Networking

Writen by John Gibb

Wiring up a LAN (local area network) can be very easy, or it can be very difficult – it all depends on the size of your network, and how you're trying to go about it.

For a very small home network, you can get by without using any special equipment except the wires. If you want to use a network to share Internet access or a printer, just plug an Ethernet cable into the computers you want to network, and then use the simple networking features that are built into Windows, such as Internet Connection Sharing. This approach has many downsides, though – you'll need an extra Ethernet card in each computer for every extra computer you connect to the network, for one.

Instead of connecting each computer to the next, it is better to simply connect all the computers to a central router. This is a very efficient way of connecting computers together, as the data you send will be quickly and easily routed to its destination: the data goes to the router, which knows which wire to send it down for it to reach the destination address, and simply sends it that way. This also allows you to turn on and off computers as you please with no ill effects, as the router is always-on.

If you want to connect more devices to the network than the four or five ports on a router will allow, then you need to get a network switch. This allows you to create a separate sector of your network especially for one group of devices. For example, you might have your computer and your printer both plugged into a switch. The computer and the printer can then communicate between themselves without the data needing to travel out onto the wider network – but if they want to send to or receive from the wider network, they can do that too.

John Gibb is the owner of ethernet resources For more information on ethernet check out http://www.ethernet-intelligence.info

Outdoor Atomic Clocks

Writen by Richard Romando

An atomic clock is an extremely accurate clock available for both indoor and outdoor use. An atomic clock differs from a standard clock in that the oscillation in an atomic clock is between the nucleus of an atom and the surrounding electrons.

Outdoor atomic clocks are made to be hung on the side of a house or garage or on the patio. Beautifully crafted outdoor atomic clocks are a valuable addition to your yard. Outdoor clocks are made with more durable material than indoor clocks since they have to be weather resistant. Some outdoor atomic clocks are set on poles. Atomic clocks provide the accurate time in hours, minutes, and seconds. Outdoor atomic clocks can also record temperature and humidity.

An outdoor atomic clock updates itself around six times daily for perfect accuracy, even changing itself from standard to daylight savings time and back. Outdoor atomic clocks can be set to any time zone according to your need. Most of the outdoor atomic clocks operate on batteries. Popular atomic clocks have their times automatically set with their radio-controlled sensor-pickups from the U.S. Atomic Clock.

Radio-controlled atomic clocks are ultimate in convenience and accuracy. These can be used for both outdoor and indoor purposes. Special features of radio-controlled atomic clocks are self-setting radio-controlled movement, manual set option, and automatic adjustment for daylight savings.

Outdoor atomic clocks include almost all the functions in the indoor atomic clocks, including battery operation and number style selection. Outdoor atomic clocks are made of durable metal or acrylic. Some of these clocks have bronze, pewter, and other attractive frames. They are also provided with an analog thermometer and hygrometer on the lower half.

Among the outdoor atomic clocks, garden clocks are made for both function and artistic appeal. These clocks are made with materials that mingle with the garden scenario. In outdoor garden clocks, the main focus is often the craftsmanship rather than accuracy of time.

Atomic Clocks provides detailed information on Atomic Clocks, Atomic Clock Times, Atomic Alarm Clocks, Atomic Wall Clocks and more. Atomic Clocks is affiliated with Printable Calendars.

Google Offers Free Spreadsheet On The Web

Writen by Ugur Akinci

The clash of ideas that started over a decade ago between Microsoft, on the one hand, and other hi-tech giants like Oracle and Sun Microsystems about the relative merits of desk-top-based vs. web-based services is coming to a head with Google's new web-based and free spreadsheet application.

Just like the free web editor and hosting that is now available from Google, if you've got a Gmail account, you can now also get an innovative spreadsheet program.

The "light client" idea championed by Oracle, Sun and Google has made impressive inroads with an ever-increasing number of applications which were previously bought out in boxes and then installed on PCs.

Now a lot of such out-of-the-box applications are shifting onto the web in an amazing variety of "web services." The spread of fiber optic networks and the dropping price of broadband are factors that favor the increase of such web service in the future.

Enter Google Spreadsheets...

The service is still in its Beta phase and so you have to register for it. I did and a day later I got my invitation to test drive the Google Spreadsheets.

As usual, Google engineers did their homework well. This is a very easy-to-understand interface, with a disarmingly clean and simple approach to the main tasks that many people end up doing with spreadsheets.

The three main tabs FORMAT, SORT and FORMULAS cover 99% of all the things that I'll ever do with a spreadsheet.

All three tabs have their own dynamically-constructed mini-menus.

For example, in the main FORMAT tab, the menu offers different ways to format your text and numbers, with great drop-down menus to ALIGN, INSERT and DELETE anything and everything. Wrapping text and merging cells is a breeze though the well-marked menu check-box and button.

The SORT tab has the very useful FREEZE ROWS drop-down list to work efficiently with those spreadsheets with hundreds of rows. Two buttons make ascending and descending SORTING by columns a straight forward operation.

The FORMULAS tab provides an easy one-click way to calculate sums, averages, counts, etc..

And here is the most REVOLUTIONARY feature of all:

By clicking a link you can actually open a CHAT WINDOW and share the spreadsheet with your friends or co-workers. You can literally collaborate in real time as you are working on your spreadsheet. You can people to EDIT or just VIEW the spreadsheet. Try doing that with Excel.

Overall I'm very impressed with this new effort by Google to drive yet another nail into the coffin of the "heavy client" PC idea. The future looks more intriguing by the day.

----------------------------------------------------------

Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation.

He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 companies for the last 7 years.

In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), and a Member of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).

You can reach him at writer111@gmail.com for a FREE consultation on all your copywriting needs.

You are most welcomed to visit his official web site http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials.

While at it, you might also want to check the latest book he has edited:http://www.lulu.com/content/263630

Atomic Alarm Clocks

Writen by Richard Romando

Imagine setting clock alarm for waking up early the next morning only to be awakened minutes or hours late and then missing out on appointments or meetings. It was can be a frequent occurrence without an atomic alarm clock. With an atomic alarm clock, however, there would be no excuses for late risers, as the alarm goes of on time and can help do away with television or cell phone alarms.

The alarm clock is replete with gizmos, such as audio announcement, automatic summer and winter daylight-savings adjustments, and display time in seconds/minutes of day, date, and alarm time. There is volume selection, which is a bonus as the alarm clock has an extra long beep. Since it is a radio alarm clock, it works on receiving the radio time signal generated by the U.S. Atomic Clock located in Colorado, saving users precious minutes in the bargain.

Another product that can prove useful is the travel atomic alarm clock. For frequent travelers, these clocks work well as their amazingly perfect antennae pick up radio signals from atomic time transmitters. Another plus is that users can do away with the services of a hotel or host for wake up calls when vacationing, on business trips, or traveling for whatever reason.

Atomic alarm clocks come in various designs and sizes, are portable, and are easy to read and set with familiar and positive sounds or songs. Instead of being roused with raucous or shrilly notes, one can hear a soothing favorite song or tone so as not to wake up in a crabby mood. Whether it is a pocket watch or cell phone look-alike, an atomic alarm clock is a must with other traveling accessories, especially if one is on a tight schedule.

Atomic Clocks provides detailed information on Atomic Clocks, Atomic Clock Times, Atomic Alarm Clocks, Atomic Wall Clocks and more. Atomic Clocks is affiliated with Printable Calendars.

Now You Can Watch Pocket Pc Mobile Tv Wherever You Are

Writen by Jon Butt

Just as you think that you've got the most out of your PocketPC, you are suddenly made aware that it can actually function as a Pocket PC Mobile TV. Yes folks, bring your television with you.

Not in the mood to watch television outside your home? Then download specialized software and make your iPAQ function like an iPAQ TV remote control inside the house. With the right remote control software, make your iPAQ a universal remote control that can operate your television, VCR, and other home or office audio and video equipment. This feature is already available for various models of the iPAQ.

Pocket PC Remote Control Functionality

The MPEG video player and Windows Media Player applications installed on your handheld can play various audio-video flicks on your iPAQ, Palm or Sony CLIÈ. Convert your PDA into a mobile televisions set by downloading or transferring form your PC your favorite full length films, television programs, film trailers, music videos, and more.

Remote control software from UEI Nevo, VITO Remote, TV Remote Controller and others are specially made for Pocket PC handhelds. They are compatible with certain PDA models from Acer, Dell Axim, HP Jornada, Fujitsu Siemens, HP iPAQ, Toshiba, and others.

There is also remote control software, like the OMNI Remote, specifically made for Palm-based handhelds like the Palm Pilot, Handspring, and Visor so don't think it's only the iPAQ that can be used as a remote control in your home.

Pocket PC remote control can be utilized between PDA handhelds and television sets with infrared engines. It can work from a distance of 2 meters to 10 meters between the PDA and the television set, depending on the iPAQ model's remote control software and infrared signal strength. When operating the television or other audio or video equipment, the PDA user should point the infrared signal of his PDA to the television.

Jon Butt is the publisher of http://www.the-PDA-guide.com One of the web's leading sources of information on how to choose your perfect PDA or PocketPC or Handheld, where to get the biggest discounts online, which software downloads will enhance your life and what accessories will enhance your little PDA friend

Payroll Time Clock Software

Writen by Thomas Morva

Most entrepreneurs consider payroll management a strenuous business process. Most companies either have a dedicated staff involved only in payroll management or they outsource this function. Payroll management involves calculating the money owed to each employee, taking hourly wage, commission, sick leave, vacation time, and other variables that change the pay from week to week into account. From this gross pay medical insurance, pension plans, social security taxes and other programs the company or government pay for has to be deducted. In all, figuring out the payroll for each employee can become a job unto itself.

Fortunately, there are many versions of payroll software that will solve these problems for all kinds of businesses. Payroll software helps to automate and provide timely and accurate payroll processing for all types of employees. These programs automate the entire process from deducting taxes to even printing out the checks. Many of them can calculate an entire payroll in as little as 15 minutes, saving the company time and effort, and without the mistakes that come with human calculation.

Payroll software has many benefits. These are largely dependent on your business needs and the payroll software you have installed. Payroll software provides lower payroll production costs with its improved accuracy. The software quickly identifies, analyzes, and reports on adverse employee costs or trends. This is a huge benefit to HR management. Since payroll software automates the functions of several employees, they reduce the administrative overhead. By automating many manual processes, this software allows for better uses of company manpower. This software can be programmed to process payroll at certain fixed times.

As businesses continue to grow, the need to provide timely and accurate payrolls can be crucial. Since there are several payroll software packages available, it is always a good idea to make sure you've determined your payroll requirements and implemented a trial version before you choose your payroll software solution.

Time Clock Software provides detailed information on Time Clock Software, Employee Time Clock Software, Payroll Time Clock Software, Networked Time Clock Software and more. Time Clock Software is affiliated with Free Timesheet Software.

Various Connection Strings To Connect To An Access Db

Writen by John Hutchison

If you want to call a database from within an asp page the that is to tell your asp page where your database is. Here are a few samples of database connection strings that could be used to help you connect to your database I have also indicated where the code starts and finishes. I have used [] as the normal < > makes it impossible to see the code in the finished article as the page thinks it is real code so does not display it. If you want to use any of the code remember to change the square brackes [] to <>

OLE DB Method for SQL

'code start
[% set cnn = server.createobject("ADODB.Connection") cnn.open "PROVIDER=SQLOLEDB;DATA SOURCE=sqlservername;UID=username;PWD=password;DATABASE=dbname.mdb " %]
'code finish

DSN-Less connection for Access

'code start
[% set cnn = server.createobject("ADODB.Connection") cnn.open "DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};DBQ=c:yourdatabase.mdb" %]
'code finish

OLE DB Method for Access

'code start
[% set cnn = server.createobject("ADODB.Connection") cnn.open "PROVIDER=MICROSOFT.JET.OLEDB.4.0;DATA SOURCE=c:yourdatabase.mdb" %]
'code finish

File DSN Connection Method for Access

'code start
[% set cnn = server.createobject("ADODB.Connection") cnn.open "FILEDSN=AccessDSN" %]
'code finish

Don't forget when you download an application this info should be included. Remember to RENAME the database as others can download the application from where you did and see what the default name is if your page is live ie on the web and you have not renamed the database they could easily download your database and add or change information contained in the database. I had this happen a few years ago and all the links pointed to porn sites luckily I did not have many visitors in those days. So remember change the database name and possibly the directory that the database is in.

John Hutchison
If the code above does not display please see the orginal article. This article can be found at http://www.searchhuts.co.uk/portal/articles/activenews_view.asp?articleID=12

Norse Calendars

Writen by Richard Romando

For many years, we have grown too accustomed to following only one kind of calendar a calendar that is also used by most other people around the world. But do you know that different groups of people in the past used to follow different calendar systems? In fact, some groups of people today are still using some kind of calendar system different from that of the modern Western calendar. And while most of these calendars are already obsolete, some of them are still used for determining some holidays in various parts of the world.

Among the many calendar systems used by people in the past is the Norse calendar (also called the Old Norse calendar or Old Icelandic calendar). This calendar system was used by various German ethnicities, including the Scandinavians and the Icelandic. Just like other ancient calendar systems, the Norse calendar is already obsolete today. Some German and Icelandic holidays, however, are still determined using this calendar.

The Norse calendar is a calendar system with a 12-month calendar year, just like the calendar we use today. These 12 months are further broken into groups of six, with the first group called the Skammdegi, or short days, and the other group called Náttleysi, which means night-less days.

The Skammdegi months starts with Gormánuður (Gor?s month), followed by Ýlir (Yule month), Mörsugur (fat sucking month), Þorri (frozen snow month), Góa (Góa?s month), and Einmánuður (single month). The Náttleysi months, on the other hand, begins with Harpa (after a forgotten goddess), and are then followed by Skerpla (another forgotten goddess), Sólmánuður (sun month), Heyannir (business month), Tvímánuður (second month), and Haustmánuður (autumn month). Lined with the months of our present calendar system, Skammdegi runs from mid-October to mid-April, and Náttleysi runs from mid-April to mid-October.

Another similarity between the Norse calendar and our current calendar is the number of days in a week, which is seven. Actually, some of the names of the days in our present calendar system were loosely based on Norse days. These Norse days are Sunnudagr (Sunna?s or sun?s day), Mánadagr (Munna?s or Moon?s day), Týsdagr (Tyr?s or Tiu?s day), Óðinsdagr (Odin?s or Woden?s day), Þórsdagr (Thor?s day), Frjádagr (Frigga?s or Freyja?s day), and Laugardagr. Except for the last day, the English translation of the Norse days is roughly similar to our current names of days.

Today, the Old Norse calendar is already considered obsolete, even in the German countries that once used it. But because of its similarities to the modern Western calendar, some German and Icelandic holidays are still determined using the Norse calendar.

Calendars provides detailed information on Calendars, Free Calendars, Printable Calendars, Custom Calendars and more. Calendars is affiliated with Atomic Alarm Clocks.

Digital Camera For Digital Printing

Writen by Marlon D. Ludovice

The world is going digital and people are crazy bout the hi-tech gadgets available in the market. But significantly paving the way is one of the hottest consumer products of the 21st century - the digital camera. Most people want to capture and store their precious moment forever in a form of pictures. And photography plays an important role in this business.

Digital photography has evolved over the past few years into a highly affordable luxury that some could not be without and cannot afford to loose it. If you are new to the world of digital cameras, let Office Shop Direct be your guide to their large array of product specifications.

Price ranges are a very big consideration and are mainly based on high-end specifications such as resolution, compression and zoom options. Cutting corners on some of these details will save you in the long run, but you should be sure what you are missing out on before you make that decision.

Important Items to Keep in Mind about Digital Camera Technology:

Interpolation is a method in which a camera will fill in the color holes in the pixels of a picture by estimating color blends. While this can improve resolution, it will also reduce the sharpness and contrast of a picture. Never get a camera that is low in resolution but high in interpolation if you want sharp bright pictures.

Compression routines are the way the picture is stored digitally. Some companies maintain their own proprietary compression method, and this can make sharing images difficult. JPEG is the standard, but also as with most standards can have less clarity in a picture. Consider cameras that also offer the ability to print off images at no compression for best results.

SLR is short for single-lens reflex viewfinder. Many cameras have two views: that which the user sees to set up the shot, and that which the camera sees. If you have an SLR camera both what you see and what the camera shoots are lined up as one, and not slightly off on a different angle.

Having an amazing photo shot is easy; following the above mentioned important tips will surely give you an exceptional picture. Capture your best moment with best digital camera and quality printing application.

About The Author
Marlon D. Ludovice Actually I'm not fond of writing, I don't even write at all. I am not expecting to be in this field. But nevertheless, I love to read books...almost everything interest me. Reading is my passion! And now that I am in an article writer team, writing gives me an additional thrill in myself...Before I love to read books but now I'm also in a writing stuff. I can say that I am not a good writer but I am always trying to be one. For additional information and comments about the article you may log on to http://www.aprintingpress.com

Robotic Aardvark And Robot Tools

Writen by Lance Winslow

An aardvark might make a great design to copy for a robot. Certain organic species and animals do indeed have many excellent traits that can be used in robotic design. It appears that evolution has served the animal kingdom very well.

You see the aardvark has some very unique features with really great gripping clawed feet. It has a strong tail to balance on, as well as a long snout able to get into tight places along with a super long tongue able to get into even tighter spots. You can see why such a robotic tool could assist mankind as a robotic design for search and rescue, sniffing out bombs, searching buildings or helping find survivors in an Earthquake.

The aardvark is a smart animal in the organic form, but with an artificial intelligent brain, strong power system and a robust set of sensors, well it might just be the perfect robotic tool for many applications.

Some may say; are you nuts? No actually this makes a lot more sense than the robotic dogs robotic engineers building or University Teams are now conceiving. Some say; but aardvarks are ugly? Well that is a matter of opinion, because they have excellent hearing, good eyes and so many great features to serve their niche it is almost hard to find a better animal for many human applications.

They are unfortunately not so easy to domesticate, to work with us as pets and trading them for food is silly as they are so well adapted finding and catching their food is simple for them. Therefore it makes sense to make robotic aardvarks to use as special tools in important applications. Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

New Ipod Accessories

Writen by Jason Hahn

With the ever-increasing popularity of the iPod and all its various forms, it follows that more and more accessories will become both important and appealing to iPod owners. Here are three new accessories that iPod owners may want to consider purchasing.

Podolock
The Podolock is a hard acrylic case for the iPod mini that helps to secure it from theft or unauthorized use. Along with the case is a cable that goes through the top of the case that enables the user to dock the iPod to a table, steering wheel, or other stable base. With the increasing numbers of iPods being stolen, cases like these may become handy for iPod owners. Podolocks will begin shipping next month and will be available for about $20, with the cables ranging from about $10 to $20.

TuffWrap Accent
TuffWrap Accents are new cases for iPod Video that will protect the devices from scratches and bumps. Optional inserts protect the screen and click wheel. There are three options for these two-tone silicone cases: blue and gray, yellow and black, red and black. The cases also feature ribbed sides for a more secure grip, and the texture of the overall case prevents the iPod from sliding unnecessarily. TuffWrap Accents sell for about $29.95.

Iconz
Iconz are stylish and fun durable cases that feature a logo, icons, or images that cover the face of the iPod Video. The backs of the cases are translucent, and the Iconz feature play-through control for the click wheel and integrated screen protection. Available images include cartoon and/or movie icons such as the Superman or Batman logo, your favorite MLB team, or your NBA team. Iconz with NBA images including a team and, in some cases, a player are available for the iPod Nano. Iconz for the iPod Video are available for about $29.95, while the Iconz for the iPod Nano are available for about $24.95.

http://www.ipodinsight.com

Want To Speed Up Your Computer

Writen by John Dow

Being in the computer repair business, I often get asked, "How do I speed up my computer?" This is a tough question to answer without any knowledge of the computer and software that a user might have. But I do have one recommendation that usually helps out most people.

If you've had your computer for more than a year, there are 1000's if not millions of unused files just laying around your system. Most people know about clearing their browser cache, and maybe even using Windows XP Disk Clean Up through the properties of your C:/Drive. And both of those programs help.

But there are large amounts of files that are created by third party programs, installers, Java cache files, and etc. It's difficult to even find these files let alone clean them out on a regular basis. Several of the more active adware and virus programs use these areas to operate from too.

And then there's all the registry entries that go with these files. The registry is a database on your computer that is used by the system to register any software, hardware, and activities. On a brand new computer it is huge in both size and number of entries. But over time this database can become quite bloated and slow down daily operations.

Every time you do something to change your user, software, or hardware settings this activity is recorded in the registry database. Think about it for a minute, every single time you install, change, or even move things around it is recorded. The number of entries on any daily session can be in the 1000's.

Every day when you boot up, your system runs through every setting in the registry to know how, where, and what is on your computer. As time goes on, and new entries are made, this becomes a more time consuming task. And during the normal operation, the registry is check 1000's of times for file locations, hardware driver aspects, and many of the different settings.

So the bigger the registry, the more computing power and time is needed to complete these checks. And this type of access is going on every time you click or type during your daily computing chores. Anything you can do to keep the registry mean and lean can improve the performance of your computer.

But doing a manual clean up of your files, and the registry can be difficult. Knowing what files and what settings are no longer needed is almost impossible. One of the reasons is the registry listings can be in multiple sections and many places. And it's about as easy to decipher as our wonderful tax laws. I get to do it often when repairing a computer but it's not a lot of fun nor is it always very straight forward.

But the is a good way to approach this clean up. There are some very smart folks over at a company called CCleaner.com. They have written a small utility called CCleaner and it cleans out the registry and deletes all the old inactive files everywhere.

Normally I'm not to wild about turning loose a program that deletes files and registry entries on any of my computers. But I've tested this utility on every computer in the shop and it works flawlessly every time. It's fast too. We use a couple of computers to test new software and hardware and they get cluttered up with old files and installations. Many of the uninstall programs don't remove all the files and registry entries.

We use CCleaner after all our tests now and it removes all the left overs fast. And the speed on boot up and day-to-day operations does speed up. It's a noticeable difference before and after you run CCleaner. They also have a support area and forum on their web site for any questions and issues that anyone would have using their software.

Many of the major computer sites and magazines have given CCleaner the highest marks for both reliability and results. That says a lot right there since most of these expert web sites are pretty thorough in testing and don't give out high rankings all that often.

I've added CCleaner to my basic recommendations of a good virus protection software and adware remover. It goes the extra mile in clean up that can really help any computer speed up both the boot process and daily operations.

If your computer is acting sluggish and slow, this would be an excellent utility to run. Always make sure that there are no pesky viruses or adware first. And always make sure you have the latest version of both virus definitions and any new adware protection.

Did I mention that this great little utility is also free? That's right, it's free for the using. They do take donations so if you use the program and like it, why not go ahead and give them a few bucks for their great work. That's a good way keep this and other great software free.

You can get CCleaner at www.CCleaner.com. Just follow the instructions on the installation and operation and I'll bet you see a big difference afterward. Good utilities are hard to find, and free ones almost impossible. This is a great tool to help anyone clean out their system and get back some of the original speed of their computer..

John Dow owns www.PowerSolutionsCD.com, a website that specializes in computer troubleshooting, security, and repair utilities. His Power Solutions CD has helped thousands of customers protect their computer and data, by providing a collection of utilities and how to articles to fix and repair ANY hard drive or computer problem. Click here to learn more: www.PowerSolutionsCD.com.

Cisco Ccna Ccnp Home Lab Tutorial Buying And Configuring An Access Server

Writen by Chris Bryant

A Cisco access server is generally the last item a CCNA or CCNP candidate has on their mind when they're putting together a home lab. The thinking tends to be that since this router isn't really doing anything in the production part of your practice lab, it's not really important.

Once you have more than two devices in your home lab, though, you'll realize that constantly moving the console cable around from one router to another gets very tiresome. That's what an access server does for a home lab - it allows you to connect your PC to a single device when working in your home lab, with no need to constantly disconnect and reconnect the console cable. The console cable will be connected directly to the access server, and the access server is connected to all the other devices in your home lab. Once you start working with one, you'll wonder how you got along without it!

The term "access server" is a little misleading. This is not a server in the traditional sense, it's a Cisco router with asynchronous serial ports. It is these ports that you'll use to connect to the other devices in your home lab. Two affordable models of access servers are Cisco 2509s and Cisco 2511s. They can be found on ebay as well as other vendors on the Net.

You will also need an octal cable. On one end, the cable has a large connector that will connect to the access server. The other end is actually eight separate cables, each with RJ-45 connectors. These connectors are numbered 1 - 8 and will be connected to the console port on each router and switch. It is important to note the number on each connector you're connecting to the other lab devices.

Now that you've got the physical equipment, let's take a look at a typical configuration of an access server:

no service password-encryption

no service udp-small-servers

no service tcp-small-servers

! hostname BRYANT_ADVANTAGE_AS4

no ip domain-lookup

ip host r1 2001 10.4.4.4

ip host r2 2002 10.4.4.4

ip host r3 2003 10.4.4.4

ip host sw1 2004 10.4.4.4

ip host sw2 2005 10.4.4.4

ip host FrameSwitch 2006 10.4.4.4

interface Loopback555

ip address 10.4.4.4 255.255.255.0

line con 0

exec-timeout 0 0

logging synchronous

line 1 16

no exec

transport input all

You can assign any loopback address and number here the important thing to note is that the IP HOST table you will build constantly refers back to the loopback address on the access server.

In this configuration, I have the octal cable's connector 1 in R1, 2 in R2, 3 in R3, 4 in SW1, 5 in SW2, and 6 in my frame relay switch. The number "2001" in the first line of the IP HOST table refers to that connector. That's why it is important to note the number on a given connector you place in the console port of a router or switch.

The asynchonous lines are identified by "line 1 16". This access server has 16 possible connections many will just have 8, which is usually plenty. Regardless of how many lines you have, you'll need the commands transport input all and no exec to allow reverse telnet to work effectively.

There's one more thing to watch out for. When you first connect to the AS for a practice session, you will need to open the line to each device by using the full hostname of the device as shown in the IP HOST table. Here, you would begin by entering R1, R2, R3, SW1, SW2, and FrameSwitch to open the line to each device. After that, you need to enter the line number - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. It sounds a little confusing at first, but after just a few minutes of practice you'll be doing it without even thinking about it.

When you are working in your home lab, you will not go from one device to another that is, when you are done on R1 and want to configure R2, you must go back to the access server and then to R2. The keystroke to do this is . Again, it may sound complicated, but after a little practice you will again do this without thinking about it.

Adding an access server to your CCNA or CCNP home lab may not be on your mind now, but once you add a few more routers or switches to the lab, you'll want to spend more time configuring and practicing and less time moving a cable around. And once you get one, you'll wonder how you did without it!

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, "How To Pass The CCNA" and "How To Pass The CCNP", visit the website and download your free copies. You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam questions every day! Pass the CCNA exam with The Bryant Advantage!

How To Put Music On The Psp Stop Struggling

Writen by Brad Newman

Are you still struggling with how to put music on the PSP? Don't worry you aren't alone; it is a little more tricky than it appears. This article will attempt to describe the process for you in an easy to follow fashion.

The first thing I thought I'd cover about how to put music on the PSP is the connection of your PSP through the USB port of your computer. After you plug your PSP into a USB port and turn the PSP on, it should go into what is called USB MODE. A menu should arise asking what programs you want to run the software with but you can simply click to close that window.

The next step of how to put music on the PSP is the use of your computer (this next part assumes that you are using windows). Select my computer from the start menu and you should see an icon near your hard drive called removable disk, the same as you would if you had inserted a regular USB drive. This is your PSP. Open the removable disk icon and you should see a folder called PSP inside which there is a folder called SAVEDATA. In the PSP folder, next to SAVEDATA, create a new folder called 'Music'.

From here all that's required in terms of how to put music on the PSP is for you to find the music you want from your computer and move it into this folder. Also don't forget to make sure the files you move are in mp3 format otherwise your PSP won't be able to read them. Once you have moved all the files, close that window. In the previous window you should see a green arrow prompt that you can double click to indicate that you are finished working with that external drive. When a progress window appears click stop and it will be safe for you to remove the PSP connection from your computer.

As you can see, there aren't really any aspects of how to put music on the PSP that are as difficult as you would have thought. Once you have learned this method you can do the same for movies, photos and other interactive file formats.

Brad Newman is a computer specialist and PSP enthusiast. Don't have good PSP converter software or access to a large PSP movie, games and music database? You can learn more about it at http://www.usefulresources.info/how-to-put-music-on-the-psp.html How To Put Music On The PSP

Tips For Choosing The Right Computer For You

Writen by Gabriel J. Adams

Are you ready to purchase a new computer? Great! The choices can be daunting, though. Just looking at the price aspect, you can spend anywhere from three hundred euros to several thousand euros, quite easily.

The first choice you'll need to make is whether to buy a desktop or a laptop. If you need any amount of mobility at all, we'd suggest a laptop. If you don't plan on moving your computer around or using away from your home or office, you might want a desktop. Desktop computers are easier to repair and are cheaper for what you get.

Next, you'll need to make a choice on some of the major features and components of the computer.

Memory is a big factor in determining how quickly your computer performs tasks - I would not buy a computer with less than 512 MB of memory. 1 GB of memory would be even better. If you are planning on doing lots of multimedia work or other tasks that require a lot of operating resources, you should probably get 2 GB of memory. Also keep in mind that memory is classified by speed as well as storage size.

You'll also need to decide on what processor you want and/or need. If you're not familiar with the technical aspects of computer processors and you are going to need a processor that's more powerful than standard, you might want to consult with a computer expert to help you make the choice.

You'll also need to choose the hard drive size you'll need. This is any easy choice to make - just see how much hard drive space you're using now, add in any increases you expect to need, then add some space for expansion.

There are many, many different components of a computer that you'll have to choose. It's worth a little time to think about exactly what you need so you make the right choice the first time.

Visit Virtua IT, your source for computer sales and service in Costa del Sol: http://www.virtuait.com/

Why Build Your Own Gaming Computer

Writen by Nathan Holsing

The best way to get the gaming computer that you want, that will provide optimum performance is to build your own computer. If you think you do not have the technical knowledge or are not capable of building a computer you are wrong. I'm pretty certain that I could teach my mother (who has a hard time working a VCR) how to build a computer. If you can plug a sweeper into a wall outlet and use a screw driver, you too can build a computer.

What The Computer Manufacturers Don't Want You to Know!

Manufacturers don't want you to know how easy it is to build a computer because they make their living selling complete computers. The truth is that manufacturers focus on selling a computer with an overall low price tag to entice people to buy. They use the processor and software as the primary selling point. In most cases other than the processor and maybe the graphics card you have no idea what components they actually use. Alienware is one of the rare exceptions. They tell you for the most, part what components they are using. However, this doesn't mean that these are the best components on the market. Every manufacturer gets regular visits from sales people convincing them that they should use their products. Just because a company gives them the best deal on a power supply that allows them to increase their profit margin on the computers they sell doesn't make it the best power supply. This often leads to the use of inferior products for the sake of profit.

The Advantages To Building Your Own Computer

By building your own computer you are assured of getting the highest quality because you have painstakingly researched every component. If you've ever wondered why your store bought gaming computer with the top of the line graphics card and ultra fast CPU is still having trouble running newer games, it is likely because they stuck you with an inferior power supply, cheap motherboard, inadequate RAM, and the list goes on. In my mind it makes sense to build your own computer.

Warranties and Technical Support

If you are worried about warranties, you need not be. In most cases you can get a manufacturers warranty on every component you buy. As for technical support, I've had much better luck with getting questions answered through friendly helpful forums on the internet than I ever have from technical support lines. Not to mention you don't have to pay to sit on hold.

Upgrades Are Painless And Fast

When you build your own computer upgrades are a snap. You've already put it together so switching a hard drive or changing the graphics card is extremely easy. For instance I just upgraded my graphics card. It took me longer to unplug everything from the back of my tower than it did to swap the graphics card. All in all I was up and running with the new drivers installed in about 10 minutes. If you are impatient like I am taking your machine to a store to have it upgraded just isn't worth the wait.

How To Build Your Own Computer

I hope I've convinced you to build your own computer. It is a very rewarding experience. As I've said it isn't very difficult. I do however recommend that you do your research. There are several good books published on the topic such as "Build Your Own PC", by Morris Rosenthal. You can also find a great deal of information regarding building computers and computer hardware at my website Gaming-Computers.net. Good luck with your computer, and remember, if you ever run into problems building it there are thousands of people on the Net that are more than willing to help, and they won't charge you a technician's service fee.

Gaming-Computers.net provides computer hardware reviews, buying guides, and tutorials on building computers.

What Is Mcse

Writen by Leon Chaddock

MCSE stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. What is this term, really? While the term sounds like a degree that you would get in Microsoft, it is not really an engineering degree, per say. In fact, that is one of the biggest complaints about this learning process. Nevertheless, MCSE is a training course of sorts that is designed to teach individuals who want to learn how to handle various aspects of Microsoft skills. The goal is to have a group of people who are knowledgeable in the areas that Microsoft is specific. Let's explain.

Microsoft developed this type of training to allow individuals to get a specific training course, or several in various types of skills that pertain to Microsoft. The thing about this training is that it is specific to Microsoft. While you may learn to install a program in another course which would teach a broad range of information about all ways in which to do so, in the MSCE, you will learn strictly how it is done through Microsoft.

So, How Does MSCE Work?

In most cases, the training can be done in several ways. Students can take classes through certified teachers in the schooling or they can study on their own. Some individuals feel that they have enough experience in the various uses of Microsoft to be able to take the test without taking a training class. The test is given specific areas at specific times. In order to be considered, you must pay a fee of about $125 for each of the tests and certifications that you plan to take. The tests range in knowledge levels and in most cases, it is wise to take the training courses for MSCE prior to taking the test as it can be quite challenging.

You will find more information about MSCE throughout the web.

For more information please see http://www.mcse-shack.co.uk

The New Age Of Video Editing

Writen by Leon Chaddock

Video editing used to be something that was only used by movie makers and those that had a good amount of money to spend. Today, there are some very cool video editing software programs out there that are designed and used by many home computer users. This makes editing a video just as easy as snapping and using a photo. There are many things that you could not do before that you now can. Video editing is something that many will use throughout the coming years.

But, if you are to purchase video editing software, what should you use? What should you purchase? Here are some tips to help you choose the video editing products that you should purchase for your needs.

• First off, know what those needs are. For many, you simply want to take your home movie of the family vacation and edit it out. But, if you want to do additional things to it, you will likely need to insure that those features are available to you in whichever product you choose to purchase.

• You will also want to make sure that the video editing software that you choose, works on your computer as well as with your digital devices such as your mobile phones, your video camera, and your digital camera. These things will matter in what you can use the editing software for.

• Go ahead and check out the bells and whistles that these things have. You will be impressed by how many various types of editing you can do. For example, you can dub over sound, you can cut and add in graphics, and you can take everything out of order without running the original pieces.

• You will want to look for quality as well as user friendliness. The more able you are to use the editing software, the more often you will use it.

Video editing has come a long way and features huge amounts of features that you just have to take advantage of. More than likely, it will continue to grow as well!

For more information please see http://www.video-editing-help.co.uk

More Advantages Of The Ipod

Writen by Mia LeCron

--> Multiple Language Supports

Thinking of buying an iPod and sending it to a relative or friend overseas? If so, then you might be concerned about the menu, and the fact that it's in English. Well, worry no more!

Actually, initial versions of the iPod already offered 14 different languages. Now, especially since sales of the iPod have boomed worldwide, latest generation versions offer more than twice as many languages, including:

 Czech
 Danish
 Dutch
 English
 Finnish
 French
 German
 Greek
 Hungarian
 Italian
 Japanese
 Korean
 Norwegian
 Polish
 Portuguese
 Russian
 Simplified Chinese
 Spanish
 Swedish
 Traditional Chinese
 Turkish

Also, for song information only, the iPod menu supports:

 Bulgarian
 Croatian
 Romanian
 Serbian
 Slovak
 Slovenian
 Ukrainian

--> It Knows when You're Listening…

Speaking of versatility, one advantage that the iPod has it that it can sense whether headphones are being used or not. If you're listening to music and you pull the headphone jack out of its port, the iPod will pause.

But remember that if you re re-attach the headphones, the music will not play by itself, you'd have to do that manually.

However, if you've set your iPod to sleep mode or turned off, plugging in the headphones will get the song to play again.

--> Get Ready for the iPod Photo!

So the iPod offers you music, educational tools, and now photo display! Apple released the iPod photo in early 2005. The portable music player now has a color screen to allow users to display photos and album art.

The iPod photo can send photos to a television via a composite or S-video cable.

The iPod photo can hold 30,000 photos, but it costs "an arm and a leg" according to some consumers. Rumors have it however that as soon as it's picked up and given a look-see, the temptation to buy one gets very, very strong. So beware!

Mia LaCron is the founder of IpodFunctions.com - http://www.ipodfunctions.com/ - devoted to helping individuals get the most out of their Ipod.

Why Network Documentation Is So Important

Writen by Darren Miller

Undocumented Networks
------------
I can't tell you how many projects I've worked on in which the customer has little to no network documentation. The reason for the lack of network documentation is varied. In many cases this is both the fault of the customer and the vendor / consultant who designed and implemented the network. The vendor just does not do it and the customer does not press hard enough for it. In some cases, technology consultants do not feel it's important enough or want to lock the customer into having to call "them" if something goes wrong or a configuration needs to be changed.

Not only is this poor practice on the side of the consultant, it can have a dramatic affect on the future growth of the customer, increase the costs of future network upgrades and diagnostics, and can negatively impact the security of the customers network.

The Results Of A Undocumented Network
------------
Before I tell you the basic items that need to be documented with regards to computer networks, I first want to give you examples of what I have "not" seen documented, and what problems this has caused.

During one of my past projects, which was primarily to implement a new firewall and to secure many of the internal systems , I ran into some really incredible issues. None of the primary server systems were documented. No one knew what server did what, how much memory, disk space, what type of processor(s), and in some cases, did not know what Operating System was installed. And worse than that, during my initial review, we located three servers in a closet, on a different floor, that no one even knew existed!

Because of the lack of network documentation, no one knew what was suppose to be done to maintain their enterprise Anti-Virus system. When I finally determined what the admin password was to login to the Anti-Virus services, I found that virus signatures had not been updated in over six months. Then we found that the system was not even functioning and nearly 90% of systems on the network were infected with virus and worms (and not the annoying kind either, the destructive kind)

We also found there were four different tape backup servers, and again, because of the lack of network documentation, none of them had been maintained. The customer just kept changing tapes. And do you know what, none of the backup jobs had been running for months. Talk about a false sense of security!

The very last thing I want to talk about is how lack of network documentation and procedures can affect network security. In one case, a customer had a rather expensive Check Point Firewall in place. No documentation was available and the customer had been told that nothing needed to be done to maintain the Firewall. The customer told me that recently, their Internet access had become very sluggish. It took two days to locate the Check Point console password. When I logged in I found that the C: drive had absolutely no free disk space because the Firewall log had consumed it all. This could have been avoided if the Firewall was setup properly in the first place. The Firewall was also about 4 Service Packs behind, and the rules in place were quite inadequate. Not to mention that none of the rules themselves had been documented. And one more thing to think about. If this network had been attacked and compromised, how quickly would we have been able to respond to the attack if so much of the network was undocumented? It would have been a disaster.

Basic Network Documentation
------------
Here is a basic set of items that should be contained in network documentation:

All server hardware and operating systems should be documented, including the physical locations and what primary, secondary, etc.. purpose they serve. All key service accounts an login account user-id and password's should be documented and stored in a safe location, maybe a company lockbox or vault, or use something like KeyPass to store them. A visual diagram of the network layout, even from a high level, should exist no matter how small or large the network is. Products like WhatsUpGold can assist with this or you can create a Visio diagram of the network. Procedures on how to maintain the network technology, including Operating Systems, security related services, backup and disaster recovery (business continuity), and firewall technologies should exist.

Additionally, you should document and secure all Operating System and application licensing. This is something that is very often overlooked and is imperative if you have to recover from a disaster situation in which the rebuild of systems is necessary. Other information to have documented is key contact information. For instance, who do you call if your Internet connection goes down? Who do you contact if your offsite web services are not functioning? Do you have a third party that maintains your Domain Name Services (DNS)? If you have custom applications, do you know exactly who you must call if there is a problem?

The above is just the basic items that need to be documented within a computer network. There are many more aspects to network documentation.

Who Needs To Document Their Network
------------
In a nutshell, anyone who has a computer network, home office, small office, or large office, should have an adequate level of network documentation and procedures to follow in order to maintain the network. If you have invested in network technology, don't you want to keep your investment safe, sound, and performing at it's peak?

Conclusion
------------
If you are a customer, and have a systems integrator or consultant working on a new network implementation or upgrading an existing one, demand that they provide you with complete network documentation. Even if it costs you extra you should request it. It will save you a lot of time and money in the future. And, it may actually keep your business from experiencing long periods of down time.

You may reprint or publish this article free of charge as long as the bylines are included.

About The Author
------------
Darren Miller is an Information Security Consultant with over sixteen years experience. He has written many technology & security articles, some of which have been published in nationally circulated magazines & periodicals. If you would like to contact Darren you can e-mail him at Darren.Miller@ParaLogic.Net. If you would like to know more about computer security please visit us at http://www.defendingthenet.com.

How To Find The Right Home Projector For Your Home

Writen by Dakota Caudilla

Some people think that buying a home projector is the same as buying a TV or AV system. The cost, of course, has everything to do with which home projector that you finally decide to buy but in actual fact, spending a little bit more time researching and finding out more about home projector systems can make your investment more worthwhile.

Brightness, typically, is measured in ANSI lumens. For a typical home projector system, the brightness can range anywhere between 700 and 2,000 lumens. The brightness, itself, does not determine the quality of the picture that you will receive from your home projector. The environment of your home will pretty much determine the outcome. Therefore, before you buy a home projector, take into account the ambience of the room that you'll be placing the home projector system in. If you have a special TV viewing room with controlled lighting, you don't and won't need a home projector that gives out too much brightness. However, if you're placing the home projector in the living room where there are open windows or ambient lighting, you'll need a far brighter home projector to make it worth your while.

Most experts recommend that TV rooms or dedicated home theatre spaces need a 700 lumens home projector or more. Rooms with ambient lighting should use a home projector with at least 900 lumens or more. In open spaces or living rooms with extremely high lighting, you'll need a home projector with at least 2,500 lumens.

When shopping for your home projector, take a quick look for a menu that is easy to use. Some professional or business home projectors are not as user-friendly as the projectors made for home users. Your home projector should make it as hassle-free as possible for you change the color, brightness, switch between HDTV and NTSC and adjust your video input sources. Most home projectors come with a remote control because it could be hard if your home projector is fixed on the ceiling or high up on the wall, but be careful and be sure to ask the sales person if the home projector unit that you're interested in buying comes with a remote control.

Do you want to mount the home projector on the ceiling or place it on a table? Well, both options have its advantages and disadvantages. Mounting the home projector on the ceiling gives more space, creates a more polished look for your viewing area. It won't be knocked off the table by kids and saves you time since you don't need to unpack, take it, install, and set the home projector up every time you want to use it.

With a light home projector, you can probably lift it from place to place without too much effort. With these home projectors, placing it on the table for each use is probably not a problem at all. In fact, portability has its advantages…you can literally take your home projector with you everywhere you go!

Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.must-have-gadgets.com on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Dvd R

Writen by Jimmy Sturo

DVD stands for Digital Versatile/Video Disc. It is an optical storage technology that can be used to store large amounts of data, high quality video, audio or games. The DVD format has only been around for a decade and has evolved incredibly fast since its launch. In fact, the development of DVD technology has far outpaced similar movement in VHS or CD technology.

Users familiar with CDs and their various applications should have a pretty good idea of what a DVD looks like and the various functions that a user can achieve with it.

There are three main application formats on a DVD – DVD Video, DVD Audio and DVD-ROM(for data). These are exactly comparable with VCDs, Audio CDs and CD-ROMs.

DVD-R stands for DVD-Recordable. Readers should note that this is a physical technology and is distinct from DVD-ROM which is an application format. To illustrate this, it is possible to store DVD-Video and data(DVD-ROM) on a single DVD-R disc.

DVD-R discs are recordable only once; they are not re-writable discs. They are generally available in a standard capacity that matches the 4.7GB capacity of store-bought, pre-recorded DVDs. It is possible to find double-sided, single-layer DVD-R that can store about 8.75GB. DVD-R. They are generally compatible with all DVD-ROMs that come with home computers and are also compatible with most stand alone DVD players.

There are many competing formats of recordable DVDs. However, many compatibility issues between formats are resolved through the introduction of combo drives. A good rule of thumb is that a DVD-R disc will be read by most DVD drives and players but will only be written by a DVD-R or DVD-RW compatible drive.

The DVD-R format is supported by the DVD Forum, an industry association of DVDs led by Toshiba.

DVD-R discs are becoming ubiquitous as manufacturers have started including DVD burners as standard on home computers now sold. They can be used for numerous purposes including backing up data to creating home movie DVDs. DVD-R compatible drives currently have the highest market reach for both PCs and Macs and are a better choice than other comparable DVD recording formats.

DVDR provides detailed information about DVD Rs, DVDRs, DVD R discs, and more. DVDR is affiliated with Mini DV Tapes.

Is Your Computer Acting Weird

Writen by Eva Gibson

Is your computer just plain acting weird? Have you been having trouble surfing the internet and doing general work on your computer? Do popups appear every few minutes to irritate you with their sales pitches and silly "surveys?" Does your computer crash, freeze, shut down, or otherwise abandon you when you're trying to use it?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be the possessor of a computer infected with malware.

How could this happen, you wonder? Well, a computer can contract a malware infection in a number of ways. Some are user-related, meaning the online actions of the computer user led to the accidental download of malware from a website or infected link. Another way to get a malware infection is having an infection sent to you by a hacker as a link or attachment in an email.

Malware is a blanket term that refers to malicious software designed specifically to infect and disrupt a computer system. Malware can take the form of a virus, worm, Trojan, piece of spyware, or piece of adware, and can cause plenty of trouble is it's not discovered, quarantined, and removed from the computer it's infecting.

The most common ways of contracting a malware infection are:

Downloading music

Sharing photos

Using peer-to-peer networking programs like Kazaa

Installing free programs from a questionable website

Clicking popup ads

Opening infected email attachments sent to you

Exchanging files in chat rooms

Downloading games and screensavers

Browsing infected websites

Browsing adult-related websites

You can avoid most malware by using common sense when surfing the internet, especially when it comes to clicking on random, links, ads, icons, and those flashing, blinking buttons imploring you to "CLICK HERE FOR YOUR PRIZE," or some other similar enticement. Other ways to avoid malware infection include:

1. Install antivirus software that scans for and removes viruses, spyware, and adware on your computer
2. Install a popup blocker
3. Install and run a firewall to keep hackers and attackers at bay
4. Install a threat scanner to periodically scan for malware
5. Update your software and computer programs regularly
6. Don't open emails or follow links sent to you from unfamiliar sources
7. Don't download files or programs from unknown sources

If your computer is acting weird and you think you may have a malware infection, following the above steps will help you clean your computer and keep malware at bay in the future. Remember, some malware is merely annoying, but some can seriously compromise your computer system, leading to system shut downs, remote hacking, identity theft, third party information transfer, and keylogging. Don't be the next of many online malware victims – take the steps now to protect yourself and your computer from being compromised.

http://home.stopsign.com

Apple Video Ipodwhy So Popular

Writen by Sam Watkins

Welcome to 2005, the year of the Apple Video Ipod!

Why do I boldly proclaim this year for the humble Ipod? Is it because the Apple company has thoroughly dominated the consumer electronics market this year? Let's take a look at some facts.

First, let's remember that way back when in 2000 said that Apple would be out of business soon, having been eclipsed by Microsoft's Window program. Nevermind that Microsoft ripped off Apple's idea for a user friendly interface. Billy was always a better marketer than an inventor of new things.

Well, "little apple" decided not to take this lying down. They decided to invent their own category in the field of consumer electronics.

Their strategy developed into being the complete provider of enternaiment.

Starting with the imac, derailed by critics when first introduced as a last gasp effort of a dying company, Apple started to reassert itself. Then came the Ipod, which went on to become the most single popular consumer electronic product in history. But this wasn't enough for "little Apple".

This year, the Nano was introduced, to a huge customer buying frenzy. Trying to find one was like trying to get tickets to a Beatles reunion concert.

And now, as if to finish off the year on a climax, the Video Ipod is introduced. The effect is to eclipse all other consumer gadgets, and make Apple the hippest thing since Bob Dylan.

The profits for the company are of course incredible. But what about the benefits to consumers?

Here are just a few of the things the Video Ipod now makes possible:

it can hold up to 15,000 songs and full-color album art

believe it or not, you can put up to 25,000 photos on it

in addition, it holds up to 150 hours of video (hence the name video ipod)

And if that wasn't enough, it will play video or photo slideshows on TV via an optional dock

Unbelievable! And all in a slim desing not much bigger than a thin bill fold.

What's next…a manned mission to Mars? Broadcast proudly on your Apple Ipod?

Sam Watkins goes to Free Music Downloads when he needs to fill up his Ipod with good tunes. Sammy also recommends Wholesale Electronics for amazing products.

Spyware How To Know Whether Your Computer Is Affected

Writen by Markus Wahlgren

A spyware is a software that collects information from a computer with internet connection without the owner's knowledge and relays it to another person. The action of spywares is just watching, observing, and collecting. Though most of the times it is done for advertising purposes, some times they are used with malicious intentions. These spywares usually come as hidden components of freeware programs.

The victims of spywares are usually caught unaware. He or she may not know that a malicious software has been installed in their computer without their knowledge and which keeps tracking their vital information. In this modern era of cyber crime where hackers create havoc, it is necessary to know whether our computer is being installed with any spyware with out our knowledge. But of course many software come with the licensing agreement that a spyware will be installed along with the main software.

The spyware usually enters the computer when the user installs some software. The recent mode of entry of the spyware is in the form of "Rogue antispyware" programs. These are projected as security software whereas in reality they cause damage to the computer.

Signs and symptoms of Spyware infection

Spyware never remains an aloof destroyer. More and more spywares get accumulated causing the unwanted effects. The cumulative effect, and the interactions between the different spyware components, causes the stereotypical symptoms as reported by the users. Some of the signs and symptoms that are helpful to know that a computer is infected with spywares are

Frequent unwanted computer activity

Deterioration of the performance of the computer

Exhaustion of memory resources

Slowing down of the computer

Crashing of the computer

Difficulty in getting an internet connection

Pop up ads on a regular basis

Pop up ads even when the user is working offline

Opening up of an unwanted website while the user tries to log on to some particular website

Computer dialing up numbers automatically without the knowledge of the user which is realized only when he gets the phone bill

Unwanted and unexpected search engine doing the search while the user wants to search something using a search engine of his choice

Popping up of websites incessantly while the user tries to log out

Pop up ads and unsolicited emails with the name of the user

Once the user sees any of these symptoms he should realize that his computer is infected with spywares and should take steps immediately to protect his computer before the computer gets infected very badly.

Markus writes and publishes articles about spyware, adware and PC safety, and other unbiased health related topics on Independent-views.com.

Enhanced Web Browsing With Toolbars

Writen by Jim Edwards

As the Web grows more crowded and just plain "noisy" with information bombarding us from every angle, most people welcome any tool, trick or shortcut to help them wade through the mountains of data to find what they want.

Since your web browser represents your main window to the Internet, it makes sense for any tool which enables you to find what you need and get around faster online should sit right where you need it most.

Introducing Web browser "toolbars," free little programs that work with Internet Explorer and Netscape to put you several steps closer to the information you need right now.

~ Google Toolbar ~
The free toolbar from search giant Google offers the best search features of any toolbar we evaluated.

Not only does it allow you to search the web, but also enables you to search within a website to find specific information.

The Google toolbar's main features include "Page Rank," which gives an indication of a website's overall value based on your search criteria and other factors, along with a "backwards links" function which allows you to see which sites link to the website currently loaded in your browser.

You can download the Google toolbar on your web browser by visiting http://toolbar.google.com and following the simple installation instruction.

~ Alexa Toolbar ~
Alexa's main claim to fame revolves around its traffic ranking report on virtually any site on the Internet.

The lower the Traffic Ranking number, the more popular a site rates in Alexa's eyes. Currently Yahoo, MSN and Google occupy the top 3 spots on Alexa's charts.

With so many websites on the Internet, an Alexa ranking of less than 100,000 is considered good, and a ranking of less than 10,000 is considered outstanding as far as a site's relative popularity on the Web.

Alexa also offers a related links feature right on the toolbar so you can quickly find links to sites that other people also visit when surfing the site you currently have loaded in your browser.

Alexa also offers a pop-up blocker to help cut down on the pop-up windows that seem to invade your desktop the minute you venture online. You can download the Alexa Toolbar free from www.alexa.com.

~ AltaVista Toolbar ~
Former search giant AltaVista recently jumped on the toolbar bandwagon with their offering from www.altavista.com.

Install the AltaVista toolbar and access a couple of interesting features, including a language translation button and an MP3 search.

Click the "Translate" button and instantly translate entire web pages from one language to another.

The MP3 search will help you find the tune you want from AltaVista's audio index.

Most of the toolbars offer additional gadgets to help you with everything from weather forecasts to currency conversion.

Because they offer many of the same features and they take up valuable screen space, using more than one toolbar at a time often proves impractical.

Since most toolbars come free of charge, evaluate them all for their main features and overall usability for your particular needs and then stick with the best one.

(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved - http://www.thenetreporter.com

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist (http://www.TheNetReporter.com) and is the author of numerous best-selling ebooks, information products and software programs.

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Troubleshooting Computer Freeze Lockup Problems

Writen by Michael Woodford

How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working fine, but then suddenly started locking up (aka hanging or freezing), rebooting itself (crashing) or shutting down spontaneously? If you know only too well what I am talking about, then read on! Performing the simple steps below can fix the majority of lockup cases.

1. Check for recently installed software or hardware.
If the lockups started to happen after you installed a new peace of hardware, new software program, or new drivers, uninstall it and see if the problem goes away.

2. Run your antivirus program.
One of the first things to do in the case of sudden lockups is to run your antivirus program. Check your antivirus manufacturer's website for updates and latest virus definition files. (This is absolutely necessary, outdated antivirus is not going to be of any use!) If you don't have antivirus software installed - or if updates are unavailable - run one of the web-based antivirus scans that some major antivirus vendors like Trend Micro are offering for free. You can find a comprehensive list of available web-based scans and free antivirus programs on http://www.free-antivirus.info.

3. Run some good spyware removal tool.
If your machine is not infected with any viruses, it is still possible that it has some harmful adware or spyware is present. Download and run some good spyware removal tool such as AdAware or Microsoft AntiSpyware. Check http://www.free-antivirus.info for a list of free spyware removal applications.

4. Check for free hard drive space.
When no viruses are found, check out free hard drive space on drive C:. Make sure there is more than 20% of free space available; low disk space can lead to random lockups.

5. Check for overheating.
Overheating is another known cause of lockups. It can be caused by problems with fans inside the case, dust buildup, or other cooling problems. Make sure the power supply fan and CPU fan are running and free of dust buildup. You can check the temperatures inside the case by running Motherboard monitor http://mbm.livewiredev.com - make sure the temperatures are within the preset limits. Be very careful while cleaning inside the computer case (use plastic vacuum crevice tool) and NEVER OPEN THE POWER SUPPLY CASE as it contains high voltage.

6. Check the hard disk.
Check the hard disk - it is possible that its logical structure is corrupted. To check the disk for errors, right-click on the disk C: icon in "My Computer", select the "Tools" tab, check all check boxes in the "Check disk options" field, and press the "Check now" button. It should ask whether you want to schedule the check next time you restart your computer - answer "Yes" and restart your PC. The check will be performed automatically after startup; it can take a while, so be patient. The program will attempt to fix some problems automatically – however, if the hard disk is failing physically, it will need to be replaced. It is also a good idea to run Disk Defragmenter (located in Start Menu > Programs > Accessories > System Tools) to optimize data placement on the hard disk for increased performance and reliability.

7. Check the memory.
Sometimes random lockups can be attributed to the computer memory (RAM) starting to fail. You can test the memory by running Windows Memory Diagnostic that can be downloaded from http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp. If memory problems are found, try re-seating the RAM (pull it out and plug it back in). If it doesn't work, replace the defective RAM.

8. Check for other hardware problems (advanced users).
More hardware-related problems can be diagnosed by running hardware tests from the Ultimate Boot CD that can be downloaded from http://www.ultimatebootcd.com. However, you should only use it if you know what are you doing - some programs on that CD can be dangerous when used inappropriately (for example, some of them can wipe the contents of your hard disk).

9. Update Windows and drivers.
Some lockups can be caused by outdated software components - update your windows and drives by running a windows update: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (it's good idea to run it regularly).

The above steps will help diagnose and eliminate the most common causes of lockups. Hundreds more of other possible scenarios need to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, as it all goes down to your particular computer configuration. Asking on PC troubleshooting forums/newsgroups should help you figure out solutions to not-so-obvious lockup cases.

Michael Woodford is a computer expert from a team that runs HowToFixcomputers.com and CertFAQ.com.

Building Computers Do It Yourself To Get The Perfect Machine

Writen by Michael Quarles

The perfect machine, for game play, video editing, or whatever use you have in mind, can come only when all the major and minor parts have been carefully selected. It is a union of chips, circuits, and drives that are exactly right together.

Often, this cannot be had from the major computer manufacturers. If you want such a machine, you may have to build it yourself.

Why is this perfect union so hard to find? One answer lies in the demands of mass production. Perhaps the best illustration I can give has to do with motherboards.

A large manufacturer has the advantage of buying parts in quantity, thereby getting them at a reduced price. They may buy thousands of a certain motherboard, using them as the platform for several different PCs.

This sort of standardization has great advantages on the production line. Using the same board for different models means fewer setups, easier stocking by material handlers, and the increased speed that comes from having everything fit together exactly the same way every time.

All of this is good for the production process, but do you really want the same motherboard for a home PC, and a video editor that will cut an hour long documentary? I don't think so.

As with the motherboard, manufacturers buy CPUs in quantity to keep costs down. Most will buy either Intel or AMD, but not both. Each brand has its good points, each with models that excel at different tasks. However, there are some jobs I prefer an AMD for, and others that are best done with Intel chips. Few manufacturers give you a choice. If they do, it will not be across their entire catalog.

Graphics cards are often a source of disappointment for gamers. How many of you have bought a PC, and then, within the first month gone out and bought a different graphics card? The card in the machine was top of the line when the machine was being designed. Of course, by the time it came on the market a year had elapsed.

The solution for all this was touched on earlier. Build your own computer. Plan it, selecting the parts you want. Get exactly the computer you need, designed specifically for the job. It isn't hard to do, and it's worth the time and effort to get the perfect machine.

Michael Quarles is the author of Building a PC for Beginners. His website is http://www.monkeyseemonkeydobooks.com