You could be the hero if you know something that will help bring this girl back to her family.
Tell everyone you know to watch this video. Hope for the best. Our hearts go out to her and her family.
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Can Technology Help Rescue Madeleine McCann?
Because I think we should all do out part to help others when possible, I would like you to take a moment to watch this video.
You could be the hero if you know something that will help bring this girl back to her family.
Tell everyone you know to watch this video. Hope for the best. Our hearts go out to her and her family.
You could be the hero if you know something that will help bring this girl back to her family.
Tell everyone you know to watch this video. Hope for the best. Our hearts go out to her and her family.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Social Impact of Internet and Computer Technology
I have done research on the social impact of internet and computer technology. I found that many people have not tackled this topic as a whole. Most people have looked at small pieces of technology, and how their innovation has impacted specific human behaviors, however they fail to address the bigger picture.
Socially, internet and computer technology is what the viewer or user makes of it. As with any tool this technology can have positive and negative affects on a person's life. It can be used to help someone get close to people just as much as it can be used to help push themselves away from human interaction. In life, it is one choice among many. I hope to show people that they are making that choice, in hopes that they will review it, and make the choice that brings them closer to their goals.
If you understand the preceding paragraph, the rest of my article is my explanation. If you are still reading, you are probably curious as to how I substantiate my claims above.
My website and my previous posts will undoubtedly show that I am a technophile, commonly referred to as a geek. I use computers on a daily basis. There are many people who would say that computers are causing people to be anti-social and forgo interaction with the "outside world." They would be right about that fact. We live in an age where it is very easy to not leave the comfort and security of ones own home. For the serious recluse groceries can be ordered online and delivered to their kitchen or door step. Most bills can be paid online, and many people can work from home online. For a reclusive person, it is now easier than ever to comfortably avoid society, however I would like to stress that its a choice.
The people who say the internet and computer technology isolates people from the rest of the society are not taking into account the fact that people have and make a personal choice. Just as some people use the internet to avoid society, internet can also be used to interact with society. I would be willing to bet that it has caused more social interaction, rather than less. For every person who chooses not to leave their house, there are probably a hundred who have reached out, posting a video on YouTube or joining a social network. Innovations, on the internet and with computers, are used to further communication and increase social connections.
I am an excellent example of my point. Growing up, all I knew was a small, art based beach town in California. I knew a small group of people and had only a few friends. It was not until I got on the internet that I really started to meet people from all over the world. I now have friends in Australia, the UK, Canada, Brazil, and many other places. I may never be able to meet my friends face to face, but because of the internet, I now share stories, pictures, and fun with them.
I am an avid gamer and I have played with people all over the world. I have even used the internet to find a group locally that I could LAN party with. I have also used the internet to share my experiences & opinions with my readers. As I have said before, the internet and computer technology has a different value for every single user.
I have always liked the bell curve. It allows me to stay positive. The link between a bell curve and a positive outlook may not be immediately clear. I look at everything as a bell curve following a simplified version of the Central Limit Theorem called the Three-sigma rule (also called empirical rule). This rule simply states that in normal distribution, nearly all values lie within three standard deviations of the mean (average). I am using Positive people Negative people, and Neutral as my deviations to illustrate the type of people in the world using the internet.
I believe that .2% of the people in the world will use the internet for something absolutely, abhorrently negative, or to isolate themselves. Another 4.2% are also not really up to any good, so in all that makes 4.4% that are probably negative. I do not see is as a truly terrible thing, because a bitter taste will foster a greater appreciation of the sweet. 27.2% of people are out there doing the absolute opposite. These people are being super-positive, writing blogs, searching for "the truth," doing research, founding organizations, helping others. So this, leaves 68.2% of people just being normal. Between the amazingly positive and the normal, 95.4% of people use the internet as a tool to connect to others, make new friendships, buy and sell goods, and generally help the world function. This means that 95.4% or more of the people are not doing something negative. If you have been doing the math you will notice that .2% is missing. This is because there are .2% of people that are fringe users who's activities cannot be generalized or easily identified.
Basically I believe that out of every hundred people on the internet, ninety five people and 1 child, are not doing something negative. That leaves four people and one midget are doing something negative. Of course someone somewhere is still making up their mind what they are going to do. Overall thats a pretty good use of the technology.
The social nature of the internet and computer technologies stand them apart from other technology. This technology arose from the need to share information in a bidirectional manner. Where TV and radio, to a large extent, are used almost entirely to push information out, the internet is a give and take of information. The internet allows the easy cross reference and validation of most information.
It has been proven that humans are naturally social creatures, and statistics show this. It took radio thirty-eight years to reach fifty million listeners. It took television thirteen years, and cable only took ten. It only took the internet five years to reach fifty million users.
It is said that the active users on Facebook doubles every six months. Networking sites, dating sites, Chat Rooms, and YouTube have made it increasingly easy to socialize and meet many new people, people that we might never have had the chance to meet. However this does come with drawbacks. For instance, the more such technology proliferates, the less pivacy people seem to have. Colleges and employers are beginning to look up future students and employees on the internet to help determine their moral character. Think of that next time you post a drunken frat party photo, or an off color joke. Remember you are the sum total of your actions. The more of these actions that end up online, the world gets a better picture of just who you are.
So how do you use the internet?
Socially, internet and computer technology is what the viewer or user makes of it. As with any tool this technology can have positive and negative affects on a person's life. It can be used to help someone get close to people just as much as it can be used to help push themselves away from human interaction. In life, it is one choice among many. I hope to show people that they are making that choice, in hopes that they will review it, and make the choice that brings them closer to their goals.
If you understand the preceding paragraph, the rest of my article is my explanation. If you are still reading, you are probably curious as to how I substantiate my claims above.
My website and my previous posts will undoubtedly show that I am a technophile, commonly referred to as a geek. I use computers on a daily basis. There are many people who would say that computers are causing people to be anti-social and forgo interaction with the "outside world." They would be right about that fact. We live in an age where it is very easy to not leave the comfort and security of ones own home. For the serious recluse groceries can be ordered online and delivered to their kitchen or door step. Most bills can be paid online, and many people can work from home online. For a reclusive person, it is now easier than ever to comfortably avoid society, however I would like to stress that its a choice.
The people who say the internet and computer technology isolates people from the rest of the society are not taking into account the fact that people have and make a personal choice. Just as some people use the internet to avoid society, internet can also be used to interact with society. I would be willing to bet that it has caused more social interaction, rather than less. For every person who chooses not to leave their house, there are probably a hundred who have reached out, posting a video on YouTube or joining a social network. Innovations, on the internet and with computers, are used to further communication and increase social connections.
I am an excellent example of my point. Growing up, all I knew was a small, art based beach town in California. I knew a small group of people and had only a few friends. It was not until I got on the internet that I really started to meet people from all over the world. I now have friends in Australia, the UK, Canada, Brazil, and many other places. I may never be able to meet my friends face to face, but because of the internet, I now share stories, pictures, and fun with them.
I am an avid gamer and I have played with people all over the world. I have even used the internet to find a group locally that I could LAN party with. I have also used the internet to share my experiences & opinions with my readers. As I have said before, the internet and computer technology has a different value for every single user.
I have always liked the bell curve. It allows me to stay positive. The link between a bell curve and a positive outlook may not be immediately clear. I look at everything as a bell curve following a simplified version of the Central Limit Theorem called the Three-sigma rule (also called empirical rule). This rule simply states that in normal distribution, nearly all values lie within three standard deviations of the mean (average). I am using Positive people Negative people, and Neutral as my deviations to illustrate the type of people in the world using the internet.
Basically I believe that out of every hundred people on the internet, ninety five people and 1 child, are not doing something negative. That leaves four people and one midget are doing something negative. Of course someone somewhere is still making up their mind what they are going to do. Overall thats a pretty good use of the technology.
The social nature of the internet and computer technologies stand them apart from other technology. This technology arose from the need to share information in a bidirectional manner. Where TV and radio, to a large extent, are used almost entirely to push information out, the internet is a give and take of information. The internet allows the easy cross reference and validation of most information.
It has been proven that humans are naturally social creatures, and statistics show this. It took radio thirty-eight years to reach fifty million listeners. It took television thirteen years, and cable only took ten. It only took the internet five years to reach fifty million users.
It is said that the active users on Facebook doubles every six months. Networking sites, dating sites, Chat Rooms, and YouTube have made it increasingly easy to socialize and meet many new people, people that we might never have had the chance to meet. However this does come with drawbacks. For instance, the more such technology proliferates, the less pivacy people seem to have. Colleges and employers are beginning to look up future students and employees on the internet to help determine their moral character. Think of that next time you post a drunken frat party photo, or an off color joke. Remember you are the sum total of your actions. The more of these actions that end up online, the world gets a better picture of just who you are.
So how do you use the internet?
Monday, September 7, 2009
My Thoughts Cell Phone Technology
When looking at cell phone technology nowdays, its really easy to get lost in the 2g,3g, Wifi, Bluetooth, Touchscreen, Multi touch, 3MP, 5MP, WM6, Android, Symbian.
With all the different options and prices ranges, what do you need, and what do you want.
If I could have my dream cell phone, here are some of the features that I would like. Surprisingly this is not terribly far off.
If you are a cell phone manufacturer, contact me.
With all the different options and prices ranges, what do you need, and what do you want.
I am a computer tech / g33k, so my needs and wants probably will vary from the vast majority of you, however this is how I see it. The features I for in my phone are the one that I use, and will allow me to push my phone to its limit. I like to get the most bang per buck out of my devices, and my phones aren't any different.
First of all there on two operating systems I prefer on cell phones. Android and Symbian. The reason I like these systems, are that they both allow for a lot of customization, and have a good base of programs to choose from. I believe that they both empower the user more than most the other mobile phone Operating Systems out on the market.
They do each have their Pro's and Cons. This is how they break down for me.
Android
Pro
Con
Symbian
Pro
Con
First of all there on two operating systems I prefer on cell phones. Android and Symbian. The reason I like these systems, are that they both allow for a lot of customization, and have a good base of programs to choose from. I believe that they both empower the user more than most the other mobile phone Operating Systems out on the market.
They do each have their Pro's and Cons. This is how they break down for me.
Android
Pro
- Open Source
- Flexible
- Free
- Lots of free programs
- Great potential
- Always improving
- Great community
- Support for many different kinds of hardware
- Easy to mod
- Based on Linux
- Extremely Customizeable
Con
- Not always stable
- Still being optimized
- Memory Hungry
Symbian
Pro
- Open
- Inexpensive (soon to be free)
- Lots of free programs
- Reached most of it's potential
- Supported largely by Nokia
Con
- Different versions (causing program writing/compatibiliy issues)
- A hassle to update.
- Tricky to Mod
- Memory Hungry
If I could have my dream cell phone, here are some of the features that I would like. Surprisingly this is not terribly far off.
- Zii Plaszma Platform preferred or Nvidia chipset
- Android OS
- Multi Touchscreen with hardware keyboard
- 1Gb+ high speed memory built in for RAM
- 1Gb high speed memory built in for programs and OS
- 6GB for storage
- hot swapable micro sd slot.
- Wifi
- Ability to broadcast audio to adjustable FM station.
- Bluetooth
- 3g+ ?
- Montion sensor As many axis as possible
- Compass
- Ambiant light detector
- GPS
- 5MP Camera with decent flash
- Ir illumination for night video recording.
- 1080p recording
- 1080p Projector or mini HDMI out (most likely led powered)
- Of Course it would be waterproof and shockproof!
- (emergency inflateable life boat/beacon/Parachute/Zip-grappling line and barb included, flamethrower optional)
As crazy as some of those requests are, I based almost all of these requests on prototype and production devices, and technology that exists right now. I don't know of any device yet that has combined these all together in one glorious machine. If you could have the dream cell phone, is there anything that you would want that I didn't mention ?
If you are a cell phone manufacturer, contact me.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
G1 Quick Thoughts
Been using my G1 for a while, and here is how everything breaks down.
I have been switching between many different ROM's.
Currently this if my phone setup:
I like:
I dislike:
Programs I use Daily
~Sound Off ~
I have been switching between many different ROM's.
Currently this if my phone setup:
- CyanogenMod - 4.0.2 Build CRC1 (Click here for List of G1 ROMs)
- 8gb Class 6 microSDHC
- 6732MB fat32 | 4443MB Free (Browser/Maps/GMAIL/ETC Cache moved to SD)
- 941 MB ext3 (over 50 Programs installed.)
- 32 MB linux-swap
- 72 MB free internal
- Seidio Innocell 2600mAh Extended Battery
- Zagg Invisible Shield
I like:
- How configurable it is being open source
- The free programs easily accessable on the Android Marketplace
- The touchscreen
- The hardware and software keyboard
- The Wifi
- The bluetooth
- The Google integration
- The Compass and Accelerametor
- The GPS
I dislike:
- Stock Battery time
- Lack of flash for camera
- That you have to Root your phone or have a Dev phone to do the really cool stuff.
Programs I use Daily
- Advanced Task Manager
- Stumble Video
- StreamFurious.
- dxTop (replacement home screen)
- OverclockWidget (for Dev/Rooted phones)
- Meebo IM easly connect to meebo and talk on all major chat platforms.. AIM, Yahoo, MSN, etc..
- SMS Backup (emails your SMS's to your Gmail account)
- Fusion Voicemail+
- Gmote
- My Coupons
- PicSay
- android-vnc-viewer
- Dilbertdroid
- Toggle Settings
- DroidSans
- etc.
For more Cool Tech information check out the sites below.
http://www.CoolTeckSpot.com~Sound Off ~
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Technology Buying Guide
The holidays is one of the times technology really shines. What does he mean your asking yourself. Well with technology you can order presents with out having to leave your house and suffer the terrible traffic that comes with the season. Also with the internet, you can comparison shop, get the scoop on items via reviews, and do everything in your power to get the best deal so you can give more bang for your buck.
Also be careful when giving technical gifts, because its really easy to get the wrong part, and then have to get the part exchanged in the after holiday bustle. Also many hight tech items can be tricky to exchange/return. If the person your are getting the gift for has a wishlist on Newegg.com you might want to ask for it. A surefire way to get a great gift is to ask about any wishlists the recipient might have. If they are like me they have lots of things on their wishlist and you can get the one that fits your budget, and you know he will really like with out spoiling the surprise.
Here are some of the current standards for technology.
Some of the most common gifts:
Mp3 players DVD players Computer/Computer Accessories/Software Digital Cameras
Gadgets
MP3 Players
So lets start with Mp3 players, there is allot to pay attention to here. While most mp3 players will get the job done, the important things to look into are the different features. Built in Equalizers, total space on the model, and if you run out of space can you expand it, or is the size fixed; all are important to consider.
Minimum Recommended settings:
Size: 1GB
Interface: USB (for putting your music onto it)
Music Formats: mp3
LCD: Normal
Recommended settings:
Size: 1GB
Interface: USB (for putting your music onto it)
Music Formats: mp3, wma, ogg
Equalizer: At least three different settings.
LCD: Backlit
DVD Players
Moving on to DVD players. It's as easy anymore to buy DVD players as it used to be. Some key things to remember to look for are: Does it just play DVD's, and is it compatible with recipients TV. There is a lot more to DVD players than meets the eye. However my advice is that if it's for anything bigger than about 30" you might want to think of a different gift. The reason behind this is because not all DVD players are equal, and the differences really show up the bigger and higher definition the screen has. Most DVD players use 10-bit video digital-to-analog-converters (DAC) and video processing chips that runs at 27 MHz. While some of the more expensive reference models boast a 14-bit DAC and 108 MHz video processing, many good DVD players use 24-bit audio DAC, operating at 96 kHz sampling rate (that's 96,000 times per second). The 24-bit/96kHz DAC ensures that the maximum audio resolution from the DVD's soundtrack has been extracted and reproduced on your speakers. For a more in depth DVD player buying guide feel free to go to Click Here the same place that I have gotten a lot of my information on the subject. If you don't feel like diving into the technology specs, I will outline some things your should look for.
Key Questions
Does it support high definitions?
Does it support DVDs burned by a computer?
Does it support Divx and other formats?
I recommend getting a portable DVD player instead of getting a regular DVD player. Keeping the same things in mind however, also looking for the following features, you can't go wrong. Can it play off Batteries or A/C; does the A/C adapter come with it? More importantly, check to see if it has a video out option (preferably RCA or Component). I have also found getting a player that can play Divx files is helpful, allowing you to play DVD's with hours of Divx video files on them. The video out option is very helpful when you are in hotels. This allows you (or the recipient) to use the DVD player with a TV. Also most DVD players that support the Divx format have stronger components insides to deal with the data, and give better quality picture.
For a top of the line player, I have researched and came up with two models:
Panasonic DVD-LS80 8.5" Price Range: $187.99 - $199.99 Has all my recommended options but only has a 12bit Video DAC
Toshiba SDP1900 Portable 9" Price Range: $151.99 - $234.99 Has a stronger 14bit Video DAC, however no RCA video out only optical.
Computers/Accessories
There are many things you can get for someone with a computer. Like the DVD player however, it is a highly technical area. If they have a wish list, use it. If they are like me however, most of the wish list items are very expensive. Buying a computer for the holidays is a very nice move, however I recommend you find someone who can help you decide just what you need and how you can get the most bang for your buck. Because there are so many things that go into buying a computer, I will save that for another time. If you do need help you may contact me, but be ready to answer lots of questions.
Accessories on the other hand aren't as hard to buy without knowing everything about the persons computer. External Hard Drives/Flash Drives, Uninterrupted Power Supplies, Surge Protectors are some of the cheaper items and are good stocking stuffers.
External Hard Drives/Flash Drives
There are a lot of options. Small flash drives for ultra portability, the Portable 2.5" HDD's, and 3.5" HDD's that require a power supply. Each of these have their own advantages and disadvantages. Once you make your choice on the size and portability that you need, then below is a guide to a few sizes that you might want to consider. Last of all, remember to read reviews on the products you buy. It can save you a lot of anguish and wasted time.
Super small flash/HDDs
Minimum 4 Gb
Recommended 16 Gb
Portable 2.5" HDD
Minimum 80 Gb
Recommended >100 Gb
Portable 3.5 HDD (usually requiring an external power supply)
Minimum 500 Gb
Recommended >750 Gb
Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS)
For more in-detail information feel free to Click Here
I have found that there are allot of solutions out there here are my Recommendations.
Minimum 500 VA rating
Recommended 600-700 VA as much as you can get with your budget however much more than 800 is probably overkill.
An LCD screen and usb connectivity are also a big plus (I wouldn't buy one without an LCD because it gives you vital information about its status.)
Surge Protectors
As with many of the other items, there is too much information for me to explain so if you want more information than I have space to give you may Click here. To cut to the chase there are different ratings in surge protectors that indicate what they are capable of protecting against. Here are my recommendations in each area.
There should be some LEDs showing the status of the surge protector don't buy any surge protector that doesn't have a led showing that you are protected most reputable companies also will cover any surge damage to things plugged into their protector should their product fail. More importantly here are the important components and ratings to look for.
UL 1449 Suppressed Voltage rating (Clamping Voltage)
Minimum 400V
Recommended 330V
Stages of Protection/Surge Current Rating
Minimum 2 stages Recommended 3 stages
Clamping Response Time.
Minimum Nanosecond (billionths of a second)
Recommended Picosecond (trillionths of a second)
Incoming Lines Protected
Minimum 2 lines (Hot to Neutral, Hot to Ground)
Recommended
3 lines (Hot to Neutral, Hot to Ground, Neutral to Ground)
Digital Cameras
With digital photography technology moving so fast, the value is absolutely amazing when it comes to digital cameras. Make sure you do your homework though, because digital cameras have a lot of features. Its easy to be overwhelmed when at the store. Also make sure to test the camera or read the consumer or professional reviews on it. Sometimes a camera may have more megapixels, however, the quality of the picture is lacking. Also don't forget to test the speed and response of the camera. (How quickly does it take the shot or navigate through menu's?) Make sure that the camera is comfortable and that you would be able to learn most of its features in one day of shooting. Many good cameras are not 100% user friendly however but give you much better control and quality. This is a trade off that you have to judge for yourself. Some general digital camera guidelines are:
Megapixels
Minimum 4MP
Recommended as many as you can afford however remember this may mean that you have to get bigger flash cards to hold the pictures
LCD
Bright Enough to see in broad daylight
Media Format (what the pictures are stored on) Really personal preference however it is smart to get a format that you can transfer pictures to your computer or printer without using the camera if you need to.
Recommended Secure Digital or Compact Flash (I personally try to stay away from proprietary formats)
Gadgets
This is one of my favorite categories, and are often a very useful gifts.(Not to mention usually easy on the wallet). Some of my favorite gadgets are for the g33k (geek) in your life.
LED Binary Watch
LED Dot Matrix Display Watch
Staple Free Stapler
Mandylion Password Manager
Touchless IR Thermometer
Dynaflex Powerball Gyroscope
Mathmos Thaw
Outdoor LCD Window Thermometer
Titanium Spork
MicroJet Lighter Torch
T1 Loopback and Crossover Adapters
Static Electricity Eliminator
click here to buy any of those gadget or others.
I know you may not understand all the terms here when you go shopping for some of these items. A good look at the label should point you in the right direction. I hope that this guide was helpful for you. Whether buying for the holidays or just buying for yourself, tech gifts are great gifts to get. Like any other purchase however, "let the buyer beware." Do your homework and reap the rewards of well thought out gifts. (Especially if they were for yourself.)
Also be careful when giving technical gifts, because its really easy to get the wrong part, and then have to get the part exchanged in the after holiday bustle. Also many hight tech items can be tricky to exchange/return. If the person your are getting the gift for has a wishlist on Newegg.com you might want to ask for it. A surefire way to get a great gift is to ask about any wishlists the recipient might have. If they are like me they have lots of things on their wishlist and you can get the one that fits your budget, and you know he will really like with out spoiling the surprise.
Here are some of the current standards for technology.
Some of the most common gifts:
Mp3 players DVD players Computer/Computer Accessories/Software Digital Cameras
Gadgets
MP3 Players
So lets start with Mp3 players, there is allot to pay attention to here. While most mp3 players will get the job done, the important things to look into are the different features. Built in Equalizers, total space on the model, and if you run out of space can you expand it, or is the size fixed; all are important to consider.
Minimum Recommended settings:
Size: 1GB
Interface: USB (for putting your music onto it)
Music Formats: mp3
LCD: Normal
Recommended settings:
Size: 1GB
Interface: USB (for putting your music onto it)
Music Formats: mp3, wma, ogg
Equalizer: At least three different settings.
LCD: Backlit
DVD Players
Moving on to DVD players. It's as easy anymore to buy DVD players as it used to be. Some key things to remember to look for are: Does it just play DVD's, and is it compatible with recipients TV. There is a lot more to DVD players than meets the eye. However my advice is that if it's for anything bigger than about 30" you might want to think of a different gift. The reason behind this is because not all DVD players are equal, and the differences really show up the bigger and higher definition the screen has. Most DVD players use 10-bit video digital-to-analog-converters (DAC) and video processing chips that runs at 27 MHz. While some of the more expensive reference models boast a 14-bit DAC and 108 MHz video processing, many good DVD players use 24-bit audio DAC, operating at 96 kHz sampling rate (that's 96,000 times per second). The 24-bit/96kHz DAC ensures that the maximum audio resolution from the DVD's soundtrack has been extracted and reproduced on your speakers. For a more in depth DVD player buying guide feel free to go to Click Here the same place that I have gotten a lot of my information on the subject. If you don't feel like diving into the technology specs, I will outline some things your should look for.
Key Questions
Does it support high definitions?
Does it support DVDs burned by a computer?
Does it support Divx and other formats?
I recommend getting a portable DVD player instead of getting a regular DVD player. Keeping the same things in mind however, also looking for the following features, you can't go wrong. Can it play off Batteries or A/C; does the A/C adapter come with it? More importantly, check to see if it has a video out option (preferably RCA or Component). I have also found getting a player that can play Divx files is helpful, allowing you to play DVD's with hours of Divx video files on them. The video out option is very helpful when you are in hotels. This allows you (or the recipient) to use the DVD player with a TV. Also most DVD players that support the Divx format have stronger components insides to deal with the data, and give better quality picture.
For a top of the line player, I have researched and came up with two models:
Panasonic DVD-LS80 8.5" Price Range: $187.99 - $199.99 Has all my recommended options but only has a 12bit Video DAC
Toshiba SDP1900 Portable 9" Price Range: $151.99 - $234.99 Has a stronger 14bit Video DAC, however no RCA video out only optical.
Computers/Accessories
There are many things you can get for someone with a computer. Like the DVD player however, it is a highly technical area. If they have a wish list, use it. If they are like me however, most of the wish list items are very expensive. Buying a computer for the holidays is a very nice move, however I recommend you find someone who can help you decide just what you need and how you can get the most bang for your buck. Because there are so many things that go into buying a computer, I will save that for another time. If you do need help you may contact me, but be ready to answer lots of questions.
Accessories on the other hand aren't as hard to buy without knowing everything about the persons computer. External Hard Drives/Flash Drives, Uninterrupted Power Supplies, Surge Protectors are some of the cheaper items and are good stocking stuffers.
External Hard Drives/Flash Drives
There are a lot of options. Small flash drives for ultra portability, the Portable 2.5" HDD's, and 3.5" HDD's that require a power supply. Each of these have their own advantages and disadvantages. Once you make your choice on the size and portability that you need, then below is a guide to a few sizes that you might want to consider. Last of all, remember to read reviews on the products you buy. It can save you a lot of anguish and wasted time.
Super small flash/HDDs
Minimum 4 Gb
Recommended 16 Gb
Portable 2.5" HDD
Minimum 80 Gb
Recommended >100 Gb
Portable 3.5 HDD (usually requiring an external power supply)
Minimum 500 Gb
Recommended >750 Gb
Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS)
For more in-detail information feel free to Click Here
I have found that there are allot of solutions out there here are my Recommendations.
Minimum 500 VA rating
Recommended 600-700 VA as much as you can get with your budget however much more than 800 is probably overkill.
An LCD screen and usb connectivity are also a big plus (I wouldn't buy one without an LCD because it gives you vital information about its status.)
Surge Protectors
As with many of the other items, there is too much information for me to explain so if you want more information than I have space to give you may Click here. To cut to the chase there are different ratings in surge protectors that indicate what they are capable of protecting against. Here are my recommendations in each area.
There should be some LEDs showing the status of the surge protector don't buy any surge protector that doesn't have a led showing that you are protected most reputable companies also will cover any surge damage to things plugged into their protector should their product fail. More importantly here are the important components and ratings to look for.
UL 1449 Suppressed Voltage rating (Clamping Voltage)
Minimum 400V
Recommended 330V
Stages of Protection/Surge Current Rating
Minimum 2 stages Recommended 3 stages
Clamping Response Time.
Minimum Nanosecond (billionths of a second)
Recommended Picosecond (trillionths of a second)
Incoming Lines Protected
Minimum 2 lines (Hot to Neutral, Hot to Ground)
Recommended
3 lines (Hot to Neutral, Hot to Ground, Neutral to Ground)
Digital Cameras
With digital photography technology moving so fast, the value is absolutely amazing when it comes to digital cameras. Make sure you do your homework though, because digital cameras have a lot of features. Its easy to be overwhelmed when at the store. Also make sure to test the camera or read the consumer or professional reviews on it. Sometimes a camera may have more megapixels, however, the quality of the picture is lacking. Also don't forget to test the speed and response of the camera. (How quickly does it take the shot or navigate through menu's?) Make sure that the camera is comfortable and that you would be able to learn most of its features in one day of shooting. Many good cameras are not 100% user friendly however but give you much better control and quality. This is a trade off that you have to judge for yourself. Some general digital camera guidelines are:
Megapixels
Minimum 4MP
Recommended as many as you can afford however remember this may mean that you have to get bigger flash cards to hold the pictures
LCD
Bright Enough to see in broad daylight
Media Format (what the pictures are stored on) Really personal preference however it is smart to get a format that you can transfer pictures to your computer or printer without using the camera if you need to.
Recommended Secure Digital or Compact Flash (I personally try to stay away from proprietary formats)
Gadgets
This is one of my favorite categories, and are often a very useful gifts.(Not to mention usually easy on the wallet). Some of my favorite gadgets are for the g33k (geek) in your life.
LED Binary Watch LED Dot Matrix Display WatchStaple Free Stapler Mandylion Password Manager Touchless IR Thermometer Dynaflex Powerball Gyroscope Mathmos Thaw Outdoor LCD Window Thermometer Titanium Spork MicroJet Lighter Torch T1 Loopback and Crossover Adapters Static Electricity Eliminatorclick here to buy any of those gadget or others.
I know you may not understand all the terms here when you go shopping for some of these items. A good look at the label should point you in the right direction. I hope that this guide was helpful for you. Whether buying for the holidays or just buying for yourself, tech gifts are great gifts to get. Like any other purchase however, "let the buyer beware." Do your homework and reap the rewards of well thought out gifts. (Especially if they were for yourself.)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
AMD Quadcore
So the AMD quadcores have released, to many people's dismay they won't outperform the Intel Quads in raw numbers, however they do have a more elegant design, and time has show that better designed products go farther. I am looking forward to see where these new Quad cores take us.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
AMD Opteron Quadcore.
Well its been a while in coming however AMD has finally released a quadcore that answers back to Intel. It will be interesting to see this rivalry unfold because as of right now, AMD is the only one that has a true quad core Processor on the market. As of the writing of this article all the other solutions are not native. You ask what is the difference between native and not native, well its a bit technical to explain but imagine 4 people (people equate to cores) working on a common goal. In native solution, each of the four people (cores) can communicate with each other and dynamically process data giving their results straight to the system, while a non native solution, there are two groups of two people (cores) that are able to share the work load however each group can only talk to the other group by using a middle man (north bridge), to help them. creating a bottleneck at the middleman (north bridge). A native solution while technically more difficult to develop, is the more elegant solution, and in the long run you will probably see that the elegant design will become the blueprints and inspiration for moving forward and improving the technology. A native solution also makes upgrading easier, since many times you don't even have to change the form factor of the motherboard. For those of you who I may have lost with that last comment, Many times moving to new technology requires a total overhaul of your system, however with AMD's quad cores, all you have to upgrade is the CPU. Kinda like being able to only put a new engine in your car. For more information on the only true quad cores out there right now click here
I personally can't wait till the technology hits the normal end user market (the average person), the amount of power these Cpu's will add to Desktop systems will be amazing. Giving the average person increased power to edit video's make music and do many things that generally would require a strong machine. Do you have anything to add to this post? Go ahead leave a comment, you know you want to. Have a great day.
I personally can't wait till the technology hits the normal end user market (the average person), the amount of power these Cpu's will add to Desktop systems will be amazing. Giving the average person increased power to edit video's make music and do many things that generally would require a strong machine. Do you have anything to add to this post? Go ahead leave a comment, you know you want to. Have a great day.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Cool Beta's
Well I have been sitting on a beta called Joost for a little here. I wanted to fully experience it before I wrote a blog on it. You may be asking what Joost is. Well Joost is a program that allows you to basically have TV on demand. It is well put together, and seems to have the backing of many big names. My experience of Joost is very positive, and I am sure that many of you will like it also. Although it doesn't yet boast the newest content like ongoing news or other day to day shows, it does have a plethora of shows and movies to choose from with more being added everyday. Another cool feature of Joost are the widgets that can stream news let you talk to your friends and even keep you apprised of the weather. The resolution for most shows is quite good, and unlike many competitors, it streams to you so you don't have to download everything you wanna watch and then watch it wasting time and hard drive space. The ads are now worse than on tv, and actually better than TV ads in most cases being much shorter. As with any on demand content worth its salt, you can pause, or skip to the next show, or skip back a show.
If you would like to try it I believe it is still by invite only, however if you want an invite contact me and I will arrange it. Have a Great day. Ciao.
If you would like to try it I believe it is still by invite only, however if you want an invite contact me and I will arrange it. Have a Great day. Ciao.
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