard of iPad testing, it is a program run by companies selling Apple’s products. As long as you follow through on the requirements, you can have your own Apple iPad on your desk in no time. An iPad tester can find many offers online and avoid those annoying contests to try and win one. Getting to be one of the first to own and operate an iPad is easier than you think. If I’ve caught your interest then keep on reading to learn how you can get an iPad to keep free.

How Are Companies Able to Give Away iPads For Free?

Most offers like these are paid for by advertisers or 3rd party investors. They require consumers to fulfill a few requirements and then once completed, they send the consumer a new product to try out. As long as you complete your end of the deal, you’ll find out this offer to be “REAL” and your tablet-style computer will be yours to keep without waiting to see if you’ve won a contest or was lucky enough to have your email address picked from a list of about a million others.

Offering free iPads for testing is a really inexpensive way for advertisers to get the word out about this new revolutionary product. The Apple Corporation and other companies will use the iPad test to elicit consumer opinions and to find what the public thinks of the new product. They also may learn if the product is being used properly and if any new applications need to be developed in order to increase sales and keep the public’s interest high. Let’s face it, after getting one for free I’m sure you’ll become a valued customer as well.

Please Be Aware Though:

You must be a resident of the United States to apply and you have to be at least 18 years old to qualify. This offer will not last long and once the iPad is available to the public, these free offers will often disappear. Don’t waste your time entering contests only to be disappointed when you don’t win. iPad testing offers are not a scam and they do work. I will caution you to be careful of any offer asking you for your social security number or your bank account information in order to be put on their list. These offers scream fraud.