Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

Software to Open a PDF File – 3 File Openers That Work

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

When opening any type of computer file, you must have a utility that will support it. For instance, if you have a PDF, you must have a utility that supports a PDF. Here are three ways that you can open any files with ease.

The first opener that you can use is Adobe Reader. This is designed just to open any type of PDF that you currently have. If you do not have this software, you can search the internet for Adobe Reader and download it right to your computer.

If you already have Adobe but it is not opening the files, this may mean that the file is corrupt and you need an alternative solution. The easiest way to open these types of formats is with “File Helper”. The program allows you to download the software onto your computer, upload your specified format, and open it within 2 minutes. If you do not have a opener or reader, this is highly recommended.

The last way to open your pdf file is through a different computer. Take your file to friends computer, business computer, or your school and open it there. Once opened, you can save it as a different format so when you go back to your personal PC, you will be able to open your file.

Computer problems are always a struggle and take hours and hours of work before something gets done. Just follow one of these guidelines, and you should be able to open the file that you need with ease.

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Windows 7 vs Vista

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Windows 7 has been released and everyone is curious on what to expect. I had installed it on my laptop and if I compare it – Windows7 vs Vista – I would say… Go for windows 7.

So far I got only positives. Yes, it sounds too good to be true, but I’ve been using it for 3 weeks now and what a pleasure.

For starters if you look at the installation and how smooth that went compared to Vista then it’s absolutely a plus. Installing drivers, printers, scanners and connecting it to domains and installing 3rd party software were done without any trouble.

Then the next thing that had improved is the interaction between Office 2007, printers and Windows7. Office 2007, especially Excel and Outlook manage to go into “NOT RESPONDING” mode in Windows Vista. Printers would hang regularly – that’s if you were lucky to find the drivers. After 3 weeks I’ve never needed to use the Task Manager!

Windows Vista, for some reason was also very power hungry. A normal laptop battery will all of a sudden have only half its standby time. Some Vista users claim that this was because of the Power Settings was wrongly set. Well, I could never get my laptop battery life to be longer.

The final nail in the chest for me was when I saw the time that I take for Windows7 to boot compared to Windows Vista. What Microsoft has changed to make Windows7 to boot so much faster I don’t know but that its one of the biggest bonuses that is for certain.

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Tips to Prolong Laptop Battery Life

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

If you use a laptop computer, you probably know that your battery can fail you. It happens to many laptop batteries, especially when you need to work long hours. Here are some tips for prolonging the battery life of your laptop computer.

If your laptop computer is too hot, it will wear out your battery. Make sure you do not exceed the temperature range for your computer. When your laptop gets too hot, turn it off. Let it cool off for a while before you turn it back on. Another way to cool down your computer is by using cooling devices.

Make sure that you charge the battery completely before you use it. Your battery will last a lot longer that way. If you are planning to get a lot of work done on a certain day, be sure to have your battery fully charged and ready for it. Watching movies can drain out the battery, so keep that in mind. Try to use the AC adapter for certain tasks, and when you can, so that you avoid draining the battery out.

Another way to prolong the battery’s life is by de-fragmenting the computer’s hard disk. Your laptop computer will use less power if you do. It will also speed up the computer, which will allow you to browse the internet more easily, and you will get more work done in a short amount of time.

Another trick to extend the battery life is to avoid running multiple programs at one time. Get rid of the programs that you are not using. Many programs start up automatically when you reboot or turn on your computer, so make sure you disable them. In addition, if you play music or videos while you work, your laptop uses more battery power.

Your computer settings can also affect your battery. You will see a huge improvement with your battery’s life, if you adjust the brightness to a lower setting. Keep the computer as dim as you possibly can.

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Toshiba Satellite T135-S1307 13.3-inch Laptop Review

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Specifications: The Toshiba Satellite T135-S1307 is Toshiba’s entry into the ultra-slim laptop market. This laptop model is not only very stylish, but also comes with a set of competent specs. It has a 1.3Ghz (Intel Pentium SU4100 processor), 3GB of RAM and a large 500GB hard drive; not bad for a 13.3-inch laptop. The 13.3-inch wide-screen is a HD LED back-lit display (1266 x 768 resolution). Other features include Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, 802.11b/g/n wi-fi, 2 USB ports, HDMI output and built-in stereo speakers. The USB ports can be used to charge devices even when the netbook is off or on stand-by mode. This model runs on the new Windows 7 OS (Home Premium).

Features & Performance: The HP G60-530US is the perfect example of a versatile laptop. Considering its specs and design, it would serve as a great desktop replacement desktop and would serve well as a business laptop or a student laptop. The batteries on this laptop can last close to 4 hours of use. Currently, the HP G60-530US is price at around $667 each, a great price for a near 16-inch laptop model!

Design: I know this may be a very personal opinion, but I feel that the Toshiba Satellite T135-S1307 is one of Toshiba’s most stylish laptops yet! It has an extremely slim side profile, measuring just 1.35-inch at its thickest point. It is also very portable, weighing in at just 3.9 pounds. It comes in a variety of colors (namely black, white, etc). The black model is black all over (inside and out) with a glossy external casing. This model just looks really chic!

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How to Secure Your Bluetooth Networks and Devices

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

Bluetooth is a wireless technology which enable devices between short distances to share files. These devices include mobile phones, computers and earphones. This wireless technology provides many advantages such as its ability to transfer files up to 1 megabit per second (the second version can transfer files as fast as 3 megabits per second) and it is also inexpensive making it a viable solution to anyone who needs to transfer files quickly without the need of cables. So how do you keep your network secure? Here are some tips to help you out.

1. Configure your device so that you have to approve any user connection requests. Changing the settings will vary from device to device but most devices with a GUI should have a settings page which will enable you to change the security level of your network.

2. Always turn your Bluetooth network OFF whenever its not in use.

3. If possible, install antivirus or antispyware software on your device to minimize the chances of infection on your device.

4. Know your enemy. How do people access your networks without your consent? Some extreme programs enables the perpetrator to view your files, text messages and even control your phone when they have gained access through bluetooth. Always look around to make sure there is no one suspicious when you are transferring important files through any wireless networks.

5. Ensure a PIN is set up when you are transferring files with another person. Most devices in default mode will ask you to include a PIN when connecting with other bluetooth enabled devices.

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The Life Expectancy of Mobile Apps

Sunday, May 10th, 2009

Much has now been written about mobile applications – and with app stores popping up all the time, developers, content owners and publishers have to digest the numbers. Pinch Media did a nice piece on this – for the iPhone.

Without dissecting the report, there is certainly a truth out there, and this can be said of any industry – apps must be built efficiently in order to generate a return for the investment. That means creating something that can be re-used as much as possible, and creating something that is easily maintained and updated. It also means taking advantage of the best approaches and expertise. We are certainly seeing more and more interest from people looking for a ‘better way’ to build mobile apps. If you are a developer look for a number of resources to help you gain your own momentum in the industry.

There are certainly companies with vast budgets for mobile apps, and these are often high end game developers, but there is an even larger number of developers who need to contain their costs and bring an app to market on as many phones as possible without over spending. Our suggestion of course is Breeze, since it does this without having to learn complex languages. It is great to see companies realize that mobile apps are within their reach, and budgets.

With over 4.1 billion mobile phones out there now, 6 in 10 people now have one. Certainly this is a large market, but you must know how to reach it effectively.

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Getting Going With Cisco Router Simulators

Friday, March 27th, 2009

For anyone who has ever needed to test a new network architecture, implement a new routing protocol or simply study for a Cisco exam has needed access to a real live router or a router simulator. But buying a bunch of routers just test up an idea or for study is expensive. And until recently good fully functional router simulators we just something we could only dream about.

Some company’s, like Boson have router simulators you could buy to help you study for the CCNA but it was extremely limited with limited functionality. There was also some open source software like dynmips and the hypervisor engine that could be used to simulate a router but these applications were really difficult to configure and only support limited models.

Well now there is GNS3 – a multi-platform Graphical Network Simulator. GNS3 builds on dynamips and dynagen to create a nice graphical front end for building complex Cisco networks. I was completely amazed at how easy it was to install and build a new network, configure routers and switches and have a nice simulated network up and running.

GNS3 is a free open source router emulation software application developed in Python and uses the PyQT libraries for creating the UI. It uses standard vector graphics similar to Visio to create the network digrams and layouts. GNS3 uses real Cisco IOS for creating fully function emulated routers and switches.

GNS3 supports many types of interface configurations (pretty much if its in the IOS its supported). Frame Relay, Frame Relays Switches, ATM, Ethernet, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and more.

The only draw back that I can say so far with GNS3 is that you need a pretty hefty machine to simulate a large network. Especially if you are trying to build it on a Windows machine. I havent tried but I have heard that running GNS3 on linux is much more manageable.

Another application that has similar functionality is Cisco’s Packet Tracer. Thought originally designed as a group learning tools for Cisco Academy students, it make for a nice router simulator. And because its build for Cisco Academy, the only place to get it is if your enrolled in Cisco Academy. Another problem with Packet Tracer is it only runs on Windows. It’s a bit more limited than GNS3, as it comes preconfigured with set models of routers and switches. It is very stable and less resource intensive than GNS3 by a long shot and will do the trick when you need to test out a quick config. To find Packet Tracer is pretty easy if you look out on the bit torrents, you should easily be able to find it.

So if your looking for a cool router simulator and have been frustrated thinking they dont exist. Think again! Here are two really cool simulators right here!

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Virtual Private Network

Saturday, March 21st, 2009

The word ‘Technology’ has it’s origins from Greek. Technology is a result of science and engineering. It is the manner adopted by humans to improve their surroundings.

One of the method involved is – making use of tools and machines to carry out tasks efficiently. With time we have observed rapid growth and change in technology like PCS, podcasts, teleconferencing, videoconferencing, electronic teaching centers, etc. One amongst the several technologies is the Virtual Private Network.

A VPN is a private network that uses a public network like the internet to connect remote sites and users. A VPN uses “virtual” connections routed through the internet from the company’s private network to the remote site or employee.

A public network like the internet can help carry VPN traffic based on certain standard protocols. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the VPN customer and the VPN service provider is drawn in order to enable the existence of a service providers private network.

Advantages of a VPN:

* Improved security and productivity

* Simplified network topology

* Reduced operational and transportation costs

* Faster Return on Investment

* Extensive connectivity across the globe

Features:

* Reliable

* Secure

* Scalable

* Network and policy management

Types of VPN:

1. Remote Access VPN

2. Intranet VPN

3. Extranet VPN

1. Remote Access VPN:

Remote access VPN is a user-to-LAN (Local Area Network) connection used by an organization whose employees need to connect to the private network from remote locations.

The remote access VPN helps save on costs over toll free expenditure and is secure (encrypted tunnels across a public network like the internet), scalable

2. Intranet VPN (Interconnecting corporate sites):

The intranet VPN helps in cost saving over dedicated, leased lines. There exist tunneled connections and encryption that enables reliable throughput.

3. Extranet VPN (connecting corporate site(s) to external business partners or suppliers)

Extranet VPN extends WAN (Wide Area Network) to business partners.

VPN Security:

The most important part of a VPN solution is security. A VPN helps putting private data on public networks and this raises concerns about threats to that data and the impact of data loss. A Virtual Private Network must provide security services in area of Authentication.

Authentication ensures that a user or system is who the user claims to be. Security is thus ensured.

Authentication Mechanisms:

* login name, password, PIN (password – specified number of digits followed by 8 bits that constantly changes at regular intervals)

* a computer readable token like a smart card

* fingerprint, retinal or iris pattern

Tunneling:

Tunneling is a very important part of a VPN. Tunneling involves placing a packet within another packet and sending it over a network. The network (like the internet) over which the packet is sent and the *tunnel interface understand the protocol of the outer packet.

Protocols used in Tunneling:

* Carrier protocol – The protocol used by the network that the information is traveling over

* Encapsulating protocol – The protocol (GRE, *IPSec, L2F, PPTP, L2TP) that is wrapped around the original data

* Passenger protocol – The original data (IPX, NetBeui, IP) being carried

Example: A packet that uses a protocol not supported on the internet like NetBeui can be placed inside an IP packet and can be sent safely over the internet.

Considering the current business scenario/trend that involves increased commuting/telecommuting and widely spread global operations, with employees who need to connect to central resources from remote sites in order to communicate with each other, technologies like the VPN prove to be very handy and vital.

*Tunnel Interface: The two points where the packet enters and exits the network.

*IPsec is the security portion of the IP standard that is supported by the Client. IPsec performs packet-by-packet authentication and end-to-end encryption. In addition, IPsec supports the IP within IP encapsulation for network address translation.

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Computer Maintenance – Tips to Keep Your Computer Running at Peak Performance

Friday, March 6th, 2009

We perform routine maintenance on many of the high-tech items we have purchased. But for most people, performing general maintenance on their computer is one of those things that gets pushed way down on the to do list. However, computer maintenance helps to increase system performance and prolongs system life and in most cases can be done automatically.

General maintenance involves caring for our computer’s hardware and software. Here are some tips to creating a good basic maintenance plan.

1. Microsoft Updates Microsoft routinely releases updates to its operating systems (Windows XP, Vista and other Microsoft programs). These updates are available the 2nd Tuesday of each month and can be downloaded and installed either manually or automatically. On most versions of Microsoft’s operating system the user has the option to set the Automatic Update program to download all available updates and install them at a specified time. This is generally the best selection because it insures that all critical updates are installed with minimum user interaction.

2. Virus, Trojan, Spyware and Firewall Protection Viruses, Trojans, worms and other spyware are everywhere on the Internet and by being proactive, using anti-virus software, you can generally eliminate the threat of system compromise caused by system vulnerability. There are many good products available such as Norton Anti Virus, McAfee and Trend Micro and each is capable of providing comprehensive protection. Also, each can be set to automatically update and perform periodic system scans providing real time protection.

3. Disk Defragmenter A disk defragmenter helps you increase system performance and reclaim lost speed by re-arranging files on the computer hard drive in such a manner that the operating system can find them more quickly. Although most versions of Windows come with a free disk defragmenting program there are other utilities available that can perform more advance defragmenting functionality such as Diskeeper, Perfect Disk, etc. The key once again is to set the defragmenter to periodically perform the defragmentation process.

As you can see a regular computer maintenance plan is something we can easily perform. It can result in increased system performance and life.

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Optimize Computer Performance – How to Optimize Computer Performance in All-Around Ways

Monday, January 5th, 2009

Since you’ve used computers for a long period, it is undeniable that the computing power decreases day by day, as the computer is running slower, or a growing number of Rushes accumulate in the computer. If these problems have on your computer, an alarm that you should take certain corrective actions to optimize the performance took place. Well, that’s what I say in this article.

1. Clean and optimize the Registry

When you start Windows, the system needs to read the data in the register and placed temporarily in RAM. Windows spend more time in this area. Register Therefore, it is necessary to clean and optimize. What to do, how you can help use some of the optimizer.

2. Delete files from a dynamic link library excessive.

In Windows operating systems, there are many files dynamic link library in a subdirectory of the system. Among them, some files that are shared by many, some are quite useless. To free up more space and improve the speed of the computer can remove the condition that you are majoring in computer science.

3. Regular maintenance of the system.

If you say too many games and applications with extensive data old and useless, it’s probably your computer is running slower and slower, then restart your computer.

Therefore, you must maintain a device at appropriate intervals to complete. For example, to defragment the hard drive is really a good way to optimize your computer. It is also a need for the disk that you provide to defrag programs systematically. This is a good way for the introduction of Windows accelerate properly.

4. Increase virtual memory

If you have large disk capacity, it is appropriate to set the virtual memory. You can access a disk that is rarely used and then the minimum and maximum limits twice as high as the physical memory. Thus, when virtual memory is the application of the disc, the value should not be changed unstable. Instead, the system can speed up a strong position as virtual memory for the speed of reading and writing.

Moreover, it is better for you not close the values for defragmentation, because virtual memory should be placed without the fragment on a continuous space. Only thus can play a greater role in optimizing performance.

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