http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/computers/how-to-build-custom-computers.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/how-to-build-custom-computers.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:47:50 -0500
This is not a way to save money. Computers from a discount store, with bundled software and operating systems, are far cheaper than custom-built machines. Most of those computers have compromises in performance and quality. Custom builders don't have to make compromises.

There are many sources for components. Although the local electronics store has some useful items, most of the parts for the project must come by mail order. Advertisements in magazines and online list numerous sources. The first component purchased is the case. There are several types of cases. From compact to tower, they offer features not found in factory-built computers. A case is usually purchased with a power supply. Buy a power supply that is bigger than needed. Extra power always comes in handy. The case should come with a fan, as well.

The next item is the motherboard. Modern motherboards have many components already installed on the board. Video cards and disk drive controllers included on the board may not be adequate. Be sure that there are plenty of expansion slots on the board to accommodate upgrades in these areas. The processor on the motherboard should be the fastest and newest one available. Processors are improved every year, and they should not be obsolete before being plugged in.

Disk drives and optical drives are cheap. Factory computers come with an optical drive and a hard drive. It is a good idea to include other drives, even if they seem unnecessary. If the goal is gaming, then the biggest and fastest video card goes into one of the slots. Purchase the maximum amount of memory that will fit on the motherboard. This speeds up the machine considerably.

Choose the operating system that is best for the applications being used. Consulting others will help with this choice. Buying an operating system is a new experience for many users, but it is nothing to worry about. When everything is connected, boot the system and input the settings. It wouldn't hurt to find a book on the subject, but it is easier to do than anyone lets on.


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George Pettit is a journalist and president of Computer Repair Brisbane Group (CRBG). He is often writing about computer viruses, malewares, web development and similar topics.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/how-to-create-a-simple-website.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/how-to-create-a-simple-website.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:56:22 -0500
First you need a website domain name, a website host and a website tool to build your site. A domain name is the address, similar to your home address, where visitors will go to find your site. For example, www.myownwebsite.com is a website address or domain name.

A website host is a company who will provide the infrastructure for your website on the Internet. The host will also assist you should you have any technical issues when visiting your site.

Website building tools are a new website owner's best friend. These tools are user friendly and allow you to quickly and quite nicely build your own website.

Where to begin? A quick search on the Internet will introduce you to numerous companies who offer one-stop shopping. Various businesses existing today, offer customers a start to finish guide to website owning, building and maintaining. Doing business with one of these reputable companies can be a great benefit to you in building and owning your website.

After researching and selecting such a company, you will be asked to pick a domain name. Your domain name should be specific yet easy for visitors to remember. A shorter address is more likely to generate more traffic to your site than a longer name.

You will then be asked to select a web hosting account. These accounts range from a very basic and limited amount of disk space to an elaborate and unlimited amount of disk space. To begin, select a basic account because you can always upgrade should you decide to in the future.

What is most important when selecting a web hosting provider are the tools offered to you to build your site. These tools eliminate the need to understand complex programming language in order to construct your site. You will be surprised at how easy it is to build your website and how professional it will look with some patience and thought.

So, don't let inexperience discourage you. Every one starts at the beginning some time. In less time than you think, and at a low cost, you will be giving your family, friends, business partners and customers your new website address which you constructed all by yourself!


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George Pettit is a journalist and president of Computer Repair Brisbane Group (CRBG). He is often writing about computer viruses, malewares, web development and similar topics.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/what-is-spyware.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/what-is-spyware.html Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:20:09 -0500
According to most people, spyware means the following. It is generally considered a form of malware that is put into someone's personal computer without their permission or approval. Once the software has been put on someone's computer, then the person that put it on their computer can do a number of things. One of the things that can be done is to check out and monitor the user's computer habits and behaviour. What is the benefit to the person that puts the software of the computer of the user? There are a couple of main benefits. One of those things is that the people that installed the spy ware use it for is to steal peoples personal information such as credit card and bank information. Why would people want to do that? It is due to the fact that they want the information in order to steal people's money. Also, some people will take the information and sell to third parties that want to have access to that kind of secret information.

Another reason why people apply spyware to a person's computer is to track where they visit on the internet. Having that information can be valuable to the spy and damaging to the person that has had their information compromised. It is critically important that people always update and use their anti spyware software in order to protect themselves. Not using that software can put a computer in a compromised state. Spyware can be so sneaky and all that a user is most likely not even aware that it is on their computer, which makes it even more important to use the appropriate tools in order to keep one protected.

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Spyware and adware are big threats, so invest in some antivirus software from k7 computing

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/new-government-antivirus-hit-squad-launched.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/new-government-antivirus-hit-squad-launched.html Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:05:21 -0500 antivirus software and other resources in order to detect and defeat and pre-emptive attack.

This new group will be based at Government Communications Head Quarters (GCHQ) at Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. The new centre is to be called the Cyber Security Operations Centre. The team, who are referred to as the cyber forensics team, will monitor the internet in real time and will analyse all potential attacks and develop appropriate defences. Their role is not exclusively defensive, for they are also developing new ways to counterattack cyber terrorists. These will add to an already extensive arsenal of weapons that are available to the team for deployment against terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda.

The government minister in charge of this operation is Lord West and in a recent speech he reiterated the government views that certain terrorist groups are already making full use of the web for recruiting new members and that they use advanced encryption methods for internet communications. These groups are now going one step further, and are beginning to use virus and denial of service attacks on government organisations, businesses and banks.

The threat of cyber attacks is not exclusively from terrorist organisations, as organised crime is making increasing use of the internet to blackmail and otherwise extract money from individuals and organisations.

Hostile nations also pose serious cyber threats. Both Russia and China have launched cyber offensives against the UK, though the government believes that these have not been successful in penetrating government computers or obtaining secret information. Knowing how careful the UK government have been with secret information of late what else can one do but believe them?

If you are not one hundred percent secure in your belief that our government will successfully protect you from cybercrime, then you are advised to ensure that your antivirus software is up to date.

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If you want to invest in your own antivirus or adware software, the experts at k7 will help you out!

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/the-virus-hunters.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/the-virus-hunters.html Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:45:40 -0500
Although we all have (at least we all should have) antivirus software installed on our computers, this is only effective if the latest viruses are spotted and the virus databases that lie at the heart of our antivirus software are kept up to date. This is essential if our computers are to be immunised against virus attack.

Just as the creators of computer viruses use many clever tricks in order to propagate their malware, their opposite numbers, the computer security experts also have a few tricks up their sleeve. In order to detect an imminent virus attack these virus hunters have developed an early warning system that consists of two major prongs, these are so-called ‘honeypot' computers and ‘network telescopes'.

Honeypot computers are computers and computer networks that are connected to the internet but have no security protection. The honeypots attract viruses and worms so that they can be unencrypted and their code analysed. Essentially they are virus traps. Sometimes they contain decoy information that is designed to appear that it is worthwhile to the intruding malware; for instance is might appear that the honeypot is an entry point to a network thus prompting the intruder to use brute force tactics to gain passwords in order to penetrate it. This kind of information is an invaluable way of discovering the capabilities and payloads of the intruders.

Network telescopes are collections of very large numbers of internet addresses all of which are routed to a specific computer. These internet addresses are essentially dummies, and there is no reason for anybody to connect to them unless in error. Most of the traffic targeting these internet address collections comes from illegitimate sources. There is generally a background noise, a bit like the background radiation count of a Geiger counter, but should any significant event occur, such as the release of a rapidly replicating worm, then there will be an increased level of activity which this network telescope will detect. These collections of bogus internet addresses are sometimes referred to somewhat romantically as ‘the darknet'.

There is a continual cat and mouse game played between virus creator and virus hunter. Currently the virus hunter is in the ascendancy however there is no space for complacency and vigilance must be maintained.

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The experts at k7 computing will help you prevent and cure any threats to your computer with internet security software

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/adware-blocker.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/adware-blocker.html Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:12:29 -0500
Adware blocker should be an essential and a very important part of the security that people and companies use. By taking a few important steps, adware blocker can be used to protect assets and equipment. On the market today, most anti-virus software has the ability to know whether there is adware on a computer. Some of the anti-virus software though, does not remove the adware that may or may not exist on a computer. It is important to know exactly what your anti-virus software does and does not do. There is dedicated adware software that will block and remove adware from your computer. Where can this software be found? There is software that can be bought from the store that can be used. In addition, there is some software available from websites that can be downloaded to a person's computer. Often times they are free, but some of the problems do charge for the user to download them. It is important to know though that even if one has to pay for adware blocker, it is a small cost compared to the damage and the time that it can cost someone that has adware on their computer. In addition, with the advance of technology, adware blocker software should and needed to be updated on a regular basis. Not updating the software on your computer on a regular basis can cause you to be not completely protected, even if you have adware blocker on your computer.

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For more information about adware and antivirus software, get in touch with the experts at k7 Computing

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/where-did-copier-machines-come-from.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/where-did-copier-machines-come-from.html Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:26:07 -0500
The company expanded quickly and made many men wealthy. In 1961, the company formally became known as Xerox corporation and was then listed on first the New York Stock Exchange in 1961 and then the Chicago Stock Exchange in 1990.

In 1963, the first desk top copier was invented, again by Xerox. This invention made the dream of a desktop copier a reality and a few businesses began acquiring them.

In 1969, Xerox bought Scientific Data Systems which then produced the Sigma line of mainframe computers, which then brought about the beginning of the computing age.

Also in 1969, a man named Gary Starkweather, a Xerox researcher, invented the laser printer by changing and upgrading a Xerox printer. The result of this upgrade was that a printer was now available to be purchased for use by companies.

While Archie McCardell was leading the company, Canon invented the color copier. Xerox responded by inventing and releasing its own model. This launched the company to a worth of several millions.

In 1970, Xerox opened a research center in Palo Alto, California. It was there that research produced the technology of the mouse. Steve Jobs later visited the research center and used some of that technology in his Apple MacIntosh computer released in 1984. Apple later considered buying Xerox, but that deal never came to be.

After these times of record profits, an anti-trust lawsuit with the FTC was resolved resulting in some of their patents being sold to Japanese companies. This resulted in their U.S. market falling from 100% to just 14%, until in 2000, under the leadership of Anne Mulcahy, the company began experiencing a turnaround by reducing debt and increasing cash flow, while finding new ways to produce.

Later it merged with fuji film to produce the company fujixerox whose website is www.fujixerox.com.

As new technology is developed in the xerographic process, the future is bright for companies that strive to better themselves by utilizing that technology.

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Louis Castellan is a New Caledonian journalist and technology enthusiast. He usualy writes about printers, copiers, usb gadgets and many more.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/austrailian-computer-repair-right-in-your-neighborhood.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/austrailian-computer-repair-right-in-your-neighborhood.html Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:47:12 -0500
Luckily, there is a new idea that can make your computer repair problems a thing of the past. NearbyNerd.com.au is helping hook up people with their neighbors who have the technical skill to solve your problem. Every neighborhood is loaded with trustworthy tech wizards who could use a little extra income. To them, the vast majority of computer problems are very simple to fix. This is a much more trustworthy relationship than some repair shop across town. You don't know for what they might be charging you. Your neighbors in your community are much more trustworthy. You live right alongside them, day-by-day.

Your neighborhood holds the hidden secret to all of your technical problems. People trained in computer science, tech junkies, and the video-game obsessed computer experts who are constantly testing the newest high performance computer hardware live right in your community. They are constantly researching computer information and might like a little extra income for helping you with your problem. They don't have the overhead of a shop, nor a group of investors to satisfy. They do, however, know how to fix your problem.

There is a great amount of trust involved in any repair relationship. Just because a business has invested money in a building and staff does not mean they are guaranteed to do a great repair job at a low price. Your neighbors might be a more cost-effective and trustworthy solution.


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Silvestra Pittalis is computer journalist from Queensland, Australia. She usually writes about computer hardware, system maintenance, Computer Repairs Brisbane services, new technologies and several other topics.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/elongate-laptop-batterys-life.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/elongate-laptop-batterys-life.html Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:31:39 -0500 Lithium Ion (LiON) laptop batteries are normally recommended to use in technically advanced laptops. These batteries are powerful enough to run laptops plus accessories, such as mp3 players, DVD players and USB devices.
They are lighter than NiCd and NiMH batteries and have not got any memory effect.
If used in the proper way, LiON batteries are expected to run for around three years, but it is important to clarify that the three-year period of time starts when batteries are actually manufactured and not when they are actually exploited. A battery needs to be replaced when the PC cannot run any longer unless attached to the main supply through an adapter. Below are some guidelines to prolong battery's longevity.
• Avoid frequent complete discharges, since this puts added strain on a pc battery. Several partial discharges with frequent recharges are preferable for lithium-ion batteries than a full discharge. Recharging partially charged lithium-ion batteries is secure, since they have no memory. Short laptop battery's life in a laptop commonly depends on the high temperatures rather than charge - discharge patterns.
• It is advisable to fully discharge a laptop battery after 30 charges. Otherwise, the fuel gauge will get significantly less accurate and in some cases will cut off the device prematurely.
• Keep a lithium-ion laptop battery cool.
• Remove a pc battery from a laptop when it is run on a fixed power. (Some laptop producers express concern for dust and moisture that gather inside the pc battery casing.)
• Avoid purchasing spare LiON batteries for later deployment. Pay special attention to manufacturing dates. Do not buy old stock, even if it is available at lower prices.
• If you have got a spare LiON laptop battery, use one to the full and keep the other one cool by putting it into the fridge. Do not freeze the laptop battery. For optimal results, store the battery at 40% state-of-charge.
Before using any laptop, read a manual instruction supplied.

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Commercial travellers, tourists and students are the most frequent buyers of laptops. If you would like your laptop to run non-stop for several hours, opt for Dell Latitude D620 Power Cord as well as Dell Inspiron - Batteries & Chargers.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/new-virus-targets-facebook-myspace-and-twitter-users.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/new-virus-targets-facebook-myspace-and-twitter-users.html Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:45:38 -0500
The latest one, a worm called Koobface, has hit all the social networks, including Facebook, MySpace, hi5, Bebo and Twitter, and can riddle your network with malware, spyware and can steal sensitive data right from your workstations' hard drives. Like past generations of computer bugs, Koobface wants to not only infect your computer, but then use you as a jumping off point to infect others. But unlike past viruses, Koobface and similar new malware programs are leveraging your company's social network account to reach out and infect your online friends and business associates.

"Somewhere in the world there are some guys sitting around and dreaming up things that will make you click on a link," said Chip Reaves, global director of Computer Troubleshooters, the largest international network of outsourced IT providers that offers onsite computer services to small businesses. "Koobface's most effective way to spread is to send links to your friends with text like ‘I can't believe it's you in this video - were you sober? LOL!' Koobface combines state-of-the-art software which can infect your computer in multiple ways with these creative lures designed to make you want to click on the infected links. It's pretty insidious."

According to an analysis by malware research firm Trend Micro, Koobface is composed of as many as 26 separate functional pieces, each of which is designed to use you and your computer in different malicious ways.

Reaves suggests these tips to protect your office network:

• Anti-virus, Anti-spyware
First and foremost every computer user on the Internet needs professional, up-to-date protection software. This should at a minimum include both anti-virus and anti-spyware support (some free packages do not include anti-spyware), and ideally should also include a link scanner component to minimize the risk of visiting websites which are known to be infected.
• Claim your name, Check your fame
If you are using social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook, do periodic searches for yourself. This is especially helpful with small businesses to see what people are saying about you, but if you're infected you may find updates from yourself - which you never sent.
• Use a 3rd party Twitter application or your phone
Third party applications such as Tweekdeck or Twhirl can help block certain exploits that would otherwise infect you from the Twitter website. They can also help by showing where a "shortened" URL will take you before you click. Using your cell phone for updates is also safer than using the Twitter or Facebook websites directly.
• Secure Your Browser
Make sure your web browser is the most up-to-date version, since many vulnerabilities in older browsers (even ones from just a few months ago) are often used by malware creators to infect your computer. Chrome and Firefox are generally considered safer than Internet Explorer, but any browser with its security setting set to "High" and with the most recent updates should be fine. For the highest level of security consider using Firefox plus Noscript.net to block most potential points of vulnerability.

• Ask to Include Social Media protection in your IT Management Plan
Many small businesses and home users today are outsourcing all their computer management to a local computer service provider through what's called a Managed Services plan. Ask your local Computer Troubleshooter or other service provider to include social media protection in your computer management plan.

"If your IT department or outsourced support doesn't take all those elements into account, it's not a matter of if you'll experience downtime - it's a matter of when and for how long," Reaves said. "It's not right to be held hostage by your computer troubles or by your IT support by proxy. Uptime is not a luxury - it's a necessity for any home or business. Make certain that your IT company guarantees it. If they don't, look for another firm."


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Computer Troubleshooters is the largest international network of franchise owners providing onsite computer services to small businesses. Celebrating its 10th year of service, Computer Troubleshooters now has more than 475 franchises worldwide in more than 20 countries.
The company provides a comprehensive range of computer and technology solutions to small business owners (typically with 1 to 25 staff). Computer Troubleshooters helps companies with technology issues, problem prevention, virus and spyware remediation, website development and a wide variety of small business IT needs. The company offers the world's only "No-Downtime-Guarantee" on its top managed services plan. The individual franchisees of the company are fully trained at pinpointing and solving a broad range of computer and technology problems.

Reaves, a native Georgian, began fixing computers for small businesses while studying Computer Science at Georgia Tech. In 1992 he started his own computer services business in Atlanta. In 1999 he bought the right to operate Australia-based Computer Troubleshooters in the US which has led to over 230 CTS locations in North America. Chip Reaves' website can be found at www.comptroub.com.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>