30
2009
Does your notebook seem slower than molasses these days? Do you often find yourself coming to the point of heartache and even yelling a few choice words at your machine? If so, then the simple steps listed in this article are for you.
Does your notebook seem slower than molasses these days? Do you often find yourself coming to the point of heartache and even yelling a few choice words at your machine? If so, then the simple steps listed in this article are for you.
28
2009
I was watching a little football the other day when Mrs. Stupidman informed me she wanted a laptop for Christmas. I asked her if she had any credit card capacity left and she, rather sharply I thought, advised me that she wanted me to give it to her as a gift and no, her purchase and my wrapping did not constitute a gift.
She further informed me she would not write it on a little piece of paper and cram it into the large, overflowing pickle jar sitting atop the refrigerator labeled “honey dew”. (That was a pretty good idea three years ago but I think the concept has run its course.)
I told her I didn’t have that kind of money and I thought we would just exchange cards like we did last year.
Then she hit me with www.yourfreelaptop.con (oops, a Freudian slip). This is a vertical referral program with 77 “levels” (they call it a ladder). A person joins for $29 and after 77 more people join, the original person rejoins for another $29 and gets a laptop computer.
I told her it was a scam and most of the entrants would never see a laptop. (Greased Lightning and I had reviewed the program almost a month ago when a friend, now former friend, recommended it.) We argued for a while over the value of the reentry and it became very clear this was the “hook” that was convincing some trustworthy netpreneurs to promote it.
Let’s say I started it and 77 people joined after me. Those 77 people each need 77 more people minus me (as I rejoined and received a computer) or a total of 5,928. Those 5,928 members each need 77 minus my 77 recruits (who reentered and received their computers) for a new total of 456,379. Finally, the 456,379 each need 77 members minus the 5,928 happy laptop recipients for a data base busting total of 35,135,255 members.
You can take this example one more step and approach the population of the world but I’m already impressed. Thirtyfive million members, that’s like one eighth of the total population of the United States. That’s like administering the Social Security program. At $29 a pop it’s more than a billion dollars and enables 6006 people (1 + 77 + 5,928) to purchase laptops for $58 each. Heck of a deal.
This “ladder” won’t last long but it won’t need to. The people who thought this up will be rich and I’ll lose a few more “friends” for publicizing this. Worse yet, Mrs. Stupidman still wants a laptop but the only way she’ll get it is if I sell more books. (I thought about putting the link in here but it detracts from the message.)
For the record, the people I’ve seen promoting it are honest, decent folk and truly believe they are providing a wonderful benefit for their subscribers.
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The Internet Adventures Of Stupidman You can’t angrily demand a refund if you don’t buy it first. http://www.stupidmanok.com/sales.htm (no L)
Stupidman’s Occasional Newsletter I’ll tell you secrets and try to keep you amused http://www.stupidmanok.com/or.html
Copyright 2002 Stupidman LLC If you want to copy,publish or post this article, go ahead (less work for me). Unless you find some egregious spelling errors don’t rewrite this for me. If you republish let me know where and when as I still get a charge seeing my stuff printed by somebody else.
mailto:stupidmansfz@yahoo.com
Author of many serious articles that are generally misinterpretted as being funny plus the ebook The Internet Adventures Of Stupidman. www.stupidmanok.com/sales.htm (no L)
27
2009
On the go with your laptop
Your on the road and dont have a wireless connection. How do you get connected to the internet? If youre like me, I was always looking for a hotel with internet access. Sure I could use my internet service providers numbers if they had a local number, if not I was out of luck. If you use a broadband, DSL, or cable hookup, as soon as you leave your home or office you are a duck without water. So now you ask me Now that you have my interest what is the solution?
What is go-tollfreeisp? Started in May of this year, it already has some of the largest corporations using it. With a 99.9% availability/reliability, pay as you go, no long term contracts, online reporting and account management, and 24×7 toll free support. The concept is simple, buy minutes like a calling card then using a toll free number you access the internet. When you use up your minutes just recharge it.
What does it cost?
4 cents a minute from anywhere in the US48, but it gets even better. There are 5800+ access numbers in the US and in over 100 countries! By using one of their local access numbers you pay only 1 cent a minute! You could save up to 90% by using this service.
There are no connection fees, no fee per employee. You can have 1 to 100 users on one account (if you need more let me know).
The start plan costs $4.79 a year. Thats right a year (you have a year to use up the minutes. If you recharge your account then youll have a year from the recharge date to use up your minutes).
Why pay long distance charges if you live in an area that has no internet service provider (ISP)? (Example: most phone companies in rural areas charge 7 cents / min x 60 minutes = $4.20 hour. Plus pay for an ISP. While go-tollfreeisp charges 4 cents / min times 60 minutes = $2.40 hour.
Or you do not use the internet more than 20 hours a month. (Example: 1 cent / min x 60 minutes = 60 cents x 20 hours, that would = $12.00 month. Compare that to $23.95 a month for you know who! (And they are raising their rate soon!)
For more information visit, http://go-tollfreeisp.us today.
About the author: Douglas Bacca is a telecommunication consultant helping residential and businesses save money on their long distance. He can be reached at http://comm2001.com
Copyright 2003 By Douglas Bacca and Comm2001.com all rights reserved. You may reprint this article as long as you use it completely without any changes.
About the author: Douglas Bacca is a telecommunication consultant helping residential and businesses save money on their long distance. He can be reached at http://comm2001.com
26
2009
1)Power supply: As desktops can be plugged in an outlet in the wall (AC Power) so can laptops with an AC adapter. But how a laptop is different from a desktop is that it is portable because batteries can also power laptops. The batteries are rechargeable; lithium, nickel-cadmium, or nickel-metal hydride.
2)Display: Also like desktops, laptops have some type of LCD display screen. Modern Laptops have 800 x 600 pixel resolution. This gives it a very clear screen and anything less should be avoided.
3)Input Devices: On a desktop computer you usually use a mouse and keyboard to enter data and navigate. With laptops keyboards are built in but since they are portable so they don’t have a mouse. Instead they have one of three input devices in place of the mouse. A trackball, rotating the ball allows you to move the cursor. A trackpoint allows you to push your finger over the point to move the cursor. Lastly, a laptop may have a touchpad that you move your finger across to move the cursor.
4)Docking Connections: Many laptops come with a docking connection to make it more comfortable to use at a desk. You just plug your laptop in and use it as a desktop. The docking station comes with many peripheral devices: full size computer monitor, full size keyboard and mouse, disk drives and printer.
Thanks for reading
Bonnie Archer
A successful author and publisher of http://www.A1-computers.net. A great source of information about computers and computer accessories.
http://www.A1-computers.net/laptops.html
http://www.A1-computers.net/desktoppc.html
Check out our Blog!
http://a1-computers.blogspot.com
26
2009
Desktops are from Chrysler(tm), Laptops from Refrigadare(tm)? By Chancer Reese, Copyright 2003
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So why would I compare a car manufacturer to an appliance maker? And what the heck does any of that have to do with your computer?
When people ask me to either upgrade or repair their laptop, I usually tell them to take it to an authorized dealer, wait 6 to 8 weeks and be prepared to take out a second mortgage. I’m just kidding, but only a little bit.
Of course you can replace parts in a laptop like you can any other PC, but the point I’m trying to make is that desktops and laptops are fundamentally different.
Ok, smarty-pants, we both know that laptops were designed to be ultimate, portable computing tool for road warriors, students and other mobile users. And desktops, on the other hand were made to be the stay-at-home workhorses.
The point I’m trying to make is that desktop computers (either a true “desktop” model or a floor-base “tower”) are designed like cars and can be easily modified and upgraded with common after-market parts. This is called “open-source” since any hardware producer using standard sizes and configurations can sell their components and be assured that it will fit inside any industry standard computer.
Laptops are designed to be more like a household appliance than an automobile. Sure you can upgrade a laptop but all the parts are habitually proprietary or custom made for that laptop manufacturer to fit inside that specific model. With the exception of the memory or RAM and the hard drive (which is still smaller than a typical desktop hard disk) often the only other “standardized” items are the connector ports on the back and sides for phone jacks, mice or printers.
Everything else, from the keyboard, pointer device and screen plus all that other nifty internal stuff is designed to either be smaller or lighter weight than the norm. Also laptops use “molded” high impact plastic cases that don’t contain any easy, user-friendly screws or clips.
Like a television set or a refrigerator, laptop manufacturers don’t really want you monkeying around inside their units. What you buy is pretty much what you get. Don’t like your laptop’s case color? Buy a new laptop! Is the screen too small? Buy a new laptop! Keyboard too clunky and you can’t type comfortably? Buy a new laptop! Hate that tiny, little red pointer “dot” or can’t get the hang of a glide point? Buy a new laptop!
Laptop replacement parts for the average Joe are expensive, hard to come by and tough to work with. Trust me on this. Imagine lots of itty-bitty screws and tiny plastic parts and that’s just opening the case. Since you are not an authorized dealer you will spend hours online tracking down spec sheets, part numbers and used/new laptop components. The word “labor-intensive” is not applied lightly.
You get the picture. All those things could be easily modified or changed on a regular old desktop with a quick trip to your local electronic superstore. And I won’t go in the short battery-life, slow processing speed and overheating issues some laptops have, the article is just too short for that.
Anyway, the TechDiva recommend’s..
Unless you have to have one for work or study I would say why spend the cash? For the same amount of moo-la it would take to get an average laptop, you could have a superior new desktop or two older “legacy” machines (you know the ones, just one or two years old). But if you just like working on a computer while sitting in bed, or sitting in the living room, why buy it?
Part of the DIY mindset is learning to conserve your money for those important technology functions which push your business to greater productivity (i.e. profits), not just get a cool new toy or gadget to impress your pals.
Chancer Reese has been computer technician and trainer for over ten years. She also has attained five certificates in various technology fields. Ms. Reese specializes in assisting small businesses in effectively utilizing and managing their computer systems. She can be contacted via her website
http://www.technoweasel.com
25
2009
Have Laptop Will Travel
Have Laptop Will Travel
With a home-based business and a map
The world is an enormous place; a playground on an epic scale filled with exotic cultures, creatures, and serene landscapes. For most of us however, the greater world is a separate place, disconnected from the smaller one we occupy. During the workweek our scope of existence barely extends past the perpendicular lines of the office or workplace. Whats worse is that our destinies are not in our control. In essence, our current function in life is to make a handful of rich men richer.
24
2009
Have you noticed that laptop computers are beginning to dictate what happens in the classroom? Additionally, mobile technology is changing where learning takes place. This is especially true as laptops are entering the educational arena in ever increasing numbers.
Yet not all educators are quick to jump on the notebook bandwagon. They are waiting to see if laptop use is truly changing learning for the better. Thats why schools such as Framingham State College in Boston and the Myron B. Thompson Academy in Honolulu are being scrutinized. Both schools have elected to use laptop computers as a major resource in their curriculum.
It must be noted that simply having laptop computer access does not change the learning process - the entire curriculum must change and merge technology with academics. Using a laptop is more than replacing paper and pencil with electronics. The entire relationship between the teacher and students must change. Teachers are no longer merely dispensers of knowledge but become facilitators in a learning process that takes place with additional tools for communication with students. This encourages greater student involvement, long recognized as a key to learning.
Professors actively engaged in education via technology see laptops as a way to give real life experiences to otherwise insipid theories. For instance, physics students can witness the breakdown of radioactive materials, math students can apply their knowledge of logic to projects that use spreadsheets, and english majors can evaluate peers poetry and prose. With laptop availability in the classroom, access to additional information and knowledge is readily available.
So what do students think of the laptop trend? Well most find it invigorating. Rather than dealing with one dimensional lectures, teachers can engage the internet to show relevancy to daily life. Out of date, static texts can be set aside for breaking news stories - and so much more.
As schools show the link between laptops and learning effectiveness, the trend for laptop use will certainly grow.
For those opposed to the technological revolution taking place in today’s classrooms, perhaps the words of Maria Montessori should be heeded.
“…..If education is always to be conceived along the same antiquated lines of a mere transmission of knowledge, there is little to be hoped from it in the bettering of man’s future…..”
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About The Author Tom Fox Laptopical is a web site offering relevant news commentary on laptops, notebooks and mobile computers.
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Jan
24 2009 Most business people who travel these days have a laptop in tow. Since the workflow doesnt stop when the need to travel arises, these are necessities that connect them to the rest of the world and allow them to take care of whatever business comes up during the time that theyre away. That being the case, there are certain guidelines that should be followed in order to ensure the safety and protection of your laptop when you get called away from the office. One of the first considerations that should be made is in regard to the laptops security. Since thieves will target these as often as they will cash, jewelry or other valuables, its critical to put as many security measures into place as possible when traveling through airports, bus terminals, train stations and any other form of public travel. Of course, its never wise to leave your laptop unattended. Its a sad testament to the way of the world, but you can be fairly certain that when you return, your equipment will be gone. When packing for your trip, place the laptop in a case thats different and less obvious from its standard carrying case, and make sure that its checked in as carry-on luggage. This will not only ensure that it doesnt get stolen, but will be in the pressurized part of the plane, rather than the baggage compartment, which doesnt have pressure or climate controls that are needed to ensure the integrity of the laptop. If youre planning to take a nap while youre en route via public transportation, be sure to secure the laptop before going to sleep. Some people go so far as to cuff the unit to their wrist, but there are other measures that you can take, which include placing it in its case and putting it between your feet or between yourself and the wall if youre sitting by a window. In the event that anything should actually happen to violate the integrity of the laptop or if it should be stolen, despite your precautions its to be expected that youll have backed up all critical information onto disks before beginning your travels. When you arrive at the hotel, speak with the front desk clerk to be sure that their phone jacks are compatible with your unit. If they happen to use a digital phone system which differs in voltage from that of a standard phone jack, your modem will most likely be damaged when you try to plug it in and dial-up to get an outside connection. The best approach is to call ahead and check on these accommodations before making the trip, so that youll know what to expect and not be left with any nasty surprises. In addition to the laptop itself, its always a good idea to bring an extension cord and extra batteries. Even though you may plan to use electricity, you should also include a back-up plan, and batteries may only give you a few hours worth of power at a time before needing to be recharged or changed. When possible, cut down on the use of those things which need large amounts of energy, such as CD-ROMs, and reduce the number of auto-saves on your machine. By using your common sense and taking simple precautions, as well as including some back-up cords and batteries, you should be able to travel safely and simply with your laptop without a lot of hoopla.
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