Your Comfort And Your PC
So you’re looking for a single disc on which you can store 50 GB data?With the help of Blue-Ray Disc you can do just that. A Blue-Ray Disc is a "high-density optical disc" format for storing digital media, including high-definition videos.The name "Blue Ray Disc" is derived from the blue-violet laser that is used to read and write this type of disc. It can store 25 GB of data on each layer as compared to a conventional 4.7 GB DVD. A dual layer DVD of 50 GB storage capacity can store up to 9 hours of high definition video and up to around 23 hours of standard definition video. Hard to believe, isn’t it?However, there is a slight catch! In order to make full use of the Blue-Ray Disc, you will need a Blue-Ray DVD ROM along with certain codecs as and when required, depending on the media you wish to play. Once you’ve procured these, you can make the most of all that the Blue-Ray disc has to offer!
Microsoft has released its new Windows Vista OS. But what are the various features that make it better than the trusted previous versions? Here are 5 things about Vista you need to know.
1) Security: Windows Vista provides security features that are the most advanced of all the Windows versions so far. It is touted as the most secure windows edition yet. It offers protection from malware, spyware, hackers...the works!
2) Organisation and Search: With Vista, you no longer need to search in the conventional way and hope for a hit. Vista allows you to edit the keywords associated with a file and hence make searching for it at a different point of time easier, even if you don’t remember the name or location.
3) Gadgets: Vista introduces a sidebar with gadgets. These gadgets can be something as simple as a calculator, a sticky note or a messenger contact to something that gives you weather updates, messenger status and lots more. You can select the gadgets you want to see in the sidebar.
4) Networking: You can graphically see the connectivity of your computer as well as the network your computer is part of. If any computer in the network loses its link, it immediately gets graphically shown on your computer.
5) Slide Show: This is a feature that is of more use to the laptop faithful. It allows you to view your contact details, meeting schedules and other important details without having to switch on your laptop if you have a secondary device in any format.So go ahead and arm yourself with the latest in Windows, if you think you can handle it!
A home computer is fine but is restricted to just one room. So why not go for a home laptop instead. These 7 tips allow you to choose wisely when buying a laptop.
1) Processor: Any processor, preferably dual core, will do just fine. Make sure it's not an Intel Celeron or an AMD processor, as these are set aside for cheap notebooks.
2) Operating System: Choose the OS based on your requirements. Microsoft Windows XP Home is sufficient. Windows XP Professional is better. Some are even offering Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
3) Memory: Memory is also dependent on what you plan to use the laptop for. 512 MB is a good amount, but dual core processors should be paired with 1GB.
4) Hard drive: Laptops can be used for larger purposes than a normal PC. So when you are searching for a hard drive, go for 80GB and up.
5) Graphics Card: A mid-range card like the ATI Mobility Radeon X1300, the nVidia GeForce Go 7300, or even the new integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 or 950 GM is good enough. Make sure graphics memory is at least 128MB.
6) Optical Drive: A Dual layer, dual-format DVD/RW drive should be standard. This will give your drive the basic functionality it needs.
7) Ports/Slots: You'll find at least three USB ports. A multi-format media card reader, a Firewire port, S-Video and VGA-Out port should all come standard. Choose between an Express Card Slot and PC Card slot.
You are now set to enjoy the freedom the laptop provides you, while you work, play or simply browse the internet
Your Comfort And Your PC
We are used to using the tried and tested software that is there on every computer. But there are better alternatives available that you might never have known about.
These 5 software alternatives will show you the way.
1. Thunderbird Email Client: This works as a fine alternative to Outlook Express. It has a better filter, attachments are run only with user permission, latest software feature allows you to get updates and security features immediately. You can also add new toolbars and buttons and control the look and working of Thunderbird easily.
2. VLC Media Player: This is a highly portable media player for video and audio formats. It can also be used with your DVDs, VCDs etc as well as a streaming server. It supports more audio formats than the other players.
3. WinRar Compression: This provides all the features of WinZip, with easier usability and lower cost. Upgrades are also free of cost.
4. Open Office: This provides spreadsheet, word processing and presentation software, similar to Microsoft Office but totally free of cost. Ideal replacement for MS Office.
5. Trillian Messenger: It is messenger software that supports MSN, ICQ, Yahoo etc. Having all your accounts under one window is so much easier than managing four separate messenger windows. A must have for the chatting freaks.And the best feature in all these software's is that they are all absolutely free! So, go ahead, do more, without paying anything at all.
A lot of times we tend to forget our tasks scheduled on a particular day. Reminders on the cell phone have failed miserably due to its limited storage capacity. To minimize such kind of flaws at your workplace, you can schedule your tasks very easily with the help of a Task Scheduler. It’s most convenient for you to remember your daily tasks and each time you start Windows it runs in the background. Just read through the following steps and learn how to get started with a Task Scheduler.
• You can easily install Task Scheduler through Internet Explorer. Go to the Control Panel and select Add/Remove Programs.
• Select Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 or 5 from the list, and when a dialog prompts you for what to do, select Add a component.
• Depending on the current release of your browser (4 or 5), you will eventually be given a list of additional software you may install.
• With IE 4 you should select Task Scheduler under Additional Explorer Enhancements.
• With IE 5+ select the Offline Browsing Pack. Or get your IE updates and add-ons from Microsoft’s website.
• It is not necessary to install the shell integration component or to use Internet Explorer as your default browser for the task scheduler to work. Remember task scheduler is independent software which is most often distributed via the Internet Explorer package.
• After successfully installing the Task Scheduler, you can use it to schedule commands, programs, or scripts to run at specified times.
How to use:
• To open Scheduled Tasks, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Scheduled Tasks.
• When Scheduled Tasks is running, this icon appears next to the clock on the taskbar. You can double-click the Scheduled Tasks icon on the taskbar to open Scheduled Tasks.
• Schedule a task to run daily, weekly, monthly, or at certain times, such as when the computer starts or is idle. Customize how a task will run at its scheduled time. Turn off or change the schedule for an existing task.
While working at your computer, many a times you keep searching for folders containing particular information. To do away with this kind of situation of searching blindly, just read through the simple steps below and learn how to spice up your start button and get it to perform to your requirements.
This is what you can use to add items when you right-click on the Start Button:
1. Click Start, click on Run and type the word Regedit
2. Go to HKey_Classes_Root / Directory / Shell
3. Right-click on Shell and select New / Key
4. Type in the name of the key and press the Enter key
5. In the Default name that shows in the right hand panel, you can add a title with a & character in front of the letter for a shortcut
6. Right-click on the key you just created and create another key under it called command
7. For the value of this command, enter the full path and program you want to execute
8. Now when you right click on the Start Button, your new program will show up. You do not need to reboot first.
9. For example, if you wanted WinWord, you would add that as the first key, the default in the right panel would be &WinWord so when you right click on the Start Button, the W would be underlined and you could just press that key. The command would be something like C:\MSOFFICE\WINWORD\WINWORD.EXE
Annoying messages have been invading computer screens all over the world. These "messenger spam" ads can appear on your Windows computer screen without warning when you least expect it. They aren't part of an e-mail message; they just appear on your screen. If you have an Internet connection and are running Windows with its Messenger Service enabled, anyone in the world can make a message pop up on your computer any time, even if e-mail, chat, and your web browser are closed. By default, Microsoft Windows operating systems (98, ME, XP, 2000, NT) have Windows Messenger Service enabled. To eliminate messenger SPAM, simply disable the Messenger service. It can be turned back on any time. Note: no special software is required to get rid of messenger SPAM. Windows XP 1. Click Start > Control Panel. 2. For Category View only (skip this step for Classic View), click Performance and Maintenance. 3. Click Administrative Tools. 4. Double-click Services. 5. Scroll down and highlight "Messenger". 6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties. 7. Click the STOP button. 8. Select Disable or Manual on the Startup Type drop-down menu. 9. Click OK. Windows XP Home Edition 1. Click Start > Control Panel. 2. Click Administrative Tools. 3. Click Component Services. 4. Double-click Services Local. 5. Double-click "Messenger" to bring up the options panel. 6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties. 7. Click the STOP button. 8. Select Disable or Manual on the Startup Type drop-down menu. 9. Click OK. Windows 2000 1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services. 2. Scroll down and highlight "Messenger". 3. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties. 4. Click the STOP button. 5. Select Disable or Manual on the Startup Type drop-down menu. 6. Click OK. Windows NT 1. Click Start > Control Panel. 2. Double-click Administrative Tools. 3. Select Services > Double-click on Messenger. 4. In the Messenger Properties window, select Stop. 5. Then choose Disable as the Startup Type. 6. Click OK. Windows 98 & ME Windows Messenger Service cannot be disabled.
Is your desk all cluttered up? Is your PC taking up most of the space, creating an awkward position for your keyboard, monitor and the printed material you refer to while working? Here’s a simple solution. Just move the PC to the floor. If your floor is not carpeted put a doormat below it. Just make sure that your wires are long enough for making the relocation possible.
Can't get enough work done on your PC? Instead of blaming the machine, the fault could lie with you. Perhaps you are not really comfortably poised when working on it. Ask yourself these questions: • Is the desk you are working on spacious enough to accommodate everything --- monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers etc? • Is the keyboard at a comfortable angle to your seated position and the monitor? • Is the monitor at the right eye-level (slightly lower than a straight eye-level)? • Do you have enough space to move the mouse around, without having to struggle?• Do you have enough of leg space below the desk? • Are your neck muscles relaxed, or are you straining them? • If you are answering `No' to any of the above you need to do some corrective work. Believe it or not, if you spend a little time to make yourself comfortable when working on your PC, your efficiency will improve drastically.
While PCs have certainly made life easier, they have taken their toll on our eyes. Most suffer eyestrain after spending hours in front of the monitor. Here are some ways to overcome the eyestrain:• Adjust monitor brightness to an intensity that is comfortable for the eyes. It should not be too bright or too dim. • Avoid bright light in your peripheral vision surrounding the PC (sunlight from the window, bright lamp, etc) • Screen background should be such that letters are easily read. Repeat brightness and contrast adjustment till you are comfortable with the outcome. • Restrict glare on your screen (such as the reflection of a table lamp or light from the window) to the minimum. • Position the monitor perpendicular to windows or other bright light sources to reduce glare. • Avoid staring at the monitor constantly. In other words, blink at regular intervals • As a precaution, wet tissue or handkerchief with clean and if possible cold water and place it over closed eyes for a few minutes. This will refresh eyes. • Cup palms and rest your eyes in them. • At periodic intervals fix your sight on a particular distant object and then return attention to the screen.
Use power-free glasses to help reduce strain on eyes.
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