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Thursday, December 24, 2009

Used Laptops & Electronics - Recycled Technology

With changes in technology coming faster than most consumers can keep up with, an unfortunate byproduct of today's technology-dependant society is a great deal of electronic waste, the discarded parts of obsolete or otherwise thrown away electronics. Laced with lead, cadmium, and beryllium, amongst other pollutants, electronic waste poses an environmental hazard at home and a health risk to workers who strip their parts for scrap abroad. While these dangers are becoming more widely publicized, many consumers now want to know how they can limit the amount of electronic waste that they contribute to the environment.

The first thing for consumers to remember is that there is no reason for old electronics to be thrown away, or to sit in a drawer somewhere they will go unused. When consumers upgrade electronics, they should remember that there are a number of people in financial situations that dictate that their technology upgrades come in the form of used electronics. Cellular phone recycling programs, laptops for cash exchanges, and other electronic recycling programs are excellent ways for consumers to pass their old electronics on to other people who can use them, at the same time recovering some of the money they originally spent on these products.

In addition to selling laptops for cash and recycling other electronics, consumers should consider buying used laptops and electronics when upgrading. The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of consumers do not need the latest computer, smart phone, or liquid crystal television, making the purchase of used electronics a cost-effective solution, as well as one that encourages the recycling of them, cutting down on harmful electronic waste. On occasions where consumers do wish to upgrade to the latest and greatest technology available, selling their electronics or laptops for cash will not only lessen the cost of the upgrade, it will increase the possibility that another consumer can invest in used technology, thereby supporting electronic recycling and again reducing waste.

When consumers find themselves with electronics for which there is no resale market, they should seek out various electronic take back programs, which are often times sponsored by the manufacturers of electronic devices. However, given the wide disparity in technology available in the world, and the fact that many used electronic and computer brokers do business in multiple countries, there is almost a market for the electronics in use in North America. This means that for more expensive devices in circulation here, such as those sought in laptops for cash programs, there is virtually always money to be made when reselling used electronics.

Consumers should always ask about recycling programs when purchasing new electronics, and can call local electronics stores for information about recycling, exchange, and take back programs in their areas. Additionally, laptops for cash programs are offered by used computer brokers all over the country, and generally offer a good deal of money for recently manufactured used laptops. In addition to saving themselves some money, these programs allow consumers to help the environment by recycling technology, and allow many people to access the benefits of recent technology who could not afford it were it not for used electronic and technology recycling programs.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Understanding the Electronics Behind Speaker Systems

Understanding Surround Sound Speaker Systems Speaker systems can add to the multimedia experience of any home theater system. It is commonly regarded as inefficient if a consumer has a quality high definition television, and does not have an upgraded surround sound system to match it. Therefore it is important to consider the benefits of owning an upgraded surround sound speaker system. This article aims to help consumers with the process of understanding the pros and cons of owning a surround sound system.

Speaker systems come in a variety of configurations. The smallest systems are simple sound bars. These sound bars are simply an array of many small speakers arranged in a line. These sound bars usually run the length of a large HDTV, and use simulated surround sound to achieve the "all around" feel of a true surround system. Some of these systems also come with a subwoofer in order to achieve lower frequencies of sound waves. These systems can fit almost anywhere, and are wall mountable. Sound bars are fairly low in cost when compared to true sound systems, due to the fact that they are comprised of only one or two units. However, they do a fair job of providing the user with the surround sound experience.

Another form is true surround. This type of sound configuration uses multiple speakers arranged around the user in order to achieve a surround effect. These systems come in 5.1, 7.1, and 9.1 configurations. These names designate how many speakers get an individual signal tailored to their location in the system. 5.1 is five and one subwoofer. 7.1 is seven speakers and one subwoofer. 9.1 is nine and one subwoofer. 9.1 is generally regarded as the finest configuration of any system, whereas 5.1 is generally the cheapest configuration. Even though 5.1 is the cheapest configuration, it is regarded as a perfectly acceptable configuration of surround sound. 5.1 is the most popular configuration due to these aspects.

Most multimedia is designed for use in systems. Movies, TV shows, and video games are all compatible with at least 5.1 surround. Even some music can be converted into surround sound. Some receivers can even perform this task in real time. Many receivers can even simulate different listening conditions, such as a concert hall, a stadium, or a recording studio. This can add to the illusion of being inside of the media being listened to, and increase the enjoyment felt by the consumerAdding a speaker system can increase the efficiency of any multimedia system.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Great Electronics Gift Ideas

So many people on your gift giving list and so little time, so what gifts are surefire winners every season? Electronics are one niche of gifts that are extremely popular every single year. It seems like every holiday season, there is one electronics gift, whether it be the latest gaming console or a video game that has people lined up around the block and in the wee hours of the morning to grab one. Here are some ideas for great electronics gift ideas:

Gaming Console

If a family is on your gift giving list, a gaming console might just be the best option to make them all happy. A gaming console allows everyone to get involved and play games together, whether it be a game where you all play instruments in a rock band or whether you play tennis against each other in your living room. In addition, there are hundreds of video games that will cater to kids and adults of just about any age and interest, so it's a gift that truly is for the whole family. Choose from the XBOX 360, Nintendo Wii or the PlayStation 3.

Portable Gaming Device

There's two main portable gaming devices these days, the Nintendo DS and DSi and the Sony PSP. Each offers many games and a different experience. For kids, the Nintendo DS or DSi is a great choice, since they offer a virtual truckload of games that cater to children and teens. The DS is also a great choice for women and girls of any age, since there are many casual and female oriented games available. The PSP is a great choice for teen males, since it offers more hardcore gaming titles.

MP3 Player

Who doesn't want a new MP3 player just about every year? Whether someone has broken, scratched or dropped their MP3 player or whether they just want to take advantage of the latest technology, like video capability and gaming, a new MP3 player is always a great gift. Choose from the Apple iPod line, Microsoft Zune, Sandisk Sansa and many others, though iPod still seems to be the king of the media players.

Flexible Keyboard

A flexible keyboard is a surprising addition to this list, yet it's more practical than you think. A flexible keyboard is a perfect gift for someone who spends a lot of time on the Internet, especially people who enjoy online games. People tend to eat and drink a lot in front of their computers, and naturally, spills and accidents tend to happen. With a flexible keyboard, the cleanup is super easy and safe.

Netbook

The latest trend in computers and laptops is the netbook. A netbook is basically a laptop computer that doesn't have an optical drive, instead relying on a media card reader and internet connection to send and receive files. In addition, a netbook has a smaller screen and keyboard, so it is significantly less weight and size in comparison to a regular notebook. This makes it easy to use as a second computer and to take along to class or to work without weighing you down. It fits much more easily into a backpack or purse.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Christmas Sale Electronics and Consumables

The season to be merry is upon us and in the run up to Christmas there will be a lot of retailers competing for your hard earned cash. Inevitably we all know that in the run up to Christmas there will be lots of shoppers looking for good deals to buy as Christmas presents. Not many parents want to disappoint their children whose taste in presents fall into the electronics sector more and more. Mobile phones, mp3's, cameras are all on the shopping list. It is a time when the parents too, are looking for things like cameras and camcorders to record the Christmas festivities. Gifts for the older generation might include digital photo frames or e books. The list is endless and so many gifts fall into the electronic consumables category.

With money being tight this year you can expect customers to be looking harder for bargains. As Christmas gets nearer and beyond you can hope for Sale Electronics and Consumables. Once Christmas is upon us you can expect the sales to start and some bargains to be around. Of course, not everyone wants to wait until after Christmas to buy a present but if you have been given the cash you may well want to spend in the sales.

Do your homework and you could well bag a bargain. Watch out for goods that are being superseded with a new model as the older model is likely to drop in price when the new one comes out. Manufacturers tend to do this around the New Year so it is as well to keep your ear to the ground. Really look into which make and model you want, there is so much choice out there. Once you have decided what you want, use the comparison sites to get the best price. As Christmas draws nearer it may be that the item you want goes out of stock so think about an alternative to give yourself further options. Think ahead and plan carefully, that way you can spread the cost of Christmas a bit. It is the last minute, panic buying that costs us more money.

Okay, so the presents are wrapped up, you've spent wisely and there is a bit left in the kitty. Maybe you can afford that new plasma screen you wanted or the home cinema. It would be nice to have it for Christmas but if you just hang on you may well save even more! Google Sale Electronics and see if you can pick up a great bargain in the online sales.

So spend wisely this Christmas, plan ahead and research the items you want to buy. Make life easier for yourself and shop from the comfort of your own home. Impress the kids by getting what they really want and getting it in good time. How many times have you been rushing round the High Street looking for that must have item on Christmas Eve and failing miserably.

Let your fingers do the walking and your presents do the talking and may you have a very Happy Christmas.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Top 5 Electronics For Christmas 2009

Christmas shopping is in full swing and electronics are hot items this year. Are you wondering what the top 5 electronics are for the recipients on your holiday shopping list? It can difficult to sort through the thousands of items out there to find the best of the best.

What constitutes a top 5 electronic item? The item must first of all be popular. It must have a discounted price that makes it a bargain. It must have technical features that set it apart from other items in its category. And last but not least, it must have a good reputation and customer rating.

Of all the electronic categories out there, these are the top 5 electronic categories that are worth considering this year.

Video Game Consoles

There's nothing better for the whole family then sitting down together to play interactive games. Buying a video game console as a gift is a great idea because you're able to get a package deal with the console, controllers, and games to boot. You'll save money by buying the entire bundle in one.

MP3 Players

Everyone loves music and there are tons of portable players out there. Kids love this kind of gift and many people love upgrading every few years to newer models. MP3 players are great when exercising or just hanging around the house. Pricing is competitive so the deals are even better than usual.

Flat Screen TV's

With so many television stations switching to high definition, it makes sense to upgrade your TV to a high definition to enjoy the fabulous pictures that are being offered. LCD TV's are generally cheaper than Plasma and will give you the quality of picture that you're looking for.

Kindle Wireless Devices

The Kindle has been available for a few years now but never has it been priced so well. This is a great gift for book lovers and readers. Although people originally felt that they would have difficulty switching to this form of reading, those fears have been dispelled.

Laptops

Everyone can benefit from the convenience of a laptop and there are tons of them to choose from. The best portable laptops are small, light, and have great features. These make great gifts for students and professionals.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Rudiments of Wholesale Car Electronics

There are plenty of online forums which are dedicated to Wholesale car electronic related issues. You can register on such websites for free and have your concerns addressed by the experienced buyers. You could also check with them about Wholesale car electronic help from the wholesaler's location as well. Doing some groundwork from your end will help you understand the e-commerce scenario a lot better.

Broadly speaking, the rudiments of wholesale trading can be listed under the following precepts:

Planning. Using historical data and other tools, the wholesaler has to anticipate and plan his requirement and inward or outward delivery schedules. Based on this will depend his orders for supplies of Wholesale electronics for cars.

Procurement. He is to identify reliable suppliers who will fulfill his orders on schedule. Similarly he must build up a database of retailers and others to whom he will ship his goods on arrival. Procurement of goods of quality of Wholesale electronics and on-time shipment is his prime concern.

Warehouse management. The warehouse distributor has to have premises large enough to meet his needs where he can unpack bulk car electronics on arrival and repackage them in smaller quantities or under altered brand names.

These car electronics have to be stored in a manner that is easily accessible, and they should be shipped out in some sort of order well before the recommended shelf life. Inventory levels must be constantly monitored and reviewed.

Distribution. Finally the distributor has to ship the re-packaged goods to the various retailers within the country - if dealing in imports. For exports, the goods have to be loaded on board the cargo vessel or aircraft.
International trade, whether exports or imports, is a far more complex issue with rules and regulations differing from country to country, and often between the country and the distributor's country itself. Furthermore, the documentation involved is considerable and often confusing. The distributor will need to be fully conversant with these mandatory requirements.

Wholesale car electronics might be priced a little on the higher side but you will surely have a peace of mind when you are operating with such wholesalers.

Well, there are few things which you could do on your end as well if you want to get more information about the Wholesale car electronics concerning the wholesale market in that country.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Electronics Recycling Made Easy

What do lead, cadmium, beryllium and brominated flame retardants all have in common other than being serious contaminants? They're all by-products of processing electronic waste and cause serious health and pollution problems. Thus, one thing better than electronics recycling is the reuse of electronics products. In following, electronics recycling requires the implementation of high standards for the sake of avoiding unsafe exposure as well as leaching of materials such as heavy metals from landfills and incinerator ashes.

Although not all electronics recycling companies recycle the whole gambit of "Electronic waste," they usually hit on the bigger numbered products such as cell phones. Technically speaking, electronic waste may be defined as all secondary computers, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, and other items such as television sets and refrigerators, whether sold, donated, or discarded by their original owners. This definition includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal. Others define the reusables (working and repairable electronics) and secondary scrap (copper, steel, plastic, etc.) to be "commodities", and reserve the term "waste" for residue or material which was represented as working or repairable but which is dumped or disposed or discarded by the buyer rather than recycled, including residue from reuse and recycling operations.

Electronics Recycling, rates up there in importance with aluminum recycling, glass recycling, recycling plastic, and recycling cans. They all make up an important part, thus start to a recycling regimen. No matter who you are, you're only helping you and your loved ones when you adhere to a recycling program.

There's a rise in electronics recycling and curbside recycling programs available in communities throughout our country. As you may know recycling is politically right these days and if you're anything like me you run as fast as you can away from anything with the 'p' (politicians) word in it. The corruption runs rampid amongst our parasitical representatives in government, but recycling really is a good thing. It's true the criminals on Capitol Hill are and have been playing the environment card to destroy our manufacturing base in America, which has moved from the 70 percentile in the 50s to 12 percent present day. It's a shame what they have done to our country and what's more a shame is that we've allowed them. That's a different story for a different time. It just so happens that the degenerates in Washington actually have hit on the promotion of something that is good and important in its physical form rather than its political form.

Electronics recycling comes under this umbrella. There's programs out there and online where companies will pick-up your electronics recycling products from your doorstep free of charge - as in free shipping. Not only that, but I'm involved with a company that will actually provide a tax deductible donation acknowledgment, that allows you to decide how much the electronics recycling products you're donating are worth. This is what I was saying earlier. The fact that recycling is politically right provides for these little perks where the government encourages it, thus allow these tax deductible donation acknowledgments. Hence, you'll actually save money at the end of the tax year when you get rid of your used electronics products. Thus, you can only win by saving yourself some money at tax time, creating free space in your home, and by knowing that your electronics products are not going to pollute our landfills, all free of charge. Electronics recycling made easy!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Find Deep Discounts on the Latest Electronics

I'm not that savvy about electronics. I know nothing about electronic games like Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. But when I visited a young friend in the hospital and played with a Nintendo Wii, I was sold.

First of all, I was so impressed that the children's floor at the local hospital had a Wii. I'd never seen one before. They had a full set-up. Maybe it's an institutional version. It had a large monitor on a rolling cart that children could request for their rooms. We played tennis and golf, and of course my friend beat me.

It's hard for children in the hospital. They are inactive and have little sense of purpose or accomplishment. And they are certainly not having fun. Nintendo's Wii allow them to engage in a sport, be competitive, excel, and laugh. We had loads of fun.

For those of us who don't have generous benefactors like the children's unit at my hospital has, discount online websites bring consumer electronics within reach. A number of online sites advertise big discounts off retail prices. Good Internet stores also offer manufacturers' guarantees and layaways. How can you tell a good online store from a disreputable one? One way is to check to see if they have good BBB standing.

I don't even have a cell phone or a digital camera. My friends are starting to get mad at me because they can't reach me when I'm away from home. I don't see the point, but today when my dinner plans dissolved because my friend and I couldn't find each other, I gave in and ordered a phone.

After my success with Wii, I'm thinking of expanding my collection of home electronics. I travel an awful lot. I like to hike and kayak and do anything else that takes me away from the maddening crowds. An MP3 or MP4 player would keep me entertained during long bus trips and airport layovers.

I'm even thinking about getting a GPS unit. My family wants to buy one for me so I don't get lost on my backcountry adventures. I've been insisting that I don't need one - I've never been lost for long. But I think they might be right, so I might just accept their generous offer. With the security of a GPS unit, I could travel even farther off the beaten track. I'll tell them about the discount electronics websites.

There's a way to save even more money on consumer electronics. You can subscribe to the newsletters of certain online electronics stores. Lifetime newsletter subscribers get cash discounts beyond the already discounted prices. Not a bad idea if you're electronics buff and like to buy the latest technological gizmos.

Whether you're looking for LCD TVs, camcorders, DVD players or any of the other home electronics I've already talked about, you can choose from a great selection of name brand products without leaving the comfort of your home. No need to brave the crowds at the mall and comparison shop. With fast shipping, you'll get your new toy before you finish your Wii tournament!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Electronic Check Conversion

What Kinds of Electronic Check Conversion Exist?

There are two major types of electronic check conversion - electronic check conversion and electronic check conversion with check guarantee. Before jumping into the key difference though, it's helpful to spend some time explaining electronic check conversion in general.

Electronic Check Conversion Explained Using Credit Cards

The best way to explain electronic check conversion (and even electronic check conversion with check guarantee) is to point to credit cards. Years ago, instead of swiping credit cards into an electronic reader, merchants had to physically place them into a metal contraption, along with a two-piece carbon form. A heavy roller created an imprint of the credit card. After signing the form, one copy stayed with the store and the other went to the purchaser.

But in the last twenty years shoppers and stores forego using extra paper since everything is stored electronically thanks to the electronic reader. With electronic check conversion an amount is entered and the check is scanned, much like credit cards today. When the transaction is complete the check is given back to the customer since everything is stored electronically. As with current credit card transactions, the business no longer needs to have an 'extra paper trail'.

Electronic Check Conversion Benefits

Electronic check conversion electronically records the transaction thanks to the check reader attached to the credit card terminal. Also like credit cards electronic check conversion or electronic check conversion with check guarantee, will decline a check if there is a problem with the account.

This helps reduce fraud. Any check a merchant gets is electronically verified against a database of closed accounts or accounts with risky histories. Although the businesses cannot see specifically what the problem might be, it will red flag any negative marks in the last 90 days and declines the check. This could be anything from a closed account to bouncing checks.

If the check passes the negative database, it is then converted to an electronic debit and the funds are deposited into the merchant's bank account. This happens if the check writer has sufficient funds in his checking account at the time the check is 'written'.

Electronic check conversion, however, doesn't automatically cover a check in the event that something is wrong with the account in the here and now. So that's where electronic check conversion with check guarantee comes into play.

Electronic Check Conversion with Check Guarantee

Electronic check conversion with check guarantee offers more protection to merchants. Businesses that have electronic check conversion with check guarantee don't have to worry because they still will get paid. Many companies offer both forms - electronic check conversion and electronic check conversion with check guarantee. However, they usually recommend electronic check conversion with check guarantee because this service offers more protection to merchants.

As with electronic check conversion, the check is approved at the time of the transaction. But more importantly, the store is guaranteed funding within 48 hours, even if the check is returned for non-sufficient funds. The same cannot be said for basic electronic check conversion.

Is Electronic Check Conversion With Check Guarantee Right For You?

Every business can benefit from electronic check conversion with check guarantee. The cost of electronic check conversion with guarantee is very similar to the cost of accepting credit cards. However, the discount rate for this feature usually costs less then the discount rate for credit card acceptance.

For a company to decide if electronic check conversion with check guarantee is right for them, they should consider how often they accept checks that become NSF, or become bad for other reasons, such as closed accounts, etc. Not only will electronic check conversion with check guarantee save businesses financial loss because of bad transactions, it also provides them peace of mind that they will receive payment for products or services sold.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Electronics and Standards

Every few months, a new "gotta-have-it" product is released. Whether it be a phone, MP3 player, or computer, new ones are always being made. The more high-quality ones constantly bring something new to the table. A new feature, new design, or easier accessibility. The next company that does that is not "copying" off the original. Rather, they are meeting up to customer standards.

People on the Internet are always complaining about how one company "copied" off of another or how one brand "stole an idea". The fact is, the companies HAVE to do this to keep up with consumer demand. For example, Guitar Hero was originally a game franchise that allowed players to mimic playing a guitar, just a guitar. Then Rock Band came out and introduced the drum and vocals. Guitar Hero quickly implemented these features into their newest game, Guitar Hero: World Tour. Rock Band fans weren't all too happy that Guitar Hero "copied" the full band idea into their own game. To all the Rock Band fans agreeing with me right now, just listen to me for a second. If Guitar Hero DIDN'T add the drums and mic into their game, sales would definitely drop over time! Gamers would flock towards the game with "more features", which would destroy any competition that Guitar Hero had before.

Another example would be the recently revealed Zune HD. The next Microsoft MP3 in line, the Zune HD boasts a host of new features. New features include 16.9 aspect ratio for widescreen video viewing, a web browser, NVIDIA Tegra chip, HD radio, and HDMI to an HDTV. It's prime competitor, the iPod Touch, brought the Internet to MP3 players with the Safari app. So, essentially, the Zune HD copied off of the iPod Touch. No, it didn't. The iPod Touch set a standard for MP3 players and the Zune HD followed that standard. Soon after news of the Zune HD surfaced, Apple released information about their OWN iPod Touch HD. The Zune HD fans didn't like that too much. "Those Apple copycats!" they said to themselves. But, in their news about the Zune HD, Microsoft set their OWN standard: high-powered mobile devices. Apple's own device can't play high definition movies, NOR does it have a powerful computing chip like the NVIDIA Tegra chip (It is unknown at this point if the iPod Touch HD will include the Tegra chip or something similar to it; the Touch HD is also a tablet instead of a portable music player).

Still, even with people's developing interests, there are still some things that companies will not accept as standards, or "copy". Still on the Microsoft vs. Apple debate, Microsoft's Zunes come with a built-in radio receiver, which Apple's iPods do not have. The closest you can get to radio is internet radio, available through the App Store on the iPhone and iPod Touch only. On top of that, if you are using an iPod Touch, you can only access radio in areas with Wi-Fi. Microsoft's Zune Marketplace, their answer to iTunes, also trumps Apply with their music subscription service, the Zune Pass (download as many songs as you want for $15 and choose 10 songs every month to keep forever). People have been asking Apple for a subscription for a while now, but Apple never provided.

The bottom line is the people who think of the ideas, profit off the ideas. Just think about it. Something that YOU made up isn't copying off of anybody, and people will trust YOUR idea as the true original source. The point is, make standards more than you follow them.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Better Homes, Better Electronics

Sadly, most electronics today are considered a luxury. The prevailing thought seems to be that since you can do without them, you should. Anyone with a career and a family will tell you this is utterly ridiculous. To do without your cell phone in today's environment will leave you deaf, blind, and mute. Although electronic gadgets are not strictly necessary, they do make a busy, stressful life much, much easier. This article will list five "luxury" electronics that everybody should have to make their lives easier.

5. Air Purifier
This may seem like a luxury, but it has important health benefits. Smoke, from cigarettes or last night's failed dinner), allergens from pet put and dander, and bacteria from garbage (that you really meant to take out yesterday) all get filtered out of the air your family breathes. Without it, all those particles circulate endlessly in your house, where they can affect the respiratory health of your children, especially young ones. Just as important, however, is the relaxing effect of being able to come home to a house that doesn't smell like a zoo or a landfill.

4. MP3 Player
MP3 players have the reputation for playing music and only music. This is no longer the case. In the 21st century, MP3 players have become essential for busy people on the go to keep up with national and global news. Most MP3 players have radio tuners as well, and allow you to keep up with podcasts of your favorite news shows that you normally wouldn't have time to watch or listen to. Finally, of course, there is the luxury aspect of being able to relax and de-stress with your favorite music any time, any place, in any way. You don't have to buy a $500 iPod. You can buy a small iPod for $150, and non-Apple MP3 Player for less than $100.

3. Digital Camera
If you haven't got a digital camera yet, get one today. Not only is printing photos at home much cheaper than paying for film and developing, but no longer having to run to the drug store or photo shop is one less task on your to-do list during your busy, hectic day. Not only do you not have to worry about wasting film, but you know instantly if your photograph came out right-so take all the pictures you want! Sure, some digital cameras can run into the thousands of dollars, but you can also find a perfectly good digital camera for less than $100.

2. Car GPS Navigation System
Busy parents find themselves playing chauffeur almost constantly. Your daily errands may often take you to places you haven't been before. Wasting time losing directions or getting lost just adds to you daily stress and eats away at your precious free time. A GPS navigation system for your car simplifies life and saves time. Much like a cell phone, once you have a car GPS, you'll never want to be without one. While some car navigation systems cost hundreds of dollars, there are several available for around $100.

1. Laptop Computer
Although laptops once cost thousands of dollars and were considered a luxury for businessmen and computer geeks, today you can get a basic laptop for around $300. You won't discover the joys of having a personal computer you can carry around with you until you've tried it. Let the kids fight over who gets to use the family computer in the living room-you can hide out in your bedroom with your laptop to get some work done. These days, laptop computers are one-stop locations for all of your work, home, and entertainment needs. It is at once both a crucial tool and a private luxury to help you de-stress at the end of a long day.

These five items are just the tip of the iceberg. There are lots of other electronics that will make your live easier, less stressful, and more efficient. As long as you don't feel the need to have the latest, state-of-the-art equipment, you'll be surprised how inexpensive some of these items can be. Set aside some money, make a few careful purchases, and become part of the digital age.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Hi-Fi Electronics, Cheap Computers Accessories - Buy Games Online

With the development of Internet technologies, there has been an enhancement in the customers' experience. Development of Internet technologies has empowered the customer and made a wide array of products accessible which were not possible earlier due to geographical constraints, as well as many other constraints, such as logistics, high demand, etc.

It was 1994 when Amazon.com came into being and changed the way customer bought products. Online shopping has come a long way since then and there have been many improvements to make sure the customer is happy and satisfied.

Some of the benefits of online shopping are:

1. You have access to a wide range of products that may not be available in your geographical location.
2. You can buy products from reliable online stores and save time.
3. There is a rise in demand for products during festivals and it often becomes tiresome to stand in long queues and buy gifts. Now with online shopping, you can order for products in advance and get it delivered to your door step.
4. Sometimes, there is a product we use regularly and are already aware of its quality and performance. In such cases we actually do not need to visit a store and buy it. There are also some products we trust that are recommended by a person we know and we would like to buy it without any examination. In such cases online shopping is the most convenient. Some products that fall under this category can be your favourite singer's new album, your favourite snack or computer accessories, such as mass storage drives, CDs and USBs, which you already are aware of.

So, you can actually save your time and invest it in some other task, rather than visiting a store to buy a music CD you wanted. Instead, why not sit at home and order online? There are also a lot of deals you can find if you buy online.

If you are looking to buy some electronic products, you can visit http://www.hifiexpress.com.au and check out some of the latest high quality products. Hi-Fi Electronics is an online store operating for more than a decade now and has a wide range of products on offer. You can buy games online, check out latest mobile phones and even order your favourite music CDs online.

What kind of a career do you expect to have if you spend your childhood and adolescence listening to music and taking apart your parents' electronic goods. Andy Clarkson grew up to become a freelance writer telling people about electronic items based on his wide experience.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

How To Get A Great Deal On Anything Electronic

It didn't start with eBay, though these days it's the word on everyone's lips when you mention shopping for computers and other electronics online. Computer parts and electronics were among the first products sold online, and continue to be the best-selling items of all types through online discount venues. That should come as no surprise to anyone - after all, merchandisers sell to the market, and where else do you find a ready market for computer and electronics items than among an entire world of computer users?

The fierce competition for your electronics dollars is nothing but good news for you,
the consumer. Because there are so many dealers out there competing for your
business, you'll find the lowest prices possible on everything from DVD players and
DVDs to the latest styles of mobile phones to video games and game boxes.
Wholesale electronic sites are selling computers and computer equipment, computer
games, speakers, stereo equipment and mobile phones at deep, deep discounts that
will let you get far more power for your pocket money.

Are you looking for a new computer? Whether you're a duffer or a hacker, you'll find
just what you're looking for at online computer shopping sites that offer the best
web deals around. You can pick up a hot box for your machine for $20 or less -
compare that to retail store prices of $75-$200 for a computer case with specialty
detailing. Need a new hard drive for your work horse machine? You can pay $90 for
one on sale at your local electronics store - or you can shop around at the discount
online electronics stores and find one for as little as $39.

You'll find similar deals on other electronics - DVD players for less than $50, and
DVDs for $5 and less, stereo speakers at discount prices in all the best names, and
cell phones and mobile phones for as little as $10. Even better, because you're not
confined to what's inside the four walls of a brick and mortar store, you'll find an
enormous variety of the best electronics items from all over the world - without
shopping all over town for the best deals.

Because the online shopping craze started with electronics, you'll find some of the
best deals around are on electronics items. Online discount sites can and do take
advantage of low, low prices from offshore wholesalers in China and Taiwan to offer
you the best deals on names like Bose, Sony and Aiwa. You'll find even better deals
on electronics items made in the same factories to the same exacting standards -
without the name on the front.

If you're looking for a great deal on a new computer, a set of speakers, a mobile
phone or accessories or any other electronics item, start your search for the best
price at online discount shopping sites. You'll never even have to leave your desk.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Computer Repair Schools

If you enjoy working with computers and are good with your hands, Computer Repair School (also known as Electronic and Computer Repair School) can prepare you for a new career as a professional computer technician. In today's society, computers are found in every field of business and in every modern home and office. The need for people who can repair electronic equipment and computers is a natural offshoot to this trend.

There are numerous Computer Repair Schools in the U.S. and Canada. They can be found in community colleges, technical and trade schools, colleges and universities, and even online schools. Students may seek a school that offers either certification or an Associate Degree upon course completion.

The length of the computer repair course may vary from a few months for certification to two years for an Associate degree. Many graduates will also spend a few years in an apprenticeship to gain additional knowledge and skills that can help advance a career in computer repair. This hands-on experience can be a real stepping-stone to more employment opportunities as well as better pay and better working conditions. Employers need to know that the person they hire for computer repair is well-qualified and experienced in all aspects of the field.

Computer Repair Schools teach the vital skills needed to install, maintain, and repair office and factory computers, home computers, hospital computer systems, and all other types of computers. Electronic and Computer Repair Schools offer an education in all types of electronic repair, including telecommunication systems, televisions, radar systems, industrial equipment, climate control systems, and medical diagnostic equipment.

The typical computer repair position pays anywhere from $20,000 to $36,000 per year. Students may seek a school that offers either certification or an Associate Degree upon course completion. Many graduates will also spend a few years in an apprenticeship to gain additional knowledge and skills that can help advance a career in computer repair.

If you would like to learn more about Computer Repair Schools and Online Computer Repair Schools, you can find more in-depth information and resources on our website.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Drop Ship Electronics - Hot Products, Easy Sales

Electronics sell like hotcakes on the internet. That is a given fact. However, there are very large players in this market - so how does the small online retailer make a dent in this very large and lucrative market?

Drop ship electronics items are your answer. You can begin selling hot products like DVD and Blue Ray players, MP3 players and more. You don't have to even stock the products - the drop ship suppliers keep the inventory and ship the products - all you have to do is make the sales.

There are hundreds of suppliers of electronics online - many claim to be true drop ship electronics suppliers, but many are just middlemen who want to take your money. Only deal with reputable product source information providers, who give you the actual names and phone numbers of real companies that drop ship. In this way you will get a low enough price to sell your items at a profit. And profit is the idea, right?

The great thing about selling drop ship electronics is that there is always something new coming out to sell - you will always have new, innovative products to sell to new and most important - repeat customers. Stay on top of the newest innovations and be ready to put them on your website when they come out.

If you are dealing with real, reputable drop shippers, you will get great service, reliable and innovative products, and best of all, you'll make money with one of the hottest and best-selling niches on the Internet!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Dealing With a Fear of Computers

Cyberphobia is also known as the fear of computers and most likely is going to be one of those phobias that interrupts the quality of your life.

With today's technological superhighway, and the computer's ability to keep in touch with family members, even grandmothers and grandfathers are computer literate. As far as having a computer phobia, not only can it affect how you seek out information, but it can also keep you separate from family.

There are many ways to try and overcome your fear of computers, and the first is to find out exactly what your afraid of. Many of those who are considered to be afraid of computers are actually afraid of the unknown. Also, one of the great fears with a computer is that you're going to do something wrong.

If you're actually afraid of the unknown, you may try going to a simple computer class. Make sure that the instructor knows that you're afraid of computers so they take the time to teach you exactly what the computer is, how it works, and how you can get information from it. By taking a course you will be led step-by-step through your fear, and there's a good chance at the end of the course, you won't be so afraid.

The same can be said if you feel you're afraid that you're going to touch the wrong button. Many people misunderstand, and they think that they can crash or break a computer easily. In actuality, it is very difficult to crash a computer or break it. This is one of the things you will learn, if you take a computer course.

The fear of computers can be debilitating, not only can it affect your quality of life as far as how to find information, but it can also keep you separated from family and friends. If you have found that you have cyberphobia look around in your community Senior Center, your community activity center, and even your community job center and take a course in computers.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Independent Care Products - Senior Electronics

As your loved ones get older, you try to find ways to make everyday tasks easier for them. You know how important their independence is to them, so you do not want to take that away. This is why there are independent care products that help seniors do these ordinary tasks that have become more difficult. Many of these products help make using electronics easier. A great product that fits well in any senior home is a phone. The problem they have is that they cannot read the buttons. These phones have magnified numbers so even the hardest of seeing person can read them.

Similar to the larger phone is a remote control that has large buttons. These are simple independent care products that we take for granted because we can see smaller objects. You do not think about how difficult it is to use the television remote when you cannot see the buttons. Clocks also are a great electronic to get seniors. They make so many different varieties that have large numbers so they will be able to see them from across the room. They will not mistake what time it is again. You also might want to get a smoke alarm that has voice warnings as well.

If your senior loved one is hard of hearing, one of the best independent care products you can get for them is a voice amplifier headset. There are a few different ones available on the market but the concept is the same for all of them. This way you do not feel as if you have to scream to be heard. This is great for family members or even caretakers.

If your loved one is into computers but has trouble reading the screen because everything is so small, you can get a monitor screen magnifier. It actually attaches right to the monitor and magnifies everything. Because you do not want to take away your loved ones freedom, using independent care products for electronics is a great way to keep their freedom intact.

There are a number of print magnifiers as well. These are handy for map reading or when you are in a restaurant and want to read the menu. They fit easily into your pocket or purse. We also have hand held illuminated magnifiers, in different magnification to help with reading. Today's wonderful electronics can indeed make life easier for the seniors in your life.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Types of Electronic Whiteboards

Overview of An Electronic Whiteboard

Electronic whiteboards are becoming the new standard in classrooms and meeting rooms, in the 21st century. They take presenting, teaching and learning to new levels of interactivity.

What is an Electronic Whiteboard?

An electronic whiteboard allows material to be presented or displayed from a computer. Images, slides, text and even video can be displayed on an electronic whiteboard. Electronic whiteboard technology then allows for the teacher or presenter to interact with that image. For example, notes can be written on the electronic whiteboard adding information to the image presented. Electronic whiteboard technology can then capture that information and store it. Electronic whiteboards provide many useful applications in both business and classroom settings.

Thermal Electronic Whiteboard

Thermal electronic whiteboards allow the user to write, and print in black and white only. Each thermal electronic whiteboard comes with a printer attached and the images captured on this electronic whiteboard are then printed on thermal paper. This provides ease of use, but presentations on thermal electronic whiteboards often lack flair as they can only be seen in black and white. The PLUS BF-041S Electronic Whiteboard is a good example of a thermal electronic whiteboard. It is a freestanding electronic whiteboard unit with the ability to be mounted and contains a printer.

Color Electronic Whiteboard

Color electronic whiteboards can add pizzazz to presentations by introducing color. These electronic whiteboards can also be called copy boards. Using this technology, images are captured on the electronic whiteboard in color. These images can then be stored and either printed or distributed electronically. The PLUS M11s Electronic Whiteboard is a good choice for a color electronic whiteboard. It can be connected directly to a PC and images can be stored there or printed and distributed. Images stored on the computer from the electronic whiteboard can be further edited.

Portable Electronic Whiteboards

A portable electronic whiteboard is an alternative solution to a standard electronic whiteboard. Using a system such as eBeam, it is possible to turn any whiteboard into an electronic whiteboard. Simply attach the eBeam receiver to the whiteboard and connect the receiver with a USB cable to your computer. This system is quick and easy to set up on any whiteboard and it is easy to transport. The Quarter IdeaShare Q8000 Portable Whiteboard Capture System includes a receiver, mounting systems, electronic pens, dry-erasure markers, software and USB cable. These come with a carry bag for ease in portability. Portable electronic whiteboard systems are an economical alternative to standard electronic whiteboard systems.

Electronic whiteboards are setting the standard in presenting in both business and classroom settings. New schools being built include electronic whiteboards in each

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Computer Software

Computer software, or software, is the term used to generally refer to the operating and roles those computer procedures, documentation, and programs have in a computer system. This includes application software like word processors, firmware, software programmed to digitally service memory on integrated hardware carriers. Software testing such as tests on functionality, appearance and performance, and Middleware, a program that regulates and controls coordinates distributed systems. All of these things and more are covered in the broad term of computer software.

However, that is not all-inclusive, as the term software includes many other subjects. Additional covered ideas of software include video games, programs, websites, and applications. The term "software" is also used to more broadly specify anything that is not hardware but that which is used with hardware. Basically speaking, software is everything but hardware in a computer.

The term "hardware" is used to refer to the literal parts to the computer, the modem, the internal circuits, the chips; basically any aspect of the computer that is physically tangible, hence the name "hard-ware." Software, in contrast, refers to everything inside of the computer, or non-tangible aspects of the computer that are used for its common functionality. A computer can be compared to a brain where the actual circuits and hard drives are the physical brain tissue, but what goes on within the brain is the software, or "thought processing." This makes the definition of software very broad.

There are many different types of software; software that dictates the functioning of logistic programs, video programs, video game programs, online link programs, java, HTML, desktop applications, language programming, alternate scripting, and even microcode programs.

Because the term software is so broad, it is almost impossible to give it one single definition. Though, basely translated, software is something associated with, yet contrasted to hardware as the entire roster of programs, procedures, and related documentation associated with the hardware it is employed by. Or, even more loosely, any material internally used for audiovisual programs.

Computers are not the only electronic apparatus that uses software. In the rising state of electronic use in society, software can pertain to any number of electrical appliances. Computers, video game systems, cars, remote controlled instruments, nautical vessels, and even more household items such as toasters or microwaves; in the newer models of these things, advanced software is being employed to make their usefulness top notch.

However, in all of these uses that software has today, it is still able to be broken down into three distinct categories that signify the broad range of uses of all software. These categories are: System Software, which helps run computer chip hardware to minimize the difficulty in the use of computer systems; Programming software, which provides the necessary tools needed for writing computer software; and application software, which allows computers or computer powered electronics to perform more specific features.

All of existing software on the market today can be broken down into one of these categories, though each category has a more specific set of designations, they are all inclusive of what software is and how it can be categorized.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Whats the use of an Electronic Typewriter?

Electronic typewriters were developed in the early part of the twentieth century. Both individuals and businesses used electronic typewriters for their writing needs. These electronic typewriters underwent many changes throughout their history, but by the 1980’s, electronic typewriters were overshadowed by the advent of the personal computer and word processors.

Many people still rely on electronic typewriters for their written needs. Writers who might be superstitious often will only type on a certain type of electric typewriter. Many office workers use electronic typewriters to fill out forms that are not digitized. Older electronic typewriters are not as widely available as they once were, but electronic typewriters can still be found. There are also many places that will stock supplies for electronic typewriters and many places that will service electronic typewriters as well.

New lines of electronic typewriters are more sophisticated than the ones developed in the last century. These new electronic typewriters have LCD screens and word processing tools such as spell check. Electronic typewriters are often an economical choice for word processing needs. Many people prefer electronic typewriters to word processing on a computer. For some people, staring at a computer screen is difficult and can cause eyestrain. Electronic typewriters don’t cause eyestrain. Some people find that using a word processor annoying with tools such as automatic spell check popping up and needing to be dealt with. Electronic typewriters don’t have those tools. Many people find the sound of an electronic typewriter soothing. Electronic typewriters can stimulate creativity. People find the current demands of technology too demanding. It is much less complicated to learn the technology employed by an electronic typewriter than it is to use the ever-changing computer word processing technology.

There are a few options when looking to buy a new electronic typewriter. The Nakajima WPT-160 Electronic Portable Typewriter is an example of an economical electronic typewriter that offers many features. This is a lightweight, portable electronic typewriter with the ability to store fifty files in its 16K byte memory. It has a twenty-character display with features such as “search”, “insert”, and “recall” This is an affordably priced electronic typewriter.

Another electronic typewriter option is the Royal PowerWriterMD Electronic Typewriter with display. This electronic typewriter has a 100 -character daisy-printing element and a 17” maximum paper width. This electronic typewriter can store up to 48K and includes a 300-word dictionary. This electronic typewriter has an LCD display with a forty-character display capacity.

Electric typewriters make many small jobs easier. Popping an envelope into an electronic typewriter and typing an address is a quick way to get the job done. Electronic typewriters bring a certain satisfaction to creating a document. There is something special and perhaps a bit nostalgic about rolling a piece of paper into an electronic typewriter and typing until you’ve finished the paper. Then you can gently yank it out. It is often useful

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

A Sonic Boom In The World Of Lasers

It was an idea born out of curiosity in the physics lab, but now a new type of 'laser' for generating ultra-high frequency sound waves instead of light has taken a major step towards becoming a unique and highly useful 21st century technology.
Scientists at The University of Nottingham, in collaboration with colleagues in the Ukraine, have produced a new type of acoustic laser device called a Saser. It's a sonic equivalent to the laser and produces an intense beam of uniform sound waves on a nano scale. The new device could have significant and useful applications in the worlds of computing, imaging, and even anti-terrorist security screening.

Where a 'laser',(Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation), uses packets of electromagnetic vibrations called 'photons', the 'Saser' uses sound waves composed of sonic vibrations called 'phonons'. In a laser, the photon beam is produced by stimulating electrons with an external power source so they release energy when they collide with other photons in a highly reflective optical cavity. This produces a coherent and controllable shining beam of laser light in which all the photons have the same frequency and rate of oscillation. From supermarket scanners to DVD players, surgery, manufacturing and the defence industry, the application of laser technology is widespread.

The Saser mimics this technology but using sound, to produce a sonic beam of 'phonons' which travels, not through an optical cavity like a laser, but through a tiny manmade structure called a 'superlattice'. This is made out of around 50 super-thin sheets of two alternating semiconductor materials, Gallium Arsenide and Aluminium Arsenide, each layer just a few atoms thick. When stimulated by a power source (a light beam), the phonons multiply, bouncing back and forth between the layers of the lattice, until they escape out of the structure in the form of an ultra-high frequency phonon beam.

A key factor in this new science is that the Saser is the first device to emit sound waves in the terahertz frequency range... the beam of coherent acoustic waves it produces has nanometre wavelengths (billionths of a metre). Crucially the 'superlattice' device can be used to generate, manipulate and detect these soundwaves making the Saser capable of widespread scientific and technological applications. One example of its potential is as a sonogram, to look for defects in nanometre scale objects like micro-electric circuits. Another idea is to convert the Saser beam to THz electromagnetic waves, which may be used for medical imaging and security screening. High intensity sound waves can also change the electronic properties of nanostructures so a Saser could be used as a high-speed terahertz clock to make the computers of the future a thousand times faster.

Professor Anthony Kent from the University's School of Physics and Astronomy, says "While our work on sasers is driven mostly by pure scientific curiosity, we feel that the technology has the potential to transform the area of acoustics, much as the laser has transformed optics in the 50 years since its invention."

The research team at Nottingham, with help from Borys Glavin of the Lashkarev Institute of Semiconductor Physics in the Ukraine, has won the immediate accolade of the publication of their paper on the Saser experiments in this month's leading Physics journal, Physical Review. The team has also won a grant of £636,000 from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to develop Saser technology over the next four years.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Best Ways to Seek your Computer Needs

In the modern world, It won’t be strange anymore if you buy new computers from electronic websites. From my perspective, it looks old fashioned if you go to a computer store and review each product there. If you really need a new PC or mobile computing, try to find the information first in the internet. There are plenty of full reviews that you can find from internet so I think you’ll know much more than if you go to a computer shop or electronic dealers in real world. Another positive thing is, you must not to go out from your home sweet home. You could read about different products and different brands in front of your computer.

I always went to electronic malls when I had time to check new releases. I checked their prices and displays but I realized I was just wasting my precious time. Start from early 2006, I always buy everything online, start from new video games to new PCs. Even if you think you do not need new electronic products online, you can minimally try to discover what electronic item do you want with your Opera.

If five years ago new PCs or other gadgets are designed for children and nerds, now it is quite easy to find new products for your need. Many companies like Toshiba or Sony produced their own business laptops. With not-so expensive price tags, you could get the best performance from new laptops. It is the same with PCs. You do not need to search for old computers if you have a tight budget, you can expect PCs which specially designed for your kind.

Computer companies know everyone has different missions. There are people who buy new computers for games but the others buy new PCs for their jobs. Nevertheless, there are too many new computers released every day so I think the best option for you is to search in the internet what is the best product for you. It will be pretty hard and very time consuming for you if you insist on “traditional way” Searching for new gadgets online is the most effective way at the present time.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Hot Tub selecting - what to look for

What should you be looking for when buying a Jacuzzi Hot Tub?
Should you simply be looking for the cheapest product that one can buy?

Or should you be looking for the compromise something that is a very well built product at a reasonable price and at the same time is economic to run and simple to use and maintain.

When it comes to purchasing real estate or property all the experts say that are only three points that one has to consider and it is that very saying that we have all heard before so many times LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION.

I take the same view with a Hot Tub Jacuzzi but then the three words are QUALITY QUALITY QUALITY.

I would simply say that you should not waste your time buying cheap inferior made junk no matter how well it appears to be packaged.

One of the common problems you hear with cheaper less well designed and engineered spas is that they cannot run on say 16 amp electricity. Another is that they are much more expensive to run as they vent cold air into the Tub as opposed to re-using the heat of the motors and pumps.

If one does not go for quality and purchases a cheaper produced product then you will not be surprised if it becomes in-operative or as kids on the block would say - brown bread, or should I say dead, and thereby expired before its time.

With a Jacuzzi style Hot Tub as with most things in life it is often a case of pay up now or in the future and in some ways that reminds me of when I first started working more years ago than I care to remember. One of the partners for whom I enjoyed working and learnt a great deal used to say that one can usually gain experience in one or two ways it simply either takes a very long time or vast sums of money. I have to say, with hindsight, that he knew very well what he was talking about.

There is also the well known phrase that buying cheap usually means that one ends up buying twice.

In some ways this could be compared with a motor car.

One can buy an older car for relatively cheap money but then incur a lot of expense continually repairing it and keeping it safe on the road.

Alternatively one could buy a more expensive car for considerable more money but of course then you would then not have to repair it so often. But probably overall it would cost more or less the same in terms of monetary cost.

But more often than not the very cheap alternative would actually cost a lot more in true terms as there would be many times when the car was off the road waiting for spare parts or what ever.

This is very similar, in many ways. to purchasing a Hot Tub as there is very little point is there in buying a cheap false bargain if it then packs up and it then can not be used for some time. That is why you should always buy a Hot Tub with controls that are made by leading manufacturers such as Balboa (American) or Gecko (Canadian) that way you know that one can always get spare parts for them.

But you have to remember that when it comes to purchasing a Hot Tub it is of course nothing as simple as buying a new motor car, simply as modern motor cars have advanced so much that all one has to do is that simple regular check on the coolant and oil. More often than not that can be done from the drivers seat when you insert the key. All that is often required in terms of service for many miles is to simply change the filter and oil.

But you must remember that a Hot Tub is much more complicated.

Whilst a hot tub and a spa have many moving parts and electronics the crucial difference of course is that a Hot Tub is laden full of water and that water is being pumped around the pipes and plumbing under great pressure from the motors and pumps.

Whilst a well made Hot Tub will require minimal maintenance one has to maintain the water quality.

If one does not take care of the quality of the water the sensors may become clogged with calcium or calcified and then problems may occur.

Obviously a cheap poorly constructed hot tub is a sure fire recipe for a disaster. You can usually tell the poorly constructed ones quite easily. They often have a steel frame as the construction of the shell is unable to take the weight of people and water with out reinforcement, this is very much an outdated from of construction. The use of a non branded acrylic such as Lucite of Aristech both leading makers of Acrylic.

If they do not use a quality acrylic like Lucite or Aristech you need to ask yourself the question why they do not? The answer is dead simple as these branded materials costs 4 times as much as inferior materials.

As the worlds leading spas are made using these branded materials so if it does not have a shell made from these materials then I think one needs to question how well the is the spa constructed internally.

Just because it may be nicely packaged or have nice wrapping paper it does not mean that the contents which are out of sight are any good.

A car has been designed and engineered for many years since Henry Ford introduced the model T and in many ways has advanced to a certain state of perfection and it is probably true that car could run for many years with, more or less, minimal maintenance except the odd oil filter, a change of oil and a battery every so often.

The same is true if you buy a Hot Tub from a major manufacturer who has been designing them for many years as you will get a first class product which will require little maintenance.

So, my firm advice, is that one should only purchase a product that is well made by an American or European internationally recognized producer of Hot Tubs and then there is every chance that the product will last and last and give years of faultless performance.

Do not buy one simply because it appears to be American or European please check it out and go underneath the wrapping and packaging.

The reasoning is simple in that an internationally recognized producer does back his products with a real guarantee so in the unlikely event that there is a fault it rests with the manufacturer not the consumer.

These manufacturers have had many decades of experience and they build them, from the ground up, with the proper parts and components so it will not break down and so for that simple reason and that reason alone that they are prepared to provide a proper guarantee.



About the Author
The author Jacuzzi John (JJ) supplies premium quality American & European Hot Tubs from Estepona & Sotogrande on the Costa Del Sol in Spain and his web site is at http://www.spas4you.com email info@spas4you.com

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

What type of Electronic Whiteboard do you need?

Electronic whiteboards are becoming the new standard in classrooms and meeting rooms, in the 21st century. They take presenting, teaching and learning to new levels of interactivity.

What is an Electronic Whiteboard?

An electronic whiteboard allows material to be presented or displayed from a computer. Images, slides, text and even video can be displayed on an electronic whiteboard. Electronic whiteboard technology then allows for the teacher or presenter to interact with that image. For example, notes can be written on the electronic whiteboard adding information to the image presented. Electronic whiteboard technology can then capture that information and store it. Electronic whiteboards provide many useful applications in both business and classroom settings.

Thermal Electronic Whiteboard

Thermal electronic whiteboards allow the user to write, and print in black and white only. Each thermal electronic whiteboard comes with a printer attached and the images captured on this electronic whiteboard are then printed on thermal paper. This provides ease of use, but presentations on thermal electronic whiteboards often lack flair as they can only be seen in black and white. The PLUS BF-041S Electronic Whiteboard is a good example of a thermal electronic whiteboard. It is a freestanding electronic whiteboard unit with the ability to be mounted and contains a printer.

Color Electronic Whiteboard

Color electronic whiteboards can add pizzazz to presentations by introducing color. These electronic whiteboards can also be called copy boards. Using this technology, images are captured on the electronic whiteboard in color. These images can then be stored and either printed or distributed electronically. The PLUS M11s Electronic Whiteboard is a good choice for a color electronic whiteboard. It can be connected directly to a PC and images can be stored there or printed and distributed. Images stored on the computer from the electronic whiteboard can be further edited.

Portable Electronic Whiteboards

A portable electronic whiteboard is an alternative solution to a standard electronic whiteboard. Using a system such as eBeam, it is possible to turn any whiteboard into an electronic whiteboard. Simply attach the eBeam receiver to the whiteboard and connect the receiver with a USB cable to your computer. This system is quick and easy to set up on any whiteboard and it is easy to transport. The Quarter IdeaShare Q8000 Portable Whiteboard Capture System includes a receiver, mounting systems, electronic pens, dry-erasure markers, software and USB cable. These come with a carry bag for ease in portability. Portable electronic whiteboard systems are an economical alternative to standard electronic whiteboard systems.

Electronic whiteboards are setting the standard in presenting in both business and classroom settings. New schools being built include electronic whiteboards in each classroom. Electronic whiteboard sales have reached nearly $1 billion dollars. Teachers are developing new teaching strategies utilizing interactive whiteboards and are finding excellent results in student learning. Electronic whiteboards have a positive effect on the motivation and attention learners have toward their subject. While electronic whiteboards might once have been the wave of the future in classrooms and business settings, this is a technology that is here to stay.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

When You Change To Digital Samsung Televisions From Your Old Analog Set by Samsung Televisions

When You Change To Digital Samsung Televisions From Your Old Analog Set, Recycle and Add To Energy Savings
Friday June 12, 2009

Broadcasting digital only signals today, analog receiving sets can no longer get free programming from television stations that they use to catch via rabbit ears or larger roof top antennas. If you haven't replaced your old tv with a new Samsung Televisions LCD or another popular Model you are left with 3 basic options: subscribe to a cable service or one of the satellite providers, hook up to a set top digital converter box, or take the plunge and purchase a new Samsung LCD or other model that receives digital signals. The EPA is very interested in this transition and in keeping with making sure that the environment is top of mind wants you to recycle that old analog set or if you are not replacing your old set in favor of using a digital box, counsels you to make sure it is Energy Star Compliant. If your choice is a new set, ensure that is has an Energy Star Label. When you recycle that old set it allows recovery of valuable resources from circuit boards, wiring, glass and plastics. During 2008 alone, over 20 million televisions were trashed by Americans without being recycled, as reported by the EPA. This was a costly lost opportunity in the effort to reclaim and conserve resources like copper and iron. Recycling electronics is a worthwhile cause and doesn't take much effort to do your part in being a good steward. To learn more about how to do this check with a local hazardous waste collection and recycling provider. A lot of them get together regularly and hold meeting and events to motivate folks to get involved with recycling their old appliances and devices. Samsung Televisions, Toshiba, Sony. Panasonic and Sharp manufacturers, sponsor hundreds of recycling collection points and national events in an honest effort to spur an energy conscious smooth transition from old style analog to the new digital televisions to make it simple and convenient to recycle. The EPA website provides more detailed information about the digital TV transition and where you can recycle your old TV.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Optical Computing-recent Trend in it

Optical computing means performing computations, operations, storage and transmission of data using light instead of electricity. Instead of silicon chips optical computer uses organic polymers like phthalocyanine and polydiacetylene.Optical technology promises massive upgrades in the efficiency and speed of computers, as well as significant shrinkage in their size and cost. An optical desktop computer is capable of processing data up to 1, 00,000 times faster than current models.
Advantages

Optical computing is cheaper or more powerful than conventional computers.
Within one data path several data sets can be transmitted parallel at the same time using different wavelengths or polarizations. Data paths are able to cross each other without interference.
The superior velocity of light allows extreme processing speeds.
Optical computers are said to run much faster than electronic
computers


Disadvantages

The development of its price is still expensive
Optical components can be build small and compact but not really miniaturized
Optical computers may use a different architecture. So these programs cannot use the full optical computers
High-tech factory costs several millions up to billions of dollars to be built

Difference between Optical computing and conventional computing

Optical computing

Data paths are able to cross each other without interference
Based on two dimensions
High performance
Bottleneck could disappear
Less heat is released
Less noise
Change the shape and layout
The distance of communication does not matter
Long-range communication is possible. the data rate is very high and there is no crosstalk

conventional computing

Crossed data paths are not possible
Based on three dimensions
Performance lesser than optical computing
Bottleneck could appear
Produce heat to a greater or lesser extent
A lot of noise. developed fans to reduce noise
Built as a rectangular box (desktop) or as a laptop
Communication depends on the distance
Longer distances decrease of the practical transfer rate

Features

Wireless Optical Mouse
The ultimate speed is the speed of light.
Massaging your hand by infrared ray
Quick and stable temperature (at 45+/-1) for warming your hand
Safety material for avoiding damaging the component of mouse
High precision option
Plug and play, no-driver required
Scroll without scrollbars
Optical tracking engine
Comfortable shape
low-consumption devicesThe mouse is designed to be used by younger children and features a smaller form factor that allows for an easier grip. It also features a colorful design that will make your child more interested in using a computer.
The mouse itself is rated for up to 1 million clicks.The mouse features an 800 dpi optical tracking interface. Optical tracking is much more precise than a mechanical ball mouse, and is also less prone to mechanical failure.

Past research

Existing silicon technology would represent a potentially less expensive and more feasible way to mass-produce future-generation devices that would use both electrons and photons to process information, rather than just electrons as has been the case in the past.

Less than one year ago, created laser light from electrical current on silicon by placing a layer of the silicon.

Ongoing research

This research builds upon the development of the silicon laser. Computer technology now depends on silicon electronics for data transmission. Researchers have used this platform to demonstrate electrically-pumped lasers emitting 40 billion pulses of light per second. because light can move thousands of times faster through solid materials than electrons and can carry more information at once, while requiring less energy. This is the first ever achievement of such a rate in silicon.
Creating optical components in silicon will lead to optoelectronic devices that can increase the amount and speed of data transmission in computer chips while using existing silicon technology.
Optical chips based on silicon photonic crystals would include their reduced risk of overheating due to lower power needs.

Source:
Sangeetha Priya.K lecturer,
Dept of MCA, Tamilnadu College of Engineering, Karumathampatti, Coimbatore

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Essential GCSE Study Skills

Essential GCSE Study Skills Study skills are simply the various skills you need to be able to study effectively. Many students have surprisingly poor study skills. This study guide is designed to help anybody who is studying for their GCSE exams and wishes to improve such study skills. This study guide is packed full of useful advice which will help you develop all the skills that you need to effectively prepare for your GCSE exams. The guide starts off by showing you how to set up a suitable study environment. Then the guide goes onto to show you how to design and implement your study skills, planning your revision and dealing with stressful situations. Feeding yourself good food helps to keep your body in good shape. Your brain works in a similar way so it is important to feed yourself positive thoughts. Changing your study environment will also improve your ability to revise and will help with your self confidence. Negative thoughts on the other hand will undermine your self confidence and will destroy your-self image. Nearly everybody has more potential than they realise. Plenty of people prevent themselves from learning just because they don't believe in their own abilities. Believing in yourself can be a source of enormous strength. Essentially it is a matter of attitude; a calm quiet approach will lead to confidence and success. Be careful not to be over confident. This is often just an excuse for doing nothing. You fool yourself that the course is easy and requires little effort. So you do nothing until a month before the exam and then suddenly become anxious and nervous about the prospect of doing the exam. A good way to boost your self confidence is to keep a record of what you have achieved and reward yourself from time to time when you have achieved goals that you have set yourself. Constructing a SWOT analysis is an excellent way to help prepare for exams. SWOT stands for: • Strengths • Weaknesses • Opportunities • Threats Your strengths could lie in knowledge of certain areas of the syllabus; your weaknesses could be your motivation and organisation. Opportunities could be the free time that you have or the environment that you are studying within. Threats could be distractions in your life such as the TV, concentration levels and events that occur in your personal life. The environment that you are studying in can have a vital influence on your ability to revise effectively. Radio, TV, Computers and DVDs may be great inventions but they can invade people's privacy just as much as other people can. Finding a quiet place to study such as a library or your bedroom away from disruption is vital. If you study at home ensure that you notify family members so that they are aware that you are revising and can keep noise levels to a minimum. Remember not to study too much as this can be counterproductive. Ensure that you get plenty of sleep (typically between 8-12 hours per day). Working on the computer before you go to bed is not recommended as this can inhibit your ability to get a good night's sleep. Ensure that you have regular meals and have time to relax and be with your friends. Doing plenty of physical exercise is also a good idea and when you construct a revision timetable ensures that you include some kind of physical activity within your schedule. There are two types of study skills that you need to be aware of they are receptive study skills and productive study skills. Receptive skills deal with acquiring and processing new information, where as productive skills deal with how you plan and present your own ideas based on information that you have already worked through. Examples of receptive skills: • Skimming • Scanning • Using abbreviations • Making notes • Summarising
Examples of productive skills: • Brainstorming • Solving problems • Improving your memory • Making inferences • Empathising • Assessing your own progress Different subjects will of course use different types of skill. For example Mathematics will use more productive skills when revising such as practising Maths questions, whereas History will require more receptive skills such as note taking.

Remember when doing a task that may seem daunting it is often best to break it up into more manageable tasks, to tackle the problem one bit at a time. Spread the units of work over a period of hours, days or weeks, depending upon the time scale. Build these sessions into your regular study plan. This skill is useful if you have to write a long assignment for your coursework, or if you need to reschedule a project over several weeks or months. Don't bore yourself to death with endless repetition. There are better ways of remembering one section of your studies when you proceed to the next. Build into your study plan regular opportunities to review your work. The aim is to renew your interest and clarify your understanding.

Problem solving skills are essential irrespective of the subject that you are studying and even if you are not studying at all. The most efficient problem solvers use techniques such as brainstorming and lateral thinking to tackle situations. These approaches give us freedom to take a new idea and see where it goes.

There are various ways to help improve your memory whilst revising; these include mnemonics, visualisation and narratisation. A mnemonic is a way of making information memorable by turning initials into a kind of story. For example to remember the colours of the rainbow 'Richard of York gave battle in vain' Visualisation involves placing information spatially in your imagination. Let's suppose that you are studying Chemistry. You want to memorise the periodic table. You could take different sections of the table and, in your imagination; 'place' each section in a different room of your home. Or if you are studying English, you could take the plot of the novel and think of it as a journey along the street in which you live. Using a cassette recorder or recording information digitally onto a computer can be a great way to record your notes that can be played back when you are ready to revise. This is more useful for subjects like English literature where a large amount of information has to be retained about a particular novel relating to the plot, characterisation, view point etc.

Diagrams, pictures and flow charts can be good ways of remembering information, especially if you assign colours to particular sections, i.e. implement a system of colour coding. As the exams begin to loom so the pressure will begin to mount. The more you study the more there is to remember! Sticking to your study plan may involve sacrifices. You may feel frustrated, angry and irritated at times.

Remember that our ability to think, study and remember information depends on the efficient running of our body. Exercise is a great way to combat stress. Having said that too much of anything is a bad thing and no matter how well we look after ourselves by eating the correct food and exercising regularly we cannot avoid stressful situations entirely. When we become stressed and anxious are bodies release a hormone called adrenalin. Adrenalin causes the heart to beat faster and increase the blood pressure in our bodies. At the same time we may experience dryness in the mouth, more rapid breathing and heightened alertness.

To combat this try a simple breathing exercise. This exercise will lower your heart rate and will enrich the supply of oxygen to the brain. To do this breathe in deeply. Silently count '1', '2' as you do so. Hold your breath as you silently count from 1 to 8. Don't 'lock' the muscles of your throat or chest. Hold your breath as gently as possible. Release your breath slowly as you count from 1 to 4. Count '1' while your lungs remain empty. Repeat the steps again a few more times until you feel more relaxed.

Attending Tai Chi classes and meditation groups are a great way of relieving stress. Often these classes are on a weekend or evening so will not class with your study commitments. If you are unable to attend any of these classes then there are also plenty of products available to purchase to help with sleep and relaxation. For more information on essential GCSE Study skills please visit

Top Grade Maths Tuition



About the Author
Steven Britton is the senior tutor at private Mathematics tuition agency Top Grade Tutoring. www.topgradetutoring.co.uk

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Computer Security Ethics and Privacy

Today, many people rely on computers to do homework, work, and create or store useful information. Therefore, it is important for the information on the computer to be stored and kept properly. It is also extremely important for people on computers to protect their computer from data loss, misuse, and abuse. For example, it is crucial for businesses to keep information they have secure so that hackers can’t access the information. Home users also need to take means to make sure that their credit card numbers are secure when they are participating in online transactions. A computer security risk is any action that could cause lost of information, software, data, processing incompatibilities, or cause damage to computer hardware, a lot of these are planned to do damage. An intentional breach in computer security is known as a computer crime which is slightly different from a cypercrime. A cybercrime is known as illegal acts based on the internet and is one of the FBI’s top priorities. There are several distinct categories for people that cause cybercrimes, and they are refereed as hacker, cracker, cyberterrorist, cyberextortionist, unethical employee, script kiddie and corporate spy. The term hacker was actually known as a good word but now it has a very negative view. A hacker is defined as someone who accesses a computer or computer network unlawfully. They often claim that they do this to find leaks in the security of a network. The term cracker has never been associated with something positive this refers to someone how intentionally access a computer or computer network for evil reasons. It’s basically an evil hacker. They access it with the intent of destroying, or stealing information. Both crackers and hackers are very advanced with network skills. A cyberterrorist is someone who uses a computer network or the internet to destroy computers for political reasons. It’s just like a regular terrorist attack because it requires highly skilled individuals, millions of dollars to implement, and years of planning. The term cyperextortionist is someone who uses emails as an offensive force. They would usually send a company a very threatening email stating that they will release some confidential information, exploit a security leak, or launch an attack that will harm a company’s network. They will request a paid amount to not proceed sort of like black mailing in a since. An unethical employee is an employee that illegally accesses their company’s network for numerous reasons. One could be the money they can get from selling top secret information, or some may be bitter and want revenge. A script kiddie is someone who is like a cracker because they may have the intentions of doing harm, but they usually lack the technical skills. They are usually silly teenagers that use prewritten hacking and cracking programs. A corporate spy has extremely high computer and network skills and is hired to break into a specific computer or computer network to steal or delete data and information. Shady companies hire these type people in a practice known as corporate espionage. They do this to gain an advantage over their competition an illegal practice. Business and home users must do their best to protect or safeguard their computers from security risks. The next part of this article will give some pointers to help protect your computer. However, one must remember that there is no one hundred percent guarantee way to protect your computer so becoming more knowledgeable about them is a must during these days. When you transfer information over a network it has a high security risk compared to information transmitted in a business network because the administrators usually take some extreme measures to help protect against security risks. Over the internet there is no powerful administrator which makes the risk a lot higher. If your not sure if your computer is vulnerable to a computer risk than you can always use some-type of online security service which is a website that checks your computer for email and Internet vulnerabilities. The company will then give some pointers on how to correct these vulnerabilities. The Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center is a place that can do this. The typical network attacks that puts computers at risk includes viruses, worms, spoofing, Trojan horses, and denial of service attacks. Every unprotected computer is vulnerable to a computer virus which is a potentially harming computer program that infects a computer negatively and altering the way the computer operates without the user’s consent. Once the virus is in the computer it can spread throughout infecting other files and potentially damaging the operating system itself. It’s similar to a bacteria virus that infects humans because it gets into the body through small openings and can spread to other parts of the body and can cause some damage. The similarity is, the best way to avoid is preparation. A computer worm is a program that repeatedly copies itself and is very similar to a computer virus. However the difference is that a virus needs o attach itself to an executable file and become a part of it. A computer worm doesn’t need to do that I seems copies to itself and to other networks and eats up a lot of bandwidth. A Trojan Horse named after the famous Greek myth and is used to describe a program that secretly hides and actually looks like a legitimate program but is a fake. A certain action usually triggers the Trojan horse, and unlike viruses and worms they don’t replicate itself. Computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are all classifies as malicious-logic programs which are just programs that deliberately harms a computer. Although these are the common three there are many more variations and it would be almost impossible to list them. You know when a computer is infected by a virus, worm, or Trojan horse if one or more of these acts happen:

Screen shots of weird messages or pictures appear.
You have less available memory then you expected
Music or sounds plays randomly.
Files get corrupted
Programs are files don’t work properly
Unknown files or programs randomly appear
System properties fluctuate

Computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses deliver their payload or instructions through four common ways. One, when an individual runs an infected program so if you download a lot of things you should always scan the files before executing, especially executable files. Second, is when an individual runs an infected program. Third, is when an individual bots a computer with an infected drive, so that’s why it’s important to not leave media files in your computer when you shut it down. Fourth is when it connects an unprotected computer to a network. Today, a very common way that people get a computer virus, worm, or Trojan horse is when they open up an infected file through an email attachment. There are literally thousands of computer malicious logic programs and new one comes out by the numbers so that’s why it’s important to keep up to date with new ones that come out each day. Many websites keep track of this. There is no known method for completely protecting a computer or computer network from computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses, but people can take several precautions to significantly reduce their chances of being infected by one of those malicious programs. Whenever you start a computer you should have no removable media in he drives. This goes for CD, DVD, and floppy disks. When the computer starts up it tries to execute a bot sector on the drives and even if it’s unsuccessful any given various on the bot sector can infect the computer’s hard disk. If you must start the computer for a particular reason, such as the hard disk fails and you are trying to reformat the drive make sure that the disk is not infected.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Computer- the Human Innovation

Computer is a machine that manipulates records according to a list of instructions. The first procedure that resemble recent computers date to the mid-20th century (around 1940 - 1945), although the computer concept and various machines similar to computers existed earlier. Early electronic computers were the size of a large room, overwhelming as much command as several hundred modern personal computers. Modern computers are based on tiny integrated circuits and are millions to billions of times more competent while occupying a fraction of the space. Today, simple computers may be made small enough to fit into a wristwatch and be powered from a watch battery. Personal computers, in various forms, are icons of the Information Age and are what most populace think of as "a computer"; however, the most common form of computer in use today is the entrenched computer. Embedded computers are small, simple devices that are used to manage other devices — for example, they may be found in machines ranging from fighter jet to industrial robots, digital cameras, and children's toys.

The capacity to store and implement lists of instructions called programs makes computers extremely multitalented and distinguishes them from calculators. The cathedral–Turing hypothesis is a mathematical statement of this versatility: any computer with a certain minimum capability is, in principle, capable of performing the same responsibilities that any other computer can perform. Therefore, computers with capability and complexity ranging from that of a personal digital assistant to a supercomputer are all able to perform the same computational tasks given enough time and storeroom capacity.

It is difficult to identify any one device as the earliest computer, partly because the term "computer" has been subject to varying interpretations over time. Originally, the term "computer" referred to a person who performed mathematical calculations (a human computer), often with the aid of a mechanical calculating tool.

Friday, May 22, 2009

What is the Relation With Data Communications and Networks?

Data communications and networks make use of an approach that is totally focused on the Internet and was designed to tackle the issues of communicating system design. In order to get to the data communications and networks, a certain integrated approach is taken. The way that this is done is by an emphasis that will begin right at the top level of the obligations and will work downwards from there; while explaining just how the requirements are completed by the lower layers of the broadcasting chain. Data communications and networks are very important when it comes to services like VoIP, as they make up some of the service.
When one talks about data communications they are referring to equipment that was specially designed to give and gather information that is capable of communicating with other similar equipment and systems. Data communications are the tools that are used to make certain adjustments within the network. A simple example of data communications would be connecting two computers together when they are 100 feet away from one another. A cable can be used to plug into each computer and they will then be connected, creating data communications. There are different factors that have to be taken into consideration when trying to determine how data communication will work. For example, some factors in this case might include security, distance, signaling, topology and protocol.

In another equally simple case, a data communication could be the connection of your computer to the internet through a modem. If you have done this, you have established a steady connection between your computer and the World Wide Web. Every time you click on a link from a website you are requesting certain information from that website and it is given to you in the form of data, whether it is in color, letters or graphics. Data communications and networks are needed in an Internet connection. It makes the connection, and therefore it has to be present at all times.

A network is made up of two or more computers that are joined in order for them to share certain resources such as CD-ROM's, printers or fax machines. They can allow the exchange of files and they may also allow different forms of electronic communications. These computers can be joined by infrared light beams, cables, satellites, telephone lines or radio waves. There are two major types of networks; these are Local Area network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN). Networks are important when it comes to computers and the communications with other computer networks. You need to know and understand networks in order to be able to use them to their optimum capability.

The Internet is the main example that can be used when one talks about data communications and networks. There are numerous modern connection options and services that can be used and these include ADSL, Voice over Internet Protocol and mobile radio. When it comes to current systems and the importance of them, the aspects that are more traditional such as circuit switching still exist and are available.