US Advanced Technology

The fax technology was invented on 1948, long before cellular phones and emails. Is this old communication technology still alive and kicking? Well, not really. Actually, it is slowly dying. Find out all about the internet fax the new metamorphosis of the old fax technology in the next few minutes.

Till now, you had to own a special machine a fax machine, which was only made to send and receive faxes. Now using internet fax or as some call it email faxing, you need no special device for faxes You can send and receive faxes via your email.

In fact, think of all the things you needed to maintain and pay for to be able to send and receive faxes: A special fax line, paper, ink cartridges etc. Using internet fax, you need nothing but an internet connection.

Another great advantage of using internet fax is its transparency. All your business partners will keep sending you faxes to a fax number. In fact, you can choose a toll free number as your virtual fax number.

The biggest advantage of internet faxing is the ability to manage your time more efficiently. I remember my secretary wandering between her office and the fax machine half a dozen times for a single fax receiving. Not any more, now she receives my faxes through the email service wasting no time. She manages to do more tasks now when running around for faxes have stopped.

More than that, you can check if new faxes have been received from anywhere in the world using the internet fax service. You just have to log on to your web mail service and check for new mails. You will save a lot of precious time by responding a lot faster to any new fax you get. Recently, I have begun reading new faxes using my wireless PDA. I cant believe that a year ago I still used the big fax machine with all its disadvantages.

Every new computer that’s brought home from the store has an operating system installed onto it. But what most new computer users don’t realize, is that without an operating system, that computer would be a simple shell of possibilities. A powered computer lacking an operating system wouldn’t display anything more than a bunch of confusing text messages that describe the computer’s boot process. At the very end of this process, the computer looks for an operating system and if not found, it will prompt the user to tell it where it is.

Earlier computers didn’t have an operating system and if you have experience with the computers of the early eighties, you’ll remember that most to them didn’t even have a hard drive! These old computers booted an MS-DOS type operating system from drivers stored onto a floppy disk, and in order to use a program, users would remove the boot floppy and then insert a new floppy that contained the program. The floppy not only stored the program

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How many times do we just want to drink tea after a heavy meal, but are then bombarded with all the various tea flavours that we get lost. This article answers that need.

What you should always remember is that there are only four types of tea.
1) Black tea
2) Green tea
3) White tea
4) Oolong tea

All these are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis, also known as the tea plant. Other herbal infusions such as chamomile tea, ginger tea or red tea made of rooibos leaves are disqualified as types of tea since the tea plant is not involved in their making. The difference between the four tea variations lies in the process of making them. In addition, each type of tea has another flavor and various health benefits.

1) Black Tea
The strong flavored burnt Sienna colored hot beverage is the most popular type of tea in the West. Either served with a squeeze of lemon or added milk and a cube of sugar, the cup of black tea is part of daily tea ceremonies that take place worldwide. Black tea is made of heavily oxidized Camellia sinensis leaves. When served plain, it contains no calories, carbohydrates, or fats. A cup of black tea contains more caffeine than any other types of tea but less than in any cup of coffee.

2) Green Tea
The lightly oxidized tea has been popular in China, Japan and Korea for centuries. Recently, rumors on its health benefits increased its popularity in the West as well. It has been proven that drinking green tea can lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, increase metabolic rates and be helpful in variety of other conditions and illnesses. The green tea is lightly oxidized, dried, but not fermented. It is usually served plain, without sugar or milk. Since some of the green tea variants taste a bit bitter, it should be brewed in lower temperature than the boiling point.

3) White Tea
White tea is rarer and more expensive than the other types of teas mentioned above. Originated in the Fujian province of china, the white tea is made of young Camellia sinensis leaves, which go through a long process of steaming or frying, inactivate fermenting and drying. Since the leaves are harvested while the buds are still covered by white hair, it is called white tea. White tea has the most delicate, sweet taste than the other types of tea. Moreover, it contains the smallest amount of caffeine and the largest amount of antioxidant that help prevent cancer.

4) Oolong Tea
The traditional Chinese tea is the common companion of Chinese foods such as dim sum and chop suey in American Chinese restaurants. The oolong tea, black dragon in Chinese, got its name after its long, dark distinguished leaves that look like wild black dragons when brewed. The unique taste of the oolong tea is achieved by a long process that includes sun drying of the Camellia sinensis leaves, light oxidization, cooling and drying processes. The result is a lighter flavor than the popular black tea and stronger than the delicate green tea.

Greetings are probably as old as the civilization. People always greet each other whenever they meet or talk. A good morning, hello, how are you, how are things at your end, etc are some of the common ways to begin the conversation. A greeting in everyday life connects us better with another person. One generally does not immediately come to the subject matter without a greeting in almost all meetings.

Printed Cards- As science progressed, people began using printed greeting cards. They are still widely in use. Do you know that some of the first greeting cards were created to convey -Merry Christmas? In todays world, printed card maintains its supremacy, but ecards or egreetings are slowly capturing a bigger space. Convenience of use, ease of selection and less hassle in sending ecards, makes them very popular amongst the younger generation.

How to select ecards? What are the attributes, one should look for in an ecard before sending? Let us begin with Birthdays. This is the day, when we receive many cards and compare who sent which design? So selecting an ecard is important to make a better connection. One cannot simply click on any site, select a ecard at random and send it across.

What should one look for during the selection? The first consideration is our relationship with the recipient and the second is the personality of the recipient. If one for whom we are choosing the card is a serious or sober kind of person, a hilarious card will not make him/her happy. That is sure. If we are not close to the person we are sending the card, our choice should be a subdued design, isnt it?

Always read carefully what the egreeting conveys, what is the message, etc. Think about the person to whom you are sending the ecard. Will he/she feel happy or great reading the message? If you are very close to the recipient, does the message in the greeting convey your closeness or what you feel from the heart? Take these aspects in mind while choosing.

Choosing greeting cards is an art, and one who perfects this art, enjoys better relationships. So enjoy the world of virtual greetings and send the right ecard to the right person.

With different electrical devices produced everyday, the problem of connecting things is becoming more and more complex. The system that comprises the computers and other electronic devices makes use of varieties of connecting wires, cables and the likes. These parts communicate trough light beams, lasers, radio signals and infrared. However, the problem with this devices and technologies is often the connection between each component. Thus, most systems are not used to their full extent due to complexities.

To simplify things, a solution was created to streamline the process of connections- bluetooth.

Bluetooth is wireless and automatic and offers users with varieties of excellent features that has recreated the art of connection. It has revolutionized the standard method of connecting things that virtually anything can be connected on a single system. From computers to mobile phones and from keyboards to headphones by means of wireless, automatic and inexpensive connection.

Other than the bluetooth technology, there are other ways of connecting things. Take for example the infrared or IR. It allows low frequency light waves which the eye can no longer interpret to transmit signals to another component. The technology is easy to create and cost of incorporating the IR device into a system is in barest minimum. Yet it has limited operations that seldom obstructs the process of connection.

Infrared technology is one to one process. Due to this limitation, you may only send signals from one component to another, like the case of the television set and the remote control. The same is true between laptops and desktops. You may only transmit signals between the two but not with another separate system, say a PDA through simultaneous actions.

It also works only on the line of sight principle wherein one has to point the infrared device directly to the host system to achieve a desirable result.

In spite of the fact that these two natures of infrared technology are obstacles to acquiring results, these same qualities have worked in advantage to connection. Because infrared devices need to be lined up directly on opposing locations, too little interference occurs between transmitters and receivers. The one to one principle on the other hand is designed to transmit signals only to the original recipient. Given that there are varieties of infrared recipients in a location, the intended recipient alone will receive the signal coming from a transmitter.

However, technology was not contented with what infrared offers. They resolved these limitations through creating the bluetooth solution.

Bluetooth technology works by transmitting signals via low frequency radio signals. The path of communication is approximately working on 2.45 gigahertz. The same frequency band is utilized in ISM devices.

The design of the technology was such that it has created a new system that does not interfere with the other devices that make use of the same frequency band (e.g. ISM). One way of doing this is the programming of the bluetooth technology to only transmit signals that has 1 milliwatt or less. Beyond this, other systems may be affected. By comparison, cell phones and other mobile devices send signals at a rate of 3 milliwatts and more.

The standard range of the bluetooth is around ten meters. This lessens the possibility that interference between device may occur. With this low transmission, it is still possible for the user to transmit bluetooth signals between obstructing walls.

Bluetooth in many ways have contributed much in connecting individual systems without being bothered by the bulk of the cables and wires.

Understanding Compression
What It Is and What’s Involved

Downloading files from the Internet has always been one of the most popular activities on the Internet – third to sending email and browsing the web. We download files from software libraries, ftp directories, YouTube and Google Video, MP3 sites, and we download files sent to us as email attachments.

Being so popular an activity, it’s imperative that you compress the files destined for another computer. File compression combines a number of different files into one file, and it can also significantly reduce a very large file to a smaller one. As a result, the transmission of a compressed file across the Internet is faster and smoother. This article looks at compressed files a little closer and it describes how to compress and decompress them using two of the most popular archiving programs.

Identifying Compressed Files

Most files are compressed in .zip format (if you’re using Windows) or .sit format (if you’re using a Mac). The two most popular software programs used to compress and decompress files are Winzip and StuffIt respectively. There are other programs that do the same thing and there are even programs that can compress and decompress files for both the Windows and the Mac system. However since Winzip and StuffIt are the most popular, we will assume you will use either one to compress and decompress your own files.

If you download a compressed file from a website or file library that ends in an .exe extension, take note that although the file is compressed, it’s typically a file that will install a program onto a computer. .Zip or .Sit files don’t install software – they merely archive a collection of them into one, or they significantly reduce the size of a larger one.

Decompressing Files

Assuming that you have Winzip or StuffIt installed on your computer, you can access the files archived inside a .zip or .sit file by simply double-clicking the archive (a file ending in a .zip or .sit extension). Double-clicking one of these kinds of files will open up a window that displays the contents of the archive. In most cases, you can double click a file inside this window to use it, or you can select it and drag the file to a folder to view later.

Depending on how you elected to install Winzip or StuffIt, you may be able to right-click a .zip or .sit file and have the program extract its contents into a new folder for you.

Compressing Files

When you want to upload a file or email a collection of files to a friend, it’s best to archive it as a .zip or .sit file first. This will decrease the time it takes for your computer to send it elsewhere, and it will also decrease the time it takes for someone else to download it.

To create your own .zip or .sit file, you can select a single file or a group of files from within Explorer, and right-click the selection. Again, depending on how you installed Winzip or StuffIt, you can click the “Add to Zip” or “Add to Sit” option and have these programs automatically archive the file(s) into one.

Some files compress better than others and in some instances, you may not notice that much of a difference. The files that compress the best are images, documents, and multimedia files. Executable files (files that end in an .exe extension) don’t compress that well, however when they’re archived with a sizable number of other files, they compress rather well. Go figure!

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A Runtime Error is an error that occurs during the execution of a program.
“Runtime Error” is a very generic error message and is usually accompanied by additional information, such as “Runtime Error 6507.”
The opposite of a runtime error is a compile time error. Compile time errors occur as a program is being compiled from source code into executable code.
Runtime errors can occur for an inexhaustable number of reasons. These include bugs in the original program, hardware failure, operator error, and resource exhaustion
To properly troubleshoot a runtime error you will need additional information, such as:
An error number
Where you were in the program with the error occurred
What you did just before the error occurred
What you say just before and just after the error occured
The state of the machine when the error occurred (memory, disk, and cpu usage)

Summer Sizzle Brings Blackouts, Sags and Spikes to Your Computer Systems

Why tempt fate ?

Summer weather can not only zap your newer computer systems but also your vintage computer as well as irrereplaceable vintage computer software as well as the time and energy spent in setup, hardware replacement and running computer systems.

Why does the summer season bring so much trouble brownouts, sags and electric currents spikes?

Summer heat does wonders. Not only does it allow you to acquire a lovely tan but if causes utility grids to be strained beyond their capacity due to the increased use of air conditioners. In such cases power utilities adjust their voltage output, sometimes causing erratic power sags and spikes, which are extremely dangerous for computer hardware as well as software. And you can expect utilities to be more conservative to avoid another outage like that which happened in the hot August summer of 2003.

On Aug 14, 2003 it was estimated that due to a summer electric heat surge 50 million people and businesses were plunged into the dark and heat.

The summary cost was an estimated $ 6 billion.

Similarly it is estimated that in the United States that smaller outages cost the U.S. economy in lost productivity the not unsubstantial cost of $ 50 billion.

So says the IEEE the Institute of Electronics and Electronics Engineers. The worlds leading professional organization for the advancement of technology.

Secondly the unique geography of the U.S. produces favorable conditions for tornadoes, resulting in about 1000 tornadoes every year according to the weather channel.

Tornadoes are highly unpredictable with wind speeds reaching 300 mph, a tornado is the most destructive storm of all, ripping up utility lines and leading to lengthy, unexpected blackouts.

As well last years hurricane season was a record breaker with more than an alphabets worth of named storms, causing the National Hurricane Center to resort to the Greek Alphabet ever. It was also the first season since 1851 to have three categories of five storms. (Katrina, Rita, Wilma).

Lightning is always the most obvious concern of most computer enthusiasts. Each lightening flash typically contains about 1 billion volts and between 10 and 20 thousand amps of current. Currents can transfer through wiring or plumbing and destroy everything in its path, of course including your irreplaceable Computer and Software Collection.

This damage is entirely possible. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAAA) reports an average of 20 million cloud to ground flashes have been detected every year since 1989.

How can you protect yourself?

First of all purchase proper surge protection and have it in place.

There are various levels of surge protection devices.

1) Power bars with a simple switch. These are the choice of most as they are readily available and inexpensive. However the switch is just that a switch not a surge protector. The appearance of an electronic device fools many into believing that they are protected. Sadly they are not.

2) Inexpensive Surge Protection devices. This is a better step than the first. However the protection is limited by the fact that the surge protection is afforded by simple Silica sand. With time and moisture (usually no more than a year) the surge protection is highly diminished.

If you use these inexpensive Silica sand based surge protectors replace them on a yearly basis. As well note the capacity of the surge protector. It does no good to have a very inadequate surge protector.

Read the labels and descriptions on the packages.

You can not protect a large computer system with a surge protector designed for one simple computer or laptop.

3) More expensive electronic surge protection units. A wise choice. However as noted above ensure that your protection is well rated above PEAK power use not a lower power use

4) Lastly you may well consider a more expensive though very safe solution an Uninterrupted Power Supply.

An uninterruptible power supply, or UPS, (sometimes called an ‘uninterruptible power source ‘) is a device which maintains a continuous supply of electric power to connected equipment by supplying power from a battery when utility power is not available. A UPS is inserted between the source of power (typically commercial utility power) and the load which is to be protected. When a power failure or abnormality occurs, the UPS will effectively switch from utility power to battery power .While they are not limited to any particular type of equipment, they are typically used to protect computers.

Remember why tempt fate when it comes to your prized vintage computer system .

Fire departments not only fight fires they are most effective in preventing fires.

Remember at the very worst you can always unplug your computer and devicesto be safe . And as well remember to unplug the phone or broadband cable connection as well.

Important Features To Look Out For When You Buy A Cheap Laptop

If you are in the market for a cheap laptop, I am sure you will be asking yourself that question. As prices for laptops continue to fall every month, Laptops become cheaper yet more powerful and this is really good news for cheap laptop buyers. However if you have not been following computer technology, you can easily be swarmed by too much information. This guide aims to give you an idea what features you should look out for when you buy a cheap laptop that cost less than US$1000.

Processor
Most laptops have the capability to go wireless these days. Wireless allows you to sit far away from a network point and yet be able to surf the internet. With wireless capability, you can be surfing your favorite sites in the living room without all the ugly looking wires. At this price range, you can expect a laptop with mobile Pentium processor with speed from 1.4 GHz to 1.8 GHz. So aim for at least a 1.4GHz when you shop for a cheap laptop.

Graphics Display
Graphics display is important because it directly determines how fast a laptop displays information on the screen. Most laptops at this price range come with integrated graphics with memory size ranging from 64Mb to 128 Mb. You should always look for higher memory size so try to buy a cheap laptop with integrated graphics with at least a 128mb ram

Hard Disk
Most cheap laptops at this price range come with 60GB hard disk. A bigger hard disk means you can store more files in your laptop.

Memory
This is an important feature to look out for. Modern applications require a lot of memory resources to run. Look for at least 512 MB ram. Fortunately most cheap laptop these days come with at least 512MB.

Optical Drive
Expect your cheap laptop to have at least a CD-RW drive. CD-RW drive allows you to backup your files by writing onto a CD. As prices fall further, expect cheap laptops to include DVD / CD-RW drive in the near future. With DVD/ CD-RW drive, not only can you backup your files easily, you can even play DVD movies.

With this information to prepare you, I hope you are clearer now when you shop for a cheap laptop.

Smartphones
What’s the craze all about?

If you haven’t heard of smartphones, we’d like to learn where you’ve been hiding all this time. Smartphones have been all over the news and chances are, you do know what they are – only you know them under a different name. Smartphones are mobile phones with computer like capabilities.

What’s that? Aha! Yes, you’ve not only heard of them, you’ve probably seen them as well. Packed with Internet access, email capabilities, address books, and a whole lot more, cell phones have come a long way since their first debut. But be careful not to confuse these newest toys with sandbox devices.

Sandbox devices are tools that come pre-loaded with things like calendars, calculators, and a notepad. What differentiates them from smartphones is that users can add (download and install) additional programs to smartphones and they seemingly become mini portable computers for the people who use them. That – and the ability to edit the content that sits on them – is what makes these phones “smart.”

Some of the more popular brand names include the Blackberry, PalmSource, Nokia, and Windows CE. Yet the craze is extending to even some off-brand company names. Today, it’s hard to find a cell phone that doesn’t offer some sort of “smart” technology because it’s in such a high demand. The convenience of having information at our immediate access is phenomenal – so much so that thousands of programmers have jumped on the opportunity to build unique applications specific to these small machines.

As a result, you can find tons of games, databases, GPA systems, weather reporting programs, and even small encyclopedias on these things – each accessible not at the click of a mouse – but at a few presses of a free thumb. Of course a mini keyboard is available for the text-messaging fan or for the poor fellow who can’t seem to get away from the office. In the latter case, don’t be surprised if you find the entire Microsoft Office suite displayed within a screen no bigger than a matchbook.

Is this a phase? That’s highly doubtful. The market for these devices extends from the highly technical and professional all the way to the pre-teen socialite. The product crosses all demographics and thanks to decreasing costs – it sees no economic boundaries as well. The Wikipedia encyclopedia claims that “Out of 1 billion camera phones to be shipped in 2008, Smartphones, the higher end of the market with full email support, will represent about 10% of the market or about 100 million units.”

But what is it that makes smartphones so appealing? As mentioned, smartphones give us the ability to not only carry our data around with us where ever we go, it also gives us the ability to edit that data any place – any time. In today’s “reality” based generation, we’re always looking for the opportunity to capture and relive a moment. And we want to share that moment with others. At best, smart phones give us the opportunity to express ourselves impromptu with entertaining results.

Attempting to do the same with a bulky desktop computer or laptop is to cumbersome. Even some of the smallest peripherals (digicams, digital cameras, etc.) don’t give us the same opportunities that smart phones do. Being able to carry around a device for communication, creation, recording, and editing simply compliments the need for today’s generation to do more and then do it, faster!

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