How Do Computers Work ?

The average person who uses a personal computer on a frequent basis doesn't think about what happens inside a personal computer once the electricity is switched on. As long as their version of MS Windows pops up within a few seconds, most people are quite happy to continue on with what they want to do on their personal computer. A personal computer goes through many processes from the moment the electricity is switched on before its operating system (ex. Windows, Linux) is fully loaded and takes over. The operating system is stored on the hard drive of a personal computer. It is stored on the hard drive because this kind of storage is much less costly and an operating system requires a large amount of storage space. So, in order to make personal computers more inexpensive, they are designed to use a mixture of ROM, DRAM, and hard disks. An account of each follows. Once the electricity switch is switched on, the "boot-up" process begins. To "boot-up" a personal computer merely means to initiate it. Electricity then moves through all of the chips and their circuits. The instructions for what the personal computer is meant to do next are found in the Read Only Memory, Basic Input/Output System (ROM BIOS). ROM is memory that can only be read from and has data that is permanently burned into it. It is nonvolatile and will not be lost or vanish once the electricity is switched off.

ROM BIOS or just BIOS, is intended to begin giving instructions as soon as it receives electricity. The BIOS contains an entire set of instructions, in effect a personal computer program written into the chip that manages the boot-up process. Without the BIOS, the personal computer would'nt know what to do next. The first task that BIOS completes is to make sure that all of the hardware components are working properly (for example: disk drives, external buses, the mouse, the printer). This is called a electricity-on self-test (POST). After the POST is complete, the BIOS activates other chips on different cards installed in the personal computer (SCSI and graphics cards) and provides a set of low-level routines that the operating system uses to interface to different hardware devices such as the keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. Once the POST is complete, the BIOS hands the next stage in the boot-up process over to the central processing unit (CPU). The central processing unit is a one chip processor or microprocessor that has two distinctive capabilities:

1. The CPU carries out all of the mathematical and logical operations including basic math and comparisons of two or more numbers.

2. The central processing unit has the ability to intelligently manage the flow of instructions and data going into and out of its circuits.

The final instruction that the ROM sends to the CPU is to go to a precise location or address to locate its next instruction. An address is a string of numbers that gives instructions to where something can be found, much like an address on an envelope. Personal computers use addresses to keep track of data much the same way as the post office uses them to locate residences and businesses. The larger the number in an address the more locations it can refer to. Most present personal computers use a 32-bit address space for memory, which indicates that there can be over four billion separate locations to contain data. The instruction that the ROM BIOS wants the central processing unit to carry out is sent through a chip on a bus (a set of wires) to the address specified. The data bus is able to carry data into and out of the chip inside the CPU. The data isn't available inside the CPU so it has to search elsewhere. The CPU then sends the address on another bus called an address bus. When the CPU does this, it is called a fetch. The address bus is "fetching" data from elsewhere inside the personal computer. The address bus is only able to carry instructions out of the CPU.

The address bus fetches data from the personal computer's memory. Memory is a kind of silicon chip that can contain instructions or data. This kind of memory can be read from or written to by the CPU, but this kind of memory or Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) is volatile. Once the electricity is switched off, the DRAM looses its memory or data. Since the DRAM is basically a blank slate, the CPU has inside, a set of sequential instructions as to where to search for the required data. Before the address bus can get to memory, it has to pass through a set of chips called a chipset. The chipset refers to a collection of chips that provide an intelligent interface for the core workings of a personal computer - central processing unit, memory, graphics, I/O system, described as core logic or glue logic. If the data that the chipset needs isn't in memory, the chipset then sends or redirects it to the Input/Output (I/O) bus. The I/O bus connects the chipset to supplementary places where the data is stored, such as the hard drive. The hard drive permits the CPU to read from it and to write to it. The hard drive is non-volatile so it keeps its data or data once the electricity is switched off. A hard disk is much slower at retrieving data from than memory but memory is much more costly.

Once the hard drive gets the address (via the I/O bus and chipset), it retrieves the data and sends it back through the chipset and then puts it on the address bus back into the CPU. The chipset functions as a bridge for the two buses; the I/O bus and the address bus. The central processing unit uses a four step sequence: fetch, decode, execute, and store. Since the CPU does not retain its memory, it has to obtain its data or fetch the data from elsewhere inside the personal computer. To help with the speed of the process of fetching, the CPU has a pre-fetch area to make the data available more readily.

Once the data has been fetched, it has to be decoded. Part of the decoding process of the CPU is to decide which circuits are appropriate to use for executing the instructions. Once that decision has been made, the CPU begins to execute the instructions. The part of the CPU where the actual execution of instructions takes place is called the Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU). The ALU includes groups of transistors, known as logic gates, which are organized to carry out basic mathematical and logical operations. Logic gates are grouped into electrical circuits that execute the CPU's instructions such as "add" two numbers or "compare" two numbers. The final step of the central processing unit is to store the data. This final step takes place after the ALU completes its calculations. The results of the calculations are stored on a chip that has an area called a register. Registers can be accessed more quickly than any other kind of memory but are only for temporary containing (storage) of data.

The CPU also has a clock inside it to keep the timing of all of the flow of data and processes of the personal computer. This clock is vital to the synchronization of all of the processes of the personal computer. This CPU clock controls all of the operations on its chip. The processes of the CPU can also be interrupted by an external interrupt controller chip which is part of the chipset. The chipset contains a small database of interrupt vector (numerical table). When an interrupt signal comes onto the chip, the CPU saves what it is doing and goes to the interrupt vector to locate the address of the instruction that the interrupt is telling it to execute instead. Once it is finished with the interrupt, it goes back to what it was doing. The CPU locates what it was doing in a register called a stack. If interrupts were not possible, the CPU would have to complete one task before it could start another causing the speed to be greatly reduced.Now that the central processing unit has found the operating system, loaded it into memory, the operating system takes over and the personal computer is now ready to be used by its owner. The user can now check email, play a game, or do whatever they wanted to do when they started the personal computer.

UPS Batteries Could Be a 'Lifesaver'!

The UPS Battery could be a lifesaver for some companies, just by giving people time to safely shut down their computer. These batteries are something like a surge protector but better. It is a strip that you would plug your computer and its components into just like a surge protector, but the difference is that it has a series of batteries in it so that you would have the time to save your self a lot of hassle if the power would suddenly go out from a storm for accident.

If you would get the correct size then you would even have enough time not just to save your material that you were working on before but even enough power for you to do a shutdown safely. You would have to watch because there is a lot of different sizes and kinds out there for you to choose from so go and ask just what would be the best one for the setup that you have. This way there is a less chance that you would get the wrong one that does not do the job that you need done.

Think of the hassle that you could save yourself buy having a UPS Battery installed for your computer. Imagine that you are working a project that is due the next day and you forgot to save all the work that you have typed in all day and you were almost done. But then all of the sudden the power went out from a thunderstorm outside, and that is when you suddenly realize that you never saved any of the work. I bet that you would not be a very happy person would you? We all have done that at one time or another but with the USP battery you would have still had enough time to save all that hard work that you did all day plus do a soft shut down. In all actuality this battery is not a bad idea for most of us to have because it could save us a lot of late nights and frustration of trying to get things done because of loosing everything that we all work so hard on all day long.

Solutions for iPod Screen Repair

The release of the iPod Nano was an enormous hit for Apple, but also sparked controversy among its loyal followers. Customers began calling in record numbers about broken screens on the iPod Nano. Apple quickly discovered and fixed the problem then replaced the faulty players for free. Although iPod screen repair isn't an epidemic, screens still break, crack, or scratch for one reason or another and must be replaced. Should you find yourself in this situation, you've got two different options; to do the repair yourself or send it to an iPod screen repair specialist.Do it yourself iPod Screen repair:For those who feel comfortable poking around the inner circuitry of their iPod, a do-it-yourself iPod screen repair kit might be an option. For about ten bucks, you can purchase a set of iPod-specific tools you'll need to unscrew the casing and pry apart the two halves safely while the screen runs between $89 and $149 depending on the model.

While the process can be fairly straightforward for some, there is room for error when doing your own iPod screen repair. In order to remove the screen you'll need to detach some of the pieces and pull the broken screen away from the logic board and attach the new one.Send your iPod to an iPod repair specialistPerhaps the most attractive benefit about sending your iPod off to a specialist for the screen repair is that they can troubleshoot the iPod to ensure that a new screen will in fact solve the problem. Often a broken screen is caused by a trauma, meaning the possibility of additional damage.

Some repair shops don't charge any more for professional installation than the cost of the screen itself. Although you will pay a few bucks for shipping, you'll be able to have a full diagnostic run and the screen replaced by a professional.Isn't iPod screen repair covered by my warranty?Apple considers a broken screen misuse or accidental damage. Apple's service repair page specifically states that "If your iPod's LCD display is cracked due to accidental damage, do not send your iPod in for service." The repair is not covered under the iPod's Limited Warranty or the AppleCare Protection Plan.Every day life is just more fun with a soundtrack which is why the iPod has quickly grown to become America's favorite gadget. The iPod has proven fairly tough in light of the amount of use most endure on a daily basis. However, should your iPod ever need repair there are do-it-yourself kits and iPod repair specialists that can help you get your iPod back on track in no time.

The New Ipod Has So Many New Features

The new iPod is now lighter, slimmer and cooler looking, it has new features that surpass other mp3 players. The best new features of the video iPod concern the sound quality. The iPod video is small, compact and sleek, it is very easy to use, and it has tons of great features that are second to none and can only be found on iPods.Taking portable video entertainment to a different level than it ever has been, it features a color screen and video playback capabilities. The new Apple video iPod is pushing the envelope with technology by combining mp3 music and video in one device.

Consumers embraced the new iPod, it allows consumers to keep all of their music and video in one place, the device is light weight and is portable so all the videos and music can go where ever you go. The iPod has a 5-inch color display that lets you take your music videos wherever you go. Unlike in the music versions, Apple did not include an option to rip movies to play on the Video iPod. If your priority is storing music over video, get the iPod Video. Many automobiles have the normal AM/FM Stereo and CD player, but many automobile manufactures are including and jack so you can plug in your mp3 player. Most of the people who benefit from the iPod are those people who want to listen to music, watch movies or TV shows or who want to keep photos You can listen to all your music. You can do more than just listen to music. Many manufactures have created accessories so you are able to listen to your iPod in your car, these gadgets work very well and are worth the investment. Until just recently, you used to have to have an expensive CD player and a multitude of CDs with you in order to listen to whatever you want, whenever you want.

It is very exciting when you receive your new video iPod, you now have the ability to watch videos on a mobile video player. Once you download the movie or video you can simply transfer it to your iPod, however if you want to be able to watch the movie on your DVD player while at home then you might want to think about this. If you're like many new Video iPod owners, you are excited about the idea of carrying your movie collection along with you wherever you go. According to the informational websites, the number of video downloads have reached and might have passed the one million downloads since it was introduced. There are many companies that have created software that will convert to the iPod format, some even come with extra software so you can view the pictures or videos before the conversion process starts, this comes in handy if you want to view the information before putting it on your iPod. You can download, convert and transfer and you have the ability to watch all kinds of movies, home movies and TV shows.

Car Stereo IPod Transmitter

You have just found out that you need to go cross country, and you most definitely aren't flying there. This means that you will need to be taking a very long drive, which if you plan it just right, could become your vacation from work. The only things that you will need to make this an enjoyable trip will be your iPod, and your car stereo iPod FM transmitter. With one of these, you will find that you have no need of taking along your iPod car kit with you. Everything that you need will be in this one little gadget. That is of course, if you buy the car stereo iPod transmitter which also functions as an iPod charger. Otherwise you might also want to think about taking along your iPod charger as well!

You will only need to take along a separate iPod charger if you have the wireless car stereo iPod FM transmitter. If you get one of the car stereo iPod transmitters complete with wires and therefore with a charger as well, you will find that life has became a whole lot easier. Now, instead of having to take along your iPod, your speakers, your entire iPod car accessory kit, as well as your iPod charger, you have the luxury of taking with you only your iPod, the car stereo iPod transmitting device, and the iPod car holder as well to keep the iPod in one place. No extra cables are needed other than the one which come attached to your transmitter and which goes into the slot of your car's cigarette lighter socket.

With this you will now be able to listen to your personal brand of taste in songs without having to listen to an impersonal and disembodied voice coming across the airwaves to keep you company on your long drive cross country. Your car stereo iPod transmitter will also be able to get you through the long hours of the night when you might be unable to sleep. This is because your car stereo iPod transmitter can also be used with other FM receiving devices such as normal FM radios. This means that you can while away the long hours of the night, or lull yourself to sleep with the familiar sounds of your favorite music, using this device. Although a car stereo iPod FM transmitting device isn't expensive, it isn't exactly cheap either so you might want to look around to see what you can get for your money's worth. And since you will also have to buy an iPod car holder at the same time as well, you might even be able to get a bargain when you buy these two items at the same time!

Customize Your Laptop with Today's Best Accessories

Laptop accessory sales are very easily made online nowadays. More and more people do their shopping online, and the computer industry constantly grows from year to year, which includes the laptop industry too.Upon purchasing, many people consider that they immediately have to upgrade their laptop. It has some drawbacks from the standard computer, but it certainly has the big advantage to its name: the sheer maneuverability.

There are a number of things that you can do in order to upgrade your laptop's features. Aside from the number of accessories that you can buy, you can also change its' battery, for example. The most popular laptop accessories seem to be the mouse and the printer. As a matter of fact, many people prefer to buy a mouse immediately after purchasing a laptop, because the touch pad can be very uncomfortable at times.For people who are music enthusiasts or like to throw parties, there's always the option of buying bigger speakers. A laptop can support that too, the only inconvenient is that you can't really take those speakers along if you decide to go on a trip with your beloved newly purchased laptop.

For music enthusiasts there's also the option of buying an audio card. These come in all shapes and sizes, but you can even produce or make music with them from your laptop. The technology has advanced in giant steps over the last decade, so don't be surprised about that. Also, if you want to record yourself singing or simply for interacting with other people all over the world, you can buy a microphone so then can hear you.The truth is that the internet revolution has brought major changes in the way we think, buy and communicate. And what better accessory for communicating with others via the internet than the webcam? The webcams show live video images of yourself to the people who you are talking to. Or, of course, it can be the other way around. It can be very useful for videoconferences or for simply getting in touch with your family and friends who long to see you.

If you are making the transition from a standard computer to a laptop, you will immediately notice some difficulty when writing from a laptop keyboard. You will get over it after a while, and you will learn to appreciate the real benefits of a laptop.For example, if you want to go on a trip, what better way to make the voyage pass faster than doing some work on your trusty laptop? Or maybe you prefer playing a game. However you look at it, a laptop is a very convenient accessory in itself.As a conclusion, either you want just a few or the entire set of accessories, you really need to think whether you will take full advantage of them or not. There's no point in buying a stack of accessories for your beloved laptop but not using them. If you decide you really need your laptop upgraded, you can start looking for the best online shops that offer laptop accessory sales.

What To Look For When Buying A Laptop

When people talk about laptops, everyone assumes that all laptops are wireless. Traveling with a laptop is easier today than it once was, the laptops have gotten smaller and lighter. The new mobile laptops make computing easy for many people. When purchasing a laptop, make sure a wireless connection is built in so you can reach the internet if you are in a wireless area. The laptop is replacing the big desktop computer; but the mobile computer needs to provide the ability to accept components for expandability. Many people today keep all of the information on their computer, so if the computer goes down many people will not have that data. In today's modern world the laptop or sometimes called notebook is a must have.

If you do not have a laptop computer yet, you should know that one of the most important aspects of having a laptop computer is having a great power supply. Every laptop computer needs to be equipped with some type of warranty; the laptop should have at least a one year manufacturer warranty. You may even be able to play movies on them with crystal clarity. Purchasing a laptop computer is not an easy job to do because there are so many important things that should be considered before purchasing.

The type of work you do can affect the screen size and type that is most suitable for you. If you are not worried about graphics a screen size of 12-14" is acceptable. If the work you are doing is graphically intensive than a 15-17" is better. Screen sizes range from 12 to 19 inches. A laptop computer with smaller screen is great option if you do not plan to use laptop too much. Going from 256MB of RAM to 512MB of RAM will speed up your laptop. If your needs are somewhat mundane - email, spreadsheets, word processing, etc. 512 MB of RAM should be plenty. RAM is to a computer what location is to real estate.

You also need to think about the hard drive in the laptop you are considering. The hard drive is also a very important specification to consider in buying a laptop. The speed of a hard drive is normally calculated in rotations per minute. A hard drive of about 50 gb or over is a good rule of thumb.In addition to the processor, you will probably want to upgrade your system with memory, monitor, a graphics card or video card, and pointing device and keyboard. Finding cheap components is easy today due to the internet, many sites have popped up and made all of these components accessible. The important thing to remember when shopping for components is that you need to make sure they are compatible with your system.

Laptop cases are an important computer accessory you should make sure you acquire. They have many sections that accommodate important office documents. Another important type of carrying case is the wheeled roller case. But, their safety and protection is equally important. A laptop case is specially made for carrying a laptop but a backpack is just a bottomless pit. Getting a quality bag is very important since you are carrying around an expensive piece of equipment. Your notebook is going to be at least 6 pounds, probably more. The portability of laptop computers is both a boon to busy business people. Your notebook should be sturdy and rugged. Expensive notebooks should be protected properly.

Notebook or Desktop Computer, What is the Best Buy?

The idea of purchasing a personal computer may be appealing to a lot of people, however they may feel undecided as weather to go for a traditional desktop computer or for a light weight portable notebook. Several aspects should be taken into consideration as for the purposes of such acquisition. If the main purpose of buying a computer is for occasional use, regardless if it is for work or entertainment activities, one may consider buying a traditional desktop computer taking in consideration that its price is usually lower than the portable version.

The maintenance and eventual upgrade of a desktop computer is also much easier to perform and less costly. If the buyer is looking to spend the least amount of money, definitely the desktop computer models offer more choices of finding better deals weather it is used or new. One may look around the local computer stores for special deals or may consider browsing the many possibilities offered online stores.Perhaps the greatest feature a desktop computer has is the fact that quite often it can be upgraded and personalized to suit the user needs without having to be sent back to the manufacturer. In most cases a local authorized computer store can perform the technical changes or upgrades to satisfaction. The desktop computers are meant for work and leisure as well and regardless of its configuration or how fast it can perform, it seems that it became an everyday tool of modern times.

On the other hand, if the main reason for the purchasing of a computer is portability, then in this case the notebook will be the right choice. There are several brand names available on the market offering all kinds of configurations, from very basic up to the most sophisticated and powerful late models of notebooks. After a careful research on which model will better suit your needs, then you will still have the option to choose to buy a new, reconditioned or used unit for the sake of saving some money. Keep in mind that a reconditioned laptop purchased from a computer store, usually comes will full warranty, just like as if you had purchased a brand new model but for a much less cost.

Just like any other purchase, it is important to do a careful research to find out what exactly your needs are and what are you going to do with it. The lightweight and portable notebooks are much nicer to carry around even though they are usually more expensive. Also the lightweight models almost always have a smaller screen and a more compact keyboard than traditional models of notebooks. So, in this case if weight is not a critical issue, than you may just consider to purchase a traditional regular-model notebook as long as it meets your requirements. If you choose this later option you will certainly be saving a great amount of money.If you are the kind of person who feels skeptical about purchasing a reconditioned computer, because it has been previously returned from the manufacturer, relax, some times there is absolutely nothing wrong with the returned unit. It may have just been a matter of model preference or some minor detail that didn`t quite match the previous owner`s preference. Keep in mind that a reconditioned notebook with a full warranty is just as good as a brand new one and maybe even better for the great discount it usually offers.

Also you may find some good deals in refurbished notebooks. Beware that the difference between refurbished and reconditioned notebooks is that the former is usually an older notebook that has been used and then reconditioned, often by a third party, and the later usually means that it had some problem, went back to the manufacturer, got fixed and now it is available at a fair discount price with full manufacturer guarantee. The right solution for one`s computer related tasks, whether desktop or notebook, will depend mostly on one`s working or leisure needs. Search carefully for the best deals and avoid paying extra for accessories you will hardly use. Also take a look at reconditioned (full warranty) computers. The price will certainly surprise you. And the performance might too!

A Purchase Guide to Budget Notebooks

Since it became commercially available back in the early eighties, notebooks called the attention of computer users because of its small size and portability. Not much of a commercial success back then, it only took a short time before the computer industry improved this item, up to a point that is now considered to be one of the best selling computer consumer products.For one who intends to buy a budget notebook, he may have some difficulties in picking the right one, since there are several notebook manufactures offering so many models. Budget notebooks are in a class by itself with basic features but capable of delivering full solutions for computer related tasks.

For an easy guide to budget notebooks, check the following major manufactures:

SONY

Sony VAIO notebooks are fashioned products targeted to consumers who demand flexibility and power without compromise. It is expected to find features such as 15.4`` WXGA, duo core processor and 100 gb hard disk. Although not the cheapest of budget notebooks, it compensates the higher price by offering more technological features.Most common features one can expect from Sony budget notebooks: 1 - Intel Core Duo Processor T2250 1.72 Ghz; 2 - Windows Vista; 3 - 1 gb DDR2 ram; 4 - Widescreen XGA display type; 5 - Intel graphics media accelerator 950; 6 - 100 gb SATA hard disk 5400 rpm; 7 - CD-RW/DVD rom; 8 - wireless lan 802.11 a/b/g; 9 - Modem and Lan port 10/100; 10 - USB connectivity; 11 - It weighs around 6.5 pounds; 12 - Lithium ion battery up to 5.5 hours; 13 - One year limited warranty. Price starts from U$ 929.00 and up according with optional accessories.

DELL

With features such as 15.4`` WXGA, duo core processor and ATI Radeon Xpress graphics, Dell budget notebooks offer a flexible combination of power, mobile productivity and entertainment at a good price.Most common features one can expect out of these notebooks are: 1 - AMD Turion 62 X2 1.8 ghz/1mb cache processor; 2 - Windows Vista; 3 - 512 mb ram; 4 - Widescreen XGA display type; 5 - ATI Radeon Xpress 256 mb video graphics chipset; 6 - Up to 80 gb hard disk; 7 - CD-RW/DVD rom; 8 - It weighs around 6 pounds; 9 - 9-cell lithium ion battery; 10 - One year limited warranty. Price starts from U$ 549.00 and up according with optional accessories.

TOSHIBA

All Toshiba budget notebooks feature an 15.4`` diagonal WXGA display, DVD optical drive which reads and writes up to 11 formats, high speed wireless lan (802.11 b/g) for easy connection in networks. Most common features one can expect out of these notebooks are: 1 - Intel Celeron processor with 1+ Ghz; 2 - Windows Vista; 3 - 512 mb ram; 4 - Widescreen XGA display type; 5 - Radeon Xpress 200M video graphics chipset; 6 - 60 gb hard disk; 7 - CD-RW/DVD rom; 8 - wireless lan but no Bluetooth connectivity; 9 - Modem and Lan port 10/100 mbps; 10 - USB and firewire connectivity; 11 - It weighs around 5 pounds; 12 - 4-cell lithium ion battery; 13 - Tv-out s-video; 14 - One year parts and labor warranty. Price starts from U$ 599.00 and up according with optional accessories.

HP

HP Budget notebooks with features such as 15.4`` display screen, AMD Sempron 3500+ and a sophisticated black resin finish, offer an attractive mix of style, mobility and performance.Expected features one can find in this HP notebook category: 1 - AMD Sempron 3500+; 2 - Windows Vista; 3 - 15.4`` WXGA Widescreen; 3 - 512 mb ddr2; 4 - CD-RW/DVD rom; 4 - Wireless connectivity 802.11b/g wlan; 5 - It weighs around 7 pounds; 6 - Nvidia video graphics chipset with 256 mb; 7 - 6-cell lithium ion battery; 8 - USB, lan and modem port; 9 - Integrated stereo speakers; 10 - 60 gb SATA hard disk; 11 - Tv-out s-video; 12 - One year warranty in parts and labor. Price starts from U$ 569.00 and up according with optional accessories.A while ago portable electronics devices were a luxury at an expensive price. Nowadays it became an affordable must have kind of product for lots of people. Notebooks are in this category for sure! And basic notebooks are the best option for those who are in a tight budget. So, if portability is a must for your personal or professional computer related tasks, waste no more time. Get yourself a budget notebook!

Notebook Buying Tips

Why notebook became so popular? It has been estimated that notebook sales has increased an average of 20% per year in the United States alone. Among the many advantages it offers, portability is one of the main reason people end up making a purchase of it. However before any purchase is made, other features should be considered as well.Notebook was first made available in the early eighties. Although much heavier and bulkier than today's notebooks, it had the unique portability feature that put this innovative product in a class by itself. Although not much of a commercial success then, it gave the computer industry a goal to pursue in manufacturing this item with better weight, size and performance ratio and making one of today's most wanted computer hardware.

Notebook size has got much smaller, however big enough to make one feel very comfortable in handling and operating computer related tasks. One can find it in sizes best categorized as: 1 - Tablet Pc has the size of paper tablet and weighs no more than 4 pounds; 2 - Ultra Portable is a little bigger than Tablet Pc and weighs around 4 pounds, no internal CD or DVD drive, display of 12 inches or smaller; 3 - Thin and Light is a mid-size notebook, 10-14" x 10", 1 to 1.5 thick, and weighs around 7 pounds, wireless network capability, 14-inch displays, combo CD-RW/DVD; 4 - Desktop replacement is the largest category of notebooks, more than 12 x 10" and weighs more than 7 pounds, 15-17 inches displays or larger, wireless network capability, combo CD-RW/DV.

Also an important feature one should look for is performance. Notebooks provide very close performance in comparison with traditional desktop computers, and should handle all computer related tasks with great ease. Whenever purchasing a notebook, make sure it has the latest cpu model, large ram memory and hard disk space. Notebook performance is directly related with cpu clock, ram memory and hard disk space. For these items, big is never enough.

Another feature one should look for is the dvd player. It can come in handy for entertainment purposes, enabling one to watch movies while traveling. Wireless connection is also a feature to look for in a notebook. Some notebooks feature an infrared port, which can be used to connect a mobile phone. Also there are other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which allows mobile phone, printers and PDA to be connected at certified public and private network. The ability to have a mobile connection is definitely a plus in today's connected world.Expansion capability for notebooks can be done thru the use of plug-in pc cards. Although there is a new standard called ExpressCard, which is smaller and faster plug-in card that provides more features for multimedia tasks.

Notebooks have certainly become an item required for one's mobile computer related tasks, whether it is used for public, private, personal or professional purposes. Its portability and small size make an attractive all around computer hardware item. For those looking for mobile computer hardware, notebooks can certainly become a good solution at affordable prices.

Buying The Right Notebook

The single most important reason anyone buys a notebook is for portability. This is something that you can take anywhere. If you frequently travel in your work, you need a notebook. If you are a student going back and forth to the university, you need a notebook. If you are journalist traveling the world and submitting articles, you need a notebook. And today's notebooks can be as powerful as most desktops with dual processors, large capacity internal drives, and other attractive features. But which one is right for you? How do you determine what type of notebook will fit your current needs plus allow you to expand for the future? And the first part of the answer to the question of which one is right for you leads to a half-answer: it depends. It depends on what you are going to do with the computer. Are you going to use it for work or recreation? Is it something needed for your profession or are you a hobbyist? Do you play a lot of games? What level of internet access do you need? It is also important to remember that unlike desktop models, notebook computers cannot be upgraded easily. In fact, they usually have no upgrade path so you should take the time to get exactly what you need in terms of features and performance.

One characteristic of a notebook computer one should consider is the screen size. If you need to be able to have a lot of landscape for projects you are working on then consider a wider screen. Screen sizes usually can range from 10.4 inches to 17.1 inches. If you do a lot of work on an airliner in economy class, you are probably better off with a smaller screen size (because of the reclining seatbacks in front of you). Also a smaller notebook is just easier and lighter to carry around. Some who do presentations with their notebook computers will benefit from larger screen sizes such as those that use the newer WXGA technology. WXGA notebook screens can achieve resolutions up to 1366 by 768 pixels. Battery life in your notebook computer is very important too. If you move around quite a bit, you might want to consider buying a notebook with not only a long lasting battery (most go 2-3 hours), but also one where buying a spare battery is not very expensive. One very inexpensive solution for the battery problem is to buy an external universal battery that can last up to 3-4 hours.

Another feature you need to consider when buying a notebook is internet connectivity. You will find that a popular way for people to work these days is with a wifi-enabled notebook at a wireless hotspot (such as in coffee shops, restaurants, libraries and airports). If you are buying an older used notebook, you may have to get an additional wifi-card if you want to have the mobile connectivity provided by this technology. Also, you will find that most hotels nowadays offer high-speed internet access but it is usually through a wifi connection. And lastly, you need to consider what other options you want for your notebook computer. Do you want a CD writer or will you need to record DVDs? Do you need premium sound? How large of a disk drive do you need? When it comes to disk space, CD/DVD writers, sound cards, memory, and processor speed, it's best to get it now as opposed to get it later. Here is the reason: The upgrade path for most laptops and notebooks is not very long. This is because notebooks are probably replaced every 2-3 years. They are quick becoming just as expendable as a set of tires for your car. And if you do not maximize on memory and processor speed, your notebook may not able run efficiently the new application and game software. The more your notebook is adaptable to software upgrades, the longer it will be an effective tool for you.

How To Download PSP Movies

PSP movies are all the rage nowadays. The reason for this is quite simple: The PSP is a very versatile piece of equipment. It allows portability for playing games in the form of small UMD discs that you can easily carry around.The PSP was originally designed for portable video games.However, recently more and more people start to use their Sony PSP as a portable video player to watch the latest movies in a quality that makes many other portable video player look like a gadget from the past.

Yes, you can buy many movies for your PSP on an UMD (Universal Media Disc), but if you are like me and you already have a huge collection of DVDs at home you don't want to spend all that money again just to watch them on your PSP.Insetad you want to convert your existing DVDs to your PSP - even if they are encrypted.However apart from UMD disc, there are other ways of storing your PSP movies i.e. in your memory sticks. This is a simple guide on how to download PSP movies and games from your computer to your PSP.

When I am on a long distance flight and I already know the movies being shown - I pull out my PSP and watch my own movie or my favourite Star Trek episodes. Usually the batteries last for an 8 hour flight. This is becasue when watching downloaded movies the PSP only accesses the memory stick and does not read the movie from the UMD. What uses most of the energy is spinning the UMD. That's why you can play 4 hours of video games (which are of course on a UMD) or watch 8 hours of high quality video.What you will need is sufficient PSP memory stick. I would always recommend memory stick of at least 1GB, but if you do not have the sufficient resources (i.e. money) a 256MB Memory stick should be alright. Note: for a brand new memory stick you will need to format it. The other thing that you will require when installing a game to your memory card is your PSP Firmware version 1.5 or less. Later firmware version will not work. If you do have a later version of PSP, please consider downgrading you PSP.

In simple terms it is this; you will download your games from the internet into you PC and then transfer your game files to your PSP via a USB cable. When your computer is connected to your PSP, your PC will recognize your PSP as a detachable memory (similar to a USB drive). It will assign a drive (usually f:) and you will be able to drag and drop you PSP games file to your memory stick. These are some of the steps to download PSP movies and games.

Method 1

You must copy your PSP games or movie file to the correct path or the games simply would not work. The correct path is PSP-GAME (all the folder names are in caps)

Method 2

After the PSP games or movies are fully transferred to your memory stick, disconnect the PSP from your PC. In your PSP main menu, scroll to GAME and then select Memory Stick option. Press X, and list of available games in your memory stick will be displayed. If you find any error on your PSP, you might want to check your firmware version.

A Hobbyist Device That Could Claim A Fortune

Metal detectors of all types may be termed as device for hobbyists either in land (parks, beaches, shores, and even in ballpark bleachers), or deep-sea waters. Seldom would hunters of all kinds set to track on land, or to ferry on sea without this device. These hobbyists or adventurers may find it very beneficial not in terms of using this device to really get expected hunt like the archeologists and the sea fearer underwater hunters and pirates, but it provides a lot of enjoyment and exercise attainable at any rate just like in athletic gymnasiums.

Viewing from the immediate past, the misconception of metal detector is that of a very bulky backpack that is shoulder breaking, conceptualized in relation to the heavy adventurous perk of one who goes out for great land or sea adventures. Today, the modern innovation of such device devaluated that bulky heavy concept for metal detectors are sleek, lightweight rig, easy to use and handy that won't make someone tire until he spots his pot of gold.

The Underwater Metal Detector

Considered a best companion for sea fearers, sea sports enthusiasts, and fishermen, this underwater device serves best beside a batch of other equipment to any hunter at sea. A deep ocean adventure is incomplete without this piece of metal device, and it is very valuable at all cost. To a skilled scuba diver, having it is a must before his plunge into the deep waters.Manufacturers who have reached high levels of expertise in metal detector design, and perfected pulse discovery techniques over the years paved ways to cope with today's innovation of the underwater metal searcher. Both amateur and professional divers could avail alike for easy use, handling, reliability, and practicability.

One of the best, if not, the best in metal detector today; the Elsec Metal Detector 2000 manufactured of tough non-corrosive construction for heavy-duty, using PVC ultimate High-Pressure moldings.High-level sensitivity competes with other metal detectors with usage of the pulse inductive detection techniques on either ferrous or non-ferrous, and iron of divalent nature, and extensive distances. With usability in approximate depth of 200 meters, it is neutrally buoyant, and controllable. To add it all in convenience, is the "no switch on and off" of power, for it automatically does so on both; upon immersion and up, from underwater

A solid-state indicator alerts awareness how long will the battery last, but this model is furnished with rechargeable batteries that will automatically let power last for 10 hours. When metal is detected, you'll be directed to three ways attraction, (1) a graduated illuminated meter, (2) a solid flashing indicator, and a (3) variable frequency bone conductor earphone.By using the best quality electronic components in the manufacture of underwater metal detector serves assurance in reliability and easy maintenance. If anything goes wrong unexpectedly, the circuit board could be out rightly replaced.

A metal detector is not much of a complex device. It has three basic parts. The first one is the coil which can come in different shapes, a power supply and a control box. Bulk of the job rests on the control box because it is that one part that is ticked when there is metal around and this ticking is what causes the metal detector to do its job. Even the entire process of how the device works can be simplified in two sentences but then again there is a degree of difficulty concerned when we talk about a detector who is trying to detect a specific kind of metal.

Of all the different kinds of metal detectors, probably one of the most important is the gold metal detector. It is pretty obvious that gold is an element that is worth a lot in many ways and this makes gold metal detectors a prized possession as well.How metal detectors identify various metals is by testing the conductivity of the metal. A target signal is eliminated for unwanted metals like leftover iron & steel, pull tabs, bottle tabs and others in the same group while increasing target signals to high conductive metals as gold along with brass and silver.

Apart from gold hunting, coin & relic hunting are also expensive areas of metal detecting. The other interesting thing is the underwater & wading detecting. The use of metal detectors in these areas gives the device a character that will not square it into a box as just a device for security measure. The differences of these metal detectors lie in their technology, type of ground balance, frequency it operates in and of course the capability to discriminate between the many types of metals.

Going back to gold metal detectors, gold mining companies invest in high quality gold metal detectors because they really need to find the best one in order to stay, survive or earn in the business. If you are able to find the best gold metal detector that means it will be easier for the workers to find this precious metal meaning more money for everyone if you will not be successful then it means you invested in an equipment that is not so helpful. In the latter's case, you might need to discard your existing equipment and buy a better one or upgrade your existing one.

Choosing The Right IPod Cases For Your Needs

One of the most in demand accessories for a brand-new iPod are the iPod cases and skins. This is due to the fact that, truth be known, all different sorts of other devices despite how appealing it may look, are prone to scratches. Because of this, making the right choice for your iPod cases and to keep your MP3 player looking in brand-new condition for years is an important decision.Despite the fact that all iPod cases are made for one goal -- to protect your valued MP3 player, not all of the protective covers are designed for maximum protection. Some are made for the sole reason of decoration, while others target active MP3 music users. While it may appear that these cases are all similar, making the choice to protect your Nano, Mini or iPod video is dependent on your lifestyle, budget, personality and how much time you actually listen to your iPod

Various Kinds of IPod Cases

Even though there are hundreds of different kinds of cases available in the market, they can fall into four different types of categories -- leather, skins of fabrics, special function and sport's wrap cases. Each kind of case gives various advantages and features to the user. Skins are light weight cases, which are primarily designed to fit over any kind of iPod.These iPod cases can also be manufactured from silicone that has a similar appearance to the rubberized protector for your audio device. These iPod skins are ideal for tight spaces, such as your pocket or bag. Skins are one of the least expensive cases that are available on the market. On the other hand, fabric style cases cover different kinds of materials such as denims, corduroy, fur in other types of fabrics. they come in different levels of protection as well as padding, depending on the make or model. Cases that are made out of fabric are not as strong and durable as leather cases or sports wrap, but can be an economical choice.

IPod cases that are made of leather give iPods a classy and professional look. They are sometimes designed with a flat cover for protective use to cover the face of your iPod. Unfortunately, they do not protect the control buttons and wheel, unlike skins. However, as far as choice of the most durable iPod cases, leather cases would be it.Cases and sports wraps are ideal for individuals who do regular physical activities. Various iPod cases for sports include armbands or wristbands so that you can have a secure place for your MP3 player while exercising. The majority of these protective covers are sweat proof and give them varying protection levels due to the fact that they can be made from a variety of materials.If you require specific features on your iPod case, such as gold or silver cases, waterproof cases, multifunction skins and other types of useful functions, there is always an iPod case for you. It's just a matter of shopping around and preference.

iPod Battery Replacement: The "Ins" and "Outs"

After the iPod hit the market, it seemed as if Apple could do no wrong. Now everyone, regardless of their software camp, could enjoy one of Apple's classically cool and beautiful toys. It wasn't until about 12 months after the launch, when it came time to replace the first set of batteries, that Apple hit a bump in their groove. The iPod isn't built for easy battery replacement like a cell phone. In order to replace the battery, the casing must be completely removed, exposing all of the internal components and introducing risk of damage.

Apple initially offered a battery replacement service for $249. They later offered a one year extended warranty for $60 that covers the battery. However, it's important to note that when Apple sends the replacement, it will be in a refurbished model iPod, not your original. Today you can find qualified repair shops to replace the battery for as little as $59 or do-it-yourself kits between $19 and $39 depending on the model. The caution with the do-it-yourself (DIY) kits however, is that the iPod wasn't designed for the average user to change the battery. Plenty of people have been able to change their batteries without problem while countless online forums divulge a long list of complications faced as a result of users trying to change the battery

Many specialty repair shops will do the replacement for little more than the cost of the battery itself. Some offer additional incentives such as iPod Mod's consumer-friendly lifetime battery replacement program. Under the program, the company will replace the battery once a year for life. Even better, your iPod is back in your hands within 48 hours with 30% more power than Apple's original battery. Should you choose to replace the battery yourself, there are a few tips you'll want to keep in mind: -Some models like the Nano require soldering directly onto the board. Be sure to check the details of the battery replacement before sending off for a DIY kit.

Have a small thin tool on hand to pry apart the casing. Once the screws that hold the case together are removed, you still need to apply some force to open it and reveal the circuitry. Many have damaged their cases by trying to pry their iPods apart without the proper tools. Many replacement batteries come with special tools to help pry the case open.-When disconnecting the battery, don't remove the rubber pad located on the hard drive.Regardless of the battery complications, people still love the fun and freedom that the iPod offers. Do a little research before deciding how to handle your battery replacement as it's a routine that you'll need to repeat about once every year. Even if you're not thrilled about the fact that your unit will need to go through major surgery every year, there are customer-friendly iPod specialty companies available to make the process smooth and simple.

Be Healthy and Happy with Outdoor Family Games

The experts are telling us two things these days. First, we don't get enough exercise. We sit-a lot! We sit at our desks, on our couches, at our tables, in our cars, at restaurants and much more. Now, mind you, sitting is not altogether a bad thing, the problem is that we've got the whole sitting thing out of balance. We sit too much. The result is that we're all becoming fat!Back in the good old days, Americans got much more exercise. Not so today. We need to do more walking, running, jogging or even just moving around--take the stairs instead of the elevator--you know the drill. One recent report from the American Cancer Society says that lack of exercise is just as dangerous to our health as smoking! That's a surprise! Plus, they tell us that people who don't exercise are two times as likely to have heart disease as people who are exercising even a moderate amount.

Even back when John F. Kennedy was president, the country recognized that Americans weren't getting enough exercise. A fad that captivated the nation was walking. Not just walking around the neighborhood, but walking 20, 25 or even 30 miles in a single day. It was such a big deal that there were newspaper articles and news stories about how far people walked in a day. No one is expecting you to walk 30 miles today, but it would be great if we just got outside to play a family game together.The same experts that tell us we're getting fat, also tell us that even a small amount of exercise each day has a physically beneficial effect. That's one reason that outdoor family games are becoming so popular. They are reasonably within reach of even the most tight-fisted consumer, plus they are a good way to add some exercise to our daily routine.

One favorite game across the country is BlongoBall. It's an interesting and exciting game. It's quick to set up and easy to play. It doesn't require any special skills or abilities, so it's great for anyone in the family.The game is played by tossing a bolo constructed from two golf balls connected with a length of rope. The bolo is tossed at the horizontal rungs of a "ladder" type goal. Scoring is accomplished when the bolo wraps around one of the horizontal rungs. It's easy to learn and fun to play.

There are lots of imitators in the "toss it, wrap it, score" game categories, but BlongoBall is the original. We've tested lots of these types of games and it seems like BlongoBall is the only one built to last. Some of them broke within minutes of being out of the box. So, use caution when buying a game in this category.The second thing the experts are telling us is that we don't spend enough time together as families. Of course this is probably not going to make you lose weight, unless being with your family puts you off your dinner. But an essential part of healthy psychology and parenting is to spend time together not just working and handling the chores involved with running a family, but doing fun things.

This is where outdoor family games are handy things to have around. Most families will respond quickly and easily to a game as easy and fun as BlongoBall. Even teenagers who might normally be less interested in participating in a family activity will usually perk up when the BlongoBall game is set up.When you're playing BlongoBall it's easy to converse and interact with other players. This is one of the other reasons we like it. It doesn't require such focus and concentration that conversation must come to a stop, yet it's still challenging enough to capture the interest of everyone in the family. It makes family time truly a together time. All the kids, even the very young grade schoolers can play. Plus, you can purchase additional soft rubber ball sets to use indoors in the winter. BlongoBall is a favorite year round game in many families.If you want to be in better shape both physically and emotionally, get your family together for a few games of BlongoBall. It works!

The Rundown On A Video Game Secret

Gone are the days when video games were just sources of fun, where players would be satisfied playing games and completing them from start to finish, marveling at the graphics on the path. This is the age of experimentation. The average video game player is becoming more and more daring, and is looking out to try out new things with his or her gaming consoles. This is no longer the age of cheats and walkthroughs; this is the age of tinkering with the gaming consoles themselves and making games more adventurous to play.Several video game secret has been leaked out onto the Internet slowly but steadily about the popular video game consoles such as the Xbox, PlayStation and GameCube. Even most twelve-year old players nowadays know that they can copy their console games onto CDs and DVDs so that they can be played on the personal computer, or simply distributed to friends in return for other games. Howsoever, there are many more developed things that players do. They adapt their gaming consoles in such a way that it becomes possible for them to play their games on their projection televisions. This does need some knowledge and expertise, but the whole setup can be done very cheaply, within about $200.

Using emulator resources is not precisely a secret, but it can be counted as one because very few people decide about it. By making use of an emulator resource, you can play video console games directly on the personal computer. This is becoming a very popular trend among people who have consoles but are more skilful with their traditional personal computers.Knowing a video game secret and then implementing it on the console has become a commonplace thing to do for gamers today. It does increase the fun they get out of the game and also increase the replay value for the games. And also, it satisfies their urge of experimentation. People are even writing e-books about them and putting them on the Internet for other gamers to know about them.

Howsoever, implementing a video game secret wrongly could damage the console irreversibly. Thus, it frequently does require a person who knows about consoles to put them to use. For example, it is easy to attune a console to a projection TV, but if it is done wrongly, there could be damage to either the console or the TV. For this reason why, it is needful to exercise some warning when applying such changes. Some players also try out funky things like making their controllers glow and things like that, which could damage the console controllers. In short, though you may know a video game secret, you must think twice before you exactly go ahead and apply it.

Games-World of Warcraft Gold Making Guide

This Gold Guide will teach you a great way to make gold within World of Warcraft. Follow the instructions and very soon your pockets will be overflowing with gold. Prior to earning vast amounts of gold in game, you will need to do the following:.

1) Create an auction house toon. You should create a new toon that is strictly for managing and selling your auction items. My auction house toon is named "Zauction". With that name, it's much easier to mail things to it because its name starts with "z". After you create your auction house toon, make sure you add that toon to the friends list of your other toons.

2) (skip this part if you are on a PVP server) Create another auction house toon on the opposing faction's side. If you are a Horde player, you will need to setup an Alliance toon and park it next to the auction house in Ironforge, Stormwind, or Darnassus. Same goes if you are an Alliance player.

3) (skip this part if you are on a PVP server) Create a new toon and move it to the neutral auction house in Winterspring, Gadzetzan, or Booty Bay. Do this for Alliance and Horde.

4) Do a web search for this site: Allakhazam. Go to that site and bookmark it. When you search for items at that website, you will notice that you get a "median AH price" with every search result. This price will be your gauge for determining the resale value of your items. Become familiar with using this website before you start selling items on the Auction House.

5) Analyze your toon. What are its natural strengths? For example, a hunter's strongest asset is nature resistance. Any hunter can build a pet with the highest level of nature resistance and then turn on his Aspect of Nature. That will give his pet around 240 nature resist. What does this mean? It means that a hunter can kill mobs that do nature damage better than any other player class in game. Each player class has its own strength. You must determine what your strengths are before you can start earning large amounts of gold.

You will need approx. 1,000 gold before you can start earning larger sums. Hopefully you followed the first five steps and you have now determined what your toon's greatest strengths are. As a hunter, my greatest strength is nature resist. I can build a pet with the highest level of nature resist and when I activate Aspect of Nature, my pet will have approx. 240 NR. This makes my hunter very strong against any mobs that do nature damage.

For a level 70 hunter, the easiest mob to kill that drops a high priced item is an Air Elemental. You will find these primarily in Nagrand. You can turn on Aspect of Nature, let your pet tank, and kill three or four Air Elementals before you need to rest and/or heal your pet.If you aren't a hunter, you will need to find mobs that you can kill with ease. Are you strong against undead? Then you should be farming undead for netherweave cloth. Are you strong against casters? Then you should be farming caster-type mobs that drop valuable loot.The lesson in this tutorial mirrors real life: in order to be successful, you must focus on your strengths.What exactly does that mean? It means if you are weak against fire damage, do not waste your time farming Fire Elementals or any other mob that does fire damage. Instead, focus on mobs that you can kill with ease and then sell the items they drop on the auction house.

For gatherers:

If you are a flower-picker (herbalist) or a miner, you will find that materials found in areas with mob levels of 50-60 can be quite profitable to farm. The reason why flowers and ore found in those areas are more valuable is because the bulk of players are not playing at that character level (50-60). That means less farmers. And that makes those items hard to find on the auction house. Now that you have a basic understanding of how to earn gold within game by actually working for it (aka farming), get to work! Farm items, mail them to your auction house toon, and then sell them on the AH. Save your gold until you have acquired approx. 1,000 gold cash.

After you have acquired a 1,000 gold cash, give yourself a nice pat on the back before continuing. What do you think is the most profitable item to sell on the auction house? Motes? Primals? Cloth? Herbs? If you answered with any of those, you are wrong. Here are the two, best selling items on the AH: BOEs (bind-on-equip items) and recipes!

After you have acquired a 1,000 gold cash, give yourself a nice pat on the back before continuing. What do you think is the most profitable item to sell on the auction house? Motes? Primals? Cloth? Herbs? If you answered with any of those, you are wrong. Here are the two, best selling items on the AH: BOEs (bind-on-equip items) and recipes!

made at least 20,000 gold by using this exact strategy, and I had fun doing it! You will quickly develop a reputation of being a "reseller". This is both good and bad. The bad is that people will get angry with you, mostly because they are envious of your ability to barter and make gold. The good part is that very soon players will come to you with BOEs and recipes because they know you have the cash to purchase whatever you want. You should limit your purchase price to 20% to 30% of the "median AH price" found on the Allakhazam website. This leaves a safe margin in case you need to resell something at a much lower price than the listed median price.

You now have knowledge very few wow players possess. But do you have the skills to implement? Only you can answer that.

Online Data Storage Keeps Data Safe In An Emergency

A month or so ago, on one day there were over 200 wildfires raging simultaneously in the state of Florida. Many of them were in uninhabited, remote areas - but at least a few were creeping close enough to a business associate's offices over on the western side of the peninsula that government officials issued an area evacuation advisory.My first concern, of course, was for the physical safety of my friend and others in the area. But once that was ascertained, knowing that a good 85 to 90% of his sales are conducted online, I voiced concern about his business, should the proximity of the fires prevent him from entering his offices for any length of time.

To my surprise, he almost chuckled at my concern!

"I've got a million serious 'what ifs' to worry about right now," he said, "but thankfully, daily sales transactions and customer service aren't on the list."The reason why, he explained, is that several months ago he had stopped using on-site, tape backups of customer and other business data and had switched to an online date storage and retrieval service.In practical terms, what this meant for my associate was that a huge chunk of his small business was now fully protected from fires ... floods ... earthquakes ... from any kind of natural disaster that might threaten his extensive and valuable database and online sales. No matter what might happen to his physical plant, the business of accurately and reliably receiving, acknowledging and fulfilling customer orders would continue without a glitch.

Similarly, his extensive records of client history and information, along with all his other company data, are likewise protected by the same online data storage system - keeping their data safe regardless of the local conditions.That's because instead of sending backups to a tape attached to an on-site server, this company's data is sent to another computer safely off-site and are always accessible via a key code known only to the business owner. No one has to remember to do the backup, either; it's automatically done, each and every day.No human errors. No dropped or corrupted data. Nothing physical to lose or have damaged. No "all eggs in one basket" panic should something unexpected and uncontrollable occur.It's hard to imagine anything safer and more secure than that -- come what may in the arena of natural disasters with the potential to dismantle or destroy a business.

Does Your Current Backup System Meet Federal Regulations?

In response to an explosion of major corporate benefits and accounting scandals in recent years, Congress passed two laws regulating the storage and reporting of internal data.The first impact was felt in corporate America by the passage of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 1996. The Administrative Simplification (AS) provisions of HIPAA mandated national standards for electronic health care transactions and identifiers for providers, health insurance plans, and employers.Under HIPAA, an IT audit most often is performed in conjunction with a financial statement audit or an internal audit. Evidence is collected and evaluated concerning an organization's information systems, practices, and operations to determine whether those systems record and maintain accurate, reliable data. Given the sensitivity of patient data in a medical setting this is clearly an appropriate measure.

An IT audit doesn't focus on internal controls in the way a financial audit does. Rather, it seeks to determine risks relevant to information assets, and to assess whatever controls are in place to eliminate or reduce those risks. The focus of an IT audit is on evaluating a system's availability, confidentiality and integrity.The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 created (among other oversight regulations) the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), which addresses the role IT plays in a company's internal controls. The PCAOB's "Auditing Standard 2" states: "The nature and characteristics of a company's use of information technology in its information system affect the company's internal control over financial reporting," and its provisions are targeted toward seeing that those controls and reporting are legitimate and accurate. Clearly recent high-profile corporate scandals reinforce the need for checks and balances.

Under this law, auditors audit key and general controls, with "key" controls being those that are key to ensuring that numbers shown on the company's balance sheet are authentic. (For instance, there might be a trigger on a database table to ensure that adding any entry into the accounts receivable table automatically creates an entry into the general ledger.) The person held accountable for seeing that these regulations are met is the company's Chief Information Officer (CIO).Given the breadth and complexity of current federal law governing storage and maintenance of IT data, prudent business owners will take whatever steps necessary to assure their IT systems and controls meet or exceed regulations. Taking the time today to ascertain that your online offsite backup system complies with federal regulations will save you countless intrusive and costly auditing headaches, down the road.

Is Remote, Online Data Storage Really Necessary?

Most business owners today would wind up in "rubber rooms" in a hurry were it not for their Information Technology (IT) people. How many CEOs out there actually speak or understand "Techie" or the reasons why they need what IT says they need?No one's challenging the importance or value of a good IT Department in today's business world - but top management really should understand at least the basic reasons IT makes the choices and decisions it makes. So, in plain English, here's why online, offsite data storage should be given serious thought.

Consider how crippling (and painful) would it be if your business suddenly lost all its files. Customer data ... customer orders ... your own business data.... Just imagining what it would be like is enough to send most business owners into a panic - and rightfully so. Yet many (if not most) businesses put their commercial lives at risk online every single day -- and aren't even aware of doing so.In a business sense, if in no other, ignorance most definitely is not bliss. With the explosion of commerce on the internet, competition is fiercer than it has been ever before in history. In today's business climate, it's absolutely essential that your online business operate without fail day and night, every day of the year -- because if error messages or downed servers or other glitches greet potential customers when they access your site, your many competitors are just a simple mouse-click away, ready and eager to snatch them out of your hands.

Your every day, online dealings with customers are conducted with the help of databases on your own servers, on your own premises, supplying relevant customer and business information. Any significant or recurring glitch in this service instantaneously translates to poor customer relations, loss of business and a sullied business reputation. Any way you look at it, loss or corruption of customer data is going to cost your business time and money - whether it's in lost or inaccurate sales or in server downtime to find and fix the errors.Remote, offsite backup essentially functions in the same way regular tape backups do - but with one major - and important - difference. Instead of sending backups to a tape or to another drive attached to your on-site server, data is sent to another computer safely off-site. No one has to remember to do it, either; it's automatically done, each and every day.

Even if you already utilize a tape backup system, incorporating a remote backup system as well makes sound business sense. Critical files (such as customer contacts, billing data, client databases, etc.) can be kept on the remote backup system. Your tape system then can be used to create a full backup of the system just once a month or so. Doing this, your on-site tapes will last longer - and the drive will require less maintenance - while the remote backup gives you quick and easy retrieval of critical files and databases as needed.With online backup, smooth functioning of online transactions supplying crucial customer and business information is assured. A good remote online backup service keeps your data safe and secure in remote locations and allows you to access, update, and recover important files and documents without your business suffering downtime or lost customers.

Online Data Storage Trumps Disaster Insurance

A couple of years ago, when a business acquaintance first told me about his company's decision to switch from media-based data storage (tapes, CDs, zip drives) to utilizing the services of an online data backup company, the first thing that came to mind was a nightmare that had occurred in my business back in the mid- to late 80s. "Disaster" was definitely the word for it - and our protection against the fallout from it was practically non-existent.Sometime after the end of business on a Friday, some pipes burst in the suite of offices right above ours. Throughout the weekend, untold gallons of water crashed through the ceiling unrestrained and uncontrolled, so that by Monday morning it looked as if a tidal wave had washed us. Unexpected, to say the least, on the 14th floor of a building in the middle of town.

As is the case with most executives it was my habit to be the early bird to the office, and the sight that greeted me when I unlocked the door is forever burned into my brain. Our carpet was soaked through with three to four inches of water. Our furniture was all but floating through our suites - and even the pieces that remained stationary were soaked through and ruined. All the phone lines were shorted out. And I didn't dare flip any light switches....Worst of all, though, was what I saw when I went to inspect our small, fledgling IT area. Absolutely everything in the room was thoroughly drenched and dripping water, from our server to the file cabinets housing tape backups to the PCs on the desks. We had, just several months prior, begun the arduous task of moving our client and other business data from hard copies onto an electronic storage system - and I can still hear the one word that echoed in my head as I surveyed the damage: Gone.

Our insurance policy covered the financial losses - but nothing could reimburse us for or replace the staggering amount of vital data lost to the flood. Because this was in the 80s and IT departments were just beginning to be considered in small businesses, the learning curve was steep and expensive when anything out of the ordinary happened. Online data storage services didn't even exist in those days. Our entire repository of crucial data had been on those tapes and on that server - and we lost almost all of it.The first lesson my company learned from our flood was that we needed physical, off-site storage for our organizational and customer data. That's how we handled backup and storage for many years following that event - but while that was a great deal safer than storing our data on-site, there was nothing to guarantee our storage site wouldn't ever experience such an unexpected disaster, as well.

never once fully stopped worrying about it - until I learned about online data storage and backup services.

Today, my company utilizes both an on-site tape backup and the services of a remote, online backup system. Our in-house tapes are mostly used for monthly backups (thus saving wear and tear on the tapes and maintenance on the hardware) and we use an online data and storage service for daily data backups. We're fully covered, now - and our data is as safe as it possibly can be.

Data Recovery- External Backup System

When it comes to backing up your data and ensuring it remains safe, you have plenty of options at your disposal. Some options are clearly better than others, and when it comes to the debate about external backups vs. internal backups, for many external wins hands down. Here's why you should use an external backup system.Your external backup system can be done with many different devices. CD's, tape backups, key drives, and online backups are all forms of external backup systems, but tape backups are definitely the most popular external backup especially if your business needs to backup large volumes of data that would otherwise require a lot of storage space. Tapes are relatively small and can be stored offsite with only a small amount of space available.External backups offer a key element that other backup systems may not, it is off premises, which can be the difference between recovery after a disaster and the end of your business. In a nutshell it can be the difference between survival and failure.

Your tape backup allows you to backup all of your data and then you remove the tape from the tape backup and take the tape off site for storage making it a great option. You get a full backup and you store it safely offsite with little hassle. Off site means that should there be a disaster you will be able to get your company up and running quickly, and when disaster strikes often the company that gets back into business first is the one that succeeds. Research has shown that those that open later are 50% more likely to fail even if they were a successful business prior to the disaster.When an internal backup is done it is often simply a secondary hard drive that's installed on to the system. There's no question that this is simple and convenient, however, should the system crash your data retrieval may be jeopardized and in the event of a disaster that wipes out your business space you won't have a backup to pickup the pieces and carry on. The same goes for those that store tapes onsite.

An internal backup is usually a secondary hard drive. You can quickly and easily copy your data from your main drive to your internal secondary drive. That means for those small human errors you can quickly retrieve your data.Tape backups aren't error proof. They certainly offer you some excellent benefits but when it comes down to reliability tape backups are known for being finicky and they must be run on a compatible machine. In fact many times the machine they are recorded on is the only machine they will run on.Recently another external option has become available. Online backups give you the convenience of being able to schedule backups that are completely automated service or you can create backups on the fly whenever you need whether it's a big problem or a small one. Perhaps you are installing some new software and want a backup just before the install. How convenient!Now that you know why an external backup system is best and what some of your options are, you're ready to choose.