Getting a new laptop is fun and exciting with all the new software the manufacturer loads. The excitement soon gives way to an understanding that two weeks of McAfee Anti Virus or one month of Earthlink does not really serve any purpose. Most of the programs may not be useful and can even slow down the computer. Who needs them?
A wise thing would be to uninstall whatever is not required and clean up the hard drive and start installing stuff that is useful. Most people are under the opinion that installing new software means spending more money. However, it does not have to be that way.
A lot of applications are available free of charge and are open source, which means that people have the option to alter the program to suit their needs it they possess the skill or have the inclination to.
Here are a few things that many people find useful and all of them can be installed without spending a penny.
Firefox - The Firefox web browser is what most people use on their laptops. Many people are of the opinion that it is better than Internet Explorer; however, it is a personal preference. Firefox gives the option of adding new features with the use of extensions, which are add-ons to Firefox that allow the user to do anything they wish to, such as saving chunks of any website to their Google Notebook. One of the most favorite extensions are, PicLens, which gives any photo site the feel of Flickr or even MySpace, and makes scanning and scrolling photos fun and easy. There is a whole lot more to Firefox, which can only be experienced. Continue Reading →
Fond Memories Of Tax-Free Internet Shopping!
19 July 2008one responseHasan
People love buying online and one reason is the freedom from sales tax. Looks like things are about to change and soon we will be telling our children and grandchildren of the “good old days” when there were no taxes online.
Tax-hungry politicians are attempting to force Amazon.com to collect sales taxes from people that reside out of the state. If this really happens, Amazon.com is only the beginning and all other online retailers will have to follow suit. People then will only be left with fond memories of days when it was easy to order items over the internet without having to pay any sales taxes.
Currently, if someone residing in California orders an item from Amazon.com, which is based in Seattle, there is no sales tax charged at the time of the purchase. The reason is because Amazon has no offices in California. There is a long-standing rule that says a retailer must have a physical presence to be able to collect taxes.
However, politicians who are pro sales taxes are trying to find ways to circumvent this rule and New York State has recently succeeded in getting an approval by legislators that says Amazon and other online retailers that have no physical presence in the state, should collect sales tax on purchases made by New Yorkers.
Amazon is not willing to take this lying down and is all set for a legal battle, and as a first step has sued the State of New York. It challenged the new statute by filing a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, that the new law was vague, unconstitutional, and too broad. Continue Reading →
Tax-hungry politicians are attempting to force Amazon.com to collect sales taxes from people that reside out of the state. If this really happens, Amazon.com is only the beginning and all other online retailers will have to follow suit. People then will only be left with fond memories of days when it was easy to order items over the internet without having to pay any sales taxes.
Currently, if someone residing in California orders an item from Amazon.com, which is based in Seattle, there is no sales tax charged at the time of the purchase. The reason is because Amazon has no offices in California. There is a long-standing rule that says a retailer must have a physical presence to be able to collect taxes.
However, politicians who are pro sales taxes are trying to find ways to circumvent this rule and New York State has recently succeeded in getting an approval by legislators that says Amazon and other online retailers that have no physical presence in the state, should collect sales tax on purchases made by New Yorkers.
Amazon is not willing to take this lying down and is all set for a legal battle, and as a first step has sued the State of New York. It challenged the new statute by filing a complaint in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, that the new law was vague, unconstitutional, and too broad. Continue Reading →
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Kids Buying Age-Restricted Video Games Online!
01 July 20082 responsesHasan
Who would have thought the day would come when playing a video game can prove to be harmful? Along with technological advancement, the video game culture underwent a huge change, with violence and sex making its way even into the video game arena. There are many types of video games, each with its own distinctive content. The rating for these games is done by the Entertainment System Rating Board (ESRB) to give information about the content of the games, for buyers to decide whether it is meant for children or for adults.
The ESRB uses rating symbols, such as EC (early childhood,) E (everyone,) M (Mature) and many others as well as several descriptors to describe what is in a game. Some descriptors are - animated blood that means depiction of discolored blood, which does not look real; blood depicts normal blood; violence refers to conflicts that are aggressive in nature; sexual violence depicts violent sexual acts such as rape. These are just some of the descriptors and there are many more that are used to describe comic, humor, gambling, drugs, language, mature humor etc.
Parents of small children usually look at these ratings to see what sort of games their kids are playing and keep a check on them, as well as to ensure they do not play games that are violent or sexually inclined, at a young and impressionable age. Continue Reading →
The ESRB uses rating symbols, such as EC (early childhood,) E (everyone,) M (Mature) and many others as well as several descriptors to describe what is in a game. Some descriptors are - animated blood that means depiction of discolored blood, which does not look real; blood depicts normal blood; violence refers to conflicts that are aggressive in nature; sexual violence depicts violent sexual acts such as rape. These are just some of the descriptors and there are many more that are used to describe comic, humor, gambling, drugs, language, mature humor etc.
Parents of small children usually look at these ratings to see what sort of games their kids are playing and keep a check on them, as well as to ensure they do not play games that are violent or sexually inclined, at a young and impressionable age. Continue Reading →
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The Booming Of Tutorial Business!
17 June 2008no responsesHasan
Good marks have always been perceived as critical to the future success of a child. Most of us remember our parents telling us that to achieve something in life, it is necessary to get a good education.
Private tutoring is a rapidly expanding industry around the world, including countries such as U.S. spending heavily on tutoring.
Korean parents are no different where education goes, in fact their children are said to spend twelve hours a day at school and even a 3-year old has English language tutors.
You would understand the extent of interest that Koreans show in children’s education by the fact that the Korean Air Force is said to ground its planes, during the college entrance exams so as not to disturb the students.
The pride of most Korean families hinges on what universities their children attend, which is the reason why Koreans shell out more for schooling of kids aged 5 to 21 years of age, than any other country in the OECD.
OECD, which is the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international organization that consists of thirty countries that follow the principles of free market economy and representative democracy. Countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and others are all part of this organization. Continue Reading →
Private tutoring is a rapidly expanding industry around the world, including countries such as U.S. spending heavily on tutoring.
Korean parents are no different where education goes, in fact their children are said to spend twelve hours a day at school and even a 3-year old has English language tutors.
You would understand the extent of interest that Koreans show in children’s education by the fact that the Korean Air Force is said to ground its planes, during the college entrance exams so as not to disturb the students.
The pride of most Korean families hinges on what universities their children attend, which is the reason why Koreans shell out more for schooling of kids aged 5 to 21 years of age, than any other country in the OECD.
OECD, which is the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international organization that consists of thirty countries that follow the principles of free market economy and representative democracy. Countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and others are all part of this organization. Continue Reading →
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Private Loans To Help With College Education!
16 June 2008no responsesHasan
Putting a child through school washes away all the savings and then comes college, where parents end up at the hawk-like lenders’ doors. There certainly are loans for students, but when was a student loan ever enough for college? Families often have to lean towards private loans to help them cover the huge gap between the college education cost and the federally backed student loans.
What this means, with the current credit crunch, is the inability to get loans except for the most creditworthy of all and for the ones that do secure a loan, it means higher interest rates.
It is very important for families to consider various alternatives before taking a private loan. The variable interest rates and the fees are much higher now, making private student loans far more expensive than the student loans, which carry a low fixed interest rate. There are some states that offer bargain-rates on loans to those children that live or attend college within their borders.
According to Kalman Chany, author of Paying for College Without Going Broke, “Private loans should be a last resort.”
In spite of knowing the issues associated with such loans, many families still go in for private loans. There are other students that do not qualify for the federal loans, either because they are foreign students of because they have less grade points. These students have no other alternative available but to approach the private lenders.
According to experts, there are certain things to keep in mind while looking for a lender. One should not go by the lower rates being advertised. Interest rates depend on the borrower’s credit score and the percentage varies from person to person. Even those students that have good credit usually take the help of either family or relatives with a better credit history to be co-signers. This means, the co-signer is accepting the responsibility of repaying the loan if the student does not pay back. Continue Reading →
What this means, with the current credit crunch, is the inability to get loans except for the most creditworthy of all and for the ones that do secure a loan, it means higher interest rates.
It is very important for families to consider various alternatives before taking a private loan. The variable interest rates and the fees are much higher now, making private student loans far more expensive than the student loans, which carry a low fixed interest rate. There are some states that offer bargain-rates on loans to those children that live or attend college within their borders.
According to Kalman Chany, author of Paying for College Without Going Broke, “Private loans should be a last resort.”
In spite of knowing the issues associated with such loans, many families still go in for private loans. There are other students that do not qualify for the federal loans, either because they are foreign students of because they have less grade points. These students have no other alternative available but to approach the private lenders.
According to experts, there are certain things to keep in mind while looking for a lender. One should not go by the lower rates being advertised. Interest rates depend on the borrower’s credit score and the percentage varies from person to person. Even those students that have good credit usually take the help of either family or relatives with a better credit history to be co-signers. This means, the co-signer is accepting the responsibility of repaying the loan if the student does not pay back. Continue Reading →
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FBI Safety Tips For Wi-Fi Users!
07 June 2008no responsesHasan
Wireless technology that eliminates the need for wires and cables, and facilitates access to information in the easiest manner possible, is here to stay. It is being used in mobile phones, video games, home networks. Every personal computer operating system and game console supports Wi-Fi.
With so many advantages that it affords, it is no surprise that people overlook any drawbacks it may have, such as the security issues. Wi-Fi networks that are unencrypted or open can be easily monitored by others and used to view all the personal information transmitted over the network, unless some sort of security, such as a VPN or a secure web page is used.
In order to protect people’s interests and make them aware of the security aspect of Wi-Fi networks, the FBI has recently issued a warning that the Wi-Fi hotspots or the wireless internet networks are easy prey to hackers.
These wireless internet networks are found at airports, book stores, malls, supermarkets, school campuses, coffee shops and several such places. These networks are installed for the use of residents of different localities; however, security at these places is very low, with no registration or passwords required to use the service. Even emails and instant messages are not encrypted.
This sort of a setting is like a full-fledged feast to a hacker, who can access and steal this private information from anywhere in the world. Continue Reading →
With so many advantages that it affords, it is no surprise that people overlook any drawbacks it may have, such as the security issues. Wi-Fi networks that are unencrypted or open can be easily monitored by others and used to view all the personal information transmitted over the network, unless some sort of security, such as a VPN or a secure web page is used.
In order to protect people’s interests and make them aware of the security aspect of Wi-Fi networks, the FBI has recently issued a warning that the Wi-Fi hotspots or the wireless internet networks are easy prey to hackers.
These wireless internet networks are found at airports, book stores, malls, supermarkets, school campuses, coffee shops and several such places. These networks are installed for the use of residents of different localities; however, security at these places is very low, with no registration or passwords required to use the service. Even emails and instant messages are not encrypted.
This sort of a setting is like a full-fledged feast to a hacker, who can access and steal this private information from anywhere in the world. Continue Reading →
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Video Game Obsession May Be Good For Health!
04 June 20083 responsesHasan
Children often complain that their parents do not allow them to play video games as often as they would like and that they do not understand how much fun playing video games can be.
There is good news for the kids. Parents may just let them get their way if this obsession proves to be good for their health, and they themselves may start playing alongside their children.
Health researchers in the U.S., who are always searching for ways of find good in everything, are at it again and are looking at the positive influence video games might prove to be.
The Robert Wood Foundation announced that it will give about a dozen research teams, up to $200,000 each, to conduct studies for a couple of years. The aim of the projects will be to measure the effects of playing video games, on the young as well as the old.
Researchers at Cornell University will study how a game played on a mobile phone, which rewards exercise and healthy eating, will influence the behavior of children. University of Florida research team will monitor how playing Crazy Taxi with Play station II will affect the perception in the elderly. University of South Carolina will look into how video games such as EyeToy and Wii can affect people who suffered a stroke, by helping them recover their motor skills.
The idea behind conducting these various studies is the feeling that video games have the potential to teach through reinforcement. Researchers wish to encourage healthy behaviors from obsessions such as video games. Continue Reading →
There is good news for the kids. Parents may just let them get their way if this obsession proves to be good for their health, and they themselves may start playing alongside their children.
Health researchers in the U.S., who are always searching for ways of find good in everything, are at it again and are looking at the positive influence video games might prove to be.
The Robert Wood Foundation announced that it will give about a dozen research teams, up to $200,000 each, to conduct studies for a couple of years. The aim of the projects will be to measure the effects of playing video games, on the young as well as the old.
Researchers at Cornell University will study how a game played on a mobile phone, which rewards exercise and healthy eating, will influence the behavior of children. University of Florida research team will monitor how playing Crazy Taxi with Play station II will affect the perception in the elderly. University of South Carolina will look into how video games such as EyeToy and Wii can affect people who suffered a stroke, by helping them recover their motor skills.
The idea behind conducting these various studies is the feeling that video games have the potential to teach through reinforcement. Researchers wish to encourage healthy behaviors from obsessions such as video games. Continue Reading →
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The Role Of Wi-Fi Devices As Lifesavers!
04 June 2008no responsesHasan
Wireless technology has changed the face of communication and with the creation of Bluetooth; people felt they have seen it all.
However, the quintessential mobile has just become more endearing and turned our savior. From now on, it will also call the doctor in case of an emergency and its owner is unwell.
Latest research shows that the mobile technology has been given the capability to call the doctor when the owner of the phone is in danger. This works for patients with chronic health problems, such as people who are at risk for a diabetic collapse or a heart attack. With sensors implanted inside the bodies of such people, doctors will be able to monitor them remotely.
If the “in-body network” of sensors recorded that the person had suddenly collapsed, then an alert would be automatically sent to a surgery or a hospital nearby. These network sensors monitor the patients’ moves and pick up health signs that can prove to be dangerous, such as high blood sugar levels or an attack of asthma, and send an alert via a portable monitor or a home hub.
This research is being carried out at Portsmouth as well as many universities in the UK.
They say that these networks may use a spectrum that is allotted to be used by these sensor networks. The main belief behind this technology is that radio spectrum can be used in many ways to help people. Continue Reading →
However, the quintessential mobile has just become more endearing and turned our savior. From now on, it will also call the doctor in case of an emergency and its owner is unwell.
Latest research shows that the mobile technology has been given the capability to call the doctor when the owner of the phone is in danger. This works for patients with chronic health problems, such as people who are at risk for a diabetic collapse or a heart attack. With sensors implanted inside the bodies of such people, doctors will be able to monitor them remotely.
If the “in-body network” of sensors recorded that the person had suddenly collapsed, then an alert would be automatically sent to a surgery or a hospital nearby. These network sensors monitor the patients’ moves and pick up health signs that can prove to be dangerous, such as high blood sugar levels or an attack of asthma, and send an alert via a portable monitor or a home hub.
This research is being carried out at Portsmouth as well as many universities in the UK.
They say that these networks may use a spectrum that is allotted to be used by these sensor networks. The main belief behind this technology is that radio spectrum can be used in many ways to help people. Continue Reading →
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Online Community Mentors!
27 May 2008no responsesHasan
“A mentor is someone whose hindsight can become your foresight.”
Every person needs mentoring at some point in life. It helps as a motivating factor to do better and excel at work as well as in personal life. Sometimes, these mentoring relationships become invaluable when there is a need to generate solutions to critical challenges that people experience at home or work.
Many online communities that offer mentoring services have mushroomed all over the web and some of them are very professional and include several mentors, each specializing in a field. This ensures the users get expert advice on every problem.
These communities provide users an area to discuss on a wide variety of topics, from how to set up a business to how to deal with a suspicious spouse. People are encouraged to discuss every aspect of their life. If someone is going through a bad phase, it helps to talk to someone who has been in their shoes before and has faced a similar situation.
This need to share is prevalent in most human beings, but often the fear that the other person may not understand, makes them bottle it all up and this is not good for health. Bottling up things may have an adverse affect on the emotional and the physical health of a person.
These community sites are specifically aimed at providing clean and good service that is of benefit to the users, where meaningful interchanges are possible. Continue Reading →
Every person needs mentoring at some point in life. It helps as a motivating factor to do better and excel at work as well as in personal life. Sometimes, these mentoring relationships become invaluable when there is a need to generate solutions to critical challenges that people experience at home or work.
Many online communities that offer mentoring services have mushroomed all over the web and some of them are very professional and include several mentors, each specializing in a field. This ensures the users get expert advice on every problem.
These communities provide users an area to discuss on a wide variety of topics, from how to set up a business to how to deal with a suspicious spouse. People are encouraged to discuss every aspect of their life. If someone is going through a bad phase, it helps to talk to someone who has been in their shoes before and has faced a similar situation.
This need to share is prevalent in most human beings, but often the fear that the other person may not understand, makes them bottle it all up and this is not good for health. Bottling up things may have an adverse affect on the emotional and the physical health of a person.
These community sites are specifically aimed at providing clean and good service that is of benefit to the users, where meaningful interchanges are possible. Continue Reading →
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Bite And Tell – The Artificial Mouth!
26 May 2008no responsesHasan
Applying the advances in science, researchers are making sure that we have more mouths to feed. We are not talking about cloning here.
Scientists have always been fascinated about building an electronic tongue or a robotic tasting device for use in the improvement of food safety and improving food quality. But before robots can learn to taste food, they will have to chew it first.
French scientist, Gaelle Arvisenet and his team have developed an artificial mouth that can chew apples just like you and me. In fact, most people these days, due to increasing dental problems caused by consumption of processed foods, may not be able to chew properly, but the artificial mouth has firm and strong teeth and it can chew hard foods with ease.
Researches in Nantes, France, have created an artificial mouth that according to them, “Mimics all the first vital steps of human digestion, which are chewing, releasing saliva and breaking down food.”
Researchers say that this could be used as a robotic taste tester to perhaps improve the flavor of food.
Previously, there had been artificial mouths designed, but they were only capable of testing soft foods or for testing the teeth of a robot. However, this is the first time anyone has done anything that relates to hard foods and human digestion. Continue Reading →
Scientists have always been fascinated about building an electronic tongue or a robotic tasting device for use in the improvement of food safety and improving food quality. But before robots can learn to taste food, they will have to chew it first.
French scientist, Gaelle Arvisenet and his team have developed an artificial mouth that can chew apples just like you and me. In fact, most people these days, due to increasing dental problems caused by consumption of processed foods, may not be able to chew properly, but the artificial mouth has firm and strong teeth and it can chew hard foods with ease.
Researches in Nantes, France, have created an artificial mouth that according to them, “Mimics all the first vital steps of human digestion, which are chewing, releasing saliva and breaking down food.”
Researchers say that this could be used as a robotic taste tester to perhaps improve the flavor of food.
Previously, there had been artificial mouths designed, but they were only capable of testing soft foods or for testing the teeth of a robot. However, this is the first time anyone has done anything that relates to hard foods and human digestion. Continue Reading →
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