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Windows takes on Android and Palm for the smartphone top spot

November 30, 2009 1,993 comments

 

Author: Matt Sharp

When it comes to smartphones, which is the best OS? Is it the open source Android? Is it the newcomer WebOS? Or is it the old stalwart Windows Mobile? Let’s take a look.

HTC HD2

At a huge 4.3 inches, the screen on the HTC HD2 truly is immense, and the high, 800×480 resolution makes it genuinely easy to use things like scrollbars in menus. However, the HTC HD2 actually does a very good job of making it so you don’t have to go into standard Windows menus that often, as on top of the operating system, the interface is HTC’s patented TouchFLO 3D setup, where everything is achieved through various finger swipes and sweeping gestures. It is truly intuitive, and it (along with the truly awesome 1GHz Snapdragon processor) is the reason why the HTC HD2 is such an unmitigated joy to use. Of course, it’s not all about being pretty, a phone needs to have decent features and the HTC HD2 has them in spades, from the 5 megapixel camera, through GPS, to incredibly fast HSDPA internet access (not to mention the superb Opera Mobile web browser).

HTC Hero

The HTC Hero is comparable to the HD2, sharing a similar keyboard-less design. Again, it’s with the software that the HTC Hero shines, with Android living up to the title some have given it, that of ‘game changer’. Its completely open source nature makes adapting the OS very easy, and the interface itself is once again a finger-friendly, sleek, and polished affair, with gesture controls the order of the day. The tight integration of the full Google suite (including Apps and Gmail), makes it a real force to be reckoned with, and it has to be said that the HTC Hero is a truly stunning phone.

Palm Pre

So, there’s the HTC Touch Diamond2, which takes Windows Mobile to new heights. And then, there’s the HTC Hero, which gives Android a new interface. What does the Palm Pre offer that’s different? Well, one could talk about the WebOS interface it uses, as it’s unique in the annals of phone history. And indeed, there’s one feature of WebOS, directly related to the keyboard, that makes the Palm Pre so cool. Universal search. Now, many phones do that, but the Palm Pre does it so much more cleverly. Just start typing what you want to know about, from the front screen, and the Palm Pre will search your contacts, apps, music, pictures, and even the internet, to interpret and find what you’re looking for. That really is a cool feature, and it may well make the Palm Pre the coolest QWERTY phone out there. If you value the interface above all else, the Palm Pre is the phone for you.

 

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1265573_45.html
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How Can I Be Sure My Old IT Equipment is Disposed of Securely and Properly?

November 23, 2009 1,848 comments
Author: Derek Rogers

With the rapidly improving and expanding technology of today, people tend to replace their personal computers on a regular basis in order to keep up with the latest advancements. It’s extremely important to dispose of old IT equipment securely and properly not only to protect your sensitive information, but to protect the precious environment as well.

In early 2007 the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations came into effect in an attempt to minimise the millions of tonnes of electronic waste, or e-waste as it’s often called, that is disposed of each year in just the UK alone. You can read about those laws at the Environment Agency’s website.

All computer equipment contains hazardous materials and keeping e-waste out of landfills should be high on the list of priorities of government officials and private citizens everywhere.

Mercury, lead, cadmium and hexavalent chromium, not to mention glass and plastic, all of which have a negative impact on the environment, are just some of what’s found lurking inside our computers, monitors, hard drives, circuit boards, printers, scanners, fax machines, and telephones.

Many areas now have recyclers who will take old IT equipment as well as organisations who specialise in disposing of computers and other hardware in an environmentally responsible way. Other places like not-for-profit organisations will dismantle the computers and salvage whatever parts possible or perhaps make repairs and then resell the equipment. Before donating a computer, make it a point to call in advance, especially if the equipment is obsolete or in disrepair, to see if there’s a need first.

You can find a list of computer recyclers and refurbishers in the UK through a website called ‘Waste Online’

Before using an e-waste disposal service check to see that the company complies with the WEEE regulations and file your written proof that your IT equipment was indeed disposed of securely and properly. And, if you’re donating to a charitable organisation, see that the appropriate security measures will be taken with your equipment to prevent unauthorised access, now a legal requirement thanks to the Data Protection Act of 1998.

Also, some computer manufacturers now offer recycling programs at low or no cost and information about these services, if available, can be found on their respective websites. Some computer makers offer credits toward the purchase of new equipment while others provide the service free of charge.

Erasing the Hard Drive Before Getting Rid of Your Computer

Most of us have done banking or ordered something online using our bank accounts or credit cards and many of us keep track of our finances with files saved on our home computers. Be aware that reformatting the computer’s hard drive is not enough to ensure that all of your data will really be removed from the machine.

There are software programs available designed specifically for this purpose and there’s always the alternative of physically destroying the computer’s hard drive making it unreadable, which of course, won’t be an option if you’re donating the computer to an organisation for some purpose.

However you ultimately decide to dispose of your useless IT equipment it is imperative to be absolutely certain that none of your information will wind up in the hands of a criminal.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For information on IT Asset Recovery, he recommends Network 24.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1244090_10.html
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FREE Photoshop 6 Video Tutorials Help Dominate Any Adobe Photoshop Version

November 18, 2009 2,347 comments
Author: David Peters

 

Photoshop 6 is the market leading computer program used to create and manipulate images and photographs. Photoshop 6 contains a variety of tools to create images such as logos, banners, and buttons from scratch. You can also download photos, scanned artwork, or Internet icons to Photoshop 6 and edit them to suit your needs. If you are a beginner to graphic creation or photo editing the incredible breadth of Photoshop 6’s functions can be daunting; however, after spending a bit of time reading the instruction manual, even the beginner should be able to take advantage of Photoshop 6’s many features. You can also find video tutorials which can guide you through any part of Photoshop 6 you with to go.When you open Photoshop 6 you will notice that there are four main components on your screen . These are the main tools used to create and edit images. These tools are:- Menu Bar, Drawing Canvas, Toolbox & Palettes.We’ll start with the most familiar item first. The Menu Bar looks like the menu bar in most other applications. Each menu item is almost self explanatory; for example, if you want to do anything with the “file” you are working on you will find it under “File.” If you want to manipulate anything on the screen you should find it under “Edit” or “Tools.” Basically, you can save, get a new screen, copy, and paste; all the functions with which you are already familiar.The Drawing Canvas is the next component of Photoshop 6 that you need to familiarize yourself with. Your drawing canvas is the large white area in the middle of the screen where you create or edit your images. If you want to limit or specify the size of your image you want to set the size of your drawing canvas to match your requirements. The drawing canvas title bar tells you the name of your image, as well as the zoom and what mode you are in. It is possible to have an unlimited number of drawing canvases open at a time and to set them to all different sizes.

 

Your Toolbox is the main arsenal of tools that will allow you to create and edit your images in Photoshop 6. The toolbox holds twenty different tools that allow you to draw and modify images on your drawing canvas. You can hold your mouse over each item and a “tooltip” will appear telling you the name of the tool itself. If you notice a small triangle at the bottom of the tool icon you can press and hold your mouse over the tool and a flyout menu will appear showing any hidden tools. You can draw lines, fill in colors, erase images, select parts of an image, and so much more. For every tool that you select in your toolbox, Photoshop 6 changes the shape of your pointer in hopes of helping you to remember what tool you are currently using.

The final main component of Photoshop 6 is the dock which contain certain panels. By default, five panels will appear on your screen when you open Photoshop 6. These panels are: information, brushes, layers, command, and color. More are available from your Windows menu on the menu bar. The panels are what give Photoshop 6 its versatility. Each panel modifies the properties of the tools in the toolbox. For example, the brushes panel allows you to change the thickness of line your brush draws. Each panel contains its own features and it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with each panel and their functions. You will also want to look at the menu’s for each of the panels which are availabe at the top right of the panel.

Once you are comfortable with the basic layout of Photoshop 6 you should get to know all the tools in your toolbox. The best way to do this is open a new drawing canvas select each tool and begin to play and see what each one does. If you have the instruction manual in front of you you will be able to read about each of the tools properties and what exactly it does. Once you have become comfortable with the basics of the program you can begin to work on the more advanced features.

Did you like the idea of this article? Curious about Learning Photoshop 6? Well now you can by reading this Photoshop FREE Guide…what are you waiting for? Grab your Free Adobe Photoshop 6 Tutorials for beginners today!

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1236384_11.html
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Quick and Easy Fixes for Common Windows Errors

August 6, 2009 1,762 comments

Quick and Easy Fixes For Common Windows Errors

Once in a while we all get frustrated with the complicated error messages that flog our computers. The key to alleviating the computing experience is by increasing your knowledge about computers and various error messages. You must ensure that you are not completely dependent on computer experts for troubleshooting errors.

In this article, we will discuss how to fix three common errors associated with a Windows computer, namely Windows error code 39, stop 0×00000024 error and msvcr80.dll error.

Windows Error Code 39

Error Code 39 is related to device drivers and may occur when a required driver is missing or if a required binary file is corrupt. You can use the Device Manager, which is a built-in utility in Windows PCs, to view error codes related to drivers and fix the errors by performing the following steps:

  1. Right-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop and select Properties.
  2. Click the Hardware tab and then click the Device Manager button.
  3. Double-click on any device type listed under the Device Manager window to view the devices under it. For example, double-click Network Adapters.
  4. Double-click a device to view its properties dialog box

If error code 39 has been generated for a device then the following error message will be displayed in the Device Status box on the General tab:

“Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)”

Steps to Windows Error Code 39

Error Code 39 can be fixed by uninstalling and reinstalling the concerned device driver. Always remember to restart your system after you have reinstalled the device driver.

You can also fix this error using the Troubleshooting wizard. The steps listed below will guide you on how to run this wizard:

  1. Double-click the faulty device in the Device Manager window to view its properties box.
  2. Click on Troubleshoot button under General tab to open the Troubleshooting wizard.
  3. Follow the instructions given in the wizard to identify and to fix the problem.

You can also seek the help of a good third-party driver scanner tool to help you repair driver related issues.

Fixing Stop 0×00000024 Error

The “stop 0×00000024” error message pops up when there is a problem with the Ntfs.sys file. Follow the pointers listed below to correct this error:

    • Ensure that the cabling of your PC is intact and that there are no termination problems between your SCSI hard disks, other devices and their SCSI controllers.
    • Update your drivers regularly and ensure they are compatible with your operating system.
    • Ensure that third-party softwares that you use, such as antivirus programs, backup utilities and third-party disk managers are compatible with your operating system.
    • Regularly run diagnostic tools to ensure the integrity of different volumes on your hard drive. You can follow the steps listed below to check and fix the disk volumes for errors:  Go to Start, select Run, type cmd and click OK.  Then, type chkdsk drive: /f and press Enter.

        Fixing MSVCR80.dll Error

        You may receive an error message related to the msvcr80.dll file similar to the one mentioned below:

        “This application has failed to start because MSVCR80.dll was not found. Re-installing the application might fix the problem”.

        You can fix msvcr80.dll error by deleting the corresponding file and reinstalling the application.

        Many computer errors also occur due to problems in the Windows registry. This is why it is recommended that you use a good registry tool to scan and repair registry issues periodically.

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        Quick And Easy Fixes For EXE Problems

        June 9, 2009 1,516 comments

        Quick And Easy Fixes For EXE Problems

        Most computer owners do not believe that they are up to the challenge of solving issues pertaining to their PCs. They seek external help which is often expensive and time consuming.

        With the spread of information, especially due to the evolution of the Internet, many computer users are beginning to remove this mist of uncertainty that surrounds computer errors. They are beginning to realize that there are ways they can solve some of their computer problems on their own. This article will help users solve a common problem faced by computer owners which is known as EXE errors or executable file errors.

        EXE files are powerful files because they are the only files that have the capability to run codes on your computer. This is the reason why when installing a new application, running it, and using its various options, EXE files are used.  This power of EXE files is often exploited by malware programs to run malicious codes on your computer. These malware programs work in two ways. First, they add malicious codes to legitimate Windows files, such as mmc.exe (Microsoft Management Console) and wdfmgr.exe (Windows Media Player) and cause them to generate errors. Second, they copy malicious EXE files, such as d.exe to your computer that enable them to spread easily and cause several problems to your PC. To combat viruses and spyware, you need to use good antivirus and antispyware tools to scan your PC, detect malware files, programs, and registry entries, and then get rid of them. To ensure complete removal, you may use a good registry tool to thoroughly scan your registry and wipe out any malicious entries from it.

        Many EXE files, such as qttask.exe (QuickTime) load at system startup and feed on your system resources unnecessarily. These files are usually not essential for the related applications to function and can easily be disabled and removed you’re your startup programs. So, if you want to fix qttask.exe problems and any other such problem caused by programs that you don’t need to run at all times, use the System Configuration Utility to disable them from loading at startup. If you find this utility confusing, you may use a third-party startup programs manager utility.

        The device drivers that are required by your hardware components also use EXE files extensively. If there is a physical problem with your hardware or related driver, an EXE error may occur. To keep your hardware in check, you may use a reliable PC diagnostics tool to ensure that all components are free from physical problems. To keep your device drivers up-to-date, you may use a good driver scanner tool to automatically perform these tasks for you.

        Programs add entries in the Windows registry that enable them to carry out various operations. If there is some problem with these entries or if your Windows registry is damaged, you may experience EXE and other PC errors. To resolve such issues, you may use a good registry tool to thoroughly scan, clean and repair your registry.

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        Dealing With Computer Errors Caused By Malware

        May 20, 2009 2,177 comments

        Dealing With Computer Errors Caused By Malware

        Malware or malicious software is an epidemic disease infecting millions of computers across the world every year. Malware programs come in various forms and they vary in the extent of damage they cause to the computers. They can be classified mainly into two large categories: viruses and spyware. Viruses are infectious software programs capable of reproducing and transmitting itself from one machine to another. Spyware programs are bundled with other programs and install stealthily on your computer.

        Malware in early days of computing were confined to pranks created by college students for fun. Over last three decades, they have developed into sophisticated tools to commit online crime.

        Unfortunately, most of the PC users today are not aware of the extent of threats caused by these programs. Therefore, they fail to equip their computers to combat this menace effectively. In fact, more than three-fourths of computer owners are at serious risk at any given point of time.

        You must not wait for malware to strike your computer to start preparing a protection plan. Take the steps to deal with this problem right now.

        First step that is extremely essential to combat virus infections is user vigilance. The following are some NEVERs and ALWAYS that you need to follow:

        • NEVER download shareware and freeware software, media, games etc. from dubious looking Web sites. One of the common traps are the Web sites that provide cracks and keygen software that enable you to run pirated software. If you want to be able to use your PC for a long time, you must stay away from such software.
        • ALWAYS scan any external media for viruses before copying data from it.
        • NEVER open emails attachments that you are not sure of what they may contain—even if the attachments have come from known source. Many viruses spread by sending email with infected attachments to all people who are in the address book of the infected computer.
        • NEVER forget to or postpone updating software on your computer. Several virus infections are built around the vulnerabilities detected in these products. When you update your software these lapses are patched up making the software and your PC more secure.
        • ALWAYS run a full system antivirus and antispyware scan if you notice suspicious files, such as d.exe, or files similar to legitimate files, such as wscntfy.exe and smss.exe, running on your computer. As soon as a virus infection is detected, you must take your PC off the network, disconnect it from the Internet and then run the scan. To ensure that your antivirus and antispyware tools are able to scan and combat malware, you must update them regularly.
        • ALWAYS scan and clean your registry after completing antivirus and antispyware scan. Malware programs need to add entries in the registry in order to carry out their malicious activity. Many of these entries are embedded entries, which are almost impossible to remove manually. To get rid of these, the best and the most efficient way is to use a reliable registry cleaner tool.
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        Smart Ways To Avoid EXE Errors And Optimize PC Performance

        April 28, 2009