You should take a look at these promotions and analyze whether you can take advantage of them or not. Here are some tips on how to decide whether a particular promotion suits your needs or not.
Banks and financial institutions want to invest their money and thus they offer loans and lines of credit. Computer manufacturers want to sell their products and thus, associating with lenders widens their sales by making laptop computers more affordable. You, as a consumer can take advantage of this situation and shop around both for lenders and laptops and get the best offer possible. There are many bargains out there.
Credit Card Promotions On Laptop Computers
By associating with certain credit card issuers, manufacturers or retail companies offer their laptop computers payable in several installments with 0% APR. These offers are excellent as you can purchase your laptop on several payments without having to put all the money down. Some of them even offer a 10% discount on the retail price in order to attract more customers. It can actually end up being even cheaper than purchasing in cash.
What do they get in return? Well, the manufacturer or Retail Company gets to sell the products and the credit card issuer gets to retain you as a client for at least a year if you select 12 payments or two years if you select 24 and so on. These practices create fidelity at a very low cost for the credit card companies and though you may not pay interests for this particular purchase you will pay interests for all the others you make.
Small Loans For Laptop Purchases
These loans are offered by retail companies sometimes in association with financial institutions sometimes by creating a financial institution ad hoc. These loans feature advantageous terms and small installments to attract consumers. The idea is to make goods affordable when they would otherwise be rather expensive. With these small loans laptops are presented as affordable items because the purchase price is concealed behind the small installments.
These loans have simple qualification processes. Usually the only requirements for approval are some sort of identification along with a copy of a paycheck receipt or some other proof of income. Some retail companies will require only a copy of a credit card resume sent to your home to show proof both of income and residence. Thus, getting approved for these loans is fairly simple and has little to no hassles at all.
As you can see, laptops can really be affordable if purchased through these means. Thus, if you were planning or considering the purchase of laptop computer you may want to shop around for these offers and choose whether to buy your laptop with your credit card or by requesting a small loan specifically created for this purpose. In any case, you can get a great deal and repay the money in affordable installments.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Use Windows Update
Should one use Windows Update?
This topic has good and valid arguments on both sides. Some would say keeping your windows up to date is essential in keeping it free of the newest, worst viruses and the like. Others would say that updating your windows is overemphasized, unneeded and a waste of time.
In the future, Microsoft will have ways of detecting whether your version of windows is actually store-bought, or pirated. With so many copies of pirated windows on the market, such a move by Microsoft is almost required in order to continue cornering the OS market. For instance, when SP 1 (and 2) came out, you had to have an authentic windows serial code in order to download the update. There are of course ways of getting around this, but it deterred much illegal upgrading to the new service packs. Had you have had a pirated copy of windows (and the majority does), then you could have downloaded a copy of windows SP 1/2, but you would have had to completely re-install and possibly format in order to install it.
If you had an original windows serial code that came with the product, you could have just downloaded the packs from the windows update servers.
So yes, having a non-pirated copy of windows is a convenience. However, some would remember a stunning virus that was released not too long ago; MyDoom. It managed to find its ways onto the Microsoft windows update servers. When you got the virus, you would have 30 seconds before the computer shut down. Should you have formatted, just to re-install windows with automatic updates turned on (and they are by default) you would get the virus again.
And not to mention Windows Updates are a large time factor. Some updates (especially the first time you use Windows Update) are colossal, and the download speeds are not always at their greatest. Someone on 56k would have a very hard time using windows update at all (and if you do, I recommend not bothering).
Now, you ask, what exactly is Windows Update? It's simply Microsoft engineers working hard to fix bugs, problems and backdoors in Windows. What are these problems, you ask? Well, when Microsoft released windows it wasn't exactly a perfect OS. With every version of Windows, it becomes more and more hi-tech. But there has always been problems with Windows being insecure.
The only way to find that Windows has a certain vulnerability is first for that vulnerability to be exploited. Eg, Microsoft using white hat hackers (the good guys) to breach windows, or for a hacker to break into a version of Windows and it is reported.
So, to answer the question, is it important to update your windows? It's hard to say, without the answer being a biased opinion. I will give both sides of the argument merit, but it honestly depends on what you want to do with your PC. For large businesses with intranets, windows updates are likely a good idea. It only takes one serious OS fault for a hacker or a bad virus to leak in and infect the whole network. Windows faults and security issues, IE backdoors, etc. Windows update constantly has fixes for these problems.
For a home desktop, even for a home network, windows updates really aren't that important. No one wants to hack the small guy; there is nothing to gain from it. Should you use a simple firewall, even the windows in-house firewall, you are protected from most threats. But big business is always at risk; major websites are constantly under the gun from DoS attacks and IE "tricks." Windows Updates cannot really help DoS attacks, but they can prevent hackers, crackers, viruses and the like from entering their network computers from faults in the windows code.
So to answer the question - should I use windows update? If you've got a lot of infrastructure you want to protect, yes. If you're a small guy, one PC at home, one laptop; even a few computers thrown together in your home network. The answer is no. I don't recommend it, anyway. Just throw on your windows firewall, Black Ice Defender, Norton, Avast....what have you. And enjoy browsing. That's about it.
This topic has good and valid arguments on both sides. Some would say keeping your windows up to date is essential in keeping it free of the newest, worst viruses and the like. Others would say that updating your windows is overemphasized, unneeded and a waste of time.
In the future, Microsoft will have ways of detecting whether your version of windows is actually store-bought, or pirated. With so many copies of pirated windows on the market, such a move by Microsoft is almost required in order to continue cornering the OS market. For instance, when SP 1 (and 2) came out, you had to have an authentic windows serial code in order to download the update. There are of course ways of getting around this, but it deterred much illegal upgrading to the new service packs. Had you have had a pirated copy of windows (and the majority does), then you could have downloaded a copy of windows SP 1/2, but you would have had to completely re-install and possibly format in order to install it.
If you had an original windows serial code that came with the product, you could have just downloaded the packs from the windows update servers.
So yes, having a non-pirated copy of windows is a convenience. However, some would remember a stunning virus that was released not too long ago; MyDoom. It managed to find its ways onto the Microsoft windows update servers. When you got the virus, you would have 30 seconds before the computer shut down. Should you have formatted, just to re-install windows with automatic updates turned on (and they are by default) you would get the virus again.
And not to mention Windows Updates are a large time factor. Some updates (especially the first time you use Windows Update) are colossal, and the download speeds are not always at their greatest. Someone on 56k would have a very hard time using windows update at all (and if you do, I recommend not bothering).
Now, you ask, what exactly is Windows Update? It's simply Microsoft engineers working hard to fix bugs, problems and backdoors in Windows. What are these problems, you ask? Well, when Microsoft released windows it wasn't exactly a perfect OS. With every version of Windows, it becomes more and more hi-tech. But there has always been problems with Windows being insecure.
The only way to find that Windows has a certain vulnerability is first for that vulnerability to be exploited. Eg, Microsoft using white hat hackers (the good guys) to breach windows, or for a hacker to break into a version of Windows and it is reported.
So, to answer the question, is it important to update your windows? It's hard to say, without the answer being a biased opinion. I will give both sides of the argument merit, but it honestly depends on what you want to do with your PC. For large businesses with intranets, windows updates are likely a good idea. It only takes one serious OS fault for a hacker or a bad virus to leak in and infect the whole network. Windows faults and security issues, IE backdoors, etc. Windows update constantly has fixes for these problems.
For a home desktop, even for a home network, windows updates really aren't that important. No one wants to hack the small guy; there is nothing to gain from it. Should you use a simple firewall, even the windows in-house firewall, you are protected from most threats. But big business is always at risk; major websites are constantly under the gun from DoS attacks and IE "tricks." Windows Updates cannot really help DoS attacks, but they can prevent hackers, crackers, viruses and the like from entering their network computers from faults in the windows code.
So to answer the question - should I use windows update? If you've got a lot of infrastructure you want to protect, yes. If you're a small guy, one PC at home, one laptop; even a few computers thrown together in your home network. The answer is no. I don't recommend it, anyway. Just throw on your windows firewall, Black Ice Defender, Norton, Avast....what have you. And enjoy browsing. That's about it.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Update On Education Of Audio And Sound Technology
Audio and Sound Technology Schools, colleges, and universities provide studies of audio and sound technologies for those interested in this fascinating and growing field. Sound technology is not a new field, but it is changing and growing by leaps and bounds. Career opportunities in the field are broadening as well, with the development of innovations of new technologies.
Besides music and voice recordings, digital audio and sound technology is used for special effects in video games, toys, ringtones, music, and new developments entering the market all the time. Sound technology is a passion for some, and sound technology schools teach the art and technology of acoustics to those who want to turn their passion into their profession.
Sound technology schools award bachelor degrees in digital audio arts, the AAS, ADM, BSAT, BAM (Music, Music Technology, Musicology) Degrees can be accomplished in a many traditional colleges and universities. Along with liberal arts courses necessary for completion of degrees, students will experience computing and audio technology, using recording equipment and computer software, principles of acoustics, and processing information electronically. Music students may also be introduced to studio composition, sound mixing, scoring for movies, songwriting, conducting, and much more.
Students in Audio Technology Schools can choose to study audio and visual communication technologies for occupations as sound engineers and sound technicians in specialized occupations in radio and televisions, concert production, theater production, the recording industry, and the movie industry. Graduates may choose to become involved in sound design, video game development, web content development, media production, advertising, teaching, electronic acoustic composition, or studio management.
Sound technology is progressing at a very rapid rate, with the advent of voice over IP and new technologies continually entering the marketplace. Professionals in sound technology may find that they must necessarily update their expertise and education on a regular basis to keep abreast of their professions.
Besides music and voice recordings, digital audio and sound technology is used for special effects in video games, toys, ringtones, music, and new developments entering the market all the time. Sound technology is a passion for some, and sound technology schools teach the art and technology of acoustics to those who want to turn their passion into their profession.
Sound technology schools award bachelor degrees in digital audio arts, the AAS, ADM, BSAT, BAM (Music, Music Technology, Musicology) Degrees can be accomplished in a many traditional colleges and universities. Along with liberal arts courses necessary for completion of degrees, students will experience computing and audio technology, using recording equipment and computer software, principles of acoustics, and processing information electronically. Music students may also be introduced to studio composition, sound mixing, scoring for movies, songwriting, conducting, and much more.
Students in Audio Technology Schools can choose to study audio and visual communication technologies for occupations as sound engineers and sound technicians in specialized occupations in radio and televisions, concert production, theater production, the recording industry, and the movie industry. Graduates may choose to become involved in sound design, video game development, web content development, media production, advertising, teaching, electronic acoustic composition, or studio management.
Sound technology is progressing at a very rapid rate, with the advent of voice over IP and new technologies continually entering the marketplace. Professionals in sound technology may find that they must necessarily update their expertise and education on a regular basis to keep abreast of their professions.
Update On Comcast Cable Technology
It can be hard to keep up with all of the changes in television technology because they are happening so fast and there are so many of them. Fortunately for viewers, it is not really necessary to keep up with the technologies to be able to enjoy them. The work of keeping up with them is part of what you expect your television service provider to do. Pretty much, as new technologies become tried and tested and prove to be good additions to other television services, television service providers add these technologies to the services they offer.
That is why you will notice so many changes in what some cable companies offer from what it offered even a year ago. Among the biggest changes are the addition of new equipment such as digital receivers, receivers with DVR, and larger numbers of channels. All of these additions provide customers with access to the newest technologies, while making it easy to make the upgrades.
The changeover of programming from the analog format to digital format is perhaps the biggest change that has been made. This change is a complete revision from an older, lower quality viewing format to one that uses the most modern technology to bring television to the screen. Though analog television has been acceptable for many decades and has provided decent quality entertainment, it really does not compare to the quality of digital television. The pictures are able to be much sharper and crisper with digital TV and the sound is of much greater clarity. Another benefit of digital television concerns interference. Digital TV is advanced enough that it can clean up pictures before they reach the screen. As the viewer, you might not even notice that a problem exists.
Receivers with DVR are another technology are extremely popular. The DVR was designed to provide more viewer discretion as to when to watch television programming. Rather than being stuck watching a program at a time that isn't very convenient, the DVR makes it possible to easily record a program to watch later. Of course, it also has the benefit of making it really easy to skip commercials- allowing the viewer to save even more time! The DVR is making such an inroads on people's television viewing habits, that the television industry is actually restructuring things to be more compatible with DVR technology.
Finally, cable companies are using the latest technologies to bring more channels to your screen. Though have more channels might not seem to be based on technology, it actually is necessary to have a very strong infrastructure to offer a large number of channels. The fact that a cable company can now offer nearly 300 channels attests to a very advanced infrastructure that has been designed for maximum use. For the viewers, the ability to access more channels means better entertainment and a larger number of choices.
Each new change in television technology brings a new level of entertainment to the television screen. Having the ability to access these advances is very important in getting the highest quality entertainment.
That is why you will notice so many changes in what some cable companies offer from what it offered even a year ago. Among the biggest changes are the addition of new equipment such as digital receivers, receivers with DVR, and larger numbers of channels. All of these additions provide customers with access to the newest technologies, while making it easy to make the upgrades.
The changeover of programming from the analog format to digital format is perhaps the biggest change that has been made. This change is a complete revision from an older, lower quality viewing format to one that uses the most modern technology to bring television to the screen. Though analog television has been acceptable for many decades and has provided decent quality entertainment, it really does not compare to the quality of digital television. The pictures are able to be much sharper and crisper with digital TV and the sound is of much greater clarity. Another benefit of digital television concerns interference. Digital TV is advanced enough that it can clean up pictures before they reach the screen. As the viewer, you might not even notice that a problem exists.
Receivers with DVR are another technology are extremely popular. The DVR was designed to provide more viewer discretion as to when to watch television programming. Rather than being stuck watching a program at a time that isn't very convenient, the DVR makes it possible to easily record a program to watch later. Of course, it also has the benefit of making it really easy to skip commercials- allowing the viewer to save even more time! The DVR is making such an inroads on people's television viewing habits, that the television industry is actually restructuring things to be more compatible with DVR technology.
Finally, cable companies are using the latest technologies to bring more channels to your screen. Though have more channels might not seem to be based on technology, it actually is necessary to have a very strong infrastructure to offer a large number of channels. The fact that a cable company can now offer nearly 300 channels attests to a very advanced infrastructure that has been designed for maximum use. For the viewers, the ability to access more channels means better entertainment and a larger number of choices.
Each new change in television technology brings a new level of entertainment to the television screen. Having the ability to access these advances is very important in getting the highest quality entertainment.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Modern Technology For Effective Communication And Services
Modern technology makes it easier for people to stay in contact no matter where they are. For process servers, technology can make the job easier and keep clients happier with frequent updates. Here are a couple of technological items every process server needs to have in order to provide the best service to all his clients.
Online client database
One of the beautiful things about the advent of the Internet is that it allows for instantaneous communication. This tool is invaluable for not only keeping track of clients, but allowing clients to get immediate updates about where you are on all the cases you're serving for them.
An online database enables process servers to keep detailed records of all their clients and the cases they're working on, as well as all the steps they're taking to serve the documents. These databases can even be set up to send out automatic emails once the documents have been served. That provides both the clients and the process servers with documentation should the need arise in a court case.
Also, allowing clients to access the database gives them immediate information about where all their cases stand. With all those features combined, clients are just as aware about what's going on as the process server is.
Punctual updates are a major benefit to providing a quality process service. Most of the time, process servers handwrite notes to update clients, a practice which is both unreliable and unprofessional. Automatic emails and a client database are both more convenient and more reliable than a scribbled note that could be lost, forgotten or ruined.
Cell phone
Who doesn't have a cell phone nowadays? Well, you may be surprised. A number of people continue to shun cell phones for a variety of reasons, but your process server shouldn't be one of them.
Process servers are rarely in the office, or at least they shouldn't be most of the time. They ought to be out and about, serving the papers they are hired to serve. This is why a cell phone is a very valuable asset.
If you're able to serve the papers, you can immediately call your clients to let them know the details. Plus, with so many cell phones having Internet access now, a process server would also be able to update the client database immediately.
Other things to seek from a good process server
While technological goodies are important for providing punctual, reliable service for clients, truly good process servers have other qualities to help them deliver the best service possible. For one, they will be licensed, bonded process servers who do the job full-time, not just at nights or on weekends. Clients will be looking for credible members of a national organization, like NAPPS, as those organizations have stringent requirements for membership and ethical bylaws for members to follow.
With a combination of modern technology and solid integrity, process servers can give their clients the quality service they deserve. As a process server, if you're not using a cell phone or an online database to keep clients updated, then you may be losing clients to competition that does.
Online Backup Technology Services
As a typical college student, my hard-earned money has bought me some of the high-tech gadgets that make life truly possible during the grueling higher-education years. My gorgeous, brand-new digital camera happens to be one of my favorites (right up there along with my blackberry phone and iPod touch). I take the camera nearly everywhere I go, capturing anyone and anything I find even remotely hilarious, poignant, or picture-worthy. My laptop is brimming with these touching moments, friendly gatherings, and scenic landscapes.
Now, we all know that computers are vulnerable to failure, for any number of reasons, whether technologically-induced or human error. All of my priceless photos, along with music I have collected for years and important personal and school documents, could be a gone in a flash if my hard drive were to fail, or otherwise "malfunction." Such loss of electronic documents may not be predictable, but you can certainly take precautionary measures just in case.
I have found that tangible backup solutions are not very practical, at least in my case. Compact discs are not an option (just look at my music CDs) since they easily scratch and can even begin to deteriorate after just a few years. External hard drives are not a bad idea, but they tend to be a little pricy for this college student on a rather tight budget. Plus, neither of these solutions are completely safe, especially if they are stored in the same area or near vicinity to the original hard drive; fire, theft, flood, or other catastrophe could easily take out the second copies just as quickly as the original.
After doing my homework, I found that the most economical and sensible option is remote online backup: web-based services that will automatically backup applications on your PC. All you really need is a broadband connection. You simply select the applications you want backed up, and the program will regularly update everything you have chosen, all in the background without interfering with your use, while the computer is in sleep or standby mode. It also is extremely affordable. Many online backup services offer low monthly fees, often for unlimited backup. It truly is the most practical, affordable, secure, and cheap way to safely backup, at least for this college student.
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