Computers and Technology

Thanks to the computer age when things have become much easier simply because of the advent of computer as a tool for doing anything. Yes, you can do anything with a computer but, there is a question mark still hanging around, whether or not a computer is a reality for all. Yes, computer is not a reality for all of us due to money constraints, but days are not far off when everyone will be having his own computer. You may aptly ask how this is possible. The simple answer says that when computer loans are on the fray, days are not so far when all of us will be having a personal computer.

Having a computer is no more a craze only like the mere hay days of television, rather a need which everyone now. You need it in office; you need it for your kids. Computer says just as the song goes, "wherever you go... I will be right here waiting for you" But you may not wait after you know about computer loans since they allow you to pay for it in small installments.
Well, you won't be asked to pay for your chosen brand at a time and it is the loans which will pay for it. Your turn is only to pay for the computer loans. However, there are different ways of repaying your loans. You can pay off the things with balloon payment or through normal installments which accrue monthly or quarterly repayments.

Balloon payment allows you to have better benefits like cheap rates of interest in computer loans since here you are repaying a good sum at a time. However, regular installments are also good options for all those who have got fixed income and can't make a balloon payment.

However, the best mode of application in computer loans lies probably with the online option where finding better deals for your computer loans is more possible. Also, the online option of computer loans gives the benefit of having fast processing in computer loans. So, ultimately we must acknowledge one thing that computer loans have made the technology more accessible to common folk.

You get the most out of your technology. You have been using your latest computer for about 4 years. And now you are noticing just how slow that computer has become. Needs change and you need something that keeps pace with your business. But what should you be looking for? Let's sit down and do a consultation. This is the same advice that I would give my clients if asked this question.

Mobile or Desk Bound

The first question you need to be asking is a basic one. Does your business dictate a laptop or a desktop computer? If you make frequent presentations on the road, a laptop is a must. If you want something that is on the highest end of processor power, you should consider a desktop computer. Desktop computers always run higher on processing power than laptops. Laptops require miniaturization and, as such, take longer to develop. Hence, they are always behind the power curve. Will this computer be acting as a server? Will it "serve" up files to other computers on your network. If that's the case, you won't be wanting to take that out of the office. That would disconnect users from their data. And that's a no-no.

The Price Point

Never ever go after a computer based on an initial price. Most brand name computer manufacturers have learned a marketing trick. They put a computer sticker price at the lowest possible price. But this price will not be the price you will pay. Unless you want the barest bones computer you can imagine. You will almost always end up paying hundreds more than the initially quoted price once you're done. It's just a sneaky way to get you "in the door." But there are other reasons you should never go on price alone.

It's All About Support

Probably the single most important factor for choosing a computer these days is support. What kind of support will you have once this company has made a sale? A while ago, computers differed tremendously in their configuration and components. But things have changed. Now, computers are incredibly modular. Most of the major manufacturers use very similar, or identical, components. There are many reasons for this change, but all you need to know is that the main issue isn't components anymore. It really is about the post sale support. Research your manufacturer and get the "skinny" on their class of support. If you are going after a local cheapy beware. Sure, you may get an excellent deal, but will they be around if the computer breaks?

The Middle Road is Golden

People tend to make one of two mistakes when they buy a computer. They either tend to buy too little computer or too much. Don't go after a super cheap computer. It's almost always a bad idea, unless you happen across a great deal. In my experience, this rarely happens. Also, don't get top of the line components in your computer. You will pay a premium for these items. And in six months, you will be kicking yourself as those components have depreciated tremendously. A good rule of thumb is to look at the low and high ends and pick something in between. You will get a great deal for your money and it will last you many years.

Essential Software

A lot of computer vendors are in the habit of stuffing software onto systems. They will give you everything you don't need. This gives the illusion of value. But really that software will just bloat your system. You only need a few pieces of software really. Obviously, there is the operating system, or OS. This will most likely be Windows. Then you need an office suite. Again, this will most likely be a Windows based product like Office. As a sidenote, you may want to look at Openoffice(openoffice.org). It's free and is compatible with Microsoft Office. Just make sure you get the right version of Office. This is especially true of Powerpoint, Microsoft's presentation software. Not all versions have Powerpoint included.

Don't get bogged down in all the options. Just remember, most computers are basically the same. They have most of the same hardware and software. I have discussed some of the major differences. Remember, in this day and age, it really is about the support.

Copyright 2006 Jack Knows Inc.

What is a Computer Virus?

Computer viruses are unwanted computer programs that can invade your hard drive and cause many different types of damage. Usually viruses are created when someone writes a computer program and embeds harmful software within that program. As soon as other people begin downloading that infected program onto their computers, the virus finds it's way in and negatively alters information stored in the computers. Not one computer virus is alike, there are millions of diverse programs that cause varying amounts of damage to a computer.

Just like human viruses, computer viruses spread rapidly as soon they are created and computers are exposed to the 'infection'. Although instead of traveling through the air, computer viruses disperse themselves all over the internet, sometimes you can get a virus just by clicking on a certain webpage. Many of times computer users will have a virus in their computer for a long period of time before it is detected or before it starts causing greater damage. Even when you have anti-virus software in your computer, it will not always find every virus because the anti-virus software can only find threats already known through that program's database.

You may ask, Why would someone create such counterproductive programs?

Well, there may not be an exact answer as to why humans knowingly create computer viruses other than to get some sort of revenge or to challenge their skills. No one will be able to prevent those people from creating viruses and exposing other computers to infection, the best thing for computer users to do to prevent such invasion is to use current anti-virus software and be cautious as to what sites they visit and what files they download.

When a virus finds it's way into your computer, it will hide in your hard drive and rapidly duplicate itself just like virus cells do in humans. You may not be able to tell, but every time you save your data, you are also saving the virus. Soon enough the virus has multiplied to such a great extent that it damages your data and causes major problems.

Although the computer's ROM (Read Only Memory) will not be affected by a virus, the RAM (Random Access Memory) and your computer's disks will surely be damaged. So if the virus is only in the RAM data in your computer, when you shut the computer down the virus will be lost as well as any other memory that had been held in the random access memory (RAM).

Unfortunately if the computer virus is on your hard drive or computer disk it will remain in the computer after you restart it and it will be there whenever you use the program again. If you switch from the infected program to another program without shutting down your computer, the virus will then attach to the other program. With that happening, that virus will slowly go through infecting all of your computer's programs before you have a clue that you computer is infected.

Currently, millions and millions of dollars are spent on efforts to protect computers from viruses and eliminate destructive virus programs.

Anti-virus programs offered by commercial and shareware sources were made solely to detect and fix programs that may be virus infected. These programs should be used to scan for viruses every time you put a disk into your computer and every time you start up your computer.

If you are having trouble with your computer and would like to have it up graded. Or if you would like to just upgrade your computer for better performance. For gaming or graphic solutions or for better multitasking endeavors.

If you have a computer a lot of the basic parts in that computer are reusable, and not necessary to change out. Basic components would be the CD/DVD Rom A-Drive, HDD, and a lot of times the memory. By using the computer parts that are reusable you can save yourself hundreds of dollars, and be able to have the perfect computer system for your needs.

A computer tech service can cost hundreds of dollars for the most simple of problems. Just to take the side off the computer will cost an individual no less then fifty dollars. Let's say you are having a simple problem with your computer. Maybe one of your drives in the computer will not boot up. This can cause problems that will make the computer act very bad. So bad that you would think there was a major problem with your computer system. But because you don't know or understand how the computer works, and that the computer components all work together, and are tied into the motherboard of the computer. Or mite be hooked on the same cable that is hooked to the computers motherboard. You could in turn end up with a four hundred to seven hundred dollar computer repair bill. For a simple five dollar computer cable, or a thirteen dollar A-drive or a thirty dollar cd-rom drive.

The bottom line is this I have seen and talked to people how have spent as much money to repair their computer as it would of coast to buy a new computer. Myself I can't really understand that reasoning. Maybe it's because there is information on the computer that you really don't want to loss. Well let me just say this. If that's the case then you need to know that there are ways to retrieve that information off that computers hard drive. You don't have to loss that information. You just simply have to go after it. Unless the computers hard drive is shot, and then the information is lost any ways.

Building a computer is not hard you just have to know what the computer components are, and where the computer components go inside the computer. You don't have to know in great detail of how each computer component works. You just need a basic simple understanding of what each computer component dose.

Computer schools serve to provide education to people who wish to learn about computers and use them for their own specific purpose. Computer schools in Canada have many years of experience in providing focused, relevant career training. Such computer schools also offer diploma programs that include business administration, accounting, programming, networking and a wide variety of medical programs. Many people consider it wise to invest in computer education, as more and more jobs are dependent on the usage of computers.

The learning system in computer schools is based on two methods of training for adult learners. The first method allows instructors to provide lecture-based education. A competency-based training program provides applicable skill development for the chosen computer program. Computer schools in Canada are equipped with the latest software and hardware tools for students planning on joining various computer industries.

There are many computer schools in Canada that conduct evening classes. This is advantageous for those people who are working during the day or running a business. There are online computer classes as well for people who find it difficult to enroll in a computer school because of exorbitant fees or commuting difficulties.

A computer professional holds an important position in the technological world. Training at an accredited computer school enables people to take up several of the challenging tasks that the computer industry has to offer.

Employers are known to have a preference for hiring people from an accredited school. It is advisable for people to make sure that the course offered online or regular mode of study is recognized.

Computer schools in Canada have regular discussions and workshops that are organized to let students voice any doubts related to their field. Some schools in Canada also have industry experts on board that work to establish the reputation of the school. Such interactions may also open doors to job opportunities.

Computer security threats have cost most people around $2000 to buy a new laptop. When the threats are infecting their computer, they cannot do anything and have to buy a new computer. Have you ever wondering why your computer is running slow? Or why your memory usage is always 100%? Or are you getting the same pop-up every time you open your web browser? These are caused by the nasty threats that lurk in your computer.

Therefore, computer security is important to all Internet users. These threats bring nothing but trouble and it can also cost you your personal and confidential information. There are ways to remove the threats that didn't cost you near a price of a laptop. But, before you learn how to remove the threats, first you must know what the threats are.

In this article, I will explain ten must-know threats for any computer and Internet users.

1. Internet Worms

Internet worms are programs that can affect another computer on the same network and it works differently from virus. It doesn't need to attach itself to another programs to be harmful and can create an exact copy of itself. Worms spread via network and consume bandwidth. Have you ever wondering why your network connection becomes so slow? It might be because of the worms. Worms can have many malicious effects such as causing a server to crash, make a user's files unusable, or creating a backdoor on target computer.

2. Rootkit

Rootkit can hide it presence in a computer and can avoid detection while running its utilities. It can create a backdoor on target computer and allow hacker to send spam emails or use the target computer to perform denial-of-service attack on servers. Detecting it is difficult as it can conceal its presence in a computer. One way to detect it is by running virus scanner while it's not running. In this case, running the antivirus before the system boots the hard disk.

3. Zombies

When a virus or trojan has infected a user's computer, it will open a 'backdoor' to allow hackers use the infected computer for malicious purpose without the owner knowledge. This infected computer is called the zombie. Furthermore, the hacker can sell the target computer access to others and others can use if for their own purpose. If a spammer has gained an access to the target computer, it will use it to send spam.

4. Browser Hijacker

A browser hijacker can change your browser home page or search pages in your browser. In worse cases, it can disable your internet option so you cannot change the home page to the default home page. Furthermore, the browser hijacker can edit the registry so it can run every time you restart the Windows.

5. Email Virus

Email virus can distribute itself using email as an attachment. When you open the attachment, it will launch the virus and the virus will use the target computer to send the same email with the same attachment to other computer. It can also find files containing email addresses in the target computer and send the same email to the email addresses that it found. Sometimes, it can launch itself when the user views the email even though the user didn't launch the attachment.

6. Mousetrapping

Was there a time when you cannot leave a website? This is called mousetrapping. The website will use a script preventing the Internet user from leaving the website. Sometimes, it will open a new browser and will display the same website. In order to prevent this from happening, you need to disable java script so the script no longer working.

7. Phishing

This is another threat that we faced online. Phishing is a term comes from fishing because the phisher will try to obtain your private information using bogus emails or bogus websites. If the phishers want to obtain your PayPal username and password, they will create a website that is the exact copy of PayPal and will email you asking you to enter your username and password using the link provided. The link they provided in the email will not go to PayPal, instead, it will go to the phishing website and if you enter your username and password, they will use it to get your money out of PayPal.

8. Spam

Spam is the junk emails or bulk emails send by the spammer to numerous recipients aimed to advertise something, scam, or sending virus. Spam can disguise itself as a personal email to bypass the spam blocker. Some spams do no harm but it's a waste of time deleting it and it's also annoying.

9. Spyware

A spyware is software used by hackers and advertisers to gain information about you. When visiting certain websites, you're asked to install this type of software or updates that you need and the updates that you installed are actually spyware. Spyware can also install itself in your computer and it consumes memory usage and will slow down your computer.

10. Adware

Software that displays advertisement in your computer is adware and some of it installed itself in your computer without you knowing. However, not all adware are bad. Some of it is used to advertise something to fund the company. This type of adware will ask and tell you that they will install software that will display related advertisement in your computer. But, adware is a problem if it's too difficult to uninstall, or it installed itself without you knowing, or it hijack your web browser and slow down your computer. This type of adware needs to be removed.

The big boys in the computer industry want you to continue thinking the way you are. The major desktop computer manufacturers thrive on consumers lack of knowledge and old ideas about desktop computers and computer hardware to drive sales of new desktop computers.

It works in their favor to keep these myths alive, because their business depends on it. So what are they?

Myth 1: You need top of the line computer hardware

Maybe some years ago this might have been true with older computer hardware, but times have changed. When computers were much slower than they are now, the latest version of any computer hardware increased speeds noticeably and allowed new possibilities from your desktop computer.

Those increases from computer hardware no longer yield such a huge increase in performance. With the basic uses of the desktop computer set and been in place for a while now, speed increases no longer result in real world benefits for most desktop computer users.

What was great computer hardware last year is still good enough now.

Myth 2: Computer hardware is the domain of Geeks

When personal computing was coming into its own, you really did need to be a Geek to know what was happening. For those old enough to remember, imagine life without Windows and hacking away at the command line, as used to be the case. Some still do, but I wouldn't want to do that again.

Desktop computers are such commonplace that the basics of computer hardware can be understood and researched with the minimum of hassle. The ball is on the consumers side of the court. You no longer need to be a geek, just a little knowledge that is now readily available.

Myth 3: A faster desktop computer will speed up the Internet

Possibly. If you are running 5-year-old computer hardware this might be the case. But the real reason for the increase in speed is usually not the computer.

Internet speed is related to your connection speed. If you have a dial up connection, it's going to be quite slow. When you upgrade your desktop computer and they throw in a cable internet, or DSL package the improved speed is from the faster connection, not the computer. Both cable and DSL can offer more than 10 times the speed of a dial-up connection. The computer has little to do with it.

Myth 4: To speed your computer up, upgrade!

New computer hardware is a very obvious way to speed things up. Even I have gone for new parts purely for this reason.

But it's definitely not the only way.

Various factors play into overall speed. On a purely physical level, upgrading memory is still a fantastic way to get things to move along a little faster. But apart from this the main things that slows things down on the programs and other stuff you have on the computer.

Over time, as more programs are put on and taken off and changed, things get left behind, and things get forgotten. When your computer starts, many things get loaded into memory and each one of those takes that little bit more of the computers resources. When you switch to a new program and don't remove the old one, the older one will still use resources.

Myth 5: Big brands are the best

Big brands essentially piece together a computer. They pick and choose the pieces to make a computer package. They also choose some software, give a warranty and then sell it to you.

Dell computer company has become well known for its customer service. This is the best part about Dell computers. The downside is there are limited choices. They pick what goes into the computer, which are often quite expensive parts. They are motivated by the suppliers to put more recent parts into their computers, keeping the prices at the same level and maintaining the "to get more, pay more," mentality.

You don't have the power of these big guys, but you have something more. Choice.

Your pick of parts for your desktop computer will allow you to put together something completely tailored to your needs. Put the money where you need it most, into the computer hardware that makes the biggest difference to you, and in the end getting a desktop computer you will fall in love with, rather than despise.

Does your computer take forever to load up your software applications? Like Microsoft Word? Or Excel? Or any applications you might use on a daily basis? If you had your computer for sometime chances are that it's slowing down and does not perform like it used to. And trying to find out why can leave you with more than a headache. Sometimes even a new computer can act strange and just slow down for no reason at all. There are a few reasons why your computer is slowing down.

1. Because like machinery computer parts wear and tear, the electronics and connectors on your hardware parts tarnish and corrode. You can count your prayers and hope that your parts will last another year or so before breaking down. Oftenly the problem parts are the computer processor or the cpu, sometimes it can be your harddrive or disk drive. However the only real solution to this is to replace the parts and often than not you won't even be able to tell if your parts are worn or not, unless you are an expertly trained computer technician.

2. If you had your computer for a while, the exhaust fans and parts of your computer will begin to collect dust. Dust in your computer your processor and video card fans can be a problem. The dust not only slows down the RPM of the fan but it also traps heat, causing your processor and video card to overheat -- which is not good for any electronic parts. Many computer users did not know that computer hardware is especially vulnerable to moisture and end up damaging their computer parts with water or water based solutions. The right way to clean out your fans and parts is with a can of compressed air and patience.

3. Your computer slow downs might just be purely non-physical. Whenever you install a program your computer caches files in different segments so they can access them readily when you want to use them. These cached segments or fragments are misplaced over time and each time you try to access your programs, your computer will try to look for these fragments. The more displaced these fragments are the longer it will take your computer to find them. The most simple method to solving this program is to perform a disk defrag.

You can find this program in all windows operating systems. To access this program simple click on your start menu then select program then accessories then system tools and you will see the disk defragmenter icon. Click on that and you will be well on your way to defragmenting your disk drive. It does take some time though, so grab a cup of coffee and just sit back and relax until the disk defragmenter is done with its voodoo.

4. Spyware and adware can sap your computer performance and cause it to slow down. The solution to this is to download anti-spyware programs that can quickly identify and delete the unwanted spyware and adware programs. Most of the time you will not know that your computer might be infected with spyware so scan your computer frequently.

5. When you computer ever you install a program on your computer it will be saved to your computer windows registry. The registry is essential information that will dictate what tasks these programs perform. When you uninstall a program, most of the time the registry files will be kept. This is the major cause of slow downs, blue screens and errors.

The easiest way to fix this problem is to download a registry optimizer program. Registry optimizers can quickly scan and fix most of the computer registry problems.

These are simple solutions you should keep in mind and often will fix most of your computer slow down problems. Keep these in mind and you will probably expand your computer's life considerably.

If you think that a brand new computer that you but from dell or another major company has all the good parts stock then you are wrong. A good built computer is not one that you can buy at a store a good computer is one that you can build up to the performance you want. Most people think that they won't need more then what comes stock because it already cost a lot of money well if you are going to be playing games and things like that you will need a built computer not one that you can buy.

People will continue thinking that what comes out of the box is perfect but it's just a learner box really you get a computer that is built for just internet nothing else just surfing the internet no games nothing else because it is stock. Most people probably already know how the computers are just stock but if you know a good bit then you know that you can build your own computer for cheaper and will be a heck of a lot better for the price you pay.

The normal computer that you will get will have its computer monitor speaker's keyboard and mouse. To you the beginner to computers may be fine but to others you may need a new graphics card motherboard network card or many other things to use the computer the way you want to use it. The only way to get the computer that you really want is to customize and that is the only way you will ever get what you want.

Computers if want to be used to your standards need to be built how they are going to be used. If you want to use the computer for office use and storage then you will need a big hard drive and a little bit of RAM. On the other hand of you want this computer for gaming then you will need to build it up so it can handle high performance.

Just like any old stock computer it needs upgrades just like anything else.

Depending on what upgrades you need it can either be very pricey or not hardly and money at all. If you just need office upgrades then you can probably get away with getting cheap RAM and a cheap hard drive. When you get to playing hardcore games and are in need or higher performance is when these computers need to be upgraded to a higher CPU or motherboard. There are many things that you might need.

It doesn't matter what type of computer you have or how good it is upgrading your computer can become something that you don't want, you don't want to waste all your money on it because it could crash and leave you stuck. So just go out and get what you need to make the computer that you want. You can build the computer you want rather then buy something and you can usually build it for a few hundred dollars cheaper.

Online computer troubleshooting is rapidly becoming the most demanded online service on the World Wide Web. Its popularity clearly shows that many people are suffering the annoyance and trouble of unresponsive computer programs, software or virus corrupted files. The convenience of online computer services made professional and technical computer problem diagnosis and troubleshooting accessible to all.

Common computer problems

Do you hear strange noises and vibrations coming from your desktop computer or laptop? Chances are you have a hardware issue. Overheating can damage the wires and other sensitive components of your computer. Hearing whining and squealing sounds is never a good sign. With regard to computer operations, waiting too long for your folders or computer applications to open is a sign of software problems. This can result from a lack of maintenance, a corrupted registry, spyware, or too many programs running on your computer at the same time. Locked up and unresponsive windows are also commonly experienced. Of course, there is always the blue screen of death. At the first sign of computer problems, you should get online computer troubleshooting services to quickly restore smooth operations.

How does online computer troubleshooting work?

With online computer services, websites usually require clients and potential customers to complete a list of their computer problems. This way, they can recommend the type of computer troubleshooting service as well as provide clients with the estimated cost of that service. In some cases, online service providers may even recommend alternatives to the troubleshooting job so as to recommend the best course of action. Based on the information provided, online technicians can provide clients with educated alternatives for a preferred solution to the clients computer problems. This is particularly helpful when considering repairs over replacement of computer parts, thus giving clients more control over their repair and service expenses.

Regardless of the type of computer problem you have, online computer troubleshooting services providers will provide you with professional on-site technicians that can perform all the necessary fixes, adjustments and configurations in restoring smooth and normal computing operations.

Advantages of online computer troubleshooting

Online computer services basically cater to a wider range of client base. They make necessary computer repairs and tweaks accessible regardless of your location. Using their website, they can easily organize and file relevant information considering your computer operating problems. When needed, the on-site computer troubleshooting provided by these services eliminates the hassles of packing and carrying the bulk your computer cables and hardware to their shop. This sure saves time, money, and gas. In addition, since you are provided with a professional computer technician, his expertise can help protect your computer and prevent future operating problems. Aside from providing the services you require, they raise your confidence that your computers will become more reliable and efficient and deliver better performance.

With the professional services provided by online computer troubleshooting technicians, you enjoy the benefits or having convenient, faster, cheaper, and more practical computer repair solutions that can bring your computer back to its top working condition in no time.

If you're connected to the Internet (especially with an "always on" connection such as cable or DSL), you're at risk for intrusion from hackers or with infection from a virus or spyware. This can happen without your knowledge. You can be browsing, logging on and off various web sites, etc., and be compromised. However, you can protect yourself from this type of intrusion by following a few simple steps.

Using Routers and Firewalls

If you don't already have one, you should get yourself a router. This is important even if you only use one computer. This is a type of hardware firewall, which is the best kind. It will protect any personal information you have stored on your computer and will keep it safe. It will also protect you computer from being infected with various viruses.

Because hackers try to gain access to your computer by doing what's called "port scanning," a router can completely block the scans or at least slow a hacker's progress down. Most hackers want to work fast and won't waste a lot of time trying to get around a single router. Instead, they'll move on to someone else who doesn't have a computer that's well protected and that can be hacked.

You can also use a software firewall. Oftentimes, your operating system will already have one included. One good example of this is Windows' firewall. Others include Norton, McAfee, or ZoneAlarm. All of today's software firewalls have several packages to choose from.

In order to protect yourself from unwanted intrusion, spyware, viruses or hacking, you'll need the following components:

- An antivirus protection program

- A spyware scanner and removal program

- An automated virus scanner and removal program

- A firewall

Antivirus protection program

An antivirus protection program will scan your computer for viruses and then will quarantine them or will delete them if it can. It will give you the choice, oftentimes, as to whether or not to delete or quarantine. There are many good antivirus program is available. You can also buy complete packages. Many ISPs also provide their own antivirus programs, so make sure that your ISP does not offer one before you purchase one.

Once an antivirus program is downloaded and installed, it will run in the background to make sure that your computer is always protected. Most antivirus programs will update hourly to daily. You can set them so that they will update automatically and therefore keep your computer protected with new definitions all the time. Again, this is especially important if your computer is "always online," as with DSL or cable connection versus dial-up. If set up correctly, your computer will have maximum protection from new virus intrusions.

Being armed with the proper virus protection is the best thing you can do for your computer to keep it running smoothly and to avoid unwanted intrusion.

Spyware scanning and removal program

Spyware can be installed on your computer without your knowing it whenever you download something for "free" from a web site, for example. At its most innocuous, it's meant to keep track of your browsing habits online; however, more malicious spyware can even give hackers the opportunity to access personal information such as credit card numbers, for example. Regardless, spyware is something that really doesn't belong on your computer. Even if it's "innocuous," it can eat up system resources and slow down your browsing significantly. Simply put, it should be removed.

To do this, there are many spyware programs available, for free. Again, Windows has its own spyware component called "Windows Defender," that does quite a good job of protecting your computer from spyware, including its installation. Other programs, such as Lavasoft Adaware, have both a paid version and a free version. Adaware does not protect your computer from new spyware, but will remove spyware once on your computer for free.

An automated virus scanner and removal program

In most cases, the virus scanner and removal program will be included with your antivirus software. Because your computer has the antivirus software running in the background all the time, your computer is protected from new viruses as often as it's updated. Therefore, frequent updates will help ensure that your computer is not infected with new virus definitions. However, if a virus does happen to make it onto your computer, you'll need a regular virus scan (usually daily to weekly) to make sure any viruses that have gotten on to your computer are removed.

As part of your antivirus software (generally), when you run the virus scan, the program will opt to either automatically quarantine or remove any viruses it finds or will ask you what you would like to do with them, depending on the options you set. In most cases, it's probably best to go with the default choice the program gives you. Most of these programs tell you to let the program choose what to do with the viruses it finds.

A firewall

A firewall is your first line of defense against anyone hacking into your computer. There are many software versions available if you don't want to use a router, and some are free to download, although most of these also have paid versions with more features. One of these which is highly recommended is ZoneAlarm. If you are not a commercial user, you can get it for free by visiting the Zonealarm site.

This software lets you set individual Internet access capabilities for individual programs, allows for automatic program configuration, and puts your computer into stealth mode, which makes your computer invisible to anyone else on the Internet. It also blocks intrusion to anyone trying to hack into your system automatically. A paid version also includes virus protection with ZoneAlarm if you choose.

I've been helping people with computers for a long time now - about twelve years as a professional, and for years before that, I was the "computer genius" (their words, not mine) everybody came to when they got stuck.

I've been paying attention to all those people over the years, and I've noticed something; for most people, the biggest problem they have with computers is actually very simple, and it's something they have total control over - their mental attitude.

I consider myself really lucky because I was born at a unique time. I'm just old enough to not only remember the first home computers, but also remember clearly what it was like before anyone had one in their home.

I think I was around ten years old when I first sat down in front of a computer. The first thing I thought was how cool it was, and how much fun I was going to have using it.

I dove right in and played around with it, just seeing what I could do.

Back then, I only had a couple of friends with computers (it was still rare in the 80s) - they must have gotten really tired of the way I hogged their computer for hours at a time, every time I came over!

Finally, a few years later, my parents bought me my own computer, and I taught myself how to use it.

Now it's really common with people, even just a few years older than me, to think that they'll never be any good at computers because they didn't grow up with them.

Even people my age feel that way a lot, since I happened to be lucky enough to go to a junior high school that had two computers (which was a lot at the time!), and was lucky enough to have a couple of friends who owned them too. So I got exposed to them earlier than a lot of people my age.

But think about it: was I born with some natural skill at computers?

No. Of course not.

I didn't know a thing about them back then. And you know what? I made a lot of mistakes when I first learned to use them!

But I learned from those mistakes.

I've thought about this a lot over the years, and really, I think the biggest single advantage I ever had, was that I was able to really imagine all the ways I could have fun using the computer - and because I was just playing around with it, because I was enjoying the process of learning, it made it easy.

I bet there's something in your life you really enjoy a lot. Could be football, basketball, or some other sport; it could be restoring vintage cars, cooking, or collecting stamps. It could be any of a hundred other things - the number of things people are passionate about is just as many as there are people.

But chances are, there's at least one thing in your life that you get really excited about, and really enjoy. And whatever it is, I bet you know a lot about it, and probably could talk about it for hours.

And I bet you never thought learning about this was something hard or intimidating. And in fact, you probably think it's pretty easy, and fun!

Just imagine for a minute what it'd be like to feel the same way about using a computer.

I know some of you reading this are thinking "yeah, right." But understand, I'm not asking you if you could suddenly find the computer easy. I'm just asking you to just imagine what it'd be like if computers were fun and easy for you.

Just pretend.

Because one of the most important things you can learn, that will really help you master your computer, is not memorizing technical jargon like what the difference is between memory and a hard drive (although if you don't know this, you can find a plain English explanation in the articles section of my web site) or anything else like that.

One of the biggest things you can do to help yourself get better at computers is to simply change the way you feel about them.

And that can be just as easy as using your imagination, and pretending you already find them easy, and that they're fun to use.

Because when you can learn to experience even just a little of what you feel when you're enjoying your favorite hobby, you'll be surprised how much easier it is to skyrocket your success with computers.

There are many fancy add-ons for computers, but the basic components of the computer are simple and universal. If 1 of these main components is missing, it's not a computer.

The 4 essentials of every computer system are: a motherboard, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, and a hard drive. These components are installed in a case to which are attached a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. That's your basic computer.

Mother WHAT?

The motherboard ("mobo" for short) is the foundation. Everything attaches to the mobo -- the CPU, memory, hard drive, monitor, mouse, keyboard, add-on cards, even additional peripherals like printers, scanners, and speakers. The motherboard is like the nervous system and skeleton of the human body -- it provides support for the internal components and also passes information between the computer parts.

CPU

If the motherboard is the nervous system, then the CPU is the brain. Most of the mathematical manipulations that make computers operate are done by the CPU. Other components may also have their own processors, but their results still have to be passed through the CPU.

The speed of the computer is usually measured by the speed of the CPU. Even though other factors also affect overall speed, the CPU rating is generally seen as the single most important measure of performance.

Modern CPUs are usually rated between 2.0 GHz and 3.0 GHz, although each passing month will see increasing performance. This measurement refer to the number of calculations the processor can make in 1 second. The higher the number, the faster (better) the computer.

CPUs generate a lot of heat doing this work, so they need a heat sink and fan to keep them from overheating. Heat is a major enemy of the computer and directly affects its life span.

Computer Memory

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the part of the computer that stores information the computer needs while it is operating. It is Random Access because the computer can get the data in any order, not necessarily the order in which it is stored. Generally speaking, the more RAM the better. 512 to 1024 megabytes is common for memory.

The most common type of RAM these days is DDR-SDRAM, which stands for double-data-rate synchronous dynamic random access memory. We already know what the RAM part means. DDR means that the data is accessed twice as fast as ordinary RAM.

The latest type of RAM is DDR2. It offers even faster access rates and is quickly becoming the standard for computer memory.

Hard Drive

All the data contained in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off, so there has to be a place to store it permanently. This is what the hard disk is for.

It holds the computer's operating system. An operating system like Windows uses around 4 gigabytes of hard drive space. The extra space is used to install computer programs and to store your personal data.

80 gigabyte hard drives are common, but 400 GB units are available. Furthermore, you can install more than 1 in a computer case for added security and convenience.

Peripherals

All you need to complete the basic computer system is a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Accessories like a printer or scanner are useful for office work, and gamers will probably want to add speakers and joystick controls.

So there you have it. The basic computer needs just 7 major components. For the best performance, these components must integrate well. The motherboard is the most important component for determining the type and specification of the other parts. Choosing an appropriate mobo for your computer needs is the first step and may require a quick call to your local geek.

Soon YOU will be considered the local geek!

E-Commerce as the word suggests means doing business on the internet or on-line. The scope of business may involve:
o selling hard goods on-line such as a phone, computer or shoes

o Electronic goods such as e-books, mp3 music, software, graphics or pictures

o selling ideas or services

To sell the goods the merchant has to have a website or a virtual store on the internet for him to sell the goods on line. A prospective customer finds that site, buys goods on it, pays owner using a credit card or via other mode. Merchant receives payment and deliver the goods and supports the customer. Practically, that's e-commerce in its simplest sense.

In between those e-commerce transaction a lot technology are involve to complete the sale. For instance, the merchant has to design and build a website developed using a complex programming language called HTML. Merchant has to register a domain name to identity his business on the internet. All information and products from his on-line store or business are encoded and stored on the merchant's computer server or hosted by a third-party web hosting company. In order for the customer to find the merchant's site, he needs a computer that is in turn connected to a system popularly known as the internet, for him to be able to visit the merchant's site.

The Personal Computer in relation to E-Commerce

A PC or Personal Computer is a computing device or tool built around a microprocessor. It has lots of different parts -- memory, a hard disk, a modem, etc...That work together. It is also called general purpose equipment. General purpose means that you can do many different things with a computer. You can use it to type documents, send e-mail, browse the Web and play games.

On each own, the computer can be used to expedite the processing and storing of information such as word processing. It can also be made to transmit and receive information from other computers. These computers can talk and exchange information from each other through a common computer language or protocol. The PC is the most valuable and core-technology needed to drive E-Commerce and Internet Business.

Computer Network in relation to E-Commerce

Two or several computers can be physically linked and made to communicate with other computers with in a local network (LAN). The term use to describe this interconnection is called networking. Networking of computers can be made using either a wired (cable) or wireless (radio) type of connection. Usually, networking or the linking of computers is subject to the range or distance limitation because the signal and quality of communication will degrade as distance increases. Computer Networking is applied for most on-line internet business for an efficient and productive E-Commerce business.

The Internet in relation to E-Commerce

The internet is a system that connects computer networks. The system of internet enables the interconnection of computers all over the world. It allows your computer to get stored information from other computers far away.

The protocol (TCP/IP) or language when computer communicate in a network is similar to the one used on the internet. That is why computers around the world understand each other despite different maker and place of manufacture.

Lots of computers all over the world are stored with lots and lots of information. The internet system hooked them together. If you have access to the Internet, you can read, hear and view all this information from your own computer. The Internet is all the reason behind the existence of E-Commerce and without internet connectivity virtual on-line business will totally cease to exist.

Telecommunication in relation to E-Commerce

A different type of technology is needed to transmit information from one computer to another over long distances. Telecommunication companies come into the picture to service the requirement of connecting one computer network to another computer network using different kinds of transmission technology.
Telecommunication is a broad term as it also covers not only data communication such as the internet but includes voice telephony as well.

Telecommunication companies are driving internet businesses to achieve internet connectivity. Without them one could never put their business on-line as only telecom companies are able to link networks over very vast geographical distances.

Connectivity in relation to E-Commerce

Connectivity is a broader term than networking. Networking refers to the physical (wired) or virtual (wireless) connection between computers. Connectivity refers to the state of being connected. For instance, a computer can be sync to a phone, music player and other devices. Internet access or the state of being connected to the internet information super-highway is a classic example of connectivity.
Internet Connectivity is important both in urban and rural-remote regions of the world.

Some regions are suffering from lack of telecommunication infrastructure thus internet access service is very limited. In order to achieve internet connectivity, remote villages either use satellite link, wireless radio systems and long-range phone extenders. Some communities have established telecentres which serve as a communication hub and outside link to the rest of the world. All forms of connectivity including internet connectivity are helping push the envelope of internet business as a whole.

So you've read about e-commerce overview and its supporting technologies. Try to imagine and picture out how e-commerce is being practice and how important are those technologies to making it possible.

In today's age, building computers on yourself is often chosen as the safest and choicest option by a sizeable part of the market for computers. There are various advantages and disadvantages for doing so.

When personal computers first entered the mass market, building a computer was an arduous and risky task. Getting the right computer parts was also difficult and without a guarantee. Putting the whole thing together was a risk because of the newness of the product as well as the absence of expert knowledge. But over the years, the market has understood the process of computer assembly and the heavy savings involved in making your own computer (you basically save on the branded company's professional service charge for putting the computer together for you).

Customers are able to find everything needed to build a computer on the Internet. If you want to assemble the whole system at one go, you can get a barebone computer system and keep adding on later. Using quality but cheap computer parts is the key trick behind assembling computers.

There are thousands of cheap computer parts on the web today. A quick check list of the main components you need to build your computer is -

o CPUs (Processors)

o Hard Drives

o Graphics Card

o Monitors

o CD / CD-RW / DVD ROMs

o Mouse and Keyboards (other Input Devices)

o Batteries

o Cables & Adapters

o Communications and Connectivity tools

o Cooling Products

o Computer Bags & Cases

o Firewire Products

Accessories

o Digital Cameras

o Flash Memory

o Gaming Hardware

o Ink & Toner

o Cellular Accessories

o Cleaning Kits & Supplies

o Notebook Accessories

o Headsets

o Media Storage

You can find any of almost all of these computer parts in Internet individually. Cheap computer parts are easy to find and pay for securely over Internet. There are also many sites and services that help you build these types of computers on a professional basis and get you started. These sites help you step-by-step through the process of building a good quality computer using cheap and high quality computer parts - often with illustrated instruction guides to show you how to put your new computer together.

Building your own high-quality but cheap computer with computer parts that are genuine and cheap are often considered a safe bet.