You are here: Home / Archives for Computers

The Rise of Tablet Computers

The inception of the iPhone and the touch screen technology is portrayed changed the way we look at mobile devices forever. People were, and still are, captivated by the touch-screen technology that various Apple products exhibit. As the iPhone quickly grew in popularity, Apple released a new, and seemingly larger version of the iPhone; only it could not be utilized as a phone. This product was known as the iPad, and helped revolutionize the way in which people view mobile computers such as laptops and other types of mobile personal computers.

The iPad runs the widely acclaimed Apple iOS that exhibits extremely simple navigation and a user friendly graphical interface. As the iPad began moving more into the mainstream, other mobile phone companies began releasing their own version of touch screen phones. While in fact these phones were nowhere near the technology and prestige of the iPhone, it was becoming prevalent the technology was growing, and moving from just one sector to many. In conjunction with these newly released phones, the Android operating system was released to run on the competing smartphones of the Apple iOS mobile devices. The Android operating system helped pave the way for higher end smartphones and eventually competing tablet computers.

Currently, there are a few different brands of tablet computers, the main one still being iPad, with competitors based around Android. These tablet computers are drastically becoming the wave of the future in terms of how mobile computers are utilized. Apple is in the works of producing the iPad 2, while other manufacturers are still releasing their initial tablet; consumers are going to be faced with a barrage of choices. Perhaps even these innovative touchscreen computers will eventually replace laptops?

Filed Under: Computers, Internet Tagged With: , , ,

Why The Internet Has Become so Important to Businesses

The Internet is a viable pass-time for millions of people on a daily basis. Whether they are jumping online via their favorite mobile device to look up a quick bit of information regarding a conversation they are having with someone, or they are building their own online business; the Internet has become a staple in our culture and modern society. Over the past few decades, the number of computers within households has grown drastically, and the number of people connected to the Internet has grown even more. Additionally, with the inception of wireless capabilities and Internet ready mobile devices, more people are jumping online than ever before.

This is extremely important to businesses who are looking to expand and survive the future. In a sense, the Internet is the future, and more people are becoming prone to doing their shopping via the computer through online retailers then jumping into their cars and rolling down to the nearest brick and mortar facility. As a result of this fact, more businesses are moving areas of their company into the online world, or completely making the transition from the physical world to online in order to take advantage of this untapped source of potential endless profits.

The Internet poses a virtually unlimited amount of digital real-estate in which businesses can claim based off various keywords in which they want customers to find them through. Additionally, it is easier to portray entire inventories online than in physical stores in which a customer might have to be referred to a different store for a particular item. Consumers like the fact they can simply pop online, navigate easily through a retail site and find the product they want for purchase. This generalized concept has drastically become more prevalent over the past five years, and is continuing to be so.

Filed Under: Computers, Internet Tagged With: ,

The Potential Problem of The Growing Number of Residential Computers

As with most pieces of technology, from the inception of a specific product, the amount of people utilizing that product only grows. This fact remains true with cell phones, and of course computers. A couple decades ago, it was rare to find a residential household that had a computer let alone access to the Internet. However, twenty years later, vast amounts of people own computers and connect to the Internet on a daily basis. Each day, thousands of people who have never accessed a computer take the plunge for the first time, whether at work or with a newly purchased private computer. This is by no means a bad thing, as it will allow online businesses to continue booming for decades to come with the projected consistent growth. However, with these potential economic opportunities comes an equal amount of cyber crime.

The single most prevalent problem with a growing number of residential computers is the large consumer base who connects to the internet unaware of the potential dangers that exist in the online world. These problems are far different than the threats that exist in the real world, and are difficult to detect, specifically for novice users. As a result of this, cyber crime is drastically increasing, with new viruses being released on a daily basis to infect unsuspecting computers utilizing underhanded yet innovative tactics. These viruses and scams lead to new widespread crime epidemics, particularly identity theft.

Identity theft is a growing problem, with an increase in cases annually. These cases result typically from email phishing scams that pose as a viable entity in order to obtain the information of an unsuspecting individual. Additionally, there are viruses that are floating around that while infecting a computer, can transmit specific user information, credentials, and private information to the developer of the virus. All of these problems persist due lack of first time user education as well as new tactics that are employed by malicious entities looking to make money through theft of identity and or spamming advertisements.

Filed Under: Computers, Internet Tagged With: ,

Why You Should Wait To Buy The Newest Operating System

It happens every time a new operating system comes out for Windows. A new operating system is a big deal for both the business world and the consumer world. The new and improved system is better but the old one is still going strong. It can be difficult on deciding whether to wait or grab the latest and greatest when it first comes out. But waiting for a few weeks or months can be beneficial to you. It can save you money and give you an insight into any potential problems. If your serious, it can also give you time to learn about the new setups before you make any purchase.

It also entails a lot of work and some unforeseen problems with capability. So when a new operating system hits the shelves, it is hard to gauge exactly how much work is involved with transferring over your data. Furthermore, a few weeks will give you the time to figure out how to smoothly transition. This is because shortly afterward, eager testers will be posting guides and information on how well the transition worked for them. A few weeks will help work out any capability errors since the company will be focused on fixing problems as soon as they appear.

Another advantage to waiting a few weeks is that the high prices that usually accompany a new system will drop a bit. By this time, you can usually catch a sale. Floor salesmen are also more knowledgeable about the product and its operations. So, you can capture real information and not something read on a little tag. However, you still might need tech support.

Finally, waiting a few weeks will help you determine if you really need the new system upgrade. Many businesses are very slow to upgrade their systems. As a result, the old operating system is the workable one and a new one becomes more of a play toy than a work computer.

Filed Under: Computers, Operating Systems Tagged With: , ,

The Benefits of a Graphics Based User Interface in an Operating System

As our culture pushes further into becoming a technologically based modern society, more people will become owners of computers and get connected to the internet. Over the past decade alone, the amount of people who own a computer has grown drastically, and each year the numbers rise on a seemingly exponential basis. However, despite the rapid growth, more households are without computers and internet access than households that are. As a result of this, there are still large amounts of growth to be had, which also means there will be many more people who are unfamiliar with the computer and how to navigate around one. One of the most important aspects of general computer navigation is the operating system; the system that runs the computer and provides a means of navigating and accessing specific aspects within the computer.

Operating systems are generally the first impression that people have with their new system, particularly those who are not familiar with the computer and the various specifications that make one computer model more powerful over other models. Popular operating systems such as the Microsoft Windows operating systems are popular for many very important reasons, one of which is the fact they utilize graphical based user interfaces. A graphics based user interfaces uses graphics to designate specific areas of the computer that people can access. When a new computer is started, the buyer is faced with a desk top full of engaging graphics that are straight forward in their navigation and uses. This concept is extremely important for people who are unfamiliar with computers and need a bit of visual aid in their navigation.

The graphical based user interface on operating systems is by far the most popular. The friendly user interface and navigation makes it easy for people of all levels of computer intelligence to have an equally rewarding experience while operating on the machine. Operating systems are ever-changing, becoming more user friendly and efficient in the overall user experience; as such, it has never been a better time to begin learning about the computer.

Filed Under: Computers, Operating Systems Tagged With: , ,

What Makes Windows 7 So Great

What makes Windows 7 so great is what the programmers did and what they didn’t do when developing this system. The first thing they did was actually listen to the consumers who bought the Windows Vista. They learned what was wrong with Windows Vista, why consumers preferred Windows XP, and what consumers wanted in a new operating system. By listening instead of developing, they created a new version of Windows that easily adapted to but sleeker and with some new and improved features.

From Windows Vista, the developers learned a lot. The Windows Vista was a type of failure. It worked but the customers just didn’t like it. The developers learned some important lessons from Windows Vista so it wasn’t a complete failure. Some of the lessons they learned were very valuable from a marketing perspective. They learned that an overloaded system ran slowly. They learned that many of the features they thought were great just didn’t work for the average user. They learned that consumers preferred speed above everything else. In a core, they learned simple was better.

But the influence of Windows 7 didn’t just come from Windows Vista, people actually liked Windows XP. The developers took much of worked for Windows XP and transported it to the Windows 7 platform. They did sleek up some of the features such as the automatic detection of drivers for plug and play. They did make some things simpler but updated much of the design and graphics. They also compressed the operating system of Windows 7 so that it took up less space.

What makes Windows 7 so great is that the developers actually listened to the consumers. They found out what they wanted and what they didn’t want. They discovered it was all about the speed vice the features. Hopefully, these past lessons will be passed on to future Windows operating systems.

Filed Under: Computers Tagged With:

The Conveniece Of Netbook

The Netbook has hit the computer world by storm. This has taken some of the sales away from laptops and powers. They have one very big and important purpose. But it is this purpose that Netbook was designed for. It was designed solely for surfing on the internet while on the move. It has two very distinctive features that has attracted many buyers to purchasing the Netbook.

One of the most attractive features of the Netbook is the price. For under $500 even with the bigger screen, the Netbook is cheaper than your average laptop. The lower price can be attributed to the lack of some of the features such as a DVD player. However, an external drive can easily be hooked up to the Netbook. For those looking for a cheap alternative to just get on the internet, this is definitely a good option. The internet is probably used way more than a DVD burner.

The small size is a big advantage when it comes to taking trips and still needing something that can access the net while travelling. Because it is so small, it is also very light weight and that eliminates the need to carry a huge, heavy briefcase around. It also can fit inside purses and takes up very little room in packed bags. Just be sure to pack the power cord with it. The small size might be a deterrent for some buyers who might find the small screen size a little too small for their tastes.

There is no doubt about the convenience of a Netbook. Its small price, small size, and light weight nature make very ideal for what it is designed to do. It makes a very great travel partner when you are saving weight on baggage and accesses the internet wirelessly. But the best feature of all has to be the price.

Filed Under: Computers Tagged With: ,

The Differences Between A Desktop, Laptop, And A Netbook

The cost of computers has come down dramatically. But many people are still confused about the dramatic price difference between the tower systems, the laptops, and the netbooks. The price difference can be attributed to the system perks that each type of computer offers.

The choice of work computers for many has been the tower. The biggest reason for this is that it has plenty of room for upgrades and attached devices. Companies don’t have the dough to shell out for new computers every year and upgrades in memory are far cheaper to obtain.

The laptop has definitely found a niche as both a work computer and one for home use. Its mobility and wireless systems give it the most flexibility for computers. It is the favored computer for home use and school work. However, there is a limitation on the amount of upgrades it can handle and it is one of the easiest to break. In many cases, breaking one does require replacement. But it is cheaper than the desktop which carries the extra monitor and keyboard components.

The Netbook is probably the cheapest of the internet-ready computer systems. There are severe limitations on what it can handle. You can get away with surfing the net or doing non-graphic intensive types of tasks. The smaller size does mean a smaller price tag. However, you will need an extra hard drive and the number of USB ports is limited.

There really is a computer for every need. It mainly depends on what you are using it for. The desktop can handle many upgrades and a killer sound system has plenty of room. The laptop is mobile, light-weight, and can be used for both work and school. The Netbook is good for tooling around on the internet and has the smallest price tag. The biggest difference between them is their size, complexity, and their use.

Filed Under: Computers, Internet Tagged With: ,

History of Windows Operating Systems

Microsoft Windows is without doubt the most popular software among personal computers. Microsoft Windows 95 was the first operating system that received widespread response from personal computer uses and has been spreading in popularity with each new version of windows.

Windows is a graphical user interface based on the Dos environment by Microsoft. Microsoft currently has more than 90% of the personal computer market. It has overtaken Mac OS X in 1990’s. It has releases various version by the name of Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. These operating systems were each improved on top older versions. Microsoft has also released mobile version og windows for smart phones. The most recent version of mobile windows is the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 operating system. It has come a long way from its humble start where the whole operating system was based on an interface manager. This was begun in 1983, but the first Windows i.e windows 1.0 was released in 1985 to a selected few developers who owed operating systems. The next version of Windows the 2.0 was a huge improvement over the older version and solved many problems associated with the version 1.0. The earlier versions were basically just graphical user interfaces that ran above MS-DOS. Then came the serious Windows OS the 386 and the 386 virtual 8086 mode. These operating systems enabled users to multitask numerous MS-DOS programs on top of each other. The introduction of multitasking in Microsoft Windows was a huge step that led to its popularization among developers. After these versions follwed the Windows 3.0 and 3.1 in the early 1990’s. This version saw the introduction of Virtual memory and drivers for hardware devices. These innovations created a new market and helped in standardization of hardware and software.

Filed Under: Computers, Operating Systems Tagged With:

Tips and Tricks for Linux Mint

Linux Mint is a distribution which is a derivative of the Ubuntu Linux and this Linux Mint is claimed to be more user friendly and appealing aesthetically as compared to the other versions of Linux. Many of the Tips and tricks which work on Ubuntu also work on the Linux Mint. Few of the tips and tricks are:

Rebooting of the Gnome, which can be done by pressing Ctrl + Alt + backspace after saving the work and this can be done every few minutes. Restarting the gnome helps avoid rebooting the operating system every time in order for the changes to come into effect. On pressing the above combination of keys the gnome gets restarted and the login screen will appear within minutes without the necessity of rebooting.

When the PC boots up , the username can be automatically logged into in both Ubuntu and Linux Mint, this saves the trouble of entering the username and password every time the system boot up and it also makes it easy in case of remote login to access the VNC server on Linux, which cant be accessed until the user logs in. One can make use of the automatic login option in Linux Mint by going to the Start Button and then to Administration > Login Window and then after entering the password, the automatic login can be enabled by accessing the security tab and selecting automatic login option.

The login screen theme can be changed in Linux Mint by accessing the start button and then administration, login window. In the login window, one can click on the local tab to choose the desired theme among the themes available in the list. The user can also set the custom message using the text bar. There are a various other tips and tricks available for Linux Mint which makes working a lot easier and offers a great experience on Linux Mint .

Filed Under: Computers, Operating Systems Tagged With: ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »