I have mentioned through this blog that people love cheap. I have noticed that society likes quality and speed of computers to a point. When a low price tag is thrown in front of them, they don't care what the thing is they will just take it. If someone through a bag of dirt in their cart, they don't care they will ask how much is it.
I have noticed this since I work in this type of business. On black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving) many people lined up at the doors waiting for those craptastic deals on computers. While outside I noticed this. The first person in line wanted the computers I was selling, she already had tickets for three other computers, so now she had five tickets total for these computers.
I do understand these computers that were door busters are supposed to be cheap, but they are not the computers that will meet their needs. The computers are near the bottom of the totem pole. Some computers have the base operating system which would be Vista Home Basic. I totally recommend Vista Home Premium at least. This system will run better. With Home Basic these will be equipped with 512MB of RAM, which is just enough for this OS to operate but not well. The Home Premium computers will have 1024MB or 1GB of RAM which will again be just enough. The processor will also make the difference on how the computer will perform.
Yet, people don't ask questions on that day, they don't care they just see that sticker price and run with it. (On to the next store they say). So when the recipients receive the gift under that Christmas tree, they will have to take grandma's gift card back to the store to have it beefed up or the computer changed out to meet their needs.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
OS Part 2
I am sure you all have read my post on OS's. Well I forgot, yes I know you can't believe it, to mention MAC OS. The latest and greatest is Leopard my Macintosh. Which Mac always name their new OS's with animal names. Why they do this I have no clue. Well not all their OS's had this kind of name. They started with the Mac OS X (10) which was first called a Tiger or something. From what Wikipeida stated they picked big cats names for their OS. Why this is so I guess it is because there for a long while Apple (Mac) wasn't doing so well. Microsoft had a huge lead in the OS war, if you want to call it that. I would suspect that they picked these big names because they wanted to make the consumers think of Mac revamping the OS and that it was a new reason why to change from it's old OS or from anything running Windows.
With seeing both systems run, I think that Microsoft might have something to look out for......MAC. This is because the new windows has so many compatibility issues. I mention again that I work in the business and see so many people wanting the operating system of yesteryear to be loaded on their pc's yes I am talking about Windows XP. From my last post you understand why. Mac on the other hand doesn't have as many problems, only if you try to run old Mac OS 9 programs on the new Leopard. This is fine because can many of the old programs or games that ran on Windows 3.1 or 95 run even on XP....Nope. People don't want to change if they don't have to. (Case in point I learned Visual Basic then moved to Java programing I don't like it. This is because I was used to VB.) But when a new OS hits the market they expect it to work with their current software.
With seeing both systems run, I think that Microsoft might have something to look out for......MAC. This is because the new windows has so many compatibility issues. I mention again that I work in the business and see so many people wanting the operating system of yesteryear to be loaded on their pc's yes I am talking about Windows XP. From my last post you understand why. Mac on the other hand doesn't have as many problems, only if you try to run old Mac OS 9 programs on the new Leopard. This is fine because can many of the old programs or games that ran on Windows 3.1 or 95 run even on XP....Nope. People don't want to change if they don't have to. (Case in point I learned Visual Basic then moved to Java programing I don't like it. This is because I was used to VB.) But when a new OS hits the market they expect it to work with their current software.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Processors
Have you wondered what actually does the most work inside that box we call a computer? Ah yes the microprocessor or as we call it now just the processor. Without going into a lot of nerd talk, the processor commutates a lot of algorithms so we as the users don't have to. (Thank the Lord Above)
The processors that are out on the market now are far from the ones of yesteryear. When the operating system Windows XP was still in use, computers didn't need the processing speed as they do now. When this OS was in use consumers usually saw only a single processor that ran at 1.8GHZ, gigahertz. Now don't get me wrong that was fast at the time. (Heck I remember when I was younger that 1o0mhz, megahertz was blazing fast.) This was the era of the Intel Pentium 1 and the Pentium 2 chips.
Now with the OS, Windows Vista, we need just a little more processing speed. With more and more applications at hand we need more power, if you will, to aid us in our daily computing.
Their are many chips that are out there today, I am only going to focus on Intel not AMD. Some Intel chips that are out at this present time are: Pentium Daul Core, Pentium Quad Core, Celeron M, Centrino Dual Core. These processors are very different. Above I mentioned about the single processor at 1.8GHZ, here the dual core processors are just that dual processing. They can process the information twice the single processor speed and is one chip. The Pentium series runs hot and uses more power than a single core and runs fast even if you walk away from the computer. The Pentium Quad Core will run as if it was four processors stuck in one chip. Which in layman's terms it will run two times as fast at a dual core. That is a whopping four times as fast as processors of yesteryear. The Celeron M uses a lot of power and runs almost as slow as the processors of yesteryear. The chip that I recommend is the Centrino Dual Core because in a laptop it uses a lot less power and runs fast, but slows down if you aren't using it.
Wow! I know that sounds like nerd talk, but I hope this helps you all in your computer buying for the next three months. The reason I say three months is because the computers by then will be obsolete aka. a paper weight.
The processors that are out on the market now are far from the ones of yesteryear. When the operating system Windows XP was still in use, computers didn't need the processing speed as they do now. When this OS was in use consumers usually saw only a single processor that ran at 1.8GHZ, gigahertz. Now don't get me wrong that was fast at the time. (Heck I remember when I was younger that 1o0mhz, megahertz was blazing fast.) This was the era of the Intel Pentium 1 and the Pentium 2 chips.
Now with the OS, Windows Vista, we need just a little more processing speed. With more and more applications at hand we need more power, if you will, to aid us in our daily computing.
Their are many chips that are out there today, I am only going to focus on Intel not AMD. Some Intel chips that are out at this present time are: Pentium Daul Core, Pentium Quad Core, Celeron M, Centrino Dual Core. These processors are very different. Above I mentioned about the single processor at 1.8GHZ, here the dual core processors are just that dual processing. They can process the information twice the single processor speed and is one chip. The Pentium series runs hot and uses more power than a single core and runs fast even if you walk away from the computer. The Pentium Quad Core will run as if it was four processors stuck in one chip. Which in layman's terms it will run two times as fast at a dual core. That is a whopping four times as fast as processors of yesteryear. The Celeron M uses a lot of power and runs almost as slow as the processors of yesteryear. The chip that I recommend is the Centrino Dual Core because in a laptop it uses a lot less power and runs fast, but slows down if you aren't using it.
Wow! I know that sounds like nerd talk, but I hope this helps you all in your computer buying for the next three months. The reason I say three months is because the computers by then will be obsolete aka. a paper weight.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Bluetooth or Snaggletooth?
With working in the business I have seen an increase of wireless technology, whether or not being a computer. The question is: Is bluetooth the way to go? Ah yes having the technology at the finger tips is great to have, but is it the way to go?
With the question that is posed, I think bluetooth in the way of computers aren't necessarily they way to go because it has such a short distance from the computer to it's components. Yes it is really cool to have your computer that has bluetooth and another device talk to each other without being tethered to each other with a wire. Some computers already have wireless transmission without the usage of bluetooth (i.e. 802.11 a/b/g/n). Why not use technology that is already out there and improve it?
I guess here I am old school. Here I mean if someone has something try to fix it and enhance it, don't throw it away. Understanding that current society is a through away society I understand it will be hard to change. The bluetooth technology needs to be worked improved so that you can get a further distance and transfer rate.
I am not here to bash bluetooth, but just to let people know it needs to be improved. On the other hand it is really neat to walk up to a random printer in a store or whatever that has bluetooth and send a picture to it from your phone to print. Also, having a bluetooth enabled printer connected to a computer with this technology and print without having a wireless router using the 802.11 protocol.
With the question that is posed, I think bluetooth in the way of computers aren't necessarily they way to go because it has such a short distance from the computer to it's components. Yes it is really cool to have your computer that has bluetooth and another device talk to each other without being tethered to each other with a wire. Some computers already have wireless transmission without the usage of bluetooth (i.e. 802.11 a/b/g/n). Why not use technology that is already out there and improve it?
I guess here I am old school. Here I mean if someone has something try to fix it and enhance it, don't throw it away. Understanding that current society is a through away society I understand it will be hard to change. The bluetooth technology needs to be worked improved so that you can get a further distance and transfer rate.
I am not here to bash bluetooth, but just to let people know it needs to be improved. On the other hand it is really neat to walk up to a random printer in a store or whatever that has bluetooth and send a picture to it from your phone to print. Also, having a bluetooth enabled printer connected to a computer with this technology and print without having a wireless router using the 802.11 protocol.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Operating Systems (OS)
I have seen for the most part of this year, customers aren't liking the new Windows OS. Since I work in the electronic business I have asked why and what they would prefer instead of Windows Vista. Many that have been asked want the OS of yesteryear, Windows XP. The come in looking for a new computer with XP on it, which the only maufature of computers that still offer XP is Dell. The reason the customers don't like Vista is that most of the software that they already use won't work with with the new OS. Also they don't enjoy being asked to death if the operation at hand is ok to run.
My question is why do we have to be a slave to Microsoft? I do understand that being human we like conformity, but why not change to something else. Give us choices, give someone else a chance.
Some my not know that there is more than just Microsoft out there to aid in our computing needs. There is one that programmers love it is called Linux. There are many types of Linux that are out there. Meaning anyone can make different versions of Linux not just one company. What sets Linux apart is that anyone can change the OS for free and give it out for free. Yes you will see Linux on a shelf to buy at many retail stores, but you can find it legally on the Internet for free to download. Each type of Linux is different through it's GUI (pronounced as goo ee). This is it's graphical user interface. The system back behind the GUI has the same structure as all the Linux's do. This system is called open source so that anyone can change it unlike Windows were if you do change anything of the OS you can be fined because of you breaking the user agreements.
The bad part of changing OS's is that one might be read things differently from on OS to the next. Here is the conformity coming into play. If everyone has the same system then we won't have as many problems. Although when we the, at that time, new OS Windows ME came out did everything work? No that OS needed have the bugs worked out. I hated getting the blue screen of death almost every time I booted the new computer up.
The end result is why can't we as Americans have a a choice of what goes on our computers like what goes into out bodies? If we worked at it I bet the one thing US is based on (competition) would let us choose not making deals from company to company making the choice for us the consumers.
My question is why do we have to be a slave to Microsoft? I do understand that being human we like conformity, but why not change to something else. Give us choices, give someone else a chance.
Some my not know that there is more than just Microsoft out there to aid in our computing needs. There is one that programmers love it is called Linux. There are many types of Linux that are out there. Meaning anyone can make different versions of Linux not just one company. What sets Linux apart is that anyone can change the OS for free and give it out for free. Yes you will see Linux on a shelf to buy at many retail stores, but you can find it legally on the Internet for free to download. Each type of Linux is different through it's GUI (pronounced as goo ee). This is it's graphical user interface. The system back behind the GUI has the same structure as all the Linux's do. This system is called open source so that anyone can change it unlike Windows were if you do change anything of the OS you can be fined because of you breaking the user agreements.
The bad part of changing OS's is that one might be read things differently from on OS to the next. Here is the conformity coming into play. If everyone has the same system then we won't have as many problems. Although when we the, at that time, new OS Windows ME came out did everything work? No that OS needed have the bugs worked out. I hated getting the blue screen of death almost every time I booted the new computer up.
The end result is why can't we as Americans have a a choice of what goes on our computers like what goes into out bodies? If we worked at it I bet the one thing US is based on (competition) would let us choose not making deals from company to company making the choice for us the consumers.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
AHHHH MICE!
Some computer users don't realize that a mouse is a very important thing users need. They use them every time they are on the computer. I wonder sometimes if some users remember not having a mouse to navigate on a computer that was around way before the internet became prevalent. (Not to date myself, but I remember playing on an Apple computer in first grade that had a green and black screen with no mouse.)
Now mice have become a necessity for computer use whether on the internet or not. There are a bunch of mice to choose from. They car kind of like high definition tv's in the amount of choices that are out there. Which one is for you, you ask. Well I am here to help you, since I would in the electronics business.
If you have purchased a computer or already have a computer that came with a mouse, but are looking for something that will better suite your needs, then you are in luck. First the mouse that come with the computers are basic in the most part. Basic meaning not many features. That is why you are probably in the market for a new one. The next step is to determine if you would like wireless or a wired mouse. Wired mice are those that were more traditional. The wired is without the tail of the mouse if you will. Once you have nailed down wired or wireless then you can move on. The only question you should ask yourself is do I want to be tethered to a piece of machinery (i.e. a computer) or replace batteries?
I have seen the move towards the wireless mice. Here you can pick the size, shape, sometimes color and how many features you need. Some like the most basic. Most basic include just two buttons and a vertical scroll wheel. Most users are enjoying the features mentioned here, but also like the horizontal scroll wheel and other programable button for games are internet user or whatever, more options. Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 is the mouse that I had tried and loved because of how small and portable it is. Size does matter to some.
Other than features, one thing that the industry has moved away from is the ball mice. Chances are that if you turn over the mouse in you hand right now, you might notice not ball. People love having no ball to loose or clean and the lack on inconsistent pointing on their monitors. With the optical and the laser mice you can now take them off their house (mouse pad) and put them on you leg or on your textbook and still continue to use it. These type of mice offer more precise accuracy.
Now mice have become a necessity for computer use whether on the internet or not. There are a bunch of mice to choose from. They car kind of like high definition tv's in the amount of choices that are out there. Which one is for you, you ask. Well I am here to help you, since I would in the electronics business.
If you have purchased a computer or already have a computer that came with a mouse, but are looking for something that will better suite your needs, then you are in luck. First the mouse that come with the computers are basic in the most part. Basic meaning not many features. That is why you are probably in the market for a new one. The next step is to determine if you would like wireless or a wired mouse. Wired mice are those that were more traditional. The wired is without the tail of the mouse if you will. Once you have nailed down wired or wireless then you can move on. The only question you should ask yourself is do I want to be tethered to a piece of machinery (i.e. a computer) or replace batteries?
I have seen the move towards the wireless mice. Here you can pick the size, shape, sometimes color and how many features you need. Some like the most basic. Most basic include just two buttons and a vertical scroll wheel. Most users are enjoying the features mentioned here, but also like the horizontal scroll wheel and other programable button for games are internet user or whatever, more options. Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 is the mouse that I had tried and loved because of how small and portable it is. Size does matter to some.
Other than features, one thing that the industry has moved away from is the ball mice. Chances are that if you turn over the mouse in you hand right now, you might notice not ball. People love having no ball to loose or clean and the lack on inconsistent pointing on their monitors. With the optical and the laser mice you can now take them off their house (mouse pad) and put them on you leg or on your textbook and still continue to use it. These type of mice offer more precise accuracy.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
How Internal and External HDDs work
HDDs. Already mentioned in a couple of previous posts. The hard drive is one of the most important pieces of a computer that is considered to be main storage for the system. Not many know that there are two types of hard drives.
One hard drive that most know about is the internal one. Internal is harbored inside the computer. This type of HDD will most likely have a operating system contained within it. Operating systems will be covered in another post. Anyway, with the internal HDD many different intangable objects can be stored within it for later use. Storing files such as documents, music, photos, presentations, movies etc. can be stored here. This capability will free you from having to keep ample external disks on hand. Although the HDD can hold huge amount of files, having a back up is not a bad idea. Which external HDDs will come into play.
External HDD are like those of internal HDDs. These can be used as a backup for the internals. The externals are much more portable than those of the internal. Here a computer user can bring his/her HDD to other computers and plug them in like thumb/flash drives. One difference between the internal and external is that the external can't really support a operating system. (Most computers won't recognize the operating system once it is plugged into the usb drive.) The main use for externals are for users to tote around mass amounts of information place to place without having multiple disks i.e. floppy disks.
Now I know many people wonder how do these HDDs work? Well no need to fear this nerd is here! What really happens on the inside of these HDDs are many different plates that spin fast, some from 5,400 RPM to 10,000. This allows for fast access to the information. These plates are magnetic just like 3.5" floppy disks, but look like CDs. In between these plates are read and write heads which do like they say, the read heads read the information that is on the disk and the write heads write information that you want to store onto it. There in a very small nutshell is how a HDD works.
One hard drive that most know about is the internal one. Internal is harbored inside the computer. This type of HDD will most likely have a operating system contained within it. Operating systems will be covered in another post. Anyway, with the internal HDD many different intangable objects can be stored within it for later use. Storing files such as documents, music, photos, presentations, movies etc. can be stored here. This capability will free you from having to keep ample external disks on hand. Although the HDD can hold huge amount of files, having a back up is not a bad idea. Which external HDDs will come into play.
External HDD are like those of internal HDDs. These can be used as a backup for the internals. The externals are much more portable than those of the internal. Here a computer user can bring his/her HDD to other computers and plug them in like thumb/flash drives. One difference between the internal and external is that the external can't really support a operating system. (Most computers won't recognize the operating system once it is plugged into the usb drive.) The main use for externals are for users to tote around mass amounts of information place to place without having multiple disks i.e. floppy disks.
Now I know many people wonder how do these HDDs work? Well no need to fear this nerd is here! What really happens on the inside of these HDDs are many different plates that spin fast, some from 5,400 RPM to 10,000. This allows for fast access to the information. These plates are magnetic just like 3.5" floppy disks, but look like CDs. In between these plates are read and write heads which do like they say, the read heads read the information that is on the disk and the write heads write information that you want to store onto it. There in a very small nutshell is how a HDD works.
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